Italian$$$hyde-parkMon-Wed 11:00-22:00, Thu 11:00-23:00, Fri 11:00-00:00, Sat 10:00-00:00, Sun 10:00-22:00
Forbici in Hyde Park Village runs modern Italian from a Roman pizza al taglio angle, with handmade pasta and a bistecca alla fiorentina that serves two.
Order: Roman-style pizza al taglio (cut with scissors), cacio e pepe and the bistecca for two.
Tip: Patio facing Village Circle; weekday happy hour 4 to 6pm at the bar.
Italian$$carrollwoodMon closed, Tue-Thu 16:00-21:00, Fri 16:00-23:00, Sat 10:30-23:00, Sun 10:30-21:00
Noble Crust in Carrollwood runs neighborhood Italian-American with wood-fired pizzas, fresh pasta and a Southern-Italian heritage on the entree side.
Order: Wood-fired sausage pizza and the Sunday gravy with meatballs.
Tip: Family-friendly; the Sunday gravy special runs all weekend Walk-ins usually OK.
Mediterranean$$north-hyde-parkSun-Thu 11:00-21:30, Fri-Sat 11:00-22:00
Petra on Kennedy Boulevard has served halal-certified Jordanian and Palestinian dishes since 2004, with mansaf lamb shank and shawarma as the table builders.
Order: Mansaf lamb shank with yogurt sauce and the chicken shawarma wrap.
Tip: Halal-certified; gluten-free menu available except for the pita; lunch special runs until 3pm.
Thai$tampa-heightsSun 9:00-13:00
Wat Mongkolratanaram on Palm River Road runs a Sunday Thai market every week from 9am to 1pm, with food cooked by temple volunteers under live-oak trees.
Order: Pad thai from the noodle line plus mango sticky rice from the dessert tables.
Tip: Cash only; arrive before 11am; religious services in the temple follow at 1pm.
Japanese Izakaya$$downtown-tampa
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.
Southern American$$seminole-heights
Mangos Southern Kitchen and Bar works bold Southern comfort cooking with Caribbean accents on Florida Avenue in Seminole Heights, with weekend live music.
Order: Fried chicken with mac and cheese and the weekend brunch shrimp and grits.
Tip: Weekend brunch leans on live music; book ahead for a table near the band.