Cafe Dufrain is tucked away right across from the heart of downtown Tampa on harbor island. They have a bright, airy space with large windows to look out onto the water of the channel. The restaurant is intimate with a handful of tables both inside and out. The food and drink selections are varied and each and every one sound delicious. I had a happy hour glass of red wine that was absolutely divine. We started our meal with a cheese and charcuterie plate that was the bomb dot com and I had a pork shoulder mac and cheese for my main course. The pork was moist and fall apart tender in my mouth. The mac and cheese was non traditional and delightfully unexpected. All in all, it was a neat place for dinner albeit a bit expensive. A cute place to try if you haven't visited it before.
(4)
Kevin C.
Came here on this wonderful 4th of July with my workout friends and, decided to have the barbecue. Great choice! Ashley (the bartender) she's was awesome!!! Recommended us everything and she was right on point with everything!!! Amazing atmosphere. Great drinks! Very clean! Great job guys! And Ashley!!! I got the name right this time... Keep up the good work!
(5)
Lauren J.
Terrible! Went there last night for the first time for dinner. Bar was busy, restaurant had maybe 5 tables. After being seated, the waitstaff would walk by us, never acknowledging we were there or asking if we would like a drink. After 20 minutes sitting at our table outside and seeing the waiter look at us 3 times and walk by us about 8 we walked out. For a similar price, great view, and amazing food and staff, walk five minutes over to Jacksons!!!
(1)
Lori W.
Tuna Tar Tar appetizer and Pino Cris taste wonderful, very light and seasoned perfect. Not everyone carries Pino Cris and it's very very good. Totally recommend the place if you enjoy different and good. Menu is different in a great way
(4)
Chris B.
Cafe Dufrain is located along the channel on Harbour Island, a quick walk from downtown hotels. The restaurant has a mix of indoor and outdoor seating with a large 'garage door' that opens if the weather outside is nice. It's one of my favorite features. The servers have all been excellent. Food is top notch, but a little pricey. They have an excellent daily happy hour that runs 3pm-7pm and offers half off drinks. My favorite dish is the short rib mac and cheese. Join their e-club and you get a gift card in the mail!
(4)
Jewel M.
We popped into this place after having a horrible dinner at That's Amore the night before. What a refreshing change. Excellent service, reasonable prices. I really enjoyed traditional foods with surprising ingredients. We will be back whenever we are on this side of the bridge!
(4)
Benjamin K.
Fresh menu, friendly staff. Checked my ID when prompted on the back of my credit card. Very impressed. Nice views to boot!
(4)
Brett N.
Why 4 stars? Because short rib mac and cheese. --- --- --- The above is what I ordered. Any time something like that is listed on a menu, I'm probably going to be a fan. I loved my experience eating outside, and looking at the Forum reflecting off the water. What a great spot for Harbour Island. Cafe Dufrain had been on my bucket list for a while, and I'm glad I was finally able to enjoy it. They always have a better-than-most beer selection to top things off. Next time... the Dufrain burger will be gluttony of choice,
(4)
Joe D.
I have mixed feelings about my visit to Cafe DuFrain. On the one hand the food was decent, actually the mussels were delicious but on the other hand the place was a bit dirty and our waiter was not engaged with the table. I started with Mussels which were cooked in a delicious tomato base. These mussels were tasty and tender but quite small compared to other mussels eaten in Tampa. I next had the duck burger which was too overpowered by seasoning. I failed to taste the duck in the burger and it was disappointing. I asked if we could open our $5 bottle of wine that someone randomly gave us on our way to lunch and was told there was a $15 corking charge. Since the bottle was a screw type we opted for ice tea. Overall, mehhhh okay:(
(2)
Jessica L.
Disclosure: This is based on a half hour visit before a Lightning game. I'd give it another chance but here's my review of this trip... Met up with some friends for drinks before a Lightning game. Parking was plentiful nearby. Place was pretty packed and we already had a spot outside. I arrived around 6:30 and took a look at the menu for a drink. My friends told me there were happy hour specials so I waited for our waiter to return to ask about them. He didn't make his way back to our table until abouttttt 6:50 and I asked about specials. His first response was 'Well you only have 10 minutes...' and I said 'Well I have been here for 20 minutes' so I was already not a fan that he took awhile knowing happy hour was a short time (plus my friends wanted more drinks too) and then was so quick to tell me how little time I had. I ordered a well margarita and he brought it over right at 7 so... so much for ordering another for happy hour if I liked it! Then we all cashed out and mine was a total of $4.82. I put in a $20 and waited for change. He returned with a $10 and 5 $1s. That's $15. Not $20-$4.82 for $15.18. I am NOT COOL with servers just taking my change without asking me. I get that it was a whole whopping 18 cents that I was owed but that is not your call to just take my spare change and not count out a dime, nickel, and 3 pennies for me. So that was his tip. I wouldn't mind trying it again but not super impressed with our server on a busy day. Oh, and margarita was pretty good :) [PSA to servers - just bring people their change! All of it! I mean I kinda get it if it's like 5 cents or something but STILL. Huge pet peeve!]
(2)
Jack D.
Good food and atmosphere. The highlight was Marley, a 3 legged dog that loves the fries. Marley's owner was stunning! Keep your eye out for the dog and his beautiful owner.
(5)
Krystel A.
The food there was very good. The service was fast even though we were a party of 15+. Every thing I had was delicious.
(4)
Kacey D.
Very good meal! It's hard to eat gluten free in an unfamiliar place but they made it easy! Through appetizer, entree and dessert!
(5)
Julie B.
Nice location. Great food at reasonable prices. My husband and I took a stroll over to Cafe Dufrain from the Marriott Waterside. The quick walk along the water was a bonus! Seated promptly and ordered after perusing the menu. We were happy with our choices and the food was tasty. The fries could have been slightly more crisp and the waitress should have refilled my water glass. Minor compared to the incredible tastiness of the duck wonton nachos.
(4)
Amara G.
Perfect place to enjoy a beautiful day looking at the canal. Yes, the tables outside are a bit wobbly. Yes, it might be breezy. But there is so much more to enjoy... the place is pet friendly. One of the many times I have eaten at Cafe Dufrain, there was dog birthday party been celebrated outside, hats and doggie cake and all the fun shenanigans. There are always the usual happy hour faces at the bar since it is a popular hangout of the neighborhood. Families enjoying the day, glass of wine in hand as they watch their kinds play unafraid in the street's roundabout. Cafe Dufrain has a great selection of beer, spirits and wine. The beer with a hint of vanilla is delightful. They make really great Old Fashions and Muscow Mules. Their sangria is nice, but nothing to rave about. The food is consistently excellent: Short Rib Mac and Cheese, Empanadas (different flavors each day to keep it interesting), Mussels, chimichurri steak, duck burger... the home made ice creams... yum. The bar might get quite busy at times... but it is "the island" slow vibe...look out at the water..pet the dog staring at you...check out the attractive yuppies... chill.
(4)
K.L. R.
Cool place... I've been a few times but just for wine night with a few girlfriends of mine... haven't eaten there yet but the girls rave about it.... on Mondays we go because you can bring your own wine! :) The bartenders are really nice too!
(4)
Dan B.
I gave this place five stars on my previous visit but I'm adjusting down based on the poor service. Made eye contact with one woman who simply smiled and moved on to collect some dirty glasses. Ummm.... I wasn't just being friendly; I wanted to order food! Finally another woman addressed me, although she was clearly in a hurry to get on to something else. She barely seems able to conceal her contempt for her job. I had been surprised by how many poor reviews this place had gotten because I had initially ranked it so highly. When I saw that the reviews mostly reflected customer service I figured people were being overly sensitive. However I believe the service has declined since I last came here. Perhaps they have new management. Maybe the clientele at Harbour Island is wealthy enough to keep this place going on its own. They don't seem interested in maintaining a broad base. I just got my food and think that quality has declined a bit as well. Bacon braised kale that I really enjoyed before seems tough this time. The food's still not bad but I'm not overly impressed.
(2)
Todd F.
Cafe Dufrain was recommended by several people as my wife and I just moved to the Harbour Island area. Loved the location near the water and within walking distance from our house. Restaurant was full on a Tuesday night so we grabbed two seats at the bar which was ideal for us as we wanted to grab a few quick drinks and dinner. Food was good but it took us 15minutes to get our first drinks (2 glasses of wine) and another 30 to get refills after we ordered dinner. Bar staff seemed to busy talking to each other and the "regulars" to actually take an order or pay attention to the customers at the bar.
(2)
Anna M.
My friend and I sat at the bar and started with a glass of the Rainstorm Pinot Gris and a Dufrain Royale, which were both very refreshing. Then we both had the Chilled Quinoa Salad (sans tomatoes) and added the grilled steak. It was delicious! Great service, but they may have been biased since Mully is a regular here! Love the atmosphere. The only downside was that the TVs at the bar were small and I couldn't get my full dose of ESPN...but then again, that is what my phone is for...haha
(4)
Kevin H.
Excellent get away spot. Located right on the water with outdoor seating & full bar. The food is fresh & delicious. I had the Turkey Burger with homemade chips & It did not disappoint. The patty was made fresh & cooked to perfection.
(5)
Kacey G.
This place is phenomenal! The setting is perfect and the food is delicious. I highly recommend the Salmon Caponata. It will melt in your mouth. Melissa made our experience all the more memorable, so we had to go back two more times before we flew home. Definitely check this place out if you're in Tampa. You won't regret it!
(5)
Susan K.
Bad attitude from bartendress Ashley B. on Saturday 4-5:00pm. Seemed like hours of torture from a nightmare of a person. Was about her friends and regulars. When we asked her something she would stop and sneer "What?" And then sneer her answer. How does this place stay around with that. It does. Don't bother. We left saying 'Never again'. Too Snotty.
(1)
Kristin R.
Rude bartender! We just moved into the area and were out with our dog to grab lunch. There are two patios and apparently one you can have dogs, the other you can't. Instead of politely directing us to where we could stay- the ride bartender just huffed that we couldn't sit where we were and stormed back inside. I rounded the corner and there were two people having lunch with there dog- I guess we picked the wrong patio. Quite an unwelcoming start to our new neighborhood- we won't be back.
(1)
C O.
Food was ok - nothing to brag about. Ate here during a conference break and everything was fine until it got busy. We were able to get our drinks and order. Someone else brought our food which was delayed because the waitress forgot about us. After our food was dropped off, nobody checked up on us or refilled drinks. After we finished eating, we had to go to the bar to pay because, like I said, we were forgotten about...we could have walked out and nobody would have noticed! The sad part was, it was busy because of a large reservation - they should have had more staff to handle it since it was expected.
(1)
Jeremy L.
I was out for a concert at Tampa Bay Times Forum with a friend. She suggested Cafe Dufrain for dinner prior. I love the location, right on the water, with outdoor seating. On our arrival we were asked if we had reservations. As we did not, we were informed no seating available indoors, if we agree to sit outside there were tables available. I noted when this was the response that the restaurant was empty with only 4 tables taken. Also of note, while sitting outdoors, you have a great view of the indoor dining. The entire time we spent dining there were more than 50% of indoor tables empty. Out door seating was OK, the chairs were comfortable, tables slightly wobbly. We started with the Cheese tray and wine. The wine selection was very good. Cheese provided on the tray was OK. They had 2 that were great, and 2 that I didn't care to eat at all. The other things available on the tray, local honey that was great, some nuts, and an apple spread. I ordered the steak for dinner. It was done appropriate, as I ordered medium well. The inside of the steak was slightly pink, however the outside was crispy, offering a suggestion of the cooking surface being way too hot. Overall the experience was good. This wasn't great, and for the prices, and location I would have expected great. I would most likely try other places in the area when looking next before going back to Cafe Dufrain.
(3)
Kathryn G.
Good good - spicy Asian BBQ is a little hot but not bad - good chips :) The burger was good too:) happy hour was good :)
(4)
Bethany B.
Soooo good! A tad expensive but delicious. Embarrassed to admit this, but I was slightly intimidated by the menu because I was unfamiliar with some of the stuff they make but just go with it! It's so good!
(4)
Gaylynn F.
Horrible service and overpriced food. I made reservations for a 12 person group of people 5 weeks ahead and requested that we have outside seating. When we arrived they didn't have any opens tables and when I asked about my special request to be seated outside they said it was busy and if we wanted to seat outside then we needed to go to another restaurant. They where rude and when I asked to speak with the manger the refused.
The. Best. Chicken. Sandwich. Ever. So we stopped by for a quick bite right before dinner time. The place is small but very nicely decorated. Service was outstanding. The menu is very interesting, and includes Argentinian steak with chimichurri and yucca fries. The yucca fries are AWESOME. I wasn't very hungry, so I looked for something simple and ordered the chicken sandwich. This is the best grilled chicken sandwich I have ever had. I'm a fan of fried chicken sandwiches, but opt for grilled to eat healthier. I can tell the difference between frozen supermarket grade and fresh chicken breast. This one was fresh. It had caramelized onions, cheese, and the bread was very fresh. I ordered a side of their grain mustard mashed potatoes. OMG. It was awesome. The atmosphere is very is upscaley and you would probably be best served my making reservations. If you want to dine in a nice atmosphere with great service and great quality food, this is the spot.
The food was great and the service was fast and efficient. Our outside table overlooked the water and the atmosphere was wonderful! Best lunch I've had in Tampa!
(4)
Harrison C.
Relaxing indoor outdoor seating in a restaurant with a Mediterranean vibe. Food is very good. I ate here twice! Duck burger one day, lamb burger another. Home made ice cream with decidedly unique flavors - ginger, lavender, and passion fruit. I had home made chips as a side one time. Mashed parsnips another time. Service is efficient if aloof - better than inefficient!
Interesting place on harbor island, but could have been much better. This was the first time I ate here but the second for my fiance. The prices seem a little high, but factoring in location, prices are probably right on que. The restaurant is very attractive and had a wonderful view. The outside chairs are designed that if you want to rest you back against the back of the chair you are really relining back. We ordered two items, the burger and the steak sandwich. The burger was ordered medium, but was well done. It was also very dry, probably because all the juice was cooked out of it. The bacon on top did not look very pleasing. What saved this burger from being sent back was two things: I was extremely hungry (it took 20-25 mins to receive burger) and the blue cheese sauce on the top of the burger. The blue cheese sauce was amazing!!!! I next time will ask for an additional side so i can but over the house made potato chips. The steak sandwich was good but has been way better (per my fiance). The aoili on the sandwich is very tasty. I still have yet to figure out how to make a good one but this place has. The sandwich came out warm and not hot. My fiance remembered the sandwich being considerably better the first time because it seemed fresher to her. The potato chips were good. We have had house made chips froom various other restauraunts but none tasted as good as these. Definately not cooked to order. Came out room temperature but were still crispy. Service was not bad for the circumstances. We went this Saturday and got there at 1145. We were sat outside quickly. We were the 3rd table in the restaurant. Seemed under staffed after we sat down and the place quickly filled. We counted 13 tables and what looked to be only 2 servers. Water was not refilled and was empty by the beginning of the meal. As I was walking out we saw another table that had ordered the burger also. it looks like they received their burger cooked medium. So maybe it was left over from last night or just lack of attention from the chef. Maybe I will go back and try it again to see if it was a fluke experience.
(2)
Michael T.
Food was interesting, enjoyed the shrimp tacos and flatbread; service was very poor and took entirely too long given I was dining alone.
(2)
Barry W.
Excellent food and service! We went there Saturday night and had the Kale Caesar Salad with a piece of blackened Salmon which was perfectly cooked. My wife had the Lobster lettuce wraps that had lots of succulent lobster meat. Service was prompt, knowledgeable and prompt. We will go back for sure!!!
(4)
Layne C.
On Saturday, both my family and my boyfriend's family tried Cafe Dufrain for dinner. The location is nice as it was walking distance from where we were staying, and it's near the water. The food was pretty great as well, however I wasn't the biggest fan of the drink menu. Had the service been good, it would have been an enjoyable experience. However, the service was subpar. Our server and hostess were both incredibly rude. Coming from someone who has worked in a restaurant before and also has a hospitality degree, the things they could have done to fix this were simple. A smile, being helpful and accommodating, and not grumbling under your breath are all very easy things. We had issues with seating, menu questions, not having enough drink menus for all 7 of us (and not being brought menus while the server watched us struggle with only 2), servers making sassy remarks, ect. Although the location is great, and food was good, I would walk farther not to deal with the ill-mannered staff. Especially with our families being together for the first time- this wasn't a good situation.
(2)
Raquel B.
