We have loved this little place ever since we discovered it. The best Tapa's we have had since moving to FL. The service has always been great, this is our fav. spot on New Year's eve too. The ambiance is great and sitting at the bar always seems like a fun little private show! As locals, we're excited to have you closer to us now (as opposed to downtown:)
(5)
Linsey B.
This was by far the best meal we had at Madeira Beach! My husband and I entertain clients at a lot of great restaurants so we are accustomed to good food. This was the only restaurant that we would highly recommend at Johns Pass. Just wish we would have found before our last day there. The happy hour is also great. Half price tapas and two for one drinks! Delicious :)
(5)
Brett M.
Great tapas menu. Must order the alma fried shrimp! Also great garlic clams. It is steps from Johns pass boardwalk and the menus has something for everyone.
(5)
Yvette T.
Awesome food. Got the grouper and mahi. Done perfectly and great flavors. Our new favorite beach restaurant. Well worth the price!
(5)
Scott S.
Great. Fried green tomatoes, salmon bruschetta, caprisi salad. Half off tapas 4-6:30 every day. If you get a salad order a small, quite large. Place is beautiful, service was excellent. Highly recommend.
(5)
Brandon F.
Cheap food is only good if its not cold and tasteless. Its very confusing to find someone to take your order since they only have 1 person working a entire floor of a restaurant. No view except of the backs of businesses
(1)
Gina L.
We went to the recently moved Alma restaurant on Mad Beach & were very pleased. I ordered a burger & it was cooked perfectly & delicious. They have a great wine selection too. Service was very prompt & friendly. We will be back again for sure & had an overall great experience.
(5)
Maureen O.
Grabbed a light lunch here and the food was excellent. The salad was super fresh and grilled shrimp were delicious! Highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)
Ray J.
Great meal tonight. We sat in the bar area as restaurant section was empty and we didn't want to be the only ones seated. Tom greeted us and took our orders. Started with half Caesar salad. It was large and tasty. My daughter had the Parmesan chicken entree. It came with green beans and gorgonzola Mac and cheese. She enjoyed it. We decided on tapas. Fried green tomatoes, brucheta, coconut shrimp, and crispy crawfish tales. Each was excellent! The dipping sauce complemented the shrimp. The crawfish had a spicy sauce that was very good. A very memorable meal. Staff was attentive and courteous. A good addition to John's Pass. We will be back!
(5)
Matthew B.
Read about this place opening at John's Pass and we thought we'd give it a try before tourist season hit. The restaurant wasn't very busy when we arrived around 7:30 on a Friday night. This wasn't unexpected as many restaurants are lightly-trafficked during low season. We were seated quickly and greeted by our server who was quite nice and offered pleasant brief conversation about the restaurant, what was good, and what was on special. We got drinks quickly and everything was great. So things turned a bit south when the food started to be brought. I don't like the team-serving approach in general, and our experience exemplified why. About the time our apps were brought by the runner the restaurant started to get a little bit more busy, maybe 8 or so tables. I think our server was slammed as there was limited waitstaff. Perhaps for this reason our server never came back to ask if we needed anything. Ever. A separate, 3rd busser refilled water, but didn't ask if we needed anything else. The remaining courses of the meal were brought successively by runners who did not know which of us ordered what. This made the meal feel impersonal. The food was good but not fantastic. Nothing offended but nothing was a standout. I had the trio. The steak was flavorful but a bit tough, and the shrimp were a bit overdone. Wife had scallops but they could have used a touch of salt. Alas, and the crux of the story, is that we would have loved to ask for some, but our server still hadn't returned mid-way through our meal. A bit in need of service I had now set my empty wine and water glasses in the strategic 'alert' position near the edge of the table. Not until the floor manager came by some time later to our ask our opinion (at truly the end of our meal) were we able to get another glass of wine. We had been through a couple courses with no interaction from our server whatsoever. She was quite sorry when our situation had been brought to her attention, and she comped the glass of wine. So, ok. It happens, thanks for being considerate enough to buy the second glass. The four course menu was actually a good value and I would recommend it. Truly four courses for slightly over the price of the standalone entree, and the portion was large. We didn't leave hungry and in fact took some dinner home. In general the food was good and the staff was nice, but both could use a little polish to achieve the more upscale goals of the restaurant. This could be the most non-cookie cutter restaurant at John's Pass, and if you are there it would make a good option for a 'nicer' meal. That said I'm not sure it will warrant a special return-trip in the near future, but perhaps after they iron out a few kinks.
(3)
Kristen H.
Love Alma, especially Tapas Tuesdays! The food is always delicious and the staff is great!
(5)
Leanne R.
