Good Eats
Looking for the best restaurants in the Greater Tampa Area? Well, you’ve come to the right place! The Greater Tampa Area is a top Florida destination for great food and award-winning restaurants. From cozy, neighborhood bistros, waterfront seafood joints and prime steak houses to ultra cool sushi bars and unique ethnic eateries, here are some of our favorite places to eat.
TAMPA AREA
ANCHOR AND BRINE
Tampa Marriott Water Street
505 Water Street, Tampa, FL 33602
813-204-6388; anchorandbrine.com
M – F 11 am – 10 pm
Sa & Su 10 am – 11 pm
Seafood Centric Dining, Sushi & Raw Bar
Chef, restaurateur and entrepreneur, Richard Sandoval is acclaimed for his innovative culinary techniques and award-winning flavors that span 50 locations and five continents. Here, his refined yet approachable seafood centric menu shines with an excellent selection of inventive dishes. Small Plates include Sautéed Mussels, Smoked Grouper Dip and Exotic Mushroom Flatbread. Large Plates are just as enticing with items like Seared Salmon with corn puree and edamame salsa; Chicken Milanese with marinated heirloom cherry tomatoes; and Pasta Pescatore, a wonderful melange of calamari, shrimp, mussels and lobster in Pomodoro sauce served over linguine. A terrific Sushi and Raw Bar, along with a beautiful waterfront terrace is the topping on the cake!
GARRISON TAVERN
Tampa Marriott Water Street
505 Water Street, Tampa, FL 33602
813-221-6390;
tampamarriottwatersstreet.com
Daily 11 am – 2 am
Elevated Gastro Pub & Virtual Sports
World-renowned celebrity chef, Richard Sandoval never seems to slow down. With dozens of acclaimed restaurants to his credit, Sandoval’s waterfront “social house” may be one of his most unique venues. Situated in a one-of-a-kind space along the Tampa Riverwalk, his contemporary take on the age-old tavern concept is a lively dining and entertainment experience. With a relaxed open layout outfitted with large communal tables, it’s all about social connection. It’s no surprise that the menu here is chef-driven. Sandoval re-energizes comfort food into a robust collection of scratch-made plates that include Beef Barbacoa Nachos; Crispz Fried Chicken Wings; Grilled Flat Iron Steak; Smoky Gouda Mac & Cheese; a Tavern Butcher’s Burger made with house-ground Florida raised grass-fed beef; and lots of other handhelds. The friendly space also boasts Florida’s first “Top Golf Swing Suite,” a very cool virtual sporting experience that is as immersive as the food. A really fun hang!
LONA
Tampa Marriott Water Street
505 Water Street, Tampa, FL 33602
813-221-4900; lonatampa.com
Daily 6:30 am – 11 pm
Dynamic Modern Mexican Cuisine
This collaboration between internationally acclaimed Chefs, Richard Sandoval and Pablo Salas brings out the best of the best. While their creative and contemporary approach to traditional Mexican dining pays homage to Mexico’s rich culinary heritage, it also takes traditional dishes to a whole new level. Their curated menu showcases a fusion of regional Mexican cuisines with a mind-blowing array of bold and authentic flavors. From delectable street food favorites to refined dishes inspired by ancient recipes, Sandoval’s and Salas’ masterful collaboration celebrates the diversity and complexity of Mexican gastronomy. Not to be missed!
SKYYE BAR & GRILL
Tampa Airport Marriott
4200 George J Bean Parkway
Tampa, FL 33607
813-998-3705; tampamarriottairport.com
Daily 3 – 11 pm
Skip the Taxi
Who knew that you get find some really good eats right off the tarmac? Conveniently located in the Tampa Airport Marriott, and just a short indoor walk down the terminal, is the hotel’s Skyye Bar & Grill. In addition to the panoramic bird’s-eye views, you’ll also find a varied menu with just about anything you could hanker. Appetizers range from Fried Calamari, Wings, and Pan-Fried Potstickers, to almost a dozen salads and handhelds. If you’re looking for something heartier, you can always opt for one of the Main Plates which include entrees like Airway Meatloaf, Hull Huli Salmon, and Asian Infused Quinoa Stir-Fry. FYI: Save room for the Chocolate Bourbon Cake!
ST PETERSBURG AREA
Azura Coastal Kitchen & Bar
At Hotel Zamora
3701 Gulf Blvd., St Pete Beach, Fl 3306
727-456-8660; thehotelzamora.com
Breakfast 9 am – 11:30 pm;
Brunch 11:30 am – 2:30 pm;
Lunch 11:30 am – 4 pm; Dinner 5 pm Close
Coastal Mediterranean Fare & Water Views
With an expansive veranda overlooking the Intracoastal, Zamora’s signature restaurant is a top choice for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner. Prepare yourself for some really outstanding traditional and contemporary fare. From Banana Foster French Toast and Lemon Blueberry Pancakes; to Crispy Calamari and Lobster Rolls; to Chicken Saltimbocca and Chilean Sea Bass – the chefs here always deliver delicious,eye-popping plates. Other noteworthy main dishes include the Grilled Salmon with spinach and feta puff pastry; Lobster A La Vodka Pasta; Wagyu Bolognese; and the slow braised Short Rib.
