Diners' Choice: Lively restaurants in Tampa / Central Florida West

OpenTable

Updated 05 December 2024

Looking for restaurants that have the most vibrant bar scenes in Tampa / Central Florida West? You’re in the right place. Each month, OpenTable analyses nearly 2 million global diner reviews from the past four months. We sort the results by location and category to help you discover new favourite restaurants. It's a great partnership: you book, eat, and review. We listen...and deliver the results for all to benefit. Enjoy!

Byblos Cafe

4.8

4.8 (551)

$31 to $50

Mediterranean

Tampa

About the restaurant

Surprise your senses. Enjoy an upscale yet comfortable & quaint setting. A Restaurant and Bar with an Unmatched Ambiance. A unique South Tampa destination where we combine our Lebanese cuisine with a unique Mediterranean flair.

Top review

Ravit

Dined 6 days ago

Always a great experience! Good atmosphere great service and delicious food 😋

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4.8

4.8 (2461)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Tampa

About the restaurant

Malio's Prime Steakhouse was opened in 1969 by none other than Malio himself providing only the finest hand cut steaks, fresh caught seafood, premium wine and spirits and great service. Today, every individual who walks through the door will still receive the same high level of service, the finest foods and premium wine and spirits at Tampa's newest old premier family owned restaurant.

Top review

vanessa

Dined 2 days ago

Food was absolutely wonderful. Server was absent for most of the time, was not knowledgeable about menu.

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Popular dish

Blackened Scallops

Popular dish

Lobster Macaroni + Cheese

Packard's Steakhouse

4.8

4.8 (712)

$50 and over

Steak

Palm Harbor

About the restaurant

The newly reimagined Packard’s Steakhouse is both upscale and warm, featuring rich layers of finishes that focus on the same earthy tones of the famous Copperhead Golf Course that it overlooks. Named in honor of course architect, Larry Packard, this contemporary setting is open to the public, and offers an enticing new menu featuring the perfect blend of a traditional, fine steakhouse including Petit Filet Mignon, Bone-In Ribeye and Kurobuta Pork Chop, with non-traditional, innovative twists. Patio dining is also available, plus a welcoming bar that offers superb wine selections, a classic martini and unique cocktail creations. Be sure to save room for dessert! Reservations required.

Top review

angela

Dined on 13 Dec 2024

We dined during the holidays and it was decorated so nicely. Great for photos. The service was over the top from start to finish. The food was fantastic and everything was wonderful . We will be back!

Besito Mexican - Tampa

4.8

4.8 (2276)

$30 and under

Mexican

Tampa

About the restaurant

Besito, translated as little kiss, strives to delight guests with the warmth of a private hacienda offering thoughtful details and cuisine. Besito was rated “excellent” by the New York Times with its dramatic eucalyptus-beamed ceiling that embraces all the flavors and festivity of Mexican cuisine. Enjoy fresh, table-side guacamole and over 125 tequilas all straight from Mexico. Visit us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Top review

Michele

Dined 7 days ago

We came to celebrate my moms birthday. The food was excellent and the service was very friendly and efficient.

Cru Cellars Palma Ceia

4.8

4.8 (266)

$30 and under

American

Tampa

About the restaurant

A chef driven, new American menu with house-made small plates, entrées, and the finest selection of artisanal cheese and charcuterie!

Voted Tampa Bay's "Best Wine Bar," for many years, Cru Cellars is happily and obsessively wine focused, with 30+ wines & beers served by the glass in the back wine bar! Sample and taste different wines with our wine flights.

Cru is perfect for groups as well, with a lounge that seats 14, a cozy wine garden that seats 30! Our retail area is great for wine tastings and reception style events up to 60 people.

For groups of 8-12 guests, please call the restaurant directly. For groups of 13+, inquire here --> https://www.crucellars.com/private-events-catering-1

Holiday Hours-
*Christmas Eve-Sun. 12/24
Open for Brunch, Drinks, Retail, Gift Card Sales till 3pm.
*Christmas Day-Mon. 12/25
Closed.
*New Year's Eve-Sun. 12/31
Open for Brunch. Extended Hours for Dinner, Drinks, & Retail till 9pm.
*New Year's Day-Mon. 1/1
Brunch Available Open - 3pm.

