The best restaurants in Tampa to book right now

What is it? One of America’s best steakhouses with a lengthy waitlist to get a table.

Why we love it: Easily the most iconic restaurant in Tampa is Bern's Steak House, which has been welcoming guests since 1956. The steak house is known for its upscale feel, where a dress code of at least business casual is enforced. The meal is an elevated affair with a wide selection of fresh seafood, like shrimp and oysters on the half shell to start, followed by caviar. The star of the show is the steak, each hand-selected and dry-aged in-house for up to eight weeks.

Time Out tip: Reservations can be made on a rolling basis starting 60 days in advance. The best way to ensure a table is to call the restaurant directly. 

Address: 1208 S Howard Ave, Tampa, FL 33606

Opening hours: Tue-Thu, Sun 5-10pm; Fri,Sat 5-11pm

Expect to pay: Between $15 and $100 per dish

What is it? Historic restaurant where Cuban sandwiches and sangria have been served since 1905. 

Why we love it: I love dining at the Columbia Restaurant, located in Ybor City. The restaurant has been open since 1905 and is Florida’s oldest. Once a local cafe that mainly served cigar workers back in Ybor City’s industrious heyday, it’s now one of the largest Spanish restaurants in the world. Its sangria pitchers are legendary (I love the cava version made with sparkling wine), and don’t leave without ordering the restaurant’s signature 1905 salad—it’s been made the same way for over a century by tossing iceberg lettuce, ham, Swiss cheese, olives, tomato, Romano cheese, Worcestershire sauce, and house-made garlic dressing all together table-side. I also can’t leave the restaurant without the guava turnover, made with sweet guava and melted cream cheese in a pastry crust. It’s a few delicious bites worth every calorie.

Time Out tip: While you don’t need a reservation to dine here, you should get one to ensure you’re not waiting an excessive amount of time. 

Address: 2117 E 7th Ave, Tampa, FL 33605

Opening hours: Sun-Thu 11am-9pm; Fri-Sat 11am-10pm

Expect to pay: Between $8-$38 per dish

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What is it? An eight-seat omakase restaurant is worth fighting for a reservation. 

Why we love it: It’s always fun to try out a Michelin-starred restaurant, and Koya is one of the best in the city. The eight-seat counter offers a tasting menu-only experience for diners. I love that the restaurant focuses on hyper-seasonal menus, so you can nearly guarantee a different experience every time you dine at Koya. Even better, the restaurant often hosts collaboration dinners with other restaurants in town or food purveyors, so there’s always a reason to make another reservation for a unique evening of dining. 

Time Out tip: Reservations are prepaid and released on the 15th of every month for the following month. For your best chance at snagging a seat, set a calendar reminder for the 15th. 

Address: 807 W Platt St, Tampa, FL 33606

Opening hours: Wed, Thu 6:45-10pm; Fri, Sat 5-10pm

Expect to pay: $295 per person

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What is it? A no-fuss seafood restaurant dishing out fried baskets and fresh fish.

Why we love it: Big Ray’s Fish Camp serves some of the best seafood in the city. From fried shrimp baskets to blackened grouper, everything is “from our bay to your belly” as the restaurant’s slogan claims. Start with the Florida classic, smoked fish dip, which is just smoky enough without overpowering the fish flavor. The deviled crab is also a delight. Of course, you can never go wrong with fried shrimp baskets, which are a Florida fish camp staple. But for a real taste of Florida, the grouper sandwich is a must-get. The fish is perfectly cooked (either blackened or fried), and hangs over the sides of the bun just beckoning you to take your first bite. 

Time Out tip: Upgrade your side to the hand-battered onion rings, then thank us later. 

Address: 6116 Interbay Blvd, Tampa, FL 33611

Opening hours: Tue 11am-4pm; Wed-Sun 11am-9pm

Expect to pay: Between $8 and $24 per dish

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What is it? A lively spot dishing out classic dishes with an international twist. 

Why we love it: Rooster & The Till has won the prestigious Michelin Bib Gourmand award since 2022, making it a destination worth checking out in Tampa. The tapas-style restaurant is known for its rotating menu. Fans of the restaurant love the roasted golden beets with pickled gooseberries and the grilled prawns with curried cashew butter. For something a little more hearty, try the fried chicken and waffle with yuzu maple drizzle.

Time Out tip: The restaurant has a delightful happy hour every day from 5-6:30 pm at the bar, with a decent variety of snacks and drinks. 

Address: 6500 N Florida Ave, Tampa, FL 33604

Opening hours: Wed, Thu 5-9pm; Fri, Sat 5-10pm dinner, 10pm-midnight bar only

Expect to pay: Between $18 and $32 per dish

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What is it? Cool taco shop known for its stone-ground heirloom corn tortillas. 

