{"id":213949,"date":"2026-04-01T02:18:18","date_gmt":"2026-04-01T02:18:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/213949\/"},"modified":"2026-04-01T02:18:18","modified_gmt":"2026-04-01T02:18:18","slug":"12-best-tampa-and-st-petersburg-restaurants-for-wine-lovers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/213949\/","title":{"rendered":"12 Best Tampa and St. Petersburg Restaurants for Wine Lovers"},"content":{"rendered":"

We\u2019re calling it now: Dining in Tampa and St. Petersburg is revving up, with historic restaurants such as Grand Award winner Bern\u2019s Steak House\u00a0joined by vibrant Latin-influenced choices and an influx of prestigious chefs. That\u2019s just one reason Wine Spectator is making it a stop on its 2026 Grand Tour<\/a>, coming to the JW Marriott Tampa Water Street on May 1<\/a>.\u00a0From steak houses with a Florida flair to afternoon teas paired with exclusive Champagnes, these are the top wine and dining experiences in Tampa Bay!<\/p>\n

12 Top Tampa and St. Petersburg Restaurants for Wine and Dining<\/p>\n

Tampa<\/p>\n

St. Petersburg<\/p>\n

Tampa<\/p>\n

Grand Award<\/p>\n

Wine Strengths: Bordeaux, Burgundy, California, Rh\u00f4ne, France, Tuscany, Piedmont, Italy, Australia, Spain, Germany
Wine Selections: 7,000
Wine Pricing: $$ | Food Pricing: $$$
Cuisine: American<\/p>\n

When in Tampa, conversations about wine begin and end with Bern\u2019s Steak House, a Wine Spectator Grand Award winner since 1981<\/a>. Guests praise the encyclopedic wine list\u2014with 7,000 entries\u2014and the easygoing service, making it a must-visit for any wine lover. Wine director Chris Belk maintains a cellar inventory of over 500,000 bottles, with around 100,000 bottles on site. In its stacks, guests can find rare older vintages from choice producers, such as Ch\u00e2teau Cheval Blanc St.-Emilion 1985<\/a>, Gaja Barbaresco 1961<\/a> and Lokoya Cabernet Diamond Mountain District 1999<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"<\/p>\n

Bern\u2019s Steak House has long been recognized as one of Florida\u2019s top dining experiences. (Amy Pezzicara)<\/p>\n

Tip:\u00a0After dinner, head upstairs to the Harry Waugh Dessert Room for yes, dessert, plus special wine and whiskey flights. <\/p>\n

Best of Award of Excellence<\/p>\n

Wine Strengths: California, Italy, France, Australia, Spain
Wine Selections: 340
Wine Pricing: $$ | Food Pricing: $$$
Cuisine: Steak house, Seafood<\/p>\n

At Charley\u2019s Steak House<\/a>, the focus is on expertly prepared dry-aged beef cooked over custom-built wood-burning pits. The menu, designed by culinary director Jason Garcia, features classic steak house fare alongside seafood and indulgent starters, all served in an old-school dining room with rich wood finishes and walls lined with wine bottles. Popular cuts include dry-aged porterhouse, bone-in rib eye and even a plant-based filet-style option\u2014traditional and Wagyu filet mignons are also on offer. The wine list is international in scope but anchored in Napa Valley, with producers such as Faust<\/a> and Far Niente<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"<\/p>\n

Charley\u2019s Steak House offers both classic and plant-based steaks. <\/p>\n

Tip: Located near the airport, it\u2019s a great option for a satisfying meal before or after a flight.<\/p>\n

Best of Award of Excellence<\/p>\n

Wine Strengths: Italy, California
Wine Selections: 400
Wine Pricing: $$ | Food Pricing: $$
Cuisine: Italian, American<\/p>\n

