Tampa Bay is where history, culture and incredible dining collide. Surrounded by blue skies, sparkling waterfronts and a melting pot of cultures, cuisine in Tampa Bay is as rich as its history. The streets are paved with culinary delights, making it an ideal destination for the first-ever MICHELIN Guide to Florida.
Chef Ebbe Vollmer's eponymous downtown dweller isn't your typical Tampa restaurant. Sleek and contemporary with a space dominated by a U-shaped marble bar, it's hyper-focused with just one….
LOCATION: 1202 N. Franklin St., Tampa
This elegant restaurant takes a minimalist approach to its design, employing a dark color palette instead of the typical blonde wood. Though a two-concept spot (Kō is a separate space for kaiseki), all eyes…
LOCATION: 307 W Palm Ave, Tampa
There is a watchful eye over the experience at this intimate eight-seat counter, where a multicourse contemporary tasting menu shares a singular interpretation of Japanese cuisine. The dishes are ofte...
LOCATION: 807 W. Platt St., Tampa
Situated in the sleek and oh-so-stylish Edition hotel, this concept from John Fraser is a popular spot with in-demand reservations. The small space has a sexy vibe, albeit not a stitch of lilac in...
LOCATION: 500 Channelside Dr., Tampa
Chef Bryce Bonsack blends his New York know-how with Italian training to great effect in this of-the-moment eatery. Naturally, there's an assortment of pastas, skillfully made in house and showcasing...
LOCATION: 323 W. Palm Ave., Tampa
Named after Bibendum, the friendly Michelin Man and the official company mascot for the Michelin Group - is a just-as-esteemed rating that recognizes friendly establishments that serve good food at moderate prices.
Take the short drive from downtown for a taste of Himalayan cuisine at Gorkhali Kitchen. The mirrored glass exterior means the interior is kept a secret until you're through the door but come inside t...
LOCATION: 10044 Cross Creek Blvd., Tampa
It's a low-key spot with a contemporary feel. The bar is central and wraps around an open kitchen, so grab a seat at the counter for the best view. Between the lively tunes and buzzy staff, the aura i...
LOCATION: 6500 N. Florida Ave., Tampa
Owned and run by second-generation Greek-American, Christina Theofilos, this daytime eatery and bakery epitomizes warmth and comfort. Strangers become friends in no time, noshing on breakfast and lunc...
LOCATION: 701 N. Howard Ave., Tampa
This South Tampa taqueria certainly ups the style quotient on the typical taqueria. From the black-painted, exposed ductwork to the tables lacquered with Mexican comics to the open kitchen, this fast…
LOCATION: 4004 Henderson Blvd, Tampa
For decades, this stately steakhouse has been a local favorite for special occasions of all stripes, and its popularity shows no signs of shrinking. Diners dress to impress amid the garish vintage opu...
LOCATION: 1208 S. Howard Ave, Tampa
This casual yet charming outpost arrives on the scene courtesy of celebrated local restaurateur, BT Nguyen. It is friendly and atmospheric with gracious servers merely augmenting the inviting feel. Ov...
LOCATION: 4267 Henderson Blvd., Tampa
Nestled among retail spaces and luxury apartments, this unassuming spot is well-loved for its Italian—with an American perspective—food. Minimally dressed with exposed ductwork and mottled cement floo...
LOCATION: 1120 E. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa
For devotees of Cuban-American cuisine, a pilgrimage to this jewel of Historic Ybor City is practically obligatory. Adorned with gorgeous painted tiles, the striking edifice occupies an entire block...
LOCATION: 2117 E. 7th Ave., Tampa
Don't be fooled by the lofty name or upscale location (tucked inside the Epicurean Hotel, just past the lobby). The ambience here is relaxed and the cooking is down-to-earth, though happily not mundan...
LOCATION: 1207 S. Howard Ave., Tampa
Flaming Mountain's strip mall environs may be less than exciting but they save their sizzle for the food. The owners, husband-and-wife Hongfeng Li and Ling Wu, are originally from Shenyang in China's...
LOCATION: 13520 University Plaza St., Tampa
Noshers will rejoice at the prospect of this charming, quirky and convivial concept, whose menu of shareable plates makes snacking practically de rigueur. Front and center is a selection of artisanal...
LOCATION: 2208 W. Morrison Ave., Tampa
Originally a small-scale catering business founded in 1986 by partners Maryann Ferenc and Chef Marty Blitz, this riverfront enclave has gone on to become a local culinary fixture. The sleek, comfortab...
LOCATION: 442 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa
Restaurants pack this area just off Channelside Drive, but Noble Rice deserves your attention, and not just because it's a sister spot to Koya. Unlike most minimalist Japanese restaurants, this place...
LOCATION: 615 Channelside Dr. #112, Tampa
Under the aegis of celebrated chef, Anne Kearny, this boisterous scene forms one of the keystone culinary destinations for the massive Armature Works development in which it is housed.The menu relies...
LOCATION: 1910 N. Ola Ave., Tampa
Named after Chef/owner Chris Ponte's daughter, it's only appropriate that the cooking at this bustling, Italian-inspired venue should set itself apart thanks to extra care. That characteristic attenti...
LOCATION: 3601 W. Swann Ave., Tampa
This lofty, stylish space draws in crowds, thanks to its relaxed, hip vibe and flavorful, unpretentious cooking. Chef and owner Chris Ponte, a heavy-hitter in the local dining scene, has assembled a m...
LOCATION: 1501 W. Swann Ave., Tampa
Located in the Channelside District of downtown Tampa, siblings Blake Casper and Allison Casper Adams founded Predalina as an homage to their great-grandmother's coastal heritage (she was born in…
LOCATION: 1001 E Cumberland Ave, Tampa
Located in the Channelside district of downtown Tampa, The Pearl rests within a mixed-use building with plenty of outdoor seating for warm days and nights. Inside, the space is contemporary…
LOCATION: 823 Water St C100, Tampa
Chef Christopher Ponte oversees the very grand eponymous restaurant located in midtown Tampa where a cream-and-white palette sets an elegant tone. This is a linen tablecloth kind of place where a comp...
LOCATION: 1010 Gramercy Ln., Tampa
Both intimate and serene, this romantic retreat is restaurateur and Chef BT Nguyen's flagship. Its motto "eat local, think global" accurately captures both her genre-defying, eclectic cuisine as well...
LOCATION: 2507 S. Macdill Ave., Tampa
Located in downtown Tampa in a tiny space with some seating outside and a small counter inside, this casual concept is all about sandwiches—at breakfast and lunch—as well as a few sides and salads…
LOCATION: 305 E Polk St, Tampa
Set in a space that once housed the Tampa Electrical Company's main offices, the stripped-down, industrial-chic aesthetic mirrors an air of studied nonchalance. Essentially a steakhouse with a Souther...
LOCATION: 1902 N. Ola Ave., Tampa
After a chic redesign, this longtime Hyde Park Village staple stands out even in its stylish surrounds. The verdant space calls to mind the tropics and a clubby playlist adds an air of youthfulness, b...
LOCATION: 1610 W. Swann Ave., Tampa
With a scenic location at the edge of a restored natural spring and a name that references a legendary Native American princess, there's clearly no shortage of charm on offer here. Although the "Nativ...
LOCATION: 1810 N. Highland Ave., Tampa
Crowds still clamber to fill the seats at this spacious, no-frills eatery, whose sizable menu presents ample options for a range of tastes. Diners can find contentment with familiar American-Chinese s...
LOCATION: 2620 E. Hillsborough Ave., Tampa