Your Guide to Dining at International Plaza and Bay Street

International Plaza and Bay Street is a premiere shopping destination in Tampa and is known for its great shopping and dining. The two-story mall features high-end stores and specialty stores such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and the Apple Store and department stores such as Dillards and Neiman Marcus. They even have a phenomenal play area for the kids. With a full food court as well as countless restaurants outside the mall, there is plenty to choose from!

Whether you’re looking for the best place to celebrate an event or want a relaxing place to go after a day of shopping, Bay Street has got you covered. Be sure to check each restaurant for availability, restaurant hours, and promotions since they vary from place to place.

Bar Louie

Bar Louie is a popular spot located outside International Plaza along the seemingly endless chain of delicious restaurants. The eatery describes itself as “the nation’s hottest gastro bar, dedicated to revolutionizing your dining experience.” Bar Louie features a relaxed setting where you seat yourself, be yourself, and enjoy a delicious drink or meal. Gastrobars offer a good selection to choose from in Tampa.

Check out their delicious bar bites such as the Salmon Sliders, which include everything bagel crusted salmon, creamy herb cheese, and pickled red onions. For main plate items, consider the Buffalo Chicken Mac & Cheese with creamy four-cheese and buffalo sauce, buffalo chicken, and spiced Rice Krispies.

Bazille

If you haven’t seen Bazille, it’s probably due to its inconspicuous location hidden in the back of Nordstrom on the second floor. The spot relays bistro vibes with an elevated ambiance and menu.  All of the wines at Bazille are internationally sourced and all of their cocktails are handcrafted. Bazile offers a variety of apps, salads, pizzas, and desserts.

Order a bowl of crab bisque or check out their Kung Pao Brussel Sprouts which are topped with chicken sausage, sweet soy, chile de Arbol, and toasted peanuts. Looking for something a little greener? No problem! Their salad menu is fresh and filling with choices such as the Wild Salmon Niçoise, Cilantro Lime Shrimp, or Little Gem Caesar. They even offer menus dedicated to seafood, meat, and poultry—there’s really something for everyone at Bazille. It’s the perfect place for shoppers to take a midday lunch break.

Brio Italian Grille

Head over to Brio for a comforting Center Cut Filet or a warm bowl of Spaghetti Bolognese. Brio Italian Grille is a Tuscan Italian hot spot that serves up delicious starters, flatbreads, soup, salad, entrees, pasta, and more!

The spot will certainly be the first to catch your eye as you exit the mall and look out at all of the dining options. Brio has other locations across Florida so if you ever leave the Tampa area, be sure to check out a Brio location in Sarasota, Winter Park Village, or Orlando!

California Pizza Kitchen

California Pizza Kitchen is another American staple serving up, you guessed it, pizza! Since its inception in California, CPK has been delighting pizza lovers for years. Located inside the mall beside Nordstrom, California Pizza Kitchen offers delicious menu items such as White Corn Guacamole and Chips, Power Bowls, hefty Salads, Pizza, Pasta and more! Everything that is classic to CPK is marked by a yellow indicator. Enjoy a classic slice of The Original BBQ Chicken Pizza which features BBQ sauce, smoked gouda, red onion, and cilantro. This dish has been popular and served up since the beginning in 1985! You’ve got to try this!

The Capital Grille

The Capital Grille is one of those special occasion spots that features fine dining options in a top-notch setting. The spot likes to describe itself as “comfortable elegance” with “African mahogany and Art Deco chandeliers”, The Capital Grille offers an inviting setting that most fine dining spots lack, and features an unbeatable menu with the best ingredients, prepared impeccably. Something that sets The Capital Grille apart is the dry-aged steaks, prepare yourself to indulge like never before! Check it out!

The Cheesecake Factory

The Cheesecake Factory is basically an American staple at this point when it comes to casual dining. Enjoy a huge restaurant space with an equally large menu with tons of delicious classics to choose from. Enjoy some of the staples at Cheesecake such as the Avocado Eggrolls, Warm Crab Artichoke Dip.

Or, if you’re watching the waistline, Cheesecake Factory offers a delicious “Skinnylicious” menu. Here, you can order all of your favorites in a healthier way so you can enjoy the food without the guilt!

Doc B’s Restaurant & Bar

Slide on into Doc B’s Fresh Kitchen for a delicious take on classic American food. Enjoy the relaxed but decadent setting with an awesome spacious patio or dining room to choose from. Check out their “Kitchen” menu for all of their delicious classics such as “The Bernie” which features turkey, Swiss, tomato, pickle, red onion, and spicy brown mustard piled high on your favorite bread.

Another great note about Doc B’s is their vegan and vegetarian options such as the Vegetarian “All Green” Burger which features green rice and kale with jack cheese and jalapeno aioli on top! Make Doc B’s your next date night spot—we’re sure you’ll be back for more.

Earl of Sandwich

Earl of Sandwich is a Floridian sandwich joint originating in Orlando with 31 locations. Since it opened in 2004, Earl of Sandwich has been serving up delicious hand-helds for anyone who walks through its doors. Order “The Earl’s Club” with turkey, bacon, swiss, lettuce, Roma tomato, and sandwich sauce on your favorite sandwich bread. OR, check out a wrap! Earl of Sandwich offers delicious wrap options too, such as the Buffalo Chicken. This wrap features grilled chicken, cheddar, romaine, tomatoes, buffalo sauce, and bleu cheese dressing—yum!

Ocean Prime

Ocean Prime sits right outside International Plaza and Bay Street but can’t be overlooked on this delicious list. Ocean Prime is a high end steak and seafood restaurant that has received national acclaim. The food is described as “modern American” and is another incredible spot added to the Cameron Mitchel Restaurants chain. With locations all across the country, Tampa is truly lucky to be able to dine at Ocean Prime. Stop in for yourself and see why Ocean Prime holds the crown! It’s also one of the best places to celebrate a special occasion.

Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar

If you love Tacos, Margaritas, and Chips n’ Dips, then look no further! Rocco’s Tacos is an incredible spot to enjoy one of the best atmospheres and some of the most delicious food and drink around town. Enjoy fresh, tableside guacamole, 200 varieties of tequila, and authentic homemade corn tortillas cooked on the Comal daily, plus so much more.

If you happen to notice a “Star Wars” vibe here and there, you’re not imagining things. While visiting a Rocco’s location in Naples, we learned the owner is a huge fan of the films and even has them on repeat in the bathrooms!

Whiskey Cake Kitchen & Bar

Okay, if you haven’t been to Whiskey Cake yet…drop everything and go now! Whiskey Cake is last on our list but certainly is not least. At Whiskey Cake, everything is farm to table with delicious dishes and cocktails made in their scratch kitchen. At Whiskey Cake you must order the Chicken and Cheese Melt or the Chicken and Waffles—trust us. Then, before you waddle out the door, order a whiskey cake…just do it, seriously.

The infamous Whiskey Cake is comprised of toffee torte, bourbon anglaise, spiced pecans, and topped with homemade vanilla whipped cream. It’s to die for! Going to Whiskey Cake and not ordering THE Whiskey Cake is like going to Paris and not seeing the Eiffel Tower. It’s that good.

Next time you’re at International Plaza and Bay Street, check out one of these spectacular spots and enjoy a top-notch meal every time!

Featured International Plaza and Bay Street Image Credit: shopinternationalplaza.com