4. Restaurants

Ulele

1810 N Highland Ave, Tampa, FL, 33602
  • (813) 999-4952
  • Store is closed

Ulele Menu

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  • Shannon H.

    I was interested in going to Ulele, because it was one of the few places that had a lobster roll. I had also good things from my fellow yelpers. My boyfriend and I decided to go for lunch, because the prices are more reasonable. We went there on a week day, and it was surprisingly busy. Many of the patrons were on their lunch break, since they were dressed in business casual attire. We did have a bit of a long wait, and others seemed to be getting seated before us, even though they came in after us.They also take reservations, so quite a few tables were reserved. We ended up getting offered to sit at the oyster bar, or a long, community-type table near the bar. The decor was quite interesting, in a good way. The inside really capitalized on being in the water works area. The bathrooms had very cool door knobs, sinks, faucets, and even toilet paper holders! The dining area inside also had that rustic atmosphere. The kitchen is an open one, and you can see your meal being prepared. Another plus was the nice location, which had a view of the Hillsborough river. I had the lobster roll, of course, and my boyfriend had the apple cider pork sandwich. He really liked the sandwich. He usually puts a lot of sauce(s) on what he orders, but the pork was so juicy that he did not need to do that. I enjoyed my lobster roll, I just wish it had been bigger! We want to go back, and I definitely want to try some oysters next time.

    (4)

  • Miranda V.

    4.5 stars, and I'm always so liberal with stars! This place was great, the service, atmosphere and food so I suggest everyone go at least once. To be quite honest, I thought they would be a bit more pricey but between the two of us we only spent $75 on 2 appetizers, an entree, a half dozen oysters, 1 side, beer and dessert. I enjoyed everything except the dessert which wasn't terrible but entirely too too sweet! I'm a sweets person but you may want to forgo the candied duck bacon maple fried ice cream to experience something else. Also, my charbroiled oysters were to die for, but my first bite had a bit of shell (comes with the territory) which was pretty off putting but no issues after that.

    (4)

  • Cece C.

    Awesome restaurant! I finally made it here, on a weekend night. Understandably, the only reservations they had open were at 10pm, but we came early (really early, like 5pm) and got an unreserved outside table. The atmosphere is amazing. I love the country home meets art deco feel. The huge fish sculpture is something I want in the 5,000 square foot log cabin (off the grid of course) I plan to have one day. The service, great - from our server, to the hostess girls, everyone was very friendly and accomodating. I also liked the exposed ceilings and the open kitchen. Such great design. Food-wise I would say it was good. I wasn't blown away by everything, but it was certainly interesting. Charred oysters were tasty, but crab mac wasn't my style and kind of disappointing. The deconstructed seafood pot pie? Amazing! It was fun to guess what type of seafood was in my mouth. Boyfriend enjoyed the grouper as well. The honey beer was delicious. I would have liked to try the wedding beer but they were out. Wish they had mentioned that up front. Next time I'll do a craft cocktail. ...I'll also bring my dog! The outside tables are dog-friendly and I know she would love to come after an afternoon sniffing and doing her business in the park. Go here!

    (5)

  • Mare G.

    This place is such a cool space and their food was awesome. Really cool location and really pretty artwork throughout. Fried okra is a must and we had their charbroiled oysters. Service was super nice and the guava pie for desert was light and fluffy.

    (5)

  • Steve A.

    Ulele is quite a magical setting, notable more for its atmosphere than any particular style of food. Regardless of the characterization as Native American Char Cooking, whatever that is, there are few items on the menu that wouldn't be at home on the menu of any plain old American bar and grill. We liked everything we tried. My favorite was probably the closest to the theme, the grilled shishito peppers. They were perfectly charred and served on a bed of diced garlic. The cheddar popcorn wasn't apparent on the mashed potatoes, a huge mound of which propped up my excellent steak. It was described as a strip, but seemed more like a Delmonico. The wine list offers some excellent values, particularly on the higher end wines such as the Caymus Cab we shared. Service was extremely friendly, knowledgable and helpful. And the setting, overlooking the Riverwalk, can't be beat.

    (4)

  • Katy A.

    It's unfortunate that I found this place on my last day in Tampa because it was by far the best meal I had while visiting. The menu is original, local and really interesting. It's rare that I open a menu and everything jumps out at me. If I had more time, I would have planned a second meal here. I ordered the blistered peppers, octopus carpaccio and gator hush puppies to start. Appetizers were absolutely wonderful and plentiful. I couldn't get enough of the peppers, which were spicy, salty and garlicky with a deep roasted flavor. My main was the pork with apple sandwich which was good and would have been perfect in colder weather. Dessert was the guava pie, which was incredible. The restaurant is well decorated and a very large but comfortable space. The restaurant location on the Riverwalk was beautiful and made for a nice digestive stroll after my huge meal. Wait staff were all friendly and helpful. I'm definitely coming back next trip!

    (5)

  • Jon B.

    I don't like seafood, mushrooms, or food cooked with wine. Consequently, I couldn't find any entree that I wanted to order. I chose a few sides, including the mac and cheese despite the beer content. My sides were lukewarm. I didn't see any sandwiches on the dinner menu. I'm always disappointed when a restaurant is so heavily hyped, and I don't enjoy it. Perhaps I'm too simple for Ulele. I hope everyone else likes it. The historic building, and interior and exterior buildout is very cool. 1 star for the food, added a star for the architecture.

    (2)

  • Nadine F.

    4 stars for the atmosphere and creative culinary experience. The Atmosphere: This upscale restaurant is located at the recently restored Ulele Spring and on Hillsborough River. Despite the enormous population of invasive Bufo Toads at the spring (someone should do something about that)...it's a beautiful location and great place in Tampa to watch the sunset. The restaurant is in a Renovated building and has been transformed into a work of art. Although the dress code is technically casual, no one in the restaurant at dinner will be dressed casually. The Food: Florida inspired and the menu ranges from frog legs and craft beer to Filet and grilled oysters . My party of 9 had mixed reviews but my personal experience was a great one. The stars of this culinary show, were definitely the sides. We started with Okra fries and Jalapeño corn quick Bread as appetizers. The Okra fries tossed in lime and salt which complimented the okra flavor perfectly. Although I did enjoy them, I would have preferred them to be served hot and crispy but they came to the table cold and soggy.The Jalapeno corn quick bread was cornbread muffins with jalapeno. They were sweet and spicy. A great flavor combo that the entire table enjoyed. When ordering our entrees we discovered that all entrees come with the vegetable of the day and rice or potatoes. Despite the great list of "sides" those are all sold separately and not available for substitution. Since we were determined to try them , my husband and I ordered a few stand outs to share in addition to our meals. The Jalapeno grit cakes were amazing and not too spicy. The mashed potatoes were very creamy and had a lot of flavor. The vegetable of the day was sugar snap peas and they were cooked perfectly. The mac n cheese was good and had a hint of extra flavor with the added peppers (not mentioned on the menu) but it did not impress my nephews (8 and 10) who are mac and cheese experts. For my main course I tried the beer pan chicken. Half a chicken, tender and moist just like a rotisserie chicken but the skin did have a lot of flavor. My nephews also had this and both really enjoyed it. Actually, I ended up sharing my chicken with other members of my party who were disappointed in their selections. (Order chicken over the Duck). For Desert: the flour-less Chocolate torte. Very rich, you have to be a choco-holic to like it. I did like it, but I love rich chocolate. The portions are small and only enough for one person. So when you order desert expecting to share you will be a bit disappointed. They did however make it pretty with a candle for my birthday. The Service: Although the hostess was very courteous, I would recommend more training for the wait staff. He knew the menu well enough but was impatient and cold. Overall we had a great dining experience. I recommend coming only when you have time to spare. We had a reservation and was seated promptly but our dinner took 3 hours. The food was timed appropriately and we hardly noticed how slow the kitchen was but we would have been upset if we had additional plans for the night.

    (4)

  • Sandy C.

    My daughter and I had lunch here and we were shocked that it was a 1-2hr wait just for lunch! So we sat at the bar. The ambience was very nice and inviting. We tried the frog legs which were really good! The staff was amazingly friendly and even encouraged my child to try new foods and gave her some scallops and oysters. Of course we ended our meal with the fried ice cream!! The ice cream was very rich and creamy. The potatoe waffle was a bit hard and chewy. It would be nicer to have a crunchy one instead. Either way, would order again!

    (5)

  • Brett N.

    Why 5 stars? Because lunch is just as awesome as dinner. --- --- --- I have been to Ulele three times now - once for dinner and twice for lunch. All 3 times were really great experiences, but I think I liked lunch even better just because of the surrounding views in the daylight. I will say this - there is no better place in Tampa to have to wait for a table than Ulele. You just take a stroll down to Waterworks Park and sit on a bench overlooking the Hillsborough River. Ulele texts you when your table is ready, which is so much more convenient than having to worry about a buzzer that might not be in range 100 yards or so away at the park. I also happened to visit Ulele twice for lunch during a streak of about 3 consecutive weeks of perfect weather. Sunshine with temperatures in the 70's and a nice breeze. Ahhhhh... I love living here. But there's just no nicer place to sit either outside, or inside with the "barn doors" open than Ulele. I am in love with the look of the place, and everything that they did on the grounds and with the park. It's just perfection. But in terms of the food - I ordered the lobster roll and the Ulele burger. Both are really great choices, and I would recommend letting your hunger level dictate your choice between the two. The lobster roll is not a ton of food, so don't order that if you're starving. The burger is absolutely delicious, as are the fries. As much as the burger is more filling than the lobster roll, it's not the kind of burger and fries that make you want to roll over into a coma afterward. I'm no food scientist, so I don't know exactly what it is in a burger and fries that make you feel like your energy is zapped afterward, but all I can tell you is that it didn't happen here. So to summarize - Everything looks great. Everything tastes great. And afterward, you feel great. Ulele = *insert thumbs up emoji here*

    (5)

  • EJ P.

