There’s busy restaurants, and there’s ones that seem to always be slammed. Tampa Bay has a thriving restaurant scene and some of our local favs have the crowds to prove it. From high-end dining, to comfort food and neighborhood dives, here are a few of our favorite local haunts where you’ll almost never eat alone. Remember, it doesn’t hurt to call ahead!

Wild Child 2710 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, (727) 954-7425 Vibrant neighborhood bistro and cocktail bar Wild Child made its big debut in 2020 and is a partner project of The Bends owner Matt Kaye and Rob Reinsmith, former executive chef at Noble Crust. Featuring indoor and outdoor seating, the concept serves up exotic cocktails, as well as a seasonal menu, spanning items like mushroom and kale paella, octopus al pastor, and more. Photo via Wild Child
Edison: Food+Drink Lab 912 W Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, (813) 254-7111 Acclaimed chef Jeannie Pierola’s Industrial gastropub sells inventive American plates inspired by the chef’s experiments. Dishes like cracker-fried red snapper with smoked cheddar grits and sugar snap tomato bacon salsa and sushi with fois gras are just examples of what to find the inventive menu. You’re going to want to RSVP for this spot. But if you ignore this advice and just pop in, then at last head to the bar while you wait, and make it an Edison’s signature cocktail, which features fire from Lima a cilantro-infused Fontana Pisco, lime juice, jalapeño simple syrup, and egg whites. Photo via Edison
Ulele 1810 N Highland Ave, Tampa, (813) 999-4952 Tampa Heights’ Ulele focuses on native Florida ingredients and flavors, with visually appealing dishes. Prepared on a round 10’ barbacoa grill, popular dishes like alligator hush puppies and tomahawk pork chops are local faves on the menu. Diners can soak up the scenic view of a natural spring while sipping on a drink from the in house brewery. Photo via Google
Boulon Brasserie 1001 Water St, Tampa, (813) 768-9988 Boulon Brasserie is a brand spankin’ new innovative dining experience within downtown Tampa’s Water Street development. Featuring modern interpretations of French classics, the menu spans breakfast, lunch and dinner, and features seafood-inspired dishes like lobster pot pie, cornmeal fried oysters, and scallop risotto. The space includes a restaurant, cafe, and a full bar. Take a look at the craft cocktail menu, which features speciality drinks like the Tour De France, a blend of banana liqueur, fennel shrub, hard cider, and calvados. Photo via Next Level Brands
Rooster & The Till 6500 N Florida Ave, Tampa, (813) 374-8940 A 72-seat, award-winning establishment with an always-evolving menu and wine list, Rooster & The Till is perfect for adventurous diners looking to be challenged by new flavors. The menu contains elements from Southeast Asia, Latin America and the Levant. Led by 2018 James Beard semi-finalist Chef Ferrell Alvarez and his longtime business partner and friend, Ty Rodriguez. One of the highlights at this concept is the six-course tasting menu, featuring halibut cheeks, wagyu striploin and mille-feuille. Photo via Google Maps
The Helm: Provisions & Coastal Fare 7736 Blind Pass Rd, St Pete Beach, (727) 363-4356 The Helm:Provisions & Coastal Fare is the perfect place to unwind by the beach and enjoy their abundant seafood selections. There is a raw bar where diners can indulge in a variety of oysters as well as clams, crab Louie and a shrimp cocktail. Grab a crafted drink like a The Loose Cannon which is tequila, St Germain and lime at the bar and enjoy the St. Pete beach breeze. Photo via The Helm Provisions & Coastal Fare
Forbici Modern Italian 1633 W Snow Ave, Tampa, (813) 251-8001 In Hyde Park Village, executive Chef Jason Saldutti, serves up Roman-style pie varieties, Italian tapas, salads, grain bowls, and entrees to provide a modern interpretation of traditional Italian dishes. Guests can choose between either a 24-inch Teglia or 12-inch Tonda pizza with a variety of toppings. On the drink menu craft brews, cocktails and wines on tap, are the highlights. The boulevard outside provides plenty to keep your eyes occupied while you wait for a table. Photo via Google Maps
On Swann 1501 W Swann Ave, Tampa, (813) 251-0110 Hyde Park Village’s On Swann is led by well known Chef Chris Ponte, and features a contemporary American menu highlighting lamb meatballs, steak frites and short rib. The bar menu includes an impressively large and creative array of craft cocktails. Try the Spring Awakening, which comes with a blend of peach & honeysuckle infused Brooklyn gin, white jasmine, sage, vanilla essence and lemon. Photo via On Swann Credit: Photo via On Swann
Ella’s Americana Folk Art Cafe 5119 N Nebraska Ave, Tampa, (813) 234-1000 In the heart of Seminole Heights, Ella’s is a Sunday brunch institution, and comes with a full American comfort menu, including favorites like the Seminole Heights Strong, a pan seared, butter basted chicken breast stuffed with parmesan, mushroom & garlic confit, served with fettuccini alfredo and the classic Good Burger, a veggie burger with sweet mustard, guacamole, lettuce, tomato & fried onions. The expansive bar includes craft and barrel aged cocktails, a collection of over 100 rare and small batch bourbons, and locally sourced craft and classic beers. Photo via Ella’s Americana Folk Art Cafe/Facebook
Best Steakhouse Winner: Bern’s Steak House Runners-up: Council Oak Steaks & Seafood, Rococo Steak Photo via Bern’s Steak House/Facebook
Koya 807 W Platt St, Tampa, (813) 284-7423 Koya is an intimate 8-seat tasting-menu-only experience by the folks behind Noble Rice. Diners can expect 7-9 courses including raw and cooked dishes, featuring luxuries like bluefin tuna and uni that are flown in weekly from a market in Kagoshima, Japan. Plan to be there for at least two hours. Photo via Google Maps Credit: Photo via Koya
Credit: LingrRestaurant/Facebook

