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As I’ve mentioned previously, I definitely make an effort to eat locally when I travel. For my recent visits to Savannah, Georgia, Charleston, South Carolina and Asheville, North Carolina, I did some extensive research to find great local restaurants. So this year, I applied that same goal to eating at home.
I live in St. Pete, Florida and have found some great local eats there over the past year. However, since Tampa is so close, I also included it in my research! These are the top 10 Tampa-local restaurants that I really enjoyed in the last year or so:
- Lee’s Grocery. Tucked into the houses of Tampa Heights, Lee’s is very unassuming from the outside. Don’t let that fool you – this low-key restaurant has a tasty selection of pizza and wings. If you’re looking for a spot to hang out with friends and grab a beer, this is it.
- Psomi. When you can’t travel to Kamari Beach, Psomi offers the next best thing! Get your Greek fix here – I recommend stopping by for brunch, or making the most of their bakery pre-order because their bread is sooo good.
- Bo’s Ice Cream. This is Tampa’s oldest ice cream shop, and once you’ve tasted one of their desserts, you’ll understand how they’ve stood the test of time. I highly recommend the upside down banana split, but you can’t go wrong.
Psomi 
Bo’s 
Psomi
- Cooper’s Hawk. While they have some impressive menu options, it’s their wine that will really win you over! This was the perfect place to celebrate my mother-in-law’s birthday, especially as we finished with a Reese’s ice cream cookie.
- Bern’s. Is it expensive? Yes. Is it worth it? Absolutely. Bern’s offers a dining experience like no other I’ve found in Tampa, starting with the car valet. You definitely want to make a reservation to eat here; they open three months ahead of time for booking.
- Ulele. Located on the Riverwalk, Ulele focuses on using fresh, local ingredients, which enables them to offer some truly delectable dishes and drinks. I love their frosé, and their wedding beer is generally a hit!
Bern’s 
Ulele 
Bern’s
- Eddie and Sam’s. When we make the trek to downtown Tampa, this is always on our list of stops! Their slices of New York-style pizza are humongous and delicious. My favorite pizza is the Bianca with spinach and grilled chicken.
- Magpie Rolling Osteria. Since they’re a food truck, their location changes, but you can often find them at Two Shepherds. The prices might seem a little high for “fast food,” but the pasta they serve up is worth every penny. Get the carbonara!
- Oak and Ola. This is a great spot for a date night, especially if you’re seeing a show at The Straz. It’s conveniently located in Armature Works, though unlike a lot of their restaurants, you’ll want to make a reservation ahead of time.
Oak and Ola 
Magpie Rolling Osteria 
Oak and Ola
- Harry Waugh Dessert Room. Of course, if you have Bern’s taste without Bern’s budget, this is for you! I recently shared all there is to love about the Dessert Room; it is a must-eat, for sure.
Three of these were brand new to me, and I’m so glad I took the time to find them. Do you have any Tampa recommendations I should try next?