Great place to sit outside, have a glass of wine, and enjoy the great service and great food. Good place for dinner by yourself when on a business trip.
(4)
Blaine H.
Enjoyed a pre Brantley Gilbert small plates with my daughter pork empanadas and 2 small crab cakes..didn't try any of the great sounding entrees. Nice atmosphere and location..good service..food was good not great..my only complaint is the excessive price of wines by the glass..annoying..will return again
(3)
Nick S.
I enjoyed my first visit to this restaurant. An ambitious menu and a fine choice of beverages (including beers from Gainesville's Swamphead and Dunedin's 7th Sun) in a fun modern atmosphere on Harbour Island. Not everything worked perfectly off the menu, but there was lots to try and many interesting and unusual tastes. I especially liked the dijon mashed potatoes (a special with the tenderloin for restaurant week). Restaurant is in a lovely area to walk around by the water inbetween Jasckson's and Channelside and across from the Times forum and HIstory Center all of which are in walking distance across bridges. The burger was excellent!
(4)
Adam W.
Excellent place, good beers and the food is delicious. Try the Mac and Cheese with Short Ribs and the mussels!!!! Took my friend here for his birthday and he had a seasonal meal which was chicken & waffles....which was fantastic!
(5)
Jean M.
What a great and wide variety of interesting foods! From Yucca fries to bacon rubbed kale and gnocchi with cheese under Korean barbecue and gin with botanist gin with herbs and the most artistic skirt steak ever. ... This is a eating adventure.
(5)
Angela S.
Great service, amazing food and not your ordinary wine list. Had a wonderful birthday lunch today thanks to Justin and his great recommendations. Best shrimp tacos and truffle fries I've ever had... Not my first visit but Cafe Dufrain is always on my list to eat at when I visit Tampa...
(5)
Liane J.
This was my second visit here. Tonight the bartender was the only bartender on a Thursday night and it probably took me 10 minutes to get her attention and order a glass of wine whenever I was seated at the bar. I noticed on the first visit that the wine pours were very small. They claim it's because they come in bigger glasses but it still can't be more than a 4 oz. pour. The first time I visited we just had a bunch of appetizers and they were very good despite the crappy wine pour. Tonight I got another crappy wine pour and ordered the salmon entree which came with quinoa for $23. Very average, the fish was very dry and it was served with what looked like canned mushrooms. It needed some sort of sauce because the whole dish was very dry. Definitely not the quality that I would expect for the prices that they charge. I'm very "meh" on whether I'll return... If I do I won't be ordering the salmon or the wine, it will have to be a martini night and appetizers night.
(3)
Sarah K.
I love going to Cafe Dufrain. They have great weekly specials and Club Dufrain is worth joining. Besides the occasional e-mail you get approximately 3 free entrees a year. Their food is some of the best in the bay. I recently had the korean short rib "mac and cheese" with mornay sauce gnocchi. It was as good as it sounds written out, probably even a little better. Their happy hour is 5-7 daily and they have a great wine and beer selection. For something unique, local and delicious with great scenery - visit Cafe Dufrain.
(5)
Bill R.
Interesting menu. And I mean that in a good way. Absolutely loved the pulled pork empanada. I probably would not do the dessert again. Service was a little slow but they could not have been nicer. The ambience of the restaurant was great! It's right on the water, open and breezy. I'd totally come back.
(4)
Bret A.
I head heard this restaurant was worth visiting and had the opportunity to try it out for lunch. Small, but very pleasant outdoor seating area greatly enhances the meal. The harbor island location provides a nice view of the city while still maintaining a peaceful atmosphere. Best of all the outdoor seating was not smoky. The salads and burgers were excellent. The menu is eclectic and varies often. Everything was very fresh and the service was excellent. We'll be back to try it for dinner!
(4)
Elana L.
The location of this Cafe is awesome! It is on the quaint Harbour Island. While I will not be frequenting this place because of the prices of a burger ($12!), I will say that the view of the channel and downtown Tampa make this a nice little place to sit and have a drink. They are open late at night so you can sit on the patio and see the colors on all of the high-rise buildings, and listen to the sound of water falling in the fountain nearby. The flavor of the food is good, but way over priced! A sloppy joe sandwich was over $10 and a regular burger was around $12. For being connected to an apartment complex, I was expecting the prices to be catered to the residents, not tourists, but they are definitely 'tourist' prices. *update* Their pork cheeks on fried green tomatoes are very yummy! Very tender meat. They also have a full bar. I ordered a mojito. It was just ok. They do have some unique beer choices that are fun to try.
(3)
Jt T.
Loved the fish sandwich and yucca fries! It's a nice, chill spot on the harbor. Definitely recommend, include a little harbor walk afterwards!
(5)
Krissy M.
My new favorite place to eat in tampa! Great food, excellent service (thank you Ty!!!!), nice atmosphere. I loved it the first time and I will be back! You will not regret going here!
(5)
Jim C.
Small, Nice atmosphere, Good Food, Waterfront (canal), Outdoor seating, Parking can be challenging, some waiters are not attentive (maybe because they get an automatic 18%).
(3)
Jeanne C.
The restaurant is located right on the water, overlooking the water and downtown. It has boat access as well as road access. When we got to the restaurant, it was small, but cozy. It was pretty full, but not full to the point where it felt crowded. Since it was cool outside, we decided to enjoy the fresh air. That was until we realized how cold it was with the ocean breeze. When we asked to go inside, our waiter was kind and patient, joking about how he was cold too and understood exactly why we wanted to move inside. There were four of us and the table was comfortable. We weren't bumping arms, and there was plenty of room for us to eat without feeling like we were impeding on each other's space. Chris got the Zahtar Rubbed Lamb burger, Andrea got the Bun-Mi Turkey burger, Jeanne got the Peruvian Shrimp Salad, and I got the Chicken sandwich (I know, it sounds boring compared to how awesome theirs sound.) These all came with homemade chips. The wait for our food was not long at all, and when it came out, it was presented beautifully, not to mention it smelled absolutely fantastic. After everyone got their food, we dug in. The food was fantastic, not only the main meal, but the chips as well! Even the ketchup and mustard for our chips were presented in small ceramic (I think they were ceramic) cups on thin ceramic plates. I don't eat very much, but I had no trouble finishing my entire meal! To be honest, we all finished everything on our plate. All in all, the food was fantastic, the atmosphere was wonderful, the company was great and to top it off, it is a sustainable restaurant! How does it get much better than that?
(5)
Jeff F.
Very worthy farm to table little cafe somewhat tucked away in downtown Tampa. As a native Tampa Bay'er gone west coast, I'm always somewhat apprehensive about returning to the area and finding quality eats so I was very pleasantly surprised to find this sorta hidden gem on the waterfront in Harbor Island. My friend who turned me onto this place actually knows Chef Ty who stopped by our table to tout the virtues of his latest creations....a brand new menu had just been introduced. Ty is a fireball of energy and clearly passionate about his craft...so much so he started his own version of 'Edible' called 'The Local Dirt' focused on the sustainable movement around the area. And most of the ingredients at Cafe Dufrain are sourced within 100 mile radius! Personally I had the Hot Brown which is a seasonable tribute to the KY Derby that I highly recommend. My friend gave his sloppy joe a glowing review and next time I'm keen to try the fish tacos featuring red snapper & scallops. Worth the little bit extra effort to cross the bridge and plant yourself outside with a killer view to match the killer food.
(4)
Wendy D.
I am a huge fan of Cafe Dufrain!! Whether your're grabbing a sandwich midday, or unwinding with a glass of wine in the evening, the friendly staff and tasy treats are the perfect companion!! The new menu is fresh and creative. I can't wait to see what they come up with next!! Hats off to the entire team!!
(5)
Benjamin M.
I ate lunch at Cafe Dufrain on Saturday as a post-LSAT celebratory meal. After five grueling hours of logic testing, my brain was probably not in optimal restaurant-reviewing mode... but here's what I remember: Calamari was excellent. I'm not usually a big fan of calamari, but we ordered some while waiting for our meal... and man, it was REALLY good. The banana peppers really set it off. I had the steak sandwich with house made potato chips. This was suggested by our server, but in retrospect I'm not sure whether it was really the best choice. Don't get me wrong--it was good, but I think some of the other menu choices might have been better. The sandwich was three stars, the calamari was five stars--so I guess I'd average the food at a four. Service was great. Our server was helpful and attentive. The manager came to our table to chat with us and explained the preparation of the calamari. Minor complaint--we sat outside, and the chairs were quite uncomfortable.... like, did they buy those chairs on clearance at Kmart? (I side with Raymond Babbitt's opinion of Kmart.) I love the fact that the cafe has complimentary mooring. I really need to buy a yacht... ... But parking (my car) was easier than I thought it would be. Just look for the signs for the public parking garage. After your meal, just use the code on your receipt from Cafe Dufrain--parking is free if you use the four digit code.
(4)
Michelle W.
Note - I would give this restaurant a 4.5, but that wasn't an option. We loved this restaurant. We came in on a Friday night and had a wonderful time. We ordered the Truffle Frites and french onion soup dumplings as appetizers. Frites were top-notch, but the dumplings I could do without. For dinner we had; (1) The korean rib mac and cheese - Delicious. Spicy and cheesy. It was made with gnocchi instead of noodles, and they were perfect. (2) Chicken and waffle - chicken was amazing. Moist and crisp. The waffle was only okay. To be fair it comes with a chili-honey, which I went without, but I couldn't taste the cheddar and it was slightly soggy. (3) Argentinian skirt steak w/ fried yucca - delicious. Would 100% recommend. (4) Risotto - soooo good. Best risotto I have ever had. The texture was spot on and and the mushrooms in it were cooked perfectly. We also had some good cocktails and a tasty dessert. All-in-all this place is great and we will definitely be back. Very affordable too. We got 4 cocktails, 2 beers, 2 appetizers, 4 entrees and a dessert for about $160.
(4)
Brian C.
I just move away from Tampa, but this place is one of the things I miss most. Beautiful setting on the water. Helpful service. Unbelievable food that comes in the perfect portions. They also have an excellent drink list. (carefully selected beer and wine , as well delicious original cocktails). Great happy hour too. Favorite eats: Brisket, fried oysters, chicken biscuits, bolognese, and the local fish. Favorite drinks: the Front Porch and Elks Own.
(5)
Lisa N.
Teetering between 3 and 4 stars. I've been several times but was never really impressed until my most recent visit. Cafe Dufrain sits on Harbour Island directly across the water from the St. Pete Times Forum and along a nice waterfront walkway. The restaurant interior is warm and classy. On a recent Thursday night visit it was not busy although they do accept reservations. We started with the Grouper Cheeks- fried grouper cheeks (a very tender part of the fish) sitting on a cannellini bean cake and topped with a mustard aioli and a piece of okra. The dish was tasty and well seasoned. Next, I had the Roast Chicken. I was a little disappointed that it was dark meat chicken, which was not noted on the menu. The Chicken was a thigh and leg that were seared and a little on the salty side but I enjoyed the crunch and flavor. The dish came with sausage stuffed zucchini. Who thinks of this stuff? It was a total winner! Everything was served on a bed of cheddar grits which really could have been anything as they didn't have much of a flavor profile. My friend had the Meyers teres, lardo persillade, we had to google it to find out what it was and were still confused. Luckily the kind waitress told us it was beef. It came out cooked to order and very tender. The wine list is short but nice and the drink menu is appealing. Desserts also looked fabulous although we did not indulge. Overall, I enjoyed my experience and the food. I will visit again.
(3)
Corinna K.
The short ribs with the Mac and cheese( not your typical way) were phenomenal!! My friends from the UK had mussels in the Thai sauce with fries... A match made in heaven. The risotto more of a dry version had tons of flavor and a nice pairing with the catch of the day made this dish a home run. Finally the tenderloin a highlight itself. A must restaurant to go to!!
(5)
Lisa C.
I SO wanted to enjoy my experience more at Cafe DuFrain. I went with 5 others this evening. I pre-read the menu and was really excited to see that they have local, sustainable and organic items. That had me so happy to go and try this place out. We get there, and ordered a lovely recommended bottle of wine. It was a great price point of around 35-40 dollars and spot on. The 6 of us ordered 3 appetizers: The Ceviche, Calamari and Organic Mushrooms. - I asked if all were good sharing apps and was told yes. The Ceviche is not what I expected. It was a flight of 3 ceviches on a tiny thin toast. Basically 3 bites. I was expecting a bowl like most places to share. Not so. The taste however was very nice and made me wish I was told how small it was. I would have ordered two of them so there were 6, one for each of us to have a bite. The Calamari was more sharable but still very small, like about a tablespoon for each of us. The mushrooms were in a more sharable size. Next, My BF and I split a salad. I have to admit it was the highlight of my meal. They have two salads and the waiter recommended the wedge. It was incredible. Next for our meals. Three of us females ordered the Eggplant two ways plate. It is a vegetarian meal and sounded divine. It was described as: hickory grilled eggplant & eggplant 'cannelloni', in-house ricotta, tomato ragout, brioche panzanella The low down: urban oasis hickory grilled white eggplant; fennell, cucumber, tomato, red onion, olive oil, bread salad; sliced eggplant stuffed with homemade ricotta; roasted heirloom tomato ragout $17 Taste... Where was the taste?? It was SOOOO bland. I was so bored and disappointed. It was hyped and didn't come thru on any point at all. The eggplant cannelloni were tiny. 3 of them about the size of half my finger. I opened one up and there was about 1/2 teaspoon if that of this homemade ricotta. To taste that, would have been nice. The 2nd eggplant had all of the tomato, cucumber, and fennel and it was all almost pickled tasting. It didn't blend well at all. The "bread salad" - to put it mildly was the size of one crouton cut into microsquares. They were these tiny little bites and you couldn't even grasp the taste. For a side, I ordered the horserradish creamed spinach. One bite and I had to do a double take. There was no flavor either. I thought with the horseradish, it would give it a good kick or flavor. Instead, I had to keep adding salt which is not what I wanted just to taste it. I asked everyone else to taste it and they too said the same thing. My BF had the pork shank. It sounded incredible but was pretty off the mark as well. The grits were bland, the pork was so-so and well.. that's about it. I just tasted it but he wasn't very impressed either. The two other guys had the scallops and thoroughly enjoyed them. I did not have them so can't comment on them. For dessert, there were two options. A dark chocolate panna cotta and an apple pie bar with a scoop of cinnamon ice cream. The fuji apple dessert was really good, unique and good flavors. The Panna Cotta however was not a real panna cotta. It was a thick chocolate chunk on top of the worst sponge cake ever. Panna Cotta is a cooked cream. It should be silky, pudding like, and smooth. You add a tiny bit of gelatin to the cream to set it. It seems like they put so much gelatin and something else. It was an odd texture and a really off taste. Very disappointing. So for 6 of us with wine, dinner and dessert was about $375 with tip. It was SO not worth this amount. I was really expecting a culinary experience but in fact, I walked away knowing I could cook most of the items so much better. Another thing which struck me weird... We would be in the middle of a great conversation and the waiter would come over and not even wait till there was a pause in the sentence. He would come over and speak over us and interrupt our conversation when it wasn't necessary. We were his only table so it wasn't like the place was packed. I found it odd that he didn't have a lot of cooth. The manager? however who recommended the wine, Tye I think his name was was incredible. I wish he was wish us all night to recommend and serve us. Highlights: Wine selections, Wedge Salad, Nice atmosphere and The Apple Dessert. Lowlights: Too many unfortunately Our friends had previously come to Cafe Dufrain and said it was much better the last time. Not sure I would ever come back. There are way too many places I want to try.
(2)
Mark S.
I just stopped in for a quick bite while exploring Harbor Island..it's been years since I'd been and knew there were a few eateries I hadn't explored yet. Loved Cafe Dufrain! I was early for lunch and sat at the bar and was glad I did. There was a convention in town and the place filled up dramatically within about 1/2 an hour, so keep that in mind if you're planning on a quick meal there. I just had the Organic Mushroom appetizer, but it had enough flavor to take the place of a much bigger plate. The atmosphere, service and location would make it a great place for Date Night in Harbor Island!
(4)
Trish B.
Great service. Friendly staff. The food was delicious. As a vegetarian my options were a bit limited. But all my carnivore friends loved their meals as well :)
(4)
Deborah H.
This is a great little cafe. The decor is modern/electic and the cocktails are 5 star (I had truth or consequences-gin; mint and blueberries-yummy). Nice wine list by glass and by bottle. My grilled scallops were very good and my husband had an excellent salad of greens and vegetables grown at a friend's farm. Ended the meal with a homemade macadamia butter nut ice cream. Service was good. Walking distance from most of the hotels around the convention center. I thought the portions were fine.
