50 Best American Restaurants in Tampa

“My very first visit and I cannot wait to return. Everything from the moment we walked in till the moment we left was perfect. The service, food, atmosphere everything was wonderful. I highly recommend visiting, you will not be disappointed.“

“Great experience the decor and ambiance was amazing. Crab cakes, calamari and pork shank.“

“Food is horrible. I ordered the Bayou pasta. It was dry and it had no seasoning. All I tasted was noodles on the first bite. O, they charge 4 dollars for extra sauce for the pasta. Like really! If you ever had food in New Orleans, you will know this ain't it. I don't know what others see in the food. Maybe each location is different. I went to the one in Rockledge/Cocoa Beach, Fl area. All I know is that next time I am "Walking On" right passed this restaurant to another one that's better.... hopefully.“

“🤤🤗Amazing lunch at On Swann in Tampa today! They accommodated us with a lovely outdoor table for our dog Sofie. After our meal, our amazing server Caroline surprised us with a complimentary Bourbon Bread Pudding, which was incredible! Finishing up our Tampa tourist adventure.“

“Went on 11/19. The restaurant was mostly empty aside from a few customers because it was in between lunch rush and dinner rush. We had great service and pretty good food at a decent value. My only complaint is with the quesadillas. They were a bit too rich and a tad over cooked. Otherwise, we had a great experience!“

“Just had lunch there for my son's bday. Couldn't be more pleased. Clayton our server was so gracious and funny . for the amount of food we ordered with dessert. It came under $200.00 so much bang for your buck. Will be going back very soon.“

“This place was so delicious, we came in twice in one week. So impressed with the quality of food and the ambiance. I have been a fan of Bern's Steak House since 2015, however, we have never eaten at their sister restaurant. Last week was our 1st time visiting Haven. It was our son's birthday and we decided to try this restaurant featuring New American small plates, wine & cocktails as per recommendation of my friend. Tuna Sashimi, Hamachi Sashimi, Shaved Beef Taco, Seared Foie Gras, Cheese platter and Coal Grilled Octopus as appetizers were all 10/10. As for the main course we opted in for Glacier 51 Sea Bass (O.M.G.), Arctic Char, 8oz Filet Mignon (perfectly trimmed) and 10 oz Dry-Aged Strip. Drinks, 'Margarita', 'Lemon Drop' and 'Moscow Mule', were good as well with the exception of the 'Duck Duck Jeep' (it was an odd one). We did not try their desserts (both times) as 1st time visiting we brought a cake for our son's birthday, however, we were never super impressed with Berns' dessert room. I know it may sound weird to many as they are known for their desserts, but truthfully, we have had desserts at other local restaurants that we prefer over Berns'. Service by Madeline K. was on point, however, she accidentally forgot to place the main course item for our birthday boy, so he ended up getting his filet about 15 minutes after everyone else received their meals. It did not spoil our night as she brought out the cake with large candle with sparkles and it was fantastic! Our son was so surprised and I was able to capture some awesome pictures of him with his cake and candles. Overall an excellent experience by everyone: valet guy, bussers, food runners, hostesses and the wait staff. We also appreciated the fact that we were seated at a larger table/couch with brighter lights vs more of a romantic, darker tables. Our second time we requested to sit outside which was nice as it was a pleasant evening. Haven's tacos are my husband's favorite in Tampa and we ordered 16 of them that night. If you are not up to dressing up in your best outfits, but would like a nice quality meal, Haven is your spot!“

“One of my top choices. Super delicious menu. Fun and foreign atmosphere.“

“Brittani was an excellent server! She brought our hot food quickly and refilled my iced tea! We really enjoyed our meal. It was delicious! Just love the specials! We will be back!“

“Cali is my favorite place in the area. The food is amazing and is served very fast. It is a restaurant where you never have to worry about the quality being “off”.

The staff is incredible! Jillian is amazing and makes you feel truly cared for. Jose is the man! Everyone is so welcoming and accommodating.

Link Run Crew Loves Cali!“

“Armature Works is one of the most dynamic and visually striking venues we’ve had the pleasure of performing at! The riverfront views, industrial-chic vibes, and modern amenities create such a cool and unforgettable atmosphere. The events team is professional, efficient, and great to collaborate with—making every event run smoothly from soundcheck to final song!“

“Awesome lunch! Food is amazing and reasonably priced! The staff is over the top friendly. I haven’t been in years and it’s as great today as it was then!“

“I want to give a special thanks to Moe and Muhammad for catering our lunch today here at Advent Health Tampa, we appreciate it dearly; everything was delicious and very well presented.“

