Tampa Restaurants You Have To Check Out

TAMPA, FL -- Tampa's sultry summer nights are the ideal time to try new cuisine and explore the nightlife offered in the country's 12th best city, according to Livability's 100 Best Places to Live for 2019.

And with new eateries debuting on a monthly basis, residents could dine out every night of the week this summer and not hit them all.

While they aren't new, you might want to start with Oxford Exhange and Ulele. These two trendy Tampa restaurants were just named to OpenTable's 100 Best Restaurants in America for a Big Night Out. The list was culled from more than 12 million verified diner reviews of over 30,000 U.S. restaurants between March 1, 2018, and Feb. 28.

“The list spotlights the restaurants that have all the ingredients for the perfect big night out -- upbeat energy, innovative cocktails, robust wine list and, of course, outstanding food,” said Caroline Potter, chief dining officer at OpenTable. “Whether your ideal night out is at a bustling bar or a hot spot to see and be seen, you can count on any of these restaurants for a night of fun.”

Additionally, Ulele earned a coveted spot on the Food Network's Best Airport Restaurantsin the U.S. for its newly opened locationn at Tampa International Airport.

Ulele

Located at 1810 N. Highland Ave. on the downtown Tampa Riverwalk next to Water Works Park, Ulele offers native-inspired dishes prepared under the watchful eye of award-winning Executive Chef Patrick Quakenbush Dishes include Native Chili with alligator, wild boar, venison and duck; Pan-seared Florida Pompano served with sun-dries tomato shallot cream and fried carrot ribbons; and Gouda Grouper fresh from the Gulf of Mexico served with a smoked Gouda ale bechamel.

While you're there, check out the Ulele Spring Brewery headed by brewmaster Timothy Shackton.

Oxford Exchange

Originally constructed as stables in 1891, the historic brick Oxford Exchange has been transformed into a vibrant venue for shopping, dining or spending a quiet afternoon reading in the Oxford Exchange Bookstore.

Whether seated in the art-filled dining room with its open kitchen or the sunlit conservatory with its retracting glass roof, diners can choose from a variety of Executive Chef Richard Anderson's fresh, seasonal, signature dishes, complemented by an array of premium coffees, teas and cocktails.

The Oxford Exchange, 420 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, is open for breakfast, lunch, brunch and afternoon tea, offering such unique dishes as Fried Brussel Sprouts with Meyer lemon vinaigrette, shaved ricotta salata and smoked sea salt; Fried Avocado Wedges with a panko crust, Sambal sour cream, smoked sea salt and lime; and the Kale Scramble with egg whites, kale, sweet potato, roasted red pepper, scallion and feta.

Here are other restaurants recently added to the Tampa food scene:

Crabby Bill's Off the Hook

The latest in the Lodeer family's popular Crabby Bill's offerings is Crabby Bill's Off the Hook in Westchase, 9648 W. Linebaugh Ave., Tampa.

This restaurant prides itself on locally sourced dishes including grouper and shrimp fresh from the Gulf, alligator tail from Dade City, Cedar Key clams and grass-fed beef from Ocala.

The pet-friendly patio comes alive on Friday and Saturday nights with live music, also locally sourced.

The Local, Tampa

The Local, 3701 W. Henderson Blvd., Tampa, is a reminder that Florida is still part of the South.

It features Southern dishes with a flair including Homemade Chicken Pot Pie, Southern Greens, Shrimp and Grit Cakes, Jalapeno Cornbread Muffins, and Chicken and Sweet Waffles.

Florida Eats

Florida Eats arrived in Seminole Heights in mid-April and is already a favorite with the wrap, bowl and salad crowd.

Co-owned by Greg Spadaccini, who owns the nearby Spaddy's Coffee Co., and Ed Fernandez, Florida Eats at 6605 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, allows diners to create their own dishes from fresh ingredients at the service bar, where diners will find a mind-boggling array of toppings.

King of the Coop

For those wanting to indulge in some not-so-healthy fare, King of the Coop is right next door at 6607 N. Florida Ave.

Owner Joe Dodd perfected his Nashville-style chicken restaurant when he launched the Soul Food Street Kitchen food truck where his crispy chicken grilled cheese sandwich was an instant hit. So, he decided to put down roots in the community he calls home. You'll find Southern favorites including fried chicken and catfish, macaroni and cheese, hush puppies and collard greens.

Send your suggestions for Retaurants to Check Out to dann.white@patch.com.