The Columbia Cafe is a must-try for its Cuban Sandwich, a 1915 original recipe using Spanish ham, Mojo marinated roast pork and Genoa salami with Swiss cheese and mustard on freshly pressed bread. The wide patio also offers a breathtaking waterfront view.
Attractions In Downtown Tampa Restaurants
There are a lot of great Downtown Tampa Restaurants to choose from. Whether you’re looking for a classic steakhouse, a Mediterranean eatery or an organic Lebanese eatery, there is sure to be something to please everyone.
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Ybor City
Known as the home of Florida’s Spanish, Cuban and Italian immigrants, Ybor City has a rich history. It is also one of the best places to enjoy a delicious dinner and some fun flamenco shows!
Columbia
Located in historic Ybor City, the Columbia Restaurant has been in operation since 1905. Its timeless menu is made with local ingredients and features classic Spanish cuisine with a modern twist. It also offers some fun flamenco shows from Tuesday through Saturday.
GoodyGoody
Originally opened in the 1920s, Goody Goody is a local favorite and one of the best Hyde Park Tampa restaurants. Their gigantic 12 inch pancakes are a must.
Armature Works
Previously a tram car warehouse, this unique space is now an eclectic mix of shops and restaurants. It’s an experience not to be missed!
Sparkman Wharf
This waterfront area is a popular spot for dining, shopping and catching the sunset. Along the wharf are a number of highly recommended restaurants working out of shipping containers.
Oysters in the Wharf
This seafood spot is right on the water and has some of the best oysters in the city. Try the Cedar Key Oysters or order a variety of other oysters.
Bizou Brasserie
This upscale restaurant and bar is a charming bistro that serves New American cuisine with French influences in a charming setting. The menu is accompanied by a wide selection of cocktails and a beautiful outdoor ambiance.
Downtown Tampa is home to an impressive number of restaurants. Whether you are looking for a delicious brunch or an upscale dinner, there is something for everyone.
Eddie & Sam’s NY Pizza #1
Located in the heart of downtown Tampa, Eddie & Sam’s NY Pizza serves up authentic New York style thin-crust pizza by the pie or slice that’s made with New York City tap water at a casual, counter-serve spot.
It has been feeding hungry Tampenos since 1998, and recently made the Top 100 pizza spots in the country. The pies at this pizza joint are a family favorite with flavors like the Lasagna Pie, stuffed with melty ricotta, Eddie & Sam’s signature marinara sauce and ground beef.
The Bianca, made with fresh ricotta blend, mozzarella, and provolone, and the Chicken Parmigiana, with breaded chicken breast coated in Eddie & Sam’s marinara, are also popular choices.
You can also try Stefano’s gelato or cannolis. There is also a good selection of beer and wine at this location. The staff is friendly, so you can rest assured that your visit will be a pleasant one.
| Service options | Dine-in · Kerbside pickup · No-contact delivery |
| Address | 203 E Twiggs St, Tampa, FL 33602, USA |
| Opening Hours | 11 am–10 pm |
| Menu | eddieandsamspizza.com |
| Phone | +1 813-229-8500 |
Columbia Cafe – Riverwalk Tampa #2
The Tampa Riverwalk is home to a number of restaurants offering a variety of cuisines, and Columbia Cafe is no exception. The waterfront restaurant features traditional Spanish and Cuban dishes, and its large outdoor dining patio overlooks Garrison Channel and Harbor Island.
While the menu isn’t extensive, it does have a few favorites, including the Original Cuban Sandwich and 1905 Salad. You’ll also find a wide variety of tapas, including Ybor Devil City Crab Croquettes and Gazpacho Andalucia.
If you’re in the mood for more than a quick bite, Columbia Cafe also serves cocktails, beer and wine. You can order the Spanish Cava Sangria and a few other drinks to accompany your meal. This historic Ybor City restaurant has been around since 1905 and is considered Florida’s oldest restaurant.