(4)
Carrie S.
Great meal. I had mussels and the shrimp tacos and both were outstanding. Service excellent as well
(5)
Julia C.
Casual little place located on the waterfront in Harbor Island. I was a little disappointed in the dinner menu, as it was rather limited and pricey. Mostly southern-style but upscale and with a definite emphasis on, well, corn. Cornbread-this, corn pudding-that, grits (corn), hushpuppies (corn), even a "Corn Tasting". Maybe this is just seasonal for the summer? We started with the 4-Hour Pork Bolognese with Ricotta and Gnocchi. It was more like a soup than we had expected, and also greasier. The gnocchi were overcooked, almost mushy and it kind of just tasted overwhelmingly salty. Wouldn't get it again. We also tried the Fried Green Tomatoes which were delicious. Nicely breaded and crisp. The sauce that came with it was just OK. My husband also ordered the Escarole with Pancetta, White Beans and Chili Flakes. I didn't try it but he barely even ate half, saying it too was overly salty and greasy, and not what he was expecting from this "salad". Moving onto dinner, the burger was very good. It is a good size (8 oz) which it ought to be to justify the $12 price tag. The roll was great and not overly bread-y, which I appreciated, since I hate it when the bread-to-meat ratio is off. The onion-bacon marmalade was delicious and the burger itself was perfectly cooked as I had ordered it, and an excellent texture. The aged cheddar had huge flavor and I really enjoyed every bite of this well-crafted burger. The burger came with some tasty homemade chips on the side, which were crispy and delicious. We also ordered some onion rings and smoked sea salt french fries on the side but were disappointed by both. The fries were, in keeping with the theme, WAY too salty and not crisp at all. The onion rings were just decent but the horseradish sauce on the side was very good. Other things worth noting: They seemed to have some unique-sounding cocktails and a decent wine list. Might be a good spot to grab cocktails on the patio overlooking the water when the weather is nice. There is very little street parking in Harbor Island, which you may get lucky and find a spot, otherwise parking is in the garage just around the corner. Your server will ask you if you parked there and give you the access code to get out without having to pay at the gate. Overall, I was disappointed with our experience at Cafe Dufrain, especially because I was expecting much more. Perhaps we didn't order the right items? Maybe I had my sights set too high? Either way, I doubt we'll go back, at least not with the current menu. I am giving them three stars, only because the burger was very good and I liked the fried green tomatoes, and the view overlooking the water and downtown Tampa, from the patio was nice. The only time I would recommend this restaurant is if you happen to be in Harbor Island looking for a good burger or just a place to have drinks.
(3)
Samantha H.
Food was great. Lunch menu a little confusing. Apparently "corn tasting" is considered the apps? Doesn't inform you that fresh made chips are served w/ certain entrees, let alone which ones don't. There service was a whole other level. I have been in the industry for years and I was highly disappointed. 7 tables, 2 servers, couldn't locate our reservation, didn't know menu too well. Couldn't even tell us about the dressing on the Cobb salad other than its a vinaigrette. I sat w/out drink refills for about 20 minutes, later refilled my empty glass w/ coke...my glass had trash in it! And didn't bring side plates w/ the appetizers. We had to approach the other server while she was behind the bar... Nice food, horrible service.
(2)
Rhonda G.
I definitely enjoyed my visit. Our server was top notch and did an excellent job of recommending everything from wine to dessert. He actually brought out taste portions of a few wines so we could get an idea of what they were before committing to a full glass. Having a wine tasting was a nice little extra. Outdoor seating overlooking the marina was great since it had finally cooled off for the night. Even though I was visiting on a work trip, this visit made me feel like I was on vacation. Dishes worth mentioning: yellowfin tuna "nachos" (tuna tartare with wonton chips), gulf shrimp (cooked well and spicy), yellowtail snapper. Everything was really fresh! And last but not least, the sorbet was very refreshing and light. Overall a great place for casual but still classy dining.
(5)
Lauren C.
A great farm-to-table restaurant tucked into the corner of a condo building on Davis Island. We enjoyed the "cork-free Mondays" where you can bring in your own bottle of wine with no corking fee. (The fee is usually $15 here.) The menu appears somewhat limited but, that means they're probably executing a limited amount of dishes, very well. I tried two tastings, the pork bolognese gnocchi and the grilled scallops. The bolognese was delicious, the gnocchi were pretty light and there was a nice dollop of ricottta cheese on top. The scallops looked beautiful and had a great texture, but they were a little too salty. They left me really thirsty for water! The server never filled up my water until the very end of the dinner, but that would be my only gripe about the service, if I were to be picky. She was otherwise friendly and attentive, and gave good recommendations about her favorite dishes. My friend tried the hushpuppies and the "corn trio" - corn bread, corn pudding and corn grits. I tried the grits and they were really good. That trio is big enough for 3 or 4 people to share as a side. I also like the beautiful view and al fresco atmosphere here. Even though it was a hot summer day, the breeze off the water made it a really nice to sit outside on their patio. Great for date night, a girls' dinner, and for small groups. I would recommend this without question.
(4)
Rowena L.
I came here with eight or nine friends and they were really accommodating. I really liked the risotto I got here, though I know many of my friends felt the menu was too limited. Also, the atmosphere was casual but the prices were much higher than fit the ambiance. I'd say try it out if you're in the area but no need to seek it out.
Five stars for food and service. We started with a big table and as our party grew well beyond our table on a busy Fri night we were accomodated graciously and seemlessly. Waiter John never missed a beat as food was delivered hot and timely despite our staggered arrivals. All dishes were excellent! Cafe Dufrain won back some old fans and definitely won some new ones that evening.
(5)
Patricia M.
I love this place. It's right on the water, beautiful when you sit outside. The food is amazing but it's on the island so parking is sometimes a little tricky. If you pull into the Post Apartments parking garage they offer free parking with validation.
(4)
Jaima S.
Cafe Dufrain gets points for being one of the few restaurants on the waterfront in Tampa. They also get points for their emphasis on fresh, seasonal, local ingredients. However, they lose points for sometimes very average food. I've been here several times and it is hit or miss. They also have a limited drink menu if you're into that, with many popular liquors not making an appearance on the menu. The service too can be a mix of people who seem to have no idea about the menu, to decent service from knowledgable staff. Tonight was a good night. My husband and I shared the 4 hour pork bolognese with ricotta and gnocchi which is considered a "sharing" item and the grilled chicken sandwich with smoked cheddar and a molasses bbq sauce. We also added a side of fries on the side. The grilled chicken sandwich was really good. The chicken was moist, on a lightly sweet bun with smoky cheddar and a spicy bbq sauce. All the flavors melded well together. There were homemade chips on the side, but I was more interested in the fries. The fries themselves were tiny and a mix of crispy and slightly soggy. My husband and I both felt they were overly salted, but had they not been they definitely had potential. The gnocchi were perfect little pillows swimming in the pork bolognese and ricotta. This was good, but I wished there was some sort of textural contrast as all the items were soft. Overall, it was a good meal and including two drinks came to a little over $40 for two. Tip: the fries on the side were $6, so make sure you're committed to eating the bowl for that price. I would come here again for the atmosphere and that chicken sandwich.
(3)
crystal t.
What looks like an amazing food and drink menu is a disappointment in reality. Stale waffle, old chips, overdone burger, broken bechamel sauce, cocktails with missing ingredients, mediocre service. Bummer since the restaurant serves local produce and good meats. Unfortunately, the commitment to quality on the menu just didn't translate to the food and dining experience.
(2)
Ron G.
Braised beef is very tender. Great presentation. Better yet is the Chicken and Waffles. Outstanding. Both different from the usual fair. A great meal. Highly recommended.
(5)
Jane E.
I went to Cafe Dufrain on the suggestion of my retirement guru person. Did not think much of it, but on a weekend, it seemed like a good choice. Found parking right in front of the restaurant, which is quite amazing. However, they do provide validated parking in the nearby garage. The atmosphere is casual yet chic. The menu is limited and if you are a pork person then there is an abundance of choices. Everything seemed to be pork, bacon, loin or something like it. However, through it all I ordered the Hickory smoked fresh fish. It was a delicious dish as all the flavors blended well together. My only qualm is that the quantity was extremely small. It was more like an appetizer than an entree. My husband ordered the eggplant something, which was delicious and had just the most amazing texture, and complexity of taste. Again the only problem is that the quantity was minuscule. I am a tiny person and after eating it, I felt that I still needed more food. Actually, I did not feel but rather needed more food! Apart from the quantity it is a great place to come and hang out and enjoy wonderfully presented food in an non-high-end type of place. If I lived on Harbor Island, I would be there at least once a week.
(4)
Brian S.
Came back again for dinner and had the handcut burger and onion rings. Pretty good, it looks like to buns are home-made and their toasted. The service was some what lacking considering there were only 3 tables occupied.
(4)
Becky S.
We went to this restaurant for the first time today and it was GREAT!! Our waitress, Kristen, was perfectly attentive - there at the right time for us to ask questions but then left us alone to discuss or enjoy when the food did come. She was also very patient with me as I tried to decide which wine I wanted. Brought out several samples for me to taste as well as brought me some a few suggestions for me too. For our dinner, my husband and i started out with the appetizer sampler, choosing two orders of oysters and an order the yellowtail. All delicious, especially the oysters. they had some kind of vinaigrette which masked the 'fishy' smell but didn't kill the oyster's taste. When it came to the main entree, my husband and I had two dishes we wanted to try but Kristen suggested we just shared the pork shank since it was such a large portion. PERFECT idea!! not that we wouldn't have been able to finish both dishes but then we wouldn't have had dessert :) But the pork shank was AMAZING... not only was the meat falling off the bone, it came with perfectly roasted baby turnips (and I don't even like turnips!!) and some kind of creamed corn mash that was ADDICTIVE!!! Since we shared dinner, we did get a dessert - the Brownie... so delicious. I found out that 75% of the menu is organic; everything is made fresh and from scratch... just topped off the perfect dinner. We're definitely coming back and bringing friends!!
(5)
Jim P.
The food was very, very good. The service was....a bit slow...but fine. The restaurant itself is very casual inside. It was raining so sitting outside wasn't an option but the view, I'm sure, is very nice. The menu is not extensive but they seem to focus on what they do well. The calamari was outstanding as were the Tuna "nachos". My colleague had the beef and said it was excellent. I had the tuna with oxtail dumplings and greens and was very pleased. I would absolutely go back.
(4)
Chris B.
Excellent quality ingredients as evidenced by the menu selections that we had. Not too pricey and such a wonderful view of the water. That perfect combination of chic,cozy,and tasty. The Ahi tuna was the best I have had in a long time and it's a welcome reprieve from the tourist scene.
(4)
Shell B.
The menu is hit or miss and changes often. I usually ask my server about what's popular and that usually steers me in the right direction. The open face empanadas are pretty good and have been on the menu for quite a while
(2)
Gerald S.
Neighborhood cafe with besides a fair hamburger, a small unusual menu. The wine list is very pricey for such a restaurant.
(2)
Matt S.
Great place. The new chef and management that came over from Mise en Place have gone a good job with the menu (I like their Nosh menu which I believe is served from 5-7pm and I think is $5 per plate). Some of the best food I've had in the three years I've been in Tampa. Not a whole lot of restaurants on the water in Tampa, but this one is about as close as you'll get. Good city views and a good place to sit outside during nice weather. The only downside is parking... if you come at the wrong time, you'll end up driving around looking for the hard-to-come-by street spots, or you have to suck it up and park in the nearby garage.
(5)
Ellie M.
This is a nice little restaurant that is hidden away on Harbor Island. There is a lot southern-inspired food like the corn pudding, collards, and pork cheeks but all with an interesting twist. The atmosphere and service, however, was less than ideal and it is a bit out of the way. For these reasons we are unlikely to return, but I would certainly say it's worth a visit.
(3)
Jason K.
Surprisingly good! Their diver scallops with homemade pappardelle was delicious...the three jumbo scallops were perfectly seared and still meltingly tender. The sauce had a nice kick and pappardelle was a nice al dente. I wish I had the chance to try some of the other items!
(5)
David G.
Great atmosphere but the food is nothing special and the service stunk last time we went here. By request my buddy wanted to sit by water so reluctantly I gave it another try. FAIL! For Sunday brunch we were one of two or three tables there. We waited 20 mins for our mimosas to arrive after waiting 10 mins or so for a server to come out to our table. He actually went inside to get his own drink. Ok so the food is never bad here and the place is nice and perfect location but get your act together.
(1)
Aaron A.
Damn! I think I got redlined out of this place. Walked in on a Friday evening and, with half the tables empty, the hostess started giving my party of three the verbal runaround and hesitating when we asked if we could get our name on a list to be seated. Nowhere near closing time. Am I not hip enough for you, Cafe Dufrain? Did you want some money up front to prove I was good for whatever tab we'd be running up? No bother after we gave our name to the reluctant hostess we ended up going to That's Amore across the street (review forthcoming) and continued to enjoy the evening. Middlefinger.
(1)
Karl L.
The outside chairs are not very comfortable.... There, I said something bad. Now for the rest. The food was excellent. Presentation is obviously more than a word here. Good food that is beautiful starts you off in the right frame of mind. Everything here was well done in that respect. We started with the snapper from the raw bar. Fresh and light with a touch of spice from the habanero oil and crunch from the sweet onions, it was a great compliment with the pork cheeks. Those were delicious paired with fried green tomatoes the way they should be-still firm and tangy, with a crunchy crust. I had the American Kobe top sirloin. It is a little pricey at $30, but the wonderful thing about this cut is that the flavor is good. Everyone wants to go with the filet because it is so tender, but tender isn't taste, is it? The steak was paired with some of the best asparagus I have ever had, tender and cooked to perfection, accented with lemon and hazel nuts. My wife had chicken and waffles. Now, I have never had the urge to make this particular combination, and knowing that there are restaurants in LA that make nothing else I am partial to avoiding it, but I am glad she didn't. I can't cook chicken that well. It was a breast and attached wing, but the breast was perfect and the wing wasn't burnt. Maybe it was sous vide and just finished in a fryer. The pineapple upside down cake was delicious, carrot cake less so. That was the weakness at dinner. It was not tasty, not sweet, just kind of there. It was topped by a quarter inch slice of icing, which was mostly cream cheese and again, not sweet. We tried a couple of alternative adult beverages not worth describing in detail, but I would recommend their cocktails for something unusual. Finally, our waitress was great, and the manager came to say hello when he heard we had driven an hour to get there for dinner. Those of you in the know will see that I gave them 4 stars, which is the best I will do for a place that costs less than a paycheck. Give them a try, you will be pleased.
(4)
devin p.
Surprised by the good reviews. We were excited by the menu. I ordered the chicken and waffles, at 18$, I thought I was in for a treat. Also I asked the waiter which was better the pork belly tacos or chicken and waffles....he said those were the two best dishes. The presentation was great, but the food, I mean if you had put Popeyes chicken on an eggo waffle and loaded it up with butter and syrup I would give it five stars. But this was so bad, so funked up. When you fry chicken, you got to batter it. No batter on the chicken, that's right. Just bland ass chicken dropped in the fryer. Like a hot wing without sauce. And it had that industrial chicken taste and texture, tough, bland and bad. The waffle, which they called waffles, was half a waffle, and it was somehow tough and lukewarm. It being tough without being crispy makes me wonder, was it nuked? Only condiment was chili honey over everything. My mom had the salmon, which came out too raw for her. She asked them to cook it more. It came back a little bit more seared, she still couldn't eat it. She explained to the waiter and he took it off the bill, which was unnecessary but very cool of them. He said he would talk to the chef. Y'all got a chef? You probably need a cook then, someone who can make a waffle and fry some chicken. 18 dollars! Staff was great, decor was nice, place was empty at lunch on a Wednesday. I hate to give a one star, but were not coming back, and thats bad because we live on this island where this is one if lke two options for restaurants. My intention is for someone there to read this and work on quality.
(1)
Kipp C.
This place sucks! If you go, you better wear your Ed Hardy and Affliction t to hang with these peeps.
(1)
Tom S.
My girlfriend and I live on Harbour Island so we were wanting to try this place for quite some time. The staff is very friendly but the food is not great by any means. It is very bland and at $20+ an item, definitely not worth it.
(2)
Charles C.
The skirt steak was very nice & tender & juicy, done just right medium rare! the corn cake underneath it complemented it very well! the meat is locally sourced from a farm in florida, and the greens are locally sourced also! highly recommend it! plus the service was very nice & fast! also every wed night they got wine tasting going on! the prices are reasonable considering where all the food is sourced from.
