The 25 hottest restaurants in Tampa Bay right now

Tampa Bay's restaurant scene is popping off. From new cocktail bars to date-night eateries, to waterfront fish shacks, there are plenty of ways to expand your palette. What follows are a few Tampa Bay spots that are either brand-spankin' new, have all new menus, updated facilities, or just received some well-deserved praise.

Scroll down to view images

Sophia's Cucina & Enoteca

2349 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-440-7764
Sophia’s has stirred up a good deal of praise since its grand opening back in May, receiving a 4-star rating from our food critic here at CL Tampa. Sophia’s extensive menu of classic-meets-modern Italian dishes is a new favorite on the Central Avenue drag. In addition to the pastas and antipastas, this date-night-ready restaurant features a significant wine list. After all, Sophia’s is owned by the same couple behind Lolita’s Wine Market.

Photo via Jenna Rimensnyder

Salt Shack On The Bay

5415 W. Tyson Ave., Tampa, 813-444-4569
Sitting waterfront on Gandy Bridge, Salt Shack On The Bay offers seasonal seafood, as well as draft beers, frozen daiquiris and craft cocktails with freshly squeezed OJ. This latest boat-up/drive-up concept opening held its grand opening on July first with two bars on site and a "shipwrecked" boat perfect for a Facebook check-in or nautical Instagram. Must-go spot for some sunset views.

Photo via Salt Shack On The Bay/Facebook

King of the Coop

6607 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, 813-232-2667
Owner Joe Dodd received so much positive feedback from his King of the Coop sandwich at his Armature Works restaurant, Soul Food Street Kitchen, that he decided to open this joint in honor of its popular namesake. Since opening back in April, King of the Coop has been regularly selling out of its Nashville hot chicken delights, so if you want to give it a try, come early and come hungry.

Photo via King of the Coop/Facebook

Forbici Modern Italian

1633 W. Snow Ave., Tampa, 813-251-8001
Forbici Modern Itallian filled Hyde Park’s desperate need of a pizza joint with its opening in mid-June. In addition to its Roman-stye pizzas, Forbici a full menu of pasta, antipastas, salads, entree plates and gluten-free pizza and pasta options upon request. If you have time to hang, craft brews, cocktails and wines are on tap.

Photo via Forbici Modern Italian/Facebook

M. Bird

1903 Market St., Tampa, 813-296-2702
Another 4-star review from our CL critic, the popular Armature Works resident, M. Bird’s 21-and-up deco-inspired, rooftop bar features a lounge and outdoor space overlooking the riverfront and cityscape. Not entirely new, M. Bird opened its doors in March of this year, serving cocktails and Caribbean/Mediterranean-inspired dishes created by Chef Jessica Frazier.

Photo via m.bird_tampa/Instagram

Join the Creative Loafing Tampa Bay Press Club

At a time when local-based reporting is critical, support from our readers is essential to our future.

Tags:

Related Slideshows

Food & Drink

Foraging Florida: 23 Tampa Bay plants you didn't know you could eat

Residents of Florida are no stranger to the state’s different fruit seasons, where trees in almost every neighborhood bear loads of fleshy,…

By Kyla Fields, Ray Roa

Nov 15, 2023

Common persimmon
Diospyros virginiana grows in the hardwood forests, coastal stands and flooded woodland of Florida (but not in the Keys). Fruits on the female trees turn orange when ripe—and are used in puddings, smoothies, jams and more—but don’t eat the unripe fruits since Roger L. Hammer says they “may create a blockage in the upper intestines and require surgical removal.”
Photo via TamaraHarding/Adobe

25 slides

Food & Drink

Tampa’s inaugural BBQ Love Fest raises funds for three nonprofits next weekend

The phrase “cooking for a cause” takes many forms, but one Tampa native has launched a philanthropic event that combines his passion…

By Kyla Fields

Nov 6, 2023

The Brisket Shoppe’s Danny Hernandez at his shop in West Tampa on Nov. 3, 2023.

23 slides

Food & Drink

All the specials happening during Tampa Bay Burger Week 2023 (Nov. 2-12)

Each year, Creative Loafing Tampa Bay teams up with dozens of local bars and restaurants to offer foodies a variety of unique…

By CL Staff

Nov 3, 2023

Walk-Ons Bistreaux
Locations in Midtown Tampa and Wesley Chapel
Cheeseburger Sliders: We are featuring our cheeseburger sliders off of our winning Best of the Bay-winning Happy Hour menu. These 3 delicious hand-pattied burgers have American cheese, ketchup, pickles and are served on a fresh brioche bun. ($8)
Photo courtesy of Walk-Ons Bistreaux

47 slides

Food & Drink

Here's where to find Underberg, the small bottle that packs a big punch, in Tampa Bay

Oktoberfest celebrations have already wrapped up, but it still seems as good a time as any to give the spotlight to Underberg,…

By Jourdan Ducat

Oct 25, 2023

Underberg is a storied German digestif that is typically used to settle the stomach after a large meal.

16 slides

Food & Drink

20 Tampa Bay Filipino restaurants and eateries everyone should try at least once

Filipino American History Month (stylized as "FAHM") happens each October, and we’d like to highlight businesses throughout Tampa Bay that specialize in…

By Kyla Fields

Oct 24, 2023