Diners' Choice: Innovative restaurants in Tampa / Central Florida West

OpenTable

Updated September 05, 2024

Looking for the best restaurants that are fit for foodies in Tampa / Central Florida West? 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!

In Between Days

4.9

4.9 (94)

$31 to $50

French / Japanese

St. Petersburg

About the restaurant

Featured in Food & Wine Magazine, The Wine Enthusiast, and Tampa Bay Times, In Between Days is Florida's first craft sake house and Tokyo-style listening bar. Our sake list is one of the most diverse on the East Coast and is curated by our in-house sake sommelier Noah Sain. Inspired by the underground listening bars of Tokyo, our little house is warmed by intimate lighting and analog sounds sent through a pair of Klipsch Cornwalls. Oil lanterns cascade amber light while sake is poured into eager glasses. We play full sides. Our sake is chilled. Our oysters are served in the classic French style. It’s not Tokyo, but it’s close.

With an ever-rotating menu of sake, sake cocktails, and tasty plates, In Between Days offers a truly unique experience in the Tampa Bay area. Just off the hustle of Central Ave.

Please feel free to text us!

Top review

Simon

Dined on Aug 17, 2024

Food & sake were awesome. Service was great with a cool 😎 vibe in the whole place

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Experience

Sake Club Meeting #007

By Patrik Pettersson at Kompose

4.9

4.9 (85)

$31 to $50

Contemporary French / American

Sarasota

About the restaurant

Experience a culinary voyage like no other, at Patrik Pettersson's restaurant, tucked away in the refined Kompose Hotel. Celebrated for his innovative fusion of classic flavors and cutting-edge techniques, Chef Patrik Pettersson promises an unforgettable epicurean journey. Immerse yourself in our rotating five and seven-course tasting menus, meticulously crafted to captivate your palate with every bite. With a menu that evolves every three weeks, each visit unveils a fresh symphony of flavors and culinary artistry. Reserve your table now and elevate your dining experience at Sarasota's premier destination for gastronomic excellence.

Top review

Judithvip

Dined on Aug 31, 2024

This restaurant has become our very favorite restaurant in the Bradenton/Sarasota area. Patrik always does a wonderful and creative job with the menu. The food is fresh and beautiful. I really can't ask for anything more!!!! We brought our Vegan friend and I thought she would be a challenge for Patrik. She wasn't. He created a separate Vegan menu to serve with each and every one of our courses and her dishes were all wonderful, too! You really can't get any better than this! The staff is all friendly and they explain every dish that they bring. Justin does a great job with the wine - whether you want to do the pairings or just get a glass of wine. I look forward to Jessica's deserts - she always creates something special. I can't wait for our next visit!

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Experience

Five and Seven-Course Tasting Menu

The Restorative

4.9

4.9 (36)

$50 and over

Contemporary American

Dunedin

About the restaurant

Husband and wife Chef Owners Jason & Erin "Cricket" Borajkiewicz create a small menu changing two-three times a week. After working seasonally in Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, Puerto Rico, and Charleston, the two chefs decided to put down roots in Jason's hometown.

With an ever changing menu, there's no telling what you'll have when you dine with us, but rest assured that you'll leave feeling restored

Top review

Russ

Dined 5 days ago

An absoulute find! Travelled from Boynton Beach to Clearwater Beach,for the first time. Found the Restorative on line and booked it. I t is an amazing small family owned restaurant with a limited but delicious menu. We loved it and would go all the time if we lived in the area!

Lila

4.8

4.8 (1175)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Sarasota

About the restaurant

Lila (pronounced lee-lah) means creative play. Lila is a spontaneous, playful, organic, healthy, mostly vegetable restaurant which does serve sustainable meats.

Top review

Felicevip

Dined 5 days ago

Isn't it great to eat delicious food that is also good for you? That's what Lila is all about. If you are a vegetarian, a vegan or just someone who wants to eat healthier, this is the perfect venue.

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Popular dish

Mushroom Burger

Hales Blackbrick - Tampa

4.8

4.8 (423)

$50 and over

Sichuan

Tampa

About the restaurant

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 Asian 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 eclectic ambiance, elevated service and his version of Chinese cuisine.

We are Grateful,

Chef Richard Hales & Jenny Hales
不是那么中国

Top review

OpenTable Diner

Dined 5 days ago

Reserved for 10 and they were able to accommodate for us to be seated indoors. Highly recommend ordering family style so you can try everything! My favorite was the pork belly, dumplings, and truffle fried rice.