For a contemporary take on Italian American dining, check out Cipresso<\/a> at the popular Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Guests can watch the culinary team led by Luis Gonzalez at work through a panoramic kitchen window as they prepare handmade pastas, wood-fired pizzas and entr\u00e9es such as pesto-crusted sea bass and veal Milanese. The expansive dining room has a lively lounge atmosphere with walls adorned by bottles of wine and other spirits. The wine program emphasizes Italian varieties from Donnafugata<\/a>\u2019s Etna rosso to top Piedmont producers such as Damilano<\/a> and Prunotto<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Best of Award of Excellence<\/p>\n

Wine Strengths: Spain, California
Wine Selections: 1,000
Wine Pricing: $$ | Food Pricing: $$
Cuisine: Spanish\/Cuban
Known For: Private Event Space, Date Night, Large Parties, Historic Location, Special Occasions<\/p>\n

Founded in 1905 in Tampa\u2019s historic Ybor City, Columbia Restaurant<\/a> is a Florida landmark for Spanish-Cuban cuisine, now under the stewardship of fourth-generation owner Richard Gonzmart and fifth-generation Andrea Gonzmart Williams. The sprawling, ornate space spans an entire city block, with tiled floors, murals and ornate chandeliers that evoke a bygone era. Chef Miguel Alonzo\u2019s menu highlights classic dishes such as the tableside-tossed \u201c1905 Salad,\u201d fresh Cuban bread, roasted pork and garlic grouper, while mojitos and sangria add to a lively, Old World atmosphere often enhanced by live music. The wine program leans heavily into Spain, featuring benchmark producers such as Dominio de Pingus<\/a>, Bodegas Vega Sicilia<\/a> and Priorat standout Clos Mogador<\/a>, offering traditional pairings for the menu.<\/p>\n

\"<\/p>\n

Fourth-generation owner Richard Gonzmart\u00a0and fifth-generation owner Andrea Gonzmart Williams (Courtesy of Columbia Restaurant)<\/p>\n

Tip: Make time for the flamenco show\u2014it\u2019s one of the most memorable ways to experience the restaurant\u2019s history and culture.<\/p>\n

Award of Excellence<\/p>\n

Wine Strengths: California, France
Wine Selections: 105
Wine Pricing: $$ | Food Pricing: $$
Cuisine: French, American
Known For: Private Event Space, Outdoor Dining, Chef’s Table Experience, Open Late, Bar Scene<\/p>\n

Boulon Brasserie<\/a> channels the spirit of a modern French brasserie, pairing classic technique with a lively, contemporary setting on Water Street in downtown Tampa. The menu from head chef Jacob Rios features steak frites, coq au vin, seafood towers and crab beignets, arriving at your table in a bright dining space with floor-to-ceiling windows and adjacent outdoor seating. The wine list leans French and American, featuring Bordeaux producers such as Ch\u00e2teau Pontet-Canet<\/a> and Ch\u00e2teau Rauzan-S\u00e9gla<\/a>, alongside Napa Valley icons like Opus One<\/a> and Heitz<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"<\/p>\n

The menu at Boulon Brasserie focuses on French staples. (Courtesy of Boulon Brasserie)<\/p>\n

Tip: Boulon Brasserie\u2019s location on Water Street makes it a perfect pre-event stop\u2014reservations are recommended before concerts or games at Benchmark International Arena.<\/p>\n

Award of Excellence<\/p>\n

Wine Strengths: France, Italy, Greece
Wine Selections: 350
Wine Pricing: $$$ | Food Pricing: $$$
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Known For: Focus on Sustainability, Chef’s Table Experience, Small Bites, Natural Setting<\/p>\n

Set within The Tampa EDITION hotel, Lilac<\/a> delivers a refined, Mediterranean-inspired dining experience from chef John Fraser. The dining room is lush and modern, with tropical plants, green velvet banquettes, and an open kitchen that adds energy to the space. The modern menu features dishes such as scallops served with lemon risotto, and Dover sole with hazelnut butter, leek fondue, Sherry-glazed vegetables and truffles. The wine program from beverage director Amy Racine<\/a> is equally ambitious, featuring Bordeaux benchmarks such as Ch\u00e2teau L\u00e9oville Las Cases<\/a> and Domaine de Chevalier<\/a> to complement the cuisine.<\/p>\n

