“ Best red sangria in Tampa!! The menu had so many unique options. The atmosphere was laid back, but still had an elevated bar with craft cocktails for date night. You will not be disappointed with the Tampeño beef roll, so delicious! Can’t wait to go back! ”

“ I recently visited El Tampeño Fish & Meat Market, and it was an amazing experience from start to finish. The restaurant perfectly blends Spanish, Cuban, and Italian influences, making every dish feel like a tribute to Tampa’s rich cultural roots. One of the biggest highlights for me was the grilled pulpo . It was cooked to perfection—charred on the outside for that smoky flavor, yet tender and juicy inside. The drizzle of olive oil, citrus, and fresh herbs brought it all together. It’s easily one of the best octopus dishes I’ve had and a must-try when you visit. The atmosphere is warm and inviting with a modern touch—exposed brick, wood, and Spanish tile give it a cozy yet stylish feel. It’s a great spot whether you’re with family, friends, or on a date. Service was friendly and attentive without being rushed. Overall, El Tampeño is more than just a restaurant—it’s a celebration of culture and food.Highly recommended if you’re in Tampa. ”

“ The food and service were both so amazing, I have nothing bad to say. The croquetas de bacalo were filled with fish and tasted amazing, the mussels were cooked in an unforgettable wine sauce. The owner was so accommodating and made sure we were satisfied with everything. We will definitely be returning as regulars and will bring family when they come visit from Spain ”

“ An unsuspecting spot just a block from where the Bucs score at Raymond James stadium, this spot was an absolute score in flavor. My group got the blackened salmon, seafood salad, and the Tampeño Cuban Sandwich. The seafood salad was said to be “the one meal I’d ever eat if I had to eat one meal for the rest of my life”. The price was great for the quality we got. Highly recommend! Get some extra aioli for the sandwich and some kind of dip for the perfectly crisp French fries that come with it ”

“ Great little spot right off Tampa international airport. Atmosphere was wonderful and the people were really nice. Food was good! Seafood salad was yummy and so was the grilled octopus! My only thing was it was a little saltier than I would’ve like. Would come back and eat again! ”

“ I am a Foodie and learned about this restaurant on instagram. It did not disappoint. The food was absolutely delicious. I went with a girlfriend and we ordered several things. For the appetizers, we ordered the meatballs, fish bites, and the codfish croquettes. Also, the endless summer salad with peaches, which was to die for. The peaches were fresh cut and not canned, served over mixed greens, with feta crumbles, sunflower seeds and a flavorful vinaigrette. For the entrees we ordered the lobster dinorah which was an 8 to 9 oz lobster tail in this delicious tomato cream sauce and was plated on top of their signature sofrito yuca mash. OMG! Total flavor explosion. The second entree was the salmon ala toscana served with another delicious sauce garnished with grape tomatoes and a side of linguine. To wash it all down, we ordered a pitcher of the white sangria. The amalgamation of flavors was just incredible. There were diners close by who I could hear exclaim how wonderful their dishes were as well. We were too full for dessert, but I did order the cafe bonbon, which is a small cup of espresso that's served on top of condensed milk and then topped of with foam. Absolutely delicious. That was my dessert. It's such a great little place that is located in a residential neighborhood. within walking distance to the Raymond James stadium. You can actually see the stadium from the restaurant. It has outdoor seating and the manager Louis was just amazing. He went to every table several times to see how everything was. The level of customer service was just fantastic. This is definitely a great place to go with a group of friends so you can try multiple things or a special date. Reservations are advised because it is a small restaurant and the crowd builds quickly. ”

“ First time visiting today for lunch and I definitely will be back. I had the devil crab cake and it was filled with very flavorful crab meat. Their specialty is the Tampeno Cuban and it is nicely pressed with a perfect amount of crisp. Atmosphere is lively and decor and rustic and cool. I highly recommend this restaurant for a wonderful lunch or even a unique date night spot. ”

“ Great food and great vibes. We started off with the fried fish and calamari. Both were delicious. The fried calamari was cooked just right, nice and tender. For my main course I had the beef roll. It was unique and very tasty. The skirt steak was cooked just to my taste. I would highly recommend coming here. ”