15 South Tampa Restaurants For a Fun Night Out

South Tampa is an area of the beautiful city of Tampa, Florida. As such, South Tampa is filled with all kinds of popular bars and restaurants. If you want to find the perfect bar or restaurant for happy hour with the girls, date night, or a night out in South Tampa, you are sure to find what you are looking for on our list.

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1. Datz

Fun cocktails, burgers, and a dog-friendly outdoor space!

2616 S MacDill Ave | Palma Ceia | datztampa.com

Datz comes in at number one on our list —and here’s why. This restaurant boasts a four star rating with over 3,000 reviews on Yelp! They serve a little bit of everything. They’ve been around since 2009 and have built nothing but good will in the decade they’ve had their doors open.

They serve American cuisine, but they serve it in all kinds of creative and unique ways that you are unlikely to encounter in any other establishment.

We highly recommend you take a look at their website if you want to get to know more about them. You can even see all of the publications and television programs they have been featured on!

“This place was highly recommended. Everyone I spoke to before driving down suggested Datz. They did not disappoint. The food was great and the portions were huge. They offer something for every dietary need, so invite your vegan friends.” - Yelp Review

2. Graze

Work hard, brunch harder in this South Tampa restaurant.

2219 S Dale Mabry Hwy | South Tampa | graze1910.com

Graze is one of the best-kept secrets in South Tampa. If you’re looking for some high quality morning favorites or comfort food in the area, look no further. With tons of options—from stacks of chocolate chip pancakes overrun with rivers of syrup to healthy bowls, salads, and sandwiches—you’ll want to graze on a little bit of everything! Rest assured that when you dine at Graze, you’ll leave with a very full, very happy belly.

They serve an excellent breakfast and brunch, and when they aren’t serving that, they are serving a classic American diner menu. They also pride themselves on serving healthy and ethically sourced meals. So not only can you feel good about what you eat at Graze, it’s also healthy and will make you feel good from the healthy ingredients.

“Okay this is an amazing place! Super clean, super bright, and the owner takes huge pride in being on site. They pride themselves on serving the best quality and healthy food ingredients.  The cold brew is really amazing.” - Yelp Review

3. Counter Culture

A modern homage to classic countertop restaurants.

2909 W Bay To Bay Blvd | South Tampa | cc-tampa.com

Counter Culture is going to be kind of exactly what the name implies—it is the chef’s homage to classic counter style dining. This means that you are going to be able to get a lot of the classics you love, but done in a much higher quality and professional manner than you might find at your standard diner.

They boast a four star rating with hundreds of reviews. So you can be confident that they are going to deliver an above average experience.

“Chef Pierola is a genius and Tampa is blessed to have her. This latest venture by the same chef and owner of Edison Food+Drink is brilliant and well conceived. Edison is one of our favorite places in Tampa and now so is Counter Culture.” - Yelp Review

4. OLIVIA

Modern Italian restaurant.

3601 W Swann Ave | South Tampa | oliviatampa.com

OLIVIA has the highest rating from their customers and reviewers out of any of the restaurants in South Tampa. They boast a four and a half star rating with over 500 reviews, which means they are consistently meeting and exceeding their customers’ expectations. OLIVIA is not just another Italian restaurant.

OLIVIA serves modern Italian cuisine that delivers authentic and traditional flavors right to your table. Right in the heart of Tampa, they’ve been around since 2019. In the short time frame they have been around they’ve already generated an impressive amount of goodwill by word of mouth. As long as you are in the mood for Italian, then OLIVIA is going to be one of the best choices for dinner when you are in South Tampa!

“I've been looking for a favorite restaurant to become a regular and thus far Olivia is winning. The vibe is pretty sexy. Can be cute, casual or more dressy. It's a really nice aesthetic. Perfect for date night.” - Yelp Review

5. On Swann

This restaurant offers the best customer service in South Tampa.

1501 W Swann Ave | Hyde Park | onswann.com

This restaurant prides themselves on reimagining the dining game by presenting an evolution of high service and high quality product. It is all backed by an organization that was founded on a culture of caring for its team, each individual guest, and the overall community.

On Swann provides contemporary American cuisine that is thoughtfully and ethically sourced. They feature a seasonal menu with a local flair—you can even check out some of the farms they source their meals from on their website! That level of transparency shows that they take a level of pride in each and every step during meal prep.

“AMAZING dinner at On Swann before heading to the airport. Every bite was delicious, our server Thomas couldn't be any better, and all -- including the friendly people dining around us -- were so nice!! Will definitely be back next time we are in the Tampa area!” - Yelp Review

6. Taco Dirty

Healthy-ish Mexican food…plus they have juices!