(5)
Risa P.
I dined here recently with a friend and, I have got to say, we thoroughly enjoyed our experience. The atmosphere is nice and chic with fabulous decor and nice music and a spectacular waterfront view. In addition, our server was extremely patient and was always smiling. For dinner, I ordered the tuna entree under "favorites" and could clearly understand why this was classified as such. Every component of the dish was flawless and complemented the others perfectly. I especially enjoyed the accompanying oxtail dumplings. My companion ordered the organic grilled chicken which was perfectly grilled. The sides on that dish were perfectly executed and presented as well. Dessert was superb as well as I delighted in the "brownie sundae" with a twist and my friend enjoyed the fuji apple tart. We happily concluded that the salted peanut and cinnamon ice creams served with our respective desserts were top-notch. I believe they were made in house, too!
(5)
Jeff P.
All about the plating, so-so food. Had the Kobe steak and it was nothing special.
(3)
Ernie S.
I really want to like Cafe Dufrain. Even before I moved to this part of town, I had decided that this would be a place I'd enjoy. The ambiance is nice inside and outside is even better with a view of the water and downtown. The service is usually friendly and efficient and the food is good. The problem? The food is good but not great and the portions are very small. On a recent visit, $26. got three scallops in a large bowl over a couple of spoonfuls of grits. Not a place to go if you're hungry. Nice place for an expensive drink and appetizer. I will go back and I'll try to enjoy it because I really want to like Cafe Dufrain. You are on your own.
(2)
Shakira H.
Restaurant was in a beautiful location, right on the water. We decided to sit outside, which was nice. The service was fantastic! Sometimes I like to get recommendations from the staff and he suggested the chicken and waffles and the tuna. When I'm trying out something new, I want their specialities... I want to see what they're made of. We both ordered the chicken and waffles. It was actually really good! It was a big hunk of fried chicken and two thin "waffles" drizzled in honey, and some spicy collard greens. It was definitely filling and a good meal. We will definitely be going back!
(4)
Brian N.
We live up the street and usually end up here a couple times every month. The lunch is excellent, the dinner is decent. The location is wonderful. Nothing better than sitting outside along the channel on a warm evening and drinking a blue moon (which they have on draft.) Best Dish: Ahi Tuna at Lunchtime (It's served differently at dinner) Standby Dish: Chicken Sandwich (avocado and yuca fries) Appetizer: Crab Cakes (excellent mango-based salsa goes with it)
(4)
Christopher T.
The location is sweet. Was there late on a Monday and the service could not have been better. Perfectly attentive. I had the green salad and diver scallops. The salad was ok. The scallops were perfectly cook, but the pasta was overcooked for my taste and the whole dish was over salted. I'd go again if staying on Harbor Island.
(3)
Brian M.
Food was very good, but pretty small portions for the price. Definitely "food as art" -- lots of effort spent on pretty visual presentations in the middle of a vast wasteland of empty plate. Nice waterside location, with outdoor dining in good weather. One of the few options for a nice dinner in the area.
(4)
James A.
chill setup, unique deconstructed dishes. one problem- the taste of the dishes!
(3)
John P.
As a vegetarian, I was pleased that they offered a "Vegetarian Plate" which consisted of a farro "risotto" and some vegetables on the side. The farro was excellent, but the vegetables were average with no distinguishing flare. If a restaurant offers a specifically vegetarian meal, I expect it to be up to snuff with the rest of their menu.I also ordered the "mixed green" salad, which sounded great on the menu (watermelon radish, fresh figs, candy cane beets, pine nut 'bark'), but failed miserably in execution. The lettuce was largely romaine, with a very scant amount of arugula buried in the mix. Additionally, there were no fresh figs or pine nut bark, only two sad wedges of a beet and two slivers of watermelon radish (I mean this quite literally--two of each). I also tried the horseradish creamed spinach with onion rings. While the flavor of the sauce was inviting, and the horseradish lent a subtle warmth to the dish, the spinach itself was entirely overcooked and full of stems--nearly inedible. At one point I was required to remove a wad of spinach from my mouth, because I simply couldn't chew the excessive amount of stems. Finally, the Organic Mushrooms were a highlight, but suffered from being drenched in oil (their "garlic confit"), rendering their flavor rather muddled. I was up for dessert, but the dessert list consisted of two, count them, two desserts. Neither was particularly appealing-sounding, and didn't seem to gel with the rest of their menu ("Strawberries and chocolate" and "sweet potato pie") so I passed. My meal came in at about 92.00 for two (including two glasses of wine and the tip). While I don't consider this to be an outrageous amount of money for two people on any given night, I expect more for the price point. As a result I can't recommend this little restaurant whose food couldn't live up to its own expectations.
(2)
Felo C.
First visit was excellent! Will go back for dessert. Service was sharp. Blue Moon on tap. Dinner delicious! Nuff said!
(5)
michelle l.
This place isn't bad. But I wouldn't go out of my way to return. We came here on a Friday night. We had reservations, and when we were 10 minutes late (my fault, I'm directionally challenged), they called to make sure i was still coming. I have to say, the staff was very friendly. They were good about dealing with us bringing outside wine (yes, they have a decanter) and not wanting it served right away. They were also good about not interrupting our conversation. The location was also lovely. It's right across the water from the Forum. Decor is a little cheesy, sort of made me think this would be a hangout for the gang in Friends. Yup, the 90s. The food was okay. We started with the cheese plate. We had a pecan-crusted goat cheese, a smoked cheddar and a white cheddar. I don't know why they'd put two cheddars on the same plate. A harder cheese would have made the plate more balanced. But otherwise, everything was tasty. For our main courses, my husband had the skirt steak, which he enjoyed greatly. I had the chicken and waffles, which were disappointing. The chicken wasn't very crispy, and the syrup was overly sweet. I think I would have done better with Popeye's chicken. Dessert was the seasonal cobbler. This season, it was blueberry, which was good in theory, but in practice, it was soupy and too gingery. The accompanying ice cream (butter pecan) was awesome, though. So was my husband's mint ice cream. All in all, this place was okay, but not phenomenal.
(3)
Susan D.
Best restaurant for casual dining in downtown. Great view right on the waterfront with a skyline across from the channel. Menu is seasonal with farm to table New American style dishes. Basic food tastes are not ignored with a fantastic burger and chicken sandwich. Local Harbour Island hangout along with business types who migrate over from the corporate hotels.
The manager was unprofessional. She needs some additional training on customer service. We use to visit this restaurant monthly but will not go back!
(1)
Bob B.
This is more of a 3.5 star rating but it's better than 3 so I'll round up to 4 because I've never had a bad time here. This rating is based on their new menu with the new chef at the helm. You can really see a shift to a Datz influence in the dishes. Instead of being old and stale dishes get a fresh reboot. On my last visit I ordered the Fried Chicken and Waffles with pancetta-smoked cheddar waffle, chili-honey and braised kale. A very nice twist on a classic. The chicken comes with the leg and thigh attached and a nice portion of breast is served as well. All pieces were very moist. They are not fried in the sense that they have a breading, it seems like they are baked and then finished in the fryer before getting a dunk in the chili honey. The kale was a perfect complement to the sweet and spicy chicken. They waffle was a little flimsy, but I think better than the waffle at Datz. I cleaned my plate, and it was a lot of food, so that is saying something. The Kale Caesar salad is what the wife ordered and I did have a few bites and enjoyed it. The bacon croutons were a bit overcooked. Kale salad is all the rage right now and instantly gives a menu some street cred, so this is a good addition since done right. Service is always good. Beer selection is good, but I wish they had a couple different offerings and switched it up a bit. Parking sucks as there are only a handful spots reserved for the restaurant all the rest are for the other stores in the little strip mall. This is about the only reason I hesitate going to Cafe Dufrain. Also I like that they have a little outdoor patio.
(4)
Patrick K.
I do not understand the low ratings for Cafe Dufrain. This restaurant is directly across the channel from the St. Pete Times Forum on the Harbour Island side. The food is organic, local and fresh. They have delicious, well-priced cocktails - try the Truth or Consequences. And you can walk to the forum if you like. There is a $3 parking lot nearby or they will validate in a garage around the corner. I never understand why people won't just park here, eat a nice dinner with a view and walk to the forum for a concert/Lightning game. It makes for a great evening. Their menu is small so be sure to check it out online first to make sure there is something you like!
While I have been to this place before in my recent visit I experienced poor service. Over priced drinks. Several new menu options not available. Additionally one person in our party had to send 2 drinks back and the 3 rd had a foreign object in the glass. And it wasn't part of the cork. Hostess was just rude when we asked to sit in a different location. Funny thing was all smiles for a regular group who was standing behind me and proceeded to talk them before she finished with my party. We should've departed then but you think a place that was great before will get better but it got worse. I won't go back.
(1)
Javier L.
Very nice service! Excellent selection of craft beers and the $15 corkage fee was a plus so that we enjoyed a wine from our private collection. We had the skirt steak (excellent) and the Salmon, which someone at the table commented was better than the one at Ocean Prime (both are very good). We will be back!
(5)
Tia S.
Ok so I am sad to say that after years of knowing about this restaurant and passing it on several occasions, this was my first visit. I was starved and had a coupon which I had received in the email. The addition of the wi-fi availability made it worth the shot. I must say that I was not disappointed. The menu is small but varied. I will advise you that the dinner prices are a bit higher than a casual dining establishment which I consider this restaurant.( Entrees avg. $23-26). They have an extensive drink and wine menu for those seeking that. And lastly for the green folks out there this restaurant touts is support of local proprietors and use of sustainable ingredients. After much contemplation I ordered the scallops with pappardelle in a mushroom, tomato, goat cheese sauce. It was really good but the portion was not suitable for an entree to me. After eating every bite, I was still hungry! I thought it seemed a bit small for a $26 entree but my stomach agreed. So I learned a powerful lesson about dining at this place, DO NOT COME HUNGRY! (Or order an appetizer first!) But overall I am very likely to try this restaurant again .... on a pay day when I have eaten both a large breakfast and lunch.
(3)
Jamie S.
5 stars because everything from the food to the service to the atmosphere and presentation is consistently spot on. I have never had a meal here that I didn't thoroughly enjoy. Everything is flavorful, fresh and spot on. Also, the portions are huge. It's like two meals for the price of one. The service is excellent. Not only do they make sure their customers are taken care of, the servers also have fantastic insight into the menu (because seriously, with so many awesome options, it's a really hard decision.) Tip: make a reservation. I've never tried to go without one but I would imagine given the proximity to the Forum, it's a pretty hefty wait. With the reservation(s), I've been seated immediately all three times I've gone there Cafe Dufrain is that local place I can count on not also because of the food but also because the atmosphere & ambiance is perfect.
(5)
Marissa M.
Cafe Dufrain is a nice little hidden spot in downtown Tampa. It is one of the few restaurants that finds it's home on the river walk. I have only given Cafe Dufrain three stars today because I was disappointed in my experience compared to last time. To start, it took us over 20 minutes to get our drinks. To me this really isn't acceptable. I don't really think the waiters knew who had our table so they just ignored us for awhile. Once I got my wine I realized it definitely wasn't 5oz but didn't bother dealing with it any more. My biggest disappointment came with my meal. I was eager to get the mussels because they were so good the last time I visited. Unfortunately the mussels recipe, I craved, had changed. The new mussels were bland and really didn't bring much to the table. My boyfriend got the sliders which were good but not fantastic. Overall it was just an average experience.
(3)
Sarah M.
I really want to like this place because it's cute, the menu looks appealing, and it's right across the street from where I live. Unfortunately, the two times I have visited have both been somewhat disappointing. On my first visit I had the fish tacos. They were a little spicy, nothing bad about the taste but nothing amazing either. They came with chips which I thought was a strange pairing for a taco. It was a small portion for the price of $13.50 and I was still hungry so I ate all the complimentary crackers on the table. The worst part of this first visit was that our waiter disappeared when it was time for us to get the check. We literally had to wait 30 minutes and ask 2 other people to wave him down before it came back. It is a really small restaurant too. Maybe sitting in the outdoor patio section makes you invisible. It is a lot quieter and more pleasant out there than in the main restaurant area though. The second time I returned to Cafe Dufrain...I had the same waiter. He was SUPER slow after the food came this time too. I don't know if he thinks once the food is delivered his job is done? Whatever the reasons, its frustrating. This time I had the Cobb Salad and a side of fries. The salad was really good. I liked that it had the grilled avocado and the pork "croutons" were really interesting and delicious. I would have liked for the portion to be a little larger so I could order this just as my meal. Again it was $9.75, but was the size of a side salad. The fries were decent...finally something that somes in larger than a bite size portion. When I say this, don't think I'm some all you can eat buffet enthusiast, I just have a decent appetite that I don't want to have to spend $75 to feed. Overall, the food at Cafe Dufrain is not bad. It is overpriced, small portions and the service isn't great. As much as I want to love it, I just can't.
(2)
Jennifer G.
I was recently in Tampa for a convention and on the first night in town we walked to Cafe Dufrain from the Marriott. I was pleasantly surprised by the unique menu choices and the beautiful location of the restaurant. We had dinner here twice because we could not get enough. All in all I would recommend giving this place a try if you are in town looking for a nice place to unwind and grab a glass of red.
(5)
Martic R.
BEST Yucca fries I have ever had and that's a lot to say. I love the laid back atmosphere and the drinks are pretty good. I tired the Rib sandwich recently and it was great, very tender and flavorful meat! Depending the day of the week you may need reservations.
(4)
Cassie P.
Definitely convenient if you live on Harbour Island. I wouldn't make a special trip just to eat here, but when I'm visiting my friend on Harbour Island, we often walk down here to sit outside and enjoy a glass of wine and some appetizers. The menu is fairly limited....when we're just there for the atmosphere, I usually just get a side of the smoked cheddar grits. They are delicious. Lunch prices are more reasonable than dinner- but be warned they are not huge portions If you sign up for their email list, they do send out specials and coupons occasionally.
Takes Reservations : Yes Delivery : No Take-out : Yes Accepts Credit Cards : Yes Good For : Lunch, Dinner Parking : Garage, Street Bike Parking : Yes Wheelchair Accessible : Yes Good for Kids : No Good for Groups : Yes Attire : Casual Ambience : Casual Noise Level : Average Alcohol : Full Bar Outdoor Seating : Yes Wi-Fi : No Has TV : Yes Waiter Service : Yes Caters : Yes
Shelby R.
Cafe Dufrain is tucked away right across from the heart of downtown Tampa on harbor island. They have a bright, airy space with large windows to look out onto the water of the channel. The restaurant is intimate with a handful of tables both inside and out. The food and drink selections are varied and each and every one sound delicious. I had a happy hour glass of red wine that was absolutely divine. We started our meal with a cheese and charcuterie plate that was the bomb dot com and I had a pork shoulder mac and cheese for my main course. The pork was moist and fall apart tender in my mouth. The mac and cheese was non traditional and delightfully unexpected. All in all, it was a neat place for dinner albeit a bit expensive. A cute place to try if you haven't visited it before.
(4)Kevin C.
Came here on this wonderful 4th of July with my workout friends and, decided to have the barbecue. Great choice! Ashley (the bartender) she's was awesome!!! Recommended us everything and she was right on point with everything!!! Amazing atmosphere. Great drinks! Very clean! Great job guys! And Ashley!!! I got the name right this time... Keep up the good work!
(5)Lauren J.
Terrible! Went there last night for the first time for dinner. Bar was busy, restaurant had maybe 5 tables. After being seated, the waitstaff would walk by us, never acknowledging we were there or asking if we would like a drink. After 20 minutes sitting at our table outside and seeing the waiter look at us 3 times and walk by us about 8 we walked out. For a similar price, great view, and amazing food and staff, walk five minutes over to Jacksons!!!
(1)Lori W.
Tuna Tar Tar appetizer and Pino Cris taste wonderful, very light and seasoned perfect. Not everyone carries Pino Cris and it's very very good. Totally recommend the place if you enjoy different and good. Menu is different in a great way
(4)Chris B.
Cafe Dufrain is located along the channel on Harbour Island, a quick walk from downtown hotels. The restaurant has a mix of indoor and outdoor seating with a large 'garage door' that opens if the weather outside is nice. It's one of my favorite features. The servers have all been excellent. Food is top notch, but a little pricey. They have an excellent daily happy hour that runs 3pm-7pm and offers half off drinks. My favorite dish is the short rib mac and cheese. Join their e-club and you get a gift card in the mail!
