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Best Restaurants that are Worth The Drive in Ybor City

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29 restaurants available nearby

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A photo of Ulele restaurant
1. Ulele
4.8
Exceptional(15049)
Price: Expensive
• American • Tampa
Booked 200 times today
Ulele (pronounced you-lay-lee) celebrates the vibrant fusion of ingredients from Florida waters and land once home to many Native Americans, including the legendary young princess Ulele. Located on the Hillsborough River in Tampa Heights, 400 yards from the Straz Center for the Performing Arts. Indoor and outdoor waterfront dining. Lunch and dinner daily. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas.Featuring intricately flavored, visually appealing dishes prepared on our 10' round barbacoa grill.Ulele operates in the lovingly re-imagined 1903 Tampa Heights Water Works building, which also includes its Ulele Spring Brewery to provide a number of craft beers on tap. Next door to Water Works Park. Casual attire is fine, but we don’t allow sleeveless shirts on men in the indoor dining rooms.
A photo of Lilac restaurant
2. Lilac
4.8
Exceptional(733)
Price: Very Expensive
• Mediterranean • Tampa
Booked 9 times today
Lilac, a Michelin-starred Mediterranean restaurant, is worth the drive. Reviewers rave about the 'sophisticated and creative' food, the 'professional, friendly service', and the 'charming atmosphere'. The food is 'perfectly prepared', and the service is 'exceptional'. The ambiance is 'beautiful' and 'inviting'. Despite being expensive, reviewers highly recommend Lilac for its 'exceptional' food and 'professional, friendly' service.
A photo of Haiku Tampa restaurant
3. Haiku Tampa
4.5
Awesome(1182)
Price: Expensive
• Contemporary Asian • Tampa
Booked 8 times today
Located in the center of Downtown Tampa right underneath luxury apartment complex The Element , Haiku is an indoor/outdoor eatery and lounge that combines modern Izakaya cuisine with a contemporary Asian vibe to elevate the dining and nightlife experience. The menu features signature favorites including the A5 Wagyu Hot Stone and Crispy Rice Salmon and Tuna Duo. The 150-seat restaurant and lounge offers several unique dining options including two bars complete with a handcrafted cocktail menu including our house favorite Dragons Breath Martini. Haiku is open for dinner Wednesday-Sunday from 5:00 pm-11:00 pm
A photo of Bavaro's Pizza Napoletana & Pastaria - Tampa restaurant
4. Bavaro's Pizza Napoletana & Pastaria - Tampa
4.7
Exceptional(1228)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Tampa
Booked 18 times today
*Weather may interfere with your reservation, we will do our best to accommodate you.*Bavaro’s opened its doors in March 2009 as the first traditional Neapolitan Pizzeria in the state of Florida.A company committed to the art and craft of Neapolitan pizza, Bavaro’s stays true to tradition by using hand-crafted, wood-fired brick ovens designed by third-generation Neapolitan craftsmen, a 100-year-old yeast culture, 100-year-old Neapolitan recipes, and top-of-the-line ingredients sourced directly from Italy.From a restaurant in downtown Tampa that seats 50 guests, to a global brand with a standard of quality that resonates around the world, Bavaro’s has since built 3 additional locations and continues to commit itself to the high-quality, welcoming experience that guests all around the country have grown to love.
A photo of BellaBrava Tampa restaurant
5. BellaBrava Tampa
4.6
Exceptional(645)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Tampa
Booked 25 times today
BellaBrava New World Trattoria was born in 2005 in Downtown Saint Petersburg. Over the years since, BellaBrava has been voted Best Restaurant in Saint Petersburg, Best Italian, and is a perennial Guest favorite on Beach Drive.Now open in Midtown Tampa, BellaBrava Tampa brings the same menu and outstanding service we are proud of to Tampa. Enjoy great Italian wines and cocktails, New World Trattoria cuisine, and consistently excellent service.In the heart of Midtown Tampa, we’re the perfect spot for a great lunch while shopping, or an intimate dinner with friends and family.
A photo of Columbia Cafe at the Tampa Bay History Center restaurant
6. Columbia Cafe at the Tampa Bay History Center
4.6
Exceptional(259)
Price: Moderate
• Cuban • Tampa
Booked 12 times today
Named "One of Florida's Top Restaurants" since 1967.The Columbia Café is located on the Tampa Riverwalk in the new Water Street neighborhood. We offer indoor and outdoor dining.Our Café indoor dining room is a piece of history in itself with an exact scaled replica of our original 1905 bar from our flagship restaurant in Ybor City. You will find our familiar historic photos of family and the restaurant throughout the years inside. The indoor dining room is surrounded by panoramic windows to offer you the amazing views.Or, relax outdoors on our waterfront, canopy-covered patio and bar with a pitcher of Spanish sangria or mojitos made tableside, overlooking the Tampa Riverwalk with amazing views of the Garrison Channel.Serving lunch & dinner daily.Located right across the Amalie Arena and within a 5-minute walk from the Tampa Convention Center, Marriott Waterside, JW Marriott Waterside and Embassy Suites.