    I waited a very long time to experience this so-called destination restaurant, so that it would work out all the kinks before I tried it. I'm not sure whether the restaurant has declined since opening, or whether it was a mediocre restaurant to start with. But you know things are going to go not so well when it takes 15-20 minutes for the waiter to show up to your table to take your order, bring drinks, bring appetizers, bring the entrees etc. Also for the love of god, this is America, where we love ice in our drinks. Why would they ever think of serving room temperature water? We got little cups of room temperature water, sort of like what you get at the hospital. Bizarre. About the food, there is absolutely nothing spectacular about this food that will make you want to come back to have it again. The lobster roll was under-seasoned and had salsa on top (WTF???), the flank steak was so chewy I could hardly eat it, the mashed potatoes with popcorn were gluey, the fried calamari was soaked in grease, the mac and cheese was just OK. No surprise, it's just another mediocre Tampa restaurant that has been extremely over-hyped.

    (2)

  • Eric S.

    I would love to give them 5 starts for the excellent food, staff, feel of restaurant and other little things. I celebrated my birthday evening there and they gave me the best small gesture I've ever received in a restaurant "a happy birthday card sign by the staff"

    (5)

  • Anousha H.

    Much anticipated dinner finally happened & I am sad to say I was not blown away. I would give the experience a 3.5 overall. Drinks & appetizers:5 - food:2. Upon arrival of all our party members we were seated. The restaurant itself is beautiful, decorated with a modern twist. Absolutely loved the giant windows opening toward the water. I especially liked the holiday decorations, adding a nice touch during the holiday season. The cocktails looked wonderful so decided on ring of fire that is a little sweet with a hint of warmth. It was delicious. The appetizers looked amazing & we ordered almost all: lobster cake, alligator hush puppies, fried okra, blistered peppers. All were delicious, flavorful & we were so impressed at that point. I highly recommend their appetizers! I decided on the grouper & side of veggies & the Lima collard. The grouper was NOT tasty. It was too dry & the flavor was off. The rice it was served with was cold. The Lima collard & veggies were great additions & I ended up eating my sides for dinner. I tried my girlfriend's beer pan chicken & it needed more flavoring. Although it said it was marinated in citrus herbs. It was a let down too. The main dishes were not at all what I had expected from Ūlëlē. I was disappointed by the main dishes. I would try them out for lunch & update this review later (maybe that will be a better experiences) At this point I wasn't sure if I wanted to try dessert after the main dish being a let down but I wanted the full Ūlëlē experience so went for the Flour less torte. It was delicious! I'm glad we finished dinner on a sweeter note.

    (3)

  • Noelle L.

    We had a solid 3 star lunch at Ulele. The highlight was most definitely the chargrilled oysters. They were outstanding! The Ulele burger was the best option out of the sandwiches were chose. There was a punch of flavor that the other entrees lacked. The jalapeno cheddar grit cake was really good. Now for the "just okay" list: The smoked brisket sandwich was good, but there was nothing notable about it. The apple cider pork sandwich was good, but again, nothing "knock your socks off" about it. The chili was good, but again, nothing spectacular. The beers were sampled were: Wedding Beer, Rusty Red, and the Pale Ale. All were refreshing. Will we return? Yes. We'd like to try some of the other offerings Ulele has to see if maybe we just didn't order the right things. The ambiance is great; we just wished the food matched the ambiance. We will definitely order the chargrilled oysters again!!!

    (3)

  • Emily D.

    I came here in April for the first time. This was one of the best restaurant experiences I've ever had, anywhere! Our server Tiffany put such a positive personal touch on everything. Friendly and attentive, she even gave my family and I a tour of the restaurant and its brewery. She was so knowledgeable about the history of the grounds and the decorative artwork. I have never had a server show so much interest in their job, nor have I ever had a server be so personable. Tiffany made our experience that much more memorable and we plan on coming back when we're in town again. The food was also spectacular. I had the octopus carpaccio for an appetizer and it did not disappoint. Right down to the hot Asian pepper garnish, the flavors were on point. For an entree, I had the snapper. It was served over truffled spinach which was to die for! Ulele is solid all around. From the out-of-this-world service to a great and fresh menu, I highly recommend stopping here if you haven't already!

    (5)

  • Teri W.

    Established fall 2014 in a former waterworks facility in Tampa Heights, Ulele is a lovely & much appreciated addition to the Tampa Bay. Items like Charbroiled oysters, meatloaf, & grouper sandwiches-truly a variety for any group of customers. We came on a Sat morning with reservations (recommended as it does get busy) & were seated upstairs. Decor is rustic but contemporary, & open kitchen gives an entertaining view. Service was prompt & we tried a seasonal home brew lager infused with berries. Yumm. We ordered the charbroiled oysters which were fabulous. My meatloaf was served on mashed potatoes & only two stems of asparagus. Other guests ordered sirloin & didn't seem too impressed but had no serious complaints either. My husband had the grouper sandwich & enjoyed the homemade ketchup & tartar sauce. Location is great for families & business gatherings-close to downtown & will surely be a spot I bring friends from out of town.

    (4)

  • Rachel M.

    I'm actually dreaming of this place already. I was just there a few hours ago. Last week, they started their lunch menu. Immediately, I knew I wanted to go as soon as possible w it being a new offered menu, & it being a more compatible price point for me. I made a reservation of 10 people right away which was a breeze. I left a voice mail and Ulele called me back. Initally I wanted the tables outside (they are dog friendly), but it got cooler out. I called later in the week to change it with ease. Getting checked in and seated was easy. Even though half of the table was not there yet, it was not a problem. I specially requested an area that was not as loud and had a great view. I got just that. They even made it a point for us to sit next to the Tampa Mayor Buckhorn which was nice. Our server Jorge was on point in all ways. He knew how to make good insightful suggestions of plates, describe them to us. He made sure we had everything we needed and more. He made sure we were comfortable w the temperature since the side doors were open. He was even making sure our pictures he took of us were perfect. Our food was awesome. We ordered some plates to share and entrees to eat on our own. We had charbroiled oysters, chicken lollipops, okra, peppers, jalapeño corn bread. For plates we ordered lobster rolls, gouda grouper, top sirloin, chili, crab mac and cheese. Everything was amazing. We also tried a combo of asparagus and green beans. Asparagus were better, so Jorge gave us more. I tried a pretty grapefruit grenadine alcoholic drink, & it was good, but a bit strong for me. Others had their local beers. We did have dessert. Their guava pie w a side of toasted coconut ice cream was out of this world. All in all, the A+ service and food, amazing atmosphere, & great company make this restaurant an amazing new Tampa icon. I look forward to coming here again in the future. I would definitely without a doubt recommend this restaurant to anyone.

    (5)

  • Ben T.

    Had lunch at Ulele today. It was an awesome experience. Or server was awesome and she was great to ask what was some of the best dishes. Everything she suggested was well worth the advice. The presentation of each plate was beautiful. It is on the upper end of most peoples budget. But in fairness the food is top notice. The art is great. You will need reservations and make them fast for the fill up fast. The wine cellar it the neatest and a great view of the Hillsborough River. This is a must for great dinning. The meatloaf was awesome and the mac & Chess and the cooked oysters where great, Wines are all domestic and local grown. Then dessert I had the Fortune Taylor's Guava Pie was huge and to die for. The homemade Ulele Ice Cream toasted coconut was awesome and when it melted in you mouth was pure heaven. I would go again in a minute.

    (5)

  • Nick G.

    Get the "Chief Red Eagle" Duck and don't look back. Enough said. Also, they're really stepping up their beer game. Had a pint of a season beer that was aged 60 days in a bourbon barrel that was unreal delicious. Eat here. Then eat here again. Then come thank me and go eat here again.

    (4)

  • Ashley S.

    Delicious! I was in town for business and heard about Ulele. Wow, I am so happy I went for lunch. The food is ultra fresh and impeccably prepared. I sat at the oyster bar, so I could see into the open kitchen. I saw they were grilling grapefruit, and as I'm on a grapefruit kick, asked the waitress about the dish that incorporates grilled grapefruit. She told me about the Yellowfin Tuna with a pumpkin seed crust, which is on the dinner menu. I went ahead and ordered it, and it was perfect. Savory, with a hint of sweetness thanks to the ginger-soy reduction. Besides the food, the service is on point - friendly and welcoming. I can't say enough about this restaurant and the uniqueness it offers. I recommend this place to anyone visiting the area. Sheesh... I asked the executive chef to open a restaurant in South Florida just so I can enjoy it more often!

    (5)

  • Ross M.

    So after hearing amazing things about this place from people far and wide ranging from my fiancee's grandmother's senior foodie friends to all the amazing yelpers and even newspaper and online articles; I knew this place would be awesome. I made reservations two weeks ahead of time for Sunday at 2:30. My parents were in town and this would be our last meal before they flew back to frozen Detroit. We arrived at 2:30 and there was a 10 or 15 minute wait for people who had not made reservation. Our party of five was seated at a large booth not too far from the kitchen grill area. The decor and ambiance was out of this world. The attention to detail is spectacular and you are awed by that unique creative interior and clever use of old waterworks and pumping station remnants. The lunch menu is surprisingly affordable and plentiful I found it difficult to make decisions on what I wanted to eat. The awesomeness of the experience at Ulele had me feeling adventurous so I decided to go with sliced octopus as an appetizer. It was phenomenal and the peppers were very spicy so they may not be for everyone, but you can easily eat around them, as my fiancee did (leaving me extra). It was a bit rubbery, but I loved every minute of it. I will definitely eat it again. For the main course I got the Lucanica Salchica, aspicy sausage sandwich; it was wonderful but quite messy. It was not too spicy and it was very filling. As a side I stuck with the fries. They were nothing to write home about they were not bad and i enjoyed them with lots of salt and pepper (otherwise they might have been a little bland). Both my fiancé and her grandmother went with the lobster roll; both cleaned their plates and stated they were very pleased with their selection My dad went with the meatloaf and my mom went with the Apple Cider Pork. My dad loves his meat loaf and my mom loved her sandwich. She gave me the last little bit and I exclaimed "PORK CHOPS AND APPLE SAUCE SANDWICH!" It was truly amazing and I would highly recommend it. For drinks, I beleive my dad went with the Waterworks Sunset. It has a huge slice a grape fruit inside. He was pleased. The rest of us went with beer. The Magbee's Honey Lager was wonderful. I really really really liked the Wedding Beer it reminded me slightly of Abita Purple Haze which is one of our household favorites. I also went with the Rusty Red and the Waterworks IPA; both were fantastic. My fiancee's grandmother also went with the Waterworks IPA. She liked it a lot and found the hops kick enjoyable (I'm not sure if she's ever had an IPA before). Even the bathrooms incorporate themes of gears and pumps and pumping station remnants. The locks in the bathroom on the stall doors were very nifty. They used pipes for the toilet paper! Everything was new and fun and creative and awesome. Ulele really is a home run and to quote from our great community manager, Brett N., Ulele is truly a Future Tampa Institute. As we strolled around the river front in the sun saying goodbye to my parents and watching boats zoom by on a Sunday afternoon, the amazing experience of Ulele helped comfort the sadness of parting ways with family for a couple of months. I cannot wait to go back!

