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Best Restaurants In Tampa For Special Occasions

Do you like to go out for special occasions? Whether it be birthdays, anniversaries, or just looking for a new dining experience, going out in Tampa leaves you with a…

Best Restaurants In Tampa For Special Occasions
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Do you like to go out for special occasions? Whether it be birthdays, anniversaries, or just looking for a new dining experience, going out in Tampa leaves you with a lot of options. This list has all of the best restaurants in Tampa to visit for any special occasion.

There's a lot to factor when choosing your go-to restaurant. The ambiance, cuisine, price, and location are all big components. Whether you're looking for something casual, or want to indulge in fine dining, Tampa has a variety of places to choose from. Some of the places on this list are great for romantic date nights, others have a better vibe for going out with friends. We got this inspiration from Stacker. Their full list of highest-rated restaurants in Tampa consists of 30 places using rankings from Tripadvisor. We condensed that list to the top 13 highest-rated restaurants. You may notice that we left out some Tampa classics like Bern's Steak House or Eddie V's. Don't get us wrong, those places are great, but there are many other restaurants in Tampa to include that aren't impossible to get a table at and won't break the bank. No matter where you pick, we recommend making a reservation to avoid any long wait times.

If this list is making you hungry, you can also check out the newest restaurants in Tampa and what's coming in 2024.

These are the top 11 highest-rated restaurants for special occasions in Tampa

Elevage

Located at 1207 S Howard Ave, Tampa, FL 33606. You can find them tucked inside of the Epicurean Hotel. Their menu pulls from several different cultures such as Mediterranean, Asian and more.

Bavaro's Pizza Napoletana & Pastaria

Because... Who doesn't love pizza?

Located at 514 N Franklin St Suite 101, Tampa, FL 33602

Jackson's Bistro Bar & Sushi

If you're looking to celebrate with a waterfront view, we recommend Jackson's Bistro! They have everything you could want on their menu and refreshing cocktails to go with it!

Located at 601 S Harbour Island Blvd Suite 100, Tampa.

Donatello Italian Restaurant

This seductive Italian restaurant has a romantic ambiance and live music 7 days a week! You can find them at 232 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL

Haven

Alright, so we weren't listing Bern's but does their sister store count? Haven has all the delicious food and great vibes to celebrate your special occasion.

Located at 2208 W Morrison Ave, Tampa

Oxford Exchange

Oxford Exchange is that place you go to in Tampa when you want to feel ~fancy~

Located at 420 W Kennedy Blvd, Tampa

Boulon Brasserie

Boulon Brasserie is Water Streets newest addition. We haven't been there yet but have only heard good things about it! It also seems like a perfect spot for a date night.

Located at 1001 Water St, Tampa, FL

Ulele

If you celebrate any occasion at Ulele, they will make sure to feel like your the star of the show! It's always a nice touch to go walk the riverwalk or watch the sunset after dinner.

Located at 1810 N Highland Ave, Tampa

Bella's Italian Cafe

Bella's has some of the most underrated Italian food in Tampa. They also have weekly specials and a late night happy hour!

Located at 1413 S Howard Ave Ste 100, Tampa

Ocean Prime

If you want the freshest seafood in Tampa Bay, head to Ocean Prime. This is a great spot for date night, girls night out, a work celebration or anything in between!

Located at 2205 N Westshore Blvd, Tampa

Ciro's

If you want to really wow your date, take them to one of the best speakeasy's in Tampa. Ciro's has a very intimate setting and a menu full of delicious cocktails and shareable meals. The perfect spot for any date night.

Located at 2109 Bayshore Blvd, Tampa

Jen was born and raised in the Tampa Bay area. She’s been with Beasley Media Group since 2022. In her spare time, you can find her at Tampa Bay Lightning games, Tampa Bay breweries, or the beach. Catch up on Jen’s content about the highest-rated restaurants/bars in Tampa, things-to-do around the area, and upcoming concerts.