Rocca is an italian restaurant in Tampa Heights, Tampa.
Rocca in Tampa Heights holds a Michelin star for Chef Bryce Bonsack's Piedmont-trained pastas, hand-pulled tableside mozzarella and modern Italian tasting.
Signature dishes: Tableside mozzarella, Tagliatelle al ragu, Agnolotti del plin
Must order: Mozzarella pulled tableside followed by agnolotti del plin and the tagliatelle al ragu.
Tip: Reserve four weeks ahead through Resy; Bonsack was named a 2026 James Beard Foundation semifinalist and the room books out the day reservations open.
Address: 323 W Palm Ave, Tampa, FL 33602
Boulon Brasserie at Water Street in Tampa serves modern French classics, a working in-house bakery and a brunch menu that lands among the city's best.
Signature: Steak frites, Croque madame, Onion soup gratinee
Order: Steak frites medium rare, the onion soup gratinee and a fresh croissant from Boulon Bakery counter on the way out.
Tip: Pastry chef Summer Bailey runs the bakery counter from 7am for grab-and-go croissants, kouign-amann and pain au chocolat.
Rooster and the Till in Seminole Heights holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand for Chef Ferrell Alvarez's modern American small plates with Asian and Italian accents.
Signature: Pork belly steam buns, Hand-cut tagliatelle, Crispy duck
Order: The pork belly steam buns and whatever pasta is on the chalkboard that night.
Tip: Co-owner Chef Ferrell Alvarez is a 2017 James Beard Foundation Best Chef South semifinalist; the room is intimate, book through Resy.
Psomi on North Howard Avenue in Tampa holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand for Chef Christina Theofilos' Greek daytime kitchen and bakery. The patio fills first.
Signature: Octopus ceviche, House-made dolmades, Pastitsio
Order: Octopus ceviche, house-made dolmades, and a Greek coffee with the bougatsa.
Tip: Theofilos runs a daytime-only kitchen: breakfast and lunch Wednesday through Friday, brunch on weekends; closed Monday and Tuesday.
Streetlight Taco on Henderson Boulevard in South Tampa is Chef Michael Brannock's Bib Gourmand taqueria, nixtamalizing heirloom corn in house for its tacos.
Signature: Nixtamalized corn tacos, Esquites, Carne asada tostada
Order: Three tacos on house-nixtamalized corn tortillas plus a side of esquites and the chile de arbol salsa.
Tip: Brannock travels through Mexico annually for menu R&D; the open kitchen runs counter service plus a small bar for walk-ins.
Gorkhali Kitchen in New Tampa holds a Michelin Bib Gourmand for Himalayan and Nepalese cooking, with steamed momos and big-bowl thalis the table builds.
Signature: Momos, Chicken chowmein, Thali platter
Order: A plate of steamed buff momos with chili sauce and the chicken thali platter for two.
Tip: The strip-mall room is unassuming; bring a group and order across the thali, momo and biryani sections to taste range.
La Teresita on Columbus Drive in West Tampa has run a Cuban counter and dining room since 1972, owned by the Capdevila family across two generations.
Signature: Palomilla steak, Roast pork sandwich, Cafe con leche
Order: Palomilla steak with yellow rice and black beans, a side of yuca fries, and a cafe con leche at the counter.
Tip: The counter (west door) runs 6am to midnight Friday and Saturday; the dining room next door takes reservations.
