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    Nueva Cantina

    3.7 (149 reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 12:00 AM (Next day)

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    Margarita - looks cute, but the glass was cracked!

    Nueva Cantina Tampa has an eye-catching atmosphere and a solid drink menu that's well presented. Unfortunately, that's where the positive experience ended for me. During my visit, I found a large, sharp piece of metal embedded in a side of guacamole. It was fully coated and not visible at first, and could have caused a serious injury. I brought it to the attention of staff and spoke with two managers on site. While they were polite, the response was minimal and did not reflect the seriousness of the situation. I followed up directly afterward to give the opportunity to address it privately. It has now been three weeks with no response. For a place that positions itself at a higher level, this was extremely disappointing. Situations like this should be taken seriously and handled with care. There are plenty of other options in the area that not only deliver on experience, but also on accountability when something goes wrong. Sharing so others are aware, and observe what you consume. Photo included: Metal object inside the side of guac & a marg in a cracked glass (tough to see the crack).

    Bar seating, on the middle of the dining room. March 2026
    Jennifer B.

    This will put some zing in your spring-and add flavor and fun to any holiday. Nueva Cantina knows decor and pulls out all the stops to celebrate seasons, in the ambiance and on the menu. I've done Halloween at the Brandon location-now it was time for Easter in downtown Tampa. My friend and I popped in on a Saturday afternoon in late March, around 4:30. We didn't have a reservation, but got right in. The place was busy but not cramped. There's a bar in the middle-high tops and tables on either side and a large patio space out front. It's colorful and casual-with the same breezy vacay vibes as Brandon. My friend and I each ordered two of the specialty spring margaritas. Then she had a fish taco and the flautas... while I chose the veggie taco and a small side of plantains. Everything came out quickly and was presented well. There's a nice heat to that veggie taco-not too much, but just enough. I'll definitely do that again. I'll come back here again, too. It's a great party spot-with the inventive pitchers and trays of shots (with sparklers). It's clean and tropical-so are the bathrooms. We were each parked in lots nearby (we were downtown to attend a show) and it's an easy walk down to Ashley or over to the Tampa Theatre or Hotel Flor. Cheers to another fab location!

    Shot platter
    Megan S.

    Nueva Cantina never disappoints. We went for the Valentine's Day menu and everything was so good. The birria pizza was amazing and the Cupid's margaritas were even better. We ended the night with shots which just made it more fun. I come here at least once a month because I genuinely love it. The chips and salsa are addicting and I've honestly loved almost everything I've tried on the menu. The food is always consistent, the drinks are great, and it's just an easy go to spot for me every time.

    Taco tour (pick 4 proteins)
    Deanne G.

    We we're in Tampa for a college visit and tried this place. It was cute and had all the typical items you'd expect like margaritas and tacos. The tacos didn't come with much on them except onions and cilantro and we had to order a side of guacamole and sour cream which was disappointing in size.

    Street corn esquites
    Nathalia N.

    We had reservations for a party of 5 for 7:15pm on a Saturday night. We were told that someone took our table and waited 30 minutes. The time we by fast as music played in the background and there's so much too look at. The manager did accommodated us with drinks for the inconvenience, thank you Heather. We were then seated in the patio, which has heated lamp. The patio is full of seasonal decor, we enjoyed the Valentine's Day theme. To my surprise even the bathroom had a taste of it. This place is definitely a vibe for all ages. The staff were all attentive to guest needs. The food came out pretty quick. The guacamole was delicious and tasted fresh, the queso was creamy with a splash of hotness and the tacos were a hit as they were stuffed with meat on fresh tortillas. The cutest presentation overall with all dishes and with drinks. We will definitely return.

    Inside
    Trent N.

