Tampa Bay is home to the three-time Stanley cup champions, two-time Super Bowl Champions, and all-time foodies. No matter where you settle down in the Tampa Bay area, you will surely be surrounded by incredible food on any budget. We have compiled a list of our favorite casual and upscale spots in Tampa Bay. Are we celebrating anything soon? Need an idea for a particular date night? These are our top picks!
South Tampa
Casual
Daily Eats takes diner food and elevates it. Come as you are to Daily Eats, whether you’re running in for a good meal after church, after a sweaty workout, or after running errands in your favorite T-shirt. Daily Eats serves breakfast-inspired food all day, as well as sandwiches, burgers, and bowls. Favorite Menu Item: Jersey Shore Bagel.
Dead Bob’s Too, located on Westshore Boulevard, gives you dive bar energy while remaining clean with fantastic service and menu items. Their bar food is high quality and fast. This spot is excellent for a casual night out when you do not feel like dressing up, but you could use a good meal and maybe an ice-cold beer. Their location is accessible for Ubers to access, so don’t drink and drive! Favorite Menu Item: Stuffed Tots.
Upscale
Counter Culture is a newer restaurant in the heart of South Tampa, located on the corner of Bayshore and Bay to Bay Blvd (our favorite street in Tampa). This restaurant’s atmosphere feels casually elevated, but its menu items are top-notch. From appetizers to dessert, each menu item is carefully curated. I have only had the pleasure of dining at Counter Culture once, but I still dream about the ricotta donuts. Favorite Menu Item: Summer Smash Squash Smoked Ricotta Ravioli.
Olivia gets my number one recommendation for brunch… and I LOVE brunch. Don’t get me wrong, their lunch and dinner menus are also fantastic, but brunch has stood out to me against the many brunch spots in Tampa. Do you enjoy bottomless mimosas? Then you will appreciate Olivia providing an entire bottle of Champagne and a pitcher of your juice of choice to enjoy throughout brunch. Not much of a mimosa person? That’s okay; Olivia has a variety of delicious brunch cocktails. Favorite Menu Item: Farm Egg Sandwich
The Heights
Casual
FLocale is comprised of Westshore Pizza, King of the Coop, and Rock Brothers brewing, This stop is perfect for picky eaters or days when you don’t know what food you’re in the mood for. King of the Coop had my heart at their old location; now, with their new location, they can have my soul too. Westshore Pizza only elevates the experience as one side of the menu is decked out with any fried chicken meal you could imagine, the other filled with calzones, wings, slide burgers, and pizza. The drink menu has something for everyone, and the beers on tap rotate, so you’ll never get bored. Favorite Menu Item: The King Mac.
Ebisu Sushi Shack is the best local sushi spot in Seminole Heights. Located on Nebraska Ave, you may miss it as it looks like a regular quaint house. Make yourself right at home in this adorable sushi restaurant. The servers are genuinely the sweetest, and the service is fast. I also highly recommend takeout from Ebisu. Usually, sushi take-out gives me the heebie-jeebies, but somehow Ebisu sushi defies natural food laws and arrives fresh and delicious. Favorite Menu Item: Curious George Roll.
Upscale
Looking for a truly unique menu? Ella’s Americana Folk Art Cafe is the place for you. I have met many successful couples that have experienced their first date at Ella’s, so this would be my top pick for date night. Although it is an elevated restaurant, the kitschy, fun decor will put your date at ease. Ella’s brunch is truly infamous, and I am disappointed that I have not tried it myself. Ella serves brunch on Sundays for “Soul Food Sunday” and is first come, first serve. Tampa Bay residents wake up early and line up for a chance to have some Ella’s Sunday Soul Food. I’d say any brunch people line up for in the Florida heat must be something special. Favorite Menu Item: Pauly Chop.
Ybor
Casual
Coppertail Brewing is named after a Sea Creature the owner’s five-year-old daughter spotted in Tampa Bay. If that’s not a good enough selling point for you, their beer is also fantastic, and their menu is diverse. Located in the historic Ybor district, it is a great central area to meet up with a group of friends. Favorite Menu Item: Pulled Pork (or Jackfruit) Sandwich.
Upscale
Ybor at night is dreamy, featuring its elegant streetlights, vibrant neon signs, and draping strings of light illuminating the historic red brick. Barterhouse continues the dark and sexy ambiance of Ybor, making it the perfect destination for a special date night. The menu is meticulously crafted to be elevated but familiar. Favorite Menu Item: Blue Crab Chilau.
Let us know if we missed your favorite spot or if you try any of ours! Thank goodness for Florida food!