Restaurant Reviews

Expect piping hot grouper nuggets, cold beer and sand in-between your toes.

By Kyla Fields

Jun 22, 2023

Greasy paper towels and empty beer glasses on the picnic table. A belly full of blackened grouper...

Owner Matthew Neumann poses at Hookin' Ain't Easy's outdoor bar.

Casa Santo Stefano is a page from Ybor City kitchens of yore

The menu implicitly urges us all to acknowledge the privilege in our lives.

By Jon Palmer Claridge
Jul 13, 2022
At St. Pete's Two Graces the magical atmosphere matches the cuisine

Chef Marlin Kaplan and Lisa Masterson offer safe harbor.

By Jon Palmer Claridge
Mar 3, 2022
At St. Pete's Lingr, balance and surprise are hallmarks of a revelatory meal from chef Jeffrey Jew

Evocative new restaurant from the Bravo and Food Network celebrity chef is a must-visit.

By Jon Palmer Claridge
Dec 17, 2021
Service, menu and ambience make sweet harmony at Tampa’s Rome & Fig

Meet me at the crossroads.

By Jon Palmer Claridge
Dec 3, 2021
Tampa Bay bars and restaurants serving Thanksgiving dinner for dine-in and takeout

We can gather ‘round the turkey this year...but still wear a mask.

By Alexandria Jones
Nov 12, 2021
Seminole Heights Korean fried chicken spot Gangchu finds Chef Noel Cruz hitting the bullseye

But Cruz is much more than a one-trick pony.

By Jon Palmer Claridge
Nov 11, 2021
Willa’s makes for the happiest of meals in Tampa’s North Hyde Park

Eating really good in the neighborhood.

By Jon Palmer Claridge
Oct 7, 2021
Dessert outshined the dinner at Ybor City’s Flor Fina restaurant

Hotel Haya’s upscale Latin restaurant and cocktail bar had us full with joyful anticipation.

By Jon Palmer Claridge
Sep 15, 2021
St. Petersburg’s Urban Stillhouse is a triumph on every level

It's a fun way to emerge from pandemic malaise.

By Jon Palmer Claridge
Jul 30, 2021
Gulfport’s Golden Dinosaurs gracefully mimics the the world of deli meats and hot dogs without the animal cruelty

The allure of deli flavors has sparked tremendous creativity in this kitchen.

By Jon Palmer Claridge
May 6, 2021
St. Pete’s Wild Child is intoxicatingly good and makes you want to travel the world

We’re back in the dining room and surrendering to chef Rob Reinsmith & co.

By Jon Palmer Claridge
Apr 29, 2021
Anju’s Korean fried chicken, bibimbap and tots deliver out of this world comfort food to St. Pete

The only kind of ‘K.F.C.’ you want in your life.

By Jon Palmer Claridge
Apr 2, 2021
At Q, Dunedin chef Cameron Capri cooks up a perfect storm of the best American barbecue

Each of the meats is produced with care and stands alone.

By Jon Palmer Claridge
Mar 24, 2021
Tampa Bay restaurants offering Valentine's Day takeout, meal kits and dine-in specials

You know, if you and your boo have been quarantining together.

By Jenna Rimensnyder
Feb 4, 2021
Saltimbocca isn’t the only takeout star at Tampa Bay takeout favorite Doormét

The 'fit ‘n healthy' perfectly grilled salmon is also one of many bright spots on the menu.

By Jon Palmer Claridge
Jan 22, 2021
Jack’s London Grill in St. Pete is a takeout oasis delivering the food that Brits crave

'We’re still in a world where takeout rules and a safe trip to London is many months away.'

By Jon Palmer Claridge
Jan 4, 2021
St. Pete's Avo’s Kitchen lets you experience a 9,000-mile journey without leaving your living room

Well, you do have to drive there if you're picking up.

By Jon Palmer Claridge
Nov 13, 2020
Tampa’s Taqueria Margarita serves sublime handfuls of old Mexico

They proudly share abuela’s authentic recipes that are homemade with the freshest ingredients.

By Jon Palmer Claridge
Oct 27, 2020
Bodega's new St. Pete locations is still is an efficient, casual solution to your comfort food hunger

Debbie and George Sayegh offer a menu of pressed sandwiches with an online order system for takeout that is easy to navigate.

By Jon Palmer Claridge
Oct 6, 2020
Dunedin’s Bon Appétit pairs decadent to-go food with a scenic drive

You know, since we're not dining in yet.

By Jon Palmer Claridge
Aug 20, 2020

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Food & Drink Slideshows

Food & Drink

20 under-the-radar Tampa Bay taco spots everyone needs to try

Tampa Bay's taco scene recently got some major praise, when Michelin gave local newbie Streetlight Taco a coveted Bib Gourmand distinction. And…

By CL Staff

Apr 26, 2024

Ranchero Tacos
4901 N Florida Ave., Tampa
This joint was CL's Best of the Bay's 2021 "Best Seminole Heights Restaurant," and for good reason – tortillas are fresh and pressed to order and carnitas are juicy and crispy. Also, don’t sleep on the weekend-only tamales.
Photo via Ranchero Tacos/website

20 slides

Food & Drink

The 20 hottest new Tampa Bay restaurants and bars to open so far in 2024

When it comes to new local eats, there's a lot to be excited about in 2024, and so far this year is…

By CL Staff

Apr 19, 2024

Dunedin Mix
990 Broadway, Dunedin
Mixed-use food hall and retail space Dunedin Mix opened its doors in February, with a number of concepts calling it home including Polynesian eatery Huli Bowl and Rotisserie, Italian spot Al Dente and a globally-inspired tapas restaurant called Spoons. The centerpiece of the food hall's shared dining room is certainly its rotating bar called Circle 1852. The 360-degree circular bar is decorated like a traditional carousel and slowly rotates around while patrons sip on craft cocktails, beer and wine.
Photo via DunedinMix/Facebook

20 slides

Food & Drink

Tampa Bay Taco Week 2024: Here are some of the exclusive specials happening at the best Bay area restaurants

Tampa Bay Taco Week is here. For 10 delicious days—April 18-28—close to two dozen Bay area restaurants are offering exclusive specials. Have…

By Leigh Wilson

Apr 16, 2024

Red Mesa Restaurant
4912 4th St. N, St. Petersburg

Street Tacos: Chicken, Brisket or Sirloin. Chile guajillo, encurtido, pickled red onion, cilantro, corn tortillas. $16

18 slides

Food & Drink

Tampa Bay is flush with strip malls, but which ones have the best lineup of stores?

There's a little strip mall on Fowler Avenue where you can buy medical marijuana, eat a spicy chicken sandwich and then browse…

By Colin Wolf

Apr 12, 2024

Britton Plaza
Plaza Roster Highlights: Play it Again Sports, Tapper Pub, Burlington, Publix, Tampa Buffett
Though it's a shell of its former self, Britton Plaza is still one of Tampa's most iconic shopping centers. Sure, the Plaza 8 movie theater was converted into a mega church, and Big Lots, Stein Mart, and Tuesday Morning have all packed up and left. But the 30-acre plaza still has some worthy tenants like Tapper Pub, a decent BCF and the area's best Taco Bell.
3802-3950 S. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa

20 slides

April 25, 2024

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Restaurant Reviews

Matthew Neumann's seafood shack Hookin' Ain't Easy is a must-visit gem of the St. Pete food scene