Why we love it: If you’re like me and are always on the hunt for the best tacos in a new city, Streetlight Taco is the spot to be in Tampa. The Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurant is known for its impressive food and drink menu. I like to start my meal with one of the restaurant’s homemade agua frescas or a passion fruit margarita with a Tajin-lined rim. Then it’s onto the star of the show, tacos, where the tortillas are made from stone-ground heirloom corn. I love the carnitas and the carne asada, but there are plenty of options for every taste. 

Time Out tip: Don’t skip dessert, where the seasonal tres leches cake is always a fun take on the traditional sweet treat.

Address: 4004 Henderson Blvd, Tampa, FL 33629

Opening hours: Sun-Thu 11:30am-9pm; Fri, Sat 11:30am-10pm

Expect to pay: Between $9-$17 per dish

What is it? A multi-course tasting experience highlighting seasonal ingredients.

Why we love it: Tampa’s EBBE is the proud winner of one Michelin star, and it’s easy to see why after dining at the restaurant. Inside the sleek space is a U-shaped bar where guests dine on a single tasting menu. And even though the menu changes throughout the year, you’ll notice a focus on seasonal ingredients from Florida with a Scandinavian and Nordic twist. Currently, there are two different tasting menus: the Discovery ($185 per person) and the Prestige ($295 per person). The main difference is the number of courses: Prestige has a few more. 

Time Out tip: The restaurant is in high demand, so getting a seat at the counter can be a challenge. If you can’t score one of the prized reservations, consider adding yourself to the waitlist by calling the restaurant. 

Address: 1202 N Franklin St, Tampa, FL 33602

Opening hours: Tue-Sat 5-11pm

Expect to pay: Between $185 and $295 per person

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What is it? American restaurant utilizing local ingredients and grass-fed beef. 

Why we love it: If you’re looking for a steakhouse with a distinctly Southern influence, Steelbach is the spot to be. The menu features steakhouse favorites like French onion soup, beef carpaccio, and grass-fed, pasture-raised beef. While you could go just for the steaks, I love pairing dinner with happy hour. Start your meal at the bar for the restaurant's social hour, from Monday through Friday from 3pm to 6pm, where $9 martinis and classic cocktails are flowing freely, and bar bites like Nashville hot chicken sliders and focaccia with a variety of spreads are on the menu.

Time Out tip: If you’re heading here with your girlfriends, the bar bites menu features a girl dinner of truffle fries, Caesar salad, and a dirty martini all for one set cost. 

Address: 1902 N Ola Ave, Tampa, FL 33602

Opening hours: Mon-Thu 11am-10pm; Fri 11am-midnight; Sat 9:30am-midnight; Sun 9:30am-10pm

Expect to pay: Between $12 and $80 per dish

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What is it? Modern Japanese restaurant dishing out sushi, small plates, and omakase.

Why we love it: There’s nothing better than a sushi night out with friends. At Noble Rice, the night out is in a hip space anchored by a bar lined with Japanese whiskeys and sakes. Be sure to order a carafe of sake to go with your meal, and if you’re feeling adventurous, let the bartender pick for you. The menu here changes seasonally, so there’s always something new to try. A few favorites include the king salmon nigiri, sourced from New Zealand. The otoro is also a treat worth splurging on. If you’re looking for some shareable options, the wagyu shrimp toast and karaage chicken are favorites. And on cooler Florida days (usually from November through February), the triple black ramen with spicy ground pork and black garlic tare is exceptional. 

Time Out tip: During major events, like concerts or hockey games, the restaurant offers $5 flat-rate parking in a nearby garage. Just show the parking attendant your reservation to score the reduced parking rate. 

Address: 615 Channelside Dr, Suite 112, Tampa, FL 33602

Opening hours: Tue-Thu 5-10pm; Fri, Sat 5-11pm

Expect to pay: Between $8 and $50 per dish

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What is it? Casual sandwich shop slinging New York Italian-American classics.

Why we love it: It’s no fuss, but each bite of the sandwiches at Cousin Vinny’s Sandwich Co. is filled with big, bold flavors. While the buzz is always about the tomato and mozzarella on house-made schiacciata bread, the real star in my eyes is The Uncle Jun, which piles capicola, arugula, house-made pecorino cream, and house-made red pesto onto the same crispy bread. For something a little more hearty, consider Thee Parmesan Don, which is one of the best chicken parm sandwiches you’ll ever have, served on Italian bread. 

Time Out tip: Don’t leave without grabbing a classic black and white cookie to munch on later. It will take you back to the bustling streets of New York City in just one bite.

Address: 1331 W Cass St, Tampa, FL 33606

Opening hours: Daily 11am-9pm

Expect to pay: Between $14 and $16 per dish