Best Vegan Restaurant

Good Intentions
Finalists: Golden Dinosaurs,The Green Table Credit: Photo via Good Intentions
Esposito’s Italian Restaurant And Bar 14306 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, (813) 769-9098 You know it’s a legit Italian restaurant when just about everyone here is Italian, and there’s a line out the door. Evening crowds at Esposito’s can stack up early, and for good reason. Pull up to the bar and grab a drink while you wait and peep the menu, which has plenty of “buono” picks, like veal chop varsalona, parmigiana, and scallops sambuca. Photo via Trip’s Diner/Facebook

Sushi Sho Rexley

214 2nd St. N, St. Petersburg
Michelin ranking: Recommended
”This omakase-only spot features two options: a signature menu with a few more appetizers or a smaller menu with a tighter focus. No matter your choice, nigiri is the heart of a meal here, with standouts like koji fermented ora king salmon.”
Photo via Google Maps
Allelo 300 Beach Dr NE #128, St. Petersburg, (727) 851-9582 Allelo, an upscale Mediterranean restaurant with a plates-meant-to-be-shared philosophy has a packed menu with influences from the Aegean Sea. Dishes like grilled octopus, East Coast oysters, smoked fish spread, and build-your-own charcuterie spreads are some of the highlights. On the drink menu there will be a variety of wines from both the U.S. and regions surrounding the Mediterranean and craft cocktails. There’s plenty of people watching to be had on Beach Drive while you wait. Photo via Google Maps
Bin6South 330 6th St S, St. Petersburg, (727) 498-6735 Bin6South is an intimate tasting bar and wine cellar with extravagant and colorful small plates from chefs Freddie Gentile and David Canady. There is a rotating seasonal menu, with fun takes on braised chicken ravioli with basil and fennel brulee and white wine sauce and beef tri tip. Photo via Kyla Fields
Red Mesa Cantina 128 3rd St S, St. Petersburg, (727) 896-8226 With Mexican cuisine at heart, Red Mesa Cantina blends Latin and Caribbean traditional flavors to create a menu full of ceviches, tacos, and small plate classics like Mahi A La Plancha and Anticuchos De Pollo. A favorite among St. Pete locals for not only the food but the scenic views from the courtyard and extensive tequila selections. A Diamond in the Rough crafted with Red Mesa exclusive Maestro Dobel Diamante Tequila, Giffard Pamplemousse, a touch of sugar, lemon juice, Malbec float is one of many enticing cocktails. Photo via Google Credit: Photo via Red Mesa
Trips’ Diner 6416 N Florida Ave, Tampa, (813) 533-1900 Trip’s Diner is a classic neighborhood restaurant that not only comes with a built-in crowd waiting outside on the sidewalk, it also offers a variety of greasy spoon favorites. All-day breakfast is the main event here, but besides breaky, salads, sandwiches, meatloaf, pasta, chicken and more can be found on the menu. Photo via Trip’s Diner/Facebook