The Seafood Risotto was the star of my show. It was so satisfying and tasted delicious! I highly recommend! The atmosphere is vibrant and it was packed so that was a good sign that the food was a winner winner. We sat at the bar and got instant service. The bar was a great idea because by the time we got there, we were hungry and didn't want to sit outside. Anyway if you're looking for recommendations, I would get the Risotto again because it was that good! The Oysters and peppers were decent but the Risotto wears the crown. read more

I've been to Ulele a few times, and every visit has been a little different--which I love. I've sat in different spots, tried new dishes, and this time, I went during lunch. Let me tell you, I had been waiting to try the frosé--and baby, it did not disappoint! If you're the passenger for the day, do yourself a favor and add the floater. Trust me. We started with the McKay crab cakes--light on the breading and seared just right. My cousin convinced me to try charbroiled oysters for the first time. I had to close my eyes to take the first bite, but they were surprisingly good--I'd try them again. For my main, I had the Shrimp Po' Boy. Seasoned shrimp, slightly crunchy bread, and well-seasoned fries on the side. Overall, not a single dish disappointed. Ulele continues to impress. read more

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Every single time we come here for dinner we are met with every expectation. Always attentive staff. Always amazing food. Always a great time. We love coming here whether it's for a birthday, a business meeting, or just because date night. read more

Ulele - Charbroiled Oysters - New American Near Me - Tampa, Florida

I really thought we were going to be impressed by Ulele going in and boy was I wrong. Yes the location is stunning, and yes the spot screams Tampa when you go - but beyond that, this is not what we thought it would be. Ulele is in essence a brewpub on the Riverwalk in Tampa with brewpub food. Nothing was at all elevated about this spot, and the best two things they served were grilled oysters and a side of corn! Everything else was so mid, and basically fried. The service is perfectly fine, if you're going for a brewpub, and the ambiance is of course great for semi-outdoor dining in Tampa. I cannot imagine doing this for a date night or anything beyond a guys night out. The side of corn though is really quite good! read more

Ulele - corn - New American Near Me - Tampa, Florida

Normally have better experience at Ulele not sure what's going on but I need to explain what we experience. Our entire table had green beans as seasonal vegetables (however, they were raw not cook. The waiter and manager brought some spinach and it was terrible. They took lemon and salt added to which extremely terrible. Because of the compliment we suggested that we received dessert for entire table the manager agreed. He also took picture to take his chef and executive team to address this issue. Beef Shank 3/5. Not really season because they are allowing the graze to provide the favor. Mash potatoes were really good. Calamari 4/5. ButterCake 5/5 Maple Bacon ice cream 3/5.. interestly weird . But you like bacon and crunch you might like it. Everybody compared it to like a science project for food. Ambiances is always on point. However, this was definitely a off night. Because other guests was experiencing longer than wait times as well. read more

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WOW!!!! I had the Tomahawk Pork Chop for the first time ever. OH MY GOODNESS!! It was amazing! It came with mashed potatoes and green beans. I thought I would be taking a lot home but I had to eat the whole thing! Then I ordered the Key Lime Fluff with Bruleed Meringue was absolutely incredible. This is actually a 6 star meal but I can only give it 5. It is a "MUST TRY!" read more

Best thing that hit our table was the pork chop omg everything was good but omg that pork chop delicious! I ordered the meatloaf and I think it was a little sweet but my dad loved his the oysters were super fresh and chilled to perfection the server was really nice and the vibes were nice it was like upscale pub food if that makes sense. My dad and I were celebrating our birthday and we got a sweet treat from the server which was really nice. read more

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I took my mom and kid to Ulele before seeing a show at the Straz. The food is tasty, if a little pricey, and the location is beautiful (plus we had a nice walk after our meal). We started with okra fries for the grown ups and mac n cheese for the kid. They were fine- I wish the fries has been crispier. My kid got the meatloaf and annihilated it. My mom and I both got fish dishes and were stuffed. I'm sure I'll be back, but tend to save Ulele for more of an occasion. read more

