Six Tampa restaurants were named in the 100 best restaurants in all of Florida by Yelp. These spots represent the best in fine dining, and fast casual. Even more spots in surrounding areas in St. Pete, Clearwater, and Riverview also made the list. The Tampa restaurants named in the Top 100 are Oxford Exchange, OLIVIA, Rice and Spice, Daily Eats, Wright’s Gourmet House, and Izakaya Tori.
Some common themes amongst the top Tampa spots include a heavy amount of reviews referencing aesthetic and decor. Other key terms such as “great service,” and “curated menu,” were also common amongst these top tier dining spots.
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“To determine Yelp’s Top 100 Places to Eat in Florida in 2023, we identified businesses in the restaurants category, then ranked those spots using a number of factors, including the total volume and ratings of reviews between January 1, 2022 and January 1, 2023,” writes the Yelp editorial board. “When available, all businesses on this list have a passing health score as of January 9, 2023.”
Oxford Exchange
Oxford Exchange is one of the most gorgeous restaurants in Tampa. It includes a coffee and tea bar, a chic shop, a full champagne bar, and a bookstore. The restaurant has been named as one of the top brunch destinations in America on several occasions.
There’s so much to savor on the menu. Start with the large, warm cinnamon rolls served with strawberries, and a warm cream cheese glaze. The poppyseed pancakes with a lemon maple syrup are a fabulous, and oh-so-Florida dish that you need to try. Looking for something Southern flair? Order up the stone ground yellow grits with aged white cheddar, crispy bacon, chives, maple drizzle.
The chorizo breakfast tacos filled with eggs, manchego, jalapeño pico de gallo, cumin aioli, micro greens are revelatory. Seriously this is a spot that I always take friends when they come to town.
420 W Kennedy Boulevard
Olivia
Chef Chris Ponte’s OLIVIA is a true culinary experience. Not only does it offer fine Italian cuisine, but Ponte has also crafted dedicated menus for vegan diners, and gluten-free diners, so everyone can sit down and enjoy this resplendent fine dining destination.
It’s been a minute since my last visit. OLIVIA’s exquisite menu changes with the seasons. But previous standout entrees includes the black linguine with Key West pink shrimp, calabresse, chile, and scallions. The agnolotti had my curiosity and attention. Enjoy short rib, porcini, and bone marrow butter all in one dish.
Check OLIVIA’s website to see what’s currently featured on the menu. If you hadn’t heard, OLIVIA is also expanding with a new location in downtown St. Pete.
3601 W Swann Avenue
Rice and Spice
Adding this to my must visit list. I love it when a new spot enters my radar, and Rice and Spice is delivering Thai street food, and sensational sushi rolls to Tampa.
“I had the pleasure of trying the off-menu Tokio Showdown roll, which was absolutely delicious. The roll was bursting with flavor and had the perfect balance of textures. But what really made the roll stand out was the paired sauce, which was simply divine,” writes Jerimy B in a 5-star review on Yelp. “The exceptional service and delicious food make Rice and Spice a must-visit in Tampa, Florida.”
11625 Sheldon Road
Daily Eats
Fun fact: Daly Eats was the first restaurant I ever ate at in Tampa. That’s right, my mom and I MapQuest’ed our way around Tampa and happened upon Daily Eats, a breakfast hub my cousin, who was a chef at Bern’s at the time, recommended. I am a big fan of big breakfasts and that’s what Daily Eats delivered. I had a crispy crunch French toast dish with piping hot coffee. It’s kind of hard for me to resist the sweet stuff.
The classic burgers, shredded chicken Cali bowls, their divine tater tots, and brunch menu make Daily Eats an irresistible and quintessential Tampa dining destination.
901 South Howard Avenue
Wright’s Gourmet House
The cafe deli has been serving the city of Tampa since 1963. Over 1,000 patrons have left reviews of their experiences here, with more than 800 of those reviews acting as a perfect 5 stars. So, what has Tampa residents and visitors buzzing?
For one, the alpine cake. It’s a simple vanilla cake with a generous amount of chocolate frosting coated with white chocolate flakes on top. It’s baked with love, like you’re enjoying a slice at your grandparents home. Total comfort food goals.
Another baked good that continues to pop up in reviews is the hummingbird cake. The treat is Wright’s banana layer cake, chock full of pineapple and nuts and covered with cream cheese frosting. Yum!
1200 South Dale Mabry
Izakaya Tori
Tampa’s top tier Japanese restaurant is a hole-in-the-wall, but the secret is out. This space gets packed on the weekends, but the food is worth the wait. It’s another restaurant I haven’t yet tried, but the swath of 5-star reviews seem promising.
“I ordered nigiri and the Yummy role, both super tasty. My friend got steamed gyoza and an eel & rice dish with bock chow,” writes Jeanne Marie D in a 5-star review. “By the time we left, people were waiting out the door to be seated, so it’s clearly a VERY popular spot, despite it’s location being pretty unassuming.”
“Spicy octopus cups were superb! Salmon and eel nigiri were excellent,” writes Amanda B in another 5-star review. “Izakaya roll was out of this world I think it may actually be my favorite roll ever however I have to come back and try their other rolls to be sure!”
310 S Dale Mabry
You can see the full list of restaurants online.
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