Three Tampa restaurants earned the city’s first ever Michelin stars this week at the unveiling of the 2023 Florida Michelin Guide in Miami.

Tampa’s Koya, Lilac and Rocca all scored the top honor of earning a star for the first time, along with Tambourine Room by Tristan Brandt in Miami Beach. In total, 19 Florida restaurants earned stars during a ceremony at LoanDepot Park.

Although controversial, a star is considered one of, if not thee, highest award in the culinary world. Chefs who earn a star see an immediate boost in their reputation, with their restaurant (and staff) benefiting from the boost in business and prestige.

While not everyone pulled in a star at this week’s unveiling, quite a few Tampa restaurants however did receive “Bib Gourmands” deeming them a “great value,” and “Recommend” restaurant status.

Here are all the restaurants included in the this years guide.  

Rocca 323 W Palm Ave., Tampa. 813-906-5445 Michelin ranking: 1 Star “Chef Bryce Bonsack blends his New York know-how with Italian training to great effect in this of-the-moment eatery. Naturally, there’s an assortment of pastas, skillfully made in house and showcasing classic flavors and scrupulous technique, as in spaghetti al limone, tossed with knobs of blue crab and lemon, shaved garlic and zucchini.” Photo by Google Street Credit: Photo via Rocca
Gorkhali Kitchen 10044 Cross Creek Blvd, Tampa, 813-388-6404 Michelin ranking: Bib Gourmand Michelin praised the breadth of the menu at New Tampa strip mall spot, Gorkhali Kitchen and noted its focus on Nepalese cuisine with a touch of Indian influence. “Of course, there must be momo, those iconic Nepalese dumplings that are seared, pan-fried or even in jhol (soup). Chicken is a popular protein that appears often on the menu, but don’t shy away from the goat specialties. They’re falling-off-the-bone tender and savory,” inspectors wrote. Photo by Melissa Santell
Psomi 701 N Howard Ave., Tampa, 813-841-5555 Michelin ranking: Bib Gourmand “Owned and run by second-generation Greek-American, Christina Theofilos, this daytime eatery and bakery epitomizes warmth and comfort. Strangers become friends in no time, noshing on breakfast and lunch during the week and brunch on weekends. The menu is laced with Greek items ranging from flavorful and tender octopus ceviche to house-made dolmades that display an added level of care. The farm to your table sandwich is layered with avocado, pickled green tomato, shaved jicama, sprouts and whipped feta. Of course, with a name that translates to bread, there must be baked goods and you’ll find it all here. Don’t skimp on dessert and order bougatsa, baklava or baklava coffee cake (an impressive marriage of the two).” Photo via Psomi/Instagram Credit: Photo via Psomi/Instagram
Rooster & The Till 6500 N Florida Ave., Tampa, 813-374-8940 Michelin ranking: Bib Gourmand “It’s a low-key spot with a contemporary feel. The bar is central and wraps around an open kitchen, so grab a seat at the counter for the best view. Between the lively tunes and buzzy staff, the aura is anything but stuffy. The plates follow suit—freewheeling, frequently changing and shareable with elements from SE Asia, Latin America and the Levant. Yet, nothing seems out of place, as in sumac-flecked cauliflower with whipped goat’s milk feta and falafel-spiced dukkah. Fried cobia collar with nuoc cham boasts a cultish following. Such seductive textures and explosive flavors continue in full force in a dessert of black sesame ice cream with pineapple-cashew jam and Thai tea caramel. The tasting menu, though pricier, is a worthy splurge.” Photo via Rooster & The Till/Facebook Credit: Photo via Rooster & The Till/Facebook
Bistro BT 4267 Henderson Blvd, Tampa, 813-513-8402 Michelin ranking: Recommended “This casual yet charming outpost arrives on the scene courtesy of celebrated local restaurateur, BT Nguyen. It is friendly and atmospheric with gracious servers merely augmenting the inviting feel. Over in the kitchen, the team cooks up a homey combination of French and Vietnamese dishes, ranging from beloved standbys to bolder bistro fare. The Vietnamese plates are a cut above, though, and include the likes of crispy spring rolls faithfully packed with ground pork, glass noodles and wood ear mushroom; followed by deeply aromatic pho bobbing with springy noodles and generous amounts of meltingly soft tenderloin. A handful of carefully curated wines along with a small assortment of thoughtfully crafted iced teas are sure to quench your thirst in style.” Photo via BistroBT
The Columbia 2117 E 7th Ave, Ybor City, 813-248-4961 Michelin ranking: Recommended “For devotees of Cuban-American cuisine, a pilgrimage to this jewel of Historic Ybor City is practically obligatory. Adorned with gorgeous painted tiles, the striking edifice occupies an entire block. However, the opulence goes beyond the façade—founded in 1905, this original location is the oldest continually operating restaurant in all of Florida (multiple offshoots have since sprung up). Equally impressive, its rooms can seat over a thousand guests; and a well-oiled kitchen turns out a steady stream of beloved specialties—from deviled crab croquetas to gambas al ajillo. At lunch, the Cubano sandwich, which has a legitimate claim to being the original version, lives up to the hype. During the evening, live flamenco performances gild the lily.” Photo via Google Maps
Credit: Photo via BernsSteakHouse/Facebook
