For our 2026 Best Restaurants List, TAMPA Magazine readers voted for their favorite places to eat and drink across 35 categories. Below are the winners in each category. Tap any one to see the runners-up and the restaurants voters also loved.
Best Restaurants in Tampa Bay 2026: Readers' Choice Winners
2026 Winners by Category
Best Deli/Sandwich Shop
Winners: Barrow’s Gourmet Deli, Cousin Vinny’s Sandwich Co., Mazarro’s Italian Market and Wright’s Gourmet House
Best Italian Restaurant
Winners: Beccofino Italian Bistro, Esposito’s Italian Restaurant and Bar, Osteria Natalina and Rocca
Best Place to Bring Out-of-Towners
Winners: Bern’s Steak House, Columbia Restaurant and Oxford Exchange
Best Tableside Experience
Winners: Beccofino Italian Bistro – Tableside Pasta and Rocca – The Mozzarella Cart
Best Tacos
Winners: Barrio Tacos + Tequila + Whiskey, Besito Mexican Restaurant and Red Mesa Cantina
How the Winners Were Chosen
The Best Restaurants List is decided entirely by our readers. Readers could choose up to three restaurants in each category from a ballot of local nominees or write in a favorite that wasn’t listed.
After voting closed, our editors tallied every ballot. In each category, the restaurants with the most votes are named winners, followed by the runners-up and the restaurants voters also loved. Advertising has no bearing on the results.