“Zamar is the GOAT, had a bad experience with an employee and wasn’t gone for 5 minutes before Zamar called me to make up for it and apologize. THAT IS EXCEPTIONAL CUSTOMER SERVICE!!! I will forever be a customer! Wings are phenomenal ❤️❤️❤️“

“Stopped in to give this spot a try & ordered the fancy sandwich. Omg so yummy😋 the bread is not store bought, must come from a local bakery. The green tomato, bacon made my taste buds so happy! Give this hidden gem a try, you will not be disappointed.“

“Food and service were excellent!!!“

“The food at Cali’s is consistently fresh and delicious. I have sampled the menu; sour dough pizza, creative bowls and recently, the market salad with chickpea bites. All fabulous. The atmosphere here is welcoming and the staff are personable and attentive. Cali’s in New Tampa is terrific!!“

“Las hamburguesas son súper deliciosas de verdad, tienen el toque ecuatoriano, el moro de lentejas espectacular la atención increíble, la mesera súper nice y el lugar muy lindo y limpio, el show de Felipito el éxito, me encanta, 100% recomendado 👍🏻“

“This is our yearly tradition for Valentines Day. We keep moving further and further away but coming back.

This year was disappointing, it didn't seem as friendly as in the past, especially from management. Our server was attentive and friendly.

The food wasn't as good as in years past. The fall off the ribs were a little tuff but tasty.
The coleslaw had a nice tangy flavor.

My wife's salmon was fresh and cooked perfect, but had little flavor. The chocolate cake as always was phenomenal.“

“such an amazing dining experience! from the service to the impeccable food everything from start to finish was amazing can not wait until my next trip down if you have not experienced this place you need to it is a must stop when you are in town!“

“It had been some time since I had gone to Cracker Barrel, I got the turkey special on Thursday. It was delicious. Great food, great service. I also bought some Christmas decorations. They are beautiful. Will definitely come back again soon.“

“Excellent food and drinks! Great atmosphere!! Super friendly service!“

“So glad that we discovered Willa this evening. Can't believe that we hadn't found it previously. But discovering it on a Sunday night turned out to be quite a treat. That is their half price wine bottle night as well as the buy one get one chicken schnitzel night. The schnitzel along with it s. Lemon/ dill potato salad were delicious but the focaccia bread starter may have been the star of the show. And then we followed up with some of their homemade, soft serve and absolutely incredible warm, delicious chocolate chip cookie. Our server, Duncan, was terrific. We will be back!!! Just sorry I did not make any pictures“

“In a world where everything changes constantly, it is so nice to have one place to go and grab a bite to eat where the food is just as wonderful as it was when you were a teenager, and that’s been a while:-) I love eating at Mel’s and I always leave with a smile on my face.“

“Great food and service. Our new favorite when in town!“

“The dragonfruit curd dessert blew me away. Our salad was nice and fresh and the cauli crust pizza was spot on.“

“District South is the perfect place in a convenient South Tampa location for brunch, lunch and dinner. The menu is full of outstanding dishes for every appetite and combined with a full bar it makes for an outstanding visit. The staff are all superb, professional and friendly, to include Daniela P. who served us recently. Daniela's menu recommendations were perfect and on-point to say the least! We cannot wait to visit again and highly recommend this location to everyone!“

“High quality food, clean atmosphere, and super friendly service—a hidden gem!“

“A+++ service the best excellent service“

“Logan was our server and did a fantastic job helping us navigate the menu and signing up for the wine club. A wonderful delicious experience!“

“OMG! I cannot say enough good things about this place. The food is fantastic, the staff is amazing everyone that I have had contact with seems like they love their job and the Manager Jason he the epitome of a Manager. A huge special thanks th Noel for making our first experience the ultimate we are a forever a customer now.“

“Every time I have dinner at Sacred Pepper, I try something new and never have I been disappointed. This time I tried the Pistachio Crusted Fried Brie with cranberry chutney, balsamic reduction and d toasted parmesan crostini and it was amazingly delicious and also a shareable plate. For dinner I had the Oak Grilled Norwegian Salmon with heirloom tomato salad, white wine butter sauce, and house-made orzo pasta with a side of the Caramelized Brussels Sprouts with Applewood bacon and a balsamic glaze. It was all excellent and very flavorful just as everything else has been in my 4 visits here. It's hard to even pick a favorite! Besides the great selection of shareable plates, entrees, sides, and drinks, the decor and ambience are stunning. Then add to that, my server Adam was exceptional, and he was very attentive, polite, respectful, courteous, patient, and he genuinely made me feel so welcomed and valued. He has made so many wonderful recommendations to me over my visits and has even gotten me to try many new things that have all been excellent.“

