Lilac is a mediterranean restaurant in Water Street, Tampa.
Lilac at the Tampa EDITION hotel runs Chef John Fraser's Mediterranean prix-fixe menu with Greek heritage, locally sourced ingredients and an open-kitchen.
Signature dishes: Mediterranean prix fixe, Whole grilled fish, Greek-style mezze
Must order: The chef's tasting menu with the whole grilled fish course and the mezze opening.
Tip: Lilac held a Michelin star 2024 and 2025; dropped to Michelin Recommended in 2026 but still serves the same kitchen team.
Address: 500 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL 33602
Naked Farmer on Water Street in Tampa runs a fast-casual farm-to-table kitchen with locally sourced bowls, salads and Florida grouper sandwiches.
Signature: Farmer bowl, Florida grouper sandwich, Citrus farro salad
Order: The Farmer bowl with grilled chicken and the citrus farro salad; pick the seasonal vegetable side.
Tip: Lunch-only at the downtown location; the chef rotates produce sourcing from Florida growers each week.
Ebbe on Franklin Street downtown holds a 2026 Michelin star for Chef Ebbe Vollmer's 10-seat Scandinavian chef's-counter open-fire tasting in 12 courses.
Signature: Scandinavian tasting menu, Smoked fish service, Open-fire course
Order: The full chef's-counter tasting menu with the wine pairing; the menu changes seasonally.
Tip: The chef's counter takes 10 guests per service; book the rare extra seats released two weeks ahead through Resy.
Kosen on Palm Avenue in Tampa Heights holds a Michelin star for Chef Andrew Huang's 12-seat chef's-counter omakase featuring 20-plus courses.
Signature: 20-course omakase, Toyosu nigiri, Wagyu course
Order: The signature omakase menu with the seasonal sake pairing; the wagyu course is the standout.
Tip: Reservations through Tock; Kosen held its Michelin star in the 2024, 2025 and 2026 guides under the Noble Rice ownership group.
Koya on West Platt Street in Hyde Park holds a Michelin star for Chef Eric Fralick's 8-seat omakase, with bluefin tuna and uni flown from Toyosu weekly.
Signature: 15-course omakase, Bluefin tuna, Uni handroll
Order: The full tasting menu ($295); the bluefin tuna course and uni handroll are the benchmarks.
Tip: Reservations open the 15th of each month at 10am for the following month; the 8-seat counter sells out in minutes.
Naked Farmer on Water Street in Tampa runs a fast-casual farm-to-table kitchen with locally sourced bowls, salads and Florida grouper sandwiches.
Signature: Farmer bowl, Florida grouper sandwich, Citrus farro salad
Order: The Farmer bowl with grilled chicken and the citrus farro salad; pick the seasonal vegetable side.
Tip: Lunch-only at the downtown location; the chef rotates produce sourcing from Florida growers each week.
Fat Beet Farm holds the 2026 Michelin Green Star for sustainable cooking, sourcing produce from its own working west Tampa farm and regional partners.
Signature: Garden-bowl plates, Sourdough loaves, Farmstand quiche
Order: A garden bowl built from the day's farm pick plus a slice of seasonal sourdough.
Tip: The kitchen runs daytime hours plus a weekend farm market; the Michelin Green Star is Florida's headline 2026 award.
Forbici in Hyde Park Village runs modern Italian from a Roman-pizza-cut-with-scissors angle, with handmade pasta and a bistecca alla fiorentina that serves.
Signature: Roman-style pizza al taglio, Cacio e pepe, Bistecca alla fiorentina
Order: Roman-style pizza al taglio, the cacio e pepe and the bistecca alla fiorentina for two.
Tip: Hyde Park Village location with a patio facing Village Circle; weekday happy hour 4 to 6pm.