(4)Jewel M.
We popped into this place after having a horrible dinner at That's Amore the night before. What a refreshing change. Excellent service, reasonable prices. I really enjoyed traditional foods with surprising ingredients. We will be back whenever we are on this side of the bridge!
(4)Benjamin K.
Fresh menu, friendly staff. Checked my ID when prompted on the back of my credit card. Very impressed. Nice views to boot!
(4)Brett N.
Why 4 stars? Because short rib mac and cheese. --- --- --- The above is what I ordered. Any time something like that is listed on a menu, I'm probably going to be a fan. I loved my experience eating outside, and looking at the Forum reflecting off the water. What a great spot for Harbour Island. Cafe Dufrain had been on my bucket list for a while, and I'm glad I was finally able to enjoy it. They always have a better-than-most beer selection to top things off. Next time... the Dufrain burger will be gluttony of choice,
(4)Joe D.
I have mixed feelings about my visit to Cafe DuFrain. On the one hand the food was decent, actually the mussels were delicious but on the other hand the place was a bit dirty and our waiter was not engaged with the table. I started with Mussels which were cooked in a delicious tomato base. These mussels were tasty and tender but quite small compared to other mussels eaten in Tampa. I next had the duck burger which was too overpowered by seasoning. I failed to taste the duck in the burger and it was disappointing. I asked if we could open our $5 bottle of wine that someone randomly gave us on our way to lunch and was told there was a $15 corking charge. Since the bottle was a screw type we opted for ice tea. Overall, mehhhh okay:(
(2)Jessica L.
Disclosure: This is based on a half hour visit before a Lightning game. I'd give it another chance but here's my review of this trip... Met up with some friends for drinks before a Lightning game. Parking was plentiful nearby. Place was pretty packed and we already had a spot outside. I arrived around 6:30 and took a look at the menu for a drink. My friends told me there were happy hour specials so I waited for our waiter to return to ask about them. He didn't make his way back to our table until abouttttt 6:50 and I asked about specials. His first response was 'Well you only have 10 minutes...' and I said 'Well I have been here for 20 minutes' so I was already not a fan that he took awhile knowing happy hour was a short time (plus my friends wanted more drinks too) and then was so quick to tell me how little time I had. I ordered a well margarita and he brought it over right at 7 so... so much for ordering another for happy hour if I liked it! Then we all cashed out and mine was a total of $4.82. I put in a $20 and waited for change. He returned with a $10 and 5 $1s. That's $15. Not $20-$4.82 for $15.18. I am NOT COOL with servers just taking my change without asking me. I get that it was a whole whopping 18 cents that I was owed but that is not your call to just take my spare change and not count out a dime, nickel, and 3 pennies for me. So that was his tip. I wouldn't mind trying it again but not super impressed with our server on a busy day. Oh, and margarita was pretty good :) [PSA to servers - just bring people their change! All of it! I mean I kinda get it if it's like 5 cents or something but STILL. Huge pet peeve!]
(2)Jack D.
Good food and atmosphere. The highlight was Marley, a 3 legged dog that loves the fries. Marley's owner was stunning! Keep your eye out for the dog and his beautiful owner.
(5)Krystel A.
The food there was very good. The service was fast even though we were a party of 15+. Every thing I had was delicious.
(4)Kacey D.
Very good meal! It's hard to eat gluten free in an unfamiliar place but they made it easy! Through appetizer, entree and dessert!
(5)Julie B.
Nice location. Great food at reasonable prices. My husband and I took a stroll over to Cafe Dufrain from the Marriott Waterside. The quick walk along the water was a bonus! Seated promptly and ordered after perusing the menu. We were happy with our choices and the food was tasty. The fries could have been slightly more crisp and the waitress should have refilled my water glass. Minor compared to the incredible tastiness of the duck wonton nachos.
(4)Amara G.
Perfect place to enjoy a beautiful day looking at the canal. Yes, the tables outside are a bit wobbly. Yes, it might be breezy. But there is so much more to enjoy... the place is pet friendly. One of the many times I have eaten at Cafe Dufrain, there was dog birthday party been celebrated outside, hats and doggie cake and all the fun shenanigans. There are always the usual happy hour faces at the bar since it is a popular hangout of the neighborhood. Families enjoying the day, glass of wine in hand as they watch their kinds play unafraid in the street's roundabout. Cafe Dufrain has a great selection of beer, spirits and wine. The beer with a hint of vanilla is delightful. They make really great Old Fashions and Muscow Mules. Their sangria is nice, but nothing to rave about. The food is consistently excellent: Short Rib Mac and Cheese, Empanadas (different flavors each day to keep it interesting), Mussels, chimichurri steak, duck burger... the home made ice creams... yum. The bar might get quite busy at times... but it is "the island" slow vibe...look out at the water..pet the dog staring at you...check out the attractive yuppies... chill.
(4)K.L. R.
Cool place... I've been a few times but just for wine night with a few girlfriends of mine... haven't eaten there yet but the girls rave about it.... on Mondays we go because you can bring your own wine! :) The bartenders are really nice too!
(4)Dan B.
I gave this place five stars on my previous visit but I'm adjusting down based on the poor service. Made eye contact with one woman who simply smiled and moved on to collect some dirty glasses. Ummm.... I wasn't just being friendly; I wanted to order food! Finally another woman addressed me, although she was clearly in a hurry to get on to something else. She barely seems able to conceal her contempt for her job. I had been surprised by how many poor reviews this place had gotten because I had initially ranked it so highly. When I saw that the reviews mostly reflected customer service I figured people were being overly sensitive. However I believe the service has declined since I last came here. Perhaps they have new management. Maybe the clientele at Harbour Island is wealthy enough to keep this place going on its own. They don't seem interested in maintaining a broad base. I just got my food and think that quality has declined a bit as well. Bacon braised kale that I really enjoyed before seems tough this time. The food's still not bad but I'm not overly impressed.
(2)Todd F.
Cafe Dufrain was recommended by several people as my wife and I just moved to the Harbour Island area. Loved the location near the water and within walking distance from our house. Restaurant was full on a Tuesday night so we grabbed two seats at the bar which was ideal for us as we wanted to grab a few quick drinks and dinner. Food was good but it took us 15minutes to get our first drinks (2 glasses of wine) and another 30 to get refills after we ordered dinner. Bar staff seemed to busy talking to each other and the "regulars" to actually take an order or pay attention to the customers at the bar.
(2)Anna M.
My friend and I sat at the bar and started with a glass of the Rainstorm Pinot Gris and a Dufrain Royale, which were both very refreshing. Then we both had the Chilled Quinoa Salad (sans tomatoes) and added the grilled steak. It was delicious! Great service, but they may have been biased since Mully is a regular here! Love the atmosphere. The only downside was that the TVs at the bar were small and I couldn't get my full dose of ESPN...but then again, that is what my phone is for...haha
(4)Kevin H.
Excellent get away spot. Located right on the water with outdoor seating & full bar. The food is fresh & delicious. I had the Turkey Burger with homemade chips & It did not disappoint. The patty was made fresh & cooked to perfection.
(5)Kacey G.
This place is phenomenal! The setting is perfect and the food is delicious. I highly recommend the Salmon Caponata. It will melt in your mouth. Melissa made our experience all the more memorable, so we had to go back two more times before we flew home. Definitely check this place out if you're in Tampa. You won't regret it!
(5)Susan K.
Bad attitude from bartendress Ashley B. on Saturday 4-5:00pm. Seemed like hours of torture from a nightmare of a person. Was about her friends and regulars. When we asked her something she would stop and sneer "What?" And then sneer her answer. How does this place stay around with that. It does. Don't bother. We left saying 'Never again'. Too Snotty.
(1)Kristin R.
Rude bartender! We just moved into the area and were out with our dog to grab lunch. There are two patios and apparently one you can have dogs, the other you can't. Instead of politely directing us to where we could stay- the ride bartender just huffed that we couldn't sit where we were and stormed back inside. I rounded the corner and there were two people having lunch with there dog- I guess we picked the wrong patio. Quite an unwelcoming start to our new neighborhood- we won't be back.
(1)C O.
Food was ok - nothing to brag about. Ate here during a conference break and everything was fine until it got busy. We were able to get our drinks and order. Someone else brought our food which was delayed because the waitress forgot about us. After our food was dropped off, nobody checked up on us or refilled drinks. After we finished eating, we had to go to the bar to pay because, like I said, we were forgotten about...we could have walked out and nobody would have noticed! The sad part was, it was busy because of a large reservation - they should have had more staff to handle it since it was expected.
(1)Jeremy L.
I was out for a concert at Tampa Bay Times Forum with a friend. She suggested Cafe Dufrain for dinner prior. I love the location, right on the water, with outdoor seating. On our arrival we were asked if we had reservations. As we did not, we were informed no seating available indoors, if we agree to sit outside there were tables available. I noted when this was the response that the restaurant was empty with only 4 tables taken. Also of note, while sitting outdoors, you have a great view of the indoor dining. The entire time we spent dining there were more than 50% of indoor tables empty. Out door seating was OK, the chairs were comfortable, tables slightly wobbly. We started with the Cheese tray and wine. The wine selection was very good. Cheese provided on the tray was OK. They had 2 that were great, and 2 that I didn't care to eat at all. The other things available on the tray, local honey that was great, some nuts, and an apple spread. I ordered the steak for dinner. It was done appropriate, as I ordered medium well. The inside of the steak was slightly pink, however the outside was crispy, offering a suggestion of the cooking surface being way too hot. Overall the experience was good. This wasn't great, and for the prices, and location I would have expected great. I would most likely try other places in the area when looking next before going back to Cafe Dufrain.
(3)Kathryn G.
Good good - spicy Asian BBQ is a little hot but not bad - good chips :) The burger was good too:) happy hour was good :)
(4)Bethany B.
Soooo good! A tad expensive but delicious. Embarrassed to admit this, but I was slightly intimidated by the menu because I was unfamiliar with some of the stuff they make but just go with it! It's so good!
(4)Gaylynn F.
Horrible service and overpriced food. I made reservations for a 12 person group of people 5 weeks ahead and requested that we have outside seating. When we arrived they didn't have any opens tables and when I asked about my special request to be seated outside they said it was busy and if we wanted to seat outside then we needed to go to another restaurant. They where rude and when I asked to speak with the manger the refused.
(1)Lauren B.
We went for the last day of Restaurant Week and really enjoyed our meal. It was a set menu and we could choose our options from there. Thankfully I went with a friend who wasn't opposed to sharing everything. We started out with the chilled quinoa salad and empanada. For the entrée we got fresh catch fish and the bistro steak which were both amazing and flavorful. I didn't care for the desert however which was the only downside. We ordered whatever two choices were on the Restaurant Week menu (one was zucchini bread and I can't remember what the other was). The service was good, our server was pretty attentive and very knowledgeable on the menu. The location is in a cute area and after dinner we walked down to the water which is close by. It's not quite ON the water but pretty close. Not sure it's a place my palette will be craving anytime soon but I'm glad I went and tried it out.
(3)Sam Q.
The. Best. Chicken. Sandwich. Ever. So we stopped by for a quick bite right before dinner time. The place is small but very nicely decorated. Service was outstanding. The menu is very interesting, and includes Argentinian steak with chimichurri and yucca fries. The yucca fries are AWESOME. I wasn't very hungry, so I looked for something simple and ordered the chicken sandwich. This is the best grilled chicken sandwich I have ever had. I'm a fan of fried chicken sandwiches, but opt for grilled to eat healthier. I can tell the difference between frozen supermarket grade and fresh chicken breast. This one was fresh. It had caramelized onions, cheese, and the bread was very fresh. I ordered a side of their grain mustard mashed potatoes. OMG. It was awesome. The atmosphere is very is upscaley and you would probably be best served my making reservations. If you want to dine in a nice atmosphere with great service and great quality food, this is the spot.
(5)Elizabeth W.
I went here with my fiancé on a sunday afternoon. I love that its right on the water and you can either sit outside on a covered patio, inside or in a booth alongside an open window and get the best of both worlds. They have a decent wine and beer menu and some nifty craft mixed drinks. We went shortly after they opened and we were probably the 3rd table in the restaurant. I ordered the Skirt steak sandwich and he ordered the angus burger. I'v ordered the steak sandwich before. It was better the first time. It was still really good but the steak was a little over cooked and too chewy this time. I wish there had been more of the may sauce on the bread because it felt like the bread was overwhelming in comparison to the sauce and steady. I got my sandwich with a side of their chips where were really yummy. I think if they had some sort of drizzle on them they would be even better! My fiancé liked his angus burger ok but felt like it was a little over cooked and too dry. Karli B was a server and poor girl you could tell was trying so hard to keep all her tables happy. It took a long time to get our waters filled. Most likely due to the fact that at one point there were 13 tables to 2 serves. The cook was even delivering food to tables but the poor guy didn't even know the table numbers. I know that sometime staff doesn't show up and sometimes you end up busier than you expect but it can really hurt your business. Overall our experience was ok. Not super stellar. I would def. come back and give it another try thou.
(3)Ti M.
The food was great and the service was fast and efficient. Our outside table overlooked the water and the atmosphere was wonderful! Best lunch I've had in Tampa!
(4)Harrison C.
Relaxing indoor outdoor seating in a restaurant with a Mediterranean vibe. Food is very good. I ate here twice! Duck burger one day, lamb burger another. Home made ice cream with decidedly unique flavors - ginger, lavender, and passion fruit. I had home made chips as a side one time. Mashed parsnips another time. Service is efficient if aloof - better than inefficient!
(4)Paul B.
Café Dufrain was marvelous! Nestled near the Amalie Arena on Harbor Island, Tampa, the restaurant's upscale and fun atmosphere was very welcoming. Parking is a piece of cake, with a public parking garage right around the corner -about a five minute walk (if that) from the restaurant. The waiter was spot-on and the service was superb, and I acknowledged that with a 25% tip - which I do not normally do, unless earned. This was earned - the man was great. I enjoyed a perfectly prepared Argentine steak with roasted plum tomatoes and red onions with chimichurri sauce and plantaine fries. Awesome food! My wife had a blackened salmon with quinoa which I got to finish, as the portions were generous. That was a great dish, as well. Folks, do yourselves a favor - go to the Café Dufrain - you'll be glad you did. As for us - we'll be back, most definitely.
(5)Derek N.
Interesting place on harbor island, but could have been much better. This was the first time I ate here but the second for my fiance. The prices seem a little high, but factoring in location, prices are probably right on que. The restaurant is very attractive and had a wonderful view. The outside chairs are designed that if you want to rest you back against the back of the chair you are really relining back. We ordered two items, the burger and the steak sandwich. The burger was ordered medium, but was well done. It was also very dry, probably because all the juice was cooked out of it. The bacon on top did not look very pleasing. What saved this burger from being sent back was two things: I was extremely hungry (it took 20-25 mins to receive burger) and the blue cheese sauce on the top of the burger. The blue cheese sauce was amazing!!!! I next time will ask for an additional side so i can but over the house made potato chips. The steak sandwich was good but has been way better (per my fiance). The aoili on the sandwich is very tasty. I still have yet to figure out how to make a good one but this place has. The sandwich came out warm and not hot. My fiance remembered the sandwich being considerably better the first time because it seemed fresher to her. The potato chips were good. We have had house made chips froom various other restauraunts but none tasted as good as these. Definately not cooked to order. Came out room temperature but were still crispy. Service was not bad for the circumstances. We went this Saturday and got there at 1145. We were sat outside quickly. We were the 3rd table in the restaurant. Seemed under staffed after we sat down and the place quickly filled. We counted 13 tables and what looked to be only 2 servers. Water was not refilled and was empty by the beginning of the meal. As I was walking out we saw another table that had ordered the burger also. it looks like they received their burger cooked medium. So maybe it was left over from last night or just lack of attention from the chef. Maybe I will go back and try it again to see if it was a fluke experience.
(2)Michael T.
Food was interesting, enjoyed the shrimp tacos and flatbread; service was very poor and took entirely too long given I was dining alone.
(2)Barry W.
Excellent food and service! We went there Saturday night and had the Kale Caesar Salad with a piece of blackened Salmon which was perfectly cooked. My wife had the Lobster lettuce wraps that had lots of succulent lobster meat. Service was prompt, knowledgeable and prompt. We will go back for sure!!!
(4)Layne C.