    (5)

  • Melissa M.

    Awesome from top to bottom. The venue itself is gorgeous. Brick and repurposed wood, floor to ceiling windowed walls that open to a view if the water - glass, concrete and metal finishings - super cool. The wait was LONG for a Wednesday. Make reservations. Or, grab a fancy cocktail and catch the sunset. We did that and it was perfect. I'm not a seafood person so I ordered the flank steak. They gave me a knife... not sure why as I was able to cut it with my fork. :) cooked perfectly and very flavorful. My friend had meatloaf and it was to die for. I will order that next time. We also tried okra fries (awesome) chicken lollies (flavorful and delish) as well as the maple duck bacon and key lime IceCream desserts. The bill was well under $100 which seemed like a steal for the service, awesome food and spiffy restaurant. A must try restaurant!

    (5)

  • Katy S.

    If I had to use one word to describe Ulele, it would be unique. After the Yelp event the other night, myself and some other Yelpsters decided to stick around and have dinner at Ulele. Being that I wasn't starving, I decided to stick with Rose' wine and side dishes. I had the Native Florida Chili and the Mac n' Cheese. Others at my table had a variety fo dishes ranging from Steak and Scallops to a vegetarian squash dish. Every single one of us raved about our food and the service was extremely attentive. Most at my table got dessert and said very good things about the various dessert dishes. The atmosphere is very nice and unlike any other restaurant I have been to recently. This is a GREAT addition to the Tampa food scene and I would love to come back for a date night or a Sunday brunch!

    (5)

  • Steve E.

    10 years ago today the very first Yelp review was posted to the site by a guy in San Francisco, and so it seems appropriate that I picked today to post my 1000th Yelp review. I can think of no finer place to spotlight with this milestone review than a restaurant which exemplifies the very best of Tampa's food, drink, architecture, history, and customer service -- and so, Review #1000 goes to... Ulele. For those who don't know, Ulele Restaurant is named after Princess Ulele, the young daughter of the chief of the west Florida Tocobaga Indian tribe. In a story that seems eerily familiar, Princess Ulele threw herself over the Spanish explorer, Juan Ortiz, moments before he was about to be roasted alive. The Pocahontas - John Smith legend happened 80 years later. Hmmmmmm... A group of local Yelpers gathered at Ulele about a week ago to enjoy a spectacular meal, and to say Bon Voyage to one of our favorite friends. Eric C has taken a two-year internship in Providence, Rhode Island and so we wanted to send him out in style. With a bit of cunning and deception, we all gathered at the bar at Ulele ahead of time before Eric & Robbie's arrival. The plan was to surprise them, and then all enjoy a wonderful dinner. The restaurant is located in a refurbished two-story warehouse along the Hillsborough River just north of the Performing Arts Center and Waterworks Park. The weathered brick exterior combined with the modern metal works sculptures is the perfect juxtaposition for this fine dining establishment. Something old - something new - and something WOW! Through the front doors and to your right is the open-air grill and a beautiful bar area displaying colorful bottles and Ulele's house-brewed beers on tap. Keep an eye on the walls for some gorgeous modern artwork and stained glass windows. While we were waiting for Robbie & Eric to arrive, Head Brewmaster Tim Shackton gave us a tour of the on-site microbrewery, and shared some secrets with us about the delicious Adult beverages that are produced back in his brew palace. Order the Wedding Beer!!! The hostess snuck our group through the back patio and in through the open doors that face the Hillsborough River. Our group hid our faces behind our menus until Eric rounded the corner, and then it was time to yell "SURPRISE!" and have some fun. Amid all of the laughter we ordered some very fabulous dishes off their unique menu. The food is an interesting mix of locally-sourced ingredients with Gulf Coast seafood, fresh-from-Florida Beef, fowl, pork, and vegetarian options. I started with a dozen charbroiled oysters and a dash of their homemade hot sauce, and shared my oysters with several people. Others ordered crab mac & cheese, pulpo carpaccio (shaved octopus in a spicy piri piri sauce), okra fries, Florida native chili (alligator, wild boar, vension, and duck), and a wide variety of house special salads. I added the half-sized Ulele salad, which was mixed greens, arugula, and watercress with baby Swiss, cranberry beans, fire-roasted peppers, onions, and a warm balsamic vinaigrette. Excellent choice as a light precursor to a delicious dinner! For my entrée I selected one of the specials for the evening which was a dry-aged, 14-ounce NY strip steak topped with sautéed shrimp, and served over Ulele's white cheddar mashed potatoes topped with popcorn & roasted garlic. That came with a side of perfectly cooked string beans. (I confess that half of my dinner came home with me for the next night). I should pause here to give credit to our servers Sydney and Rodney. Both were extremely knowledgeable about the menu and the food preparation, and they did a fabulous job keeping up with everyone's drink orders and special requests. They remembered what each of us had ordered and helped make some very useful suggestions about pairing entrees with appetizers and so on. Two thumbs up for you guys! By now we had bestowed our gag gifts upon Eric including a palm tree tiara, palm tree table centerpiece, woolen hat and scarf, and a tastefully tacky Hawaiian shirt. (Be sure to check out the photos.) It was finally time for dessert, and wow the choices were fantastic. I ordered a basic dish of their homemade very berry ice cream which arrived at the table as two scoops served inside of a hollowed-out coconut shell. Very whimsical and extremely tasty. Our surprise dinner for Eric was a huge success, and the folks at Ulele treated us to some incredibly delicious food and home-brewed beers, and then dazzled us with their creative architecture and spot-on customer service. Thank you to Ulele for an amazing evening, and thank you for giving me the perfect spot to honor with my 1000th Yelp review!

    (5)

  • Chris C.

    This place was amazing! Grilled oysters unreal, grouper sandwich awsome, ulele burger so juicy and tasty...our waitress , Danielle, is someone you need to ask for...great person and great service...highly recommend this place..oh yeah...they brew their own beers...water works ale and ulele light!!!!

    (5)

  • Jason C.

    I've been here for dinner in the past but had not yet come for happy hour. The restaurant was super accommodating for our group. Our server, Javier, was super friendly and helped make sure we had a good time. I tried the squash gratin. It was a great light snack with my beer. I also tried the duck bacon fried ice cream. It had a great maple flavor. The crust was kind of soggy, and I couldn't really taste the duck bacon. I think their regular ice cream is better. Overall, it was a fun, vibrant place for a Sunday happy hour.

    (4)

  • Nildalia C.

    Wanted to try one of the top ten restaurants in the Tampa Bay Area. As an app, I ordered the alligator hush puppies. The sauce was good though not too much of the gator taste. The hush puppy batter was probably the best I've ever had. As an entree, i ordered the meatloaf and must say was a bit disappointed. The overall presentation of the meal was beautiful but the meatloaf lacked in originality. I felt that it was just a lump of meat that someone quickly put on the grill. By the time it got to the table, it was cold. The atmosphere of this restaurant is truly amazing....just wish I felt the same about what I ordered.

    (3)

  • Michelle M.

    The historic, century-old Water Works Building in Seminole Heights has been transformed into the urban and hip restaurant, Ulele, that offers Floridian and Native American inspired dishes. Modern décor is showcased through the interior and exterior of Ulele. An intricate cogs-and-wheels front door made by Dominique Martinez of Rustic Steel Creations greets diners at the entrance of the brick building. Inside you'll find furniture made from reclaimed Florida wood, an open 10-foot barbacoa kitchen, a glass wine cellar, and an on-site brewery. My husband and I booked a 7pm reservation on OpenTable for Ulele on October 18th. Our table wasn't quite ready for us at our requested time so we took the opportunity to explore the riverwalk and park. Once our table was ready we were led upstairs on the floating staircase and were treated to tranquil waterfront views of the Hillsborough River. The liquor menu included handcrafted beers from Ulele's brewery, signature cocktails, and domestic wines from family-owned vineyards. The wines range from affordable bottles under $30 to more impressive wines, such as the Opus One at a bank breaking price tag of $188. We opted for a Bordeaux Red Blend, "Baby Blue" from Blue Rock Vineyard in Sonoma, Alexander Valley. The wine was a very unique blend and I would definitely order it again. We started off our meal with the Ulele side salad with mixed greens, arugula, watercress, baby Swiss cheese, cranberry beans, fire-roasted peppers, onions, and a balsamic vinaigrette and the Florida Native Chili with alligator, wild boar, venison, duck, ground chuck, and cranberry beans. The salad was light and refreshing, but my husband's chili was too hearty and he was practically full before our meals arrived. For our entrees I ordered the Seafood Risotto special of the evening. This dish contained generous portions of lobster tails, crab claws, scallops and shrimp. My husband ordered the Flank Steak with a Florida avocado "Jimmychurri". This dish sounded great on the menu, but we both agreed it fell a bit flat. The steak was too chewy and the Jimmychurri sauce was bland. We also didn't understand why popcorn was on top of the mashed potatoes. It didn't add any flavor or texture to the potatoes. Unfortunately we didn't save room for dessert, but the Candied Duck Bacon Maple Fried Ice Cream sounded amazing!

    (4)

  • Diane H.

    Had a group of 5 for dinner. Reservation was on point, service was spot on. The okra fries and the spinach under the snapper was WAY too salty ( for anyone at the table). The seafood deconstructed pot pie was SO good!! The oysters are always a hit. Except for the minor issue with salt on the one appetizer ( fixed immediately by our waiter) and the spinach, everything else was perfect! We will go back often! Unless you find a rare street parking spot, you must use complimentary valet. On busy nights, be prepared to wait in line for valet.

    (4)

  • Lisa P.

    First time here and I was really impressed! From the unique design of the building and decor, to the great open dining area with windows and doors that open out to the waterfront and patio tables, to the very cool bar area, I knew I was hooked. Then came the menu. Awesome selection and my group tried many of the appetizers and entrees as we could, all of which were perfect. Jorge was our server and if you go ask for him. Outstanding service and a great disposition. Made the experience of dining here that much more enjoyable! Can't wait to go back!

