Dining - Tampa Bay, Florida | ArrivalGuides.com

DiningGuide was updated: September 26, 2024

With water all around, fresh seafood is never a bad option in most Tampa Bay restaurants. There are also world-class steakhouses and Latin-influenced cuisine to suit palettes of all kinds.

La Terrazza

For an authentic Northern Italian dining experience, visit La Terrazza. From the flavorful menu to the intimate ambiance and the friendly staff, everything will make you feel like you're in a classic Italian bistro. A true hidden gem in the heart of Ybor City. Reservations are recommended.

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Bern’s Steak House

Originally opened in 1956, Bern’s is an internationally renowned steakhouse, and possibly the Tampa Bay area’s best-known restaurant. Bern’s specializes in prime dry-aged steaks cut to order, but also boasts a wine list that numbers over 6,800 labels. Reservations are recommended at Bern’s, sometimes well in advance.

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Bob Heilman's Beachcomber

In Clearwater Beach, the Beachcomber has been a staple since 1948. Offering both steaks and seafood, the Beachcomber is also known for its fine service and unique touches, such as the relish tray with fresh baked banana bread. The Seafood Mélange is a hit, with its combination of Gulf shrimp, scallops, fresh fish and Maryland deviled crab cake. Reservations are recommended.

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Jackson's Bistro, Bar & Sushi

Jackson’s Bistro is located in the Harbour Island section of downtown Tampa. With a great waterfront location, Jackson’s is open every day for lunch and dinner, and also features a delicious, and affordable Sunday brunch. In the later hours, Jackson’s night club comes alive, with two large rooms inside and outdoor cabanas outside on the waterfront terrace. Jackson’s also offers a full sushi menu to go along with its more traditional fare.

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Oystercatchers

Part of the Hyatt Hotel, Oystercatchers blends a gorgeous waterfront location with exquisite local cuisine. The restaurant specializes in seafood, featuring fresh wild and line-caught fish. Sunday brunch is quite a treat, as the buffet features everything from fresh sushi and stone crab to a full dessert bar. Reservations are recommended.

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Mise en Place

Located downtown directly across from the University of Tampa, Mise en Place specializes in Modern American cuisine. The menu is ever-changing, as the head chef enjoys keeping things fresh. Among the favorites is the tasting menu, which is a five-course dinner featuring a sample of Blitz’ favorite dishes of the week. Reservations are recommended.

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Hurricane

Notorious as much for its stunning sunsets as its fresh grouper sandwich, The Hurricane is a must for any visitor to the Tampa Bay area. Located in the Pass-a-Grille section of St. Pete Beach, The Hurricane offers both indoor and outdoor seating, as well as a rooftop bar to capture picturesque views of both the Gulf of Mexico to the west and the intercoastal waterway to the east. Just across the street from the beach, feel free to come in your beach attire.

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Frenchy's Rockaway Grill

Any traveler who makes it to the Clearwater Beach area must stop at one of the four Frenchy’s locations. The Rockaway Grill, directly on Clearwater Beach, is Frenchy’s largest location, and it has basic fare for the entire family, highlighted by the “World Famous Grouper Sandwich.” Don’t worry about dressing up — in fact, you may want to bring your shorts for a game of beach volleyball on the outdoor court just steps from the restaurant.

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Ted Peters Famous Smoked Fish

Ted Peters is a local favorite between mainland St. Petersburg and the Gulf beaches. Famous for its unique smoked fish spread, many diners swing by just to pick some up to augment their own meals or have on hand for snacks. Don’t expect white tablecloths here, as you will probably be sitting on a bench outside. One of the best local secrets in the St. Petersburg area.

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Salt Rock Grill

One of the finest seafood restaurants in the entire area, Salt Rock Grill offers everything from raw oysters to lobster tail to Alaskan king crab, as well as other favorites such as steak and veal. Located on the Intercoastal Waterway in Indian Shores, diners can take in the spectacular views while enjoying an entrée that was probably swimming in the Gulf of Mexico just the day before. Reservations are recommended.

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Columbia

The Columbia traces its roots back to 1905, when the original location was opened in Tampa’s Ybor City, earning it the designation of Florida’s oldest Spanish-themed restaurant. The 1905 salad should kick off every diner’s experience, and can be followed by black bean crab cakes, scallops “casimiro”, or empanadas de picadillo, which are spiced ground beef-filled pastry turnovers with roasted corn and black bean salsa. Columbia has other locations in the area, including some cafes.

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Dining in Tampa Bay, Florida

La Terrazza

Bern’s Steak House

Bob Heilman's Beachcomber

Jackson's Bistro, Bar & Sushi

Oystercatchers

Mise en Place

Hurricane

Frenchy's Rockaway Grill

Ted Peters Famous Smoked Fish

Salt Rock Grill

Columbia