The customer service was great, however, we only experienced the great customer service because the quality of the meals were not up to par. The tapas were very good. Two of us ordered the alma trio for dinner - which was good, but the sides (potatoes) were undercooked. One person ordered the bacon wrapped steak - the cut of meat was very fatty and could not be consumed. One person ordered the coconut and macadamia crusted mahi mahi, which was burnt/overcooked and was not served as described. Overall, the menu was very appealing, but the execution needs improvement.
(2)
Tim T.
Those of us that have been around John's Pass for most of our lives should be happy that the sleepy little fishing village is finally growing up. Used to be if you wanted fish around here it was going to be fried. Good food but standard fare served by grumpy, crass waiters and owners or a big frozen seafood to your table chain like Bubbas ( not so good) Alma has arrived and hopefully changing the vibe of the Pass. This breath of fresh air has an incredibly diverse menu with reasonable prices. You can choose from a great variety of tasty Tapas or opt for a big entree. They also have a Four course PF menu that is at a great price, especially when on special. We were not all that hungry so we opted for sharing the Tapas. I had the meatballs, very good and the green chili soup of the day. The soup was not my favorite but i like to try new things. The waitress asked and i was honest. I wasnt complaining, but believe it or not they took it off the bill! My wife and daughter shared the crab cakes and Ahi, both delicious. The staff is great, from the guy that sat us to our server and it was great that the owner came by twice to check on us and took the time to chat and talk about the village. Best of luck to Alma in their new location at John's Pass, we will be back and will spread the word to our friends, families and customers.
(5)
Jill Z.
Great food and bar! Loved it! Who knows where "Tom jones" the bartender went?? He was fantastic.
(5)
Dorene M.
I was a little apprehensive to go to the new cafe Alma because my previous experience with Cafe Alma downtown were pretty bad. We had ordered that were not cooked correctly 2 times and on the third time part of my order was raw and I couldn't eat it. This happened on two visits so even though they have the best Bloody Mary bar, I decided I wasn't going back. It's been a couple of years and a new location so it was time to check it out again. As for the new location, I love that it's much bigger and that they have more room than the space in dtsp. I twas also nice to be able to sit outside since it was such a beautiful day. The service was also very good, our waiter was attentive and we didn't have to wait long for our order. Woohoo fried green tomatoes, who doesn't love tgem. I was pretty excited to see them on the menu, they remind me of southern food..yum. Unfortunately they weren't that great, just ok. Breading was too thick for me, I like it a bit lighter. Now on to the caprese salad, nicely presented and tastes pretty good, tomatoes were even rip and had great flavor. We also ordered the hummus plate which was really good. Overall everything was exceptable and some things were pretty good, so I will try Cafe Alma again but I'll order an entree and update my review. Looking forward to it.
(3)
Jeff A.
Went to the new Alma formerly Cafe Alma in John's Pass and it was excellent! My wife had the seafood risotto which was delicious and creamy dreamy. I had the applewood bacon wrapped filet once again cooked to perfection. We started with a nice bottle of Pinot noir and had bruschetta and a cheese plate, both were excellent and plentiful. Both were on the tapas menu. Met the owner/chef Scott and his lovely wife both were accommodating and welcoming, nice folks! This is a very nice addition to our beach restaurants and a must visit!
(5)
Mary A.
Great food and service! We also loved the atmosphere with the candles, flowers and background music. It's a gem for John's Pass. We've been there twice and would highly recommend it!
(5)
Jennifer T.
The server was nice but seemed like he wanted to close- we came in at9:45 and they close at 11. We were told kitchen closed in 10min. I ordered the pork chop lollipop- I was expecting a small chop but it was huge! Everything tasted fine but nothing spectacular. At the end of the meal a friend asked if they had a cappuccino machine and server just said no. Didn't offer anything until asked if they had espresso, to which server said yes but it will take me 5 min. Ordered it and got bad black coffee!! The place was empty and it was clear that they wanted to close early. I don't live here but would Prob return to give it another try. The place is big enough and staff was friendly.
(3)
Yana W.
My husband and I went to the new location last Tuesday. Although, the address does say "Boardwalk" it's not right on the water. It's across the street from it on the second floor. The restaurant has three different parts: two inside (one with tvs and one without, more romantic) and outside seating. Much larger than the last place. The menu, however didn't change much. We always came there on Tuesdays, so we're were very happy to see the same deal. 1/2 off tapas and bottles of wine. We ordered our old favorites: salmon bruschetta, crab stuffed mushrooms, and shrimp. Everything was yummy. We'll definitely be back.
(5)
Nancy N.
My husband and I tried Alma for the first time on Sunday night. We arrived during Happy Hour and ordered Tapas to share with each other, and they were delicious. The upscale interior of the restaurant was not typical for John's Pass! It's a welcome addition to the other great restaurants. We will be back.
(4)
Annabelle S.
This place was dead....and I should have taken the hint! The service was ok, but the food took forever and wasn't good. I had the turkey club which was just lunchmeat slapped on some pita bread. I could have made better at home.