On Saturday, both my family and my boyfriend's family tried Cafe Dufrain for dinner. The location is nice as it was walking distance from where we were staying, and it's near the water. The food was pretty great as well, however I wasn't the biggest fan of the drink menu. Had the service been good, it would have been an enjoyable experience. However, the service was subpar. Our server and hostess were both incredibly rude. Coming from someone who has worked in a restaurant before and also has a hospitality degree, the things they could have done to fix this were simple. A smile, being helpful and accommodating, and not grumbling under your breath are all very easy things. We had issues with seating, menu questions, not having enough drink menus for all 7 of us (and not being brought menus while the server watched us struggle with only 2), servers making sassy remarks, ect. Although the location is great, and food was good, I would walk farther not to deal with the ill-mannered staff. Especially with our families being together for the first time- this wasn't a good situation.
(2)Raquel B.
Great place to sit outside, have a glass of wine, and enjoy the great service and great food. Good place for dinner by yourself when on a business trip.
(4)Blaine H.
Enjoyed a pre Brantley Gilbert small plates with my daughter pork empanadas and 2 small crab cakes..didn't try any of the great sounding entrees. Nice atmosphere and location..good service..food was good not great..my only complaint is the excessive price of wines by the glass..annoying..will return again
(3)Nick S.
I enjoyed my first visit to this restaurant. An ambitious menu and a fine choice of beverages (including beers from Gainesville's Swamphead and Dunedin's 7th Sun) in a fun modern atmosphere on Harbour Island. Not everything worked perfectly off the menu, but there was lots to try and many interesting and unusual tastes. I especially liked the dijon mashed potatoes (a special with the tenderloin for restaurant week). Restaurant is in a lovely area to walk around by the water inbetween Jasckson's and Channelside and across from the Times forum and HIstory Center all of which are in walking distance across bridges. The burger was excellent!
(4)Adam W.
Excellent place, good beers and the food is delicious. Try the Mac and Cheese with Short Ribs and the mussels!!!! Took my friend here for his birthday and he had a seasonal meal which was chicken & waffles....which was fantastic!
(5)Jean M.
What a great and wide variety of interesting foods! From Yucca fries to bacon rubbed kale and gnocchi with cheese under Korean barbecue and gin with botanist gin with herbs and the most artistic skirt steak ever. ... This is a eating adventure.
(5)Angela S.
Great service, amazing food and not your ordinary wine list. Had a wonderful birthday lunch today thanks to Justin and his great recommendations. Best shrimp tacos and truffle fries I've ever had... Not my first visit but Cafe Dufrain is always on my list to eat at when I visit Tampa...
(5)Liane J.
This was my second visit here. Tonight the bartender was the only bartender on a Thursday night and it probably took me 10 minutes to get her attention and order a glass of wine whenever I was seated at the bar. I noticed on the first visit that the wine pours were very small. They claim it's because they come in bigger glasses but it still can't be more than a 4 oz. pour. The first time I visited we just had a bunch of appetizers and they were very good despite the crappy wine pour. Tonight I got another crappy wine pour and ordered the salmon entree which came with quinoa for $23. Very average, the fish was very dry and it was served with what looked like canned mushrooms. It needed some sort of sauce because the whole dish was very dry. Definitely not the quality that I would expect for the prices that they charge. I'm very "meh" on whether I'll return... If I do I won't be ordering the salmon or the wine, it will have to be a martini night and appetizers night.
(3)Sarah K.
I love going to Cafe Dufrain. They have great weekly specials and Club Dufrain is worth joining. Besides the occasional e-mail you get approximately 3 free entrees a year. Their food is some of the best in the bay. I recently had the korean short rib "mac and cheese" with mornay sauce gnocchi. It was as good as it sounds written out, probably even a little better. Their happy hour is 5-7 daily and they have a great wine and beer selection. For something unique, local and delicious with great scenery - visit Cafe Dufrain.
(5)Bill R.
Interesting menu. And I mean that in a good way. Absolutely loved the pulled pork empanada. I probably would not do the dessert again. Service was a little slow but they could not have been nicer. The ambience of the restaurant was great! It's right on the water, open and breezy. I'd totally come back.
(4)Bret A.
I head heard this restaurant was worth visiting and had the opportunity to try it out for lunch. Small, but very pleasant outdoor seating area greatly enhances the meal. The harbor island location provides a nice view of the city while still maintaining a peaceful atmosphere. Best of all the outdoor seating was not smoky. The salads and burgers were excellent. The menu is eclectic and varies often. Everything was very fresh and the service was excellent. We'll be back to try it for dinner!
(4)Elana L.
The location of this Cafe is awesome! It is on the quaint Harbour Island. While I will not be frequenting this place because of the prices of a burger ($12!), I will say that the view of the channel and downtown Tampa make this a nice little place to sit and have a drink. They are open late at night so you can sit on the patio and see the colors on all of the high-rise buildings, and listen to the sound of water falling in the fountain nearby. The flavor of the food is good, but way over priced! A sloppy joe sandwich was over $10 and a regular burger was around $12. For being connected to an apartment complex, I was expecting the prices to be catered to the residents, not tourists, but they are definitely 'tourist' prices. *update* Their pork cheeks on fried green tomatoes are very yummy! Very tender meat. They also have a full bar. I ordered a mojito. It was just ok. They do have some unique beer choices that are fun to try.
(3)Jt T.
Loved the fish sandwich and yucca fries! It's a nice, chill spot on the harbor. Definitely recommend, include a little harbor walk afterwards!
(5)Krissy M.
My new favorite place to eat in tampa! Great food, excellent service (thank you Ty!!!!), nice atmosphere. I loved it the first time and I will be back! You will not regret going here!
(5)Jim C.
Small, Nice atmosphere, Good Food, Waterfront (canal), Outdoor seating, Parking can be challenging, some waiters are not attentive (maybe because they get an automatic 18%).
(3)Jeanne C.
The restaurant is located right on the water, overlooking the water and downtown. It has boat access as well as road access. When we got to the restaurant, it was small, but cozy. It was pretty full, but not full to the point where it felt crowded. Since it was cool outside, we decided to enjoy the fresh air. That was until we realized how cold it was with the ocean breeze. When we asked to go inside, our waiter was kind and patient, joking about how he was cold too and understood exactly why we wanted to move inside. There were four of us and the table was comfortable. We weren't bumping arms, and there was plenty of room for us to eat without feeling like we were impeding on each other's space. Chris got the Zahtar Rubbed Lamb burger, Andrea got the Bun-Mi Turkey burger, Jeanne got the Peruvian Shrimp Salad, and I got the Chicken sandwich (I know, it sounds boring compared to how awesome theirs sound.) These all came with homemade chips. The wait for our food was not long at all, and when it came out, it was presented beautifully, not to mention it smelled absolutely fantastic. After everyone got their food, we dug in. The food was fantastic, not only the main meal, but the chips as well! Even the ketchup and mustard for our chips were presented in small ceramic (I think they were ceramic) cups on thin ceramic plates. I don't eat very much, but I had no trouble finishing my entire meal! To be honest, we all finished everything on our plate. All in all, the food was fantastic, the atmosphere was wonderful, the company was great and to top it off, it is a sustainable restaurant! How does it get much better than that?
(5)Jeff F.
Very worthy farm to table little cafe somewhat tucked away in downtown Tampa. As a native Tampa Bay'er gone west coast, I'm always somewhat apprehensive about returning to the area and finding quality eats so I was very pleasantly surprised to find this sorta hidden gem on the waterfront in Harbor Island. My friend who turned me onto this place actually knows Chef Ty who stopped by our table to tout the virtues of his latest creations....a brand new menu had just been introduced. Ty is a fireball of energy and clearly passionate about his craft...so much so he started his own version of 'Edible' called 'The Local Dirt' focused on the sustainable movement around the area. And most of the ingredients at Cafe Dufrain are sourced within 100 mile radius! Personally I had the Hot Brown which is a seasonable tribute to the KY Derby that I highly recommend. My friend gave his sloppy joe a glowing review and next time I'm keen to try the fish tacos featuring red snapper & scallops. Worth the little bit extra effort to cross the bridge and plant yourself outside with a killer view to match the killer food.
(4)Wendy D.
I am a huge fan of Cafe Dufrain!! Whether your're grabbing a sandwich midday, or unwinding with a glass of wine in the evening, the friendly staff and tasy treats are the perfect companion!! The new menu is fresh and creative. I can't wait to see what they come up with next!! Hats off to the entire team!!
(5)Benjamin M.
I ate lunch at Cafe Dufrain on Saturday as a post-LSAT celebratory meal. After five grueling hours of logic testing, my brain was probably not in optimal restaurant-reviewing mode... but here's what I remember: Calamari was excellent. I'm not usually a big fan of calamari, but we ordered some while waiting for our meal... and man, it was REALLY good. The banana peppers really set it off. I had the steak sandwich with house made potato chips. This was suggested by our server, but in retrospect I'm not sure whether it was really the best choice. Don't get me wrong--it was good, but I think some of the other menu choices might have been better. The sandwich was three stars, the calamari was five stars--so I guess I'd average the food at a four. Service was great. Our server was helpful and attentive. The manager came to our table to chat with us and explained the preparation of the calamari. Minor complaint--we sat outside, and the chairs were quite uncomfortable.... like, did they buy those chairs on clearance at Kmart? (I side with Raymond Babbitt's opinion of Kmart.) I love the fact that the cafe has complimentary mooring. I really need to buy a yacht... ... But parking (my car) was easier than I thought it would be. Just look for the signs for the public parking garage. After your meal, just use the code on your receipt from Cafe Dufrain--parking is free if you use the four digit code.
(4)Michelle W.
Note - I would give this restaurant a 4.5, but that wasn't an option. We loved this restaurant. We came in on a Friday night and had a wonderful time. We ordered the Truffle Frites and french onion soup dumplings as appetizers. Frites were top-notch, but the dumplings I could do without. For dinner we had; (1) The korean rib mac and cheese - Delicious. Spicy and cheesy. It was made with gnocchi instead of noodles, and they were perfect. (2) Chicken and waffle - chicken was amazing. Moist and crisp. The waffle was only okay. To be fair it comes with a chili-honey, which I went without, but I couldn't taste the cheddar and it was slightly soggy. (3) Argentinian skirt steak w/ fried yucca - delicious. Would 100% recommend. (4) Risotto - soooo good. Best risotto I have ever had. The texture was spot on and and the mushrooms in it were cooked perfectly. We also had some good cocktails and a tasty dessert. All-in-all this place is great and we will definitely be back. Very affordable too. We got 4 cocktails, 2 beers, 2 appetizers, 4 entrees and a dessert for about $160.
(4)Brian C.
I just move away from Tampa, but this place is one of the things I miss most. Beautiful setting on the water. Helpful service. Unbelievable food that comes in the perfect portions. They also have an excellent drink list. (carefully selected beer and wine , as well delicious original cocktails). Great happy hour too. Favorite eats: Brisket, fried oysters, chicken biscuits, bolognese, and the local fish. Favorite drinks: the Front Porch and Elks Own.
(5)Lisa N.
Teetering between 3 and 4 stars. I've been several times but was never really impressed until my most recent visit. Cafe Dufrain sits on Harbour Island directly across the water from the St. Pete Times Forum and along a nice waterfront walkway. The restaurant interior is warm and classy. On a recent Thursday night visit it was not busy although they do accept reservations. We started with the Grouper Cheeks- fried grouper cheeks (a very tender part of the fish) sitting on a cannellini bean cake and topped with a mustard aioli and a piece of okra. The dish was tasty and well seasoned. Next, I had the Roast Chicken. I was a little disappointed that it was dark meat chicken, which was not noted on the menu. The Chicken was a thigh and leg that were seared and a little on the salty side but I enjoyed the crunch and flavor. The dish came with sausage stuffed zucchini. Who thinks of this stuff? It was a total winner! Everything was served on a bed of cheddar grits which really could have been anything as they didn't have much of a flavor profile. My friend had the Meyers teres, lardo persillade, we had to google it to find out what it was and were still confused. Luckily the kind waitress told us it was beef. It came out cooked to order and very tender. The wine list is short but nice and the drink menu is appealing. Desserts also looked fabulous although we did not indulge. Overall, I enjoyed my experience and the food. I will visit again.
(3)Corinna K.
The short ribs with the Mac and cheese( not your typical way) were phenomenal!! My friends from the UK had mussels in the Thai sauce with fries... A match made in heaven. The risotto more of a dry version had tons of flavor and a nice pairing with the catch of the day made this dish a home run. Finally the tenderloin a highlight itself. A must restaurant to go to!!
(5)Lisa C.
I SO wanted to enjoy my experience more at Cafe DuFrain. I went with 5 others this evening. I pre-read the menu and was really excited to see that they have local, sustainable and organic items. That had me so happy to go and try this place out. We get there, and ordered a lovely recommended bottle of wine. It was a great price point of around 35-40 dollars and spot on. The 6 of us ordered 3 appetizers: The Ceviche, Calamari and Organic Mushrooms. - I asked if all were good sharing apps and was told yes. The Ceviche is not what I expected. It was a flight of 3 ceviches on a tiny thin toast. Basically 3 bites. I was expecting a bowl like most places to share. Not so. The taste however was very nice and made me wish I was told how small it was. I would have ordered two of them so there were 6, one for each of us to have a bite. The Calamari was more sharable but still very small, like about a tablespoon for each of us. The mushrooms were in a more sharable size. Next, My BF and I split a salad. I have to admit it was the highlight of my meal. They have two salads and the waiter recommended the wedge. It was incredible. Next for our meals. Three of us females ordered the Eggplant two ways plate. It is a vegetarian meal and sounded divine. It was described as: hickory grilled eggplant & eggplant 'cannelloni', in-house ricotta, tomato ragout, brioche panzanella The low down: urban oasis hickory grilled white eggplant; fennell, cucumber, tomato, red onion, olive oil, bread salad; sliced eggplant stuffed with homemade ricotta; roasted heirloom tomato ragout $17 Taste... Where was the taste?? It was SOOOO bland. I was so bored and disappointed. It was hyped and didn't come thru on any point at all. The eggplant cannelloni were tiny. 3 of them about the size of half my finger. I opened one up and there was about 1/2 teaspoon if that of this homemade ricotta. To taste that, would have been nice. The 2nd eggplant had all of the tomato, cucumber, and fennel and it was all almost pickled tasting. It didn't blend well at all. The "bread salad" - to put it mildly was the size of one crouton cut into microsquares. They were these tiny little bites and you couldn't even grasp the taste. For a side, I ordered the horserradish creamed spinach. One bite and I had to do a double take. There was no flavor either. I thought with the horseradish, it would give it a good kick or flavor. Instead, I had to keep adding salt which is not what I wanted just to taste it. I asked everyone else to taste it and they too said the same thing. My BF had the pork shank. It sounded incredible but was pretty off the mark as well. The grits were bland, the pork was so-so and well.. that's about it. I just tasted it but he wasn't very impressed either. The two other guys had the scallops and thoroughly enjoyed them. I did not have them so can't comment on them. For dessert, there were two options. A dark chocolate panna cotta and an apple pie bar with a scoop of cinnamon ice cream. The fuji apple dessert was really good, unique and good flavors. The Panna Cotta however was not a real panna cotta. It was a thick chocolate chunk on top of the worst sponge cake ever. Panna Cotta is a cooked cream. It should be silky, pudding like, and smooth. You add a tiny bit of gelatin to the cream to set it. It seems like they put so much gelatin and something else. It was an odd texture and a really off taste. Very disappointing. So for 6 of us with wine, dinner and dessert was about $375 with tip. It was SO not worth this amount. I was really expecting a culinary experience but in fact, I walked away knowing I could cook most of the items so much better. Another thing which struck me weird... We would be in the middle of a great conversation and the waiter would come over and not even wait till there was a pause in the sentence. He would come over and speak over us and interrupt our conversation when it wasn't necessary. We were his only table so it wasn't like the place was packed. I found it odd that he didn't have a lot of cooth. The manager? however who recommended the wine, Tye I think his name was was incredible. I wish he was wish us all night to recommend and serve us. Highlights: Wine selections, Wedge Salad, Nice atmosphere and The Apple Dessert. Lowlights: Too many unfortunately Our friends had previously come to Cafe Dufrain and said it was much better the last time. Not sure I would ever come back. There are way too many places I want to try.
(2)Mark S.
I just stopped in for a quick bite while exploring Harbor Island..it's been years since I'd been and knew there were a few eateries I hadn't explored yet. Loved Cafe Dufrain! I was early for lunch and sat at the bar and was glad I did. There was a convention in town and the place filled up dramatically within about 1/2 an hour, so keep that in mind if you're planning on a quick meal there. I just had the Organic Mushroom appetizer, but it had enough flavor to take the place of a much bigger plate. The atmosphere, service and location would make it a great place for Date Night in Harbor Island!
