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Ulele

4.2 (5k reviews)
Closed 11:00 am - 10:00 pm
Updated 3 weeks ago

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ULELE ATMOSPHERE

What's the vibe?
Trendy
Classy
Moderate noise
Dogs allowed

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Recommended Reviews - Ulele

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Reviews With Photos

Andreas K.

This time visited the place for a sit down dinner. Outdoors proved to be better suited (a) for the nice atmosphere but (b) as the noise level inside was quite high, challenging non-screaming conversations. The Amarillo ceviche was a great start, followed by the Ulele salad and a NY steak, on point medium-rare and very tender. We could not resist a bread pudding with vanilla which - after a nice walk along the riverway back to the JW Marriott - turned out to be the theme of the visit. PREVIOUS REVIEW Chosen for an alumni reception, this cool and trendy place provided a nice upper deck - secluded from other guests. There were a limited number of snack bites including chicken legs, mini burgers, shrimp cocktails - and plenty of drinks. Had I not had other true dinner commitments, it would definitely have been worthwhile to explore the main menu. PS: Lime proved to be a perfect exploration mode of transportation through from the hotel through Tampa old town ...

Kim R.

Great spot to enjoy the weather. And community park. Love the story behind the restaurant. The decoration inside was well done. Service was great. Our server knew the menu well and gave us tips of what to order. I ordered the crab cakes and they were so fresh and tasty. I enjoyed every bite. The okra fries was also delicious very interesting way of making okra. Parking was a little hard to find but once you find it the signs are all over the lot. If you're in town definitely check this spot out.

Honeymoon beer
Ricarta C.

Ulele is a popular native-inspired restaurant and brewery on Tampa's Riverwalk, known for its Florida-sourced ingredients cooked on a large barbacoa grill, waterfront views, and on-site brewery. Owned by the same family as the Columbia Restaurant, it offers a unique menu with dishes like meatloaf and short ribs, and provides options for outdoor seating, valet parking, and is accessible via water taxi. This place is just amazing from decor to service and ambiance , you'll stay all day lol !

Julia P.

Parking is limited even though they do have a dedicated parking lot for the establishment. Right on armature works property so walkable area and crowded. The actual experience is so-so. Very expensive for not very attentive. Knowing your clientele is very important. We were seated upstairs and 10 mins into our meal they dimmed the lights very low, kind of killing the warm ambience. People complained on the floor and pulled out flash lights to look at the menu and still no change. Ordered two drinks to start with oysters and Mac and cheese to start. Oysters seemed okay and the Mac and cheese for $8 was an absolute gem and steal. Definitely worth getting. The drinks were also phenomenal. Then comes our meals- I ordered seafood risotto and he got short rib. Seafood risotto- didn't seem like a lot, just tastes like sweet rice with a medley of seafood. Green beans are way over seasoned and salty to my taste and my stomach was upset after 6/10 The short rib- delicious no complaints, he enjoyed the green beans. A little spicy with tons of salt. Short rib was soft and tender but no change of knife so expect a butter knife to cut. Not nearly enough mashed potatoes to meat portion but the better of our meals. 8/10 For $200 dollars we've had better service and food so I feel like you're really paying for the location.

Seafood Risotto
Bailey P.

We came to celebrate my boyfriend's birthday on a Saturday night and overall had a really great time. I made reservations about 2 weeks in advance which I highly recommended since this place seems pretty popular! There is a park next door so we arrived a bit early to walk around. Luckily, there is complementary valet parking so parking was a breeze. We were seating right away and got straight to eating and drinking. For appetizers, we shared the tuna salad (super fresh) and the gator bites (very unique). We also split the seafood risotto which I loved because we got a little taste of everything - scallops, shrimp, lobster. We also split the pineapple upside down cake which was delicious and some complementary birthday truffles. Our waitress was attentive and provided great recommendations. The ambiance was not quite what I expected. It was a bit more casual than I wanted for a birthday dinner with lots of large groups and casual wear but it was still a great night out. The view of the sunset was great!

Kerry B.