(2)
Panda K.
Food was great for a brunch, had the blackwood benedict, I would definately recommended this place for brunch to anyone in the Madeira or treasure island beach areas.
(4)
Laura W.
I went with a group to Alma on Tuesday evening, when they offer half-priced tapas and 2 for 1 on some drinks. The restaurant and bathrooms appeared to be very clean and well-maintained. The food was fantastic! I ordered two tapas, which was equal to a meal. The cheese and vegetables were so fresh, as was the bread. The tomatoes were some of the prettiest and most flavorful I have found in Tampa Bay. The service was good and attentive. Everyone at my table, about 10, loved their food. I can highly recommend the bruschetta, which had garlic toast, juicy yellow and red tomatoes, basil and a balsamic redux. Yum! Parking is a little tight in the John's Pass area, but there is a city-run hourly parking lot a city block away that I can recommend. It costs $1.50 for an hour (( needed 2), whereas a nearby private surface lot was $10! I understand the parking deck, which is slightly closer, is $1 per half hour. Be sure and save some time to walk out to John's Pass beside the restaurant to see the waterway and the beautiful light at sunset. Check out inspections of your favorite Florida restaurants by the Florida Department of Business and Professional at: myfloridalicense.com/wl1…
(5)
Rob C.
There appears to be potential at this place, but it really fell short. Attention to detail and standards were not good. From soggy drenched spinach soaked in olive oil, to undercooked crunchy risotto. One dish was way too small (i.e. three shrimp, 2 scallops and 2 fish nuggets sounds like tapas not a $30 entree). There was an over complicated feel to many menu items bordering on pretentiousness. There were some good ideas on the menu, the execution was just lacking.
(3)
Tina L.
Best food in John's Pass! We had been to the old location several times and decided to check out the new digs as we were in the area. We sat at the bar, near sunset time, to enjoy a drink and tapas/apps. We each had the mac and cheese as well, which was delicious. Other items included the crispy shrimp, Shrimp Alma?, which was very tasty and the portion was plenty to share. We had the cheese plate, also good, though I prefer the one from the "old" Alma more. Lastly, the hummus trio was delightful. Our server was very attentive and our food was fresh. The only reason we didn't give it 5 stars was that the atmosphere was a little off as it was completely empty, as in no other patrons. I certainly hope business will improve for the new Alma. It truly is the BEST food you will find on John's Pass and the happy hour prices are amazing.
(4)
Bibi R.
We had an excellent meal at Alma's tonight. Our waitress Lydia was very attentative and nice (she even laughed at my dad's jokes...) and she gave us some nice food and drinks suggestions. The food was absolutely delicious and it didn't take long to get it either. Would definitely recommend this place. Prices were around $20 for entrees, but they were worth every penny.
(5)
Emily R.
Stumbled upon Alma looking for an early lunch before we hit the beach. Mom and I shared the baby spinach salad and hummus platter - both delicious! Nice outdoor seating and great playlist going.
(4)
Devin A.
Some local friends of ours raved about the food, so we decided to try it out with the family. I will start off first by saying the staff was extremely attentive and friendly, and we felt like they valued our business. The scene was split across two separate areas, a live jazz music area and a quieter dining area (where we sat). The food was good overall, with me and my fiance' splitting a Portuguese seafood dish (scallops, shrimp, and grouper). It was very spicy, but very good. Our children had the pork chop and the Parmesan grilled chicken respectively, and both were very satisfied as well (judging on how quickly they consumed their meals). We did have a couple of the tapas, the avocado caprese and the Alma bruschetta, both were good but not necessarily the highlights of the tapas menu (I hope). I would definitely recommend Alma's, though I would say you should target their happy hour (2pm - 6pm approximately) to ensure the best value, as some of the tapas are bit pricey. We will definitely return to Alma's on our next trip to Treasure Island. Thank you Kristina and staff!!!
This is probably one of my new go-to places to eat at John's Pass. The service was fantastic and we got here before 6:30pm which made for 50% off tapas. We tried about 7 different tapas including the salmon rolls, fish tacos, pulled pork, crispy shrimp, and portobello stack. Every one of them was excellent and could very well be a meal in themselves. Needless to say we were stuffed afterwards. A great way to end a day at the beach that's for sure. The upstairs balcony was a nice place to sit out and people watch as well. For 7 tapas plates the check was only around $30 which is a steal for this quality of food and service. Definitely will be back and would recommend this place to anyone visiting John's Pass.
(4)
Lori M.
Had a wonderful time here when visiting my parents in Treasure Island, Florida! First, you cannot beat the location! Located in John's Pass with a ton of shopping and near the boardwalk, it is the perfect place to grab a bite. My mom and I were not super hungry so we wanted small plates. I admit I am a cheese snob and their cheese plate is divine! Served with fresh fruit, goat cheese, and a bevy of other varieties it places in the top 5 I have eaten. I love tapas and their tapas menu is very diverse and reasonable. They have indoor and outdoor seating, and the service was great! Appetizers and drinks are 1/2 off during happy hour! Give it a try if you are in the area, it is a great place to take a rest from shopping!