The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club
501 5th Ave, St Petersburg, FL 33701
727-894-1000; thvinoy.com
Hours Vary
A Vibrant Dining & Social Hub
With seven distinctive dining options, this cherished St Pete landmark is an iconic dining destination that boasts a wonderfully diverse culinary lineup. From fresh brews and house made patisseries at Lottie, the resort’s classic French café; to local seafood and international dishes on the marina at Paul’s Landing; to creative Latin cuisine on the Veranda, aka “St Pete’s Front Porch, dining here is a cause célèbre. FYI: The resort’s culinary offerings are expanding with the addition of the exciting new Elliott Aster, an elevated fine-dining experience by Chef Lee Wolen and the Boka Restaurant Group (coming in 2025). Stay tuned!
CLEARWATER AREA
BASCOM’S CHOP HOUSE
3665 Ulmerton Rd, Clearwater, FL 33762
727-573-3363; bascoms.com
Lunch: M – F 11:30 – 2:30 pm
Dinner: M – Th 5 – 9 pm;
F 5 – 9:30 pm; Sa – 4:30 – 9:30 pm;
Su 4 – 9 pm
Award-Winning Steak House With A
Modern Twist
Helmed by acclaimed chef, Tony Bonanno, this elegant Chop House is heralded for its exceptional meat preparations and expansive menu. All the steaks here are Certified Angus Midwestern grain-fed steer, wet-aged in-house for a minimum of 28 days. Chef Bonanno has a flair for combining flavors and methods from around the world and his inspiring cuisine is all his own. Bonanno’s seafood preparations are also especially wonderful and include creations like Pecan Crusted Grouper, Chilean Sea Bass, and Shrimp Scampi Pasta. Whether it’s steak or seafood, you can’t go wrong with anything on Bonanno’s menu.
KATCH BISTRO
Karol Hotel
2675 Umberton Rd, Clearwater, FL 33762
727-273-7850; thekarolhotel.com
M – Th 7 am – 9 pm; F 7 am – 10 pm;
Sa 8 am – 10 pm; Su 8 am – 3 pm
Inventive Gulf-To-Table Cuisine
Local seafood creations headline a terrific lineup of gourmet creations that include elevated
appetizers like Creole Shrimp with fennel sausage in chili lime broth; Fried Deviled Eggs with truffle aioli and bacon; and crispy Brussels Sprouts with chili honey sauce and bacon. Sea and Land entrees rock the boat with options like Champagne Grouper; Pesto Gulf Shrimp; Atlantic Seared Salmon; Braised Short Rib; and Hot Honey Half Chicken. Really lovely!
GAINESVILLE AREA
VOLCANIC SUSHI + SAKE
Haile Village Center
5212 SW 91st Terrace, Gainesville, Fl 32608
352-363-6226; volcanicsushisaki.com
Su – Th 11am – 9pm; F & Sa 11am – 10pm
Gainesville’s Iron Chef Winner
Winner of Gainesville’s 2018 Iron Chef Competition, owner Nestor Espartero is a master at creating fabulous fusion dishes which reflect his passion for Asian, Latin and French cuisine. The food at his small, unassuming eatery is deliciously fresh, beautifully plated and artistically arranged (the wasabi is sculpted to resemble leaves). Chef Nestor’s flavors are often complex, resulting in sensational dishes like the Sweet Salmon Teriyaki, Shaken Beef Tenderloin and Duck Curry. His signature rolls are also off the chart – especially the crunchy Haile Roll with tuna tartare and lotus root drizzled with eel sauce. Outstanding!
Mark’s Prime Steakhouse
201 SE 2nd Ave, Gainesville,
Florida 32601
Tu – Th 5 – 9 pm;
F & Sa 5 – 10 pm
352-336-0077; marksprimesteakhouse.com
A Top Pick of Wood Fired Prime Steaks
For over two decades, Mark’s has been a top destination for prime wood-fired steaks and elegant dining. You can easily make a meal out of the array of homemade soups, crisp salads, and intriguing appetizers. The list of starters is extensive but Mark’s classic Crab Bisque – a smooth, creamy recipe with lots of depth and plenty of lump crab meat; and the Lobster Escargot with six large chunks of lobster tail sautéed in herbed garlic butter – are really superb. Needless to say, steaks and chops take center stage here and include a variety of cuts with master class preparations. Topping the list: the Frenched Prime Bone In Ribeye; exquisite 16 oz Delmonico; and the Twin Grilled Colorado Lamb Chops with rosemary butter. If fresh seafood is more your gig, the Pan Seared Sea Bass, Rock Shrimp & Crab Fettuccine and Wood Grilled North Atlantic Salmon with dill beurre blanc are all the bomb.
CEDAR KEY
BIG DECK BAR & GRILL
331 Dock St., Cedar Key, Fl 32625
352-543-9992
Su – Th 11 am – 9 pm;
F & Sa 11 am – 12:30 am;
A Diamond in the Rough
Don’t be fooled by the look of this rough hewn open-air hangout. It may not be fancy, and the bar can get a bit rowdy but the food here is damn good. If you like steamers, nothing even comes close to the locally farmed, sweet and juicy Cedar Key Clams. Needless to say, the seafood here is exceptionally fresh and includes a variety shrimp, oysters and fish preparations. If you’re not a seafood lover, you can bib up for the Smoked Slab of Ribs or Pig Wings slathered in butter, garlic and parsley. Lots of burger options, too, as well as sandwiches, quesadillas, wraps, and Po’ Boys. Heads up: Most everything is served on styrofoam plates with plastic utensils so no need to get dressed up.