It’s also home to the Don Quixote Room, Tampa’s first air-conditioned dining room. It was once owned by Casimiro Hernandez, a Cuban immigrant who started the business as a 60-seat corner café in Ybor City. His daughter Adela Hernandez Gonzmart and her husband Cesar took over the business in 1956.
| Service options | Dine-in · Kerbside pickup · No delivery |
| Located in | Tampa Bay History Center |
| Address | 801 Water St #1905, Tampa, FL 33602, USA |
| Opening Hours | 11 am–10 pm |
| Menu | columbiarestaurant.com |
| Phone | +1 813-229-5511 |
| Reservation | opentable.com |
Hattricks #3
A popular sports bar, Hattricks features plenty of HDTVs, a comfortable setting and delicious food. This place is the perfect spot to watch Tampa Bay Lightning games or enjoy a great meal before a game. This restaurant also offers a variety of appetizers, salads and dinner options.
The menu includes Asian chicken, honey mustard, Greek and Caesar salads, roasted pork and cheese steak sandwiches, as well as pasta dishes. Another great option is the fish & chips platter. It’s available in several flavors and comes with fries, coleslaw and cocktail sauce.
You can also get a black Angus beef burger or Philly cheesesteak here. The restaurant has a selection of beer on tap and offers great drink specials. The restaurant also offers takeout and dine-in services.
It also hosts birthday and bachelor parties, corporate events, family reunions, anniversaries and receptions. This restaurant is located in Tampa, Florida. It has a capacity of 100 people. It is open daily. The restaurant also serves breakfast. It has an outdoor seating area.
| Service options | Dine-in · Takeaway · Delivery |
| Address | 107 S Franklin St, Tampa, FL 33602, USA |
| Opening Hours | 11 am–3 am |
| Menu | hattrickstavern.com |
| Phone | +1 813-225-4288 |
| Order | ubereats.com, toasttab.com, postmates.com |
Malio’s #4
Malio’s is one of Tampa’s oldest and most renowned restaurants. The restaurant features top-quality steaks and a wine list to match. The menu includes appetizers like escargot and ahi tuna tartare, as well as entrees such as USDA prime steaks and fresh seafood.
The restaurant also offers a variety of desserts including creme brulee and chocolate cakes. For a romantic meal, you can’t go wrong at Malio’s, which is located right on the Hillsborough River and has an enviable view of the cityscape. The restaurant’s sophisticated style, subdued lighting and intimate seating are perfect for a date night.
The restaurant has two tiers, the upper of which offers smaller tables that are separated by columns to ensure privacy. The lower tier has booths and tables that sit closer together. The upper tier is a good choice for those who want to see and be seen, while the lower tier is better suited for privacy.
| Service options | Dine-in · Takeaway · No delivery |
| Located in | Rivergate Tower |
| Address | 400 N Ashley Dr, Tampa, FL 33602, USA |
| Opening Hours | 11:30 am–9:30 pm |
| Phone | +1 813-223-7746 |
| Reservation | opentable.com |
Spain Restaurant & Toma Bar #5
Spain Restaurant & Toma Bar is a Spanish restaurant that offers a wide selection of delicious meals and drinks. The menu is full of great options, including gluten-free dishes and low-fat choices. It is also perfect for families and groups of friends looking to create a fun and memorable meal.
The restaurant has been around since 1980 and offers a wide variety of traditional Tapas from the northwest region of Spain, known as Galicia. These traditional recipes have been passed down from one generation to the next and are commonly served in Galician restaurants and bars.
This is a beautiful and modern spot near the Tampa Theater that serves Galacian seafood and tapas along with live flamenco music. The food is delicious and very inexpensive! It is a very nice place for a pre-theater dinner.
I recommend this place to anyone in the area! It is worth the trip to Downtown Tampa. The service was very good and the wine was excellent! I will definitely be back. Thank you! I ordered a Tempranillo and Pumientos del Puerco, both were very good.
| Service options | Dine-in · Kerbside pickup · Delivery |
| Address | 513 N Tampa St, Tampa, FL 33602, USA |
| Opening Hours | 8 am–3 pm |
| Menu | tomaspain.com |
| Phone | +1 813-223-2831 |
| Reservation | tomaspain.com, opentable.com |
| Order | ubereats.com, doordash.com, postmates.com |
Moxies Cafe and Caterer #6
Moxies is a downtown Tampa staple, but it’s not all about the burgers and fries. They have a large menu spanning breakfast to dinner, with the most impressive array of cocktails on tap.