2221 W Platt St | SoHo | tacodirty.com

This might be the prettiest Mexican food you ever did see. Why? Because your plate actually comes with some colorful veggies, not just sprinkles of cheese like most Mexican restaurants. What else is this Mexican restaurant doing differently? Here are some things, to name a few: vegan and gluten “very very friendly,” mostly antibiotic and hormone-free meats, local handmade corn tortilla, food made from scratch, and oh yeah, the fresh juices!

This is a quick-service concept, so check out Taco Dirty instead of Chipotle next time you are craving Mexican food in a pinch.

“Such a vegan friendly place! I loved all the vegan options. Aside from the standard rice, black beans, salsa and guacamole, Taco Dirty offers two different types of tofu, buffalo broccoli, Brussels Sprouts and even a cauliflower cheese sauce.” - Yelp Review

7. Luv Child

Modern Cubano restaurant with plant-based options.

516 South Howard Ave | SoHo | luvchildsoho.com

This restaurant is just too cute for words! Everything from the plates of food to the walls decked out in vibrant colors and littered with plants makes the place look amazing. Luv Child in the Soho neighborhood of South Tampa is a restaurant serving modern Cubano, even boasting delicious plant-based dishes. Don’t even think of it as just another restaurant, Luv Child is also an all-day coffee bar, cocktail lounge, and a patio hangout.

“The ambience makes you feel like you just walked into Miami. From the string lights to the link leather chairs and everything in between, you'll want to bring all your girlfriends here for a girls night out!” - Yelp Review

8. 717 South Tampa

Contemporary American fare.

717 S Howard Ave | SoHo | 717south.com

If you want to enjoy a semi-swanky restaurant for your next date night, check out 717 South. This restaurant serves contemporary American fare like charred brussel sprouts, lump crab cake, and soho sake salmon. They also have a variety of delicious cocktails for guests to sip on. Our favorite is the Godiva True Espresso made with a shot of espresso, vanilla and espresso vodka, and light and dark Godiva chocolate. In other words, this is next-level espresso martini.

“This is a little bit pricey, but the food is so worth it! This is by far some of the best food I've had in Tampa! Pleaseee do yourself a favor and buy the Groupon they have for this restaurant.” - Yelp Review

9. Water + Flour

Sushi, bowls, pizza, and pasta.

1015 S Howard Ave | SoHo | waterandfloursoho.com

Sushi, bowls, pizza, and pasta—this restaurant does it all, and they do it well! This is a great spot to go to with a group when everyone wants something different. The Hot and Crunchy Tuna Bowl is definitely one of their menu favorites, but we were drawn to their Plant-Based Mushroom White brick oven pizza most. It’s not often you find pizza with plant-based almond ricotta, truffle oil drizzle, and plant-based mozzarella!

“This was my first time eating at this restaurant and definitely not my last! This place is right in Soho and a perfect walking distance to many more fun bars and restaurants.” - Yelp Review

10. Thee Tree House

A fun indoor-outdoor spot for yummy food and drinks.

1809 W Platt Street | Hyde Park | theetreehouse.com

This South Tampa restaurant offers contemporary eats, but honestly the reason it’s so popular is because of the space itself. Exhibit A: there are actual swings to swing on (or to use for a photo op). And reason number two is their cocktail menu. These cocktails are not your average rum and cokes or vodka sodas. Here you’ll probably be ordering a Spicy Pineapple, a Dragon Berry Peach Mojito, or a White Gummy Bear.

“I loved the vibes of the restaurant. There were some great drink options for brunch. Bottomless Mimosas, mixed drinks, sangria. My friend and I shared a pitcher of mixed berry sangria which was yummy. I will definitely be back.” - Yelp Review

11. CALI

A healthy blend of local flavors at this South Tampa restaurant. 

217 S Dale Marby Hwy| South Tampa | eatatcali.com

CALI is a restaurant founded by Italian immigrants that is inspired by travel and possibilities. The menu is full of the founders’ favorite flavors packed into foods made with whole, fresh, and sustainable ingredients. And everything on the menu can be customized to a customer’s liking! 

There are many great reasons to visit this restaurant. They make all their sauces in house, use antibiotic free farms, and they even provide delicious plant-based meals! Their goal is to provide tasty and nourishing meals that are good for people and the planet. Some of the meals you can find on the menu are California club wraps, Hot honey pizza, and fajita bowls. 

“Food was delicious. This place has a lot of fun options. The service was GREAT! Giovanni was super friendly; not only did he serve us breakfast, he served us some great conversation :)

Good vibes from start to finish.”–Yelp Review

12. District South Kitchen & Craft

Fine dining and good service. 

