Tray

Had a beautiful dinner at this modern Mediterranean spot inside The Tampa EDITION. Lilac definitely lived up to the Michelin name. The vichyssoise was silky and flavorful, the truffle pasta was incredible, and the risotto with grouper was super comforting. Desserts were great too. The Mediterranean Milk Punch ended up being one of the best cocktails I've ever had. The vibes were nice, but I wish we had better seats since we were a little too close to the next table so I could hear everything they were talking about. If anything, go for the cocktail and the truffle pasta. It My favorites: vichyssoise, truffle pasta, Mediterranean Milk Punch 9 500 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL 33602 #tampaeats #finedining #tampabay #tampadatenight #lilactampa

Latoya C.

I had dinner with a party of six at Lilac and the ambiance is busy in that cute "I'm outside, I'm social, I'm sophisticated... at least for tonight" kind of way. To get to the restaurant you do have to strut through the hotel lobby, glide past the lobby bar, and act like you're not dodging three different groups taking selfies. It's a whole runway walk before you even sit down. We were seated promptly and our server was on point from start to finish. The menu is diverse and the drinks are genuinely good. I had the lemon risotto and the lamb chop, and yes I'm saying chop because it's literally one. But that one chop understood the assignment. It was delicious, especially paired with the braised lamb Mille feuille. I ordered the mashed potatoes too and they were so perfectly creamy that they honestly deserved their own applause. Now let me talk about the diver scallops. These scallops came out looking like they went to finishing school. Fancy. Soft. And sitting on that pine nut preserved lemon risotto with rosemary embers like they were posing for a magazine cover. The flavor was giving "I don't usually brag, but today I will." The French onion bread was straight up chef's kiss. If carbs had a love language, this would be it. And the duck liver pâté came out presented like a little macaron, which felt very "oh you fancy, huh" in the best way. Even though the drinks come from the lobby bar, they still arrived surprisingly fast. Portions aren't big, so if you have an appetite, either pre-game with a snack or be prepared to order a few things. The restaurant was also so kind to bring out a birthday dessert for the table, which was the sweetest touch and made the night feel extra special. Overall, the food was delicious, the experience was great, and I'm genuinely glad I chose Lilac to celebrate my birthday.

Sherry B.

Can I just say wow? Our dinner here was outstanding. Lilac is Michelin star restaurant in a hotel lobby. We ordered their tasting menu with wine pairing, but you can also order meals à la carte. The service was outstanding, as one would expect from a Michelin restaurant. Attentive, knowledgeable staff--especially their sommelier! The ambiance is beautiful with tons of lush greenery and plants, but it was a little on the louder side, probably due to all the hard surfaces and being in a lobby. It was not what I'd consider noisy, however. I would HIGHLY recommend ordering their tasting menu with the wine pairing. Come hungry!

Chris T.

What an amazing dining experience!!!! The food, the service (Thank you Sway) and atmosphere were all perfect!!! Did the chef guided menu with accompanying wine tasting and man oh man that did not disappoint!!! Everything was incredible with perfect wine pairings. The entrees were simple but decadent, full of flavors that hit different as they passed the pallet. You're getting 8oz of food for $800 but you won't even be mad when the bill comes. I was impressed with the hotels staff as well. There's a culture there for sure but there better be for what they charge a night. Lilac is quaint and nestled in the corner of the lobby. It is super loud tho with the bar just on the other side of the plant wall and music pumping. Do not come here expecting a quiet dinner. The entire hotel is a vibe.

Beth S.

We got to lilac and while I expected a quieter spot, the food, service, and overall experience was top notch. The restaurant itself is small and decorated in lush floral tones. The music was house and a little loud, but I've definitely been at louder. Our server Jeremy was the best. Ask for this guy if you go. He was knowledgeable and pleasant. For a Michelin starred restaurant there's no snootiness here, everyone was lovely. It's pricey, but the tasting menu was a lot of food and each course was just excellent. The best item was a duck fat hash brown with caviar on top, followed by the truffle pasta, and filet.

Irene E.

