Tampa is home to many ethnicities, yet seafood remains a key ingredient for almost all cooking cultures. With Tampa Bay providing the city with all the Gulf of Mexico has to offer, there is no doubt some of the freshest seafood is served right here in Tampa. Each restaurant puts a unique spin on seafood dishes to keep diners satisfied yet wanting more. Below are some of the best seafood restaurants Tampa has to offer.
Stones Throw
With riverside views, Stones Throw offers casual diners seafood dishes alongside their handcrafted cocktails. The restaurant’s signature dish, Tots and Tentacles, featuring tater tots and calamari with pickled peppers and a special sauce, is a prime example of the fun but fresh seafood guaranteed with Stones Throw. The restaurant also includes a raw oyster bar and plenty of waterfront seating.
304 W. 7th Ave. | Tampa | (813) 328-3910 | stonesthrowtampa.com
HAIKU
Seafood so fresh, it’s like poetry on a plate.
Flavor and freshness pair perfectly in every seafood dish at Haiku, downtown Tampa’s newest Asian fusion restaurant. Dine in true Izakawa style and share Tuna Tartare with smoked sriracha, mouthwatering Miso Marinated Sea Bass, sweet and savory Umami Glazed Salmon or the casually delicious Lobster Yakitori. If you’re ready for a taste adventure, check out the innovative sushi and sashimi, beautifully presented and expertly prepared.
808 N. Franklin St. | Tampa | (813) 644-5787 | haikutampa.com
Jacksons Bistro
Come for the view, stay for the food! Jackson’s Bistro, Bar & Sushi has been a Tampa Bay staple for over 23 years. Known for the fresh seafood, award-winning sushi bar and panoramic waterfront view of downtown Tampa, Jackson’s Bistro Bar & Sushi aims to provide an unforgettable, upscale dining experience to Tampa locals and travelers alike. Visit jacksonsbistro.com or call 813-277-0112 to book your reservation today.
601 S. Harbour Island Blvd. | Tampa | (813) 277-0112 | jacksonsbistro.com
Ocean Prime
For a fine dining experience, Ocean Prime offers a classic yet modern selection of seafood and steak dishes. The modern American restaurant receives fresh seafood from local vendors who source worldwide seven days a week to ensure the best quality. Sea bass, Dutch Harbor king crab, blackened snapper, lobster tails and scallops are all in season right now at the luxurious Ocean Prime.
2205 N. Westshore Blvd. | (813) 490-5288 | ocean-prime.com
ROME + FIG
The menu for this North Hyde Park spot is inspired by the flavors of the world, and its seafood offerings are no exception. Pan-seared scallops have a Mediterranean flair, with champagne-lemon butter spinach, cremini mushrooms and couscous on the side, while the crab cakes come Creole-style, with a Cajun remoulade. The pan-seared day boat snapper hails from local waters, but its flavors hail from Italy — think blistered tomatoes, fried capers and balsamic reduction with a side of basil quinoa.
317 N. Rome Ave. | Tampa | (813) 253-3353 | romeandfigbistro.com
Half Moon Seafood Co.
Founded in 2020, Half Moon Seafood Company was born to challenge the seafood status quo. They take pride in their relationships with suppliers, which ensures they only serve seafood from transparent and sustainable sources. The goal is simple — to serve quality (and delicious) fish sandwiches, made with ingredients you can trust. Home of the Nashville Hot Fish — can you handle the HEAT?
11508 N. 56th St. | Temple Terrace | (813) 437-3474 | halfmoonseafood.com
Watervue Grille
Watervue Grille focuses on fresh Florida seafood in a waterfront setting with the city’s best views of Downtown Tampa. The newly renovated space has been designed to provide an inviting coastal feel, with accordion patio doors and oversized picturesque windows that provide an open and relaxed dining experience.
700 Harbour Post Drive | Tampa | (813) 642-7980 | watervuegrille.com
Oystercatchers
For over three decades, Oystercatchers has continued to provide Tampa with a selection of the best locally sourced seafood dishes. The bayfront property’s most beloved dish is the Seafood Trio with Maine lobster tail, Gulf white Shrimp, and jumbo scallops, so Oystercatchers practices a just-in-time ordering system to ensure they have the right amount on hand to meet their high standards. Be sure to try their award-winning brunch that puts a unique twist on a classic weekend meal.
2900 Bayport Drive | Tampa | (813) 207-6815 | oystercatchersrestaurant.com
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