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Ulele

Item: Ulele
Author: Skye Rodgers

Cuisine: American, New American, Regional

Price Range: $$

10Best Says

Ulele is a popular restaurant located on the northern end of Tampa's Riverwalk. The menu is inspired by the indigenous people of Florida and brings together fresh and local ingredients in unique flavor combinations. While the menu is changed seasonally, past examples include a deconstructed seafood pot pie, Yellowfin Tuna crusted with pumpkin seeds, and alligator hush puppies. To accompany the delicious dishes is a selection of hand-crafted signature cocktails and house-brewed beers. Housed in the renovated city water-works building, the restaurant could be described as rustic, industrial chic, creating an open and airy dining space. Outside dining options include a patio, beer gardens and rooftop lounge.

Address:

1810 North Highland Avenue
Tampa, FL 33602
813-999-4952

Hours:

Sun-Thu: 11am-10pm
Fri-Sat: 11am-11pm

Website:

ulele.com

EXPERT TIPS BY: Skye Rodgers
Tampa Local Expert

Waterfront Dining: "Ulele is named after a Native American princess who, legend has it, saved the life of a Spanish explorer."
Best Restaurants, Outdoor Dining, Restaurants with Gluten-Free Menus: "Enjoy beautiful views of the Hillsborough River!"

Best for Waterfront Dining Because: Ulele is a popular dining option with gorgeous views of the Hillsborough River serving unique, indigenous-inspired dishes.
Recommended as Best Restaurants Because: Ulele offers diners a unique menu inspired by Tampa's indigenous peoples and ingredients located in a beautifully restored historic landmark.
Best for Outdoor Dining Because: With several outdoor spaces to choose from, diners can enjoy their delicious meals al fresco with views of the Hillsborough River.
Best for Restaurants with Gluten-Free Menus Because: Ulele is a popular restaurant with many gluten-free options highlighting Tampa's indigenous foods prepared with a modern twist.

Lunch
- Appetizers
  Blistered Peppers
  
  Shishito peppers blistered and tossed in sea salt, garlic and olive oil ($5.00)
  
  Okra Fries
  
  Hand-cut okra tossed in lime juice and sea salt, house-made ketchup ($5.00)
  
  Lobster Claw Cocktail
  
  Two freshly steamed lobster claws, avocado and a spicy horseradish cocktail sauce ($12.00)
  
  Lobster Cake
  
  Fresh, live, butter - poached lobster tail meat, cast-iron seared, cucumber ginger salad ($14.00)
  
  Fresh Calamari
  
  Crispy fried fresh North Atlantic calamari, Amarillo chili lemon dressing, sauce piquant ($11.00)
  
  Crab Mac & Cheese
  Four-cheese, Ulele light beer sauce, fresh lump crab meat blended with seashell pasta topped by a Parmesan Romano crust
  
  $10.00
  
  Without Crab: $5.00
  Pulpo Carpaccio
  
  Shaved octopus with a spicy piri piri sauce, green and red chiles ($12.00)
  
  Lollipop Chicken
  
  Citrus chili sambal, kale and apple slaw ($9.00)
  
  Florida Jumpers
  
  Fresh Florida crispy fried frog legs, sherry garlic aioli ($9.50)
  
  Country Fried Quail
  
  Semi-boneless with pineapple datil mustard, watercress and pecans ($10.00)
  
  Alligator Hush Puppies
  
  Alligator, country ham, duck bacon, fresh corn, jalapeño, honey datil pepper sauce and fresh-ground horseradish aioli ($9.00)
- Side Salads
  
  The Ulele
  
  Mixed greens, arugula and watercress with baby Swiss, cranberry beans, fire-roasted peppers, onions, warm balsamic vinaigrette ($10.00)
  
  Three Sisters Garden
  
  Charbroiled squash, zucchini, corn, red onion and peppers, cranberry beans, toasted sunflower and pumpkin seeds, apple cider honey vinaigrette ($8.00)
  
  Roasted Beets and Poached Pear
  
  Roasted beets with saffron-poached pear, balsamic charred red onion, whipped goat cheese, blackberry honey gastrique, toasted almonds, watercress ($9.00)
  
  Juan's Salad
  
  Romaine, Florida citrus garlic dressing, long-cut crouton, shredded Manchego cheese ($9.00)
  
  Tomato and Onion
  
  Charbroiled to intensify the natural sugars and flavors, with watercress and rice wine vinegar ($8.00)
- Oysters from the Gulf Coast
  Oysters Half Shell
  Gulf Coast oysters, cocktail sauce, lavash crisps
  