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Met a friend here for a weekend lunch. Sat outside close to one of the fans to stay cool. Loved that they have their own parking lot which is very convenient, just don't forget to get your ticket validated or you'll be paying $50. Service was great. My friend and I shared the Calamari to start and the Steelhead Trout as our meal. Both were delicious and I'd recommend both. read more

Ulele - Steelhead Trout - New American Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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Really love this place ! I come here VERY often! And for drinks even more! Here recently, it seems like they are starting to fall off with the quality of their food unfortunately. The past 2 times, I have had very mediocre food. I even came recently for a Christmas work dinner & believe me when I say.. over 60% of our team left disappointed. It seemed as if everything was thrown together. The rice pilaf was hard, the chicken was so bland and the steak was totally undercooked for a large party. read more

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Enjoyed happy hour drinks with my coworkers tonight. I had an espresso martini with Bailey's. So good! We sat at their outside bar. Service was phenomenal! I've been for dinner a few times and have had a consistent experience. Didn't get it tonight but my fav is their pork chops. It is massive. The atmosphere is upscale, yet casual. Definitely recommend. read more

Ulele - New American Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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5 stars all the way for Ulele! Such a cool and unique dining experience right on the Riverwalk. The location and atmosphere are fantastic -- beautiful outdoor seating, great energy, and really interesting decor that makes the whole restaurant feel special and very "Tampa." Everything we ordered was delicious. Ordered the pompano topped with crawfish and a sun-dried tomato sauce with garlic green beans, wild rice, and fried carrot ribbons -- absolutely incredible and cooked perfectly, paired with a local Tampa IPA that complemented the fish perfectly. Others at our table had the seafood risotto and the tomahawk pork chop, and both were a huge hit. All fab!! Great service too. The food, drinks, ambiance, and setting all came together for an amazing experience. Highly recommend if you're visiting Tampa or just looking for a memorable dinner spot! read more

Ulele - Florida Pompano - New American Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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Food was good & interesting. The area around the restaurant is beautiful, & fun for kids to run around. The restaurant was a little loud, so something to be aware of, but didn't bother us too much. read more

One of my favorites in Tampa. Went for a recent lunch and it was excellent as always. Great service. I had the 1528 burger for lunch. It was HUGE, I could not finish it. Delicious pineapple jam topping with crisp onion straws. Great compliment of favor and texture. read more

Ulele - 1528 burger - New American Near Me - Tampa, Florida

great place. Customer service is good. Clean. Food taste good,he food so much. The fish, alligator bites, chicken - doesn't matter what protein it is - all taste fresh and delicious. On this visit, we tried the soft shell crab and couldn't get enough! The read more

Erica deserves a raise. Funny, clever, and quick on her feet - she even handled our fly problem like a pro. Best part of our visit.

I'm almost embarrassed to admit it took me five years to finally try this place. I'm always on the Riverwalk and constantly pass by, but I'd never stopped in until my boss took us out for a farewell dinner -- and wow, I've been missing out. The fried oysters were a first for me, and they were incredible. Flavorful, crispy, and nothing like the typical slurp-and-go oysters. We also ordered the carrot ribbons for the table, and those were surprisingly delicious -- how can a carrot look and taste so elevated? Perfect crunch, perfect flavor. For my entrée, I ordered the Florida pompano and, to my delight, it came with more carrot ribbons (YUM). The fish was fresh, beautifully cooked, and the sauce paired perfectly with everything on the plate. And let me just say... the ice cream was to die for. I only got a few spoonfuls of the coconut and guava since it was meant to be shared, but those few bites were enough to make me want my own next time. And the ambience? Honestly, that's part of the charm. I love how close it is to the river -- you can finish your meal and take a peaceful walk along the water to digest. It just adds to the whole experience. I'd definitely go back, maybe for happy hour, because you can easily make a meal out of just the oysters and carrots. read more

Ulele - Florida Pompano sun-dried tomato cream sauce and crawfish tail meat, wild rice blend, crisp carrot ribbons - New American Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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Continued our tradition of bringing out-of-town guest to Ulele for dinner. Once again, we had an absolutely fabulous meal and excellent service from Bella. My California friends enjoyed the chili and raw oysters and for the first time I had the Meat Loaf - which was so good!! Keep doing what you're doing because it works... We'll see you again soon. read more