A photo of Donatello restaurant
7. Donatello
4.7
Exceptional(3405)
Price: Very Expensive
• Italian • Tampa
Booked 36 times today
Welcome to Donatello, a fine dining restaurant serving authentic Italian cuisine since 1984. Located close to the Tampa Airport, Raymond James Stadium, International Mall and convenient to I-275 and Downtown, Donatello features an award winning wine list to accompany traditional veal dishes like Osso Bucco, homemade pastas, fresh seafood, prime steaks, with decadent desserts, and live music 6 nights a week in our piano lounge and bar. Perfect for a romantic evening, large groups with private dining available, or celebrating a birthday or special occasion, Donatello's old world charm provides an unique dining experience.
A photo of Charley's Steak House-Tampa, FL restaurant
8. Charley's Steak House-Tampa, FL
4.8
Exceptional(10240)
Price: Very Expensive
• Steakhouse • Tampa
Booked 83 times today
Since 1998, Charley’s Steak House in Tampa—locally owned by the Woodsby family—has been a Florida dining landmark. Step into our lively, upscale restaurant where the scent of sizzling steaks fills the air and the energy flows from our unique T-bone-shaped bar. We serve only USDA Prime and Choice Angus steers, aged 4 to 6 weeks for peak tenderness, hand-cut daily by our managers, and flame-grilled over Florida citrus and oak wood in a custom 1200º pit. This creates the bold, smoky flavor that’s earned Charley’s the title of America’s top steakhouse since 2007. Our passion for excellence extends to a globally curated wine list featuring nearly 1,000 selections. Recognized with top honors like Wine Spectator’s “Best of Award of Excellence,” DiRōNA, and Orlando Magazine’s “Best Steak House,” Charley’s Steak House continues to impress locals and visitors alike. Join the vibrant atmosphere, savor the unforgettable flavors—and become a fan for life.
A photo of Battery restaurant
9. Battery
4.3
Awesome(649)
Price: Expensive
• American • Tampa
Booked 5 times today
Battery, located within vibrant Sparkman Wharf, is a bourbon-forward concept that features 110+ whisk(e)y pours alongside an artfully-curated menu that showcases Prime steaks (cut in-house daily and cooked in our 1600 degree broiler), house-made pasta, and drool-worthy shareables and side dishes. Our craft cocktail list is designed to induce smiles, and it delivers! House-made cheesecakes are the perfect end to a sweet dining experience. Indoor and Covered Patio seating is available. We also have a small private room (The Den) that features our stunning Whiskey Vault.We look forward to hosting you soon.
A photo of Ava Restaurant restaurant
10. Ava Restaurant
4.4
Awesome(2211)
Price: Moderate
• Italian • Tampa
Booked 15 times today
Ava's menu will feature inspired Italian cuisine prepared in a simple and rustic fashion. Central to our vision will be house cured salumi, fresh hand made pasta and Neapolitan pizza cooked at 900 degrees in our Italian-made Acunto pizza oven. Ingredients will be fresh, seasonal, and local whenever possible.Ava has limited seating, reservations may be inside or outside. We attempt to accommodate special requests, please let us know what your preference may be in the "add a special request' field. However, we can't guarantee all table requests. We look forward to serving you.

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Discover best worth the drive restaurants in Ybor City

Discover a curated selection of dining gems in Tampa's Ybor City that are truly "worth the drive." This vibrant area is renowned for its eclectic dining scene, offering a variety of cuisines that cater to all tastes and preferences. Whether you're in the mood for authentic ethnic dishes, gourmet dining experiences, or casual eats, Ybor City has something to entice every palate. Each restaurant featured on this page has been handpicked for its unique offerings, exceptional service, and overall dining excellence, ensuring a memorable meal that justifies the journey. Ybor City itself is a historic, culturally rich neighborhood that boasts a lively atmosphere perfect for both daytime exploration and exciting nightlife. These restaurants not only highlight the culinary diversity and creativity found in Tampa but also reflect the area's commitment to quality and hospitality. For food enthusiasts and casual diners alike, these Ybor City spots are destinations in their own right, promising an enjoyable and satisfying dining experience.

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