  Half Dozen: $9.00
  
  Baker's Dozen: $18.00
  Charbroiled Oysters
  
  Barbacoa-grilled, with garlic butter, grated Parmesan and Romano cheeses ($12.00)
  
  Patron Oyster Shooter
  Fresh oyster sangrita
  
  Patron Añejo Tequila: $5.95
  
  Alcohol-free: $2.95
- Sandwiches
  
  Ulele Burger
  
  Char-grilled ground short rib, brisket and chuck blend burger topped with our house steak sauce,Wisconsin sharp cheddar, portobello mushrooms, fire-roasted red peppers and fried leeks served on brioche bun ($12.00)
  
  Classic Burger
  
  Char-grilled withWisconsin sharp cheddar, Romaine lettuce, vine-ripened tomato, red onion served on brioche bun ($10.00)
  
  Portobello Burger
  
  Grilled portobello cap with fire-roasted red pepper, cranberry bean hummus, sautéed spinach, grilled tomato, eggplant and goat cheese on brioche bun ($10.00)
  
  "Little Jimmy" Brisket
  
  Shaved smoked brisket, caramelized red onion, Shitake mushroom, Shishito pepper, baby Swiss, fresh horseradish aioli served on Amoroso roll ($11.00)
  
  Lucanica Salchica
  
  Char-grilled sliced spicy sausage, blend of ground pork, paprika, spices served with caramelized onions and bell peppers, tomato sauce piquant, melted Manchego cheese, crusty bread ($9.00)
  
  Apple Cider Pork
  
  Shaved slow-roasted pork simmered in a sweet and spicy apple cider datil vinegar reduction with caramelized Spanish onions and red delicious apples on brioche bun with side of house slaw ($10.00)
  
  Gulf Grouper
  
  Fresh Gulf of Mexico grouper fillet, romaine lettuce, vine-ripened tomato, red onion, zucchini pickles, smoked tomato seafood rémoulade served on a brioche bun ($16.00)
  
  Lobster Roll
  
  Fresh North Atlantic lobster poached, tossed with garlic, lemon and butter served with a mango citrus aioli, diced vine-ripe tomato, split-top buttered baguette ($16.00)
  
  Duck Club
  
  Carved turkey breast with country ham on grilled whole grain with a "Jimmychurri" aioli, romaine lettuce, vineripened tomato, applewood-smoked duck bacon, baby Swiss ($11.00)
- Entrées
  
  Grilled Chicken and Corn Salad
  
  with Jalapeño-Lime Dressing Chopped Romaine, charred corn, scallions, grape tomato, fresh basil ($10.00)
  
  Fresh-roasted Yellowfin Tuna Salad
  
  Yellowfin tuna salad on a nest of Romaine tossed in balsamic vinaigrette, fire-roasted red peppers, grape tomatoes, red onion, Kalamata olives ($12.00)
  
  Horno Chicken
  
  "Naked Bird" all-natural horno-roasted boneless chicken breast on a bed of roasted tomatoes, onions and russet potatoes, beer jus ($10.00)
  
  Water WorksMeatloaf
  
  Ground dry-aged strip loin and fresh vegetables, cabernet garlic demi glace, white cheddar popcorn mashed potatoes, Tobacco onions ($12.00)
  
  Top Sirloin 8 oz.
  
  Fresh From Florida Strickland Ranch top sirloin, char-grilled, popcorn mashed potatoes and fresh vegetable of the day ($15.00)
  
  Gouda Grouper
  
  Fresh Gulf of Mexico grouper fillet, smoked Gouda Rusty Red ale béchamel, wild river rice, fresh vegetables ($18.00)
  
  Oyster Boats
  
  Four spicy citrus-glazed fried oysters with kale and apple slaw, cabbage cups ($10.00)
  
  Native Sauté
  
  Pan-seared zucchini, squash, carrots, onions, baby spinach, portobello mushroom and green beans with a soy ginger reduction, wild river rice ($10.00)
- Soup
  
  Florida Native Chili
  
  Alligator, wild boar, venison, duck, ground chuck, cranberry beans and chili spices ($6.00)
  
  Chilled Florida Avocado
  
  With fresh charred corn, red pepper, datil pepper, jalapeño, green onion and red onion ($5.00)
- Sides
  
  Karson's Jalapeño Corn Beer Quick Bread
  
  ($5.00)
  
  Okra Fries
  
  Hand-cut okra tossed in lime juice and sea salt, house-made ketchup ($5.00)
  
  Fresh Green Beans
  
  with datil pepper aioli ($3.00)
  
  Squash Gratin
  
  Horno-roasted squash, zucchini, red onion and tomato, seasoned bread crumbs and Manchego crust ($4.00)
  
