"Richard Gonzmart's native-inspired Riverwalk restaurant and brewery, where chef Patrick Quakenbush cooks Florida seafood and game over a 10-foot barbacoa grill."
About Ulele
Ulele is the native-inspired restaurant and brewery Richard Gonzmart built in a restored 1903 water-works building on the Riverwalk in Tampa Heights. Gonzmart, the fourth-generation owner of Tampa's 1905 Family of Restaurants, drew the menu from the ingredients of the indigenous Tocobaga people of Tampa Bay, and executive chef Patrick Quakenbush cooks much of it over a round 10-foot barbacoa grill. It is listed in the Michelin Guide Florida.
This is Florida cooking with a strong seafood hand and a wood-fired heart. For more of the city's best tables, compare the Spanish cooking at the 1905-era Columbia Restaurant, the legendary steaks at Bern's Steak House and the modern American plates at Edison: Food + Drink Lab. For a group night out, see our team-dinner guide.
The Kitchen
The menu honours the indigenous Tocobaga larder - the shellfish, seafood, game and grains of Tampa Bay - and the round 10-foot barbacoa grill does much of the cooking in plain view. The signature is the charbroiled oysters, joined by gator hush puppies, a native chili and wood-fired Florida plates that run from snapper and crab to alligator, wild boar and venison. Mains run roughly 24 to 42 dollars, fair for the cooking and the riverside setting, and the on-site Ulele Spring Brewery pours its own beers alongside. It is hearty, smoke-kissed food rather than fine-dining minimalism, built for sharing a few plates across the table and pairing them with a house brew or a Florida wine.
The Room
The restaurant fills a handsomely restored 1903 water-works building on the Tampa Riverwalk, with an airy two-story dining room, a beer garden and a rooftop terrace looking over the Hillsborough River. The barbacoa grill anchors the room, so much of the cooking is part of the theatre, and the scale is generous - 240 seats inside, 95 in the beer garden and 50 on the roof - which makes it a natural fit for groups and celebrations. Service is warm and quick. It sits at 1810 N Highland Avenue in Tampa Heights, an easy walk along the Riverwalk from downtown; because it is popular and large, booking ahead is wise at weekends, when the river and the brewery draw a crowd.
Best for a Group Celebration
The river setting, the wood-fired grill and the on-site brewery make Ulele a natural team dinner or birthday, and a relaxed, characterful table for an easy first date in Tampa.
Not for
Not for a hushed, formal fine-dining evening - this is a large, lively riverside grill and brewery built for groups and sharing, not an intimate quiet dinner.
Frequently Asked
What is Ulele known for?
Ulele is known for native-inspired Florida cooking built on the ingredients of the indigenous Tocobaga people, much of it cooked over a round 10-foot barbacoa grill. Signatures include charbroiled oysters, gator hush puppies and wood-fired seafood and game, with an on-site brewery and a Tampa Riverwalk setting.
Who is behind Ulele?
Ulele was created by Richard Gonzmart, the fourth-generation owner of Tampa's 1905 Family of Restaurants, which includes the historic Columbia Restaurant. Executive chef Patrick Quakenbush runs the kitchen, cooking the native-inspired menu over the barbacoa grill.
How much does Ulele cost?
Main courses run roughly 24 to 42 dollars, plus starters, sides and beers from the on-site Ulele Spring Brewery. It is fair value for wood-fired Florida seafood and game in a restored riverside building on the Tampa Riverwalk.
Where is Ulele in Tampa?
Ulele is at 1810 N Highland Avenue in Tampa Heights, in a restored 1903 water-works building on the Tampa Riverwalk. It is an easy walk along the river from downtown, with a beer garden and a rooftop terrace over the Hillsborough River.
Do you need a reservation at Ulele?
Booking ahead is wise, especially at weekends. Ulele is large - 240 seats inside, plus a beer garden and rooftop - but it is popular and draws crowds along the Riverwalk, so reserving a table in advance is the safe move for groups and prime times.
Reserve a Table
Reserve at Ulele
Booking ahead is wise at weekends; Ulele is at 1810 N Highland Ave in Tampa Heights, on the Riverwalk, with a beer garden and rooftop over the river.
Affiliate disclosure: Restaurants for Kings may earn a commission when you book through our reservation links, at no cost to you. Our scores are editorial and never paid for.
Practical Information
Address1810 N Highland Ave, Tampa, FL 33602
NeighbourhoodTampa Heights, the Riverwalk
CuisineNative Floridian
PriceMains roughly $24-42
Dress CodeCasual
SeatingTwo-story dining room, beer garden and rooftop terrace
ReservationRecommended
