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Best Restaurants that are Worth The Drive in Tampa

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21 restaurants available nearby

A photo of Rome + Fig restaurant
4.3
Awesome(269)
Price: Expensive
• Contemporary American • Tampa
Booked 14 times today
Rome + Fig is the perfect place to enjoy a delicious meal and a great atmosphere. Reviewers rave about the 'stunning food' and 'great service', with one even stating it's the 'best atmosphere & delicious food'. The restaurant's unique blend of coastal chic accents and intimate open-kitchen view creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Plus, the owner and chef led approach ensures every meal is a unique culinary experience. It's a place where you'll want to come back again and again!
A photo of Haiku Tampa restaurant
4.4
Awesome(1142)
Price: Expensive
• Contemporary Asian • Tampa
Booked 52 times today
Located in the center of Downtown Tampa right underneath luxury apartment complex The Element , Haiku is an indoor/outdoor eatery and lounge that combines modern Izakaya cuisine with a contemporary Asian vibe to elevate the dining and nightlife experience. The menu features signature favorites including the A5 Wagyu Hot Stone and Crispy Rice Salmon and Tuna Duo. The 150-seat restaurant and lounge offers several unique dining options including two bars complete with a handcrafted cocktail menu including our house favorite Dragons Breath Martini. Haiku is open for dinner Wednesday-Sunday from 5:00 pm-11:00 pm
A photo of Hales Blackbrick - Drew Park restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(533)
Price: Very Expensive
• Asian • Tampa
Booked 14 times today
WINNER 2024 Best New Restaurant & Best Chinese Restaurant by Tampa Magazine. Best New Restaurant by Bon Appetit Magazine. New ChineseCHEF HALES INNOVATIVE, INSPIRED & SEASONAL CHINESE RESTAURANTOur owner, Chef Richard Hales a four generation Tampa family since 1954, is back in his hometown of Tampa after 25 years away mastering Asian cuisine, opening award winning restaurants and appearing on the Food Network; beloved by the likes of Guy Fieri. Our seasonal menu features Asian techniques using the fi nest ingredients and availability of locally sourced produces. Chef Hales’ invites you to experience eclectic ambiance, elevated service and his version of Chinese cuisine. We are Grateful, Chef Richard Hales & Jenny Hales 不是那么中国
A photo of BellaBrava Tampa restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(580)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Tampa
Booked 62 times today
BellaBrava New World Trattoria was born in 2005 in Downtown Saint Petersburg. Over the years since, BellaBrava has been voted Best Restaurant in Saint Petersburg, Best Italian, and is a perennial Guest favorite on Beach Drive.Now open in Midtown Tampa, BellaBrava Tampa brings the same menu and outstanding service we are proud of to Tampa. Enjoy great Italian wines and cocktails, New World Trattoria cuisine, and consistently excellent service.In the heart of Midtown Tampa, we’re the perfect spot for a great lunch while shopping, or an intimate dinner with friends and family.
A photo of edison: food+drink lab restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(3994)
Price: Expensive
• Global, International • Tampa
Booked 15 times today
Edison: Food+Drink Lab is a unique dining spot that's definitely worth the drive. Reviews rave about the 'amazing introduction of fresh ingredients' and 'outstanding' food. The creative menu changes regularly, making every visit an exciting adventure. The atmosphere is great, and the service is excellent. Edison is all about blending the familiarity of comfort food with the innovation of haute cuisine, making it a must-try for any foodie.
A photo of Babushka's - Hyde Park restaurant
4.7
Exceptional(506)
Price: Moderate
• Eastern European • Tampa
Booked 36 times today
Babushka's - Hyde Park is an authentic Eastern-European restaurant. We provide Classic Russian, Ukrainian and Eastern European plates, caviar bar & infused vodkas served in a dacha-like interior.
A photo of Del Frisco's Grille - Tampa restaurant
4.6
Exceptional(2384)
Price: Expensive
• Steakhouse • Tampa
Booked 30 times today
Del Frisco's Grille - Tampa is a must-visit for any steak lover. Reviewers rave about the 'excellent food and excellent service', with dishes prepared 'to perfection' and an 'awesome wine selection'. The modern and stylish setting adds to the experience. It's a consistent choice for many and a place where the 'attention to detail and the flavors are superb'.
A photo of Bavaro's Pizza Napoletana & Pastaria - Tampa restaurant
4.8
Exceptional(1190)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Tampa
Booked 28 times today
*Weather may interfere with your reservation, we will do our best to accommodate you.*Bavaro’s opened its doors in March 2009 as the first traditional Neapolitan Pizzeria in the state of Florida.A company committed to the art and craft of Neapolitan pizza, Bavaro’s stays true to tradition by using hand-crafted, wood-fired brick ovens designed by third-generation Neapolitan craftsmen, a 100-year-old yeast culture, 100-year-old Neapolitan recipes, and top-of-the-line ingredients sourced directly from Italy.From a restaurant in downtown Tampa that seats 50 guests, to a global brand with a standard of quality that resonates around the world, Bavaro’s has since built 3 additional locations and continues to commit itself to the high-quality, welcoming experience that guests all around the country have grown to love.
A photo of True Food Kitchen - Midtown Tampa restaurant
4.5
Awesome(703)
Price: Moderate
• American • Tampa
Booked 18 times today
True Food Kitchen is a chef-driven restaurant and scratch bar that was founded by Dr. Andrew Weil, the pioneer of integrative medicine, to provide food that tastes great and is good for you. Our menu features food and drinks crafted with nutrient-dense ingredients and carefully sourced proteins from the world’s most responsible and sustainable growers, farmers and producers. Expand your palate with our Edamame Dumplings, grab a bite of comfort food with our Grass-fed Burger or Lasagna Bolognese, or enjoy lighter fare with our O.G. Tuscan Kale Salad with Grilled Sustainable Salmon. Regardless of the occasion, we know our Tampa guests leave feeling energized, satisfied and most importantly, feeling great. Located in Tampa at Midtown, at the corner of West Nassau Street and North Clearview Avenue, across from Aloft Tampa Midtown.New flavors, new combinations, new obsessions. Come see us for something completely new and delicious.
A photo of Columbia Cafe at the Tampa Bay History Center restaurant
4.5
Awesome(180)
Price: Moderate
• Cuban • Tampa
Booked 46 times today
Named "One of Florida's Top Restaurants" since 1967.The Columbia Café is located on the Tampa Riverwalk in the new Water Street neighborhood. We offer indoor and outdoor dining.Our Café indoor dining room is a piece of history in itself with an exact scaled replica of our original 1905 bar from our flagship restaurant in Ybor City. You will find our familiar historic photos of family and the restaurant throughout the years inside. The indoor dining room is surrounded by panoramic windows to offer you the amazing views.Or, relax outdoors on our waterfront, canopy-covered patio and bar with a pitcher of Spanish sangria or mojitos made tableside, overlooking the Tampa Riverwalk with amazing views of the Garrison Channel.Serving lunch & dinner daily.Located right across the Amalie Arena and within a 5-minute walk from the Tampa Convention Center, Marriott Waterside, JW Marriott Waterside and Embassy Suites.

