Skyscrapers, Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park and the Riverwalk. Ebbe Scandinavian Michelin star on Franklin Street, Bavaro's pizza, Foundation Coffee.
Bavaro's in downtown Tampa opened in 2009 as Florida's first traditional Neapolitan pizzeria, with wood-fired ovens and pastas from a Ferrara family recipe.
Signature: Margherita pizza, Quattro formaggi, Carbonara
Order: Margherita pizza out of the wood-fired oven, the carbonara, and a Negroni at the bar before the wait clears.
Tip: The corner room at Franklin and Twiggs takes walk-ins; the bar seats are first-come for solo diners.
Ebbe on Franklin Street downtown holds a 2026 Michelin star for Chef Ebbe Vollmer's 10-seat Scandinavian chef's-counter open-fire tasting in 12 courses.
Signature: Scandinavian tasting menu, Smoked fish service, Open-fire course
Order: The full chef's-counter tasting menu with the wine pairing; the menu changes seasonally.
Tip: The chef's counter takes 10 guests per service; book the rare extra seats released two weeks ahead through Resy.
Union New American in Westshore runs a modern American chophouse menu with dry-aged steaks, big seasonal salads and a serious bourbon list. Open.
Signature: Dry-aged ribeye, Tomato salad, Bone marrow
Order: Bone-marrow starter, dry-aged ribeye and the heirloom tomato salad when in season.
Tip: Patio seating overlooks the Westshore corridor; the bar runs a deep bourbon and whiskey program.
Bavaro's downtown is Florida's first traditional Neapolitan pizzeria since 2009, with hand-crafted wood-fired ovens and a 100-year Ferrara family yeast.
Order: Margherita pizza out of the wood-fired oven plus a glass of Chianti.
Tip: Walk-ins only at the bar; the dining room books out by 7pm on weekends.
Ichicoro Imoto downtown is the izakaya sister of Ichicoro Ramen, with yakitori, sushi rolls and a sake program from the same Seminole Heights ownership.
Order: Yakitori skewers, the chicken karaage, and one of the spicy tuna rolls.
Tip: Bar seats are first-come; the sake list rotates monthly Walk-ins usually OK.
Rusty Pelican on Rocky Point runs Florida seafood with sweeping Bay views, fresh fish and a classic special-occasion dining room. Walk-ins welcome at the bar.
Order: Grilled grouper with mango salsa and a sunset cocktail on the deck.
Tip: Book a sunset reservation for the western view; the dock fills for special occasions.
Mise en Place across from Oxford Exchange has run modern American since 1986 under chef-owner Marty Blitz, with a tasting-style chef's menu and famous Sunday.
Order: The Get Blitzed multi-course chef's tasting menu.
Tip: Marty Blitz has been a James Beard semifinalist multiple times; the menu changes monthly.
Kahwa Coffee's downtown espresso bar at the Element pours house-roasted specialty coffee, a tidy work-friendly room just off North Tampa Street.
Signature drink: Cortado
Cru Cellars at Westshore Marina is the newest of three Cru locations, with the same 300-label list, brunch service and a marina-view patio in South Tampa.
Signature pour: Sancerre by the glass
Wine focus: World wines by the glass
Food: Brunch and small plates
The Hub on North Franklin downtown has run a dive bar since the 1940s, known for the strongest cocktail pours in Tampa and a no-frills room.
Signature drink: Strong pour Old Fashioned
Food: None
Hotel Bar in downtown's Floridan Palace runs creative classic cocktails in a 1926 hotel room, with a vintage lobby and an Art Deco feel. Open year-round.
Signature drink: Tampa Hilton Mai Tai
Food: Small plates
The Sail Pavilion on the Tampa Riverwalk runs an open-air rum and tiki bar with frozen cocktails, river views and a sunset crowd. Walk-ins welcome at the bar.
Signature drink: Rum Hurricane
Food: Bar snacks
CW's Gin Joint downtown is a sultry speakeasy with live jazz and piano Thursday through Sunday, craft cocktails and a Roaring Twenties room.
Signature drink: Classic gin martini
Food: Small plates and dining menu
The Dan at Hotel Flor downtown is a Roaring Twenties bar inspired by Hotel Flor's original Sapphire Lounge, with classic cocktails and dining service.
Signature drink: Roaring Twenties era classic
Food: American dining menu
Morgan's Cove is a pirate-themed speakeasy downtown by Don the Beachcomber, sister to Yeoman's Pub next door with tiki cocktails behind a hidden door.
Signature drink: Don the Beachcomber tiki cocktail
Food: Bar snacks
Taco Holic is a family-run Mexican food truck in downtown Tampa, plating al pastor and carne asada street tacos, burritos and bowls to the lunch crowd.
Try: Al pastor street tacos
Lykes Gaslight Square Park Market runs first Thursdays as a downtown after-work market, with 25+ vendors selling produce, prepared food and crafts.
The Hub Bar in downtown Tampa runs Tampa's strongest cocktail pours until 3am, a dive bar that's been on Franklin Street since the 1940s. Open year-round.
Try: Strong cocktail and bar peanuts
Bavaro's downtown runs Neapolitan pizza out of the wood-fired oven until 11pm on Friday and Saturday, with a steady late-night theater and concert crowd.
Try: Margherita pizza
The Sail Pavilion runs an open-air rum bar on the Tampa Riverwalk until midnight on weekends, with frozen cocktails, fish tacos and a late sunset crowd.
Try: Rum Hurricane and fish tacos