Discover the Best New Restaurants in Tampa

by The OpenTable Team

Updated October 31, 2019

Located along Florida’s Gulf Coast, Tampa represents a cool, urban epicenter and a popular vacation spot in the United States. Blue skies and sunshine reflect across sparkly waterfronts. The lively atmosphere welcomes family fun with a twist of Cuban culture, whether enjoying the rides at the Busch Gardens theme park, visiting historic Ybor City, the “Cigar Capital of the World,” or heading to the pristine Gulf of Mexico waters for a day of sun and surf. In between all the activities, new restaurants in Tampa serve anything from authentic Mexican in Ybor City to the mom-and-pop Indian Eateries of North Tampa. Tampa especially shines when it comes to seafood, and this coastal city has endless eateries serving fresh, flaky fish. But where are the smartest, savviest diners eating out? Check out our Tastemaker 10 list of the best new restaurants in Tampa and book a table today!

Forbici Modern Italian Restaurant

4.8

4.8 (1521)

$31 to $50

Unspecified

Tampa

About the restaurant

Located on West Snow Avenue in Hyde Park Village, Forbici is a casual but trendy Contemporary Italian restaurant and pizzeria. The interior is whimsical and energetic and there is plenty of room in the wide open space for diners to sprawl out. There is even an “ancestor table,” a large table that sits beneath a gallery of family photos. The menu features Roman-style pizza, salads, pastas, main plates and grain bowls alongside an extensive wine list.

Top review

KatiaT

Dined on Jan 1, 2023

Totally recommended, pizza was delicious , good atmosphere, great service!

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4.4

4.4 (1361)

$31 to $50

Italian

Tampa

About the restaurant

Cena is a smart and sleek new Italian Spot at Grand Central and is definitely one of the best new restaurants in Tampa. The focus here is on fresh and simple Italian food served in a contemporary and stylish setting. They offer great ingredients, traditional dishes and attentive service to guarantee guests an excellent experience. The menu has a little something for everyone, including antipasti like hearty ravioli and Kobe beef carpaccio. Their pasta bowls are the real star here and regulars love the rustic bolognese, Puttanseca and Cacio e Pepe. Make sure to pair your meal with a glass of Italian wine, too.

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 2 days ago

Great food. Service was excellent. Cool open seating so not an intimate setting but still great. Did I say food was great? Best Italian in Tampa.

Whiskey Cake - Tampa

4.7

4.7 (1738)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Tampa

About the restaurant

Whiskey Cake is a Texas-based “farm-to-fork” concept located at International Plaza in the mall’s Bay Street dining corridor. They serve up tasty dishes and cocktails from the scratch-only kitchen and bar. They focus son using slow-cooking methods on the live-wood grill, smoker and spit because food just tastes better that way! They believe that local is a place as much as a way of eating so everything on the menu is inspired by local ingredients available each season. Grab a fancy dining table or relax out on the beautiful porch.

Top review

seng314

Dined 3 days ago

Although one table was a little dark due to lightning, the food was really good and service was excellent!

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4.7

4.7 (26)

$30 and under

Burgers

Tampa

About the restaurant

Goody Goody Burgers is one of the best new restaurants in Tampa for phenomenal burgers! Purchased by Richard Gonzmart and the Columbia Restaurant Group in 2014, Goody Goody is an iconic brand in Tampa specializing in breakfast, burgers and pies. Gonzmart based the restaurant on a fond memory he has of picking up a sack of burgers with pickles, onions and secret sauce for his family. Now you can enjoy these world-famous burgers too! There are plenty to choose from, including the Original, the Royale with Cheese and the Hyde Park Cheeseburger.

Top review

SuzanneE

Dined on Aug 15, 2023

My parents met in the late 50s at the Woolworth lunch counter. The Hyde Park Goody Goody hosts allowed my whole family to dine at their counter, where we reenacted their meeting (in 50's style fashion) for their 59th anniversary. The servers were amazingly joyful, playing along with us, and everyone enjoyed the food and evening of fun. Goody, Goody, Hyde Park rocks!

Beachwood Seafood Kitchen & Bar

4.6

4.6 (987)

$30 and under

Seafood

Tampa

About the restaurant

Beachwood Seafood Kitchen and Bar is one of the best new restaurants in Tampa for delicious seafood and sushi. It’s a casually sophisticated restaurant with a focus on fish. They pride themselves on creatively delicious seafood and also offer plenty of other dining delights to please any pallet. The interior features calming colors and beautiful textures that take your mind on a mini-vacation! It’s a perfect spot for happy hour with friends, a romantic date night, family dinner or a large party.

Top review

RafaRvip

Dined on Jan 1, 2023

Went here for our annual family New Year’s Day Brunch. First time for brunch and will certainly be back. We had a hiccup at first because of the way our reservations were made for party of 16 but everyone was very accommodating in putting tables together. Food was delish and service was very good too. We had been there for dinner for my mother’s 85th birthday and enjoyed it so much that invited out entire family there for brunch.

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