“We ate at Miller’s in Orlando, our server Bracus was the most attentive amazing human being! He has beautiful flowers, polished silverware, gum, and hand sanitizer in his section! His attention to detail was on point! We will return just for him! Thank you Bracus for making us feel special!“

“Fantastic food! My grouper was perfect. I haven’t enjoyed a restaurant meal so much in a long time. I’ll be back!“

“great friendly fast service with a smile 😁“

“Tonight’s dinner at the newly reopened Mise En Place reminded me why I love dining experiences that go beyond food. I arrived early to meet friends and was invited to sit at the bar—something I usually dread since I don’t drink. The bartender approached, and I asked for something non-alcoholic. He suggested a non-alcoholic beer (not my thing), and then I mentioned ginger beer. His eyes lit up—he had one he hadn’t tried before: Bundaberg. What could’ve been an awkward wait turned into this fun, unexpected exchange as we both discovered the drink together. It came in a vintage-style bottle, and he treated it like it was the most interesting cocktail he’d ever poured. That kind of thoughtful hospitality changes everything. When my group arrived, the meal was incredible—rich flavors, creative pairings, and descriptions that made every dish sound like art. The food was phenomenal, but the way the evening felt was even better. As I left, the bartender smiled and said, “I found a case of that Bundaberg in the back—it’ll be here when you come back.” That moment captured the heart of Mise En Place: attention to detail, genuine connection, and simple moments turned extraordinary.“

“Last Sunday, my friends and I had an absolute blast at Union New American on Westshore—seriously, it was the best brunch ever! If you’re on the fence about checking it out, leap on over! The venue oozes elegance and luxury, making you feel like royalty. But let’s talk about the star of the show: the food! We indulged in a mouthwatering array of delights like the Union Sticky Bun, sushi, the legendary Union Burger, and oh my goodness, the Korean Fried Chicken & Waffles! Plus, don’t even get me started on dessert—yum! The cherry on top? The fabulous service from Jacob and Alena, who made our experience unforgettable, even with the restaurant buzzing with excitement. We’re already planning our next visit and can’t recommend Union New American enough!“

“We ordered the calamari and it was delicious. Woody was also very pleasant and helpful!! Will definitely be back to enjoy more from the menu. Delicious!!!!“

“Julisa provided great sevice“

“Great Food And Drinks Great employees.“

“We have been eating at this restaurant for many, many, many, years and EVERYTHING is TOP NOTCH... the food, service, atmosphere, etc. and it's always spotless clean..We HIGHLY RECOMMEND this restaurant to all.... you won't walk away hungry or disappointed and it's affordable! Be sure to give it a try, you'll be glad you did.“

“I wish there were more than 5 stars to rate J. Alexander's because it is BEYOND amazing! I got the chicken with mashed potatoes and my husband got the NY strip with mashed potatoes. Both were perfect! We finished the meal with the absolute best carrot cake I have ever had or could have imagined. I'll be dreaming of this meal forever! Our server Scott was also extremely attentive and provided exceptional service. Don't miss out on this spot!!“

“I was not expecting this. We were going to go to a fancy restaurant on Tampa bay but we’re exhausted after a day of travel. This is not your typical hotel restaurant. We got the grouper piccata and it was amazing. Salmon was amazing, broccolini and asparagus are amazing. Pineapple habanero. Margarita. Perfect“

“An Institution in Tampa, for years! Consistency...Food and Service ! Here a secret...FRESH GROUPER and all the fixings, THE BEST !!“

“If you enjoy good food when you lose all your $$ highly recommend . Someday !!!“

“Great food with a great purpose. Couldn’t be happier with their service or their mission to help.“

“Chili’s never disappoints! Their burgers are absolutely the best—juicy, flavorful, and cooked to perfection every single time. The cheese quesadillas are another favorite: perfectly melted, well-seasoned, and served hot and fresh. What truly elevates the experience is the service. The staff is friendly, attentive, and always makes sure everything is just right. From the moment you walk in, you feel welcomed and taken care of. The food comes out quickly, and the quality is consistently excellent. Whether you’re stopping in for a quick bite or a relaxed meal, Chili’s delivers great taste and exceptional service. Highly recommended!“

“Cute spot with a beautiful view of Tampa. The cocktails were delicious, and the service was perfect! Good environment good music“

“Ro is one of the top Hyde Park restaurants in Tampa and a go-to spot for incredible food and vibrant atmosphere. As a regular, I highly recommend the duck tacos—they’re packed with flavor—and their old fashioned is one of the best in the Tampa nightlife scene. The DJ nights bring great energy, and the private room is perfect for hosting events or gatherings. Whether you’re looking for a fun night out or a stylish place to dine in Hyde Park, Ro never disappoints!“