Mangos Southern Kitchen and Bar works bold Southern comfort cooking with Caribbean accents on Florida Avenue in Seminole Heights, with weekend live music.
Editorially verified June 27, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Must 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.
Address: 5137 N Florida Ave, Tampa, FL 33603
Rome and Fig in North Hyde Park runs Mediterranean small plates, a chosen 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 Walk-ins usually OK.
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.
