The Rusty Pelican is a seafood restaurant in Downtown Tampa, Tampa.
Editorially verified June 3, 2026 by Lewis Vaughan, TableJourney editor. Source.
Must 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.
Address: 2425 N Rocky Point Dr, Tampa, FL 33607
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