Will return for the service and the decor. Location: 5 Ambience: 5 Food: 4 Service: 5 Picayune: milk bread is too big The food is good but could be better: ~ the milk bread is awesome ~ the freebies are all very good ~ spiced tuna: they're chunks, could it be a bit smaller and more moistened (?) ~ salmon - is very good and tender, but a hair shy from Trump's link @ Waterfront in Bronx, NYC ~ grouper - tasty, skinned cherry tomatoes are yummy The hot bread is delicious, but a little to large. It looks like a K2 that I've to conquer. Maybe making it half the size, less waste? The texture is croissant-ish, also reminds me of the breads from a bakery in Beijing - Zhongguancu Bakery 中关村茶点 (... after 60+ years and the Cultural Revolution, it has closed down and moved to a new location early this year...) Lilac means 紫丁香 in Chinese: purple clove. So I put on as much purple as I could but ... there isn't purple in sight (until 6pm). The entrance of the hotel Edition has fake Bougainvillea (why?!?) Large plants filled the narrow high ceiling lobby and the restaurant, like an oasis. Green is the theme of the restaurant: green tiles, green booths and chairs that feel like 1960s or 80s but with clean and modern twist, the large green plants (real) bring me to now, today. (I do have green dinning chairs and love them.) The restaurant is small: six tables for two, one long table for eight, and six half circular booths that could accommodate up to four. It's empty from 5 and three more tables filled by 6pm, when by accident or planned, they brought out beautiful snap dragon to tables: thank you. Many restaurants use Riedel (Santa Fe!) but their water glasses are the best: look ordinary but is extraordinarily delicate - I think I'd three glass of water. The matte tableware Sera by Piet Boon is nice. The female hostesses is very beautiful, who asked us what kind of occasion this dinner is. It draws a black - nothing really special, just a dinner. But I don't want to disappoint her, so I said, "I just won a lawsuit." (... which is true - Hales Blackbrick sued me over my 3 star review - https://www.tampabay.com/life-culture/food/2025/06/04/hales-blackbrick-sues-yelp-reviewer-restaurants-tampa-bay/) She asked me how my day was as she led us to our table, I blah blah blah, eagerly offered that I won all my three set of tennis (it was a hard fought match - my left forearm is in pain!!) ... by the time we leave, she congratulated me on the two wins again - thanks sweetie, you're a dear. The location is great: it's cross street from Amelia Arena, a block from the 2.6 miles riverwalk (about 1.5 miles from Waterworks / a mile from Straz). The buildings in the area look young. The large parcel at north of E Cumberland Ave @ Water Street is being developed.

Airamiss L.

I have now dined here three times and every single time the service and the food has been unmatched. Tampa is very lucky to have a restaurant like this. Like I said, I haven't had a non five star experience here to date and one of the times I dined in was Thanksgiving day. Thanksgiving dinner at a hotel usually in my opinion has never "wowed" me. This dinner at Lilac did. They made a fabulously curated Thanksgiving prefix dinner and not only that the Turkey and stuffing type item was gluten-free. No one has ever done that everywhere I have eaten on Thanksgiving at a hotel/restaurant which is disappointing. This time, I got to have the full exoerience and I didnt have to cook it. The presentation and the dedication to flavor and introducing different challenging flavor combinations is there with every meal even this one. Outside of the amazing Thanksgiving dinner I would say the next dish that blew my mind was the whole fish prepared tableside with polenta. I grew up eating fish and grits and it was considered like a lower class dinner for lack of a better description, but I loved it. I was skeptical about paying that price for fish and grits (and it was not fried by the way it was sautéed), but you know outside of Southern home cooking, this was the best I ever had and it was because it was a new exposure to that cultural preparation. The waiter who we have had all three times we dined in is great and he prepared it tableside and explained everything about where the dish derived and how its prepared traditionally. I hope it comes back to the menu because I had this in 2024. It is so worth the money and be prepared to eat all of it in one sitting. Next, the caviar at almost 200$. Again, I was not sure what to expect. because the photos make it seem like caviar on a huge pile of chives. It is worth the money. It comes with accutramants like fried hashbrown type potatoes and then the usual, but the preparation just made it once again, the best I have ever had. The caviar was great and for the price we got a lot of caviar. Next, their drink cart. If you dine in get the drinks prepared ta beside by your waiter. It's a great experience and all three times I dined at Lilac I didn't see anyone order it because the Lobby Hotel Bar is right on the otherside and they serve cocktails from there as well Lastly, they have maintained their Michelin star so I am so happy for that, they certainly deserve it. I can't wait to dine in again for a special occasion. The restaurant is beautiful with an open kitchen. There is only one non-ppsitive thing I have to say in this particular post, the Water Street area has become so crowded, so packed in between people who live here, people who have moved here and tourists and ALL the events and Lightning games parking is NOT GOOD. The last time I dined at the Tampa Edition (just 2 weeks ago) valet parking was 65.00, street parking was 60.00 and its just ridiculous because even during events parking used to cost 20 to 25$ on the street through park mobile. That is no fault of the restaurant, but if you are dining at the restaurant it would be nice if they validated the parking.