It has been a while since I have been to Ulele and here are just a few observations. So that iconic water they used to serve tastes like tap water now. Nothing really special about it. Just hard warm water in a cool vessel. The waiter said it was triple filtered, but it may have been the residue from the dish washer coming through on the glass. They did bring us the good water and it was good and also cold. They don't do flights anymore, but they do do samples of no more than 3 so between the 2 of us we got to try 5 of their beers. I was most impressed by the Green Cannon Ball Tampa IPA 7.5% ABV. Honorable mention for the Dam Buster Weizenbach 5% ABV. But honestly, all the beer I sampled was good and I am a beer guy. The service is great here, but on a weekend like Sunday when they are slammed they still do a good job of keeping it all together. Our server was Matt and he was both responsiveand accommodating. It was definitely 4 or 5 star service l, even with the wait for the food. We started with the soft shell crab app. For like $20 we literally got one crab which was disappointing. Still it was quite good and for an app it was almost worth it. We got the braised short ribs and a burger and did take a while for it to get to the table. Good thing we had drinks and that app or the wait would have been awkward. The braised short ribs was great and they burger was also quite good. Want sure about the pineapple on the burger, but it didn't disappoint. The green beans that came with the short ribs were super al dante equals hardly cooked. Still the food was great. I really wanted to give 5 stars, but honestly, Ulele is a consistent 4.

Brent G.

We've been fans of Ulele for years because the food and atmosphere are always incredible, but after this weekend it became a place that will forever mean something deeply personal to us. I reached out while planning a proposal to my now fiancée at the nearby park, hoping to arrange a small photo shoot area with champagne before dinner. After one quick email, the General Manager personally called me and spent time talking through ideas and helping make the evening special. Even with that conversation, I was completely unprepared for just how extraordinary they made everything. When we arrived, we followed a trail of rose petals to a beautifully decorated private table waiting for us with flowers, a handwritten card, champagne, and glasses already set. It honestly felt like something out of a movie. The attention to detail and genuine care from the entire team was unbelievable. The manager working that evening and our server were both absolutely wonderful -- warm, attentive, and sincerely excited for us. And on top of all of that, the food was phenomenal as always. I'm still in awe of how special Ulele made the night feel. I truly cannot imagine a better place to have proposed. This restaurant will always hold a special place in our hearts, and we'll definitely be back for many anniversaries and celebrations to come. Highly, highly recommend.

Ulele exterior, patio bar, outdoor dining, courtyard seating.
Justin C.

Ulele never disappoints. From the moment you walk in, the vibe feels intentional -- warm, inviting, and perfectly Tampa. The food is consistently fresh and thoughtfully prepared, with flavors that feel elevated without being overcomplicated. You can tell care goes into every plate. Service is attentive but never intrusive, and the setting along the river makes the whole experience feel like a mini escape, whether you're there for a casual meal or a special night out. It's one of those places you confidently bring out-of-towners to -- and still love returning to yourself. A solid go-to when you want great food, great atmosphere, and an experience that just feels right. Ulele never disappoints. From the moment you walk in, the vibe feels intentional -- warm, inviting, and perfectly Tampa. The food is consistently fresh and thoughtfully prepared, with flavors that feel elevated without being overcomplicated. You can tell care goes into every plate. Service is attentive but never intrusive, and the setting along the river makes the whole experience feel like a mini escape, whether you're there for a casual meal or a special night out. It's one of those places you confidently bring out-of-towners to -- and still love returning to yourself. A solid go-to when you want great food, great atmosphere, and an experience that just feels right.

Keela G.

This pet friendly restaurant is located a short walk away from Armature Works (thanks Jeff) which is off the Hillsborough river. The atmosphere is inviting, with both indoor and outdoor seating. Sadly, there is only one entre option for vegans and no dessert options; the pet menu has more options. My family of carnivores enjoyed their meals. The presentation of each meal was nice. Unfortunately, most of our meals were lukewarm or cold, when they arrived to the table. We didn't complain, we had a large party. The prices for food and alcoholic beverages are standard for the area. Our server was great. Overall, members of my family will definitely go back. As a vegan, I wouldn't rush back for the meal; however, I will sit by the water and sip their spicy margarita.

Beer to go!
Bill J.

I was in town for a conference and found this place while on the Riverwalk. This place had a great vibe and energy. I sat at the bar and ordered a meal. The service was great, and they had a nice selection of spirits draft beer.

Okra Fries
Judy T.