Ulele - Meatloaf - New American Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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Love the design and statues surrounding the restaurant. The story and mative American motif was both beautiful and inspiring. Maddy was a super wonderful person and the food was amazing. Short rib and potatoes-filling and delicious. Really enjoyed the experience. Right next to the river walk. Would have been great for the digestion but I was ready for bed. read more

What a cool spot, decor and ambience were lovely. They have outdoor seating available. Food was fantastic. Service was great, server very attentive and walked us through the menu options. My plate ended up on the floor as the server was dropping it off so I had to wait for a redo. The food was worth waiting for. Manager and server apologized for the delay. You should go check this place out read more

Ulele - Outside view - New American Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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The boyfriend wanted to come here since he lives in downtown Tampa and he rode his bike here and so I met him out here for a quick drink and snacks. It has bike racks right next to the building which worked out perfectly. We were able to sit at the bar immediately there were spots open. We really wanted to sit outside, but the sun was literally really beaming hot down on the bar outside so we decided to sit inside. The service is very fast and very attentive. The espresso martinis here with tequila are very delicious. read more

Ulele - The bar - New American Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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I so greatly appreciate it when my friends indulge my foodie whims, as Ulele had been on my radar for some time and there was no other choice for a final night dinner on this visit to Tampa. From the moment we arrived, the atmosphere felt vibrant and unique, blending Florida's rich native heritage with a modern, upscale twist. We arrived a bit earlier for our reservation, so spent some time walking around the outside space. I love how Ulele fits in seamlessly on the Riverwalk, as well as the attention to detail with each statue, the selection of plants, and the overall feel. Let me tell y'all about the food! The highlight for me was the Native Chili--a bold and unforgettable dish loaded with alligator, wild boar, venison, and duck. It was rich, flavorful, and genuinely unlike any chili that I've ever had before. While I debated going with one of Ulele's signature dishes, the filet mignon was calling my name. It ended up being a solid choice--aged 21 days, tender, and satisfying with your usual steak accompaniments of mashed potatoes and green beans but elevated. Last was the candied bacon maple ice cream with a corn flake crust. I got hooked on corn flake ice cream thanks to Chef Christina Tosi, so couldn't pass this up. It was a perfectly delectable dessert to bring such a wonderful meal to a crescendo. I feel terrible, but I cannot remember our server's name. They were delightful and accomodating throughout our stay, and helped me find a delicious red wine to complement my meal. If you're visiting Tampa, Ulele should be at the top of your food itinerary. I will definitely be making a return visit the next time that I'm in town. read more

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Dined here by myself. Was seated outdoors and the view was nice. Got a steak and some fried gator, those were good. Server was nice. It's a good restaurant overall. Can't say I enjoy the Florida weather in the summer though. read more

The food here was just ok. I had the crab cakes and charbroiled oysters. The taste of the oysters was very strong and not what I'm used to in Louisiana. I had the seafood risotto as a main course but actually didn't like it so i returned it and got the short rib which was good but not great. The restaurant has a nice ambiance because it's down on the water in Tampa. The staff were also very nice. read more

Delicious food, excellent ambiance, great service! All next to Armature Works. Also, complementary valet parking. 10/10.

Our friends who live in Tampa took us out for dinner here and it was amazing!! The service and food and drinks were all 10/10, would definitely come back next time I'm in Tampa. For food, I HIGHLY recommend their barbacoa shrimp and steelhead trout. The trout is like salmon and cooked to perfection, not dry at all! It was on a bed of crispy Brussels sprouts that were amazing as well! The shrimp was plump and juicy and flavorful and the corn on the cob was the perfect side dish and came with extra butter! This meal was a great experience and the restaurant was a great vibe. It's super big and in a great location, you can go to other spots nearby after! read more