(4)Trish B.
Great service. Friendly staff. The food was delicious. As a vegetarian my options were a bit limited. But all my carnivore friends loved their meals as well :)
(4)Deborah H.
This is a great little cafe. The decor is modern/electic and the cocktails are 5 star (I had truth or consequences-gin; mint and blueberries-yummy). Nice wine list by glass and by bottle. My grilled scallops were very good and my husband had an excellent salad of greens and vegetables grown at a friend's farm. Ended the meal with a homemade macadamia butter nut ice cream. Service was good. Walking distance from most of the hotels around the convention center. I thought the portions were fine.
(4)Carrie S.
Great meal. I had mussels and the shrimp tacos and both were outstanding. Service excellent as well
(5)Julia C.
Casual little place located on the waterfront in Harbor Island. I was a little disappointed in the dinner menu, as it was rather limited and pricey. Mostly southern-style but upscale and with a definite emphasis on, well, corn. Cornbread-this, corn pudding-that, grits (corn), hushpuppies (corn), even a "Corn Tasting". Maybe this is just seasonal for the summer? We started with the 4-Hour Pork Bolognese with Ricotta and Gnocchi. It was more like a soup than we had expected, and also greasier. The gnocchi were overcooked, almost mushy and it kind of just tasted overwhelmingly salty. Wouldn't get it again. We also tried the Fried Green Tomatoes which were delicious. Nicely breaded and crisp. The sauce that came with it was just OK. My husband also ordered the Escarole with Pancetta, White Beans and Chili Flakes. I didn't try it but he barely even ate half, saying it too was overly salty and greasy, and not what he was expecting from this "salad". Moving onto dinner, the burger was very good. It is a good size (8 oz) which it ought to be to justify the $12 price tag. The roll was great and not overly bread-y, which I appreciated, since I hate it when the bread-to-meat ratio is off. The onion-bacon marmalade was delicious and the burger itself was perfectly cooked as I had ordered it, and an excellent texture. The aged cheddar had huge flavor and I really enjoyed every bite of this well-crafted burger. The burger came with some tasty homemade chips on the side, which were crispy and delicious. We also ordered some onion rings and smoked sea salt french fries on the side but were disappointed by both. The fries were, in keeping with the theme, WAY too salty and not crisp at all. The onion rings were just decent but the horseradish sauce on the side was very good. Other things worth noting: They seemed to have some unique-sounding cocktails and a decent wine list. Might be a good spot to grab cocktails on the patio overlooking the water when the weather is nice. There is very little street parking in Harbor Island, which you may get lucky and find a spot, otherwise parking is in the garage just around the corner. Your server will ask you if you parked there and give you the access code to get out without having to pay at the gate. Overall, I was disappointed with our experience at Cafe Dufrain, especially because I was expecting much more. Perhaps we didn't order the right items? Maybe I had my sights set too high? Either way, I doubt we'll go back, at least not with the current menu. I am giving them three stars, only because the burger was very good and I liked the fried green tomatoes, and the view overlooking the water and downtown Tampa, from the patio was nice. The only time I would recommend this restaurant is if you happen to be in Harbor Island looking for a good burger or just a place to have drinks.
(3)Samantha H.
Food was great. Lunch menu a little confusing. Apparently "corn tasting" is considered the apps? Doesn't inform you that fresh made chips are served w/ certain entrees, let alone which ones don't. There service was a whole other level. I have been in the industry for years and I was highly disappointed. 7 tables, 2 servers, couldn't locate our reservation, didn't know menu too well. Couldn't even tell us about the dressing on the Cobb salad other than its a vinaigrette. I sat w/out drink refills for about 20 minutes, later refilled my empty glass w/ coke...my glass had trash in it! And didn't bring side plates w/ the appetizers. We had to approach the other server while she was behind the bar... Nice food, horrible service.
(2)Rhonda G.
I definitely enjoyed my visit. Our server was top notch and did an excellent job of recommending everything from wine to dessert. He actually brought out taste portions of a few wines so we could get an idea of what they were before committing to a full glass. Having a wine tasting was a nice little extra. Outdoor seating overlooking the marina was great since it had finally cooled off for the night. Even though I was visiting on a work trip, this visit made me feel like I was on vacation. Dishes worth mentioning: yellowfin tuna "nachos" (tuna tartare with wonton chips), gulf shrimp (cooked well and spicy), yellowtail snapper. Everything was really fresh! And last but not least, the sorbet was very refreshing and light. Overall a great place for casual but still classy dining.
(5)Lauren C.
A great farm-to-table restaurant tucked into the corner of a condo building on Davis Island. We enjoyed the "cork-free Mondays" where you can bring in your own bottle of wine with no corking fee. (The fee is usually $15 here.) The menu appears somewhat limited but, that means they're probably executing a limited amount of dishes, very well. I tried two tastings, the pork bolognese gnocchi and the grilled scallops. The bolognese was delicious, the gnocchi were pretty light and there was a nice dollop of ricottta cheese on top. The scallops looked beautiful and had a great texture, but they were a little too salty. They left me really thirsty for water! The server never filled up my water until the very end of the dinner, but that would be my only gripe about the service, if I were to be picky. She was otherwise friendly and attentive, and gave good recommendations about her favorite dishes. My friend tried the hushpuppies and the "corn trio" - corn bread, corn pudding and corn grits. I tried the grits and they were really good. That trio is big enough for 3 or 4 people to share as a side. I also like the beautiful view and al fresco atmosphere here. Even though it was a hot summer day, the breeze off the water made it a really nice to sit outside on their patio. Great for date night, a girls' dinner, and for small groups. I would recommend this without question.
(4)Rowena L.
I came here with eight or nine friends and they were really accommodating. I really liked the risotto I got here, though I know many of my friends felt the menu was too limited. Also, the atmosphere was casual but the prices were much higher than fit the ambiance. I'd say try it out if you're in the area but no need to seek it out.
(3)Dahoniel P.
I walked into Café Durain and the first thing I saw was the unbelievable view waiting outside. Inside, the ambiance was laid back but uplifting, and I knew the meal would catapult my experience. Unfortunately, it didn't do as I thought. The pork shoulder I ordered was a bit tough, and it was apparent the butter knife I was left with would simply not do. Overall, though, I felt welcomed and at home, and I would definitely like to come again and quite possibly enjoy a different meal. There is public parking conveniently placed right next door and it is not pricey at all. I had very high expectations and they were met to an extent... I recommend Café Dufrain again for all Yelpers and lovers of local places with punch, because this one has tremendous potential!
(3)Diane S.
Five stars for food and service. We started with a big table and as our party grew well beyond our table on a busy Fri night we were accomodated graciously and seemlessly. Waiter John never missed a beat as food was delivered hot and timely despite our staggered arrivals. All dishes were excellent! Cafe Dufrain won back some old fans and definitely won some new ones that evening.
(5)Patricia M.
I love this place. It's right on the water, beautiful when you sit outside. The food is amazing but it's on the island so parking is sometimes a little tricky. If you pull into the Post Apartments parking garage they offer free parking with validation.
(4)Jaima S.
Cafe Dufrain gets points for being one of the few restaurants on the waterfront in Tampa. They also get points for their emphasis on fresh, seasonal, local ingredients. However, they lose points for sometimes very average food. I've been here several times and it is hit or miss. They also have a limited drink menu if you're into that, with many popular liquors not making an appearance on the menu. The service too can be a mix of people who seem to have no idea about the menu, to decent service from knowledgable staff. Tonight was a good night. My husband and I shared the 4 hour pork bolognese with ricotta and gnocchi which is considered a "sharing" item and the grilled chicken sandwich with smoked cheddar and a molasses bbq sauce. We also added a side of fries on the side. The grilled chicken sandwich was really good. The chicken was moist, on a lightly sweet bun with smoky cheddar and a spicy bbq sauce. All the flavors melded well together. There were homemade chips on the side, but I was more interested in the fries. The fries themselves were tiny and a mix of crispy and slightly soggy. My husband and I both felt they were overly salted, but had they not been they definitely had potential. The gnocchi were perfect little pillows swimming in the pork bolognese and ricotta. This was good, but I wished there was some sort of textural contrast as all the items were soft. Overall, it was a good meal and including two drinks came to a little over $40 for two. Tip: the fries on the side were $6, so make sure you're committed to eating the bowl for that price. I would come here again for the atmosphere and that chicken sandwich.
(3)crystal t.
What looks like an amazing food and drink menu is a disappointment in reality. Stale waffle, old chips, overdone burger, broken bechamel sauce, cocktails with missing ingredients, mediocre service. Bummer since the restaurant serves local produce and good meats. Unfortunately, the commitment to quality on the menu just didn't translate to the food and dining experience.
(2)Ron G.
Braised beef is very tender. Great presentation. Better yet is the Chicken and Waffles. Outstanding. Both different from the usual fair. A great meal. Highly recommended.
(5)Jane E.
I went to Cafe Dufrain on the suggestion of my retirement guru person. Did not think much of it, but on a weekend, it seemed like a good choice. Found parking right in front of the restaurant, which is quite amazing. However, they do provide validated parking in the nearby garage. The atmosphere is casual yet chic. The menu is limited and if you are a pork person then there is an abundance of choices. Everything seemed to be pork, bacon, loin or something like it. However, through it all I ordered the Hickory smoked fresh fish. It was a delicious dish as all the flavors blended well together. My only qualm is that the quantity was extremely small. It was more like an appetizer than an entree. My husband ordered the eggplant something, which was delicious and had just the most amazing texture, and complexity of taste. Again the only problem is that the quantity was minuscule. I am a tiny person and after eating it, I felt that I still needed more food. Actually, I did not feel but rather needed more food! Apart from the quantity it is a great place to come and hang out and enjoy wonderfully presented food in an non-high-end type of place. If I lived on Harbor Island, I would be there at least once a week.
(4)Brian S.
Came back again for dinner and had the handcut burger and onion rings. Pretty good, it looks like to buns are home-made and their toasted. The service was some what lacking considering there were only 3 tables occupied.
(4)Becky S.
We went to this restaurant for the first time today and it was GREAT!! Our waitress, Kristen, was perfectly attentive - there at the right time for us to ask questions but then left us alone to discuss or enjoy when the food did come. She was also very patient with me as I tried to decide which wine I wanted. Brought out several samples for me to taste as well as brought me some a few suggestions for me too. For our dinner, my husband and i started out with the appetizer sampler, choosing two orders of oysters and an order the yellowtail. All delicious, especially the oysters. they had some kind of vinaigrette which masked the 'fishy' smell but didn't kill the oyster's taste. When it came to the main entree, my husband and I had two dishes we wanted to try but Kristen suggested we just shared the pork shank since it was such a large portion. PERFECT idea!! not that we wouldn't have been able to finish both dishes but then we wouldn't have had dessert :) But the pork shank was AMAZING... not only was the meat falling off the bone, it came with perfectly roasted baby turnips (and I don't even like turnips!!) and some kind of creamed corn mash that was ADDICTIVE!!! Since we shared dinner, we did get a dessert - the Brownie... so delicious. I found out that 75% of the menu is organic; everything is made fresh and from scratch... just topped off the perfect dinner. We're definitely coming back and bringing friends!!
(5)Jim P.
The food was very, very good. The service was....a bit slow...but fine. The restaurant itself is very casual inside. It was raining so sitting outside wasn't an option but the view, I'm sure, is very nice. The menu is not extensive but they seem to focus on what they do well. The calamari was outstanding as were the Tuna "nachos". My colleague had the beef and said it was excellent. I had the tuna with oxtail dumplings and greens and was very pleased. I would absolutely go back.
(4)Chris B.
Excellent quality ingredients as evidenced by the menu selections that we had. Not too pricey and such a wonderful view of the water. That perfect combination of chic,cozy,and tasty. The Ahi tuna was the best I have had in a long time and it's a welcome reprieve from the tourist scene.
(4)Shell B.
The menu is hit or miss and changes often. I usually ask my server about what's popular and that usually steers me in the right direction. The open face empanadas are pretty good and have been on the menu for quite a while
(2)Gerald S.
Neighborhood cafe with besides a fair hamburger, a small unusual menu. The wine list is very pricey for such a restaurant.
(2)Matt S.
Great place. The new chef and management that came over from Mise en Place have gone a good job with the menu (I like their Nosh menu which I believe is served from 5-7pm and I think is $5 per plate). Some of the best food I've had in the three years I've been in Tampa. Not a whole lot of restaurants on the water in Tampa, but this one is about as close as you'll get. Good city views and a good place to sit outside during nice weather. The only downside is parking... if you come at the wrong time, you'll end up driving around looking for the hard-to-come-by street spots, or you have to suck it up and park in the nearby garage.
(5)Ellie M.
This is a nice little restaurant that is hidden away on Harbor Island. There is a lot southern-inspired food like the corn pudding, collards, and pork cheeks but all with an interesting twist. The atmosphere and service, however, was less than ideal and it is a bit out of the way. For these reasons we are unlikely to return, but I would certainly say it's worth a visit.
(3)Jason K.
Surprisingly good! Their diver scallops with homemade pappardelle was delicious...the three jumbo scallops were perfectly seared and still meltingly tender. The sauce had a nice kick and pappardelle was a nice al dente. I wish I had the chance to try some of the other items!
(5)David G.
Great atmosphere but the food is nothing special and the service stunk last time we went here. By request my buddy wanted to sit by water so reluctantly I gave it another try. FAIL! For Sunday brunch we were one of two or three tables there. We waited 20 mins for our mimosas to arrive after waiting 10 mins or so for a server to come out to our table. He actually went inside to get his own drink. Ok so the food is never bad here and the place is nice and perfect location but get your act together.
(1)Aaron A.
Damn! I think I got redlined out of this place. Walked in on a Friday evening and, with half the tables empty, the hostess started giving my party of three the verbal runaround and hesitating when we asked if we could get our name on a list to be seated. Nowhere near closing time. Am I not hip enough for you, Cafe Dufrain? Did you want some money up front to prove I was good for whatever tab we'd be running up? No bother after we gave our name to the reluctant hostess we ended up going to That's Amore across the street (review forthcoming) and continued to enjoy the evening. Middlefinger.
(1)Karl L.
The outside chairs are not very comfortable.... There, I said something bad. Now for the rest. The food was excellent. Presentation is obviously more than a word here. Good food that is beautiful starts you off in the right frame of mind. Everything here was well done in that respect. We started with the snapper from the raw bar. Fresh and light with a touch of spice from the habanero oil and crunch from the sweet onions, it was a great compliment with the pork cheeks. Those were delicious paired with fried green tomatoes the way they should be-still firm and tangy, with a crunchy crust. I had the American Kobe top sirloin. It is a little pricey at $30, but the wonderful thing about this cut is that the flavor is good. Everyone wants to go with the filet because it is so tender, but tender isn't taste, is it? The steak was paired with some of the best asparagus I have ever had, tender and cooked to perfection, accented with lemon and hazel nuts. My wife had chicken and waffles. Now, I have never had the urge to make this particular combination, and knowing that there are restaurants in LA that make nothing else I am partial to avoiding it, but I am glad she didn't. I can't cook chicken that well. It was a breast and attached wing, but the breast was perfect and the wing wasn't burnt. Maybe it was sous vide and just finished in a fryer. The pineapple upside down cake was delicious, carrot cake less so. That was the weakness at dinner. It was not tasty, not sweet, just kind of there. It was topped by a quarter inch slice of icing, which was mostly cream cheese and again, not sweet. We tried a couple of alternative adult beverages not worth describing in detail, but I would recommend their cocktails for something unusual. Finally, our waitress was great, and the manager came to say hello when he heard we had driven an hour to get there for dinner. Those of you in the know will see that I gave them 4 stars, which is the best I will do for a place that costs less than a paycheck. Give them a try, you will be pleased.
(4)devin p.
Surprised by the good reviews. We were excited by the menu. I ordered the chicken and waffles, at 18$, I thought I was in for a treat. Also I asked the waiter which was better the pork belly tacos or chicken and waffles....he said those were the two best dishes. The presentation was great, but the food, I mean if you had put Popeyes chicken on an eggo waffle and loaded it up with butter and syrup I would give it five stars. But this was so bad, so funked up. When you fry chicken, you got to batter it. No batter on the chicken, that's right. Just bland ass chicken dropped in the fryer. Like a hot wing without sauce. And it had that industrial chicken taste and texture, tough, bland and bad. The waffle, which they called waffles, was half a waffle, and it was somehow tough and lukewarm. It being tough without being crispy makes me wonder, was it nuked? Only condiment was chili honey over everything. My mom had the salmon, which came out too raw for her. She asked them to cook it more. It came back a little bit more seared, she still couldn't eat it. She explained to the waiter and he took it off the bill, which was unnecessary but very cool of them. He said he would talk to the chef. Y'all got a chef? You probably need a cook then, someone who can make a waffle and fry some chicken. 18 dollars! Staff was great, decor was nice, place was empty at lunch on a Wednesday. I hate to give a one star, but were not coming back, and thats bad because we live on this island where this is one if lke two options for restaurants. My intention is for someone there to read this and work on quality.
