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.“

“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.“

“We really enjoyed our plates. The meatloaf was outstanding! And the pineapple upside dessert too!!! Excellent service!!“

“🤤🤗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.“

“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!“

“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!“

“I recently had the pleasure of dining at J Alexander's with my family, and I can't recommend it highly enough! From the moment we walked in, we were captivated by the stunning open kitchen, complete with a beautiful fireplace at its center. It creates such a warm and inviting atmosphere, even on a busy night.

Despite the crowd, our food arrived quickly, and I must say, it was simply amazing. Every dish is made to order, showcasing the restaurant's commitment to quality. The drinks are top-shelf, which adds an extra touch of elegance to the dining experience.

What truly stands out about J Alexander's is their high standards for both food and staff. The hiring practices ensure that only the best people are part of this operation, which translates into excellent service and a memorable dining experience.

I highly suggest bringing your family, loved ones, or even a special date here for any occasion. It’s a place that holds a special place in my heart; I’ve been enjoying meals here since I was little, and it reminds me of wonderful moments with my dad. If you’re looking for a fantastic dining experience, look no further than J Alexander's!“

“I only have positive things to say about this establishment! My family and I usually dine in with you guys but we were hosting a family reunion today and we wanted to order some of our favorite foods to go. My gosh everything was just prepared wonderfully and tasted amazing like usual! The take out team was just spot on! We wanted to specifically thank a younger girl with blonde hair. I believe her name was Nichole or Nikki or something like that. keep up the good work, i’ll be back!“

“Fantastic place! We celebrated my daughter’s graduation here and had the very best experience. From start to finish they provided exceptional service. Everyone went above and beyond to make our event extra special. The service was amazing, the food was great and beautifully displayed, tables were set up welcoming, and we had plenty of space for our guests to enjoy. I look forward to returning and enjoying another great meal and experience!“

“so good.great vibe.grest wine. amazing lamb.“

“The pork chop was absolutely delicious. I’ve talked about it for two days now. The wait staff were friendly and attentive. I highly recommend Battery.“

“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.“

“Very impressed with CJ the new kitchen manager who comes out to check on all the patrons, amazing and refreshing! He is a very positive and welcome addition. Amber and Amy whether bartending/waiting always make us feel like home. We always laugh and enjoy our time here.“

“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!“

“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!“

“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.“

“Hot honey pizza & spicy/crunchy bowl were very good!

We also had the Guac & chips and edamame, amazing!

Definitely try the frescas, so refreshing. And of course the chocolate chip cookie was delicious.“

“Everyone working was very welcoming of us into their family, offering us tastes of everything they offer so we know what we'd like to order. Both sauces are truly something you can't buy from the store on top of top tier fresh homemade recipes.“

“Even though Ellies has great food, great servers and othe help except Pam who was a different story the first time she was our server. She was pretty miserable and I noticed the busers were doing pretty much all of her work. She just took our order. Busers brought menus, silverware, drinks and even did our refills. One of the other servers on the floor brought us our food. We chalked it up to she was having a bad day and even though I wanted to tip the busers, we did tip Pam! Today we got her again and from what we could tell, nothing had changed! Our opinion, if you don't enjoy working with the public, hit the road before you start causing Ellies to lose customers. We will try again, but if we see her coming to us, we will ask for a different server. No one deserves to be treated rudely!!!! We are out because we enjoy good people and positivity as well as a great home diner!!!!.“

“First time experiencing The Sugar Factory. Did not wait for reserved table. The food did take awhile to come out and a manager made rounds to inform us (Tree) that the kitchen just got slammed and they're trying to push out food as quickly as they can. Tree did take care of someone in our party their drink. It was getting watered down waiting for the food. Overall food was absolutely great, great music playlist. Our server Caleb was great.“

“We had an evening flight and weren't in the mood to cook lunch, so we decided to order healthy bowls from Cali. We went with the Spicy Brazilian and New Mexican Bowl for a flavorful and nutritious meal.

I picked up our order in just 20 minutes and headed home. Both bowls were absolutely delicious, tasty, healthy, and with good portion, making for a satisfying lunch.

For anyone looking for fresh and flavorful healthy bowls, Cali is definitely a go-to spot!“

“Exelente lugar la mejor hamburguesa que he probado riquísima y la atención de 10 recomendado 100%“

“I thoroughly enjoyed my first visit to Doc B's. The staff were very attentive, friendly and helpful. The food was delicious, even the chocolate cake. I don't normally eat chocolate cake, but the other desserts looked too good, but I can't have dairy so...It was really good. Very moist! And the drinks were superb. I wouldn't hesitate to come back.“

“Food and service were excellent!!!“

“Lunch date with friends was a great choice. Shrimp and grits were super yummy! We shared and the portion was just right. Our friends split a salad and It was also good. Very attentive waitstaff. Friendly hostess. Love the decor and atmosphere.“

“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.“

“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!“

“We enjoy the delicious new menu changes and good service. Thanks“

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

“I didn’t know food soul food existed in Tampa. I was also surprised to find out she offers vegetarian options for us non-meat eaters. I came for a Friendsgiving event, and had the yams, macaroni and cheese, cornbread, mashed potatoes and green beans. Delicious! Get your southern fix in and try M&R Cafe.“

“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.“

“Fantastic brunch menu! Food was delicious, service was not rushed. Loved the Pumpkin Espresso Martini! Can’t wait to come back! Highly recommend!“

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

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

“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.“

“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“

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

“great friendly fast service with a smile 😁“

“Kayley was so nice while my family was ordering. She was so patient while I was getting the order for my little kids. She always had a smile on her face and just such a positive attitude. She made this an enjoyable experience and I can’t say enough things positive about her. Kayley was very attentive to our table, we never had to ask for a new drink or anything like that. Kayley really made this experience pleasurable while going out to eat with little kids. We can’t wait to go back and see her again!“

“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.“

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

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

“Gorgeous atmosphere,attractive employees,good service & drinks! Go visit Lex!“

“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!“

“Double cheeseburger was great“

“Nice atmosphere, black owned & operated. Friendly customer service and food was very good.“

“You cannot find a better restaurant with better food that is affordable and literally surrounded inside and out with TV's for sports. Generous portions and some interesting entree's as well. Wait staff are all very friendly and accommodating!“

“We wanted to try axe throwing on my birthday and just happened to have dinner at black rock and found this place in the same plaza. We had a great time and Daniel helped us through the axe throwing experience. He was super helpful and patient with us when we didn’t have a clue what we were doing. We definitely want to come back with some friends.“