(4)
Jessica S.
We visited tonight because we loved the old location. I am so disappointed :( First the salad was room temperature and we couldn't eat them. We got the alma trio and our steak was so tough that neither of us could chew it enough to feel comfortable swallowing it. The crab cake was good. The green beans were cooked perfectly. We also had chocolate torte that was dry and not sweet. It tasted like a hot muffin. Our waiter hardly refilled our drinks, I kept having to get his attention to get him to refill. He knew the VERY loud group next to us so he spent some time sitting with them. The old alma was dark, romantic and quiet. This place is the opposite of that. This doesn't even resemble the old cafe alma. We left disappointed and know we will never go back. Huge bummer.
(2)
Ed N.
First off the hostess station empty. Roamed around trying to find an employee. After meeting the somewhat rude hostess we were eventually seated at which time we asked if a booth was available. We were told they were all reserved. After waiting for 45min we had not even had our drinks served. All that time we waited we noticed no one sitting in any of those "reserved" booths. We decided we were not staying at that point. Left and went to Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Much better experience. Overall Alma sucks the big one to put it nicely. Wont ever go back.
(1)
Victoria N.
Great lunch! Great service! Thank you to the manager for inviting us back and sending us gift certificates! The bartender was our server (not sure what her name was ),we dined in on Tuesday March 10th around 2p.m. What a wonderful experience!
(5)
Marion V.
We really liked the tapas! They have happy hour from 2:30 to 6:00 pm. We ordered the jumbo shrimp with coconut crust, the grilled portobello and the clams in garlic and white wine sauce. Delicious!
(5)
Tim K.
Great selection of tapas. Excellent calamari and sauce. Half price tapas and wine on Tuesday. Great location at John's Pass.
(5)
Ben W.
The food is good. We had fried green tomatoes, the crab/tomato/avocado stack, the Portuguese spicy jumbo shrimp (which are beyond amazing if you like spicy food) and steak tacos of Spain (also amazing). The staff were very nice, personable and eager to provide advice when asked. Note: this place consists of two buildings, the one you see when you get to the top of the stairs is the bar... If you do a U-turn to your left or right at the top of the stairs, then you're looking at the restaurant side. We didn't know this on our first visit and ended up in the bar and this is what we had to say about that (next time we'll go to the restaurant side): If you want a quiet romantic evening, be sure to get a table outside. Inside is completely different. It sounds like a busy, loud cafeteria inside. If they get rid of the four TVs and add padding on the ceiling, maybe some drapes for the windows... Anything to absorb noise, then it would be soooo much better inside. I do not want to return unless we can sit outside (it was cold the night we were there). Note: I originally gave them a tree star rating, but upped it to four after learning that we could have gone to the restaurant side and would have most likely enjoyed our night much more.
(4)
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Address :111 Boardwark Pl W,Ste 201
Madeira Beach, FL, 33708
Sorry, Store hours have not been updated. If you are the owner of this restaurants. Please update the store hours.
Specialities
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Brunch Parking : Garage Bike Parking : Yes Good for Kids : Yes Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : Paid Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
ivy l.
We have loved this little place ever since we discovered it. The best Tapa's we have had since moving to FL. The service has always been great, this is our fav. spot on New Year's eve too. The ambiance is great and sitting at the bar always seems like a fun little private show! As locals, we're excited to have you closer to us now (as opposed to downtown:)
(5)Linsey B.
This was by far the best meal we had at Madeira Beach! My husband and I entertain clients at a lot of great restaurants so we are accustomed to good food. This was the only restaurant that we would highly recommend at Johns Pass. Just wish we would have found before our last day there. The happy hour is also great. Half price tapas and two for one drinks! Delicious :)
(5)Brett M.
Great tapas menu. Must order the alma fried shrimp! Also great garlic clams. It is steps from Johns pass boardwalk and the menus has something for everyone.
(5)Yvette T.
Awesome food. Got the grouper and mahi. Done perfectly and great flavors. Our new favorite beach restaurant. Well worth the price!
(5)Scott S.
Great. Fried green tomatoes, salmon bruschetta, caprisi salad. Half off tapas 4-6:30 every day. If you get a salad order a small, quite large. Place is beautiful, service was excellent. Highly recommend.
(5)Brandon F.
Cheap food is only good if its not cold and tasteless. Its very confusing to find someone to take your order since they only have 1 person working a entire floor of a restaurant. No view except of the backs of businesses
(1)Gina L.
We went to the recently moved Alma restaurant on Mad Beach & were very pleased. I ordered a burger & it was cooked perfectly & delicious. They have a great wine selection too. Service was very prompt & friendly. We will be back again for sure & had an overall great experience.