    (5)

  • Karen F.

    Ulele is one of those restaurants that you think there is no way it can live up to all the hype, and then you go, and it surpasses all your expectations! I couldn't picture where this was even located, so when I pulled up I was pleasantly surprised at its location next to a park, near the water, with plenty of room to have tables outside. Valet parking is offered, plus there is free street parking. The building both outside and in is fabulous. Made of brick, fitted with industrial-style pipe accessories and cool lighting, they have interesting sculptures scattered everywhere, and unique artwork lining the walls. TIP 1 - there are at least 2 Picasso signed/numbered prints - find 'em! I also heard rumor of a Dali, but didn't get to see it. At the small but efficient bar, I had one of their specialty cocktails - the Native Summer, a light refreshing Nolet's gin drink which was delicious. TIP 2 - the unique pictures next to the bar represent their signature drinks - see if you can figure out which is which. We were lucky enough to get a behind the scenes tour of the brewery with the charming brewmaster, and you could just tell how passionate he was about this aspect of the restaurant. There is even a beer garden courtyard area which would be great for hanging out. Now, on to the food - it was so fun going with a huge group of people, and the passing of plates and sharing of food was a constant. I was so pleased to taste so many different things. My personal favorites - okra fries, roasted beet and poached pear salad with goat cheese, charbroiled oysters, Florida Native chili, and the special berry ice cream. Other items I enjoyed getting to try but wouldn't necessarily order (again): white Lima beans and collards (too garlicky), corn beer quick bread (not enough flavor), the chocolate torte (too intense), and my dessert - the Guava Pie. The pie sounded awesome, but it just had a very odd flavor that even the guava reduction on the side couldn't save. Everybody we met working in the restaurant was welcoming and engaging. Our two servers were spot on - friendly, efficient, and knowledgeable - although they need to recognize that when people ask for entree recommendations, they shouldn't list every item! So happy to have a place like this in town! Uh..la.la...

    (5)

  • Debborah C.

    Meatloaf was awful. Sent it back. Pork chop looked good but little flavor. The kale with lima beans was bitter. Won't be back. Waitress wasn't very good either. Calamari wasn't very impressive. Over all the cost wasn't worth it.

    (1)

  • Abby C.

    Went with two friends and we had gulf coast half shell oysters, yellowfin tuna, juan's snapper, wild river rice, spinach, white cheddar popcorn mashed potatoes, squash gratin and three different desserts (coffee ice cream, chocolate ice cream and mango strawberry sorbet). All was incredibly flavorful. Our waiter, Peter, was very well informed about the menu choices and was warm and friendly, too. Will look forward to coming back next time I am in Tampa.

    (5)

  • Melissa H.

    This place has great ambiance . The bar and the decor are very cool. Good drinks, great staff, great food . Definitely a place worth visiting again :)

    (4)

  • Beth D.

    This place has an awesome atmosphere and great healthy food choices! The lunch salad entrees are a very generous portion size. We sat by the oyster shucking counter since they said it would be a 30 minute wait for a table...even though we saw lots of open tables. The service was very good and the food came out quickly.

    (4)

  • Sara S.

    Updated: Service was unbelievably better last time. It makes a huge difference! Well, a difference in stars at least. :) Wow, what a restaurant. Everything was perfect! ... Except for when our server forgot about us for half an hour. Good thing the food and atmosphere are one of a kind in Tampa. The location could not be any more beautiful, convenient, serene. Waterview, bridge walkways, sunset, grassy knolls, water park, playground, street and valet parking... It all makes for a great first impression. Then you see the industrial brick building with grand metal sculptures of gears and double doors welcoming you into a bustling, high energy restaurant. Host staff is welcoming and pleasant. There's the bar to the right, an open kitchen and cocktail tables as well. Seating is all around the building, inside to the left and upstairs. I'm looking forward to dining outside when it gets cooler. The menu is interesting and as tasty as all the other reviewers have described in detail. The charbroiled oysters really stood out as did the okra fries. The crab mac and cheese was not as expected. There are some things that should not go together and I think crab and mac and cheese are one of them. The cheese overpowers the crab, but there's still a hint of crab flavor leaving an ocean aftertaste. Maybe my brain couldn't register the pairing of flavors. Others seem to like it. What really spoiled the oh so perfect evening was the service. We were neglected after our server was sat a party of six next to us. She forgot about our appetizers. Someone else brought them out along with our entrées by another food runner at the same time, half hour after we ordered. She apologized to us, thanked the runners, and didn't come back again till we were ready for our check. We had no room on our table for all of the entrées and the appetizers. We had to move food onto plates to fit everything. It was a mess. I put some of the blame on management. They should know better than to staff a Friday night with inexperienced servers. She was even struggling with a wine bottle for the table of six. Manager looked sharp in his suit, though I'm not sure what he was doing walking around not noticing a struggling server or our table sitting without food for so long. This is a special restaurant and I'm grateful it's here and hope they work out some kinks. My glass also had sharp shards from a chipped edge. The kitchen prepares some awesome and unique dishes and their cocktail menu is fun, so we'll give it another try.

    (4)

  • Jordan B.

    I honestly cannot say enough good things about this place. Skewing my traditional review style, I will just post a portion of the letter I wrote them after my trip. Yeah, it was THAT good. "To the Partners, Managers, Chefs, and Staff of Ulele, Thank you for a superbly FLAWLESS meal Friday night. Every single detail was flawless, from the moment we walked in and were greeted by the hostesses, to our phenomenal waitress Janelle who served us from the fresh oyster bar, to the literally jaw-dropping and mouthwatering masterpieces created by Chef Eric Lackey and his team. In recent memory, I cannot recall a more perfect experience - and that is a word I VERY rarely use to describe a dining experience. Usually, there is always SOME small thing a restaurant can do better, can improve upon, can finesse. Not this time. Not at Ulele last Friday night. Janelle, in addition to having great recommendations (and convincing me to try the steak special when I was initially set on fish - a rock star choice), provided us with superb service and even took us on a brief tour of the brewery after our meal. As a huge craft beer geek, this was the sweet potato crisp on top of the fried ice cream - which, by the way, was easily the BEST dessert I've EVER had. I'm still thinking about it. To top is off, I was extremely honored with the presence of Chef Eric who came out to say hello (I think Janelle tipped him off that we were fawning over the food) and accept my gratitude, of which he and his team were very deserving. That said, please extend my thanks to every member of your team for an extremely memorable night and a meal which my date described as "the best dinner I've ever had". I myself am hard pressed to disagree; it was certainly among the most fantastic." I'll finish out by saying...GO! Everything about this place is a damn gem, from the beautiful riverside property and expansive outdoor patio, to the onsite brewery rooftop dining area, to the service and every single detail of the cuisine. The worst thing about Ulele is that I don't live right next to it. Actually, that might be a good thing, otherwise I'd probably never go anywhere else.

    (5)

  • Boon C.

    The location of the restaurant as part of the city water park make the unique setting. The backdrop sunset can be better to tell the story of restaurant. We arrive at the restaurant at Sunday night 5:50 pm and the wait line is already require 50 minutes of wait. We decide to sit at the oyster bar and have our dinner. The menu is interesting. To start we have the pulpo carpaccio - shave octopus with spicy source. While we were sitting there, there are worker open the oyster. After we have finish the octopus while waiting for the entree, we decided to order the oyster. I ask the worker can we select the oyster for the charbroil. They allow me to select. I have select the bigger and nicer oyster and the send to the kitchen to cook. The oyster is definitely the best dish of the appetizer. For the entree we have order the Florida Pompano and the Chief red Eagle Duck. The duck is ok and they try to imitate the French cuisine Duck O' lean. The pompano is tasty however the fish is not salty enough. I believe they can be better. For our entree we have wait for 30 minutes after the appetizer was finish. The time to wait is too long. Our fellow elite yelp member is overrated this restaurant. The price range is expensive but the food is mediocre. The only dish that impress me is the charbroil oyster. If you notice, half of the entree menu items are open grill cooking not stir fry or pan sear. This tell you the skill of the chef and their capability.

    (3)

  • Melinda O.

    I really liked it but the menu is a bit adventurous for me.

    (3)

  • Mary J.

    Ulele is a revelation and a celebration of Tampa's waterfront and the wonderful foods that define Florida. The building was transformed from a former water pumping station that was idle and forlorn. The bones remain and the interior has been impressively refined and designed. The natural light from the many windows and the folding glass doors allow Ulele to merge with its waterside setting, not simply overlook it. There is so much to look at and take in thanks to the abundance of wonderful art that has been displayed and the many commissioned pieces that range from the front door adornment of colorful gears to the metal chain wine rack installed beneath the stairs. The menu is a dazzling line up of dishes that seem familiar but have been creatively redefined using fresh ingredients. Each item I've sampled has been perfectly prepared so that no single flavor comes on too strong but blends beautifully into a composed dish. This is a destination dining spot that already has me planning to return at sunset to enjoy one of its delicious signature cocktails, come back with out-of-town guests who want to experience one of Tampa's best restaurants and any time for any excuse that I can steal away to this picture perfect spot for a pitch perfect meal.

    (5)

  • Sean F.

    I would leave 4 1/2 stars if I could. Great atmosphere and great food. Small simple menu. I recommend going their for lunch over dinner but no mater what you will have to wait. The burger is amazing.

    (5)

  • Dustin S.

    Ulele is perhaps one of the more put together restaurants in Tampa. They are consistent, staff is attentive, the build-out is fantastic, and my wife and I have never eaten anything there that wasn't above average....including one of the best filets either one of us has ever had. The place also has really fun drinks, my favorites are the "Native Summer" and the "Ring of Fire". It's a tough place to get a table because it is still very popular but I would highly recommend making it a priority.

    (5)

  • Chamo Q.

