Some of the best restaurants in Florida are right here in Tampa. Just reference the MICHELIN Guide if you need some convincing. OpenTable has just released its list of the Top 100 Restaurants in America, and two Tampa spots made the cut: Bern’s Steak House (1208 S Howard Ave) and Lilac at Tampa EDITION (500 Channelside Dr).
The list is “culled from over 12 million verified diner reviews and dining metrics including diner ratings, percentage of reservations made in advance, and five-star reviews, the list highlights some of the top spots favored by diners this year,” according to OpenTable. Overall, 7 Florida restaurants made the list:
ADVERTISEMENT
- Bern’s Steak House – Tampa, FL
- Buccan – Palm Beach, FL
- Latitudes Key West on Sunset Key – Key West, FL
- Lilac – Tampa, FL
- Llama Restaurant – St. Augustine, FL
- Savour – Tallahassee, FL
- Stubborn Seed – Miami Beach, FL
Lilac blossoms in Water Street Tampa
Lilac, and the entire EDITION development in the heart of the multi-billion dollar Water Street Tampa area, emerged as one of the most anticipated new restaurants in the state of Florida. Chef John Fraser arrived in the city well backed by a history of culinary excellence. The EDITION brand itself also has a staggering 5-star pedigree across the globe. Lilac officially debuted less than a year ago, but in just a short amount of time it managed to make a huge impression on not only local diners and tourist, by MICHELIN Guide editors themselves. This is restaurant of was one of three in Tampa to earn a MICHELIN star.
“It’s very rare to get this distinction in the first year of operation,” said Chef John Fraser in an interview with That’s So Tampa after the restaurant recieved its first MICHELIN star. “We’re excited for the restaurant, but we’re also excited for what this means for the city of Tampa.” It’s also important to note that Lilac not only received a MICHELIN star, but it was also given specific distinction for its service. 
Bern’s remains one of Tampa’s top restaurants
Bern’s Steak House is one of the most legendary restaurants in Tampa, and the state of Florida. The gorgeous institution is no stranger to acclaim. Recently, celebrity chef Robert Irvine was asked to name the best restaurants in America and he listed Bern’s Steakhouse among the best of the best.
Three words: perfectly aged steaks. Bern’s Steak House located in Tampa has been serving guests since 1956 with prime steaks and locally grown vegetables on the side, notes Irvine. “Their whole schtick is steak elevated to an art form, and my experience there has been true to their mission,” Irvine writes. “It’s fitting that a place that opened in the ’50s still has a dress code — and trust me, this is food worth dressing up for.”
The restaurant is also revered for its dessert room, huge wine collection, and excellent service.
What to read next:
- Florida Strawberry Festival announces 2024 concert lineup
- Tampa Theatre to screen holiday classics this season
- Drake brings big tour to Amalie Arena this February
- Gordito’s empanadas opens at Sparkman Wharf
- Snowcat Ridge Snow Park reveals opening date in Tampa Bay
ADVERTISEMENT
