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.
The 25 most beautiful restaurants in the Tampa Bay area
By CL Staff on Fri, Jun 14, 2019 at 7:18 pm
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On Swann
1501 W. Swann Ave., Tampa, 813-251-0110Without 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/Facebook
Bodega
5901 N. Florida Ave. Tampa, 813-533-3333Bodega’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/Facebook
Columbia Restaurant
2025 E. 7th Ave. Tampa, 813-248-4961With 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.com
CW’s Gin Joint
633 N. Franklin St., Tampa, 813-816-1446Were 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.com
Datz
2616 S. Macdill Ave. Tampa, 813-831-7000With 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.com
Forbici
1633 W. Snow Ave., Tampa, 813-251-8001Forbici’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/Facebook
Mise en Place Restaurant
Grand Central Place, 442 W. Kennedy Blvd. #110, Tampa, 813-254-5373Mise en Place is serving up modern American cuisine in a comfortable yet luxurious indoor atmosphere with access to the waterfront deck.
Photo via miseonline.com
Mole Y Abuela
1202 N. Franklin St., Tampa, 813-370-1000Mole 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 Abuela
American Social Bar and Kitchen
601 S. Harbour Island Blvd. #107, Tampa, 813-605-3333Filled 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/Facebook
Oxford Exchange
420 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, 813-253-0222Oxford 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.com
Nueva Cantina
4918 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa, 813-831-1101Although 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.com
RumFish Grill
6000 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach, 727-329-1428Rumfish 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/Facebook
The Library
600 5th St. S., St. Petersburg, 727-369-9969Inspired 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/Instagram
Jackson's Bistro, Bar & Sushi
601 S. Harbour Island Blvd., Tampa, 813-277-0112Lit 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/Facebook
The Spaniard
5303 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, 813-289-1950Succulents 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/Facebook
Ulele
1810 N. Highland Ave. Tampa, 813-999-4952In 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/Facebook
Dough
2602 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa, 813-902-1979Dough 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.com
Dr. BBQ
1101 1st Ave. S., St. Petersburg, 727-443-7227CAPTION - 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/Facebook
The C House
6005 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, 813-488-4813Built 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 Weiner
Whiskey Cake Kitchen and Bar
2223 N. Westshore Blvd. B207, Tampa, 813-535-9955Whiskey 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 Cake
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