    Well, This is The typical trendy wanna be 5 stars restaurant. Food is not that bad but it's not that great, drinks are average, decor is a forced new edgy kind of place meets old restaurant style, not impressed!! We arrived with no reservation (even though we called 1 hour previous arrival to confirm they were opened, we were not advised by woman in phone to make reservation) we got there at 2 pm and it was a line out the door. The Lady greet us and immediately said: the wait is 1 hour. I responded it was ok, she put my name on list and took my number. We sat for about 30 minutes, (btw, I sat in this wooden bench that had a nail or something sharp that almost ripped my pants), anyway, we noticed that it was a table empty for about 20 min and they were not sitting guests there, we asked why they have people waiting if they have open tables? They said that table was by the window and the sun would bother the guests if they were seated there, we couldn't see that as possible because the table had more shade than sun, in any case I walked around the restaurant and counted 8 empty tables and 3 buzzes ready for guests and tones on people waiting to be seated (included my party). Finally 10 min later (I would say 40 min wait) they sat us in the sunny table (like a punishment) which didn't bother us because still had more shade than sun. (I felt like they were holding people out to pretend to be super busy and super hot so people would THInk They are so hot that the wait to eat is 1 hour!! Now the story with our meal continues: We ordered the fried Okra (it was ok) and corn bread (very good) that came out in about 10 min after seating. Our entrees, We ordered Gouda grouper and we got 2 more appetizers as entrees 1 lobster and 1 fried calamari. After waiting for over 25 min our server checked on us and apologized and said our food will be out in 30 seconds (his words), 10 min later the manager (a man in a suit) came and said our food is coming out in few mins, at that point we had been there seating 30 min for our entrees!!! Manager expedite the order and 5 min later we finally got all... 35 minutes for our food and half of then restaurant was empty! Calamari was saggy, salsa was terrible Lobster was really good, great portion Grouper absolutely amazing !! The best part.. Because of their delay and such a bad service to us since our arrival they entire meal was free of charge. The server felt very bad for the confusion and apologized many times, very sweet guy, manager very gentile and thoughtful !! I will totally be back and I know in future we should make reservation before hand and I know what to order and I will not come during any holiday but a week day to see if service is not as mediocre.

    (2)

  • Zulekha F.

    This restaurant has great decor and it's in a great location. Nevertheless, I wasn't too impressed with the food I ordered. My appetizer and main course was surprisingly not hot enough. My fries were cold. The customer service was decent and the servers provided great suggestions.

    (3)

  • Patty H.

    Visiting Tampa, Florida from Austin, Texas, where food is an experience. I read the reviews for Ulele and made a reservation to try it with 3 other people. Despite making a reservation for 7:15pm, we still had to wait for a table for 45 minutes, which found a bit odd since usually reservations are seated fairly quickly at most restaurants. There were no apologies for the delay, but a friendly welcome. Once seated, service was good and the server seemed knowledgeable and provided good insight on why some dishes were her favorites versus others that were "popular". We ordered the fried okra as an appetizer, which was tasty and well seasoned. For entrees, we ordered the file mignon, the snapper special with scallops and shrimp, and oysters. The food was good, but the recipes did not wow us. The steak was tender and well seasoned, but equally tender and well seasoned as any decent, equally priced steakhouse or seafood restaurant offers anywhere else. The fish was fine, but was a bit dry and there was not enough sauce to help the fish out. The oysters were good, but you better like garlic and cheese if you want to commit to that dish. Overall, I can see how a local would be impressed with the vibe and the image it brings to its patrons. However, if you are used to judging by the quality of the menu and the food, then I would suggest to lower your expectations if you try this place. There is more ingenuity to the dishes and flavor in other restaurants in town for sure.

    (3)

  • Michael J. C.

    Amazing restaurant, always accommodating and delicious.great atmosphere and I can't get enough of those okra fries!

    (5)

  • Tj M.

    If I could give Ulele 2.5 stars, I would, but the atmosphere and view merit my 3 star rating. I first went to Ulele right after opening and we we're told 30-45 minute wait upon arrival, no big deal. Until almost 2 hours later, when we still had not been seated. I get that you take reservations, but you don't tell someone 45 minutes and make them wait 2 hours with a restaurant full of open tables. While waiting for our table, I decided to order a drink for my wife and I. She drinks wine, simple and I drink Moscow Mules, still simple. It was the worst drink I have ever had at a bar to date. I am all for strong drinks, but this was pure vodka with a splash of ginger beer, no lime at all. I did try one of their beers and it was a pleasant light/crisp beer that I would definitely have again. As far as food is concerned, it was just ok. Some things were really great, some were not so great. The best things were the mac 'n' cheese and my sons kid sliders. My skirt steak was sub-par at best and my wife ordered what she thought to be a "16 Oz rib-eye" but actually ended up being a $40 pot roast. Overall, it's a cool place that's very trendy in terms of decor; that has an incredible open view of Tampa's river and downtown. Food/drink wise I have definitely had better in Tampa. If you aren't concerned with your taste buds, but rather your atmosphere this is your spot. If you're looking for the best meal you've had in a while, there's other places for you.

    (3)

  • Shanida D.

    The positve about Ulele is the beautiful location!!! The restaurant was nice inside however it was too crowded. When I go out to eat I like to sit down and relax. Well there is just too much going on. I ate the New York steak it was good. The mashed potatoes tasted like powder mashed potato. It looked like they just added som potato skin to appear real. I wasn't happy with the service at all. She took too long to serve drinks and then to pick up the payment so we could leave. This place could be nice to just hang out with a few friends for som drinks but not my favorite place to eat.

    (3)

  • Occy V.

    I was really hoping the way this place was reviewed that it was going to be that amazing. Unfortunately it was just ok which honestly didn't warrant the price. The okra appetizer was pretty good and my house salad was as well. The steak I had ordered as medium came back bleeding which just isn't for me. I also had asked them to season it extra and it still lacked flavor. It is by far one of the nicest restaurants as far as the view that we have in the area. Where it is and how it was redone is really surprising.

    (3)

  • Laura A.

    We have been to Ulele a few times now and we love the look of the restaurant it is beautiful and we love to support anything in the Tampa Area but, service was slow we received our oysters and they were awesome but our waitress never brought our other appetizers so we brought them home to the dog. And at the end of the night my son realized his car was robbed in there lot. I don't think we will be back anytime soon. I wish it was different...

    (2)

  • Justin P.

    Simply outstanding. A unique and complete experience that adds much needed range to the Tampa dining scene. Our server was amazing and guided us to some excellent choices. Got the filet special and the snapper-- both were excellent with great flavor. Fried Okra is a must as well as the key lime stack and the espresso ice cream for dessert. We will return as soon as we can.

    (5)

  • Brittany L.

    I came here for the first time for a Yelp event and was so impressed by what I saw that a group of us decided to stay for dinner. During the event I sampled 4 different beers: Oktoberfest, Honey Lager, Wedding Beer, and Bourbon Honey Lager, and really enjoyed all of them. I tried several appetizers as well: Alligator Hush Puppy, Lobster Cake, Chicken Lollipop, and a slice of flank steak. All were good but my favorite was the hush puppy...like a savory, meaty donut hole. Yum! I started dinner with a Fresh From Florida Mojito ($8.95), which adds fresh-squeezed OJ to the traditional mojito recipe. It was very good and the fresh flavors of the ingredients were very evident. For dinner I had a bowl of chili ($6) and ice cream. The chili is really excellent. It features a variety of Florida wild game: venison, wild boar, alligator...and maybe one other? alongside small red beans and crushed tomato. It's served with some flat bread (maybe pita?) crisps. Yum! The dessert menu is fairly large but I decided I had to get ice cream since it's homemade. For $5 you get 2 scoops and you can mix and match from the flavors available! I had the pumpkin ice cream, which pretty much tasted like frozen pumpkin pie complete with tasty bits of crust, and the Valrhona chocolate which was very rich and delicious. My check total for 2 scoops of ice cream, a cocktail, and a bowl of chili was under $20 before tax. The only menu items I saw that were over $30 were the large steaks or steak and seafood combos, which included 2 sides. The rest of the menu looked amazing enough that I came back with my boyfriend about a month later. We started with a glass of wine and a beer flight along with a bowl of chili and a side of mac and cheese...mix them together if you're feeling decadent. I have to say that he's quite a wine snob and this list met his approval both for offerings and pricing. For dinner I had seafood pot pie and he had a steak. Our entrees were really good and we both had leftovers for lunch the next day. I really like the mashed potatoes but the popcorn is an odd touch. It always seems to be kinda chewy and doesn't add much flavor to the dish. There are only like 6 pieces, so if you're put off by it push them aside. The only gripe I can come up with about Ulele is that if you're on a date with one other person, the seating leaves you oddly exposed. The booths are big, for 4-6 diners. If you're a couple you'll likely end up sitting at a table that's right in the middle of the floor, kind of on display. This restaurant is surprisingly affordable for how nice it is and the quality of the ingredients. Menu is very approachable...you're not going to find a lot of French words or ingredients and techniques you've never heard of. I would definitely recommend it to anyone and look forward to coming back again and again!

    (5)

  • D O.

    I got a seared tuna appetizer and butternut squash gnocchi. The tuna was very fresh and perfectly seared. I would have preferred a spicier mire acidic sauce to what they served, but it was still good. The gnocchi, however, were magnificent: light, flavorful, in a delicious sauce, and they went great with the butternut squash chunks and fresh spinach that they were served with. The portion was generous but not excessive. The restaurant is clean, looks nice and has a pleasant patio with torches and fountains.

    (5)

  • Marcus W.

    Best Manhattan in town. Hands down. Lobster cake: 5 stars Char oysters: 5 stars Snapper special: 4 stars Homemade Coffee Ice cream: 5 stars Ahi: 5 stars Greeting: 5 stars Server: 5 stars Ambiance: 5 stars Decor: 5 stars Overall Experience: 5 stars Will definitely be back again. Great restaurant. Great location too.

    (5)

  • Sheila D.

    We just dined at Ulele last night for our anniversary. It's in a cool part of town, and the little walk there from the parking lot was nice. We had a reservation, but the table wasn't ready, so we went to the overcrowded bar. The bartender was great and made us fabulous drinks. Our waiter was also great! (Rodney) We had the oyster shooters, 1 each with tequila and some kind of tomato juice- so good! The filet was perfect and the yellow fin tuna was excellent, albeit the rice wasn't cooked enough for me. (hard bits!). We had the guava pie for dessert and it was so good. The only reason we probably won't go back, is because the place is excruciatingly LOUD!! I mean really LOUD!!!! It's too bad because the food is really tasty! Maybe there are some tables outside?- but we're talking Florida... so you take your chances- heat, rain, bugs etc...(this isn't Europe). Darn it!!

    (3)

  • Keith B.

