It’s a common saying among chefs, you eat with your eyes first. Now while this usually applies to plating a dish, there is something just a bit more special about eating in a good-looking place. Whether you’re planning for a big event, celebrating a birthday or trying to impress a special someone, the Tampa Bay area offers a number of gorgeous eateries to fit your needs and whet your appetite.
On Swann
1501 W. Swann Ave., Tampa, 813-251-0110
Without even considering the incredibly intricate and thoughtfully prepared menu, On Swann is one of those restaurants that you are just happy to be in. The light aqua walls, caramel stained tabletops, open kitchen and colorfully tiled floor sections exude a welcoming and classic comfort.
Photo via On Swann/FacebookBodega
5901 N. Florida Ave. Tampa, 813-533-3333
Bodega’s Latin street food charm is only amplified by the sunny spot itself. Bodega’s bright yellow chairs, blue and white patterned tile food bar and floral mural give the local favorite a cheerful disposition.
Photo via Bodega Seminole Heights/FacebookColumbia Restaurant
2025 E. 7th Ave. Tampa, 813-248-4961
With its lofty arches, colorful tile work, fountains, and statues, dining at the Columbia is like stepping back into a glorious past. The bones of the building are steeped in the Columbia’s ornately old-world charm.
Photo via Photo via columbiarestaurant.comCW’s Gin Joint
633 N. Franklin St., Tampa, 813-816-1446
Were Frank Sinatra, Amy Winehouse and Louis Armstrong alive and in Tampa today, you’d find them at CW’s Gin Joint. This swanky, dim-lit bar and restaurant swells the live tunes of glamorous glamorous songstresses and serves up its cocktails with a suit and tie.
Photo via cwginjoint.comDatz
2616 S. Macdill Ave. Tampa, 813-831-7000
With raw brick pillars, cushy booth seats and chandeliers made of recycled wine bottles overhead, this quirky burger joint is a great spot to take your date without the pressure of an expensive night out.
Photo via datztampa.comForbici
1633 W. Snow Ave., Tampa, 813-251-8001
Forbici’s metallic blue bar seats, neon signs, pop-art and street art contrast with its chandeliers, grey brick walls and black and white family photos to give the restaurant an overload of personality. This beautifully coordinated new Italian joint will keep your eyes as busy as your stomach.
Photo via Forbici Modern Italian/FacebookMise en Place Restaurant
Grand Central Place, 442 W. Kennedy Blvd. #110, Tampa, 813-254-5373
Mise en Place is serving up modern American cuisine in a comfortable yet luxurious indoor atmosphere with access to the waterfront deck.
Photo via miseonline.comMole Y Abuela
1202 N. Franklin St., Tampa, 813-370-1000
Mole Y Abuela’s rooftop patio is accented by bulb string lights and features a bar made from raw wood and stained glass that let off a warm and inviting glow with the setting sun. Meanwhile, inside, Mole Y Abuela’s chevron wood wall paneling and Edison bulb light fixtures maintain the Mexican/Spanish restaurant’s rustic-chic decor.
Photo via Mole Y AbuelaAmerican Social Bar and Kitchen
601 S. Harbour Island Blvd. #107, Tampa, 813-605-3333
Filled with hardwood and accented in red, white and blue, American Social patriotic vibes make this upscale sports bar into the perfect spot to celebrate without missing the game.
Photo via American Social Tampa/FacebookOxford Exchange
420 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, 813-253-0222
Oxford Exchange has become popular wedding venue for a reason. The big white building is a maze of aesthetic wonder. With glass ceilings, fountains, ferns, artwork and photography hung about the walls, wood, and tile and exposed brick, Oxford Exchange is awash with modern refinement.
Photo via oxfordexchange.comNueva Cantina
4918 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa, 813-831-1101
Although this is a laid back contemporary Mexican cuisine joint, it serves up some picture-esque decor and dishes. Snag a colorful frozen cocktail to match the festive decor, your Instagram feed needs it.
Photo via nuevacantina.comRumFish Grill
6000 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach, 727-329-1428
Rumfish Grill pays is aquatic themed with an enormous tank filled with fish so lovely it might make you rethink that seafood dinner.