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Came here for lunch with a big group on a Sunday and had a wonderful time! They were great about accommodating our large party. The inside is a cool, industrial looking building with beautiful windows overlooking their lawn and the river walk. Our service and food were both great! They have a nice menu with some unique dishes and classics. I got the burger, which was tasty. I also got to try the chili (10/10) and crab Mac and cheese. I'd definitely come back, especially with visitors not local to Tampa! read more

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Great spot! Highly recommend this place! They have a little of everything. The food was great, drinks were great and the inside/outside of the restaurant is super spacious with a ton of seating. The staff was kind and helpful on our first visit. Really enjoyed my meal - very filling and delicious. Will be back again for sure! read more

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Such a fun place, it's a restaurant and a destination :) We went for brunch last Sunday. Grilled oysters are a must! read more

I think ulele is the best. They have dog dining too. I cannot wait to take my dog there.

Very Unique Restaurant Many sculptures inside and outside. Service was very great. Our waitress Skylar Was extremely attentive. We told her we were Hungry! Appetizer: Charbroiled Grilled Oysters. It was A bit salty for our taste. Entrees: Blacken Grilled Gulf Grouper Sandwich with Fries. and Crispy Pork Shank with Apple / Cranberry We didn't have room for dessert. If you are in the area. At least Come to see the ART.... read more

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Excellent food. Seemed rushed. Otherwise, good service. When making the reservation, I put anniversary as I was told they don't make a big deal about it. Just a box of candy. Well, they didn't make a big deal. They did nothing. I'm guessing because we were two men, they chose to ignore it. Don't worry, we'll still be back. read more

I was curious about Ulele because the website describes it as a "native-inspired restaurant" and quite honestly, I don't think I've ever been to a restaurant that is native-inspired. Also, my veggie friend loves this place so if she likes it, the veggie dishes must be good. The online menu clearly marks what is vegetarian and vegan which I always appreciate. The drink menu instantly caught my attention when I saw the word "mango purée" in the Ulele Sunrise. It also comes with tequila, muddled cucumber, lime juice, triple sec, and syrup. It's not as mango-forward as I would have liked but I appreciate the strength of the buzz I was feeling. https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/ulele-tampa?select=_Bnfjn1-SzYsG-hudK0vuA Our friends are fans of the Carrot Ribbons and I can see why. Crisp carrot ribbons, dusted in flour then fried. Very addicting! I avoided the honey aioli but Hubby and our friends are fans of it. https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/ulele-tampa?select=Jjb3HuEdjOzHvJKeJR8J9Q We also shared Okra Fries which have a prominent citrus flavor. I also appreciate that this was unbreaded because I don't always need the extra carbs. https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/ulele-tampa?select=stgWNeVtKZUYNDm0TQBKMg For my entrée, I have the Native Sauté which was big enough to feed me for dinner while still having enough for leftovers. It comes with sautéed portobello mushrooms, red onions, zucchini, squash, green beans, white wine, a tomato sauce, and wild rice blend. I love the freshness of the veggies and the vibrant colors! https://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/ulele-tampa?select=nI-FDTXurxWU43-7EEJayw This restaurant is huge! We dined on the 2nd floor. Our waiter was friendly. Love the indoor and outdoor art, including the statues. I also appreciate the complimentary valet parking. This spot is pretty popular and we had a nearly 1-hour wait upon arrival. This gave us an opportunity to walk over to the nearby Armature Works to explore for a bit. All around great experience! read more

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4.6* (out of 5) Food: 4* Atmosphere: 5* Value: 4* Service: 5* Would I go back / Recommend?: 5* (Definitely) Total check/person: $50 03/24/2025 While still one of our favorite places to go when we visit our son in Tampa, we honestly thought that the quality of the food has slipped a little since our last few visits. Several in our party of 5 commented about the temperature of their food being a little on the cool side. Our table ordered a variety of dishes (all pictures below): Water Works Meatloaf, SEafood Risotto, Aji Amarillo Ceviche, Barbacoa Shrimp, Water Works Wedge and Fire Roasted Chicken. With the exception of the Ceviche, all of the plates were really liked by each with the caveat as mentioned above (several were barely warm). I'll just say beware of the Ceviche, as it is not your typical ceviche - I've eaten a lot of ceviche and everything about this is different (texture, flavor, sauce vs. juice, etc.). It likely is a different style that I'm just not familiar with, but make sure you know what you are getting before you order it, as it was something that I will definitely never order again. If you found this review helpful, please show your appreciation with a Like or a Follow. read more

