Japanese$$ybor-city
Samurai Blue in Centro Ybor runs sushi rolls and Japanese plates with a busy weekend bar in the heart of Ybor City's nightlife corridor. A Tampa table.
Order: Samurai Blue specialty roll and the spicy tuna crispy rice.
Tip: Centro Ybor location is the bigger of the two; cocktails and sake until late.
American$$$downtown-tampa
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.
Japanese$$tampa-heights
Han Hand Roll inside Heights Public Market at Armature Works runs hand-rolled temaki and tonkotsu ramen, with a counter open through the food hall.
Order: Trio of hand rolls plus a bowl of tonkotsu ramen.
Tip: Inside the Heights Public Market; order at the counter and pick up.
Chinese dumplings$tampa-heights
Ling's Dumplings inside Heights Public Market hand-folds soup dumplings, pork dumplings and scallion pancakes to order. The kitchen leans on local Florida.
Order: A dozen pork soup dumplings plus a scallion pancake.
Tip: Counter inside Armature Works; the soup dumplings sell out by 2pm.
Latin American$tampa-heights
Empamamas inside Heights Public Market bakes and fries empanadas across Latin American styles, from Argentine beef to Cuban chicken. The patio fills first.
Order: Half-dozen empanadas across styles, plus chimichurri to dip.
Tip: Eat at the picnic tables on the Riverwalk lawn; the empanadas reheat in a toaster oven later.
Italian pizza$$tampa-heights
The Fold at Heights Public Market folds Neapolitan-style pies fast for the Armature Works lunch crowd, with classics and seasonal specials. The room fills.
Order: Margherita pie or the weekly seasonal special.
Tip: Order at the counter; eat at the picnic tables on the Riverwalk lawn.