    I was excited to try Ulele, as a new and potentially exciting addition to downtown. . I've had three close people in my life have poor experiences since its opening. Still, I wanted to give it a shot for myself. Unfortunately the trend of a poor experience has continued tonight in my time at Ulele. I believe in being as specific as possible, so here are things to keep in mind: *We were seated 35-40 minutes after our reservation time, with no mention of the delay. I also let go of the "interesting" greeting by the hostess, which felt to me to be a bit and unnecessarily smug. *12-15 minutes after being seated, a woman came to ask for drink orders. She was friendly and accommodating, tho we had no clue who she was. *Drinks then arrived on the first appearance of our server at least 15 minutes later. *A guest of ours discretely mentioned the poor service to server; he apologized, yet that didn't change the experience to come. *Salads then arrived at least 15 minutes later. *Entres (basic fish, tuna, etc.) then arrived at least 25 minutes later. Tuna cooked medium showed no pink. Without much presence of a server or manager, not much could be done there. Other entrees were quite tasty and nicely prepared. *Server was gone once salads arrived and wasn't seen until much, much later. Although he seemed very nice, he was either overwhelmed or unconcerned about the issues. The mood felt like it was to suggest this: to eat somewhere so amazing like Ulele, one just deals with this sort of stuff. Felt like I was in an episode of Sex and the City. Attitude is such a tricky and potentially dangerous piece with which to deal. What attitude is Ulele working to create? *Wrong cocktail arrived later. No real follow up from server, hope I wasn't allergic to gin! (There was a miscommunication between someone who server had sent over to take refill drinks from him, and what got ordered.) *Silverware and ground black pepper took a weirdly long amount of time. *Manager eventually came to table, upon request, and this was the first occasion to see a manager in the upstairs space by us during the entire sitting. He was surprised to hear of issues, as "they never have them." He just "wishes his employees would have told him." As customers, how does that help? What do we do with that? It's a lack of ownership, at least in part. Blame never wins long term. Also if we would've seen a manager dating issues,we would've let him know much earlier. *Manager repeated line about the servers. However as most know: help is only as good as the management. *awkward moment with manager (kindly?) wanting to buy us desserts. Then maybe a round of drinks. Note: we weren't there to get anything for free, and there was no expectation of that; however, how the issue was resolved felt unsatisfactory. *Some items were comped--no rhyme or reason. The mistaken drink order stayed on my ticket. Manager chose to not return to the table to let us know how he reconciled it. Had the server do it. If you know customer service or have been there, you understand that that choice feels purposeful and meaningful. At least in part, manager had no sustained interest in making experience better, and to see if it met customers' satisfaction. If he did, he should have finished reconciling it with us. It's a shame--as I believe there is/was much potential here. However, the basics just weren't covered well or adequately. This was a similar experience for the others who tried Ulele and had an unpleasant time. There's still time to fix this, perhaps, but the clock is ticking fast. The hostesses asked me how it all was as I moved to exit. Upon my politely saying, unfortunately terrible," one hostess couldn't find it in herself to NOT be smiling as she listened, as if she was amused or thought it was cute. Maybe she was nervous. By the third time I said it to another hostess, she finally listened and understood that we had already seen a manager and his help was limited, evasive, and non persuasive. The space readily avails itself to large family and work parties. I would never subject my family or colleagues or guests on business to that, however. In part too because the atmosphere and a bit of the noise didn't quite match the food prices. Valet asked me how it all was. To my response, "unfortunately terrible," the one valet said, "but your taking food to go?!!" (Suggesting it must not have been that bad. I took to go because the experience and our treatment made me lose my appetite.) The vibe in the restaurant is understandably going for contemporary and trendy. Sadly the experience on this night fell short of the service I'd been wiling to accept even from a casual diner. Customers didn't prevail here. That's too bad. Wish the service, the timing, the management would have even adequately matched the potential.

    (1)

  • Marshall G.

    Buzz from a co-worker from night before. Raved about the charbroiled oysters and okra fries as apps. I had the oysters and the fries the next night. While very tasty, the oysters were more like clams, as far as meat goes. I expected meaty, large succulent oyster meat. I got some pebble sized oysters. The included bread is very tasty when dredged in the left over juice in the serving plate. Okra Fries. Decent. I expected more from the menu description. Entree was one of the specials that night, a 14oz Porterhouse, 28 day dry aged. I ordered medium rare with the included cheddar popcorn mash and asparagus. Steak came out more rare. A huge mastodon piece of meat,carved on a separate plate from the potatoes and 6 or so asparagus tips. Steak was delicious, if a bit underdone for MR. Not a fan of the popcorn in the mashed potatoes. Maybe if it was fresh and put on top of the potatoes, it might have worked. As served, it was just mushy pop corn in good tasting mashed potatoes. Asparagus was perfectly crisp tender. Wait staff was very good if a bit hovering. I'd certainly go back for another chance, tripadvisor.com/ShowUser…

    (3)

  • Cassandra S.

    This was about my fifth time top Ulele but only my second for a sit down dinner. I was thoroughly impressed. It was one of the best experiences so far here. My parents, boyfriend and I also ordered something different and we ask loved our dishes. The drinks were great, service was great and we were sat shortly after we arrived due to having a reservation. Over all great experience.

    (4)

  • Laura B.

    The service was the kiss of death for Ulele. The food was pretty good (I'll break it down more later). The drinks were okay, I probably got the wrong thing for my pallet. Have heard from many others that lunch is not the time to go. I would amend that to include the bar is not the place to sit. Now, the food specs: calamari - amazing, may be the only reason I go back; lobster roll - above average, not stellar; grouper sandwich - pretty good, ordered blackened but served fried, sauce was good; fries were super salty; fried ice cream was awful, too chewy with bacon and cereal.

    (3)

  • Chris W.

    Inside and out I love how this restaurant looked. The outside has beautiful views of the water with some amusing metal sculptures on display. The inside is hip and modern and quite a sight to behold. Our table was situated near a full-sized horse statue and some giant doors that had been left open. It was so wonderful having the cool night breeze and the view of the water right in front of us. It's been a long time since I was so impressed with the ambience of a restaurant. Before we were seated we were able to take a brewery tour, which was interesting. The drinkers in the group were able to get a sample of the product being produced, which was a nice touch. The biggest surprise for me was the okra fries. Every time I have tried okra in the past I have not liked it. It is usually fried and covered in batter, which does not help. Here they serve them crispy with a dipping sauce. I was quite surprised that I liked it. I did find it slightly absurd that because I wanted a chicken dish I had to order a $17 entrée that was a Paul Bunyan sized portion. Literally half a chicken on my plate. There does not exist a scenario where I would ever be able to eat all of that. I wish that they offered the choice to have half that much chicken for half the price. There was some kind of screwup with my order, which meant that everyone else got their food and was almost finished by the time I finally got my entrée. As someone who is a notoriously slow eater that was pretty much my worst nightmare. I got the beer can chicken and it was moist and tasty but again there was way too much of it. The wait staff felt bad for me staring at the table while everyone else was eating so they comped me a side order. I got the mashed potatoes with popcorn. I'm still not sure why the menu has a popcorn/mashed potato combination. It was good mashed potatoes with a few pieces of white cheddar popcorn sprinkled on top. I can't say that the popcorn added anything to this dish except confusion for me. For dessert I got the flourless chocolate torte, which was a little too rich for my tastes. I was looking at what everyone else got and I thought that it was neat that the ice cream was served in coconut shells! I am not crazy about the parking situation at all. You either pay for valet or try and find a spot on the streets nearby. There was a large, fenced in parking lot very close to the restaurant that was open and half empty but a sign said that it was not for public parking. Very frustrating. Overall I had a fun dinner here with some great friends.

    (4)

  • Taira F.

    Love it Love it Love it If you don't, your dumb! (ment in a Joking manner) I have been here a handful of times and I could list all the reasons this place is amazing but really go for yourself. It's my favorite place to bring out of towners! My second choice would be something in Seminole Heights but with so many options there. I like to go to the best Tampa Heights Riverside spot!

    (5)

  • Thomas L.

    Great food. Great wine list, great staff. This place is constantly busy and they handle it with little to no hiccups. Space is a great, built into the park around it. Highly suggest them for anyone whom hasn't had tried them yet.

    (5)

  • Eric C.

    I had the most spectacular time at this restaurant!!! I was surprised by my wife and fellow Yelpers to a going away party. They surprised me and I was in complete shock that they were able to do it, but it was great. The staff and food at this place were amazing and I'd love to go back often, but don't have the time now. I had the single pork chop and it was seasoned so perfectly that I really enjoyed every bite. There were several of us there and many of us shared our food to get different tastes and that made it even better. I tried the Oktoberfest beer and it was really good and was well worth waiting for. My wife had the squash (I'm not really sure what it was, but you'll see it in her posting), and she really enjoyed it too. The staff went all out to make this a very special occasion for us and they surpassed that. I met with the GM after the party and explained to him how much we enjoyed ourselves and how I would let everyone I know about the place. To all my friends that were there, Thank You very much for fantastic surprise party, to those that could not make, I'll be back in town once in a while and will try to make to an event or two.

    (5)

  • Desiree M.

    We were determined to go... so glad we took the chance and went :-) We called ahead for a reservation, none were to be had for the night we wanted... really a Thursday? but hey, it's Ulele... Gonzmart family! I've heard nothing but amazing stories and reviews about this place... and I desperately wanted to be in the thick of it... we were not disappointed. The three of us arrived right at 5pm so to beat the crowd for a better chance at a table, (used the Valet) the perfect weather complimented the beautiful sunset that was to follow. We were seated right away in the second level, what a view from any angle in this restaurant. The food was just as amazing. We enjoyed a bottle of wine with two appetizers, Country Fried Quail and Alligator Hush Puppies, both are a must to start off your taste buds a rolling with happiness. When your family has been in the Restaurant business for 100 years (or more) you know how to do it right! and the Gonzmart's definitely know the secrets :-) We each tried a different dish, I had the Grouper Ulele which was amazing! with the white chedder popcorn mashed potatoes. My husband had the special of the night baked Eggplant, which was also so tasty and our friend had the flank steak medium rare, and it was also delicious. For dessert we enjoyed a special of the night not listed on the menu, which included homemade ice cream, a slice of chocolate torte and heavy whipped cream served in a huge martini like sliver glass. A must try is the Candied Duck Bacon Maple Fried Ice Cream... you will not be sorry! but sad if you dont! Cafe con Leche was done right and was very generous in a big mug. We finished the evening by getting a TShirt and watching the sunset as we enjoyed a nice stroll through the new park. Can't wait to go again!

