CL regularly presents focused listings of the best dining options in Tampa Bay's neighborhoods. This week, we're giving you a guide to dining and drinking in the South Howard Avenue district of South Tampa.
717 SOUTH 717 S. Howard Ave., Tampa, 813-250-1661, 717south.com. A classy eatery on the SoHo strip, serving Italian and Pacific Rim cuisine blended together on the same menu, but not necessarily fused. With such an extensive wine list, you'll be hard pressed to choose just one.
BELLA'S ITALIAN CAFE 1413 S. Howard Ave, Tampa, 813-254-3355, bellasitaliancafe.com. Homemade Italian favorites that taste like your Italian grandma made them. Despite its "trendy" location, Bella's is a cozy spot for a romantic rendezvous or a night out with the family.
BERN'S STEAK HOUSE 1208 S. Howard Ave., Tampa, bernssteakhouse.com. Despite the outdated interior reminiscent of Disney's Haunted Mansion, Bern's is a Tampa Bay classic and not to be missed. The quality food and service is well worth the price tag. Don't pass up visiting the Dessert Room!
CHAVEZ AT HOME 1350 S. Howard Ave., Tampa, 813-251-1500, chavezathome.net. Offering a sizable menu of gourmet fare to take home or enjoy there. Serving breakfast six days a week — try the French toast!
CHEAP 309 S. Howard Ave., Tampa, 813-258-5878, cheapinsoho.com. Offering something for everyone with a menu of Spanish tapas, Japanese sushi (with a twist), pork-laden "pigzas", burgers and more. Check out their all-you-can-eat-and-drink "Supper Club" for $20, Tues.-Sat., from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
CEVICHE 1502 S. Howard Ave., Tampa, 813-250-0203, cevichetapas.com. Known for tasty tapas and infamous sangria. The Flamenco Room is a great spot for late-night eats and dancing.
CICCIO'S /WATER CALIFORNIA CUISINE 1015 S. Howard Ave., Tampa, 813-251-8406, soho.cicciostampabay.com. Cali-Asian fusion, with stir frys, small plates, pizzas, wraps, salads and a huge sushi menu.
DAILY EATS 901 S. Howard Ave., Tampa, 813-868-3335, dailyeatstampa.com. They've got your four square meals covered — breakfast, lunch, dinner and "night breakfast" — with stick-to-your-ribs diner fare.
DUBLINER IRISH PUB 2307 W. Azeele St., Tampa, 813-258-2257, thedublineririshpub.com. A popular Irish pub hangout just off of Howard Avenue with a bevy of beer, booze and hearty pub fare. Enjoy live music on the side porch Wednesday through Saturday nights.
EVOS 2274 609 S. Howard Ave., Tampa, 813-258-3867, evos.com. The "Greenest Burger Chain in America" offers fast food without the high calories and guilt. Veg options can be substituted for any meat in the wraps and sandwiches.
CIRO'S SPEAKEASY AND SUPPER CLUB 2109 Bayshore Blvd., Tampa, 813-251-0022. You might have trouble finding the front door, hidden at the bottom of a condo at the south end of Howard. But once inside you'll be transported by its smart design, tasty small plates and staff of expert mixologists.
GOURMET PIZZA COMPANY 610 S. Armenia Ave., Tampa. 813-258-1999, gourmetpizza-company.com. Drop by for a slice before you hit the bars, grab a pizza to go or have it delivered. Proffering plenty of unique ingredients, like Cajun crawfish and smoked Gouda, as well as salads, flatbreads, pasta, and gluten-free and vegan options.
HOOKER TEA 223 S. Howard Ave., Tampa, 813-443-5797, hookertea.com. Hooker Tea is a zen-like oasis from the crowded bars on South Howard, serving a variety of teas from around the globe, tea-based drinks and locally made pastries. Also serves a light breakfast menu every day.
HUGO'S SPANISH 931 S. Howard Ave., Tampa, 813-251-2842. Proving that affordable food can be found in SoHo, Hugo's serves up classic Latin comfort food and one of the best Cuban sandwiches in the Bay.
KOTO JAPANESE STEAKHOUSE & SUSHI 533 S. Howard Ave., Tampa, 813-964-6808, kotosteakhouse.com. Like three spots rolled into one: a hibachi steakhouse, a sushi restaurant with classic rolls and a lively bar.
THE LIME 915 S. Howard Ave., Tampa, 813-868-5463, thelimetampa.com. Offering a South American-inspired menu of salads, sandwiches and such in a classy sports bar atmosphere (yes, I just used "classy" and "sports" bar in the same sentence). Check out the "Weekend Brunchtacular."
THE LODGE 516 S. Howard Ave., Tampa, 813-251-5634, lodgetampa.com. A restaurant that doubles as a bar/hangout scene at night. The large menu is made up mostly of classic American dishes with fun twists: Mac 'n' cheese pizza, "American sushi" and food served in TV dinner trays. Serves a late-night menu and brunch on the weekends.
MACDINTON'S 405 S. Howard Ave., Tampa, 813-251-8999, macdintons.com. Quite possibly the only bar in SoHo that doesn't have a "slow night," as it's always filled with college kids, adult kickball team after parties and European sports fanatics. Besides the beer and liquor, they also have a small menu of British pub fare. Fridays from 6-8 p.m. is "Crazy Happy Hour" with a $10 open bar — but don't forget to bring a DD!
RIBIT'S BBQ 401 S. Howard Ave., Tampa, 813-817-4909, ribitsbbq.com. After doing the bar crawl up and down Howard in SoHo, stop at this garage-turned-BBQ joint for Alabama-style pork ribs, North Carolina pulled pork or Georgia-style smoked sausage. Open until 3 a.m. Tuesday-Saturday.
SIDEBERN'S 2208 W. Morrison Ave., Tampa, 813-258-2233, sideberns.com. SideBern's has a decadent six-course tasting menu that changes with the seasons, as Chef Chad Johnson utilizes local and sustainable sources whenever possible. If you're dining on the cheap, check out the Cocktail Hour menu from 5-7 p.m. with $6 appetizers, $5 glasses of wine, cocktail specials and $3 draft beers.
YARD OF ALE 406 S. Howard Ave., Tampa, 813-251-4433, yardofalesoho.com. Yard of Ale is the place to go in SoHo for craft beer — and a lot of it. As the name suggests, patrons can get any of the numerous draft beers served in yard glasses (which aren't really 3 feet tall, but big nonetheless). There's also a menu of gourmet small plates, pizzas and nibbles at very reasonable prices, and a decent wine list.