    Super cute for Christmas! But that's where the fun ends. I came in on a Friday night and I was the only person over the age of 22. I looked at the menu and realized this is the college spot for cheap drinks in Tampa. If all you're looking for are some of the cheapest cocktails in Tampa then this is your spot. If you're looking for even remotely decent food or drinks then this is definitely not your spot. First up, I ordered a $11.75 Burrito Chorizo. I mean you could have told me it was from Taco Bell or Chipotle. Then, I tried a $14 Espresso Martini and I didn't even get a duck. What a gip! The drink was like a 1/10. Never order again. The only reason to come here is for the price. However, I don't see a point of a lower price for bad food and drinks. The Christmas decorations are awesome though so I'll give them 2 stars.

    Steak tacos
    Grace L.

    Nueva Cantina Mexicana Great drinks, food was absolutely on point, and the service was excellent. Everything came out fresh and flavorful, and the cocktails were well made. The staff was friendly, attentive, and made the whole experience even better. Definitely a place worth coming back to.

    Mexican pizza
    Belinda L.

    I think my biggest gripe about this place would have to be the parking. It's located downtown so it takes a little extra time to find parking if you want to make your reservation time. Other than that no complaints. My friends and I visited during Christmas time. It was beautifully decorated with Christmas lights and decorations. The service was quick and efficient. The food was pretty good. My Mexican pizza was slightly salty but still good. The Snow White margarita was also very good. It's not an authentic Mexican restaurant but the vibes were good and it was tasty enough.

    Spring fling flight
    Katrina M.

    Flights and drink options are top tier. Birria tacos are my all time favorites! Service is hit or miss at times, but the vibe is still great. Music is fun and upbeat. Lots of cute decor for photo ops as well!

    Interior
    Marina M.

    My son had a project for his Spanish class, and I reached out to Nueva Cantina on N. Franklin St. in downtown Tampa for a short interview. The manager, Heather, was helpful from the very beginning. She told me the best day to come in, welcomed us, and was more than willing to record a video answering my son's questions. Not only did she participate, but her answers were thoughtful, detailed, and truly went above and beyond what was expected. We've visited this restaurant before, and my sons always enjoy the food ~ the tacos are consistently fresh and delicious. Today, our server Megan also provided good service. But the reason I'm giving this restaurant 5 stars is because of Heather's exceptional kindness and willingness to help with something outside her normal responsibilities. We're extremely grateful she took the time to help my high schooler succeed on his Spanish project. We will definitely be back, and we highly recommend Nueva Cantina for both the yummy food and the people who work there!

    Birthday shots
    Micaela R.

    A great place to go for drinks and birthday celebrations. I like their seasonal concepts and the fun they bring towards each season. The food is not too bad also.

    Mango Margs.
    Lisa G.

    I loved this spot for Cinco De Mayo!! And super glad I had reservations. There was a line out the door! We ordered the taco tour which was yummy and the picture of Margs was plenty for us 3. They also gave us complimentary shots! Nice touch. I thought pricing was good. We sat outside which was much more quiet and cute. Inside was super noisy, dark and cold!! Only improvement would be to bring more toppings out for a platter of tacos a they gave us a tiny cup of cilantro for 12 tacos between 3 people. We had to ask for refills ... get yours up front!

    Margarita
    Marquese C.

    I really enjoyed the food here when it came to my dish which was the Spanish rice, refried beans and plantains. These plantains were delicious and came in a nice sized portion. The Spanish rice and refried beans mixed together along with the two sauces provided (salsa roja mild & salsa verde medium) really satisfied my tastebuds. The margarita rimmed with tajin was refreshing, I got a duck! There was a dirty fork in our utensil bucket. The service was great, super friendly and accommodating staff. Parking is metered parking downtown and parking lots in the area. I'd come back to check out a different theme as the current theme is Valentine's Day.

