In the latest ranking of Yelp’s Top 100 Places to Eat in the U.S. for 2024, the Tampa Bay area made quite an impressive appearance.
A popular website that relies on user input gathers ratings and ranks them, along with reviews and the number of submissions, in order to identify emerging patterns. In Florida this year, Orlando’s sushi hotspot EDOBOY (No. 44) gained popularity among Yelpers, while pizza enthusiasts in Boca Raton praised the creative sourdough-crust pies at How Ya Dough’n (No. 70).
Mio’s Grill and Cafe in St. Petersburg has earned a high ranking of No. 12 in the Tampa Bay area for its delectable Turkish and Greek cuisine. This popular eatery has gained a reputation for its delicious baba ghanouj, falafel, Greek salad, and baklava.
Ranked at No. 75, Bayshore Mediterranean Grill in Tampa offers a delightful selection of Turkish cuisine that is truly impressive. In 2017, the Tampa Bay Times restaurant reviewer stated:
The signature dish is truly remarkable and definitely worth the trip. Get ready for the latest culinary sensation: oven-baked hummus, priced at $10.99. Stay tuned for all the delicious details! Alright, understood. Are the chickpeas pureed with tahini served warm? Hummus has become incredibly common, to the point where it may even be found in Lunchables.
An oval cast iron skillet is presented on a wooden board, with the hummus and its layer of mozzarella cheese audibly bubbling. A large golden balloon appears alongside it, resembling a freshly baked lavash sprinkled with sesame seeds. As you pierce it, a rush of steam is released, causing the balloon to gradually deflate, reminiscent of the aftermath of a birthday celebration. Take a piece of lavash and be careful, it’s still hot. Dip it into the skillet. There is a lively gathering taking place.
Shaker & Peel in Oldsmar has secured the 80th spot on the list. In 2020, Times food critic Helen Freund noted that there are unconventional taco fillings available, including General Tso’s cauliflower, Korean barbecue beef, and hot fried chicken. These options may not align with traditional expectations, but they fall within the realm of fusion cuisine. Homemade tortillas are commonly used to wrap a variety of unique taco toppings.
A large, wraparound bar is showcased at the restaurant, accompanied by three glass infusion orbs suspended in the middle. Special infusions of mezcal, reposado, and gin are prepared for use in cocktails and margaritas. In addition to the wide selection of local craft beer, customers can also enjoy bottled wine and wine and prosecco on tap. A popular drink at the restaurant is the Salt Aire margarita, which is served with a unique touch – a frothy salt foam on top.
