Doctors’ clinical schedules can be hectic and overloaded. Some of us find hobbies to help de-stress our lives a few times a week. Golfing, fishing and tennis tend to be the top contenders. We have taken a very different route. For the last 4 years, our hobby has been to explore the ever-changing gastronomic scene in the Tampa Bay area. We created @tastearoundtampa to help these two hungry doctors taste the best restaurants and bars Tampa has to offer. From Tampa to Valrico to Riverview, our city is becoming a culinary mecca. Let us take you through a journey of some of our favorite spots. They are just what the doctors ordered.

Modern meets traditional steak house is the best way describe Donovan’s Meatery. If you live in the area, there is no need to drive to town to enjoy an upscale dining experience and mouth-watering steaks. Come for the early happy hour drinks and try some of the best-crafted cocktail menu in the area. From Flatbreads to seafood to smoked meats, what are your taste buds craving tonight?

Doctors’ Orders: Donovan’s Old Fashioned, Chargrilled Burrata Toast & Lacquered Delmonico

This modern-meets-traditional Irish pub is here to stay! They pay tribute to Irish classics with their own modern twist. Perfectly custom cocktails are not what you expect in an Irish pub, but they excel at it. Food ranges from traditional bar food favorites to mussels and potato cakes. They have two great locations in Tampa Heights and Brandon.

Doctors’ Orders: Fitzgerald’s Cousin and Chicken & Chutney sandwich

With 29 breweries to choose from in Hillsborough County, this Nano brewery really stands out with one of the best beer selections in town. Bullfrog Creek Brewing takes pride in offering regulars and visitors alike something they will enjoy. They have plenty of IPAs, ambers or stouts to choose from. So grab a brew flight and enjoy it in their large dog-friendly outdoor area. Don’t leave without trying their food truck, serving appetizers, sandwiches and burgers.

Doctors’ orders: Shakin’ in the Mangrooves

One of our favorite modern Italian restaurants in Tampa is Olivia. Chef Chris Ponte creates a diverse array of Italian favorites that are sure to please even the more demanding palate. Crafted cocktails, freshly made pasta and an extensive wine selection are some of the highlights. If brunch is your thing, make sure you try their weekend brunch. It is just amazing!

Doctors’ Orders: Chicken & Doughn-affle

Conveniently located in North Hyde Park, Rome and Fig Global Bistro brings the world to your table. Their intimate, yet casual atmosphere is the perfect setting to taste their locally sourced menu created by Chef Ryan Liauppa. Many years of industry experience are showcased in perfectly mastered classics. Soon enough, you’ll feel like a local as Eric and Kristine always welcome you with a smile. Doctors’ Orders: Bison Meatballs

If you are looking for an upscale neighborhood wine bar, look no further. Cru Cellars is the perfect combination of cozy and friendly. They offer an extensive wine list, tastefully curated menu and mouthwatering cheese platters. The “Cru Crew” is one of the most attentive and knowledgeable staff in the area. How much they enjoy serving you is just palpable. You must try all of the locations (Armature Works, Palma Ceia and Westshore Marina District) as each of them offer different and delicious dining experiences.

Doctors’ Orders: Confit Duck + Wine Flights

When it comes to ice cream, nobody does it better than Chill Bros in Tampa. The Chillura siblings reinvented the art of ice cream, putting their own twist on this classic dessert. They take pride in using the best ingredients and showcasing the flavors that make up Tampa Bay. You won’t find more interesting and innovating flavors and combinations anywhere else in town, and you’ll be coming back for more.

Doctors’ Orders: Guava Pastelito

As soon as you step inside their beautifully decorated house-turn-restaurant, you’ll be transported to friendly neighborhood in Greece. Get ready to savor a food menu fit for the gods. With a variety of entrees to choose from you will surely want to go back to try them all. Perfect spot for lunch, but also visit them for breakfast, or brunch. Don’t forget to try their bakery and coffee shop!

