National critics and locals alike want to let you in on a few Tampa Bay secrets. Listed below are just some of the nationally recognized restaurants located in Tampa Bay that offer some of the best cuisine in the country. They also have a special, local flare. For a more comprehensive list of restaurants, simply search our site.
Armani's
Located atop the Hyatt Regency Westshore, Armani's overlooks Old Tampa Bay and Tampa International Airport, offering twin views of sunset and takeoff. Zagat says Armani's is "undisputedly one of Gulf Coast Florida's favorites." The stylish Northern Italian restaurant has won a DiRona award, received AAA 4-Diamond recognition, was placed in the "high extraordinary" category by Zagat, was picked for a Wine Spectator award for its impressive wine list and tabbed as one of "America's 200 Most Romantic Restaurants" by Dining by Candlelight. Hours are 6 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. Monday-Thursday; 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Friday-Saturday. top
Bern's Steak House
A Tampa landmark, Bern's has been owned and operated by the Laxer family for more than 50 years. Wine Spectator named it the best of all steak houses in America and America Eats Out called Bern's "the most remarkable restaurant in the entire world...with gilded plaster columns, red wallpaper, Tiffany lamps and murals of French vineyards." Bern's purchases U.S. Prime, then ages it five to eight weeks in an aging room built to control humidity and temperature. From offering the largest wine collection in the world, to growing fresh vegetables and salad greens for the restaurant; to a 65-page dessert menu, Bern's recommends reservations for one of its 350 seats. Located at 1208 South Howard Avenue. Hours are 5 p.m. - 10 p.m., Sun-Thurs. 5 p.m. - 11 p.m. Friday & Saturday. Closed Christmas & Labor Day. Reservations are a must. top
Bernini
Reflective of the Italian culture that helped shape Ybor City, the historic Bank of Ybor City building now houses Bernini, home to innovative Italian cuisine. USA Today calls Bernini a "place to get authentic Italian grub in an unforgettable setting." Although the menu changes continually and may include Carpaccio of salmon and black Angus filet of beef perfumed with Italian white truffle or Vesuvio Pizza with marinated chicken, smoked mozzarella, sundried tomato, oregano and spicy three-chili oil. Hours are 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday; 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday - Thursday; 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 5:30 - 11 p.m. Friday; 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday. top
Columbia Restaurant
Family owned for over 100 years, the Columbia is Florida's oldest restaurant and the world's largest Spanish restaurant. A landmark in Tampa's historic Ybor City since opening in 1905, today the Columbia is owned and operated by 4th and 5th generation members of the founding family. Recent awards include the "Distinguished Restaurants of North America (DiRoNA) Award of Excellence" -- One of the most prestigious awards in the fine dining industry; Wine Spectator magazine's Best of Award of Excellence, for an outstanding collection of Spanish wines (more than 1,000 wines with an inventory exceeding 50,000 bottles) and Wine Enthusiast magazine's Award of Ultimate Distinction, given to restaurants that excel on all measures, offering the ultimate experience in wine with imagination and passion. In addition to award-winning Spanish/Cuban cuisine and an internationally honored wine list, flamenco dance performances are featured nightly except Sunday. Live jazz Thursday through Saturday. Reservations suggested, lunch and dinner served daily. Open 365-days a year. Located in the heart of Ybor City on Seventh Avenue. Hours are Monday - Thursday, 11 a.m. -10 p.m.; Friday -Saturday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; and Sunday, noon to 9 p.m. Sunday. top
Donatello
Exquisite Northern Italian cuisine is presented in an elegant atmosphere of china, crystal, silver, subdued lighting and tuxedoed waiters. Featured menu items include osso buco, linguini with fresh crab, and swordfish complemented by irresistible desserts and an extensive international wine list. AAA Four Diamond Award, Epicurean Rendezvous Award and Maison Recommandee for their outstanding wine list are just some of the kudos they have received. Located on North Dale Mabry Highway. Hours are 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Monday - Friday for lunch; 6 p.m. - 11 p.m. Monday - Sunday for dinner. top
Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
The nationally acclaimed Fleming's offers prime cuts of meat and chops, fresh grilled fishes and poultry, generous salads and side orders - with a sophisticated and unique wine list that features 100 domestic and imported wines served by the glass. Recently recognized among Nation's Restaurant News "Hot New Concept" award winners, Fleming's was founded on the premise that a steakhouse need not be expensive, boring nor an exclusive domain for men. The atmosphere, called "posh, elegant and creative" by the Tampa Tribune, features an open dining room built around an exhibition kitchen and expansive bar. Hours are 5 p.m. - 10 p.m. Sunday - Wednesday and 5 p.m. - 11 p.m. Thursday - Saturday. top
Mise En Place
