Hyde Park is one of the cities most bustling neighborhoods, rated #9 on Niche’s list of the best places to live in Florida, there is much to see in the area. From Hyde Park Village to Bayshore Boulevard and Soho, there are quaint areas and entertainment districts that make Hyde Park such a desirable place to live. It is also home to many historic bungalows, fanciful shops, and lively bars and restaurants that many of the locals enjoy from time to time.
Hyde Park was designed to house the many men and women that worked in Downtown Tampa, without making their commute treacherous. However, it didn’t grow rapidly until a streetcar line was introduced on Swann Ave and Rome Ave. The nation's longest sidewalk calls Hyde Park home, Bayshore Boulevard. It spans 4.5 miles from Downtown to Ballast Point Park and it is one of Tampa’s most beautiful Sunday afternoon drives.
Many of the region's top-rated bars and nightclubs take over the streets of SoHo each weekend. The bars and clubs fill with college-aged students and newly 21 young adults who want AYCD happy hours and late-night slices of Pizza from New York New York. Stop by any day of the week for a fun night out with friends!
Our Fav Restaurants in Hyde Park
Green Lemon (or any other CRG SoHo Spot)
Everyone who frequents SoHo knows that the Ciccio Restaurant Group has taken over the dining game in Hyde Park. They started with Ciccio Water, their most versatile sit down restaurant with a delicious brunch, bowls and sushi that would make any foodie geek! Daily Eats, their diner-style breakfast, lunch, and dinner spot is perfect for anyone looking for American food with a twist. Green Lemon, my personal favorite, was their next location and it brings Mexican food to the next level. Stop by for Happy Hour, M-F for $9 24oz margaritas and affordable bar bites like tacos, elotes, and their famous burrito bowls! Fresh Kitchen, Sweet Soul and Taco Dirty soon opened and brought healthy options back for foodies to enjoy. These fast-casual restaurants are some of SoHo’s best.
Inspired by the famous gastro bars in Spain, Bulla was born as the brainchild of restaurant guru Carlos Centurion. His goal was to create the kind of place that stirs the senses and stimulates the appetite. Let me tell you, his idea quickly became a success. Bulla brought the most unique atmosphere to SoHo, making it the perfect night out or happy hour for people of any age. Their rooftop Luna Lounge also has a great view of the downtown Tampa skyline. Their food consists mostly of the traditional Tapas with a modern twist and Paella, both of which make my mouth water just thinking about them! With tantalizing Tapas, seasonal menus, hand-crafted cocktails and the most delicious sangria in town, Bulla Gastrobar has quickly become a SoHo favorite.
Hyde Park’s most well-known steakhouse, Bern’s, will take you on a gastronomic adventure through the five senses. Dinner at Bern’s Steakhouse is known as more of an experience, rather than just a meal. With a variety of imported and domestic caviars on the menu to choose from, it’s known as Tampa’s fanciest restaurant with a semi-casual dress-code and reservations made two months in advance. Home to perfectly aged steaks as well as the "world's largest wine cellar which stores over 600,000 bottles of vino", Bern’s is the perfect destination for any foodie from near or far to try! And don’t stop at the steak, make sure you save room for their world-renowned Dessert room with the regions best homemade ice cream, including their original Macadamia Nut flavor.
On Swann in Hyde Park Village is a seasonal menu with new American cuisine that will satisfy even the pickiest eaters taste buds. Their food is prepared in an open-concept kitchen with a chic, lofty eatery. Known for their kale caesar salad and charcuterie boards that are perfect for sharing with friends, On Swann has a very unique menu that caters to the generation of Facebook Moms and Instagram Models. With a picture-perfect atmosphere, they are busy most nights during the hours of 5-9pm so be sure to make a reservation if you want to eat there for dinner. Their sirloin burgers, foie gras, and pork chops are to-die-for, so don’t miss out on these new, sophisticated American flavors right in your backyard.
Haven is the little sister restaurant to Bern’s Steakhouse. Because they have the same owners, they are equal in quality of fresh ingredients but Haven is a little more relaxed than Bern’s. Haven has a full roster of cheese and charcuterie and all of their plates are a la carte. Luckily, because I don’t know everything that there is to know about cheese, the waiter that served my friend and I was extremely knowledgeable about everything on the menu. He answered all of our questions with ease, which means a lot when the menu is so different. I also tried the Skirt Steak with shishito peppers and miso dijonnaise sauce and the brisket mac and cheese. Everything I ate and drank was fairly priced during happy hour, from $4 cocktails and $5 glasses of wine to $6 shareable plates. I will for sure be back soon!
The newest restaurant to Hyde Park Village is the chic modern steakhouse that has locations in Palm Beach, Miami Beach and San Juan. It's an upscale steakhouse with 6,000 square feet that can also host intimate dinner parties and large corporate events. In addition to a variety of fresh prime cuts, they also serve fish and seafood, sides, and appetizers. Popular apps include their wagyu dumplings and their roasted truffle Rockefeller oysters. Reservations are suggested and a dress code is applicable.
