<div id="c3be0912bb716eee4ca644c1dfc4ecde4"></div>Every city has iconic restaurants, bars, and hang-out places. But Tampa Bay? Oh, we have many Tampa staples that make our list of “Tampa Icons.” New to town? Lived here a while? These places will give you the ultimate taste of Tampa's history that you can share with your friends, not to mention the immaculate vibes.
What about Florida's most iconic restaurants? Well, Tampa Bay is home to some of those too! We're sharing helpful details including location, price range, and whether or not reservations are necessary.
Before we dive into the details of Tampa Bay's most famous and iconic restaurants, a few notes. We've organized our list by price range, starting with casual budget-friendly Tampa Bay eats, then we dive into some icons that are worth the extra dollars, and finally cap off with a few famous Tampa Bay treats.
Casual, But Famous Tampa Bay Restaurants
Arco Iris Café
- 40001 N Havana Ave., Tampa
- (813) 872-8306
- $
With a more casual dining experience, Arco Iris is a beloved Tampa Bay establishment featuring vibrant Cuban comfort food. Diners will get a rich taste of Cuban culture with dishes like Ropa Vieja and Frijoles Colorados.
CafFé Paradiso
- 4205 S MacDill Ave. D, Tampa
- (813) 835-6622
- $$
- Reservations accepted
This upscale Italian restaurant has been serving recipes passed down from generation to generation for more than 20 years. You can find menu items like Mozzarella Caprese, Melanze Rollatine, soups, salads, and authentic Italian pasta, chicken, beef, and fish dishes.
Carmine’s Ybor
- 1802 E 7th Ave. #3808, Tampa
- (813) 248-3834
- $$
Carmine's is a casual eatery bringing together the best of Ybor's history, serving delicious Cuban and Italian fare. From sandwiches to pasta dishes and marsala, you can experience the best of both worlds right in Ybor. Take a peek at their handcrafted specialty cocktails for some unique adult libations.
Mad Dogs & Englishmen
- 4914 S MacDill Ave., Tampa
- (813) 832-3037
- $$
Founded in 1991, Mad Dogs and Englishmen is serving up pub favorites with a happy hour that is superb. From Bangers & Mash to Aubergine Bolognese and Fish & Chips, the menu at Mad Dogs has something on the menu for everyone's taste.
Our favorites include the Mushroom Leek Pie, and the cold smoked fish dip, which isn't listed on their menu, think of it as a delicious secret item.
Pané Rustica
- 3225 S MacDill Ave., Tampa
- (813) 902 8828
- $$
- Reservations suggested
Pané Rustica started in Tampa as a bread bakery and expanded to a full restaurant in the mid-2000s; however, they still boast their bakery roots, featuring baked breads of Italy and France.
Their dining menu offers something unique in that it changes daily. Guests can expect soups and salad, a few seafood selections, beef, and other items like lamb or Tuna.
Mel’s Hot Dogs
- 4136 E Busch Blvd., Tampa
- (813) 985-8000
- $
Who doesn't love a great hot dog, especially when it has all your favorite toppings on it?! Mel's has been slinging delicious Chicago-style hot dogs from their vintage diner since 1973, and honestly, we should thank them!
A few of their famous favorites include the Chili Dog, Chicago Style dog, and Mel's Special. Oh, and did we mention they use their own all-beef natural casing hot dogs? Yup, delish!
Iconic Tampa Bay Restaurants for a Special Occasion
Bern’s Steak House
- 1208 S Howard Ave., Tampa
- (813) 251-2421
- $$$$
- Reservations highly encouraged (a credit card is needed on file for reservations)
Bern's Steak House is the epitome of experiences when it comes to steakhouse experiences. They require a business casual to semi-formal dress code and are known for their “art in steaks”, extensive drink menu, and stellar dessert room… yeah, you read that right, dessert room.
You can't go wrong with a selection from their list of 22 caviars, Japanese Wagyu, or any of their dry-aged steaks. The dessert room menu is unlike anything you've ever seen before, so be sure to leave room for the full Bern's Steakhouse experience.