This place has great food, the indoors and outdoor seating both great, outside you can people watch and has an outside bar. Inside had some stained glass and statues. We wanted to try a little bit of everything, the okra was good but I felt it was on the salty side.My husband enjoyed the meatloaf , in fact he finished the whole thing. It was the perfect size and no left overs. I had the grilled oysters and I usually don't like oysters but these were delicious. The shrimp was just the right size for an appetizer and I wasn't too hungry so it was perfect with the oyster as a meal. Lastly the homemade ice cream was delicious. Aside from the salty okra overall the experience was great! The staff was very prompt, friendly and helpful

Florida Pompano
Gable H.

The food at Ulele was absolutely fantastic. I ordered the seafood risotto, and my guest had the pompano -- both were beautifully prepared with complementary, well-balanced flavors. Every element on the plate felt intentional, and we genuinely left wishing we could lick them clean. It was that good. The drinks were also strong and well mixed, which rounded out the meal perfectly. Where the experience faltered slightly was with seating and service. When we arrived, there were no available tables due to an event, so seating was first-come, first-served at the bar. While I understand hosting events, I was surprised that more space wasn't reserved for regular diners. The staff seemed stretched thin and a bit overwhelmed, which felt more like a planning issue than an effort issue. The decor is interesting -- there are some beautiful art pieces and what appear to be Tiffany-style stained glass windows inside, which add elegance. At the same time, there are sports jerseys and assorted memorabilia throughout the space that don't quite align with the more refined elements. The mix made the overall aesthetic feel slightly disjointed. That said, the quality of the food alone makes Ulele worth visiting. If you go, I'd just recommend checking ahead about events or peak times.

Steak sandwich
Sierra J.

Love this Tampa staple! Came here for lunch this past weekend and was blown away. I've been several times before, and I've always had a stellar experience. The venue itself is placed perfectly on the outskirts of Armature Works, with beautiful greenery on the patio, and the inside is nicely decorated. The noise levels also weren't too crazy. Our waitress Nataleigh was amazing! She was so nice, attentive, and patient with our party. We started off with a dozen charbroiled oysters, which never disappoint. I was stuck between a few of the sandwiches and she actually ended up showing up the steak sandwich on the specials menu. I went with that and I am so happy I did! The steak was extremely tender and the datil pepper aioli was a perfect addition. Overall 5/5 star experience.

Seafood Risotto

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2 months ago

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Jeff H.

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10 months ago

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9 months ago

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9 months ago

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Jeff H.

Hard to top the charbroiled oysters. Glad you enjoyed, Nicki.

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2 months ago

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5 months ago

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10 months ago

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10 months ago

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10 days ago

Overall everything was top notch, waiter was attentive, appetizers were delicious and food was on par with expectations.

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2 months ago

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1 year ago

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2 months ago

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11 months ago

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2 months ago

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11 months ago

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6 months ago

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23 days ago

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6 months ago

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3 months ago

Mistakenly left out my shoutout and Thanks to my Server, Erica. Very nice, informative, and professional.

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6 months ago

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16 days ago

The shop has a clean and modern vibe. The lobster roll was good, but not exceptional compared to other seafood places I've tried.

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6 months ago

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2 months ago

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1 year ago

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We hope you come back to try more of the menu, Steve.

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1 year ago

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8 months ago

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Thanks for using the bike racks! Such a great way to get to Ulele.

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18 days ago

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1 year ago

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7 months ago

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4 months ago

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4 months ago

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8 months ago

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Can't skip the grilled oysters!!! Thanks, Kim.

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Page 2 of 126

Ulele Reviews in Other Languages

Ask the Community - Ulele

Is there easy parking?

Meter by City & 1 parking lot

Is there free parking for midweek lunch?

They have parking not too far. They also have valet option.

Is there a dress code?

Hi, Stephanie! Here's what is listed on Ulele's website: Dining atmosphere is casual elegance and while many guests wear formal attire, it is discretionary. Men must wear sleeves. If you are dressed in more relaxed attire, you may be seated in our… Read more

Do they have kid's menu?

Yes they do

Is there a similar restaurant close by, they are already booked for the weekend?

Steelbach is one of the other nicer restaurants in Armature Works. Not far from there is a newer upscale restaurant called Rome & Fig, which is named for the SE corner it sits on: Rome Ave and Fig St. Smaller than Ulele but classy enough, nice… Read more

Until what time do they serve lunch?

Lunch is served from 11 a.m. until 4 p.m. daily.

Does Ulele have a happy hour, thanks?

No they do not. Was just there last night. They don't one because they say their prices are already fair

What kid items are available?

Yes they do have a kids menu with about 6 menu item choices.