Top review

leoVIP

Dined on 8 Dec 2024

Very unique experience. Stall love their jobs. A happy place. Great wines.

Babushka's - Hyde Park

4.8

4.8 (463)

$30 and under

Eastern European

Tampa

About the restaurant

Babushka's - Hyde Park is an authentic Eastern-European restaurant. We provide Classic Russian, Ukrainian and Eastern European plates, caviar bar & infused vodkas served in a dacha-like interior.

Top review

NiceChoiceVIP

Dined 1 day ago

We had our work Christmas and end of year celebration at Babushka’s and everything was wonderful! I had the Curious Salmon which was delish! Others had the Sampler Platter, which samples 4 different Russian dishes. The service was superb!

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4.8

4.8 (138)

$30 and under

Japanese

Largo

About the restaurant

Sushi, dumplings, ramen and udon noodle dishes, as well as other palate awakening recipes; in addition we strive to create weekly specials to surprise and challenge our patrons. Please call for parties larger than 5 to set your reservation. We hope to see you back again soon, until then Be Sekushi!!

Top review

Marci

Dined on 5 Dec 2024

The food was delicious as always! Some good happy hour specials. We always enjoy ourselves there!

Acropolis Greek Taverna - South Tampa

4.8

4.8 (64)

$30 and under

Greek

Tampa

About the restaurant

Acropolis Greek Taverna - South Tampa is located few minutes away from Downtown Tampa.

We specialize in Mediterranean food and fun! Fridays and Saturday nights we have live music and do Zorba dancing performances and plate breaking, all in Greek fun! We offer a wide selection of Mediterranean food from salads and wraps to shish kabobs, fresh seafood, and lamb.

If you would like to experience unique food in a fun and diverse environment along with amazing cocktails and service, make sure to make a reservation right away! Yamas!

We are Honored to be Best of the Bay Award Winner for 2022!

Top review

Michael

Dined 5 days ago

The restaurant is very clean, getting into the parking lot was easy. The service was great. The food was excellent with a party of 5 no problems from anyone.

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Experience

Acropolis 2025 New Year Celebration

Experience

Live Entertainment - Belly Dancer & Live DJ

Experience

$5.00 Martini Mondays

Whiskey Cake - Tampa

4.7

4.7 (1869)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Tampa

About the restaurant

We serve up tasty farm-to-kitchen dishes and cocktails, all made from scratch with ingredients sourced from local and regional farms and markets. We use slow-cooking methods on our wood grill and spit and in our smoker because it tastes better that way. Come dine with us at our communal tables, in one of our booths, on our sofas or rocking chairs, or perhaps on the porch next to the fireplace.

Top review

Richard

Dined on 10 Dec 2024

An amazing restaurant. The food was fantastic. The atmosphere was relaxed and fun. The drinks were original and enjoyable. Haley was a great server. She was fun and engaging. She took the time to make us feel special and not just a customer. She made the restaurant memorable.

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4.7

4.7 (106)

$31 to $50

French / Japanese

St. Petersburg

About the restaurant

Featured in Food & Wine Magazine, The Wine Enthusiast, and Tampa Bay Times, In Between Days is Florida's first craft sake house and Tokyo-style listening bar. Our sake list is one of the most diverse on the East Coast and is curated by our in-house sake sommelier Noah Sain. Inspired by the underground listening bars of Tokyo, our little house is warmed by intimate lighting and analog sounds sent through a pair of Klipsch Cornwalls. Oil lanterns cascade amber light while sake is poured into eager glasses. We play full sides. Our sake is chilled. Our oysters are served in the classic French style. It’s not Tokyo, but it’s close.

With an ever-rotating menu of sake, sake cocktails, and tasty plates, In Between Days offers a truly unique experience in the Tampa Bay area. Just off the hustle of Central Ave.

Please feel free to text us!

Top review

Melissa

Dined on 8 Dec 2024

Fantastically creative and delicious food in a quaint but super hip spot. One of our most favorite restaurants in the Tampa Bay area. The small plate menu changes often based on seasonal ingredients. This Japanese listening bar has the most expansive saki selection around but also manages to come up with amazing craft saki based cocktails. Definitely recommend!

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Experience

NYE 24/25 Oysters, Bubbles, Charcuterie

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