(5)Maureen O.
Grabbed a light lunch here and the food was excellent. The salad was super fresh and grilled shrimp were delicious! Highly recommend this restaurant.
(5)Ray J.
Great meal tonight. We sat in the bar area as restaurant section was empty and we didn't want to be the only ones seated. Tom greeted us and took our orders. Started with half Caesar salad. It was large and tasty. My daughter had the Parmesan chicken entree. It came with green beans and gorgonzola Mac and cheese. She enjoyed it. We decided on tapas. Fried green tomatoes, brucheta, coconut shrimp, and crispy crawfish tales. Each was excellent! The dipping sauce complemented the shrimp. The crawfish had a spicy sauce that was very good. A very memorable meal. Staff was attentive and courteous. A good addition to John's Pass. We will be back!
(5)Matthew B.
Read about this place opening at John's Pass and we thought we'd give it a try before tourist season hit. The restaurant wasn't very busy when we arrived around 7:30 on a Friday night. This wasn't unexpected as many restaurants are lightly-trafficked during low season. We were seated quickly and greeted by our server who was quite nice and offered pleasant brief conversation about the restaurant, what was good, and what was on special. We got drinks quickly and everything was great. So things turned a bit south when the food started to be brought. I don't like the team-serving approach in general, and our experience exemplified why. About the time our apps were brought by the runner the restaurant started to get a little bit more busy, maybe 8 or so tables. I think our server was slammed as there was limited waitstaff. Perhaps for this reason our server never came back to ask if we needed anything. Ever. A separate, 3rd busser refilled water, but didn't ask if we needed anything else. The remaining courses of the meal were brought successively by runners who did not know which of us ordered what. This made the meal feel impersonal. The food was good but not fantastic. Nothing offended but nothing was a standout. I had the trio. The steak was flavorful but a bit tough, and the shrimp were a bit overdone. Wife had scallops but they could have used a touch of salt. Alas, and the crux of the story, is that we would have loved to ask for some, but our server still hadn't returned mid-way through our meal. A bit in need of service I had now set my empty wine and water glasses in the strategic 'alert' position near the edge of the table. Not until the floor manager came by some time later to our ask our opinion (at truly the end of our meal) were we able to get another glass of wine. We had been through a couple courses with no interaction from our server whatsoever. She was quite sorry when our situation had been brought to her attention, and she comped the glass of wine. So, ok. It happens, thanks for being considerate enough to buy the second glass. The four course menu was actually a good value and I would recommend it. Truly four courses for slightly over the price of the standalone entree, and the portion was large. We didn't leave hungry and in fact took some dinner home. In general the food was good and the staff was nice, but both could use a little polish to achieve the more upscale goals of the restaurant. This could be the most non-cookie cutter restaurant at John's Pass, and if you are there it would make a good option for a 'nicer' meal. That said I'm not sure it will warrant a special return-trip in the near future, but perhaps after they iron out a few kinks.
(3)Kristen H.
Love Alma, especially Tapas Tuesdays! The food is always delicious and the staff is great!
(5)Leanne R.
The customer service was great, however, we only experienced the great customer service because the quality of the meals were not up to par. The tapas were very good. Two of us ordered the alma trio for dinner - which was good, but the sides (potatoes) were undercooked. One person ordered the bacon wrapped steak - the cut of meat was very fatty and could not be consumed. One person ordered the coconut and macadamia crusted mahi mahi, which was burnt/overcooked and was not served as described. Overall, the menu was very appealing, but the execution needs improvement.
(2)Tim T.
Those of us that have been around John's Pass for most of our lives should be happy that the sleepy little fishing village is finally growing up. Used to be if you wanted fish around here it was going to be fried. Good food but standard fare served by grumpy, crass waiters and owners or a big frozen seafood to your table chain like Bubbas ( not so good) Alma has arrived and hopefully changing the vibe of the Pass. This breath of fresh air has an incredibly diverse menu with reasonable prices. You can choose from a great variety of tasty Tapas or opt for a big entree. They also have a Four course PF menu that is at a great price, especially when on special. We were not all that hungry so we opted for sharing the Tapas. I had the meatballs, very good and the green chili soup of the day. The soup was not my favorite but i like to try new things. The waitress asked and i was honest. I wasnt complaining, but believe it or not they took it off the bill! My wife and daughter shared the crab cakes and Ahi, both delicious. The staff is great, from the guy that sat us to our server and it was great that the owner came by twice to check on us and took the time to chat and talk about the village. Best of luck to Alma in their new location at John's Pass, we will be back and will spread the word to our friends, families and customers.
(5)Jill Z.
Great food and bar! Loved it! Who knows where "Tom jones" the bartender went?? He was fantastic.
(5)Dorene M.