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    Ask the Community - Nueva Cantina

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    Morgan’s Cove - Gochujang Wings

    Morgan’s Cove

    4.3(75 reviews)
    0.4 miDowntown Tampa

    What a DOPE, PIRATE THEMED, speakeasy to go to grab some delicious drinks! Totally blown away!…read more Tucked, downtown Tampa you enter through a secret bookcase door and you enter a very low key pirate bar! Lighting is dim, which is part of the concept. (Auto flash is needed for pics) The joint, is VERY CLEAN! The staff is awesome and very attentive! They understand process. The drinks are SOOO WELL MADE! I had a Zombie as my first drink, and it is very well presented and STRONG! I prefer,my first drink at an establishment to be strong cause then I can lighten it up later. Then I had a Rum Barrel, not as strong, but well presented and delicious! Note: Prices for drinks are worth every dime! They have a small food menu, but everything on the menu looked delicious, but I did not eat there. This speakeasy is attached to a British pub which I went for food after. (Review to come) All-in-all great spot to come and have a drink you are well treated, appreciated and just a fun experience! I will DEFINITELY come back here for a delicious drink and DEFINITELY will try something off the food menu. I'll just make sure next time I won't go there after a big breakfast lol! Five stars alllllll day long!!!

    Snacks and pirate tiki vibes on point. Always do the Saturn and the 3 dots this time also had a…read moremount gay daq which was good. The dates are delish and the bartenders on point. They were a bit busy for a Sunday due to the event but solids showing and lots of tiki peeps.

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    Morgan’s Cove - Secret entrance to the speakeasy!

    Secret entrance to the speakeasy!

    Morgan’s Cove - Rum Barrel

    Rum Barrel

    Morgan’s Cove - The bar area, tables surrounding it and another little closed off section.

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    The bar area, tables surrounding it and another little closed off section.

    CW's Gin Joint - Angeled Eggs

    CW's Gin Joint

    4.2(579 reviews)
    0.2 miDowntown Tampa
    $$

    Ok. For context I'm a foodie and a snob when it comes to restaurants. This place is just plain…read morecool. Little speakeasy. Little high end restaurant. I am also a sucker for egg white drinks. If you've never had one you are not living. Then there is the wine. They have Cade from Howell Mountain. So hard to find and one of the best. I will come back every time I am in town. It is way up there on my lists as I travel.

    This post is based on my second visit to this restaurant. My husband and I did enjoy it the first…read moretime around and immediately thought of who to bring for our next visit, which was the reason for this visit. We originally planned on bringing some family here for their anniversary but that plan feel through so we made it into a friends catch up dinner. Right off the back LOVED our server Nimah. She was funny, helpful, and attentive. And they are on top of refilling your water so you will never go thirsty. I'm not much of a drinker, so I don't have much to say on that matter. The ambiance was nice. A lot of eclectic paintings on the walls. And loved the outfits of the servers. Very 20's speakeasy. There is a live jazz band that started performing at 7 pm. They were good but at some points it was a bit difficult to speak and listen to those at your table unless you got really close. My meal hit the spot. We started with a charcuterie board for the table. It had a lot of great options like dried apricots, actual honeycomb pieces, and my most favorite cheese, some Brie cheese. The only thing was there was only 4 pieces of bread, one for each of us, which wasn't enough but I guess it made sense not to fill us up too much. For my main meal I had the sweet potato salad which was very tasty and the sweet potato risotto, which a little spicy kick. The only thing I missed was the Brussels sprouts and potatoes but was told that was from the previous chef. But they serve you enough so you definitely will have left overs. Not a big fan of eating in the lounge areas, those are best just for drinks and maybe desserts. But it's definitely a great place to people watch. You will definitely have a meal and a show no matter what. Hopefully can schedule another time to bring my family because I know they would love it.

