The Tampa restaurant scene is booming with exciting new spots to explore (and not just because of the MICHELIN Stars). Here’s a look at some of the recent openings that are generating buzz across the city.
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Mema’s Alaskan Tacos
1903 N 19th Street
This beloved taco spot is making its long-awaited return after originally launching more than 20 years ago, much to the excitement of hungry locals. The origins of Mema’s Alaskan Tacos date back to the 1950s when “Goompa” was stationed at Alaska’s Elmendorf Air Force Base. During this time, Mema learned the secret to these unique tacos from a friend, quickly making them a family favorite.
Passed down through generations, these lightly fried, juicy, and slightly crunchy tacos became a cherished family tradition. Now, the legacy lives on through the restaurant’s commitment to serving quality, homemade food at a fair price.
Royal Thai Restaurant
5011 W Hillsborough Ave
For those craving authentic Thai cuisine in Tampa Bay, Royal Thai Restaurant is a must-visit. This family-owned gem specializes in crafting traditional dishes with the finest ingredients, delivering a true taste of Thailand to every plate.
One recent 5-star review says it all: “So freaking good. Finally a decent Thai place in Tampa. Red curry, chicken satay, and that papaya salad are highlights!!!”
Shōgun Sushi
1713 S Dale Mabry Hwy
The AYCE menu offers more than just traditional sushi, featuring a range of hot dishes and hibachi items, all crafted by skilled local chefs. Diners have already highlighted must-try items like Pepper Tuna, Sushi Tacos, Takoyaki, and fresh Sashimi. With a clean, zen-inspired design and air-chiming glass ceiling decor, Shōgun provides a tranquil yet lively atmosphere.
Josephine’s Italian Market
730 W Brandon Blvd
The new market offers a variety of Italian delights, including Roman-style pizza, specialty roast coffee, take-and-bake bread, beer, wine, and mouthwatering desserts.
Shoppers can stock up on all the essentials to create their Italian meals. The shelves are lined with spices, sauces, and cooking bases. For those in need of a break, the market’s coffee bar serves up rich espresso to enjoy while browsing.
Tampeno Fish & Meat Market
3413 West Tampa Bay Blvd
The owners, proud of their heritage, bring together a fusion of diverse cultural influences that have flourished in West Tampa. Their commitment to sharing their story mirrors the spirit of hard work, family bonds, and community support that has nurtured West Tampa for generations.
Retro House Dim Sum
934 E Henderson Ave
The new establishment, a collaboration between the team behind Felicitous, Corrinne Liou and Paul Venghaus, and the owners of Heritage Dim Sum, Meishan Lu and Joseph Hixon, promises to deliver an exceptional dining experience featuring bao buns, big bowls, and delicious dim sum.
It’s officially open for takeout with its hours set from 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Within the next 4 months, Retro House will expand with a full coffee bar next door, designed to accommodate up to 30 patrons. This coffee bar will feature Felicitous’s renowned pastries and drinks. Once the coffee bar is open, Retro House will open around 7:30 a.m./8 a.m.
Enjoy golden lava and ube bao, sensational black pepper steak, sweet Thai tea, crab rangoon, and more.
Kiwa
5415 Bayshore Boulevard
The restaurant’s menu features a diverse array of Korean-inspired dishes that have quickly become favorites among patrons. Standout items include Beef Brisket Fried Rice, Baked Mussels, Bulgogi Beef with White Rice, Rock n Roll Shrimp, Yellowtail (Hamachi) Nigiri, and a Steam Bun Appetizer. Each of these dishes has earned rave reviews for their flavor and presentation.
The Meltdown
1910 N Ola Avenue
Meltdown Grilled Cheese Shop offers a unique Cheez-It pie topped with Butcher and BBQ’s Chili con Carne, queso, candied jalapeños, scallions, and sour cream. Guests can also enjoy a variety of comfort food classics, including curly fries.
Leon’s Lobstah Shack
5314 Interbay Blvd
Leon’s menu features hot and cold lobster rolls, lobster bisque, a lobster taco with mango salsa and housemade red chili sauce, and lobster grilled cheese. Other items beyond lobster include shrimp tacos, citrus chicken salad, a grouper po boy, smash burgers, and loaded hot dogs. Crispy clam and crispy whole belly clam baskets are also featured on the menu.
Zen Pho
3019 W Waters Avenue
Every dish is made to order with dedication to balance, authenticity, sustainability, and inclusivity. Original creator of Taste in Gainesville LLC and ZEN Asian Eats LLC, Hung is a natural entrepreneur, leader, and culinary master with a Bachelor’s in Food and Health Science from the University of Florida. He takes inspiration from his travels around the world and loves the challenge of learning and creating new recipes.
Rain Bistro
2592 E Bearss Ave
This new hot spot offers Asian cuisine such as fried chicken, fried rice, and ramen noodles. Diners can also enjoy a wide range of boba milk tea flavors.
Rakki Seminole Heights
6705 N Florida Avenue
This new restaurant is dishing out delicacies such as Tokyo Oysters, Smoked Brisket Bao, and Pork Belly Hand Roll. More must-try menu items include their variety of gyozas (lamb, ginger, Chinese 5 spices, parmesan, scallions & yogurt-lemon-cumin), truffle mac and cheese ramen, mushroom hand roll, birria bao, and ginger soy honey chicken wings. A Basque-style grandma cheesecake is also on their dessert menu.
Roong Aroon Thai Cafe
24436 Florida 54
This restaurant has earned rave reviews for its pineapple fried rice, Tom Kha Soup, and minced pork omelet on rice. Visitors will fall in love with the floral accents on the walls and the intimate vibe.
Spaccola Napoli Italian Restaurant
12913 N Dale Mabry Hwy
The centerpiece of Spacca Napoli’s kitchen is a large, artisan-crafted Italian brick oven, built in Italy using the renowned biscotto di Sorrento stone. This oven is pivotal in achieving the perfect Neapolitan-style pizza. The dough is meticulously leavened for 48 hours, resulting in pizzas with a soft crust and beautifully airy pockets that provide a delightful crunch.
Buchette Spritz Bar
236 E Davis Blvd
Oggi Italian is one of the most charming restaurants in Tampa, and they’ve just debuted a new spinoff spot called Buchette Spritz Bar. Enjoy fine drinks for a delightful window on Davis Islands at “Welcome to our modern Buchette Del Vino, where tradition meets innovation in the world of wine,” wrote the owners when announcing the new venture.
Champagne Porch
1910 N Ola Ave
The drink menu includes 8 cocktails, 3 seltzers (with whiskey, tequila, and vodka options), plus Barriehaus’s Export Lager and Miller High Life. These cocktails include a classic French 75, the Bambino (Pimms, China Chin, Soda), Aperol and Limoncello Spritz, and Bella Sbagliato (Lillet Blanc, Framboise, Lavender Bitters).
Ash
420 S Nebraska Ave
Encompassing 2,400 square feet of indoor dining space with an additional 1,000 square feet of outdoor dining space, Ash adds to the robust dining scene on Water Street.
The Madison NoHo
1704 N Howard Avenue
The Madison NoHo offers a tantalizing menu that has garnered rave reviews from patrons. Among the top dishes is the Madison Crab Cake, served with a housemade remoulade sauce that perfectly complements the rich, savory flavors of the crab. The Oysters Rockefeller is another favorite, delivering a classic taste with a fresh twist.
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