Travel for Food Hub The Food Blog for Travel Lovers
Last Updated on November 18, 2023
With over 21 million passengers passing through the Tampa Airport each year, it is one of the busiest airports in Florida. Located only six miles from downtown Tampa, this international airport is owned by the Hillsborough County Aviation Authority. The airport has a little bit of everything for the weary traveler and is the perfect place to kick back and wait for your connecting flight. While there are plenty of eateries inside the Tampa Airport, you may want to get out and experience some of the best restaurants near Tampa airport.
So, why not head into Tampa on your layover? Find a luggage locker to drop your bags temporarily and enjoy your meal hands-free.
Look no farther, we will share with you the best seafood restaurants, steak houses, vegetarian options, Italian restaurants near Tampa airport and all you need to have a great breakfast, lunch or dinner around this international airport.
Ocean Prime
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Spend an evening dining at a fantastic, modern American restaurant with an expansive and impressive menu. Ocean Prime is the place to visit when you have a long layover at Tampa Airport.
Featuring vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options on the menu, there is something for everyone at Ocean Prime. Seafood lovers will especially find this restaurant to be delightful. Check out the wine list and enjoy the perfect wine with your entrée.
Eddie V’s Prime Seafood
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Eddie V’s Prime Seafood is one of the best seafood restaurants near Tampa airport. If you have a craving for fresh seafood and great ambiance, look no further than Eddie V’s Prime Seafood where down-home meets a bit of glitz at this trendy restaurant. Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options are also available on the menu.
Start your dining experience with the kung pow calamari or the burrata and goat cheese salad, both bursting with flavor and freshness. Then move on to the Big Eddie which has king crab, Maine lobster, oysters, and shrimp. The parmesan crusted sole is also fabulous.
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The Cheesecake Factory
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The Cheesecake Factory was put on the map when Penny on The Big Bang Theory worked as a waitress at this iconic chain. It is more than just great cheesecakes. The Cheesecake Factory has an entire menu to suit almost every taste.
While waiting for your meal, munch on the fried mozzarella sticks or fried zucchini. The Philly cheesesteak is pretty good but the angel hair pasta with shrimp is simply divine. If you are looking for something a bit lighter, give the grilled fish tacos a try.
And of course, save plenty of room for dessert. Adam’s peanut butter cheesecake is sinfully delicious. The chocolate raspberry truffle cheesecake or chocolate mousse cheesecake are both ideal choices for chocolate lovers!
Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
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Located just across from International Plaza, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar is one of the best steak restaurants near Tampa airport. It is an excellent choice for delicious steaks and handcrafted cocktails lovers. Dine indoors or ask for a table on the outdoor patio for wonderful views of the plaza.
The menu boasts a fantastic selection of prime steaks and seafood dishes as well as burgers and sandwiches for those looking for a lighter meal. Plant-based options are available; ask your server if you cannot find them on the menu.
Brio Italian Grille
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Located in International Plaza, the Brio Italian Grille is one of the best Italian restaurants near Tampa airport. In this Tuscan-inspired restaurant you can get an amazing, authentic Italian meal. You will feel like you just stepped into Italy when you visit Brio.
The menu is filled with delicious made-to-order pasta, premium steaks, fresh seafood, and flavorful flatbreads; vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options are available on the menu. Order a cocktail or glass of wine while you relax over a tasty Italian dish.
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Doc B’s Fresh Kitchen
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Ariya from ProductofTravel.com recommends heading over to the International Mall and visit Doc B’s Fresh Kitchen for a tremendous meal. The tantalizing guacamole appetizer served with crisp sweet potato chips is the best way to start your dining experience.
Serving healthy choices such as the grilled chicken salad or brick chicken, you can enjoy a filling meal without much guilt at Doc B’s. The menu also has vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free choices. Sit out on the deck and look out over gorgeous Tampa while you eat.
Texas de Brazil
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This unique restaurant is a great place to unwind after a long flight and is only minutes from Tampa Airport. Texas de Brazil offers flavorful beef skewers and steaks that are big enough to share with the entire table.
The meat servers continually bring fresh choices to your table so you can pick and choose what you would like (and it is all you can eat). The salad bar has an assortment of cold cuts, cheeses, soups, and salads. The lobster bisque is especially delicious!
Bahama Breeze Island Grille
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Spend time while waiting for your flight at the Bahama Breeze Island Grille. Sample handcrafted tropical cocktails and enjoy the colorful ambiance that makes you feel like you have been transported to the Bahamas.
Located within walking distance of the Chase Suite Hotel, you can sit down to an exotic meal and tasty tropical drink before heading back to the airport. The coconut shrimp is fresh and cooked perfectly. Remember to save room for a slice of deliciously tart key lime pie.
Nicki’s Omelette & Grill
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You can get more than just a basic omelette at Nicki’s Omelette & Grill. This traditional American diner offers breakfast, brunch and lunch where you can get a three-egg omelet stuffed with fresh ingredients or order a burger and fries for lunch.
The Popeye’s Revenge Omelette is big enough to share and is served with hash browns or home fries. The Cyclops Burger is dripping with toppings and is a meal all by itself! The homemade French toast is thick and dusted with powdered sugar.
The Vegetable Benedict is the perfect vegetarian choice and is prepared with eggs, broccoli, tomato, mushrooms, and spinach piled on an English muffin and covered with hollandaise sauce.
While Tampa Airport has plenty of eateries, why not get out of the airport and see a bit of Tampa while you are in the area? Check out one of the best 9 restaurants near Tampa Airport for a delicious and relaxing meal. From fresh seafood to Brazilian skewers to specialty omelettes, you can find pretty much anything you are craving. And if you need to move around, you may want to check out Signature Limousine Lakeland which is a car service in Lakeland that offers airport transport and long-distance services from this area.
As a restaurant owner, it may be difficult to attract customers in an airport restaurant or nearby, but designing soft enamel pins that can be pinned on your employees’ uniforms can enhance professionalism, reinforce customer impressions, facilitate management, and much more. During holidays, choosing custom soft enamel pins that match the festive atmosphere is also a good idea for restaurant promotions.
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