MICHELIN Guide Restaurants in Tampa

Learn more about Tampa’s 5 MICHELIN Star restaurants

Surrounded by blue skies, sparkling waterfronts, and a melting pot of cultures, the cuisine in Tampa Bay is as rich as its history.

EBBE

1202 N. Franklin St., Tampa, 33602, USA
$$$$ · Contemporary
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Chef Ebbe Vollmer’s eponymous downtown dweller isn’t your typical Tampa restaurant. Sleek and contemporary with a space dominated by a U-shaped marble bar, it’s hyper-focused with just one tasting menu. Scandinavian elements make their way onto the dishes here, hinting at the chef’s Swedish background, and the cooking is both clever and confident without superfluous fuss.

KŌSEN

307 W. Palm Ave., Tampa, 33602, USA
$$$$ · Japanese, Sushi
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This elegant restaurant takes a minimalist approach to its design, employing a dark color palette instead of the typical blonde wood. Though a two-concept spot (Kō is a separate space for kaiseki), all eyes should be on the omakase, which Chef Wei Chen runs with skill and precision. There’s plenty of showmanship and style, but the sushi leans traditional without a lot of fuss, as in the kinmedai, seared, then hit with a squeeze of lime.

KOYA

807 W. Platt St., Tampa, 33606, USA
$$$$ · Japanese, Sushi
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There is a watchful eye over the experience at this intimate eight-seat counter, where a multicourse contemporary tasting menu shares a singular interpretation of Japanese cuisine. The dishes are often unexpected yet always thoughtful. Spectacular seafood is a given: staple luxuries like bluefin tuna and uni are flown in weekly from Toyosu Market.

LILAC

500 Channelside Dr., Tampa, 33602, USA
$$$$ · Mediterranean Cuisine, Contemporary
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Situated in the sleek and oh-so-stylish Edition hotel, this concept from John Fraser is a popular spot with in-demand reservations. The small space has a sexy vibe, albeit not a stitch of lilac in sight. Peruse the contemporary four-course prix-fixe with Mediterranean influences, Florida-focused ingredients and French techniques.

ROCCA

323 W. Palm Ave., Tampa, 33602, USA
$$ · Italian, Contemporary
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Chef Bryce Bonsack blends his New York know-how with Italian training to great effect in this of-the-moment eatery. Naturally, there’s an assortment of pastas, skillfully made in house and showcasing classic flavors and scrupulous technique, as in spaghetti al limone, tossed with knobs of blue crab and lemon, shaved garlic and zucchini. Guests gush over mozzarella hand pulled to order in a tableside cart, but the flavor outshines the show.