Diners' Choice: Neighborhood gem restaurants in Tampa

OpenTable

Updated January 05, 2025

Looking for the best restaurants that are the best neighborhood gems in Tampa? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyzes nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favorite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you reserve, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

LPCX Cafe

5.0

5 (24)

$30 and under

Colombian

Tampa

About the restaurant

LPCX CAFÉ is a local, rustic-Brunch, Coffee & Bakery Shop focused on thoughtfully created food.
We bake and cook with wholesome ingredients at the peak of their flavor.
We are proudly established locally in Florida in the Colombia district of Tampa, kindly serving a clientele from all over the world appreciative of simple, fresh and delicious cuisine.

Top review

Jennifer

Dined on Dec 29, 2024

The food was tasty. The service was a nice pace. I liked the ambiance outdoors. I didn't feel rushed nor ignored.

Byblos Cafe

4.9

4.9 (557)

$31 to $50

Mediterranean

Tampa

About the restaurant

Surprise your senses. Enjoy an upscale yet comfortable & quaint setting. A Restaurant and Bar with an Unmatched Ambiance. A unique South Tampa destination where we combine our Lebanese cuisine with a unique Mediterranean flair.

Top review

Katherine

Dined 1 day ago

Excellent, attentive service and the food was delicious.

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Caffe Paradiso - Tampa

4.9

4.9 (1151)

$30 and under

Italian

Tampa

About the restaurant

Caffé Paradiso voted best Italian resturant in Tampa is known for it's great home made regional dishes excellent service and reasonably priced wine list, also preparing special dishes at your request.

Top review

Kimberly

Dined 5 days ago

The service and food was fabulous! Will be back again and again!

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4.9

4.9 (1477)

$30 and under

Seafood

Tampa

About the restaurant

Michael’s Grill is a refreshing destination for a unique dining experience in the town of Carrollwood. It hosts a spacious covered patio along with a beautiful granite bar to enjoy your favorite cocktails. Main dining room offers an open kitchen experience, where fully trained Chefs can be seen preparing the magic that you deserve. Michael’s fresh seafood is the talk of the town, which he attributes to a long lasting friendship with a local fish monger of 30 years.
Steaks, chicken and pasta also compliments the menu, as well as a trendy lunch menu offering.
Come see what all the fuss is about.

Top review

NATALIE

Dined 2 days ago

It was a very pleasant meal served by a professional server.

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Popular dish

Chef Michael's Filet Mignon

Vizcaya SoHo

4.9

4.9 (267)

$31 to $50

Spanish

Tampa

About the restaurant

Authentic cuisine from Spain. Small Tapas plates and main dishes. FResh fish, fresh seafood and USDA Choice Black Angus steaks.

Top review

FrankVIP

Dined on Jan 2, 2025

The food and service was excellent. Everyone enjoyed their meal!

Paul’s Fusion Kitchen

4.9

4.9 (65)

$30 and under

Asian

Tampa

About the restaurant

We are a family with a rich Thai heritage that has been passed down for generations. Our love for Thai food and culture inspired us to create a fusion of traditional Thai dishes with a modern twist. Growing up in a Thai household, we were taught to appreciate the balance of flavors and the use of fresh ingredients in our cooking. Our menu features an array of dishes that combine Thai spices and flavors with other cuisines. Our goal is to showcase the beauty and complexity of Thai cuisine while infusing it with modern and creative flavors. We are excited to share our passion for food with you and hope you enjoy our unique fusion creations.

Our restaurant is located at 4034 W Kennedy Blvd right next to The British Shop and in the same plaza as Sucre and Chicken Salad Chick. Place a to-go order for your office or dine in with us in our cozy dining room!

We're looking forward to serving you in South Tampa, Florida.

Top review

MikeVIP

Dined on Dec 26, 2024

A neighborhood gem, for sure! Carefully sourced products and delicious creations from a very talented chef. The food is always fresh and healthy while maintaining a savory, mouthwatering style. Lots of love goes into dishes like Paul’s Crab Fried Rice, Oysters Rockefeller, Shrimp Pad Thai, the beef and duck dishes, etc. A decent wine list, too. The big surprise is that it’s a great bang for the buck given the superb quality of ingredients and preparations. A neighborhood must with beautiful decor and easy access and parking. Don’t wait any longer!