Photo via RumFish Grill/FacebookThe Library
600 5th St. S., St. Petersburg, 727-369-9969
Inspired by the legacy of Baltimore’s historic George Peabody Library, The Library’s hardwood floors, plush wing-backed chairs and rows upon rows of blue-spined works of literature lining the walls and balcony create an inspiring and rejuvenating atmosphere for lunch or coffee.
Photo via thelibrarystpete/InstagramJackson’s Bistro, Bar & Sushi
601 S. Harbour Island Blvd., Tampa, 813-277-0112
Lit with candles, Jackson’s Bistro is surrounded by wide windows peering out over the water to the Tampa skyline. Hanging greenery overhead gives the Island bar area a freshness while the sparkling tiled pillars of the blackjack lounge add an air of luxury to the space.
Photo via Jackson’s Bistro, Bar & Sushi/FacebookThe Spaniard
5303 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, 813-289-1950
Succulents growing from the walls and a precise industrial style make The Spaniard a millennial marvel. Not to mention the option to lounge poolside makes for a great photo opportunity.
Photo via The Spaniard/FacebookUlele
1810 N. Highland Ave. Tampa, 813-999-4952
In addition to imposing stained glass panels, nature-inspired sculptures and cubist murals, Ulele’s riverfront view is a work of art in itself. Watching the sunset melt into the Hillsborough River while enjoying Native American inspired cuisine is an effortlessly romantic way to spend the evening.
Photo via Ulele/FacebookDough
2602 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa, 813-902-1979
Dough will have your head in the clouds – literally. The mural ceiling of this colorful doughnut shop shows a bright blue sky with clouds just as fluffy as the doughnuts you came for. Matched with hot pink and orange striped walls and a black and white checkered floor, Dough’s decor is hard to ignore.
Photo via bestdoughnuts.comDr. BBQ
1101 1st Ave. S., St. Petersburg, 727-443-7227
CAPTION – Dr. BBQ’s rustic yet refined atmosphere is amplified by its blown glass pendant lighting with Edison bulbs and lofty bar made from reclaimed wood. Getting BBQ sauce on your face has never looked so photo-worthy.
Photo via Dr. BBQ The Restaurant/FacebookThe C House
6005 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, 813-488-4813
Built out of a former transmission repair shop in Seminole Heights,The C House has transformed the space into a casual-chic environment with a beamed ceiling, raw brick walls and caged pendant lights.
Photo via Chip WeinerWhiskey Cake Kitchen and Bar
2223 N. Westshore Blvd. B207, Tampa, 813-535-9955
Whiskey Cake’s gorgeous country chic interior mixes with modern style with homespun simplicity. Large plush couches, chairs and family style tables fill out the dining room and patio areas for a comfortable dining environment.
Photo via Courtesy of Whiskey CakeOystercatchers
2900 Bayport Dr., Tampa, 813-207-6815
This seafood haven is tucked away among the foliage on the grounds of the Grand Hyatt. Oystercatchers’ modern and refined indoor style and beachy outdoor setting makes is secluded gem.
Photo via Oystercatchers/FacebookCafe Ponte
13505 Icot Blvd. #214, Clearwater, 727-538-5768
This trendy, New York-style cafe is serving up skillfully prepared dishes from an open kitchen, allowing patrons to watch the magic happen. White tablecloths, live entertainment and a stockpile of classic wines solidify Cafe Ponte as an elegant experience.
Photo via Cafe Ponte/FacebookBon Appetit Restaurant and Bar
148 Marina Plaza, Dunedin, 727-733-2151
Set on stilts and jutting out into the Gulf of Mexico, Bon Appetit is the quintessential waterfront restaurant. The simple elegance of Bon Appetit’s open air seating and bar lets you take in the ocean breeze while the white pillars of the indoor space are perfect for gatherings large or small.
Photo via bonappetitrestaurant.comÉlevage Restaurant
1207 S. Howard Ave., Tampa, 813-999-8726
Located within the Epicurean Hotel, Elevage’s elaborate tile flooring, mahogany-colored leather seating is some date night-worthy digs. Head to the rooftop for prime views of downtown Tampa while you sip on craft cocktails and take some “candid” shots.
Photo via Courtesy of Elevage