3301 S Dale Marby Hwy | South Tampa | districtsouthtampa.com

District South Kitchen & Craft is a South Tampa restaurant and bar that aims to connect their community through food and service. They serve dinner, lunch, and brunch. It is a gorgeous venu that will make you feel happy to be there. You’ll find that the atmosphere is just as great as the food!

The menu is filled with all kinds of amazing meals you’ll be glad you got to try. You can order coconut grouper bites, a crab cake burger, and a prime rib melt from the dinner menu. You can get district wings, loaded cheese fries, and a smash burger from the lunch menu, and for brunch, you get to choose from meat lover omelet, okra fries, and quiche salad. 

“Food was amazingly good! The wedge salad with all the dressing paired nicely. The service was fast and attentive. She made sure we had everything and were taken care of. We sat outside with cover over us with flowers all around on the patio. It was really pretty.”– Yelp Review

13. Green Lemon

Delicious Mexican food served with a side of fun!

915 S Howard Ave | South Tampa | eatgreenlemon.com

Green Lemon is a modern Mexican restaurant that is all about serving their food with a side of fun. They have an engaging staff that serves up electric energy with all their interactions. Some of their most popular offerings are a taco trio and quesadillas 

The menu also offers tortilla chips with different dip options like black bean dip and queso. Other available options are burritos, fiesta bowls, and a number of sides. So you can order a carnitas bowl or a carne asada taco with some Mexican rice or plantains on the side. They even sell margarita in small bottles and in large jugs! Try their green lemon margarita or their Soho signature margarita. 

“Tacos a never my go to choice but this place had the vibe and service to match the delicious and flavorful menu, they are extremely vegan friendly and our waitress went above and beyond to make sure my friends order meet her dietary restrictions.”–Yelp Review

14. Byblos

Lebanese cuisine with a Tampa vibe. 

2832 S MacDill Ave | South Tampa | byblostampa.com

Byblos is a restaurant that offers and unifies foods from several different cultures. They offer modern Lebanese and Mediterranean cuisine mixed with a hint of Tampa. They combine fresh food with herbs and spices meant to please everyone who enters. The staff likes to make sure that all their guests have a spectacular experience there, and offer everything from amazing cocktails to creative entrees. 

At Byblos, you will find a lunch, dinner, and brunch menu. You can order chicken shawarma, lentil soup, and kafta burgers for lunch. For dinner, you can get fried calamari, shrimp rigatoni, and lamb chops. They also offer delicious desserts like seasonal gelato and chocolate mousse cake!

“My wife is from Lebanon and boy did we enjoy this restaurant. The food is outstanding (notables that we had include the stuffed grape leaves, falafel, chicken kabob, and the tabouleh). Excellent service as well. And there was belly dancing. Would highly recommend it to anyone interested in Lebanese food. One of the best lebanese restaurants in USA.”– Yelp Review

15. Bayshore Mediterranean Grill 

Flavorful Mediterranean cuisine. 

6102 S MacDill Ave | South Tampa | bayshoremediterraneangrill.com

Bayshore Mediterranean Grill is an authentic Turkish restaurant that serves food the way it should be served. Their chefs have over 30 years of experience and spend their days showing Tampa residents and visitors alike just how great Turkish cuisine can be. Turkish cuisine tends to include ingredients like lamb, rice, fish, eggplants, nuts, and plenty of spices. Any meal you may order will offer you a burst of flavor. 

On the menu, you will find hummus, mediterranean salad, and babaganoush on the appetizer menu. They offer lots of kabob options, which includes adana lamb kabob, chicken shish kabobs, and different blends like chicken shish/lamb adana. They also offer oven baked entrees like ground meat pie and moussaka. Make sure to get some baklava before you leave!

“I'm beyond excited to have found this place. It had been years since I had a good yogurt adana and honestly it is not easy to find this type of Turkish food in the US. The food here is really good, feels like it's homemade, it's fresh and spiced accordingly. The customer service is also very good. Overall I highly recommend it and can't wait to go back.”–Yelp Review

There it is, our list of the best places to eat in South Tampa! There are some genuinely creative places on the list, so we are sure you are going to find something memorable if you decide to dine at any of them. I can assure you that every restaurant on the list has been vetted by the vitriol of the internet and has come out on top! And remember, Tampa is a major hub of commerce and business, so narrowing it down to only the top ten places in South Tampa meant that a lot of great places got left out. But not to worry, you can always check out GiftYa.com to find all the restaurants they offer gift cards for in South Tampa!