Best of Tampa Bay Dining Guide
Disclaimer: We are not paid to promote any restaurant, hotel, activity, product, or attraction. All opinions are subjective and based on our personal experience. Your experience may be different.
Tasty Indian
If you have never tried Indian food before, you are missing out. I love visiting lunch buffets as you can mix and match – a great choice for newbies. Here are a few of the best options around the metro.
Minerva: Best Indian buffet in the region. Lots of great choices on the lineup including paneer tikka masala, pakora, chana masala, chicken vindaloo, and much more. Awesome naan bread and chai tea. A bit on the spicy side. Affordable, clean, and always maintained. Nice ambiance despite the Strip mall location.
What to try: The Lunch Buffet, Narvatan Korma, Saag Paneer, garlic Naan, samosas, dosa, eggplant curry, chicken masala
Fresh Mediterranean
I love hummus, pita, and falafel and Tampa offers no shortage of great Mediterranean resaturants. A few great choices around the Bay:
Bayshore Mediterranean: Casual Turkish café known for their kebabs and tasty appetizers. The oven baked hummus with mozzarella, served with lavash bread is the must try here. Lots of great entrees including a few delicious vegetarian options, plus the best Turkish coffee in the area.
What to try: Oven baked hummus, Vegetable casserole (mix of tomatoes, green peppers, zucchini, carrots, eggplant, and red peppers, baked with mozzarella cheese), Chicken Adana (Ground chicken seasoned with bell peppers) and grilled.
Acropolis: Mediterranean chain with several locations throughout the Bay. Nice ambiance, great appetizers, and a pretty outdoor patio. Known for their belly dancers and hookah bar. Amazing falafel appetizer. Not the best Greek food in the area, but the ambiance is nice.
What to try: Falafel appetizer, Chicken gyro platter (Chicken topped with onions, tomatoes, and tzatziki, served with pita, salad, and Greek fries
Are-pitas: Quick service café specializing in Mediterranean and Latin America fare. Aprepas, pitas, Lebanese entrees, cachapas, and empanadas are all available on the diverse menu.
What to try: Chicken pita, Guava and cheese empanada, Lebanese special (salad, hummus, baba ganoush, 1 dolma, 2 falafels)
The Top Themed restaurants
Rumfish Grill: Touristy St. Pete beach restaurant located inside the Tradewinds Resort. Known for their gigantic colorful aquarium which was featured on Animal Planet’s Tanked reality series. A perfect choice for seafood lovers!
What to try: Tuna poke, Seared Scottish Salmon
Hard Rock Cafe: Touristy rock n’ roll themed chain serving American comfort style foods in an eclectic dining area. Their mac and cheese is the best anywhere, period. Lots of fun appetizers and drinks served in souvenir glasses. Located inside the Seminole Hard Rock Casino in Tampa.
What to try: Jumbo Appetizer (includes spring rolls, bruschetta, onion rings, wings), Twisted Mac and Cheese
Authentic Italian food
Instead of indulging in endless salad and breadsticks at the Olive Garden, consider supporting one of these local gems.
Slyce Pizzeria: Excellent upscale casual pizza joint with locations in Madeira Beach and Indian Rocks. Perfect comforting choice after a long day of fun-in-the-sun. Excellent pizza, amazing garlic knots, and the best Greek salad in town. The Madeira location features a beautiful patio overlooking the water.
What to try: Cheese pizza, garlic knots, Greek salad
Edie and Sams: Popular downtown pizzeria serving authentic NY style pizza. Known for their humongous 28 inch pizza. Imports NYC water for the dough which gives the crust that trademark flavor.
What to try: 28 inch cheese pizza, garlic knots, toasted ravioli
Gino’s: Authentic local Italian joint known for its’ cozy ambiance, great food, and old school vibe. The food is totally authentic and portion sizes are quite big considering the affordable price tag.
What to try: Eggplant Parmesan, Chicken Parmesan. All entrees served with garlic bread and a salad.
Vito & Michael’s Pizzeria: Low-key Italian establishment located in a no frills strip mall near St. Pete Beach. Very friendly service, casual vibe, and most importantly, excellent food. Great pricing and excellent lunch specials. Nice laidback choice after a long beach day.
What to try: Hand spun pizza, Eggplant Parmesan, Chicken Parmesan. All entrees served with bread and salad.
Paul’s Chicago Pizza: Best place for an authentic Chicago pie in Pinellas County. Also serves tasty appetizers including the most delicious parmesan poppers, garlic bread, toasted ravioli, and cheese sticks. Great ambiance with plenty of Chicago sports memorabilia.
What to try: Thin or stuffed crust pizza, garlic parmesan poppers
The best of Mexico
Lots of great Mexican choices, both casual and upscale, throughout the Bay. A few of my favorites:
Tijuana Flats: Popular Florida Tex-Mex chain with over 100 locations. All food is made fresh to order including the delicious salsa and guacamole. Lots of great choices including a variety of vegetarian options (black or refried beans are an option for most entrees).
What to try: Enchiladas, Chimichanga, Tijuana Trio (Chips with salsa, guacamole, and queso)
Jakes Coastal Cantina: One of the best casual places to grab a bite near the Indian Rocks/Redington beach area. The Tex Mex food here is terrific and the vibe is so casual, so you can come in right from the sand. Highlights include a tropical ambiance, large bar, affordable daily specials, and build your own margarita bar.
What to try: Fried Mexican street corn, Mexican pizza, build your own taco/burrito/tostada (comes with chips/salsa)
Mekenita Cantina: Upscale Mexican restaurant in the Seminole Heights neighborhood. The food is so delicious, and the presentation is perfect. The décor is eclectic and colorful. Best enchiladas and burritos in the city! They make their own salsa and chips and they are so good, and fortunately, complimentary!
What to try: Charred Vegetable Enchiladas, Citrus Grilled Chicken Burrito
