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WESTCHASE. West Park Village hides one spectacular secret: A stylish seafood restaurant that infuses its creative takes with flavorful Latin and Caribbean influences. Island music is carried by cool breezes throughout the space, which has the look and feel of a tropical resort dining room. As to the fare, start off with calamari, which is marinated in Red Stripe then spiced and fried. From there, it doesn't matter if you go for Caribbean-style shrimp scampi, whole yellow tail snapper, or even something terrene like Cuban-style baby back ribs – at Catch Twenty Three, the only bad decision you can make is not trying anything.
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2. Colonnade
3401 Bayshore Blvd, Tampa, FL 33629 · 813-839-7558
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SOUTH TAMPA. Since 1935, this family-run restaurant has satisfied hungry, local appetites. Its location beside Hillsborough Bay affords incredible views of the surrounding landscape. The food, especially the seafood, is the freshest possible, and everything is prepared to order on the premises. Grouper, the house specialty, is available seven different ways; you'll also find seafood pasta dishes, steaks, chicken, shrimp and salmon. Crab cakes, conch chowder and escargot lead the list of appetizers, and adventurous diners find it hard to resist the alligator. Key lime pie is a dessert classic, and a kids menu will take care of the little ones.
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3. Oystercatchers
2900 Bayport Dr, Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay, Tampa, FL 33607 · 813-207-6815
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AIRPORT AREA. Expansive views, tropical sunsets, and the freshest fish imaginable coalesce at this much-lauded restaurant. One of Tampa's favorite upscale dining establishments, it's known for its creative seafood dishes, especially those prepared with shrimp, lobster, Chilean seabass, and orange roughy. Diners who aren't in the mood for seafood may opt for duck, steak, or even lamb, but it would be hard to leave Oystercatchers without even a bite of the local specialty. The restaurant is perenially popular with guests to the Tampa area, but you're also likely to see quite a few business deals being conducted at lunch. Not an easy place to resist, by any means.
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ROCKY POINT. Somehow, seafood just tastes better when you dine waterside, and Landry's knows it. A location by the bay, expansive views and hearty portions make what could be a good experience even sweeter. Diners can order from grouper, flounder, tuna, crab, shellfish and other delicacies. Meals, which come with rice and a salad, are substantial, and you may find yourself leaving with a to-go box. Landlubbers will be pleased to know that the restaurant offers pasta, beef and chicken dishes too. If you have to wait for a table, the patio is a great place to hang out with a glass of wine or Mai Tai.
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5. Bonefish Grill
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13262 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33618 · 813-969-1619
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CARROLLWOOD. Its interior a juxtaposition of lights and darks, accented with sleek metallic tones, Bonefish combats the backwoods stigma of seafood restaurants with its hip environs. Its strong popularity also gives credence to a tasty menu. Fish (you choose from several varieties) is cooked over a wood-fired grill; the smoky flavor is accented with mango-, garlic-, teriyaki and butter-tinged sauces. Mussels, rock shrimp, calamari and lobster also make appearances, and pastas, chicken, steaks, and pork round out the options. Waits can be common, so plan accordingly.
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NORTH TAMPA. This Key West-style place, punctuated by whimsical artwork, attracts a faithful crowd of regulars. Although it started out as a smokehouse (and still offers ribs and chicken), Skipper's is now renowned for its seafood specialties. Tops on the menu are alligator, crab, oysters, conch and fish of all varieties. The blackbean gator chili, a house concoction, has achieved cult status. In addition to the great food, the place books some of the top bands in the area and invites patrons to pull up a chair to the outdoor stage and listen to rock, soul, jazz, zydeco, blues, ska, and reggae performers sing beneath the stars. The bar makes libations available, and the ambience is Old Florida perfection.
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AIRPORT AREA. The Tampa edition of Cameron Mitchell's foray into seafood has given added dimension to the dining scene at upscale WestShore Plaza. Fresh fish and seafood highlight the menu, with listed main courses including cedar-roasted Atlantic salmon, ginger-crusted salmon, Island-spiced tilapia and Chesapeake Bay crab cakes. And in terms of presentation, few places can compete with Mitchell's upscale take on the nautical theme – from the seductive catches on display behind the glass counter to the dark-stained wood and original art.
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ROCKY POINT. This casually elegant seafooder, located at Rocky Point, serves up fresh-from-the-water fare that does for the taste buds what the restaurant's panoramic bayside views do for the eyes – leaves them wanting more and more. Yes, the Rusty Pelican makes a memorable first impression. But what truly keeps folks coming back is the food, and you'll understand why once you've had the Rocky Point Grouper topped with fresh asparagus, Beggars Salmon wrapped in phylo and stuffed with crab, or Shrimp Scampi Rustico with angel hair pasta. Even the steaks, a handful of which are prepared tableside, garner high praise!
Looking for a restaurant? We've explored the options, checked with critics, and pounded the pavement to offer only the best. Recommendations come complete with contact information and a brief description highlighting the important features of the restaurant. Fit our choices to your mood, or let us guide your tastes. You'll likely find a few places that not even locals know about.
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