Located across from University of Tampa and the scenic beauty of the former Tampa Bay Hotel, Mise En Place features New American cuisine with fresh local ingredients. Zagat survey says "Kudos abound for this superb, cutting edge New American bistro in downtown Tampa, where chef Marty Blitz creates dishes that are inventive yet homey, turning each plate into art. Staffers know their food and really cater to the guests, and there's great bang for the buck." Hours are 5:30 p.m. - 10 p.m. Tuesday - Thursday, 5:30 p.m. - 11 p.m. Friday - Saturday. top
Oystercatchers
It has an inspiring array of fresh and irresistible seafood, with an enchanting view of the bay from every table. Located behind the Hyatt Regency Westshore, Oystercatchers is nestled in a 35-acre nature preserve on the shores of Old Tampa Bay. The fish are so fresh you pick your own and the stylish setting is definitely not Florida casual. The fabulous water views provide a backdrop for huge servings. Hours are 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Monday - Friday for lunch; 6 p.m. - 10 p.m. Sunday -Thursday and 6 p.m. - 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday for dinner. top
The Palm Restaurant
Almost as famous for what it puts on its walls as what it puts on its plates, the Palm opened at Tampa's WestShore Plaza in July 2001. The original New York City steak house opened over 75 years ago and has since expanded to an empire of nearly 25 locations and the tradition of decorating the walls with caricatures of local celebrities has continued. The Palm's Tampa location features caricatures of Bay Area politicians, sports figures, business executives, TV and radio personalities, newspaper columnists, philanthropists and wrestlers. The Palm serves Prime Angus steaks and Jumbo Nova Scotia lobsters that start at three-pounds. top
Roy's
Founded initially in Hawaii by internationally acclaimed chef Roy Yamaguchi, Roy's restaurants reflect his personal commitment to serving exciting and innovative Euro-Asian cuisine of the highest quality in an elegant yet casual environment. Roy's newest location brings Yamaguchi's cuisine, cutting edge wine list, and "aloha" style of service to Tampa. Signature culinary creations include Hauula Tomato, Maui Onion and Spinach Salad; Crispy Thai Stuffed Chicken with Fruit Chutney and Macadamia Curry Sauce; and Miso-Seared Butterfish with Chinese Five Spice Butter Sauce. Publications including Food & Wine, Bon Appetit, Forbes, Conde Nast Traveler and Nation's Restaurant News have acclaimed Roy's cuisine. Hours are 5:30 p.m. - 10 p.m. daily. top
Ruth's Chris Steak House
In the beautiful Airport/Westshore area of Tampa Bay, you can experience sizzling satisfaction at Ruth's Chris Steak House. Ruth's Chris features the finest USDA Prime beef available in the in the world. Your steak is broiled at 1800 degrees to exact order then rushed to your table sizzling. Reservations are recommended and attire is business casual. The facility has three private dining rooms to accommodate groups from 8-150, whether for dinner or all-day meetings. Ruth's Chris Steak House is now open Sundays at noon. Hours are Monday through Thursday, 5 p.m. - 10 p.m.; Friday - Saturday 5 - 11 p.m.; Sunday 5 - 9 p.m. top
Shula's
This 4-diamond restaurant opened in the Wyndham Westshore Hotel in 1994 and serves only Certified Angus Beef. The decor of the restaurant is a tribute to the 1972 undefeated Miami Dolphins; the menu itself is hand-painted on an official NFL game football signed by former Dolphins Coach Don Shula. Dinner entrees are displayed to the guest on a menu cart before ordering, and include all of the beef cuts and live Maine lobster. The menu also boasts its famous 48-ounce porterhouse steak. Located on Kennedy Boulevard. Hours are 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Monday - Friday for lunch; 5:30 p.m. - 10 p.m. Monday - Thursday for dinner and until 10:30 p.m. Friday - Saturday; Sunday until 9:30 p.m. top
SideBern's
SideBern's is your dining gateway to modern, Mediterranean cuisine. The sleek dining room invites diners to unwind and enjoy Executive Chef Chad Johnson's progressive, fresh entrees which perfectly blend traditional European-style preparations with modern creativity and techniques. SideBern's also offers a daily, seasonally influenced tasting menu paired with choices from the restaurant's award-winning wine collection. As you dine, savor flavors and textures that range from the exotic to the deliciously familiar created with ingredients and culinary influences from France, Italy, Spain and North Africa.
SideBern's accolades include a Four Diamond Award from AAA and consecutive Award of Excellence awards from Wine Spectator Magazine. top
Skipper's Smokehouse
Not to be skipped is Skipper's Smokehouse, a taste for where the locals go and a feel for old Florida. The menu focuses heavily on its seafood specialties from Florida with a dash of Louisiana and the Caribbean and favorites include its spicy conch chowder, grilled smoked gator ribs, mudbugs, grouper sandwiches and award winning Black Bean Gator Chili. Posters of blues and reggae artists paper the walls of this cracker-style, ramshackle restaurant and concert venue. Beneath the star-filled sky and a canopy of moss-draped oak trees is the "Skipperdome," a dance floor and outdoor stage where live music is played nightly. The music ranges from zydeco to jazz to blues; and Skipper's was even been named the Blues Club of the Year in 2001 at the Blues Foundation's Keeping the Blues Alive Awards. Located on Skipper Road near I-275. Hours are 11 a.m. - 11 p.m. Tuesday - Friday; noon - 11 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. - 11 p.m. Sunday. top
***This is just a sampling of Tampa's nationally recognized restaurants. A more comprehensive list of restaurants can be found within the destination guide.