I was a little apprehensive to go to the new cafe Alma because my previous experience with Cafe Alma downtown were pretty bad. We had ordered that were not cooked correctly 2 times and on the third time part of my order was raw and I couldn't eat it. This happened on two visits so even though they have the best Bloody Mary bar, I decided I wasn't going back. It's been a couple of years and a new location so it was time to check it out again. As for the new location, I love that it's much bigger and that they have more room than the space in dtsp. I twas also nice to be able to sit outside since it was such a beautiful day. The service was also very good, our waiter was attentive and we didn't have to wait long for our order. Woohoo fried green tomatoes, who doesn't love tgem. I was pretty excited to see them on the menu, they remind me of southern food..yum. Unfortunately they weren't that great, just ok. Breading was too thick for me, I like it a bit lighter. Now on to the caprese salad, nicely presented and tastes pretty good, tomatoes were even rip and had great flavor. We also ordered the hummus plate which was really good. Overall everything was exceptable and some things were pretty good, so I will try Cafe Alma again but I'll order an entree and update my review. Looking forward to it.
(3)Jeff A.
Went to the new Alma formerly Cafe Alma in John's Pass and it was excellent! My wife had the seafood risotto which was delicious and creamy dreamy. I had the applewood bacon wrapped filet once again cooked to perfection. We started with a nice bottle of Pinot noir and had bruschetta and a cheese plate, both were excellent and plentiful. Both were on the tapas menu. Met the owner/chef Scott and his lovely wife both were accommodating and welcoming, nice folks! This is a very nice addition to our beach restaurants and a must visit!
(5)Mary A.
Great food and service! We also loved the atmosphere with the candles, flowers and background music. It's a gem for John's Pass. We've been there twice and would highly recommend it!
(5)Jennifer T.
The server was nice but seemed like he wanted to close- we came in at9:45 and they close at 11. We were told kitchen closed in 10min. I ordered the pork chop lollipop- I was expecting a small chop but it was huge! Everything tasted fine but nothing spectacular. At the end of the meal a friend asked if they had a cappuccino machine and server just said no. Didn't offer anything until asked if they had espresso, to which server said yes but it will take me 5 min. Ordered it and got bad black coffee!! The place was empty and it was clear that they wanted to close early. I don't live here but would Prob return to give it another try. The place is big enough and staff was friendly.
(3)Yana W.
My husband and I went to the new location last Tuesday. Although, the address does say "Boardwalk" it's not right on the water. It's across the street from it on the second floor. The restaurant has three different parts: two inside (one with tvs and one without, more romantic) and outside seating. Much larger than the last place. The menu, however didn't change much. We always came there on Tuesdays, so we're were very happy to see the same deal. 1/2 off tapas and bottles of wine. We ordered our old favorites: salmon bruschetta, crab stuffed mushrooms, and shrimp. Everything was yummy. We'll definitely be back.
(5)Nancy N.
My husband and I tried Alma for the first time on Sunday night. We arrived during Happy Hour and ordered Tapas to share with each other, and they were delicious. The upscale interior of the restaurant was not typical for John's Pass! It's a welcome addition to the other great restaurants. We will be back.
(4)Annabelle S.
This place was dead....and I should have taken the hint! The service was ok, but the food took forever and wasn't good. I had the turkey club which was just lunchmeat slapped on some pita bread. I could have made better at home.
(2)Panda K.
Food was great for a brunch, had the blackwood benedict, I would definately recommended this place for brunch to anyone in the Madeira or treasure island beach areas.
(4)Laura W.
I went with a group to Alma on Tuesday evening, when they offer half-priced tapas and 2 for 1 on some drinks. The restaurant and bathrooms appeared to be very clean and well-maintained. The food was fantastic! I ordered two tapas, which was equal to a meal. The cheese and vegetables were so fresh, as was the bread. The tomatoes were some of the prettiest and most flavorful I have found in Tampa Bay. The service was good and attentive. Everyone at my table, about 10, loved their food. I can highly recommend the bruschetta, which had garlic toast, juicy yellow and red tomatoes, basil and a balsamic redux. Yum! Parking is a little tight in the John's Pass area, but there is a city-run hourly parking lot a city block away that I can recommend. It costs $1.50 for an hour (( needed 2), whereas a nearby private surface lot was $10! I understand the parking deck, which is slightly closer, is $1 per half hour. Be sure and save some time to walk out to John's Pass beside the restaurant to see the waterway and the beautiful light at sunset. Check out inspections of your favorite Florida restaurants by the Florida Department of Business and Professional at: myfloridalicense.com/wl1…
(5)Rob C.
There appears to be potential at this place, but it really fell short. Attention to detail and standards were not good. From soggy drenched spinach soaked in olive oil, to undercooked crunchy risotto. One dish was way too small (i.e. three shrimp, 2 scallops and 2 fish nuggets sounds like tapas not a $30 entree). There was an over complicated feel to many menu items bordering on pretentiousness. There were some good ideas on the menu, the execution was just lacking.