Our Fav Nightlife Destinations in Hyde Park
MacDinton’s Irish Pub is lit all year round, but it’s exceptionally crazy during Thursday nights for Dollar Beers or when there is an exciting sporting event happening! It’s the type of bar you expect to be filled wall-to-wall with college-aged people dancing, spilling drinks, and hollering at their friends from across the bar. They have Happy Hours on Wednesday from 9:00 to 11:00 PM where you only need to pay $10 for all-you-drink-well drinks, house wines, and draft . These crazy-good deals draw in the crowds, but they're as equally packed on Saturday, so this is a bar you can expect a long line at every day of the week.
If you’re looking for a less-packed establishment to hang out with your friends and play billiards or choose your own music on the jukebox, Soho Saloon is a great spot to check out. Though in recent months, they have been busier than ever on Friday and Saturday nights, they attract a slightly older crowd than MacDinton’s Irish Pub. With cheap drinks and fun atmospheres, this bar stays busy without the feeling of becoming a sardine! Every day of the week is packed with fun at Soho Saloon with Hospitality Mondays (50% off for drinks), Taco Tuesdays, and Soho Saturdays!
Hyde Park Cafe draws a similar crowd to MacDinton’s Irish Pub but has more of a clubbing atmosphere, with some of the best House music in town. On Tuesday nights, they offer hospitality nights for anyone who works in a restaurant, bar or hotels in the area to enjoy a free happy hour on HPC. On Friday night, they also do an AYCD happy hour from 8-10 pm for their Latin Night where they play Latino style house music.
If you’re looking for a fun and casual restaurant that isn’t filled with UR of USF students on a Friday night, Soho Backyard is right for you. This flashy eatery and bar offer tapas, flatbreads and elaborate burgers amid mood lighting and lots of large TV screens. Their official website boasts, "We at the Backyard thought we could fill the need for a more low-key, date-friendly restaurant/bar- the perfect alternative to the massive crowds and loud music." Their famous Taco Thursdays are filled with $5 tacos from chicken to lobster and $5 margaritas and Don Julio shots. Be sure not to miss their Happy Hour which ranges from
Our Fav Destinations for Things To Do in Hyde Park
Bayshore Boulevard is one of Tampa’s most beautiful Sunday afternoon drives. It is the world’s longest sidewalk weighing in at 4.5 miles down the winding waterfront onto the bay. When you’ve had a nice beach day or are looking to listen to your favorite song with the volume all the way up, Bayshore is the perfect drive on a sunny day or sunset later in the evening. There is also waterfront workout gear along the sidewalk where bikers, walkers and runners spend a good amount of time each morning and evening. So head there for a scenic walk or a hardcore workout at any time to enjoy the natural beauty of Tampa Bay.
Hyde Park Village is the premier shopping destination in Hyde Park. With national brands like Lululemon, Anthropology and Vineyard Vines, this is a destination for anyone looking for good quality goods and apparel. Some of my favorite shops are Francesca’s and Madewell. This is an extremely family-friendly area that hosts fun events like Fall Festival and the Hyde Park Market throughout the year. The picture-perfect area caters to our generation of Facebook Moms and Instagram models as well. Stop by Buddy Brew for a nice gourmet coffee or The Hyppo for a popsicle on a hot summer day.
Have you ever eaten a cupcake from an ATM? Well, maybe you’ve dreamt about it but that dream has never become a reality. Or maybe you’re from Tampa and you’ve seen the Sprinkles Cupcake ATM in Hyde Park Village. Sprinkles Cupcakes opened a 24-hour cupcake ATM for those of us with late-night snacking tendencies! Choose from 6-8 flavors of cupcakes, and have it dispensed right in front of you! Enjoy the rich and sweet sprinkles cupcake at any hour of the day or night.
Epicurean Hotel |EDGE Bar & Elevage
The Epicurean Hotel is a multifaceted destination in Hyde Park. You may want to book a room and stay the night so you can experience Hyde Park like a local would but you also may want to take a class, eat dinner or sit at the rooftop bar on a night after work. Enjoy different flavors from all around the world at Elevage Soho Kitchen & Bar where dishes are inspired by Mediterranean, Indian, and Asian cultures. The restaurant strives to speak to the lovers of life’s greatest flavors because as far as their concerned there is no better celebration of life! With seasonal menus and fresh ingredients, this is a must-try restaurant in Hyde Park. Pair it with the perfect cocktail or a glass of wine, whether you prefer the EDGE Rooftop Cocktail Bar or the lobby, they’re serving up some of the best cocktails in town!
If you’re a true foodie, good eats make every experience better, even going to the movies! CineBistro takes the "dinner-and-movie" experience to another level! This restaurant has a full kitchen featuring Executive Chef Andy King's American Bistro menu prepared from scratch each day using only the freshest ingredients available. Compliment your entree or appetizer with a craft cocktail or a glass of wine from their extensive list. They always play new movies but they bring the classics back here and there. Check out their movie list during the holidays for themed movies!
For more on Hyde Park, return to 813area, your free and local guide to Tampa!
