Cepas
Classic Spanish tapas
Two locations — the Dale Mabry spot is the main restaurant; the one on Ehrlich is the wine bar with a smaller menu.
12904 N Dale Mabry Hwy·Open in Maps
Where we eat in Tampa Bay.
Friends keep asking. So we made the list.
These are the spots we actually go to — the family-owned Italian down the street, the Michelin sushi joint downtown, the rooftop with the Bayshore view, the bagel place worth a 30-minute wait. No paid placements. Just what we'd tell you if you asked at a closing.
Below is Ryan's list. Kyle's is on the way.
Hover a pin for a quick look. Click for details and directions.
Tapas
(4)
Plate Tapas & Grill Lounge
Asian-style tapas
Asian small plates done well.
13134 N Dale Mabry Hwy·Open in Maps
Barcelona Wine Bar
Traditional Spanish tapas
Traditional Spanish. Pair it with rooftop drinks next door at Maru.
2907 W Bay to Bay Blvd·Open in Maps
St. Pete
Ceviche Tapas Bar
Traditional Spanish tapas
About a 40-minute drive — worth it. Walk Beach Drive afterward.
332 Beach Dr NE·Open in MapsItalian
(2)
Espositos
Family-owned, traditional Italian
Family-owned. Traditional Italian cooking that just hits. So good.
14306 N Dale Mabry Hwy·Open in Maps
MichelinBook ahead
Rocca
Modern Italian
Best pasta in town. Reservation highly recommended — they fill up.
323 W Palm Ave·Open in MapsMexican
(3)
Grand Hacienda
Classic Mexican
Classic Mexican done right. The steak tacos are the move.
13149 N Dale Mabry Hwy #B·Open in Maps
Agave Social
Mexican / Asian fusion
Mexican-Asian fusion — sounds weird, works perfectly.
14803 N Dale Mabry Hwy·Open in Maps
Margaritas Mexican Restaurant
Classic Mexican
Davis Island institution. Walk the island after and head to Davis Island beach.
209 E Davis Blvd·Open in MapsSushi & Asian
(6)
Nori Nori Sushi Bar
Lowkey handroll bar
Lowkey handroll spot, super good. Worth the trip.
6705 N Florida Ave·Open in Maps
Michelin
Noble Rice
Upscale Japanese
Right by Sparkman Wharf — make a night of it and walk Channelside afterward.
615 Channelside Dr Suite 112·Open in Maps
Minano Ramen
Laid-back ramen
Their tempura udon soup is so good. Casual, no fuss.
11909 Sheldon Rd·Open in Maps
On the water
Jacksons Bistro
Upscale sushi / Asian fusion
On the water on Harbour Island. Pair with spritzes next door at Sorsi.
601 S Harbour Island Blvd Ste 100·Open in Maps
Chanko
Japanese okonomiyaki
Japanese okonomiyaki spot in Seminole Heights — savory pancakes you can't really find anywhere else in Tampa. Cool, unique vibe.
4603 N Florida Ave·Open in MapsAmerican & Steakhouse
(4)
Book ahead
Bern's Steak House
Tampa institution since 1956
Tampa institution. Dry-aged steaks, an upstairs dessert room you can only get into after dinner, and one of the world's largest wine cellars. Dress up, make a night of it.
1208 S Howard Ave·Open in Maps
Michelin
Noble Crust
American
Solid American menu. Their brunch menu is underrated.
11618 N Dale Mabry Hwy·Open in Maps
Ocean Prime
Upscale seafood
Upscale seafood right by International Mall — date night caliber.
2205 N Westshore Blvd·Open in MapsPizza
(1)
Breakfast & Brunch
(5)
Brunchies
Classic breakfast
Classic breakfast spot — the kind you go to every Saturday.
14366 N Dale Mabry Hwy·Open in Maps
Kekes
Classic breakfast
Classic breakfast. Solid all-rounder for the family.
13121 N Dale Mabry Hwy·Open in Maps
New York Bagel
Real NY bagels
Real-deal NY bagels. Gets busy on weekends — expect a ~30 min wait. Worth it.
4534 W Village Dr·Open in Maps
Foodys
Greek / breakfast fusion
Hole-in-the-wall with Greek-meets-breakfast that punches way above its size.
7512 W Hillsborough Ave·Open in Maps
St. Pete
Juno and the Peacock
Upscale brunch
Upscale St. Pete brunch — make a morning of it and walk Beach Drive.
400 Beach Dr NE·Open in MapsCoffee & Cafés
(3)
Foxtail Coffee
Coffee + pastries
Good coffee, even better pastries.
10907 N Dale Mabry Hwy·Open in Maps
On the waterSt. Pete
Patrona Café
Waterfront café
Cute waterfront café right by the Gandy Bridge. Beach-vibe morning. The avocado toast is so good.
13090 Gandy Blvd N·Open in MapsMediterranean
(1)
Predalina
Upscale Mediterranean
Upscale Mediterranean in Channelside. Eat, then walk the waterfront.
1001 E Cumberland Ave·Open in MapsBars & Rooftops
(5)
Rooftop
Maru
Rooftop bar
Right above Barcelona Wine Bar. Pretty views of Bayshore Boulevard and the bay.
2909 W Bay to Bay Blvd Suite A-600·Open in Maps
Rooftop
Beacon Rooftop Lounge
Hotel rooftop
Rooftop bar inside the JW Marriott — Water Street's best view.
510 Water St·Open in Maps
On the water
Sorsi Spritz Bar
Waterfront spritz bar
Outdoor-only spritz bar right on the water next to Jacksons. Perfect for sunset.
601 S Harbour Island Blvd Ste 100·Open in Maps
St. Pete
Bacchus Wine Bistro
Wine + charcuterie
Best charcuterie in the area. Great wine list. Walk Beach Drive after — highly recommend.
124 2nd Ave NE·Open in Maps
Sweet Treats
(2)
D'Lites
Healthy ice cream
Healthy ice cream with flavors that rotate daily — always a reason to come back.
13010 N Dale Mabry Hwy·Open in Maps
Jeremiah's Italian Ice
Italian ice / ice cream
Italian ice / ice cream fusion. Chain — still hits.
14320 N Dale Mabry Hwy·Open in MapsSandwiches
(1)
Daggs Sandwich Shop
Old-school sandwiches
The best sandwich place in the area. The chopped Italian sub is unreal. Stop here on the way to Redington Beach.
11130 Seminole Blvd·Open in Maps
Kyle's list is on the way.
Different neighborhoods, different favorites. We'll drop it here when it's done.
Moving here, or thinking about it?
Hit us up. Happy to swap restaurant picks, neighborhood notes, or talk about the move whenever it makes sense.