They have the most extensive espresso bar in the city, and they even have a small but well stocked wine list. For the most part their service is fast and friendly, but you can’t expect it all the time. They are also a bit pricey, especially in the evenings, but that’s what they deserve.
| Service options | Dine-in · Takeaway · No-contact delivery |
| Address | 302 E Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL 33602, USA |
| Opening Hours | 7:30 am–2:30 pm |
| Menu | toasttab.com |
| Phone | +1 813-221-4510 |
| Order | doordash.com, toasttab.com |
Jerk Hut Downtown Cafe #7
Jerk Hut Downtown Cafe is a no-frills, hole-in-the-wall type joint with a grittier aesthetic that melds well with Tampa’s downtown vibe. It’s a spot that knows that the most important aspect of business is the food and it delivers on this front.
The menu is relatively small, but it offers a good mix of jerk pork, chicken, curried goat and more for a wallet friendly price. You can also add sides like steamed cabbage or rice and beans to your order for a more filling meal.
The jerk sauce is the real star here, as is their impressive fried chicken, which made the list of best fried chicken in America by Eater. They have a few other great dishes as well, including the Mac & Cheese Boat and Pulled Jerk Chicken.
I can’t say I’ve ever had a bad meal at this location and I’m sure it’s worth checking out if you’re in the neighborhood. The drinks are also a notch above the rest, as is their customer service. It’s one of the better jerk pork places in Tampa and I hope they don’t close this location down.
| Service options | Dine-in · Takeaway · Delivery |
| Address | 500 N Florida Ave, Tampa, FL 33602, USA |
| Opening Hours | 1:30 am–8 pm |
| Phone | +1 813-835-5375 |
| Order | doordash.com |
Maestro’s Restaurant #8
Maestro’s Restaurant is one of the best restaurants on Tampa’s Riverwalk and serves up a great selection of dishes. The menu features market fresh vegetables, home-made signature pizza sauce, premium deli meats, and 100% real Italian cheeses.
Maestros Restaurant is a great choice for a meal after a day of shopping or sightseeing on the Riverwalk in Downtown Tampa. It has an old school diner vibe and offers a wide variety of delicious dishes for a great price.
The menu includes classics like garlic knots and lasagna pizza. Guests can also enjoy the full bar which has a wide range of wine and drinks to choose from. Maestro’s Restaurant is located above the Jaeb Theater and has premier table side service to make your experience even more special.
The restaurant is also known for its extensive brunch menu and has four stations for you to choose from. They offer bottomless mimosas and champagne and chef attended omelet and carving stations as well. If you’re looking for a place to go for Easter brunch, this is the perfect spot to stop by.
| Service options | Dine-in · Takeaway · No delivery |
| Located in | Straz Center for the Performing Arts |
| Address | 1010 N Macinnes Pl, Tampa, FL 33602, USA |
| Opening Hours | 12–7 pm |
| Menu | strazcenter.org |
| Phone | +1 813-229-7827 |
| Reservation | strazcenter.org |
FAQs about Downtown Tampa Restaurants
What type of food is Tampa famous for?
Tampa, Florida is known for its Cuban sandwiches, which typically consist of ham, roasted pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, mustard, and sometimes salami on Cuban bread. The city is also famous for its seafood, particularly grouper, which can be found on many menus throughout the area.
Does Tampa have a good downtown?
Yes, Tampa’s downtown area has undergone significant development and revitalization in recent years, with a range of restaurants, shops, and entertainment options. The area is home to popular attractions such as the Tampa Riverwalk, the Tampa Theatre, and the Tampa Museum of Art, and is also a hub for business and government offices.