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Food is fantastic every time! This is one of our favorite places to eat, and hang out. The riverwalk is nice, always something going on and great for the family. Their oysters are the best! Chargrilled perfection with the olive oil drizzle and bread. I really like their chili too. We have eaten prob 60% of their menu and it's all been great food. Definitely stop in and eat. read more

The food..we started off with 2 Hydration Station beers and Shishito peppers, outstanding both My wife had the Water Works meat loaf and it looked like something from Swanson, 2 patties, she was expecting a loaf like homemade but ok. The flavors were there, potatoes needed more gravy but all in all good food I ordered the Mahi Mr Henry, this fish was overwhelmed by the accompaniments, the garlic spinach, corn salsa and green papaya slaw were the stars of the dish. We will go back as we would like to try other dishes and server, Rico, was very attentive and great ambiance, what a place to people watch read more

Ulele is a wonderful restaurant. The wait staff are excellent and the food is phenomenal. If you like oysters, they have some of the best oysters. Their steaks are phenomenal as well. read more

Tried out Ulele this weekend for the 1st time after trying to go for years. Every time we came down to Water Street area we would try to have lunch or dinner here but ended up the wait was too long for us. Decided to make a last minute reservation at lunchtime on Saturday. The do have a dedicated lot that you can park in and get your ticket validated and is free. This lot was full, so we decided to do valet which was complimentary and super quick. Just had to get the ticket validated before we departed the restaurant. The restaurant itself is situated right off the river walk and has a large courtyard area. It would be great for outdoor dining and there is lots to see/do in the immediate area. They also have lots of restored statues from Fairyland from back in the day at Lowry Park! Got a round of the Froze for drinks which was really good. For apps we got the charbroiled oysters, which were great. Im not an raw oyster fan, so the cooked ones were great. Also had the okra fries which were crispy and flavorful. For meals i had the lobster roll, which actually came with 2 small rolls. They were served cold, which was my preference anyway! Others in our party had the seafood risotto, the pork shank, and the grouper sandwich. All the meals were good! Service started out strong, but got very slow. Food took about 45 min to come out and the server never came to the table until we were done eating. Not good. Checks took a while to come as well, we were on his time not ours! The server did box the entrees for us which was very nice. Overall a good time at Ulele, I would come back on the right occasion and enjoy the beautiful scenery and great food! read more

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The food is delicious, the portion sizes are great, the service is classy and the ambiance is gentle and inviting to all. 10 out of 10 highly recommend and the reservation is worth the wait my friend! read more

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While visiting Tampa in early October, we asked friends for restaurant recommendations, and everyone seemed to say the same thing: "You have to try Ulele." So, we made a reservation--and we're so glad we did! We were seated outside, and coming from Upstate New York in the fall, the warm evening air felt absolutely wonderful. Our server greeted us promptly and gave us time to look over the menu. Shortly after, one of the managers, Nick, stopped by to welcome us. When he learned it was our first visit, he shared some fantastic suggestions. My husband is a whiskey enthusiast, and Nick's recommendations were spot-on. He also suggested we start with the crab cakes and oysters--both were fresh, flavorful, and perfectly prepared. Everything was off to an incredible start. We were there for a rare date night, which already made the evening special, but Nick made it extra memorable. He checked in several times throughout our meal with more great suggestions and genuine conversation. His warmth, enthusiasm, and attention made us feel like VIP guests. From start to finish, our evening at Ulele was unforgettable--the food, the drinks, the atmosphere, and the staff were all outstanding. Although Ulele is hundreds of miles from our home in Upstate NY, it's a place we'll be talking about for a long time and one we can't wait to return to. read more

Ulele - Crab cakes and Oysters Half Shell - New American Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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