Doctors’ Orders: Greek Chick and Pathos

A local favorite, Pané Rustica is a restaurant and artisan bakery featuring handcrafted baked goods, savory lunch items and enticing dinners. Lunchtime customers can choose from hearth-baked pizza, sandwiches and salads in a casual atmosphere. In the evening, the menu and service style elevate to fine dining, serving unique wood-fired entrées, appetizers and small plates.  Located on MacDill Avenue in Tampa.

Welcome to our house…where our passion is great food and your satisfaction is our pleasure. Our Seasoned Chef and skilled culinary team proudly prepare all of our menu items fresh daily and with the finest ingredients. We offer Royal Cup Coffee and Teas, pure-squeezed orange juice along with heart healthy menu selections and homemade hearty soups. Don’t see it on our menu, let us know! You are important to us and we strive to bring you an all-around wonderful dining experience. Located on FishHawk Blvd in Lithia.

Located in the River Hills Plaza off of Lithia Pinecrest Road in Valrico, La Villa is a family owned and operated Mexican restaurant.  Serving lunch and dinner, only the freshest ingredients are used for their authentic Mexican dishes.  Open from 11-8pm daily.

Inspired by their food tours of California… their bowls, tacos, juices and wraps fit any mood, lifestyle or occasion. Their dishes offer antibiotic free chicken and meats, fresh veggies, and high protein options leaving you feeling lighter and healthier. Or, when you’re craving something a little more indulgent… their hand rolled pizzas or locally made cupcakes will hit the spot. They also offer plenty of vegan and gluten friendly creations.  Located in the Winthrop Town Center on Bloomingdale Avenue.

Allegria Italiana Ristorante introduces a contemporary concept along with traditional pasta dishes at affordable prices, from Spaghettini al Pomodoro e Basilico, home-made Gnocchi Sorrentino, Pesto, Formaggi e Spinacci, to Astice and Crab Ravioli in Roasted Garlic Cream Sauce, a fantastic Ossobuco over Saffron Risotto, and many more classic plates. Enjoy a perfect ending with an espresso and some delicious desserts like, Tiramisu, Cannoli and Italian Ricotta Cheesecake. Located on Oakfield Drive in Brandon.

Celebrating over 30 years of truly being an institution here in Valrico, FL, The Brunchery Restaurant welcomes everyone for some truly wonderful homemade style breakfast and lunch options. From their famous “grilled muffins” to one of their many Eggs Benedicts and one of THE BEST Reuben Sandwiches south of New York City. Open 7:30-2 M-F and 7:30-3 on weekends.  Located in the River Hills Plaza off of Lithia Pinecrest Road in Valrico.

FishhawkPizzeria.com

Their goal is to serve the best New York Style pizza and home-cooked dinners, subs, salads, Phillys and wings possible. We provide a clean family friendly environment with a game room for the kids, sports, TV’s, beer and wine for the adults and plenty of smiling faces. They offer dine-in, home delivery and carry out. Located on Lithia Pinecrest Road.

Located at in the Shops of FishHawk, their restaurant offers a wide array of authentic Japanese Food, such as Chicken Teriyaki, Vegetable Teriyaki, Unagi Don, House Platter and Sweetheart Roll.  Stop in for a Japanese Lunch Special or during evenings for a delicious dinner.

Jesse’s has established a solid reputation for its outstanding charbroiled steaks, choice prime rib and Bay Area’s best charbroiled burgers. There’s no compromise on quality. At their restaurant, you are served USDA choice beef only. The finest, freshest and leanest – expertly trimmed.  At Jesse’s fresh is their main ingredient: fresh caught seafood, fresh vegetables, salads and breads. Their soups, sauces and chili are original recipes, fresh made in their own kitchen. So whenever you dine with them, you’re savoring meals prepared with pride.  Located on Brandon Blvd in Brandon. 

