Tampa Restaurants           Several Bay area restaurants have been recognized nationally for their overall dining experience.

Bern's Steak House

A Tampa landmark, Bern's has been owned and operated by the Laxer family for more than 40 years. Wine Spectator named it the best of all steak houses in America and America Eats Out called Bern's "the most remarkable restaurant in the entire world...with gilded plaster columns, red wallpaper, Tiffany lamps and murals of French vineyards." Laxer buys only U.S. Prime, then further ages it four to ten weeks in specially built lockers controlled for humidity and temperature. From assembling the largest wine list in the world, to growing fresh vegetables and salad greens for the restaurant; from two dozen different caviar to a 65-page dessert menu, Bern's nearly always has a waiting list for one of its 320 seats.

 

Columbia Restaurant

Florida's oldest and the nation's largest Spanish restaurant, founded in 1905 in historic Ybor City, the Columbia has been run by the same family for four generations. Recognized by the likes of Time, Fortune, Holiday, Epicurean and National Geographic, the Columbia (seating 1,660 in eleven rooms extending one city block) also has been awarded the Mobil 4-star award. Classic Spanish and Continental cuisine are served with flair and Flamenco and classical dance are performed Monday-Saturday nights.

 

Donatello

Exquisite Northern Italian cuisine is presented in an elegant atmosphere of china, crystal, silver, subdued lighting and tuxedoed waiters. Featured menu items include osso buco, linguini with fresh crab, and swordfish complemented by irresistible desserts and an extensive international wine list.

 

Mise En Place

Located across from University of Tampa and the scenic beauty of the former Tampa Bay Hotel, Mise En Place features New American cuisine with fresh local ingredients. Zagat Surveys says "Kudos abound for this superb, cutting edge New American bistro in downtown Tampa, where chef Marty Blitz creates dishes that are inventive yet homey, turning each plate into art. Staffers know their food and really cater to the guests, and there's great bang for the buck, all of which helps diners live with the no-reservation policy.

 

Le Bordeaux

This Bayshore bistro gets a strong nod from Zagat for the "best French food in the Bay area." The bungalow-turned-bistro has a chalk board menu that changes daily. Intimate atmosphere and tableside cabaret singing. Next door, The Left Bank, a jazz lounge for dancing after dinner.

 

Ovo Café

Located next door to the Hoffman Porges Gallery in Tampa's National Historic District, Ybor City, Ovo's artistic setting and live acoustical music provide a delightful Egressground for its café society cuisine. Zagat calls Ovo Café "black, white and chic all over."

 

Oystercatchers

An inspiring array of fresh and irresistible seafood, with an enchanting view of the bay from every table. Located in the Hyatt Regency Westshore, Oystercatchers is nestled in a 35-acre nature preserve on the shores of Old Tampa Bay. The fish are so fresh you pick your own where the stylish, glitzy setting is definitely not Florida casual. The fabulous water views add to the Egressdrop for huge servings.

 

Armani's

Also located in the Hyatt Regency Westshore, Zagat says Armani's is "undisputedly one of Gulf Coast Florida's favorites." The stylish Northern Italian restaurant has awesome views and a classy, elegant quality that makes you want to dress up. First-rate cuisine and an award-winning wine list earn this hotel dining room a "rare rooftop rave."

 

Shula's Steak House

This four diamond restaurant opened in the Sheraton Grand Hotel in 1994 and serves only Certified Angus Beef. The decor of the restaurant is a tribute to the 1972 undefeated Miami Dolphins; the menu itself is hand-painted on an official NFL game football signed by former Dolphins Coach Don Shula. Dinner entrees are displayed to the guest on a menu cart before ordering, and include all of the beef cuts and live Maine lobster.

 

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