Fresh Gulf grouper, fried or grilled or blackened, on a toasted brioche or Cuban bun with tartar sauce, lettuce, tomato and lemon. The Tampa Bay regional.

The Florida grouper sandwich is the Gulf Coast regional fish sandwich, anchored on the daily catch from Madeira Beach and St Petersburg fish markets. Frenchy's Cafe in Clearwater Beach claims the regional benchmark since 1981, with the Original Grouper Sandwich on a kaiser roll. Tampa restaurants (Ulele, Doc Ford's, Half Moon Seafood at Sparkman Wharf) all carry versions through grouper season.

Where to eat Florida grouper sandwich in Tampa

4 editor picks for Florida grouper sandwich in Tampa, ranked by editorial score. All Tampa signature dishes · Florida grouper sandwich across every city.

  • Ulele

    Order Charbroiled oysters with paprika butter, pompano off the barbacoa.

    Ulele on the Tampa Riverwalk in Tampa Heights cooks native-inspired Floridian fish, alligator and pompano over a 10-foot open barbacoa grill.

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  • Wright's Gourmet House

    Order The Cuban sandwich pressed crisp and a slice of the famous rum cake to take home.

    Wright's Gourmet House on Dale Mabry Highway has run a Tampa sandwich and bakery counter since 1963, famous for Cuban sandwiches and the legendary rum cake.

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  • Half Moon Seafood Company

    Try Nashville Hot Fish sandwich

    Half Moon Seafood at Sparkman Wharf fries award-winning Nashville Hot Fish sandwiches, with made-to-order seafood from the shipping container row.

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  • The Rusty Pelican

    Order Grilled grouper with mango salsa and a sunset cocktail on the deck.

    Rusty Pelican on Rocky Point runs Florida seafood with sweeping Bay views, fresh fish and a classic special-occasion dining room.

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Make it at home

Serves 425 minEasy

Ingredients

  • 4 fresh grouper fillets (about 180g each, skinless)
  • 4 brioche or kaiser rolls
  • Tartar sauce: 120ml mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp dill pickles, finely diced
  • 1 tbsp capers, chopped
  • 1 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
  • 1 tsp lemon juice
  • Salt and black pepper, to taste
  • Lettuce leaves
  • Tomato slices
  • Lemon wedges for serving
  • Olive oil for grilling

Method

  1. Mix tartar sauce ingredients in a small bowl. Refrigerate.
  2. Season grouper with salt and black pepper. Heat a grill pan or cast-iron skillet to medium-high with olive oil.
  3. Grill grouper 4 minutes per side until just cooked through. The fillet should flake easily but stay juicy.
  4. Toast the brioche rolls cut-side down on the grill for 1 minute until golden.
  5. Spread tartar sauce on the bottom half of each bun. Layer lettuce, tomato, then the grouper fillet, and close with the top bun.
  6. Serve immediately with lemon wedges and french fries on the side.

Editor tip. If you cannot find grouper, swap in mahi-mahi or red snapper. The fresh-fish rule trumps the species name. Never use frozen grouper for this; the texture suffers.

Common allergens: Gluten, Fish.