Ulele, an award-winning restaurant along the Tampa Riverwalk, is known for its Native American and Florida fusion. The centerpiece of the restaurant is a barbacoa grill that cooks everything from burgers to charred oysters. For a real taste of Florida, get the alligator hush puppies—the dish combines fresh alligator meat, country ham, corn, and jalapeño into one sweet, spicy, and savory bite.
This Florida city is well-known for its nearby beaches and championship-winning sports teams, but let's not forget its dining scene: the best restaurants in Tampa are not to be missed and often right around the corner on rooftops and in some of the best hotels in the city. Basically, right in plain sight.
Some of Tampa’s most ambitious new restaurants have popped up around the city’s revitalized areas, meaning you can check off some of Tampa’s top attractions while eating top-notch food. You’ll find restaurants along the buzzing 2.6-mile Tampa Riverwalk or even tucked inside the Heights Public Market (a reimagined 1901 streetcar warehouse), just for starters. Ranging in style from authentic Cuban food in Tampa’s historic Ybor City (this is the birthplace of the iconic Cuban sandwich, after all) to sweet and smoky barbecue, there’s no shortage of flavor here. Of course, with Florida's first Michelin Guide now live, there are some exceptional restaurants to check out on that list too. Have a few days to explore? These are the best places to eat in Tampa.
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