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    CW's Gin Joint - Corner of bar

    Corner of bar

    CW's Gin Joint - Oysters with Mignonette

    Oysters with Mignonette

    CW's Gin Joint - French 75 with Hendricks

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    Hotel Bar - Cocktails

    Hotel Bar

    4.3(231 reviews)
    0.4 miDowntown Tampa
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    The bartenders really know what they're doing at Hotel Bar! I'm not usually a dirty martini person,…read morebut one of them took the time to ease me into it with just a slightly dirty version! You can tell they're skilled and actually care about your experience, not just making drinks. Oh and they have bar snacks now! It's not included with your drinks like in Europe. You have to order separately and they come in the most adorable tray for $5! The music is always on point, which honestly makes a huge difference in the overall vibe. Also, I love their hours...it's one of those places you can count on when you're not ready for the night to end.

    From the moment I walked in, I was treated like I wasn't wanted there. No greeting, no attempt to…read moretake my order, and no basic customer service whatsoever. I tried to be polite and patient, but the staff was rude from the very beginning and made it clear they didn't want to serve me. To make it worse, I was kicked out for absolutely no reason. They claimed I "argued" with them, which is completely false. I never raised my voice or caused an issue--I was simply responding to their hostility. Instead of owning their behavior, they chose to make something up and remove me. I've never experienced such unprofessional, disrespectful treatment at a bar. If you're looking for a place where you feel welcome or even acknowledged, this is definitely not it.

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    Hotel Bar - Hotel Bar

    Hotel Bar

    Hotel Bar - Old Fashioned

    Old Fashioned

    Hotel Bar - Bottle display

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    Bottle display

    Tanto - crafted cocktail

    Tanto

    4.8(20 reviews)
    0.8 mi

    Went to dinner solo and called the restaurant ahead of time as the app wouldn't let be book a…read morereservation for 1. They were super accommodating and told me just to come in. The hostess was pleasant when arriving and presented herself with exceptional sleek style. Someone brought me a palate cleanser drink which was rhubarb and lemongrass water. It was smooth and refreshing. The server guided me through the cocktail menu which was an exploration all its very own. I choose the cocktail called Opposite Day- Japanese whiskey, sweet Sauvignon Blanc, salted wine and roasted beets- twist on a whiskey sour but flipped! Oysters were light and fresh and the juice in the shell was precision clean. It really pops the flavors of the oyster. Yellowtail jalapeño handroll- it is designed to be eaten similar to a taco. The yellowtail was superbly fresh, the jalapeno was a mild touch to accompany the dish and didn't try to be the star. and the homemade soy sauce didn't over power the fish. Duck leg finished with a Szechuan spice and finished a pear au jus. The duck fell off the bone and was bursting with a complex blend of elegant flavors. As you check is presented they served you the tea of the day which was Hibiscus citrus Japanese tea in the most sophisticated teapot sitting on Japanese bamboo, which was a nice touch in the meal Upbeat modern music vibe Helpful, friendly weight staff that explains every item in detail as you order it, and when it brought to the table.

    Brought my husband to Tanto for his birthday and we were really excited to try it. We've been to…read morethe kaiseki experience at Kosen two years ago and been dying to try their cocktail bar concept. The entire dining area and booth is now Tanto and they have themed cocktail menus that changes seasonally. They have a small bites menu which includes handrolls! Service was good, attentive and we got a nice view of the bar where the bartenders were amazing! They were shaving down ice for the cocktails. Very cool. The seasonal menu has already changed, so I am not sure of the drinks we got lol both were fun and just okay.. mine came in a cone shape ceramic and very tart? The food was pretty good - some hits and misses. The caviar service was good but came with thin chips that break. I would recommend small pancakes. The sea bream hand rolls were good and the chirashi was very good. The karaage was good but the chive aioli was incredible. Overall cool concept but would love a bigger entree options on their menu. This would open up more patrons to visit who don't want to drop $500 for sushi

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    Tanto - Bar area

    Bar area

    Tanto - Chirashi

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    The Dan - Interior dining room

    The Dan

    3.8(149 reviews)
    0.1 miDowntown Tampa

    Location: The Dan Date: June 29th, 2026…read more Service: Lunch Friend and I decided to stop by the Dan located at the Hilton Flor. I love fries and my friend ordered Cobb salad which they said was it was amazing salad. I literally ate all of the burger and fries that's how good the food was very appealing. I will ordered my burger medium well. The damn was clean everything was placed in order the silverware the napkins. The staff was very helpful and assistant to their customers. Check out the photos attached to this review.

