Best Date Night Spots in Tampa
I’ve lived in Tampa Bay my entire life and I am certainly what one would call a “foodie”. My husband and I are always on the hunt for the best food, but tend to frequent our favorite places. Here are my top 10 date night spots for you & your significant other in Tampa Bay.
Texas De Brazil - This is a popular restaurant in Tampa Bay known for it’s all you can eat menu- they offer many different types of steak, chicken, pork, and lamb chops - alongside a beautiful salad bar that has endless options with a wide variety of cheeses, scalloped potatoes, and my favorite- the lobster bisque. The atmosphere is very romantic and gives a very classy vibe, offering a nice array of seating either inside, or outside with a nice water-front view. I do enjoy dressing up to come here for birthdays or anniversary dinners. The server will provide you with a coaster that has green on one side, and red on the other. As long as the green side is facing up on your table- they will continue to bring over every possible meat choice. Just turn the coaster over to red when you’ve reached your fill. Don’t forget to try the fried bananas that the server drops off at your table, they are scrumptious. If you’re in the mood for a drink, I’d recommend a pitcher of red sangria. The sangria is a nice mix of red wine and sweet fruit juice, and is perfect to share.
Armature Works - Armature Works is one of my favorite places in Tampa because of its convenient location on the RiverWalk. This building was an old factory warehouse that has since been transformed into a modern space filled with a variety of restaurants, eateries, and bars. It’s like a shopping mall, but full of food and drink. There are so many options, like birria tacos, ramen, sushi burritos, vegan options, and more! There is definitely something for everyone and just walking around, looking at all the menus is half of the fun. Once you’ve gotten your food, you can venture outside to the beautiful scenery that is Tampa Bay. Armature Works is always full of social events and puts out a calendar monthly of what will be going on, such as yoga sessions on the lawn, monthly farmers markets, and even cooking classes. I personally love to roller skate along the RiverWalk and end up cooling off with a drink at Armature. The vibes are immaculate.
Cooper's Hawk - If you are a wine connoisseur, look no further. This is an upper scale restaurant that has the best options for a delicious wine pairing in the area, making this one an excellent date night. They create their own bottles of wine and even have a wine subscription if you are interested (the Sweet Red is a must try). I like to get the wine flight and try four different glasses, it’s the best bang for your buck. Along with the unique craft wine, don’t forget the food menu. Food wise, my husband and I come here specifically for the Bruschetta appetizer, and Parmesan Crusted Filet Mignon. Honestly, you can’t go wrong with a night out at Cooper’s Hawk.
Columbia Restaurant - Located in Ybor City, this restaurant is famous for being the oldest restaurant in Florida. The Columbia Restaurant has been around since 1905 and has an amazing Spanish - Cuban menu and even better live entertainment. The dark lit rooms and candlelit table is so romantic, making this traditional spanish restaurant a huge hit for date night. You’ll want to make your reservation ahead of time and coordinate so that you are seated in time for the Flamenco dance show, because what is better than food and a show! Once again, the pitcher of sangria is a must, as it’s been voted the best sangria in Tampa for a reason. The history of this restaurant alone is enough to make the effort to visit. Don’t forget to take a few Instagram photos in front of the beautiful architecture and artwork along the walls outside.
Zukku Sushi - My favorite sushi in Tampa. This chain has two locations, one at Armature Works, and also one in Wesley Chapel. I prefer the Wesley Chapel location as it’s a new sit-down restaurant with a full menu of asain cuisine like fresh sushi, fried rice, noodles, and delicious cocktails. This restaurant has a more casual vibe but is easily a great option for date night if you’re craving fresh, creative sushi rolls. The service is great and my husband and I are always impressed. Pro Tip: order the mussels! If you’re looking for a quick sushi burrito and not a whole sit-down moment, then the Armature location would be great for you.
Jubao Noodle Palace - Okay now, this might be my favorite restaurant on this list. The Noodle Palace is located at the HardRock Casino and is a MUST TRY. The line is typically very long, but trust me, we are waiting for a reason and it does go by fast! The Noodle Bar has the best pho and crab rangoons I’ve ever tried, and no, I’m not exaggerating. My husband orders the beef fried rice, and I order the seafood pho; we end up sharing both dishes because it’s all just so delicious. The service is so quick and the food is cooked essentially right in front of you. The portion sizes are huge, making it perfect to either share, or end up taking home leftovers. A huge plus is that they are open until 4AM, so basically, when you get lost in the sauce of gambling, head on over to Juboa’s and end your night with the best noodles ever.
Jackson’s Bistro and Bar - Jackson’s will always hold a sentimental place in my heart. This is because my husband and I came here for dinner just before getting engaged. This restaurant is seafood based and is located right on Tampa Bay. The view of the water and yachts is genuinely unforgettable, so make sure you request seating on the patio. In addition to the view, the fresh seafood and cocktails are just a plus. I also love that after you’ve eaten, you can stroll down the steps just outside and continue walking along the water for a romantic ending to your evening. I recommend the Pan-Seared Grouper topped with Crab, or Blackened Salmon Salad.
M. Bird - If you’re looking for drinks and appetizers with a view- this is the place for you. This rooftop restaurant and bar is definitely on the pricier side, but I will say, the view of the Riverwlk from above is breathtaking- especially during sunset. This rooftop bar is located on the top of Armature Works and the atmosphere screams of expensive taste and fancy booze. The deck has a lot of areas to sit or stand along the railing to get that optimal view if you are just coming for a drink and not sitting to eat off of the full menu, but keep in mind, it tends to get crowded during the weekend. The craft cocktail menu is certainly unique and the drinks themselves are very “Instagrammable”. I would highly recommend this spot for a first date, or parent’s night out.
OLIVIA - Perfect for birthdays or anniversaries, this higher end Italian restaurant has a classy and elegant vibe with a classic menu that stands out compared to others in the area. This is a great place to dress up and go out with your man, or the girls. Their appetizers like the charcuterie board and calamari should not be overlooked. The menu has many great options so I spent a lot of time deciding what I wanted to order because everything looked so good! For entrees, I recommend the Cacio De Peppe, or the infamous Squid Ink Pasta. Also, if it’s your birthday, they give you the CUTEST mini birthday cannoli. Who doesn’t love a cannoli?
Sparkman Wharf - Sparkman Wharf is located in Channelside on Tampa Bay and is definitely a stop that needs to be added to your list if you’ve never been. This fun and lively area in Channelside has a variety of outdoor vendors with food options ranging from: fish n chips (my fav), vegetable dumplings & boba, yummy fresh acai bowls, and homemade ice cream. There are a few restaurants and shops also located in this area, including a bowling alley, and overall is a really chill spot to grab a bite and some drinks. There is a lawn spot with a jumbo screen, chairs, and giant chess for optimal entertainment. This place is especially popular during hockey season, as all of Tampa Bay come out and watch the Lightning games on the lawn.