(3)Tina L.
Best food in John's Pass! We had been to the old location several times and decided to check out the new digs as we were in the area. We sat at the bar, near sunset time, to enjoy a drink and tapas/apps. We each had the mac and cheese as well, which was delicious. Other items included the crispy shrimp, Shrimp Alma?, which was very tasty and the portion was plenty to share. We had the cheese plate, also good, though I prefer the one from the "old" Alma more. Lastly, the hummus trio was delightful. Our server was very attentive and our food was fresh. The only reason we didn't give it 5 stars was that the atmosphere was a little off as it was completely empty, as in no other patrons. I certainly hope business will improve for the new Alma. It truly is the BEST food you will find on John's Pass and the happy hour prices are amazing.
(4)Bibi R.
We had an excellent meal at Alma's tonight. Our waitress Lydia was very attentative and nice (she even laughed at my dad's jokes...) and she gave us some nice food and drinks suggestions. The food was absolutely delicious and it didn't take long to get it either. Would definitely recommend this place. Prices were around $20 for entrees, but they were worth every penny.
(5)Emily R.
Stumbled upon Alma looking for an early lunch before we hit the beach. Mom and I shared the baby spinach salad and hummus platter - both delicious! Nice outdoor seating and great playlist going.
(4)Devin A.
Some local friends of ours raved about the food, so we decided to try it out with the family. I will start off first by saying the staff was extremely attentive and friendly, and we felt like they valued our business. The scene was split across two separate areas, a live jazz music area and a quieter dining area (where we sat). The food was good overall, with me and my fiance' splitting a Portuguese seafood dish (scallops, shrimp, and grouper). It was very spicy, but very good. Our children had the pork chop and the Parmesan grilled chicken respectively, and both were very satisfied as well (judging on how quickly they consumed their meals). We did have a couple of the tapas, the avocado caprese and the Alma bruschetta, both were good but not necessarily the highlights of the tapas menu (I hope). I would definitely recommend Alma's, though I would say you should target their happy hour (2pm - 6pm approximately) to ensure the best value, as some of the tapas are bit pricey. We will definitely return to Alma's on our next trip to Treasure Island. Thank you Kristina and staff!!!
(4)Cher T.
Figured we'd give Alma a shot since it was on Yelp's "New and Hot" list. We'd never been to the original Café Alma, but the reviews were decent enough to try it. They are now the lone proprietors on the top floor of John's Pass over by the parking garage. It's two flights up by stairs, however, there is elevator access. The menu is long, real long, which can be a bit overwhelming, but since there's tapas involved, that's almost to be expected. In addition to about 18 tapas selections, all around $8 to $10, there are about a dozen entrees ranging between $15 to $20. Then, after that, there is also a prix fix menu, giving you a choice of a few apps, soup or salad as a second course, the choice of 5 entrees and a dessert. THEN, on top of THAT, their house specials for the night. Yeah. Like I said. Overwhelming. Our group of four went mostly for tapas items, my husband went for the prix fix menu. Let me say, HE was the big winner. He ordered the Alma Trio, which was a steak, lump crab cake, shrimp and scallop skewer, then sides of mashed sweet potatoes and steamed veggies. He also ordered an antipasto app and the chicken lentil soup for a second. His steak was well seasoned, a delicious marinade and perfectly cooked. The scallops were firm, not rubbery. Shrimp was tasty, veggies were delish. The prix fix meal was $27.95. It finishes with a chocolate creme brulee that he was really looking forward to, so he purposely didn't finish his whole meal to "leave room". Unfortunately, dessert was served in a tiny cup, about the size of a jar of baby food. A "bite size" dessert they called it, but was no mention of it's size on the menu or by the server, til it arrived. He was terribly disappointed. The rest of us bought tapas, some were delicious like the shrimp alma. Then there was a caprese that was just average, pappas fritas that were drenched in the same sauce that was on the shrimp (yummy on the shrimp, terrible on the potatoes, which we returned and were comped for). The portabello stack was delicious. The fried green tomatoes, supposedly served with a slaw, had no slaw and the tomatoes were so thin and overcooked, that it was like eating a wad of cooked breadcrumbs. They were awful. The problem with the tapas is the way they were served. Small portions which is fine, but on ENORMOUS square plates, 3/4 of which are decorative sauce. 4 items plus our individual small plates, covers the entire table. We had 6 items, plus my hubs entree and appetizer. We were continuously shifting plates around. Smaller serving plates would be ideal. Also? My husband's food took substantially longer to leave the kitchen than the tapas did. He ate his meal as we all sat politely, finished with ours. Tapas should come out maybe 2 to 3 at a time, making sure that everyone is eating simultaneously. It was uncomfortable. The soda machine didn't work, so you only had a choice of coke or diet coke to drink and our waitress had to "run next door to buy a few cans". Thanks for letting us know you charged full price for soft drinks served out of cans, though. The music was VERY loud for a place with such a softly lit ambience. However, our server was great (I want to say her name was Kaitlyn? Sorry, I'm usually great at remembering names). Very attentive to my severe nut allergy, took our food back with a smile, no problem. Kept our water glasses full. She was tipped accordingly for being so wonderful. Was it a bad experience? No. 4 of us dined for $100. Most of the food was good. If we were to go back though, it would be for entrées, not the tapas. But, with so many places in Johns Pass to buy standard entrees, Alma would do better to focus on tightening their tapas game. It's what will make them unique. I was set to give them 2 stars, but our server alone warranted that 3rd star. There IS 4 star potential here, just not quite yet.
