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When you travel below the Mason-Dixon Line, you’ll find some of the most mouthwatering, comforting cuisine in the U.S.: Southern food.
Southern cuisine is integral to American culinary traditions, epitomized by dishes ranging from hushpuppies and ham hocks to beignets and barbecue. While a definitive Southern meal might be tricky to pin down, a noteworthy one kicks off with the bold, tangy taste of pimento cheese dip, proceeds with the flavorful crunch of fried chicken or a spicy Louisiana étouffée, and concludes with a sweet slice of chess pie, perfectly accompanied by a refreshing glass of sweet tea.
The distinctiveness of Southern food lies in its diverse ethnic and cultural influences. Spanish staples like potatoes and cocoa are featured in various Southern dishes. The Acadians, who emigrated from Nova Scotia to Louisiana and evolved into Louisiana Creoles, enriched the cuisine with their seafood offerings. African ingredients, such as okra, sorghum, and black-eyed peas, were incorporated through the labor of enslaved people. French culinary techniques, including braising and sautéing, are commonly utilized in Southern cooking, while corn, introduced by Native Americans, made its way into dishes like succotash and grits.
The Southern dining scene is a fusion of myriad cultures. To explore where you can savor Southern delicacies, Stacker has compiled a list of the top-rated Southern restaurants in the Tampa area. This list was created using Yelp data as of May 2, 2025. The selection was based on Yelp’s ranking system, which adjusts ratings by considering both the number of reviews and the rating score. Only establishments within a 10-kilometer radius of Tampa, tagged as “southern” and with a minimum of 20 reviews on Yelp, were considered. Consequently, some of these establishments may also offer a variety of other culinary options.
Read on to find the perfect spot to get a taste of the South near you.
#15. Lepley’s Kitchen Lounge
– Rating: 3.3/5 (117 reviews)
– Address: 6310 North Florida Ave. Tampa, Florida
– Categories: Southern, Sports Bars, Caribbean
– Read more on Yelp
#14. Hank’s Catfish & BBQ
– Rating: 3.6/5 (293 reviews)
– Price level: $$
– Address: 8546 North Dale Mabry Hwy Tampa, Florida
– Categories: Southern, Barbecue
– Read more on Yelp
#13. Avenue Blu
– Rating: 3.6/5 (26 reviews)
– Address: 122 South Howard Ave. Tampa Bay, Florida
– Categories: Southern, Caribbean
– Read more on Yelp
#12. 4 Rivers Smokehouse
– Rating: 3.7/5 (440 reviews)
– Price level: $$
– Address: 623 South Macdill Ave. Tampa Bay, Florida
– Categories: Barbecue, Smokehouse, Southern
– Read more on Yelp
#11. Mama’s Soul Food Restaurant
– Rating: 3.7/5 (190 reviews)
– Price level: $$
– Address: 3701 East Drive M L K Jr Blvd. Tampa, Florida
– Categories: Southern, Soul Food, Seafood
– Read more on Yelp
#10. Florida Cracker Fish Company
– Rating: 3.8/5 (197 reviews)
– Price level: $$
– Address: 7604 Ehrlich Road Tampa, Florida
– Categories: Seafood, Southern, Whiskey Bars
– Read more on Yelp
#9. 4 Rivers Smokehouse
– Rating: 3.9/5 (689 reviews)
– Price level: $$
– Address: 14330 North Dale Mabry Hwy Tampa, Florida
– Categories: Barbecue, Smokehouse, Southern
– Read more on Yelp
#8. Steelbach
– Rating: 4.1/5 (1166 reviews)
– Price level: $$$
– Address: 1902 North Ola Ave. Tampa, Florida
– Categories: New American, Steakhouses, Southern
– Read more on Yelp
#7. 7th + Grove
– Rating: 4.2/5 (648 reviews)
– Price level: $$
– Address: 1930 East 7th Ave. Tampa, Florida
– Categories: Southern, Lounges, Breakfast & Brunch
– Read more on Yelp
#6. Noble Crust
– Rating: 4.3/5 (844 reviews)
– Price level: $$
– Address: 11618 North Dale Mabry Hwy Tampa, Florida
– Categories: Southern, Italian, Breakfast & Brunch
– Read more on Yelp
#5. Mr B’s Cafe Southern Cuisine
– Rating: 4.3/5 (165 reviews)
– Price level: $$
– Address: 3401 North Nebraska Ave. Tampa, Florida
– Categories: Soul Food, Southern, Cafes
– Read more on Yelp
#4. M&R Cafe Southern Cuisine With Flavor
– Rating: 4.3/5 (26 reviews)
– Address: 3320 East Osborne Ave. Tampa, Florida
– Categories: Southern, Breakfast & Brunch
– Read more on Yelp
#3. Al’s Finger Licking Good Bar-B-Que
– Rating: 4.6/5 (503 reviews)
– Price level: $$
– Address: 1609 Angel Oliva Sr St. Tampa, Florida
– Categories: Barbecue, Southern, American
– Read more on Yelp
#2. Mangos Cafe And Specialty store
– Rating: 4.7/5 (129 reviews)
– Price level: $$
– Address: 9718 North 56th St. Temple Terrace, Florida
– Categories: Caribbean, Southern, Vegan
– Read more on Yelp
#1. Southern Luv
– Rating: 4.8/5 (34 reviews)
– Address: 8019 Citrus Park Drive Tampa, Florida
– Categories: Breakfast & Brunch, Barbecue, Southern
– Read more on Yelp