Hales Blackbrick - Hyde Park

4.9

4.9 (41)

$31 to $50

Chinese

Tampa

About the restaurant

HALES BLACKBRICK HYDE PARK

WINNER 2024 Best New Restaurant & Best Chinese Restaurant by Tampa Magazine. Best New Restaurant by Bon Appetit Magazine.

New Chinese
CHEF HALES INNOVATIVE, INSPIRED & SEASONAL CHINESE RESTAURANT

Our owner, Chef Richard Hales, a four generation Tampa family since 1954, is back in his hometown of Tampa after 25 years away. Mastering Chinese cuisine, opening award winning restaurants and appearing on the Food Network; beloved by the likes of Guy Fieri. Our seasonal menu features Asian techniques using the fi nest ingredients and availability of locally sourced produces. Chef Hales’ invites you to experience an eclectic ambiance, elevated service and his version of Asian fusion.

We are Grateful,

Chef Richard Hales & Jenny Hales
不是那么中国

Top review

TammyVIP

Dined 3 days ago

We were greeted by the hostess who were very friendly. We had a cocktail at the bar waiting for our guests to arrive. The manager introduced his self to us. The vibe and atmosphere was great. The food was exceptional.

Cru Cellars Palma Ceia

4.8

4.8 (269)

$30 and under

American

Tampa

About the restaurant

A chef driven, new American menu with house-made small plates, entrées, and the finest selection of artisanal cheese and charcuterie!

Voted Tampa Bay's "Best Wine Bar," for many years, Cru Cellars is happily and obsessively wine focused, with 30+ wines & beers served by the glass in the back wine bar! Sample and taste different wines with our wine flights.

Cru is perfect for groups as well, with a lounge that seats 14, a cozy wine garden that seats 30! Our retail area is great for wine tastings and reception style events up to 60 people.

For groups of 8-12 guests, please call the restaurant directly. For groups of 13+, inquire here --> https://www.crucellars.com/private-events-catering-1

Holiday Hours-
*Christmas Eve-Sun. 12/24
Open for Brunch, Drinks, Retail, Gift Card Sales till 3pm.
*Christmas Day-Mon. 12/25
Closed.
*New Year's Eve-Sun. 12/31
Open for Brunch. Extended Hours for Dinner, Drinks, & Retail till 9pm.
*New Year's Day-Mon. 1/1
Brunch Available Open - 3pm.

Top review

Rebecca

Dined 4 days ago

My husband and I went to CRU Cellar’s for dinner, this was our second time there for dinner. We made reservations for 6:30pm and arrived a little early but we were sat immediately. The service there is wonderful, everyone is so friendly and professional. The food and wine are a 10/10. The carbonara with blackened chicken is delicious. We also order the chillable red wine flight. The wines were great too! The restaurant also happen to have a DJ playing that night, which started at 6:30pm. It was chill music and not too loud. Awesome DJ. I have nothing bad to say about CRU Cellar’s. It’s great every time.

Umu Japanese&Thai

4.8

4.8 (89)

$31 to $50

Japanese

Wesley Chapel

About the restaurant

The new chapter at UMU, After 4 years of connecting with our community and exploring the best local, Japanese, and Thai ingredients, we are ready to share a new dining experience with you. By combining the authentic flavors we are known for with modern takes on classic dishes, we have reimagined our menu and our restaurant to create an intimate experience that welcomes newcomers and regulars back to our table.

Top review

Kristine

Dined 4 days ago

Great dining experience! Food was excellent with presentation to match.

Iavarone's Steakhouse and Italian Grill

4.7

4.7 (29)

$31 to $50

Steakhouse

Tampa

About the restaurant

Iavarone's Steakhouse and Italian Grill in Tampa, Florida is a family restaurant with a diverse menu. A traditional steak house with a unique Italian flare. All of the beef here is from grain-fed cows in the Midwest. It's carefully aged USDA Choice and is kept in-house at least four to six days before being served. Since 1948, Iavarone's Steakhouse and Italian Grill has offered guests an extensive selection of steaks like the NY strip, 12-oz. rib eye bone-in, 12-oz. T-bone and the filet mignon.

Other popular options at Iavarone's Steakhouse and Italian Grill include the rack of lamb, veal scaloppine, chicken scallopine, calamari, shrimp picatta and the sushi-grade ahi tuna.

Top review

Gregg

Dined 5 days ago

Love this place one of the best kept secrets of Tampa!!!

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