Southern American$$seminole-heights
Ella's on Nebraska Avenue runs Southern soul food, Sunday Soul Brunch with live music and a neighborhood bar in a converted Seminole Heights bungalow.
Order: Fried chicken with collard greens and the Sunday Soul Brunch shrimp and grits.
Tip: Sunday Soul Brunch has live R&B from 10am; book the patio for the band view.
Mediterranean$$$north-hyde-park
Rome and Fig in North Hyde Park runs Mediterranean small plates, a curated wine list and a creative cocktail bar in a sleek Howard Avenue room.
Order: Bone-in lamb chops, the burrata fig salad and the Negroni Sbagliato.
Tip: Bar seats first-come; the wine room books for special occasions.
Farm-to-table$$water-street
Naked Farmer on Water Street runs a fast-casual farm-to-table kitchen with locally sourced bowls, grain plates, salads and grouper sandwiches.
Order: Farmer bowl with grilled chicken and the citrus farro salad.
Tip: Lunch focus; produce sourcing rotates weekly from Florida growers.
Sustainable American$$carrollwood
Fat Beet Farm holds the 2026 Michelin Green Star for sustainable cooking, sourcing produce from its own working farm plus regional partners.
Order: Garden bowl built from the day's farm pick plus a slice of seasonal sourdough.
Tip: Daytime hours plus a weekend farm market; the Green Star is Florida's headline 2026 award.
Seafood$$$downtown-tampa
Rusty Pelican on Rocky Point runs Florida seafood with sweeping Bay views, fresh fish and a classic special-occasion dining room. Walk-ins welcome at the bar.
Order: Grilled grouper with mango salsa and a sunset cocktail on the deck.
Tip: Book a sunset reservation for the western view; the dock fills for special occasions.
Japanese izakaya$$tampa-heights
Ichicoro Ane in Tampa Heights is the izakaya sister of Ichicoro Ramen, with sushi rolls, robata grill items and a sake list across from Armature Works.
Order: Spicy tuna roll, robata yakitori and a sake flight.
Tip: Walk to Armature Works after; the patio takes overflow.