Daniel H.

There's not a single issue I found with our experience at lilac, and it really is an experience. Every bite of food, every sip of cocktail, every interaction with the staff, simply wonderful. My absolute favorite part of the meal was the duck, it's literally the best I've ever had in my life. I could rave on and on about this, but I highly suggest you simply book and let them treat you for an evening!

Lilac is hands down my favorite date spot in Tampa. From the moment we walk in, it feels intentional, intimate, and unforgettable -- which is why we always choose it to celebrate our anniversary. One of the sweetest touches? The handwritten anniversary note waiting at our table. It's such a small detail, but it makes the entire evening feel personal and thoughtful in a way that stays with you. Every course is plated so elegantly it almost feels like artwork. The presentation alone sets the tone, but the flavors absolutely deliver. Each dish is layered, balanced, and beautifully composed. The ambiance -- soft lighting, calm energy, refined atmosphere -- somehow enhances the experience even more. It truly feels like the setting elevates the flavors on the plate. If you're looking for a place that makes a night feel meaningful, romantic, and unforgettable, Lilac is it. Every single time.

Erini N.

One of the best meals I have ever had in my life. The staff were incredible and did a wonderful job of adding to the meal experience. It's a cosy small, classy environment, hence it's always booked out and you do need to make reservations in advance. Everything was delicious, particularly the cacio e Pepe pasta, and the appetizers. Would skip the duck and try the lamb or beef tenderloin next time. Overall, amazing experience. Compliments to the chef

Bridget S.

Wonderful experience all around. The meal is served as a four course dinner and everything was phenomenal. Each plate got an introduction along with instructions on how to enjoy it best. Our server, Ryan, was friendly, professional, and ran everything smoothly.

Michelle M.

My husband and I recently had a date night at Lilac and were thoroughly impressed. We did the menu tasting and wine pairing so we could just enjoy ourselves and not have to think about what to get! I have food allergies and the chef had to customize a few of the dishes, which affected the wine pairing as well. Both the chef and sommelier were so kind to accommodate my needs and I was so happy with my food and the experience.

Beckie J.

Lilac was a treat and a great opening to our first night in Tampa. Excellent and knowledgeable service. The ambience was intimate and pleasant to the eye. The food was exquisite, and well balanced. I highly recommend the pork and octopus dish as the appetizer, as well as the duck in the main course menu. The peppercorn on the duck, mixed with the other components of the dish was a fun journey to the tongue. As for the dessert, we chose the chocolate soufflé as to share, and it was not a regret. The pistachio ice cream (amazing!) and the soufflé paired well perfectly as it melted in my mouth. It was not too sweet nor too heavy surprisingly. Such a delight! Of all the dishes..the only wish I would've asked for is if the croissant could have more of a fresh crunch to them. Overall, Lilac is a bit pricy in my opinion. But if you want something that's reliable in taste, and something that is well done in culinary techniques, I would recommend this spot. Thank you to the staff for the amazing experience and memories.