    (4)

  • Kristen H.

    I have been to ulele multiple times and I have ALWAYS had exception service from the entire staff. The okra fries are absolutely amazing so are the hush puppies, the lobster rolls is amazing for lunch so is the grouper. Chuck, a bartender at ulele recently recommended the lucina salchica for lunch and it was exceptional the perfect amount of spice and awesome fries to go with it. Chuck was very attentive and provided awesome service I will definitely find a seat at the bar if he is working again. The staff is able to handle busy crowds with ease and take a negative situation and make it positive. This place is BUSY a great staff like that have is what they need. The toasting coconut ice cream is fabulous as is the key lime stack the fried ice cream is the bees knees

    (5)

  • Hermun P.

    I'm in love with this restaurant! Finally a restaurant in Tampa that opens up to a beautiful park and water without the hustle and bustle around. The food was excellent from start to finish and so was the service. I can't wait to go back and try new things on the menu!

    (5)

  • Kristina L.

    Incredible night. Had very high expectations and Ulele delivered on all counts. I food allergies and they were super accomidating to the point of sautéing the "fried calamari" . The restaurant itself is a true spectacle. A great addition to Tampa culture. The service was awesome, thank you Morgan. The atmosphere was fun and alive. The food was amazing. From apps to salads to entrees. Our entire party of 9 loved it all. Will be back again and again.

    (5)

  • Jason P.

    Okay enough with the hype over this place and let's actually take a look at the pedestrian and unimaginative menu that they are trying to sell as Native American Inspired food.. What I saw was a menu that was trying to compete with a Grillsmith, LongHorn, and Bonefish all in one.. Not saying its not a gorgeous place, its just the menu is not up to par. We ordered the alligator, country ham, corn duck bacon and jalapeño hush puppies with duet of sauces.. What we got were 4 mind numbingly bland over fried balls with not one speck of the aforementioned 4 ingredients.. It was amateur all the way and for $9 serving 4 slightly better versions of Long John Silver hush puppies is a crime. Then the entrees. Grilled grouper with stewed tomatoes, basil, lemon zest, garlic and olive oil. What we got was an amateur version of way way overcooked grilled grouper set atop Uncle Bens citrus flavored wild rice with what looked and tasted like marinara sauce and a few absolutely perfect asparagus.. The asparagus was the best part of this $28 dish. We ate it all because it was almost 11pm and we were starving. I had ordered the waiters recommendation of crackling pork shank with firecracker apple craisin chutney.. What I got was a deep fried pre cooked Sysco pork shank with some sweet WAY TO SWEET sauce of some sort over top.. With the most gummy mashed potatoes and the previously stated perfectly cooked asparagus as the fish. This dish was as bad as it gets in my opinion and I sent it back because of it.. No way should a high end restaurant serve this kind of processed garbage that Sysco sells to sports bars like Millers Ale House.. Seriously check it out. We also had 2 of the house brewed specialty beers. I would say they are similar to the rolling rock or yeungling but they charge $5 for them.. The manager Jose came to our table and I tried nicely to tell him how disappointed I was about all of the food, but all he could do was smile and insist that I was wrong. Anyway the service was good (a bit gun shy) but good. The bar looks really small but well designed and they have an interesting kitchen set up. With a huge hood and grill so you can watch the chefs overcook the grouper right in front of your eyes. The outdoor space is beautiful and I am proud that it is in my neighborhood. Maybe I am a bit over critical but I think that a restaurant that has as much hype and potential as this place needs not be a hybrid of the three mediocre chain restaurants I mentioned earlier.. Right now in my opinion its trying to hard to be everything to everyone. My advise: Find a soul, actually deliver on the flavors you describe on your menu, get more actual native american dishes maybe a fry bread appetizer maybe some braised bison and for god sakes get that frozen Hormel pork shank off the menu and Tampa will have another great restaurant.

    (2)

  • Blake N.

    Great atmosphere food and drinks. Right on the river. Park your bike and grab a beer. Or take a tour in the brew house or sit on the rooftop deck.

    (5)

  • Debora S.

    The one star is for the outside views. Pretentious. If you are trying so hard to be upscale the food needs to back it up. I don't mind paying $14 for a lobster app when you can taste the star of the dish, the lobster. Besides the over seasoning, even if the lobster were cooked properly, rubberbands, it could have been anything in that lobster cake. Next app equally bad, the Krab mac and cheese, I use a K for crab because due to the over seasoning again, those few white stringy things could have been anything and the Kraft mac and cheese shells in a box does not warrant that price. Third app, the exotic meat stew, mystery mush. Seems this place had a lot of wine and craft beers flowing to most tables, perhaps I should have partaken, it might have dulled my tastebuds.

    (1)

  • Darryl F.

    First time here after a couple of fundraisers at Waterworks Park (which as an aside is very nice) and reading tremendous reviews we took a random shot at stopping for a drink prime time on Friday. The seas parted and we ended up with two seats at the bar. OK. Javier and Chuck are the two greatest bartenders I have ever met! The drinks fun food and lest we forget amazing decor (eclectic exposed brick loft) have made this an amazing night. P.S. Lobster cake appetizer.

    (5)

  • James S.

    This restaurant has a great location and really nice decor. Food options are good and provide for a nice variety.

    (4)

  • Rodney A.

    Tonight I shared the kilo porterhouse with my girlfriend, and the lobster cake for an appetizer. Everything was really good, and our server Tatiana was really knowledgeable and helpfull. The only thing I didn't get about a restaurant in a green building is that our left overs was given to us in a non eco friendly cheap plastic bag, and Styrofoam container. I will be back again though.

    (4)

  • J L.

    Kudos to the owners of this restaurant for their hard work and restoration of the waterworks building and area. They truly deserve recognition and credit for such a noble act! It's a stunning landscape once more. Food; I expected much better -- I really did. I was rooting for them for so long and had hopes of something grand. Service; much the same. We had some hiccups getting seated with a reservation which was weird. And upon sitting down we were served with 3 checks before we even got our water. Mistake? Yes. But time to polish up. The food was boring. Nothing spectacular. The deconstructed pot pie did not come with enough of the puffs to dip and was too greasy for me. The fish was bland. The chargrilled oysters were just okay; I've had 10x better in New Orleans. I could go on but won't because I'm still rooting for Ulele. I do hope with time there are improvements.

    (2)

  • Amyn H.

    Really innovative food that is great tasting in a charming but eclectic atmosphere. My wife and I were pleasantly surprised!

    (5)

  • Jeff J.

    Saw an article about this place online, decided to give it a try for a nice after Christmas break. The atmosphere was amazing, the service was excellent, and the food and spirits were to die for! The oysters were some the the freshest I've ever had, the beer was refreshing and delicious, and the homemade ice cream is easily Top 3 best ever. Keep up the good work, we will certainly be back soon!

    (5)

  • Mary A.

    Ulele has an amazing location and great view to the river. The problem is the service gets extremely slow as it gets busy. We did lunch reservation for 11:15 and got sit promptly, honoring our request to be seated next to the door with the river view. My husband asked for the Ulele burger with french fries, a side salad and a beer. the portion was big,and everything was good, not amazing. I ordered the Native Sautee, the vegetable were bland, I couldn't taste the soy ginger reduction. the rice was good. It didn't look or taste like a restaurant plate. I finished my meal and it took about 25 min for them to offer dessert. I was excited with the key lime ice cream with bruleed meringue. I love Bruleed meringue!. After a long wait(more that 30 min) they brought us a frozen popsicle texture ice cream with whipped cream on the side instead of bruleed meringue, Really!!!! We complaint that it was to cold to eat. He said that it's just how it comes, and they might ran out of meringue and replaced with something else. Not something that you will expect for that type of restaurant! We waited until the ice cream was edible to eat without getting a brain freeze. We left at 1:30pm; yes.... more than 2hours for the whole experience!!!! I really like the ambience, I will love if the service and the food have the same standard.

    (2)

  • Amy H.

    I love this place. The grouper, the Charbroiled oysters, and the Crab Mac & cheese are excellent. Definitely come early and check out the beer garden. They let you sample their microbrew selection.

    (5)

  • James L.

    Great location and atmosphere ... terrific bar and super friendly bartenders. Place is lively and sophisticated but not overly stuffy. Appetizers were tasty and the oysters were very fresh. Entrees are so-so ... the Berkshire Pork was tasty but a little dry - slightly over cooked.

    (3)

  • Angie F.

    Excellent food and service. Would recommend. Great view and if your looking for what Florida is about. This is the place

    (5)

  • Nancy H.

    Excellent food and atmosphere! I had the meatloaf...it was amazing. Be sure to check out the little outdoor second floor lounge. Nice place to sit and have a drink while you wait for your table. get there early so you can explore...be sure to make a reservation! Helpings are VERY generous...2 can easily share especially if you want to have an appetizer or salad. We tried the peppers for an appetizer...fantastic..not spicy but flavorful and delicious! This is a true Tampa gem!

    (5)

  • Jennifer C.

    Although the atmosphere was stellar..I didn't think the food was at all worth the horrible wait. Our reservation was for 830 yet we didn't get seated until 930. .then we didn't get our food until 11. When we did finally get our food it tasted like it had sat under a warming light for a long while. My husband and I eat out a lot at many area restaurants..like Edison and Datz which I personally feel are miles above Ulele. And one last note. ..there was no toilet paper in anybody the stalls in the women's bathroom and remained that way even though I told 2 people and an hour later heard another lady telling them again..no TP for the ladies? Unacceptable

    (1)

  • Siouxsie S.

    I ate at Ulele's on two separate occasions recently. One was on a Saturday afternoon. I believe our server's name was Al, and he was fantastic! The drinks & food were INCREDIBLE...everything fresh & local. The ambience was amazing...during the day the park offers up an incredible vista. A few nights prior, I had attended a large meeting for work and ordered the snapper off of the menu. Everyone else loved their meal, but the snapper was a bit tough and seemed like it had been frozen. I wished I had ordered one of the specials instead, but I had my heart set on the snapper after reviewing the menu the night before. However, with that said, the salads and sides were great and our service was amazing. It is difficult to get food, ambience, and service this great in Tampa and reminded me of eateries in NYC, Brooklyn, and larger metro areas. Kudos to Ulele's ownership, chef(s), management & staff. A grade "A" experience.