  White Cheddar Popcorn Mashed Potatoes
  
  Russet potatoes with white cheddar, roasted garlic and leeks, topped with popcorn ($4.00)
  
  Wild River Rice
  
  Blend of wild rice and brown rice pilaf ($3.00)
  
  White Limas and Collards
  
  Sautéed in garlic, olive oil, sea salt and pepper ($5.00)
  
  Jalapeño Cheddar Grit Cake
  
  Cast-iron seared yellow cheddar grits with jalapeño and onions ($4.00)
  
  Mac and Cheese
  
  Four-cheese Ulele light beer sauce, blended with seashell pasta topped by a Parmesan Romano crust ($5.00)
  
  Garden Patties
  
  Cast-iron seared garden and root vegetables with smoked paprika and datil aioli ($7.00)
- House-Made Desserts
  
  Fortune Taylor's Guava Pie
  
  Shortbread cookie crust, whipped cream, guava reduction ($7.00)
  
  Flourless Chocolate Torte
  
  Burnt Orange Cream ($8.00)
  
  Key West Key Lime Ice Cream Stack
  
  Brûléed meringue ($7.00)
  
  Candied Duck Bacon Maple Fried Ice Cream
  
  Cinnamon corn flake candied duck bacon crust, Knob Creek crème anglaise, caramel, sweet potato waffle crisp ($9.00)
  
  Ulele Ice Cream
  
  Ugandan Vanilla Bean, Valhrona Chocolate, Toasted Coconut, Naviera Espresso Swirl. Flavor of the day ($5.00)
Dinner
- Appetizers
  Blistered Peppers
  
  Shishito peppers blistered and tossed in sea salt, garlic and olive oil ($6.00)
  
  Okra Fries
  
  Hand-cut okra tossed in lime juice and sea salt, house-made ketchup ($5.00)
  
  Lobster Claw Cocktail
  
  Two fresh lobster claws, corn, avocado and a spicy horseradish cocktail sauce ($12.00)
  
  Lobster Cake
  
  Fresh, live, butter - poached lobster tail meat, cast-iron seared, cucumber ginger salad ($14.00)
  
  Fresh Calamari
  
  Crispy fried North Atlantic calamari, Amarillo chili lemon dressing, sauce piquant ($11.00)
  
  Crab Mac & Cheese
  Four-cheese, Ulele light beer sauce, fresh lump crab meat blended with seashell pasta topped by a Parmesan Romano crust
  
  $10.00
  
  Without Crab: $5.00
  Pulpo Carpaccio
  
  Shaved octopus with a spicy piri piri sauce, green and red chiles ($12.00)
  
  Lollipop Chicken
  
  Frenched chicken drums, citrus chili sambal, kale and apple slaw ($9.00)
  
  Florida Jumpers
  
  Fresh Florida crispy fried frog legs, sherry garlic aioli ($9.50)
  
  Country Fried Quail
  
  Semi-boneless with pineapple datil mustard, watercress and pecans ($10.00)
  
  Alligator Hush Puppies
  
  Alligator, country ham, duck bacon, fresh corn, jalapeño, honey datil pepper sauce and fresh-ground horseradish aioli ($9.00)
- Salads
  
  The Ulele
  
  Mixed greens, arugula and watercress with baby Swiss, cranberry beans, fire-roasted peppers, onions, warm balsamic vinaigrette ($10.00)
  
  Three Sisters Garden
  
  Charbroiled squash, zucchini, corn, red onion and peppers, cranberry beans, toasted sunflower and pumpkin seeds, apple cider honey vinaigrette ($8.00)
  
  Roasted Beets and Poached Pear
  
  Roasted beets with saffron-poached pear, balsamic charred red onion, whipped goat cheese, blackberry honey gastrique, toasted almonds, watercress ($9.00)
  
  Juan's Salad
  
  Romaine, Florida citrus garlic dressing, long-cut crouton, shredded Manchego cheese ($9.00)
  
  Chief Richard's Tomato and Onion Salad
  
  Charbroiled to intensify the natural sugars and flavors, with watercress and rice wine vinegar ($8.00)
- Oysters from the Gulf Coast
  Oysters Half Shell
  Gulf Coast oysters, cocktail sauce, lavash crisps
  
  Half Dozen: $9.00
  
  Baker's Dozen: $18.00
  Oyster Cabbage Boats
  
  Four spicy citrus-glazed oysters in kale and apple cabbage cups ($10.00)
  
  Charbroiled Oysters
  
  Barbacoa-grilled, with garlic butter, grated Parmesan and Romano cheeses ($12.00)
  