\"<\/p>\n

Chef John Fraser owns several restaurants\u00a0in Tampa, Boston, New York and beyond. (Liz Clayman)<\/p>\n

Award of Excellence<\/p>\n

Wine Strengths: California
Wine Selections: 120
Wine Pricing: $ | Food Pricing: $$
Cuisine: Floridian, Seafood
Known For: Great View, Outdoor Dining, Date Night, Family Friendly, Special Occasions<\/p>\n

Ulele<\/a> celebrates Florida\u2019s native ingredients and culinary heritage in a lively waterfront setting along the Tampa Riverwalk, in a restored 1903 building. Chef Patrick Quakenbush\u2019s menu highlights regional specialties such as charbroiled oysters, chile-marinated alligator tail and seafood risotto, while the expansive property features river views, an outdoor beer garden and an onsite brewery. The wine list looks to California wines, with plenty of Napa Valley Cabernets from producers including Paul Hobbs<\/a> and Silver Oak<\/a>. The atmosphere is both energetic and scenic, making it a favorite for locals and visitors alike.<\/p>\n

\"<\/p>\n

Ulele specializes in authentic Floridian fare, from oysters to alligator tail. (Courtesy of Ulele)<\/p>\n

Tip: Arrive early for sunset and grab a spot outside\u2014the riverfront lawn and patio are some of the best seats in Tampa.<\/p>\n

Award of Excellence<\/p>\n

Wine Strengths: California
Wine Selections: 120
Wine Pricing: $$ | Food Pricing: $$
Cuisine: American, Steak House
Known For: Private Event Space, Outdoor Dining, Date Night, Chef’s Table Experience, Bar Scene<\/p>\n

Opened in 2023, Union New American<\/a>, an Award of Excellence winner, focuses on a wood-fired menu and stellar American wines in a light-filled dining room in Tampa\u2019s Westshore Business District. The menu spans the globe; options include Wagyu carpaccio studded with olives, hamachi maki rolls, squash curry soup and roasted oysters with n\u2019duja. Director of operations Heather Rivas\u2019 wine list focuses on California, with producers such as Brewer-Clifton<\/a> and Flowers<\/a> from Sonoma and Paul Hobbs<\/a> and Stags\u2019 Leap Winery<\/a> in Napa.<\/p>\n

\"<\/p>\n

Union New American is located in Tampa\u2019s newly developed Westshore Business District. (Sunny Collabs)<\/p>\n

St. Petersburg<\/p>\n

Best of Award of Excellence<\/p>\n

Wine Strengths: France, Champagne, Bordeaux, Burgundy, Italy, Tuscany
Wine Selections: 680
Wine Pricing: $ | Food Pricing: $$
Cuisine: American, Steak House
Known For: Great View, Wine Tastings\/Events, Date Night, Historic Location, Special Occasions<\/p>\n

Overlooking Tampa Bay on downtown St. Petersburg\u2019s Beach Drive, Birch & Vine is the crown jewel of the Birchwood Hotel, offering New American cooking and a Best of Award of Excellence\u2013winning cellar<\/a>. The wine list, overseen by wine director Dennis Cardoso, comprises over 650 bottles, specializing in Old World and California labels\u2014from Tuscany\u2019s Ornellaia<\/a> to Napa\u2019s Clos du Val<\/a>. Guests can enjoy chef Lee Aquino\u2019s steak house menu either in the plush dining room with high-vaulted ceilings or al fresco\u2014a fresh breeze off the bay pairs well with both surf and turf.<\/p>\n

\"<\/p>\n

Birch & Vine has held a Best of Award of Excellence since 2018. (Courtesy of Birch and Vine Restaurant)<\/p>\n

Tip:\u00a0For a view of the water, check out the Birchwood Canopy, which offers cocktails, snacks and stunning sunsets over Tampa Bay. <\/p>\n

Best of Award of Excellence<\/p>\n

Wine Strengths: California
Wine Selections: 500
Wine Pricing: $$ | Food Pricing: $$
Cuisine: Seafood, Floridian<\/p>\n