Charley’s Steak House
- 444 W Cypress St., Tampa
- (813) 353-9706
- $$$$
Tampa does not lack in the fantastic steakhouse department. Another iconic Tampa Bay restaurant, Charley's, features a variety of steaks from organic to Bison and Wagyu. Unique to Charley's, the presentation of wrapped steaks for guests to understand the specific cut options.
For those who prefer seafood, there are selections like Wild Alaskan Halibut, Broiled Caribbean Lobster Tail, and more. Charley's also has a house-made dessert list to top off a perfect meal.
Donatello Italian Restaurant
- 232 N Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa
- (813) 875-6660
- $$$
- Reservations encouraged
This old-school, upscale Italian restaurant is straight out of a romance movie with live jazz and piano music in their San Marco Lounge. On the menu, you can find classic pasta dishes like Linguini Al Pesto, Agnolotti Freschi Alla Crema, along with other Italian chicken and beef dishes.
Iavarone’s
- 3617 W Humphrey St., Tampa
- (813) 932-5241
- $$$
- Reservations suggested
Iavarone's is a classic Italian Steakhouse with appetizers like Beef Carpaccio and Escargot, and mains like Bourbon Glazed Atlantic Salmon, Grouper alla Capra, pasta dishes, Rack of Lamb, Filet Mignon, and more!
Two of their steak specialties are the Chateaubriand for Two, which comes with filet mignon and your choice of two salads and two side items, and the Prime Rib Au Jus, intended for one person, which is only available for dinner Thursday through Saturday.
Malio's Prime Steakhouse
- 400 N Ashley Dr., Tampa
- (727) 202-6992
- $$$$
- Reservations recommended
With menu items like Escargot, Prime Tenderloin Carpaccio, New York Strip, Prime Filet, Chilean Sea Bass, and more, Malio's is another Tampa steakhouse that is not to be missed.
Aside from being known for their amazing steaks and wine selection, their Lobster Macaroni and Cheese is also a fan favorite.
Mise en Place
- 442 W Grand Central Ave., Tampa
- (813) 254-5373
- $$$
- Reservations suggested
Mise En Place is “for the adventurous in palate & spirit” with a menu inspired by Italian dishes, but made for a more modern cuisine. Starters like Cornmeal Crusted Oysters and Antonius Siberian Caviar Service, this is definitely a meal to be remembered.
For entrees, you can find Chorizo Spice Rub Tofu, Spatchcock Grilled Chicken, Hanger Steak Frites, and many more dishes that explore Italian recipes in a very unique way.
Oystercatchers
- 2900 Bayport Dr., Tampa
- (813) 207-6815
- $$$
- Reservations encouraged but not required
Oystercatchers is one of Tampa Bay's pearls—see what we did there—and they've raw bar selections, soups, salads, and sandwiches. Their brunch is delicious, and while it's currently served á la carte, keep your eye out for the return of their brunch buffet… seriously, it'll change your life.
Restaurant BT
- 2507 S MacDill Ave., Tampa
- (813) 258-1916
- $$$
- Reservations highly encouraged
If you're looking for a unique cuisine, Restaurant BT is the place to be. Their French-Vietnamese fusion fare is exquisitely plated and features starters like Lobster Tom Yum Soup, Escargots and Pâte Feuilletée, and main dishes like Vietnamese Chicken, Ginger & Tamarind Prawns, and more.
The Rusty Pelican
- 2425 N Rocky Point Dr., Tampa
- (813)-281-1943
- $$$
- Advance reservations encouraged but not required
The Rusty Pelican's menu boasts a great selection of fare, from seafood to land, and delicious drinks. If you're looking for an intimate date night with great views, this is your place! The gallery windows lining the restuarant offer a spectacular view of the sunset over the water.
If it's your first time dining at The Rusty Pelican, we suggest their Salmon TarTare and the Rusty Pelican Board for Two.