(3)Christian M.
This is probably one of my new go-to places to eat at John's Pass. The service was fantastic and we got here before 6:30pm which made for 50% off tapas. We tried about 7 different tapas including the salmon rolls, fish tacos, pulled pork, crispy shrimp, and portobello stack. Every one of them was excellent and could very well be a meal in themselves. Needless to say we were stuffed afterwards. A great way to end a day at the beach that's for sure. The upstairs balcony was a nice place to sit out and people watch as well. For 7 tapas plates the check was only around $30 which is a steal for this quality of food and service. Definitely will be back and would recommend this place to anyone visiting John's Pass.
(4)Lori M.
Had a wonderful time here when visiting my parents in Treasure Island, Florida! First, you cannot beat the location! Located in John's Pass with a ton of shopping and near the boardwalk, it is the perfect place to grab a bite. My mom and I were not super hungry so we wanted small plates. I admit I am a cheese snob and their cheese plate is divine! Served with fresh fruit, goat cheese, and a bevy of other varieties it places in the top 5 I have eaten. I love tapas and their tapas menu is very diverse and reasonable. They have indoor and outdoor seating, and the service was great! Appetizers and drinks are 1/2 off during happy hour! Give it a try if you are in the area, it is a great place to take a rest from shopping!
(4)Jessica S.
We visited tonight because we loved the old location. I am so disappointed :( First the salad was room temperature and we couldn't eat them. We got the alma trio and our steak was so tough that neither of us could chew it enough to feel comfortable swallowing it. The crab cake was good. The green beans were cooked perfectly. We also had chocolate torte that was dry and not sweet. It tasted like a hot muffin. Our waiter hardly refilled our drinks, I kept having to get his attention to get him to refill. He knew the VERY loud group next to us so he spent some time sitting with them. The old alma was dark, romantic and quiet. This place is the opposite of that. This doesn't even resemble the old cafe alma. We left disappointed and know we will never go back. Huge bummer.
(2)Ed N.
First off the hostess station empty. Roamed around trying to find an employee. After meeting the somewhat rude hostess we were eventually seated at which time we asked if a booth was available. We were told they were all reserved. After waiting for 45min we had not even had our drinks served. All that time we waited we noticed no one sitting in any of those "reserved" booths. We decided we were not staying at that point. Left and went to Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Much better experience. Overall Alma sucks the big one to put it nicely. Wont ever go back.
(1)Victoria N.
Great lunch! Great service! Thank you to the manager for inviting us back and sending us gift certificates! The bartender was our server (not sure what her name was ),we dined in on Tuesday March 10th around 2p.m. What a wonderful experience!
(5)Marion V.
We really liked the tapas! They have happy hour from 2:30 to 6:00 pm. We ordered the jumbo shrimp with coconut crust, the grilled portobello and the clams in garlic and white wine sauce. Delicious!
(5)Tim K.
Great selection of tapas. Excellent calamari and sauce. Half price tapas and wine on Tuesday. Great location at John's Pass.
(5)Ben W.
The food is good. We had fried green tomatoes, the crab/tomato/avocado stack, the Portuguese spicy jumbo shrimp (which are beyond amazing if you like spicy food) and steak tacos of Spain (also amazing). The staff were very nice, personable and eager to provide advice when asked. Note: this place consists of two buildings, the one you see when you get to the top of the stairs is the bar... If you do a U-turn to your left or right at the top of the stairs, then you're looking at the restaurant side. We didn't know this on our first visit and ended up in the bar and this is what we had to say about that (next time we'll go to the restaurant side): If you want a quiet romantic evening, be sure to get a table outside. Inside is completely different. It sounds like a busy, loud cafeteria inside. If they get rid of the four TVs and add padding on the ceiling, maybe some drapes for the windows... Anything to absorb noise, then it would be soooo much better inside. I do not want to return unless we can sit outside (it was cold the night we were there). Note: I originally gave them a tree star rating, but upped it to four after learning that we could have gone to the restaurant side and would have most likely enjoyed our night much more.
(4)