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Experience

Dim Sum Sunday

Social Roost Kitchen & Bar

4.6

4.6 (88)

$30 and under

American

St. Petersburg

About the restaurant

Welcome to Social Roost, located at the corner of 1st and 1st in the heart of downtown St. Petersburg! Social Roost is a local concept by owners, who brought their favorite dishes from around the world back to their hometown to share with the community. Here you will experience dishes from an amazing globally inspired scratch kitchen and the most amazing hand crafted cocktails St. Petersburg has to offer, all served in an upscale casual, fun, and vibrant atmosphere.

Open for Brunch and Dinner Everyday Tuesday - Sunday. Closed Mondays.

People's Choice Award- Best St. Pete Restaurant
Peoples Choice Award- Best Cocktail Tampa Bay
St. Pete Life- Best St. Pete Brunch
Best of the Bay- Best Wait Staff
Best of the Bay- Best New Restaurant

Executive Chef Susan Burdian

Top review

ricardovip

Dined on Aug 20, 2024

Fantastic food Fantastic service Great atmosphere

Acropolis Greek Taverna - South Tampa

4.6

4.6 (60)

$30 and under

Greek

Tampa

About the restaurant

Acropolis Greek Taverna - South Tampa is located few minutes away from Downtown Tampa.

We specialize in Mediterranean food and fun! Fridays and Saturday nights we have live music and do Zorba dancing performances and plate breaking, all in Greek fun! We offer a wide selection of Mediterranean food from salads and wraps to shish kabobs, fresh seafood, and lamb.

If you would like to experience unique food in a fun and diverse environment along with amazing cocktails and service, make sure to make a reservation right away! Yamas!

We are Honored to be Best of the Bay Award Winner for 2022!

Top review

Raj

Dined on Sep 7, 2024

Great place to eat greek cuisine. Music was a bit loud but we were seated away from music. Margaritas can be better with more tequila!!😂

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Experience

$5.00 Martini Mondays

Experience

$6.00 Tito Tuesday

EBBE

4.6

4.6 (130)

$50 and over

International

Tampa

About the restaurant

The best seasonal ingredients refined in the kitchen by 2 Michelin star Chef Ebbe and his team.

Drawing inspiration from the captivating ambiance of Scandinavia, we have meticulously crafted an intimate restaurant nestled in the heart of Tampa, Florida.

Under the skilled guidance of Chef Ebbe and his talented team, our kitchen becomes a haven where we artfully refine the most exquisite seasonal ingredients. With each dish crafted, we guarantee a culinary experience that transcends boundaries, tantalizing taste buds and transporting diners on a journey of flavors.

Top review

Eyasvip

Dined on Sep 7, 2024

The most creative and luxurious culinary experience ever, quality you that’s hard to find anywhere else

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Bavaro's Pizza Napoletana & Pastaria-Clearwater

4.4

4.4 (48)

$30 and under

Italian

Clearwater Beach

About the restaurant

Walk-in seating is highly recommended. We only reserve parties of 6-12 online.
Please call the restaurant for any questions. Thank you.

Top review

Victoria

Dined on Aug 20, 2024

Maybe the best Pizza outside from Italy, really good and a fantastic menu

Black Rock Bar & Grill - Tampa

4.3

4.3 (10)

$30 and under

Steak

Tampa

About the restaurant

Steak COOKED TO perfection BY YOU

Black Rock Bar & Grill is an award-winning steakhouse specializing in steaks served and cooked to perfection by you on a 755-degree volcanic sizzling rock. Our concept ensures that every bite is just as hot and juicy as the first, and is always cooked just the way you like it!

WHY EAT ORDINARY, WHEN YOU CAN EAT ON A ROCK?!

You are booking a PRIORITY seating, similar to a call ahead. We do not do reservations. You will be put on our list and when your entire party has arrived you will get the next available table. Please make sure to check in with the host and we will be sure to seat you as soon as possible but this doesn't mean it will be at the exact time of your priority booking. Thank you and we look forward to see you!

Top review

Cheryl

Dined 7 days ago

Always a great experience at Black Rock. Love that I have the option to cook my food just the way I like and keeping at a good temperature. The sides were perfect. Great place for special celebrations.

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