Local Luxury: Top Six Fine Dining Restaurants in Tampa, Florida

by Sheryl Young (RSS feed)
Apr 10th 2010 at 8:02AM

As a Tampa resident for over twenty years, I've had the gastronomical pleasure of experiencing these fine dining establishments. Trade those beach shorts for something more cosmopolitan, and come hungry.

Here's my rating scale: $$ - Comparatively Inexpensive. $$$ - More Expensive. $$$$ - Very Expensive. Upscale = dress nice. Chic = dress to kill.

Charley's Steakhouse
(813) 353-9706
4444 West Cypress Street, Tampa, 33607.
Upscale $$$$. Charley's has graced Tampa since 1974 with a quiet, sophisticated ambiance. The service is as upscale as the clothes. Everyone should be waited on like this at least once in their lives. Cozy and elegant, chandelier-decked setting. The specialties are mouth-watering cuts of steak and Surf & Turf.
Rated number 5 out of the Top 10 Steak Restaurants in the U.S. at Prime Top 10, a list of America's Finest USDA Prime Steakhouses & Restaurants.
Reservations not usually needed.

Mitchell's Fish Market
(813) 289-3663
204 Westshore Plaza, Tampa, 33609.
Upscale $$$. Mitchell's is reminiscent of the classy mid-nineteenth and twentieth century 'men only' dining clubs. But women are allowed, of course. All varnished wood and frosted glass with some miniature ships on display. Mitchell's hasn't been in Tampa that long (several years), but it's made a name for itself. The broiled tilapia is succulent, for one. The seafood-many varieties obtained from one coast to the other-is always fresh, never frozen. A relaxed, classy ambiance. Reservations not needed.

The View at CK's
(813) 878-6500
At the Marriott Hotel, Tampa International Airport
Upscale $$$. CK's is a Revolving Rooftop Restaurant. Step out of the elevator to see scenic views of Tampa Bay from ceiling-to-floor windows all around. The restaurant rotates slowly as you eat so you can see every angle. Terrific European-style service. There's a live piano bar after 8 pm weekends. Excellent meat, chicken and fish including the choice of a sushi bar and signature breads. Reservations are needed. If it's time to "pop the question", this is the perfect place.

The Capital Grille
(813) 830-9433
International Mall, 2223 North West Shore Blvd, Tampa, 33607.
Upscale and Chic $$$. Located in the outdoor setting called "Bay Street" at Tampa's very hip International Mall, the Capital Grille is top-knotch for aged steaks, chops, seafood, desserts and wine. A modern, elegant restaurant. Stroll around afterward to show off the clothes you never get to wear, and to see all the other restaurants with outdoor seating and entertainment. Reservations highly suggested.

P.F. Chang's China Bistro
(813) 289-8400
219 Westshore Plaza, Tampa, 33609.
Upscale and Chic $$ - But you can come casually dressed if you don't mind being shown up. I first "met" Chang's in Las Vegas, and was thrilled when they opened in Tampa. This location is very popular for drinks and Asian-style dinner. It's known for two-hour waits without reservations. The majestic stone warrior horses at the front entrance are enough to impress. Chang's serves Chinese-Szechwan food in a beautiful setting with hand-painted oriental murals and dark shiny woods. Generous portions with some Gluten-free menu options. No MSG. Outdoor patio option with a cosmopolitan view of three other restaurants. Make that reservation 4-5 days in advance.

Bern's Steak House
(813) 251-2421
1208 S. Howard Ave., Tampa, 33606.
Upscale to Formal $$$$. Bern's, in business here since 1956, is the place that airline employees will tell Tampa first-timers to go. The romantic fine-dining setting can sometimes be taken as over-the-top. Bern's is known for many foods, including Chateaubriand for Two and a shamelessly wide variety of caviar. They have close to 7,000 dinner wines and 1,000 dessert wines. Ask for the separate dessert room where flaming sweet goodies are featured. Reservations are needed.

(Disclosure of material connection: http://cmp.ly/0 - This writer has not received any compensation for reviewing these establishments, and has no material connection to those mentioned herein.)

This post was contributed via Seed.com, AOL's new platform for freelance writers.

Tags: finedining, Florida, restaurants, seafood, steak, Tampa

Filed under: Dining

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

bruce Apr 10th 2010 1:30PM

Bern's is terrific, but... P.F. Chang's? Fine dining? Really?

Rebecca Apr 10th 2010 2:44PM

I'm with Bruce. P.F. Chang's = Applebees with more sodium.

JoshB Apr 10th 2010 5:08PM

What about Armani's? Mise en Place? Pane Rustica? Bertini? Those are all way better than P.F. Changs would be pretty far down by list of fine dining in Tampa.

Kevin Apr 10th 2010 6:51PM

Four chain restaurants make the list?? LOL... that's gold.
Either fine dining doesn't exist in Tampa or you need to branch out.

rayveniael Apr 10th 2010 7:41PM

I was really into the article since I'm not that far from Tampa, but then I saw PF Changs...

Alex Apr 10th 2010 9:48PM

I agree with the rest - Tampa has many other, better establishments than those at the mall. Pane Rustica is amazing for lunch, Pinky's is a great breakfast place, NoHo Bistro is great, Taco Bus is classic and cheap, and of course, Mise En Place is timeless (been around forever). I could go on...

Going Like Sixty Apr 10th 2010 11:16PM

If this is the quality that Seed.com is providing Aol, they are in trouble. Tampa is a huge market! These can't possibly be the best Luxury restaurants.

BUT: love SideBerns - their dessert restaurant. If you're passing thru and can't get into Berns head up the street to SideBerns. $100 for four desserts isn't the only reason it is memorable.

Scott Apr 11th 2010 1:06AM

You're kidding, right...this has to be tongue-in-cheek...three chain restaurants and one semi-chain?

elvedon Apr 13th 2010 12:32AM

The concept of fine dining in Tampa is as hilarious as this post.

christie Nov 10th 2010 5:43PM

I'd love to know which restaurants are still in business (after the economic downturn).

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