Top Rated Restaurants & Cafes in Tampa/St. Petersburg

Located on scenic Bayshore Boulevard, Ciro's Speakeasy & Restaurant provides patrons with the best of both worlds. The fine dining experience and upscale, trendy atmosphere take you back in time to the 1920s prohibition period. Ring the doorbell for admittance then get comfortable in one of the cozy booths lining the walls. Each booth has its own pair of drapes that can be closed for privacy. The menu is diverse with selections including duck, seafood, steak and fondue creations. Ciro's is open until the early morning hours, providing patrons with the ultimate late-night dining experience. Reservations are highly recommended.

From the coastal highway that runs down St. Petersburg's Treasure Island, it's easy to miss the one story white facade of Caddy's on the Beach. Approach from the sand, however, and you'll wonder how anyone could miss the two story restaurant and bar complex. Right on the beach, this double decker bar and grill is a favorite of locals and party-goers. Revelers in tropically hued bikinis and board shorts festoon the balcony at Caddy's, most all of them with a similarly bright cocktail in hand. For hungrier patrons, Caddy's offers an overwhelmingly long menu that focuses on smoky barbecue fare rather than the area's typical seafood spread. With a minimum purchase, guests can also commandeer a private cabana right on the beach for private sunset views with full service.

Downtown chic combined with upscale style depicts the atmosphere at Café Dufrain, located on Harbour Island. The waterfront patio dining with views of downtown and stunning Florida sunsets offers the perfect setting for a romantic dinner. Serving lunch and dinner, the menu features a creative fusion of flavors that results in unique contemporary European cuisine, containing everything from the succulent porterhouse to the exceptional grilled salmon. A select wine and specialty drink menu will please the most discerning of palates.

Serving the south Tampa neighborhoods since 1959, Zudar's is the place to go for quality food and service. Start your morning with your favorite breakfast meal or try one of the specialties such as pan baked frittatas or flaky crusted quiche. For lunch, fresh salads, grilled sandwiches and hoagies. At dinner, enjoy an array of savory dishes from classic meatloaf to blackened mahi-mahi. Meals are not complete without one of the freshly made desserts like coconut cream pie, rich cheesecake and creamy flan. Zudar's offers a nice selection of domestic and imported beer and wine to accompany your meal. Dine in or call ahead for carryout service. - Vickie Ferguson

Along with excellent food and exemplary service, the quiet atmosphere and subtle elegance of this fine restaurant will add to your dining pleasure. At this restaurant, perched on stilts and overlooking Tampa Bay, you can savor the sight of spectacular sunsets and panoramic views while being entertained by a variety of marine life. Offering a variety of the highest quality seafood, prime steaks and fresh poultry dishes, this restaurant is the place to spot some of those pelicans as you dine on food well-prepared and efficiently served.

Marchand's Bar and Grill, located at the Vinoy Park Hotel, provides guests with an elegant atmosphere, beautiful views and exquisite cuisine. Marchand's serves breakfast, lunch, dinner, afternoon tea, a classic prix fixe menu and Sunday brunch. Relax on the veranda with a specialty cocktail, enjoy the sushi and sashimi bar Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and savor the live jazz each Friday and Saturday evening from 8pm until 12am. The menu for each service is varied, offering delicious choices from perfectly prepared eggs benedict to the freshest seafood around. Reservations are suggested. - Vickie Ferguson