After years of neglect and near abandonment, Tampa's historic Ybor City district is witnessing a period of revitalization. In the early years of the 20th century, this old cigar-manufacturing neighborhood welcomed immigrants from many different countries, primarily Cuba, Spain and Italy. Today, Ybor City is a hot spot for restaurants, bars and nightclubs. If you're craving a New York strip steak or a lobster dinner, you can find several excellent steak and seafood restaurants in Ybor City.
This slightly over-the-top pirate-themed restaurant offers a wildly entertaining night out, if you're in the right frame of mind. Named after the famous Tampa pirate Jose Gaspar, Gaspar's Grotto occupies a historic building that has at one time or another been an art gallery, a pawn shop, a carpet warehouse and a poultry slaughterhouse. Waiters greet you in full-on pirate garb, and the restaurant hosts all kinds of pirate-themed events.
Gaspar's Grotto offers a wide range of seafood and steak dishes, including grilled chicken and chorizo swords; macadamia coconut crusted shrimp; and pirate's flank steak slices with sweet potato fries, cole slaw and grilled corn. You'll also find many Cuban specialties, like Cuban-style roasted pork and authentic Cuban flan.
Gaspar's Grotto
1805 E. Seventh Ave.
Tampa, FL 33605
813-248-5900
gasparsgrotto.com
The chefs at this primarily Argentine grill know how to do steak, and in true Argentine form, the portions are monstrous. El Puerto's traditional Parrillada, or mixed grill, includes select cuts of Argentine short ribs and skirt steak, as well as chorizo, sweetbreads, pork chops, blood sausage and grilled chicken. If red meat's not your thing, El Puerto offers a wide range of seafood dishes like chupe de camarones, a seafood stew made with shrimp and other fish. Other favorites include Argentine empanadas, zesty ceviche de pescado, and flounder filet served with cassava fries and rice. El Puerto's relaxed atmosphere is perfect for a romantic night out, or dinner with your family.
El Puerto Restaurant & Grill
1623 E. Fifth Ave.
Tampa, FL 33605
813-248-8222
elpuertoybor.com
This legendary, massive restaurant is one of the oldest Spanish restaurants in the United States and boasts 52,000 square feet of dining space. Since 1905, Columbia has been serving tasty seafood, steaks and other dishes to much fanfare in Tampa. In 2010, the restaurant was named one of 50 "All-American Icon" restaurants by "Nation's Restaurant News."
Columbia's extensive menu features steak dishes like filet mignon "Chacho" topped with bourbon, mushrooms and shallots; and breaded veal topped with fresh jumbo crab meat and béarnaise sauce. If you're in the mood for seafood, try Columbia's famous seafood paella, shrimp criollo, or citrus-marinated mahi mahi served with rice, yucca and platanos.
Columbia Restaurant
2025 E. Seventh Ave.
Tampa, FL 33605
813-247-5881
columbiarestaurant.com