Élevage SoHo Kitchen & Bar 1207 S Howard Ave., Tampa, 813-999-8726 Michelin ranking: Recommended “Don’t be fooled by the lofty name or upscale location (tucked inside the Epicurean Hotel, just past the lobby). The ambience here is relaxed and the cooking is down-to-earth, though happily not mundane. Breakfast and lunch are served, but dinner is where the lion’s share of excitement lies, with a menu whose flavors confidently span the globe. Smoked barbecue chicken wings find themselves in good company with a wild mushroom chawanmushi; while za’atar and Madras curry might accent grass-fed bison or Florida grouper. Beyond the diversity of its culinary influences, the food shows a sense of balance, as in a hearty dish of chicken schnitzel matched with buttery spaetzle and finished with a mustard jus that provides that perfect bit of lightness and zest.” Photo via Élevage SoHo Kitchen & Bar/Facebook
Flaming Mountain 13520 University Plaza St., Tampa, 813-609-8888 Michelin ranking: Recommended “Flaming Mountain’s strip mall environs may be less than exciting but they save their sizzle for the food. The owners, husband-and-wife Hongfeng Li and Ling Wu, are originally from Shenyang in China’s northeast, and the menu proudly displays their regional heritage alongside classic Sichuan cuisine and grilled skewers. Chef Wei Zhang sources quality ingredients for dishes that deliver bold flavor across the board. Portions are hearty, so arrive armed with an appetite for meals like Chungking spicy chicken, with a plate piled high with classic dry fried chicken studded with chilies and peppercorns. Cucumber salad tossed in a vinegar sauce balances the heady spice. Cumin-scented lamb done in a stir fry style is another standout.” Photo via Élevage SoHo Kitchen & Bar/Facebook
Credit: Photo via Google Maps
Credit: Photo via Mise en Place
Credit: Photo via Yelp
Restaurant BT 2507 S MacDill Ave., Tampa, 813-258-1916 Michelin ranking: Recommended “Both intimate and serene, this romantic retreat is restaurateur and Chef BT Nguyen’s flagship. Its motto “eat local, think global” accurately captures both her genre-defying, eclectic cuisine as well as her dedication to high quality, local ingredients. Although the presentation may lean a bit fussy and old-fashioned (think tomato roses and other such twee garnishes), there’s plenty of substance behind the fluff. This is cooking that’s assiduously seasoned and bursting with flavor. Many of the dishes draw upon the chef’s Vietnamese heritage, seen in the telltale use of bright, aromatic flavors, but items like a sophisticated vichyssoise and Basque-inspired pink prawns are a testament to her classic French training and time spent abroad.” Photo via
Timpano Hyde Park 1610 W Swann Ave., Tampa, 813-254-5870 Michelin ranking: Recommended ”After a chic redesign, this longtime Hyde Park Village staple stands out even in its stylish surrounds. The verdant space calls to mind the tropics and a clubby playlist adds an air of youthfulness, but this is solid cooking rooted in classic Italian American sensibilities. A well-appointed bar pours enticing quaffs like a frozen blood orange negroni, which also makes for a winning aperitivo. Red-sauce staples, like sausage-stuffed mushrooms and fried calamari are deftly prepared, and tailed by house pastas given their proper due. A raviolo filled with spinach, ricotta and molten egg yolk is dressed with frisée and a bit of balsamic; and, forgiving the pun, a “parm to table” bucatini al pesto prepared tableside in a wheel of Parmigiano is sure to please.” Photo via Google Maps
Ulele 1810 N Highland Ave., Tampa, 813-999-4952 Soak up the views of the Hillsborough River while indulging in fresh oysters at Ulele. The native-inspired menu features everything from scallops to alligator, and covers a wide range of cocktails and wines. It’s also one of the best spots along Tampa’s downtown Riverwalk. Photo via Google Maps
Yummy House 2620 E Hillsborough Ave., Tampa, 813-237-3838 Michelin ranking: Recommended “Crowds still clamber to fill the seats at this spacious, no-frills eatery, whose sizable menu presents ample options for a range of tastes. Diners can find contentment with familiar American-Chinese staples, like orange chicken and salt-and-pepper fried calamari (or tofu). However, dishes like clay pot-braised fish have their own unique, earthy appeal. During lunch hours you’d be well-advised to select from the separate dim sum menu, which features typical bites like dumplings and turnip cakes, as well as sweet regional specialties like pineapple buns and Hong Kong-style egg tarts. Thanks to the popularity of the original, a number of offshoots can be found throughout southern Florida, including a more upscale one in South Tampa.” Photo via Yummy House Credit: Yummy House China Bistro/Facebook
On Swann 1501 W Swann Ave, Tampa, 813-251-0110 Michelin ranking: Recommended “This lofty, stylish space draws in crowds, thanks to its relaxed, hip vibe and flavorful, unpretentious cooking. Chef and owner Chris Ponte, a heavy-hitter in the local dining scene, has assembled a menu that’s as charmingly eclectic as the restaurant’s design. You’ll find nods to Spain and France, but Italian and Southern flavors predominate, so you’re as likely to encounter ricotta salata as pimento cheese, and both grits and risotto find equal footing. Combinations of sweet and savory seem to be a specialty, as in a tomato-date sauce paired with lamb meatballs, or a fig tart with gorgonzola and caramelized onions. Brunch is particularly popular, owing, no doubt, to the airy, well-lit room and ample list of tempting seasonal cocktails.” Photo via On Swann