(1)Kipp C.
This place sucks! If you go, you better wear your Ed Hardy and Affliction t to hang with these peeps.
(1)Tom S.
My girlfriend and I live on Harbour Island so we were wanting to try this place for quite some time. The staff is very friendly but the food is not great by any means. It is very bland and at $20+ an item, definitely not worth it.
(2)Charles C.
The skirt steak was very nice & tender & juicy, done just right medium rare! the corn cake underneath it complemented it very well! the meat is locally sourced from a farm in florida, and the greens are locally sourced also! highly recommend it! plus the service was very nice & fast! also every wed night they got wine tasting going on! the prices are reasonable considering where all the food is sourced from.
(5)Risa P.
I dined here recently with a friend and, I have got to say, we thoroughly enjoyed our experience. The atmosphere is nice and chic with fabulous decor and nice music and a spectacular waterfront view. In addition, our server was extremely patient and was always smiling. For dinner, I ordered the tuna entree under "favorites" and could clearly understand why this was classified as such. Every component of the dish was flawless and complemented the others perfectly. I especially enjoyed the accompanying oxtail dumplings. My companion ordered the organic grilled chicken which was perfectly grilled. The sides on that dish were perfectly executed and presented as well. Dessert was superb as well as I delighted in the "brownie sundae" with a twist and my friend enjoyed the fuji apple tart. We happily concluded that the salted peanut and cinnamon ice creams served with our respective desserts were top-notch. I believe they were made in house, too!
(5)Jeff P.
All about the plating, so-so food. Had the Kobe steak and it was nothing special.
(3)Ernie S.
I really want to like Cafe Dufrain. Even before I moved to this part of town, I had decided that this would be a place I'd enjoy. The ambiance is nice inside and outside is even better with a view of the water and downtown. The service is usually friendly and efficient and the food is good. The problem? The food is good but not great and the portions are very small. On a recent visit, $26. got three scallops in a large bowl over a couple of spoonfuls of grits. Not a place to go if you're hungry. Nice place for an expensive drink and appetizer. I will go back and I'll try to enjoy it because I really want to like Cafe Dufrain. You are on your own.
(2)Shakira H.
Restaurant was in a beautiful location, right on the water. We decided to sit outside, which was nice. The service was fantastic! Sometimes I like to get recommendations from the staff and he suggested the chicken and waffles and the tuna. When I'm trying out something new, I want their specialities... I want to see what they're made of. We both ordered the chicken and waffles. It was actually really good! It was a big hunk of fried chicken and two thin "waffles" drizzled in honey, and some spicy collard greens. It was definitely filling and a good meal. We will definitely be going back!
(4)Brian N.
We live up the street and usually end up here a couple times every month. The lunch is excellent, the dinner is decent. The location is wonderful. Nothing better than sitting outside along the channel on a warm evening and drinking a blue moon (which they have on draft.) Best Dish: Ahi Tuna at Lunchtime (It's served differently at dinner) Standby Dish: Chicken Sandwich (avocado and yuca fries) Appetizer: Crab Cakes (excellent mango-based salsa goes with it)
(4)Christopher T.
The location is sweet. Was there late on a Monday and the service could not have been better. Perfectly attentive. I had the green salad and diver scallops. The salad was ok. The scallops were perfectly cook, but the pasta was overcooked for my taste and the whole dish was over salted. I'd go again if staying on Harbor Island.
(3)Brian M.
Food was very good, but pretty small portions for the price. Definitely "food as art" -- lots of effort spent on pretty visual presentations in the middle of a vast wasteland of empty plate. Nice waterside location, with outdoor dining in good weather. One of the few options for a nice dinner in the area.
(4)James A.
chill setup, unique deconstructed dishes. one problem- the taste of the dishes!
(3)John P.
As a vegetarian, I was pleased that they offered a "Vegetarian Plate" which consisted of a farro "risotto" and some vegetables on the side. The farro was excellent, but the vegetables were average with no distinguishing flare. If a restaurant offers a specifically vegetarian meal, I expect it to be up to snuff with the rest of their menu.I also ordered the "mixed green" salad, which sounded great on the menu (watermelon radish, fresh figs, candy cane beets, pine nut 'bark'), but failed miserably in execution. The lettuce was largely romaine, with a very scant amount of arugula buried in the mix. Additionally, there were no fresh figs or pine nut bark, only two sad wedges of a beet and two slivers of watermelon radish (I mean this quite literally--two of each). I also tried the horseradish creamed spinach with onion rings. While the flavor of the sauce was inviting, and the horseradish lent a subtle warmth to the dish, the spinach itself was entirely overcooked and full of stems--nearly inedible. At one point I was required to remove a wad of spinach from my mouth, because I simply couldn't chew the excessive amount of stems. Finally, the Organic Mushrooms were a highlight, but suffered from being drenched in oil (their "garlic confit"), rendering their flavor rather muddled. I was up for dessert, but the dessert list consisted of two, count them, two desserts. Neither was particularly appealing-sounding, and didn't seem to gel with the rest of their menu ("Strawberries and chocolate" and "sweet potato pie") so I passed. My meal came in at about 92.00 for two (including two glasses of wine and the tip). While I don't consider this to be an outrageous amount of money for two people on any given night, I expect more for the price point. As a result I can't recommend this little restaurant whose food couldn't live up to its own expectations.
(2)Felo C.
First visit was excellent! Will go back for dessert. Service was sharp. Blue Moon on tap. Dinner delicious! Nuff said!
(5)michelle l.
This place isn't bad. But I wouldn't go out of my way to return. We came here on a Friday night. We had reservations, and when we were 10 minutes late (my fault, I'm directionally challenged), they called to make sure i was still coming. I have to say, the staff was very friendly. They were good about dealing with us bringing outside wine (yes, they have a decanter) and not wanting it served right away. They were also good about not interrupting our conversation. The location was also lovely. It's right across the water from the Forum. Decor is a little cheesy, sort of made me think this would be a hangout for the gang in Friends. Yup, the 90s. The food was okay. We started with the cheese plate. We had a pecan-crusted goat cheese, a smoked cheddar and a white cheddar. I don't know why they'd put two cheddars on the same plate. A harder cheese would have made the plate more balanced. But otherwise, everything was tasty. For our main courses, my husband had the skirt steak, which he enjoyed greatly. I had the chicken and waffles, which were disappointing. The chicken wasn't very crispy, and the syrup was overly sweet. I think I would have done better with Popeye's chicken. Dessert was the seasonal cobbler. This season, it was blueberry, which was good in theory, but in practice, it was soupy and too gingery. The accompanying ice cream (butter pecan) was awesome, though. So was my husband's mint ice cream. All in all, this place was okay, but not phenomenal.
(3)Susan D.
Best restaurant for casual dining in downtown. Great view right on the waterfront with a skyline across from the channel. Menu is seasonal with farm to table New American style dishes. Basic food tastes are not ignored with a fantastic burger and chicken sandwich. Local Harbour Island hangout along with business types who migrate over from the corporate hotels.
(5)Rob G.
I raved this restaurant for years, but the changing of culinary masterminds occurred within the past year which left me with mixed feelings on the direction of Café Dufrain. New executive chef has modern fusion dishes that pairs well with their wine promotions, but some of the creations I grew to like which was more southern inspired was converted into his take of how he sees the dish to be made. I do appreciate the location of Café Dufrain for its scenic views of downtown Tampa. But for right now the food buzz is static to me at this establishment. On the plus side, I do like the they promotions they offer from their craft burger and beer Tuesdays $12 to the pasta creation of the week with a glass of paired wine $15 on Wednesdays. Club 707 which sends you periodic emails of special promotions and events. You also receive a free dinner for joining, a complimentary dinner midway and on your birthday and many other treats throughout the year. New executive chef has great flavors to his food, but its not what I envisioned Café Dufrain for several years. This review may be somewhat biased based on the fusion I knew compared to the fusion now. The bittersweet change does have an upside to what I used to know of this restaurant. Seminole Heights has a new gem coming to an area who thrive on local, organic and farm to plate. Rooster & The Till I am counting down of your grand opening date this summer.
(3)Kelli C.
The manager was unprofessional. She needs some additional training on customer service. We use to visit this restaurant monthly but will not go back!
(1)Bob B.
This is more of a 3.5 star rating but it's better than 3 so I'll round up to 4 because I've never had a bad time here. This rating is based on their new menu with the new chef at the helm. You can really see a shift to a Datz influence in the dishes. Instead of being old and stale dishes get a fresh reboot. On my last visit I ordered the Fried Chicken and Waffles with pancetta-smoked cheddar waffle, chili-honey and braised kale. A very nice twist on a classic. The chicken comes with the leg and thigh attached and a nice portion of breast is served as well. All pieces were very moist. They are not fried in the sense that they have a breading, it seems like they are baked and then finished in the fryer before getting a dunk in the chili honey. The kale was a perfect complement to the sweet and spicy chicken. They waffle was a little flimsy, but I think better than the waffle at Datz. I cleaned my plate, and it was a lot of food, so that is saying something. The Kale Caesar salad is what the wife ordered and I did have a few bites and enjoyed it. The bacon croutons were a bit overcooked. Kale salad is all the rage right now and instantly gives a menu some street cred, so this is a good addition since done right. Service is always good. Beer selection is good, but I wish they had a couple different offerings and switched it up a bit. Parking sucks as there are only a handful spots reserved for the restaurant all the rest are for the other stores in the little strip mall. This is about the only reason I hesitate going to Cafe Dufrain. Also I like that they have a little outdoor patio.
(4)Patrick K.
I do not understand the low ratings for Cafe Dufrain. This restaurant is directly across the channel from the St. Pete Times Forum on the Harbour Island side. The food is organic, local and fresh. They have delicious, well-priced cocktails - try the Truth or Consequences. And you can walk to the forum if you like. There is a $3 parking lot nearby or they will validate in a garage around the corner. I never understand why people won't just park here, eat a nice dinner with a view and walk to the forum for a concert/Lightning game. It makes for a great evening. Their menu is small so be sure to check it out online first to make sure there is something you like!
(5)Mike G.
After not eating there in 2-3 years I recently had two very enjoyable meals at Café Dufrain. Once with my wife and once with my wife and 4 year old son. Food was solid - even from the kids menu. There are not many options to eat by the water in South Tampa - this one should not be skipped.
(4)Cecilia F.
While I have been to this place before in my recent visit I experienced poor service. Over priced drinks. Several new menu options not available. Additionally one person in our party had to send 2 drinks back and the 3 rd had a foreign object in the glass. And it wasn't part of the cork. Hostess was just rude when we asked to sit in a different location. Funny thing was all smiles for a regular group who was standing behind me and proceeded to talk them before she finished with my party. We should've departed then but you think a place that was great before will get better but it got worse. I won't go back.
(1)Javier L.
Very nice service! Excellent selection of craft beers and the $15 corkage fee was a plus so that we enjoyed a wine from our private collection. We had the skirt steak (excellent) and the Salmon, which someone at the table commented was better than the one at Ocean Prime (both are very good). We will be back!
(5)Tia S.
Ok so I am sad to say that after years of knowing about this restaurant and passing it on several occasions, this was my first visit. I was starved and had a coupon which I had received in the email. The addition of the wi-fi availability made it worth the shot. I must say that I was not disappointed. The menu is small but varied. I will advise you that the dinner prices are a bit higher than a casual dining establishment which I consider this restaurant.( Entrees avg. $23-26). They have an extensive drink and wine menu for those seeking that. And lastly for the green folks out there this restaurant touts is support of local proprietors and use of sustainable ingredients. After much contemplation I ordered the scallops with pappardelle in a mushroom, tomato, goat cheese sauce. It was really good but the portion was not suitable for an entree to me. After eating every bite, I was still hungry! I thought it seemed a bit small for a $26 entree but my stomach agreed. So I learned a powerful lesson about dining at this place, DO NOT COME HUNGRY! (Or order an appetizer first!) But overall I am very likely to try this restaurant again .... on a pay day when I have eaten both a large breakfast and lunch.
(3)Jamie S.
5 stars because everything from the food to the service to the atmosphere and presentation is consistently spot on. I have never had a meal here that I didn't thoroughly enjoy. Everything is flavorful, fresh and spot on. Also, the portions are huge. It's like two meals for the price of one. The service is excellent. Not only do they make sure their customers are taken care of, the servers also have fantastic insight into the menu (because seriously, with so many awesome options, it's a really hard decision.) Tip: make a reservation. I've never tried to go without one but I would imagine given the proximity to the Forum, it's a pretty hefty wait. With the reservation(s), I've been seated immediately all three times I've gone there Cafe Dufrain is that local place I can count on not also because of the food but also because the atmosphere & ambiance is perfect.
(5)Marissa M.
Cafe Dufrain is a nice little hidden spot in downtown Tampa. It is one of the few restaurants that finds it's home on the river walk. I have only given Cafe Dufrain three stars today because I was disappointed in my experience compared to last time. To start, it took us over 20 minutes to get our drinks. To me this really isn't acceptable. I don't really think the waiters knew who had our table so they just ignored us for awhile. Once I got my wine I realized it definitely wasn't 5oz but didn't bother dealing with it any more. My biggest disappointment came with my meal. I was eager to get the mussels because they were so good the last time I visited. Unfortunately the mussels recipe, I craved, had changed. The new mussels were bland and really didn't bring much to the table. My boyfriend got the sliders which were good but not fantastic. Overall it was just an average experience.
(3)Sarah M.
I really want to like this place because it's cute, the menu looks appealing, and it's right across the street from where I live. Unfortunately, the two times I have visited have both been somewhat disappointing. On my first visit I had the fish tacos. They were a little spicy, nothing bad about the taste but nothing amazing either. They came with chips which I thought was a strange pairing for a taco. It was a small portion for the price of $13.50 and I was still hungry so I ate all the complimentary crackers on the table. The worst part of this first visit was that our waiter disappeared when it was time for us to get the check. We literally had to wait 30 minutes and ask 2 other people to wave him down before it came back. It is a really small restaurant too. Maybe sitting in the outdoor patio section makes you invisible. It is a lot quieter and more pleasant out there than in the main restaurant area though. The second time I returned to Cafe Dufrain...I had the same waiter. He was SUPER slow after the food came this time too. I don't know if he thinks once the food is delivered his job is done? Whatever the reasons, its frustrating. This time I had the Cobb Salad and a side of fries. The salad was really good. I liked that it had the grilled avocado and the pork "croutons" were really interesting and delicious. I would have liked for the portion to be a little larger so I could order this just as my meal. Again it was $9.75, but was the size of a side salad. The fries were decent...finally something that somes in larger than a bite size portion. When I say this, don't think I'm some all you can eat buffet enthusiast, I just have a decent appetite that I don't want to have to spend $75 to feed. Overall, the food at Cafe Dufrain is not bad. It is overpriced, small portions and the service isn't great. As much as I want to love it, I just can't.
(2)Jennifer G.
I was recently in Tampa for a convention and on the first night in town we walked to Cafe Dufrain from the Marriott. I was pleasantly surprised by the unique menu choices and the beautiful location of the restaurant. We had dinner here twice because we could not get enough. All in all I would recommend giving this place a try if you are in town looking for a nice place to unwind and grab a glass of red.
(5)Martic R.
BEST Yucca fries I have ever had and that's a lot to say. I love the laid back atmosphere and the drinks are pretty good. I tired the Rib sandwich recently and it was great, very tender and flavorful meat! Depending the day of the week you may need reservations.
(4)Cassie P.
Definitely convenient if you live on Harbour Island. I wouldn't make a special trip just to eat here, but when I'm visiting my friend on Harbour Island, we often walk down here to sit outside and enjoy a glass of wine and some appetizers. The menu is fairly limited....when we're just there for the atmosphere, I usually just get a side of the smoked cheddar grits. They are delicious. Lunch prices are more reasonable than dinner- but be warned they are not huge portions If you sign up for their email list, they do send out specials and coupons occasionally.
(3)