Ceviche Tapas Bar and Restaurant

• 2011 Winner

  Best Date Restaurant

• 2010 Winner

  Best Romantic Restaurant

The Meditteranean decor and the cave-like nooks will make guests feel as if they have traveled to southern Spain where gypsies dance flamenco to the sounds of Spanish guitar. The Tampa version of Ceviche Tapas Bar and Restaurant actually changed locations in early 2008 from the quaint and charming first floor of a condominium building, to the now former-St. Bart's restaurant location, which is further north on Howard Avenue in Soho near Hyde Park Village. Not only has it expanded the seating capacity, but there is a patio with a live flamenco band, and an atmosphere comparable to the cafes in Spain. 

The menu has expanded as well. Old favorites like rabo de toro (oxtail), banderillas mixtas (skewers with grilled meats and vegetables), patatas bravas (potatoes with a creamy, spicy sauce), bizcochos de bacalao (cod cakes), vieras rellenas (scallops in a sherry cream sauce), albondigas (meatballs) and puerco Salamanca (pork in a wine sauce with potatoes and olives. These are all small plates, which are good for sharing or eating alone. New plates at Cevice have a Meditteranean influence, like hummus and pita, and many others. There are also regular entree-sized meals like the traditional Spanish dish, paella.

And Ceviche's Sangria is somewhat of an area classic. There are three options, red wine, white wine and champagne sangria, each of which has its own distinct flavor, but will suit a variety of palates. The servers have as much character as the restaurant, and for the indecisive diners, the staff is aways willing to help with drinks and meal choices.

See more: Tampa bars, South Tampa bars, Hyde Park bars