The 25 most hard-to-get restaurant tables in Tampa Bay that are totally worth it

Ella's Americana Folk Art Cafe

5119 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa, 813-234-1000
Sundays are a no-go if you can’t handle a wait - but they’re Soul food Sunday menu will make you change your ways.

Photo via Ella’s Americana Folk Art Cafe/ Facebook

Ichicoro Ramen

5229 N. Florida Ave., Tampa
This small restaurant makes it tough to get a table, but the crowd is willing to wait for their fat ramen bowls and their perfectly fried karaage.

Photo via Ichicoro/ Instagram

Ichicoro Ane

260 1st Ave. S., St. Pete, 727-300-0281
This fairly new sister restaurant of Ichicoro Ramen, is always packed - and for good reason. With a wide variety of offerings, from burgers to ramen, it’ll please the pickiest of eaters.

Photo via Ichicoro Ane/ Instagram

h3>Piccola Italia Bistro 2140 W Dr Martin Luther King Jr Blvd, Tampa, 813-348-4912
A small, rustic Italian bistro that is super low-key and serving up pasta dishes that are worth the carb-overload. Sneak in early for a seat, or do some jumping jacks to make room in your stomach while you wait.

Photo via Piccola’s/ Facebook

Rooster & the Till

6500 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, 813-374-8940
Necessary dining destination with the James Beard semifinalist chef, Ferrell Alvarez. You’ll want to place your trust in the professionals and just order the Chef’s Tasting Menu. Basically, you’re letting the kitchen decide, and it’ll be the best decision you’ve made in a while.

Rooster & The Till/ Facebook

Agave Lounge

6400 Gulf Blvd. St. Pete Beach, 727-367-3448
This small place makes it hard for seating, but supplies some of the best margaritas and tacos on the beach. Authentic, and they pour heavy, what more could you ask for?

Photo via Google Maps

Brick & Mortar

539 Central Ave. St. Pete, 727-822-6540
Serving up seasonal dishes, this place is a hotspot on Central. American-fare with craft brews that you can grab and enjoy outdoor seating.

Photo via Brick & Mortar/ Facebook

Hotel Bar

200 N. Tampa St., Tampa, 813-533-2650
Gorgeous decor with craft cocktails that you’ll want to grab a seat and enjoy. Join them for their popular Happy Hour, Monday through Friday from 4pm-6pm for drink specials and half-priced bites.

Photo via Hotel Bar/ Facebook

Bern's Steakhouse

1208 S. Howard Ave., Tampa, 813-251-242421
Definitely a fine dining establishment, you need to make a reservation at this spot, no questions asked - and not the day before. If you need your steak fix, grab a seat at the bar and order a steak sandwich.

Photo credit Bern’s Steakhouse/ Instagram

Noble Rice

807 W. Platt St., Tampa, 813-284-7423
Serving up some of the most beautiful creations in the Tampa Bay area, you'll want to score a seat during their limited hours. Heads up, they stop seating 30 minutes prior to closing. Open from 5 p. - 10p.m. Sunday through Thursday and open until 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Photo via Noble Rice/ Facebook

Engine No. 9

56 Dr. MLK. Jr. St. N., St. Pete, 727-623-0938
Dinner is always jumpin’, so keep an eye on the chalkboard that your name is on to make sure when something opens up, you can slide in. Sriracha wings and bomb burgers are the way to go.

Photo via Engine No. 9/ Facebook

On Swann

1501 W. Swann Ave., Tampa, 813-251-0110
These Hyde Park locals are all over On Swann. You’ll want to swing by for a classy drink and bite, but end up having to make a few laps around the neighborhood for a table.

Photo via On Swann/Facebook

Cooper's Hawk Winery

4110 W. Boy Scout Blvd., Tampa, 813-873-9463
The end of the month, this place fills up with those trying to use their Wine Club Rewards - so be wary of the date when you’re trying to meet your Wine Down Wednesday needs.

Photo via Cooper’s Hawk/ Facebook

American Social

601 S. Harbour Island Blvd. #107, Tampa, 813-605-3333
The full-service restaurant offers up ample outdoor seating with incredible views of the water. Make it a date night or brunch with a view. Either way, make a reservation ahead of time.

Photo via American Social/ Facebook

Datz

2616 MacDill Ave., Tampa, 813-831-7000
This brunch crowd is wild. Definitely a dining-must if you need to liven up your Instagram feed with some picturesque dishes. Burgers made with glazed donuts for buns? Duh.

Photo via Datz/ Facebook

Jackson's Bistro Bar & Sushi

2601 S. Harbour Island Blvd., Tampa, 813-277-0112
Right on the water on Harbour Island, definitely grab a dragon roll and snag up their sushi specials.

Jackson's Bistro Bar & Sushi/ Facebook

Rocco's Tacos and Tequila Bar

2223 N. West Shore Blvd., Tampa, 813-800-8226
With table side guac, you’ll want to wait for a table to get a bite. Grab that, and some margaritas and you’ll have the one of the best mall dining experiences.

Photo via Rocco's Tacos and Tequila Bar/ Facebook

Ulele

1810 N. Highland Ave., Tampa, 813-999-4952
Great views wherever you are able to get a table. Spring for the Barry’s Tomahawk Pork Chop which is served with guava demi-glaze, twice-baked potato, butter whipped mashed potato baked with cheese and chargrilled corn topped with Gulf bowfin caviar.

Photo via Ulele/ Facebook

HEW Parlor & Chophouse

453 Edgewater Dr., Dunedin, 727-683-5999
Spankin’ new, this chophouse is located inside of the Fenway Hotel. You can’t miss the sunset while having a drink at the rooftop bar.

Photo via Fenway Hotel/ Instagram

Clear Sky on Cleveland

418 Cleveland St., Clearwater, 727-754-7244
The Clearwater crowd loves Clear Sky, and this is one of the more popular locations of the restaurant. Indulge with a big group so you can sample the menu of oysters, tuna nachos and lamb kabobs.

Photo via Clear Sky on Cleveland/ Facebook