Florida is a state of mind at Best of Award of Excellence winner Juno & The Peacock<\/a>. Located right off picturesque Beach Drive, Juno & The Peacock specializes in seafood. Look for dishes such as\u00a0lobster tail \u201cescargot,\u201d seared scallops with Serrano ham and fritto misto with squid, rock shrimp and pepperoncini. Wine director Michelle Richards curates a cellar filled with California favorites and an eye toward bubbles from across the globe, including selections like Argentina\u2019s Sparkling Alma 4, California\u2019s Domaine Carneros<\/a> and Champagne\u2019s Taittinger<\/a> available by the glass.<\/p>\n

\"Oysters<\/p>\n

Enjoy fruits de mer and tea service at Juno and the Peacock. (Karen Culp)<\/p>\n

Tip:\u00a0On Saturday and Sunday afternoons, Juno & The Peacock hosts \u201cTina\u2019s Tea and Bubbles.\u201d During teatime, guests can indulge in finger sandwiches, caviar and sweets while sipping on English breakfast tea or premium Champagnes by the glass, such as Rare Champagne<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Best of Award of Excellence<\/p>\n

Wine Strengths: California, France, Bordeaux, Spain, Italy
Wine Selections: 1,325
Wine Pricing: $$ | Food Pricing: $$
Cuisine: Seasonal, Steak House
Known For: Wine Tastings\/Events, Private Event Space, Date Night, Cozy & Intimate, Special Occasions<\/p>\n

Step inside a 1920s Baroque-style mansion to find Best of Award of Excellence winner Rococo Steak<\/a>. This bona fide wine oasis in St. Petersburg offers a list packed with over 1,300 selections: Classic regions from Tuscany to California are well-represented, with exciting selections from the likes of Napa\u2019s Hundred Acre<\/a>, Burgundy\u2019s Domaine Leflaive<\/a> and Tuscany\u2019s Biondi-Santi<\/a>. To pair, chef David Blackmon prepares delicacies including miso bone marrow with pickled shallots, Colorado lamb over a bed of cassoulet, and roasted duck with a Szechuan gastrique.<\/p>\n

Award of Excellence<\/p>\n

Wine Strengths: France, California
Wine Selections: 275
Wine Pricing: $$ | Food Pricing: $$
Cuisine: Seasonal, Floridian
Known For: Wine Tastings\/Events, Date Night, Chef’s Table Experience, Healthy Options, Family Friendly<\/p>\n

In St. Petersburg\u2019s vibrant Waterfront Arts District, Bin6South<\/a> blends the intimacy of a neighborhood restaurant with a boutique wineshop. Coveted bar seats offer a front-row view of chef Joseph Nelson and his team at work as they prepare dishes such as smoked venison porchetta, bao buns with cod ceviche, and wild mushroom ravioli. The wine program mirrors the menu\u2019s versatility, spanning regions and styles from Champagne by Billecart-Salmon<\/a> to Vintage Ports from Quinta do Noval<\/a> and Warre<\/a>, alongside a notable sake selection for more adventurous pairings.<\/p>\n

\"<\/p>\n

Enjoy your glass of wine al fresco at Bin6South. (Courtesy of Bin6South)<\/p>\n

Tip: Plan time before or after dinner to explore the nearby Dal\u00ed Museum and waterfront parks\u2014this is one of the best spots in St. Pete to anchor an arts-focused evening.<\/p>\n

Keep up with the latest restaurant news from our award winners: Subscribe to our free Private Guide to Dining<\/a> newsletter!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"We\u2019re calling it now: Dining in Tampa and St. Petersburg is revving up, with historic restaurants such as…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":213950,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[13],"tags":[202,204,203,199,201,200],"class_list":["post-213949","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-st-petersburg","tag-st-pete","tag-st-pete-headlines","tag-st-pete-news","tag-st-petersburg","tag-st-petersburg-headlines","tag-st-petersburg-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/213949","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=213949"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/213949\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/213950"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=213949"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=213949"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=213949"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}