Located on Swann Avenue in Hyde Park Village in Tampa, On Swann is Creating contemporary American cuisine that is thoughtfully sourced and features a seasonal menu with local flair. A place for exploring food and drinks.  Together the co-founders have implemented and led the casual dining segment by innovating and pioneering an evolution of high service and high-quality product and by establishing an organization founded on a culture that keeps its people, the customer and the community a priority.

   

Perfectly aged steaks. One of the largest wine collections in the world. An internationally famous dessert room.  These elements have combined since 1956 to provide their guests with a unique culinary experience. Their prime steaks are cut to order, they serve vegetables that are grown locally on the Bern’s farm when available and sourced from the finest purveyors. Each visit to Bern’s Steak House takes you on a gastronomic adventure that defines Bern’s not as a meal but as an experience. Located on South Howard Avenue in Tampa.

Their commitment to quality helped Wright’s create some of the best unique and specialty sandwiches in town. They even had a German baker develop special dough for them and bake it in a big, round pan calling it Bucket Bread, which is used on almost all Wright’s sandwiches to this day. And while Bucket Bread sandwiches have often been imitated, they’ve never been duplicated. Today, Wright’s is widely recognized for its mouthwatering sandwiches, selling hundreds every day.  It’s also famous for its decadent cakes and desserts.  Located on Dale Mabry Hwy in Tampa.

There may be nothing that brings people together as often as food and drink. A daytime affair, The Restaurant serves weekday breakfast and lunch, weekend brunch, and afternoon tea, where guests may be seated in an art-filled dining room with an open kitchen or the sunlit Conservatory, complete with creeping vines and a retractable glass roof. Showcasing continued attention to detail, the menu consists of fresh, seasonal, signature dishes, complemented by an array of premium coffees, teas, and cocktails for a new translation of the classic bistro. The Oxford Exchange also features a bookstore, coffeehouse & shop with decor & gifts.  Located on W. Kennedy Blvd in Tampa.

Crammed in between a dollar store and a Big Lots off Bloomingdale Avenue in Brandon, this bonafide gastropub offers a killer selection of craft beers and wines alongside a menu a few notches above typical bar fare. One can easily confuse Stein and Vine for a swanky Hyde Park hangout, without the drive or price tag.

Three Bulls Tavern & Brewery hopes to be the place where community happens in Bloomingdale. Their passion for food, beer and occasion is why they created the Three Bulls concept. They hope to be the perfect neighborhood gathering place where old friends convene and new ones are made. So stop in on your way home from work, the gym or your kid’s little league game! They’ll have the smoker going and  pouring beer that was brewed right in your backyard! Located on Bell Shoals Road

They specialize in traditional breakfast and lunch fare, with some fresh, funky and innovative twists. They’re a come-as-you-are meeting place where thier mission is to provide you with great food at an affordable price with fast, courteous service. Located in the Publix Shopping Center on FishHawk Crossing Blvd.

Hand picked provisions is an understatement! They have meticulously crafted their menu to reflect a refined, upscale palette. Start with flavorful small plates, an exotic cheese or charcuterie board, a flatbread or just go straight for dessert! They’re certain, no matter what you choose your taste buds will thank you. Located on Hwy 39 in Lithia.

A family-owned restaurant bringing the authentic taste of Vietnam to Riverview.  They combine the freshest ingredients with traditional and contemporary Vietnamese cuisine to created a one of a kind dining experience.  Bring your family and friends to be served by their highly skilled chefs who artfully craft every order to exceed your expectations.  Located on Boyette Road in Riverview.

At Circles Waterfront Restaurant in Apollo Beach, they strive to provide all of their guests with an exceptional dining experience. Their experienced staff, relaxed marina setting, creative menu, and the freshest ingredients all combine to make their vision a reality. They pride themselves on their exacting standards and uncompromising commitment to quality. Located at Lands End Marina in Apollo Beach.

Steelbach is a Southern-inspired kitchen and chophouse offering innovative food paired with timeless flair.  They partner with Florida’s top producers to raise and deliver grass-fed beef and bring a variety of simple, fresh, handpicked flavors to every dish. Located at the Armature Works in Tampa.