    No food is worth a 4 hour dining debacle. If we were not celebrating a birthday for someone else,…read morewe would have left. As patient as I am, this was the most absurd dining experience we've ever had. It's a shame because the food wasn't bad. The staff was apologetic but their honesty, that service would be slow for whatever reason they had going on given we had four little kids with us, would have been much appreciated. No one came to our table to take our drink order, so we just went to the bar to order instead. There were more bartenders behind the bar than customers at the bar and none of them assisted the servers with table drink orders. It took half an hour to order appetizers afterwards, then another half hour to order entrées. We didn't have utensils at one point to eat the food we got, food orders came out incorrectly, the tables weren't cleared when dessert came out, and we had to excuse the entire table to head home with the kids as it was 10pm and we still hadn't received the check we asked for 30 mins prior to dessert coming out. The only reason we were still there when the dessert came was because we ordered it with the pre-fix entrée and we couldn't get anyone to bring us our check so we could leave. This was a manager problem, not a staff problem. I could not imagine leaving my staff in such disorganized distress over dinner service on a Saturday night.

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    The Dan - Marinated olives

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    The Dan - Interior dining room

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    The Dan - Bunless burger

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    Alter Ego - Bar Area

    Alter Ego

    3.8(74 reviews)
    0.7 miDowntown Tampa
    $$$

    We were told about Alter Ego from their sister business "Rooster & The Till" as our server…read morerecommended we come and try it, and we loved everything about it. We came during a Michael Jackson themed night so the music was already amazing. Vibes here were absolutely unmatched, everyone was dancing having a good time. Bit of a wait to get inside but all in all it was totally worth the wait (about 35 minutes) the host at the door was extremely kind and friendly, the server who was attending us at our table was also very kind and attentive. The drinks were definitely the highlight of the night, I got the "What's Your Fantasy" and my Girlfriend got the "Like a Virgin" and we both loved the drinks, we also had some lemon drop shots to accompany our drinks.

    I really like this spot overall...Alter Ego has smaller, moody dark vibes that feel super cool,…read morewith good cocktails and great music. It's got that all-around fun, energetic atmosphere that makes it a solid choice for drinks. Not sure how it is during the week, but it would make for a fun date night spot to grab some cocktails. That said, I had a real hang-up the last time I went with my girlfriend around Christmas. They tried to hit us with a $10 cover just to get in, on top of $15-20 cocktails. I don't mind paying for a nice spot, but the cover felt absurd, especially since it wasn't even busy. The bouncer said we could make a reservation to avoid it, so I did...and then he made us stand outside forever before letting us in. At that point, we should've just left, but since my friend had never been, we stuck it out to try the themed Christmas cocktails. Once inside, there was a two-drink minimum per person, which is kind of crazy. It feels like they jip you either way...cover or no cover, minimum spend or not. While waiting outside (for no real reason, since it was empty), we chatted with a party of six who came straight from Ash (the sister restaurant upstairs). They'd just spent over $1,000 on their meal and were still getting charged a cover to enter Alter Ego. That's poor business, don't force extra fees to guarantee money when good music, drinks, and vibes should bring people in naturally and make them want to spend. There's plenty of places on Water Street with great (and I'd say better) cocktails where you're not forced into minimums or covers. The Christmas cocktail menu was disappointing too, poor selections and way too sugary. Love the potential here, but the strict policies really turned me off and made me want to go elsewhere next time.

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    Alter Ego - Smother fries

    Smother fries

    Alter Ego - Bramble and Rickey cocktails

    Bramble and Rickey cocktails

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    Lighting

    Nueva Cantina - mexican - Updated July 2026

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