Tampa Bay Treats
Alessi
- 2909 W Cypress St., Tampa
- (813) 879-4544
- $
Alessi has been serving scrumptious baked goods in Tampa since 1912. Their menu includes cakes, cookies, cupcakes, flan, Cannolis, and much more! Put together a perfect picnic or grab something on the go at their deli where they've got a wide selection of delicious sandwiches and wraps.
Alessi's Scachatta—think of a giant square pizza—is a party staple, great for Gasparilla and birthdays alike.
Dairy Joy
- 3813 S Manhattan Ave., and 3815 Manhattan Ave., Tampa
- (813) 839-5485
- $
Dairy Joy is serving up delicious ice cream—and they've been doing so since 1958, talk about an institution! From milkshakes, premium ice cream, to boat sundaes, snow cones in a cup, and pineapple dole whip, Dairy Joy has all of the sweet cream treats covered.
BONUS IDEA: Mazzaro's Italian Market
- 2909 22nd Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33713
- (727) 321-2400
- $
One of the most famous Tampa Bay eateries on the map is Mazzaro's Italian Market. Located in St. Pete, this Italian market's call is heard all over the state and the country as well. Known for their delicious sandwiches, handmade pasta, and imported goods, we would be remiss if we didn't point out their incredible homemade desserts!
What restaurants started in Tampa Bay?
Speaking of Tampa Bay icons, if you're wondering what restaurants started in Tampa, there are quite a few that have now grown to national recognition.
Columbia Restaurant
- 2117 E 7th Ave., Tampa
- (813) 248-4961
- $$
- Reservations encouraged
Even if you've never been to Tampa, you might've still heard of Columbia Restaurant, or just “Columbia” as the locals call it. It began in Tampa in 1905 and is noted as Florida's oldest restaurant.
As the “gem of Spanish restaurants,” Columbia is serving up amazing and authentic dishes. A few of our favorites are the 1905 Salad, their Cuban Sandwich, Frios Mariscos, and Ybor Devil Crab Croquettes.
Frenchy's Rockaway Grill
- 7 Rockaway St., Clearwater
- (727) 446-4844
- $$
Frenchy's is a household name in Tampa, and if you drove your way into Florida, chances are you saw one of their billboards along the freeway! They've built a delicious brand with lots of different ways to enjoy some of the most amazing seafood—if you're looking for fresh seafood in the middle of the United States, don't worry, they ship!
Some of our favorites from Frenchy's Rockaway Grill include the Seafood Pot Pie (if you love seafood, you have to try it), Grouper Sandwich, She Crab Soup, and the Smoked Fish Dip. If you're not a sea lover, there are plenty of chicken sandwiches, burgers, hot dogs, and more!
Hooters
- 2800 Gulf to Bay Blvd., Clearwater
- (727) 797-4008
- $$
The first Hooters restaurant was brought to life in Clearwater, and it's still there! If you've never been to a Hooters location, it's a sports bar known for its game-day rowdiness, friendly servers, and selection of adult beverages.
La Segunda
- 2512 N. 15th Street, Ybor City | (813) 248-1531
- 2424 4th St. N, St. Petersburg | (727) 388-4983
- 4015 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa |(813) 540-9119
- 5150 N. Florida Ave., Tampa | (813) 237-2377
- $$
This bakery, established in 1915, is known for its authentic Cuban bread, and it's so popular that they produce 20,000 loaves of Cuban bread daily! Their café menu sports a handful of breakfast items, fresh salads, plenty of sandwiches, and a mountain of baked goods.
One of the local favorites is La Segunda's Cuban Sandwich with mojo-marinated pork, smoked ham, Genoa salami, Swiss cheese, pickle, and special sauce.
Outback Steakhouse
- 3403 Henderson Boulevard, South Tampa
- (813) 875-4329
- $$
You may be surprised to know that the Outback Steakhouse also got its start in the Tampa Bay area. Their steakhouse fare brings a bit of down-under Australia to our Bay Area.
Looking for more great Tampa Bay eats? Check out The Best Restaurants in SoHo + Hyde Park or find a list of great rooftop bars here.
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Featured image: The Rusty Pelican Board for Two — Image by Hailea Boykin