Award-winning

Cena

4.1 (1486)

$31 to $50

Italian

1208 E Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, FL 33602

About this restaurant

Charming
Neighborhood gem
Good for special occasions

Cena is a modern, fresh and simple Italian food served in a contemporary and stylish setting. Located in the Grand Central building at the heart of the vibrant Channel District of Tampa, Florida – Cena is dining from the roots – great ingredients, traditional dishes, and attentive service. Join us.

Cena – “dinner” or “supper” in Italian.

Permanently Closed

This restaurant is permanently closed.

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Dining areas

Additional information

Dining style
Casual Elegant
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Italian
Hours of operation
Wed, Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
Phone number
(813) 374-8840
Website
https://cenatampa.com/
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Dress code
Business Casual
Executive chef
Michael Buttacavoli
Catering
For catering inquiries please contact Michael Buttacavoli, at 813-374-8840 or michael@cenatampa.com

Location
1208 E Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, FL 33602
Award-winning
1. MICHELIN Plate 2022
Neighborhood
Tampa
Cross street
E.Kennedy Blvd and N.Meridian Ave in Grand Central building
Parking details
Park in the Grand Central WEST Garage off E. Kennedy Blvd (entrance corner of Crunch Fitness). Go up ramp, take ticket and circle up and park in any spot near the “A/ Stageworks” marked elevator core. Parking on floors 3, 4 and 5 is free for the first 2 hours then $3/hour. Take elevator to 1st floor, go to courtyard and Cena is on the left.
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Featured in

The Best Restaurants in Tampa

What 1,486 people are saying

Cena reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

4.1

4.1 based on recent ratings

3.9Food
4.1Service
3.8Ambience
3.8Value

Noise • Moderate

1,484 Reviews

H
Hans
Orlando / Central Florida East1 review
1.0
Dined on November 16, 2024
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 1
It would be great if open table would get updated if a restaurant were to close 1 month before they took our reservation
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D
David VIP
Chicago / Illinois2 reviews
1.0
Dined on November 14, 2024
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 1
Unfortunately this restaurant closed a month ago. We found this out after we arrived for our reservation this evening. A reservation that I had to guarantee with my credit card on Open Table. If that wasn’t enough I received a text from Open Table 2 days ago asking me to reserve my reservation. A bit embarrassing for me but we were able to find another restaurant near by so the disaster was diverted. Epic fail Open Table.
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S
Scott
Tampa / Central Florida West5 reviews
1.0
Dined on November 2, 2024
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 1
PERMANENTLY CLOSED! For some reason Open Table will still let you reserve it, which is frustrating.
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C
Craig
Tampa / Central Florida West12 reviews
1.0
Dined on October 26, 2024
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 1
Although you are accepting reservations at Cena, the restaurant has been closed for weeks. Please update your records. We’ll really miss this place.
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S
Sherwin
Tampa / Central Florida West1 review
1.0
Dined on October 17, 2024
1. Overall 1
2. Food 1
3. Service 1
4. Ambience 1
After taking a deposit they were not even open.
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p
paul
Tampa / Central Florida West10 reviews
2.0
Dined on September 28, 2024
1. Overall 2
2. Food 2
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 1
Made reservations to sit in Cena but was sent to their pizza bar and upstairs next to the AC vent. It’s disappointing to get ready for a date night but end up in a casual pizza bar. The service was great but everything else about Cena has fallen. Food was average drinks were not good. We were looking forward to getting out of there the whole time.
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S
Samuel VIP
Tampa / Central Florida West32 reviews
4.0
Dined on September 28, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 3
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
We go to Cena fairly often. The service is good and the pasta dishes are excellent, as is the bronzino. However, on this occasion, the veal was poorly cooked.
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T
Terry VIP
Greater Boston36 reviews
5.0
Dined on September 28, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Cena is one of our Tampa Bay favorite restaurants.
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b
becky VIP
Tampa / Central Florida West65 reviews
5.0
Dined on September 27, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 3
4. Ambience 5
Even though they were short staffed because of the hurricane, the food was just great and everyone was very welcoming.
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s
stephen
Baltimore / Maryland4 reviews
4.0
Dined on September 21, 2024
1. Overall 4
2. Food 3
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Nice little restaurant. First visit Good service and good vibe Service was good. Not too noisy unlike many nearby restaurants The artichoke appetizer was very good and a hi with all at our table Salads very good For entrees we all had pasta. The pasta itself was spot on but the sauces fell short in flavor Will probably try again
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FAQs

Cena offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (813) 374-8840.

Cena is rated 4.1 stars by 1486 OpenTable diners.

Permanently Closed

This restaurant is permanently closed.

1208 E Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, FL 33602

Dining areas

Additional information

Award-winning
1. MICHELIN Plate 2022
Cross street
E.Kennedy Blvd and N.Meridian Ave in Grand Central building
Neighborhood
Tampa
Hours of operation
Wed, Thu, Sun 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm
Price
$31 to $50
Cuisines
Italian
Dining style
Casual Elegant
Dress code
Business Casual
Parking details
Park in the Grand Central WEST Garage off E. Kennedy Blvd (entrance corner of Crunch Fitness). Go up ramp, take ticket and circle up and park in any spot near the “A/ Stageworks” marked elevator core. Parking on floors 3, 4 and 5 is free for the first 2 hours then $3/hour. Take elevator to 1st floor, go to courtyard and Cena is on the left.
Payment options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive chef
Michael Buttacavoli
Additional
Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Outdoor Smoking Area, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Takeout, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Website
https://cenatampa.com/
Phone number
(813) 374-8840
Catering
For catering inquiries please contact Michael Buttacavoli, at 813-374-8840 or michael@cenatampa.com

Featured in

The Best Restaurants in Tampa

Cena

About this restaurant

Permanently Closed

There’s more to explore

Dining areas

Additional information

Featured in

The Best Restaurants in Tampa

Menu

What 1,486 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

FAQs

Does Cena offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Cena restaurant rated?

Permanently Closed

Dining areas

Additional information

Featured in

The Best Restaurants in Tampa