Are there tables to sit by the water? How is the view? Or can you only see the water from the window inside?

Yes they do and the view is amazing. Especially at sunset 💕

Do you serve brunch buffet?

Hi Erika, sorry for the delay in response. We do not serve a brunch buffet.

Are you Pet Friendly?

There's outside seating & there were definitely plenty of pets around when I was there:)

Do you all accommodate dairy allergies? I'm having trouble finding a place for a friends birthday that has a good amount of options for dairy free.

I believe they do, but if not the Columbia does an AMAZING job accommodating any/all allergies - they have a special allergy menu, you just have to ask for it.

Can I get some details on the happy hour if there is one and if there is still an oyster happy hour as well?

No happy hour other than the oyster happy hour which I believe they still have. It's only on Tuesday's from 4-6 and they are $1 raw oysters. The offer is only available at the oyster bar.

Are any of the lunch items available at dinner time? i.e. hamburger or steak sandwich

While many items cross-over to the dinner menu, sandwiches like the steak sandwich and the hamburger are not on the evening menu

How far ahead can you make reservations?

Alyssa, You can go online at Ulele.com to make a reservation. The system we use, OpenTable, will… Read more

Can we ( should we - safe?) walk to the Straz center after dinner for a 7:30 show TKS

Yes, Janet. The Straz is about a 5 minute walk along the well-lit and popular Tampa Riverwalk at night.

Is valet parking available for Saturday early lunch - 11:30?

Our valet begins at 5 p.m. each day.

Is it possible to host a group of roughly 25? We're celebrating several birthdays.

Yes, we can. Please email groups@ulele.com for more details.

I called once on a Saturday and was told they only do to-go on weekdays. Called today and was told that they don't do to-go. Which one is it?

I don't think they do to go at all. This is a site down restaurant.

Do they have any special occasions for birthday, is this a good place to celebrate a birthday?

When you make your reservation, tell the restaurant by phone or via OpenTable. We do provide a little surprise at the end of the meal. Thanks for considering a celebration with us. Michael Kilgore, CMO

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After watching Mike Chen's Tampa Bay edition, we had to try this place and it was worth the 40…read moreminute drive. Cute Little Place in a nice neighborhood with plenty of outdoor seating. Since it was a little humid outside, we opted to sit inside with the AC. Here's what we ordered: I have their new coconut crusted grouper sandwich style with onion rings. The beer battered onion rings was also a good compliment to the sandwich and the batter was so light. We also had their lobster corndog with fries. These two entrées that we ordered are a must try when you visit this place. The service was pretty quick. They got a little busy towards the end, but the food comes very quickly hardly any wait at all! So if you're in the mood for some local seafood bites and you're in the ballast point Tampa Bay area this place is a must try. Highly recommend.

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Another great visit to Shell's Seafood--worth the 4-year wait! No Miami location, so I had to stop…read moreby while in downtown Tampa. Still the same decor and has not changed in years. Came with family and had excellent service from Anthony and Tony. The New England clam chowder, shrimp pasta, seafood pasta, and crispy shrimp (lightly battered) were all delicious. Loved that I could swap the slaw for pasta--nice surprise! Hope to return much sooner next time.

Very secluded off the beaten path and tucked within the willows of the streets of Bon Air…read moreneighborhood of South Tampa. This seafood restaurant is pretty close to Tampa International Airport and minutes away from all major beaches. It is far from glamor and glory of the other places in Tampa, but man, the food here is incredible. Continue reading to find out... Located on the corner of W Cleveland Street & S Dale Marbry Highway, in the Bon Air Neighborhood, Shells Seafood is very easy to get to. A talk sign that towers over the restaurant can be seen from hundreds of feet away while driving; it's hard to miss the sign. Plenty of parking in the stalls on the property as well as neighborhood parking and local stores adjacent parking spots. Once inside, you are greeted by the cute looking host at the nicely decorated front reception. She seats you immediately to a an open floor spacing with two sides of seating and a centralized semi-circle bar area. There are roughly over 30 tables and plenty of room to accommodate small to larger. The cajun boil here is fabulous! Loved every minute of it. Will be visiting again ... maybe not during the hurricane seasons. :)

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Shells Seafood - Tampa - Fried everything basket.

Fried everything basket.

Shells Seafood - Tampa - Coconut shrimp

Coconut shrimp

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Calamari yum!!

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