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See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you
From verified diners like you
  • DeborahSVIP
    Tampa / Central Florida West •26 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 1 day ago
    Service was great , Cardinal was great. Ambience very nice and good vibe. The grill cheese was ok, sandwich over toasted/grilled and barely any cheese on it
    More info
    Rome + FigPrice: Expensive• Contemporary American• Tampa
    4.3
  • Samantha
    Tampa / Central Florida West •1 review
    5.0
    Dined 2 days ago
    Everything was fantastic. Portions a little small but worth it. This give the opportunity to taste and try more things. We would love to come back. Our service was great, even on a booked evening. Classy little spot. I would recommend!
    More info
    Casa CamiPrice: Expensive• Contemporary Mexican• Tampa
    4.6
  • Dorothy
    Denver / Colorado •4 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 4 days ago
    Edison’s menu and execution of some totally unique recipes was unparalleled. The flavors were so layered & complex- never have anything like it. Our server, Dillon, was just a gem! He was just so personable & totally engaged in providing the absolute best experience possible. He truly loves that group & the product it puts out & it shows glowingly. We’ll be back next week with a friend this time!
    More info
    edison: food+drink labPrice: Expensive• Global, International• Tampa
    4.7
  • Armando
    Tampa / Central Florida West •11 reviews
    5.0
    Dined 5 days ago
    The service and food was excellent. We started with the Cauliflower sharable and the flavor was amazing. The cocktails were outstanding and they have a full service bar with real liquor and not the "well" drinks so many tourist focused restaurants have for our visitors. The steak and chicken entrees were similarly very well prepared and savory. The restaurant was packed with large groups celebrating as well as couples having their date night. The background music was contemporary and not too loud, which allowed for conversation, but it also was a good fit for the positive fun energy of the surroundings. We were there to celebrate a birthday and we couldn't have picked a better restaurant.
    More info
    The LibraryPrice: Expensive• American• St. Petersburg
    4.6
  • Alan
    Tampa / Central Florida West •6 reviews
    5.0
    Dined on Feb 1, 2025
    Hidden gem inside the Renaissance hotel. Went with my wife. We had the Hanger Steak and Seafood Tagliatelle. Both were delicious. We will be back.
    More info
    Gabriella’sPrice: Expensive• Spanish• Tampa
    4.2

Discover best worth the drive restaurants in Tampa

Embark on a culinary journey to Tampa, where restaurants that are "worth the drive" promise an exceptional dining experience, blending creativity with culinary expertise. These establishments, located in Tampa / Central Florida West, cater to diverse tastes, offering everything from innovative haute cuisine to authentic ethnic delights. Whether you're craving meticulously prepared steaks, fresh seafood with a view, or vibrant ethnic flavors, Tampa's dining scene doesn't disappoint. These restaurants are celebrated not just for their food but also for their unique atmospheres and exceptional service. They stand out by combining high-quality ingredients with creative menus that regularly change, ensuring every visit is a new adventure. Dining in Tampa is characterized by a blend of casual sophistication and vibrant energy, making it ideal for both special occasions and regular outings. Each restaurant offers a distinct dining experience, from rooftop views and wines to intimate settings with specialty cuisines, making them destinations that are truly worth the drive. The dedication to excellence is evident in the rave reviews from both locals and visitors, who often mention the perfect balance of ambiance, service, and gastronomy. If you're looking for a memorable meal that's worth the trip, Tampa's top-tier dining establishments are sure to delight.

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