Enable JavaScript to run this app.
Skip to main content
OpenTable logo
  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Tampa / Central Florida West
  4. Tampa
  5. Tampa
Cena, Tampa, FL
Award-winning

Cena

4.1
4.1
1486 Reviews
$31 to $50
Italian
  • Charming
  • Neighborhood gem
  • Good for special occasions
Cena is a modern, fresh and simple Italian food served in a contemporary and stylish setting. Located in the Grand Central building at the heart of the vibrant Channel District of Tampa, Florida – Cena is dining from the roots – great ingredients, traditional dishes, and attentive service. Join us.

Cena – “dinner” or “supper” in Italian.

Permanently Closed

This restaurant is permanently closed.

Order delivery or takeout

There’s more to explore

Discover countless more restaurants like this one with our app.

Scan the QR code to discover countless more restaurants like this one with our app.

Open app

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Italian
  • Hours of operation
    Wed, Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Phone number
    (813) 374-8840
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Executive chef
    Michael Buttacavoli
  • Catering
    For catering inquiries please contact Michael Buttacavoli, at 813-374-8840 or michael@cenatampa.com
  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN Plate 2022
  • Neighborhood
    Tampa
  • Cross street
    E.Kennedy Blvd and N.Meridian Ave in Grand Central building
  • Parking details
    Park in the Grand Central WEST Garage off E. Kennedy Blvd (entrance corner of Crunch Fitness). Go up ramp, take ticket and circle up and park in any spot near the “A/ Stageworks” marked elevator core. Parking on floors 3, 4 and 5 is free for the first 2 hours then $3/hour. Take elevator to 1st floor, go to courtyard and Cena is on the left.
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

What 1,486 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

4.1
4.1 based on recent ratings
  • 3.9Food
  • 4.1Service
  • 3.8Ambience
  • 3.8Value

NoiseModerate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Cena stands out as a beloved dining spot in Tampa Bay, offering "delicious Italian fare" with "great atmosphere and awesome food." Guests rave about the "amazing" meatballs and "exceptional" service. Despite some inconsistency, the "wonderful staff" and creative dishes by Chef Michael make every experience memorable.

1,486 Reviews
  1. Hans

    Orlando

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 16, 2024

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 1
    It would be great if open table would get updated if a restaurant were to close 1 month before they took our reservation

    Is this helpful?

  2. David

    VIP

    Chicago

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on November 14, 2024

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 1
    Unfortunately this restaurant closed a month ago. We found this out after we arrived for our reservation this evening. A reservation that I had to guarantee with my credit card on Open Table. If that wasn’t enough I received a text from Open Table 2 days ago asking me to reserve my reservation. A bit embarrassing for me but we were able to find another restaurant near by so the disaster was diverted. Epic fail Open Table.

    Is this helpful?

  3. Scott

    Tampa

    5 reviews

    1.0

    5 reviews

    Dined on November 2, 2024

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 1
    PERMANENTLY CLOSED! For some reason Open Table will still let you reserve it, which is frustrating.

    Is this helpful?

  4. Craig

    Tampa

    12 reviews

    1.0

    12 reviews

    Dined on October 26, 2024

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 1
    Although you are accepting reservations at Cena, the restaurant has been closed for weeks. Please update your records. We’ll really miss this place.

    Is this helpful?

  5. Sherwin

    VIP

    Tampa

    1 review

    1.0

    1 review

    Dined on October 17, 2024

    1. Overall 1
    2. Food 1
    3. Service 1
    4. Ambience 1
    After taking a deposit they were not even open.

    Is this helpful?

  6. paul

    Tampa

    9 reviews

    2.0

    9 reviews

    Dined on September 28, 2024

    1. Overall 2
    2. Food 2
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 1
    Made reservations to sit in Cena but was sent to their pizza bar and upstairs next to the AC vent. It’s disappointing to get ready for a date night but end up in a casual pizza bar. The service was great but everything else about Cena has fallen. Food was average drinks were not good. We were looking forward to getting out of there the whole time.

    Is this helpful?

  7. Samuel

    VIP

    Tampa

    31 reviews

    4.0

    31 reviews

    Dined on September 28, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    We go to Cena fairly often. The service is good and the pasta dishes are excellent, as is the bronzino. However, on this occasion, the veal was poorly cooked.

    Is this helpful?

  8. Terry

    VIP

    Greater Boston

    31 reviews

    5.0

    31 reviews

    Dined on September 28, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Cena is one of our Tampa Bay favorite restaurants.

    Is this helpful?

  9. becky

    VIP

    Tampa

    58 reviews

    5.0

    58 reviews

    Dined on September 27, 2024

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 5
    Even though they were short staffed because of the hurricane, the food was just great and everyone was very welcoming.

    Is this helpful?

  10. stephen

    Baltimore

    3 reviews

    4.0

    3 reviews

    Dined on September 21, 2024

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 4
    4. Ambience 4
    Nice little restaurant. First visit Good service and good vibe Service was good. Not too noisy unlike many nearby restaurants The artichoke appetizer was very good and a hi with all at our table Salads very good For entrees we all had pasta. The pasta itself was spot on but the sauces fell short in flavor Will probably try again

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Cena offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (813) 374-8840.

Cena is rated 4.1 stars by 1486 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Permanently Closed

This restaurant is permanently closed.

Order delivery or takeout

Google Map for Cena

1208 E Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, FL 33602

Dining areas

Additional information

  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN Plate 2022
  • Cross street
    E.Kennedy Blvd and N.Meridian Ave in Grand Central building
  • Neighborhood
    Tampa
  • Hours of operation
    Wed, Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Italian
  • Dining style
    Casual Elegant
  • Dress code
    Business Casual
  • Parking details
    Park in the Grand Central WEST Garage off E. Kennedy Blvd (entrance corner of Crunch Fitness). Go up ramp, take ticket and circle up and park in any spot near the “A/ Stageworks” marked elevator core. Parking on floors 3, 4 and 5 is free for the first 2 hours then $3/hour. Take elevator to 1st floor, go to courtyard and Cena is on the left.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Michael Buttacavoli
  • Additional
    Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Phone number
    (813) 374-8840
  • Catering
    For catering inquiries please contact Michael Buttacavoli, at 813-374-8840 or michael@cenatampa.com
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Cookies and Interest-Based Ads
  • Cookie Preferences
Copyright © 2024 OpenTable, Inc. 1 Montgomery St Ste 500, San Francisco CA 94104 - All rights reserved.
OpenTable is part of Booking Holdings, the world leader in online travel and related services.
Booking Logo
Priceline Logo
KAYAK Logo
Agoda Logo
OpenTable Logo