  Patron Oyster Shooter
  Fresh oyster, sangrita, Patron Añejo tequila
  
  $5.95
  
  Alcohol-free: $2.95
- Rivers & Gulf
  
  Grouper Ulele
  
  Charbroiled, stewed vine-ripened tomatoes, basil, lemon zest, garlic and olive oil ($28.00)
  
  Yellowfin Tuna
  
  Cast-iron seared tuna steak, pumpkin seed crusted, ginger soy grapefruit reduction ($27.00)
  
  Juan's Snapper
  
  Horno-roasted snapper fillet, Spanish aioli, white truffle garlic spinach ($28.00)
  
  Mahi Mahi
  
  Charbroiled, seasoned with coriander and juniper berry, kumquat brown butter ($26.00)
  
  Florida Pompano
  
  Pan-seared pompano fillet, sundried tomato shallot cream, fried carrot ribbons ($25.00)
  
  Deconstructed Seafood Pot Pie
  
  Gulf seafood chowder shrimp, pulpo, grouper, smoked oysters, vegetables, white wine cream with side puff pastry ($22.00)
- Beef
  
  Filet Mignon 10 oz.
  
  Wet-aged 28 days ($32.00)
  
  New York Strip Loin 14 oz.
  
  Dry-aged 21 days ($36.00)
  
  "kilo Porterhouse" 2.2 lb.
  
  Best of both worlds: filet mignon and New York strip loin dry-aged 24 days and chef-carved off the bone ($59.00)
  
  Flank Steak 8 oz.
  
  Garlic sea salt and olive oil marinated, thinly sliced, Florida avocado "Jimmychurri" ($19.00)
  
  Water Works Meatloaf
  
  Ground dry-aged strip loin and fresh vegetables, cabernet garlic demi glace, white cheddar popcorn mash, Tobacco onions ($17.00)
- Fowl & Pork
  Berkshire Pork Chop
  Slow-roasted, barbacoa-grilled, guava pork jus
  
  12 Oz. Single Bone: $21.00
  
  24 Oz. Double Bone: $28.00
  Crackling Pork Shank
  
  11/2 lb. crispy pork shank, firecracker apple crasin chutney ($24.00)
  
  Beer Pan Chicken
  
  "Naked Bird" all-natural chicken, citrus herb garlic marinated ($17.00)
  
  "Chief Red Eagle" Duck
  
  Charbroiled roasted Maple Leaf duck breast, port wine orange marmalade ($24.00)
- Soup
  
  Florida Native Chili
  
  Alligator, wild boar, venison, duck, ground chuck, cranberry beans and chili spices ($6.00)
  
  Chilled Florida Avocado
  
  With charred corn datil pepper relish ($5.00)
- Sides
  
  Jalapeño Corn Beer Quick Bread
  
  ($5.00)
  
  Okra Fries
  
  Hand-cut okra tossed in lime juice and sea salt, house-made ketchup ($5.00)
  
  Barbacoa-Charred Green Beans
  
  with datil pepper aioli ($3.00)
  
  Squash Gratin
  
  Horno roasted squash, zucchini, red onion and tomato, Manchego crust ($4.00)
  
  White Cheddar Popcorn Mashed Potatoes
  
  Russet potatoes with white cheddar, roasted garlic and leeks, topped with popcorn ($4.00)
  
  Wild River Rice
  
  Blend of wild rice and brown rice pilaf ($3.00)
  
  White Limas and Collards
  
  Sautéed in garlic, olive oil, sea salt and pepper ($5.00)
  
  Jalapeño Cheddar Grit Cake
  
  Cast-iron seared yellow cheddar grits with jalapeño and onions ($4.00)
  
  Mac and Cheese
  
  Four-cheese Ulele light beer sauce, blended with seashell pasta topped by a Parmesan Romano crust ($5.00)
  
  Garden Patties
  
  Cast-iron seared garden and root vegetables with smoked paprika and datil aioli ($7.00)
- Desserts
  
  Key West Key Lime Ice Cream Stack
  
  Brûléed meringue ($7.00)
  
  Flourless Chocolate Torte
  
  Burnt Orange Cream ($8.00)
  
  Fortune Taylor's Guava Pie
  
  Shortbread cookie crust, whipped cream, guava reduction ($7.00)
  
  Candied Duck Bacon Maple Fried Ice Cream
  
  Cinnamon corn flake candied duck bacon crust, Knob Creek crème anglaise, caramel, sweet potato waffle crisp ($9.00)
  
  House-Made Ulele Ice Cream
  
  Toasted Coconut, Valhrona Chocolate, Ugandan Vanilla Bean. Flavor of the day ($5.00)

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