    (5)

  • Caitlin C.

    We went the other night as a spontaneous thing. So we did not have reservations but that was okay because we got to check out the bar and the outside area. I had a wedding beer which I thought was good but I'm no beer connsuiour. We were seating fairly quickly because I still had my drink. Then We ordered frog legs, which were pretty good. They are not overly fried so they can be on the small side. I shared the Florida pompano with my boyfriend and We ordered a side of Mac and cheese. We weren't overly hungry so we wanted to share and I found it to be pleantly of food so portions can be large. It was amazing and I loved the sauce. The Mac and cheese was pretty good, not dry or anything.

    (5)

  • Kelly M.

    Great tasting and unique menu options. Beet/Pear salad...yum. Stylish and fun location, noisy in a good way. Five-star waitstaff and great value. No useful waiting area, we were "in the way" until seated. I was particularly grateful to make use of the clever foil pouches for my leftovers. Love to see environmental consciousness in the restrooms, too. Our weekday reservation was a three week wait. Don't delay...get there.

    (5)

  • Cory L.

    Arrived at the restaurant after being recommended by the hotel where we were staying, and found it to be completely full except for the bar area. Since it was just me and my fiance, we decided to go ahead and sit at bar and dine there. The waitress that took care of us was extremely friendly, and after telling her we were flying home that day in just a few hours, she knew that we were in somewhat of a hurry but still wanted a proper dining experience. She explained some of the items on the menu, telling us her personal favorites, and we selected calimari, the grouper sandwich and the lobster roll. Unfortunately for us, she informed us that they have extremely good burgers, but we were more in the mood for seafood... Nevertheless, the calimari was some of the best we had ever tasted, my fiance's grouper sandwich was big enough for two of us, and my lobster roll was terrific! Throughout our dining time, the waitress was there to take care of us, talked to us (without being overly talkative...) and was just perfect. After telling her where we were from and how much we liked the new restaurant, the manager came over and talked with us as well. Made us feel very welcomed in their establishment. They then offered us a tour of the brewery where they make all of their beers. Their brewmaster was there to give us a personalized tour and allowed us to sample all of their beers. It was a great experience for the two of us, and the next time we are in Tampa, we definitely look forward to visiting Ulele again!!!

    (5)

  • Paul R.

    This is a beautiful restaurant with a beautiful setting, that said it is a popular restaurant that requires a long wait if you don't have a reservation. We were told an hour ten min wait when we arrived it turned out being an hour 45 min wait. It was raining so no outside waiting seats were available and the inside was packed with all of us waiting. Very uncomfortable My recommendation is not to go if you don't have a reservation Now that that's out of the way we had a fabulous meal on most points. Our waitress was great. Very knowledgable on ALL points of the menu. We ordered apps of calamari which was cooked perfectly ( I know that's hard to do) and flame roasted oysters. The oysters were over done ( so I guess they are hard to cook too) to the point a couple didn't come off the shell... the waitress noticed before we did and had the kitchen make a couple more ( good job) - so we know they were good by those two The others, not so much. All of our dinners were excellent ...meatloaf, deconstructed seafood pot pie and pork shank. The fourth person had okra fries (delicious) and wild game chili ( the use of wild game was useless). 2 deserts guava pie was heavy on gelatin just ok and deep fried maple ice cream duck bacon etc etc- better than the pie. All beer is made on site (bland) and wines are all from the U.S. Ummm?? What is good here just couldn't be any better what's not so good can be fixed ( I hope) I gave 4 stars cause even with all my warnings I really liked this place

    (4)

  • Arthur H.

    Drinks are great but don't recommend as service is worst i have had. Server for outside said would return but haven't seen him in over 1/2 hr. Atmosphere is great but better bring your own food and beer.

    (1)

  • Stephanie L.

    We had heard about Ulele while visiting friends in Seminole Heights. We were more than happy to accept the only reservation left @ 10:pm due to prior plans. Once there, we were surprised and impressed by the ambience which only heightened our expectations. I started the night with a delicious cappuccino while waiting for our table. Once seated we were greeted with the first disappointment- a bottle of room temperature water; poured into a children's size glass with no ice. Unfortunately, the disappointments only continued from there. Gator hush puppies arrived and Lacked all Ingredients listed. Both fish entrees that my date and I ordered were dry/ overcooked and lacked flavor. Our fish was consumed despite my disappointment. Pork shank on the other hand looked inedible and after two bites was sent away. Host then ordered Mac and cheese to Curb his appetite which I tasted and was good, but lacked in temperature. After our frustrations of these things we decided to just pay the bill and leave.

    (2)

  • Audra B.

    Maybe my expectations were too high, but for being named one if the COUNTRY'S top 100 restaurants, I wasn't very impressed. We went on a Friday night at around 8:30. Our waiter bragged about the special and then informed us it was sold out after we ordered it. Another entree that was ordered at the table was also sold out. I thought this was unusual for a Friday night that wasn't even that busy. We ended up getting okra fries and the gator hush puppies for appetizers and I got the flank steak for an entree. The food was okay. Nothing too spectacular, ESPECIALLY for the price. I probably will not be returning to Ulele.

    (3)

  • Ben F.

    We have frequented Ulele many times since it has opened. Our experience last week was the worst. We had 8pm reservations and at 8:30 when I inquired with the front desk I was told that they were busy and they would call us as soon as a table opened up. The manager Paul Gaylord was borderline rude and literally blew me off and our group of 8. I told him that this is unacceptable and I strongly suggest he change his attitude and work on getting our table sooner than later. One of my guest is the owner and editor and food critique of a local newspaper and I was looking forward to her to experience Ulele. At 8:50 we were seated and the server who started out fine copped an attitude after I asked him why the bottle of white wine had not arrived. The rest of our drinks were out for at least 15 minutes. He rudely snapped at me and said " what do I have to do to make you happy". Needless to say the rest of the night went downhill. The quality of the food was average. The service borderline lousy and the manager was not up to par. We visit Ulele about every other week and have noticed a very high turnover with managers and wait staff. On a positive note, Chuck the bartender rocks !

    (1)

  • Gin S.

    Beautiful building and surroundings. Took hubby for lunch and tasted 2 of the beers brewed on premise. Excellent. Seated on time. Service was flawless, all while appearing casual. Our server Al was outstanding. We had grilled oysters, which were fabulous! Steak and grouper sandwich on point. For desert we chose toasted coconut ice cream which was the only disappointment ok but not excellent like rest of meal, maybe a garnish of toast coconut would help? The express ice cream was a better choice. We will be back!

    (4)

  • Lesley M.

    Outdoor area was pretty and the architecture and decor was nice. However, the acoustics were bad. It's very loud. Not meant for an intimate dinner for two or a large party of 8 or more bc you can't hear. Okay food. Nothing spectacular. Poor service. The servers were assigned too many tables. They need to fix the sensors at the sink in the women's restroom. It was difficult to wash your hands and you couldn't get any hot water. We won't be back. I'd rather go to many of Tampa's up and coming restaurants that have their act together. Disappointing for a Gonzmart establishment.

    (2)

  • Betsy W.

    Delicious. Tastefully decorated.... Service was impeccable. The Orange mojito and the calamari were amazing. Will definitely be back.

    (5)

  • S D.

    Nice place on the water. Very open and airy with a modern farmhouse feel. The food was unique and tasty. It would be great for a downtown night out or even for a group.

    (4)

  • Susan B.

    Wonderful afternoon grazing the appetizer and dinner menu. Raw oysters, char-broiled oysters, beet and pear salad, lobster cocktail, okra fries, deconstructed seafood pot pie, flank steak, florida pompano and more.

    (4)

  • Ea T.

    we didn't make a reservation and could not get a table but we found a spot at the bar which turned out to be pleasant ,i could not be more pleased with the service,and the food was fresh and flavorful although a bit heavy handed on the salt.we will be back , it would have been nice if there was a touch of music in the background . we started out with 2 mimosas with were unique with orange but a little on the sweet side. the blistered peppers . perfect started dish for 2 to share with a glass of wine. Sarah greeted us at the bar along with Scott and i could not have asked for better service. you might over look this restaurant because its in a park unless you its when they are open and you see the valet parking attendants. this is more of a seafood restaurant but they also offer some beef and pork.

    (4)

  • Jeanine S.

    I wanted to LOVE this place but because of my dinner, I only like it. First impressions... but because of our awesome server and how aesthetically pleasing this place is I'll be back. Hopefully my next entre experience is better. We started at the oyster bar, had a beer and fried calamari (nope, no oysters haha)!. The calamari was good which is a BIG positive in my book (this is another barometer for how I rate places do they pass the calamari test?! Yes, yes they do) The beer (tried 2), umm that wasn't too good (sorry)- they brew but they should consider refraining. Dinner: Crackling Pork Shank (recommended- so I tried it) the saving grace of that dish were the mashed potatoes (which I normally don't like but they don't have fries), it saved my meal. It was lack luster and the chutney was yuckney (get it?!?). Normally if there's duck on the menu (and there is, that's my choice but I was swayed by our server, darn the luck). My dinner date had the meatloaf and loved it, had a few bites and it was good but who goes out to eat for meatloaf (or chicken for that matter)... luckily it was my cousin other wise, the same fate that my Anchor bar date suffer would have been his ;) Next time, I'll go with my gut (duck) and wine.

    (3)

  • M D.

    Lots of hype, clearly. We arrived 10 minutes before our reservation time (party of 2) and were made to wait 20 minutes before they would seat us, despite 30+ empty tables and several walk-in parties being seated before us. Ordered sides as appetizers - collards with white beans (the one truly tasty thing we had) and barbacoa-charred green beans (no char at all, just sautéed in olive oil and covered with some aioli). The entrees (flank steak and half-chicken) were supposed to come with potatoes and vegetables, but really came with other items from the side item list (not specified which ones, though, so we ended up with two more orders of non-charred green beans, a grit cake brick, and mashed potatoes topped with stale white cheddar popcorn from a bag). Dessert was a candied duck bacon maple fried ice cream with cinnamon cornflakes and a chewy waffle cookie. They were out of the wedding beer, so we tried a new beer - Honeymoon beer - that tasted like Capri sun. The manager then offered us another beer that he described as 'Galaxy hop.' I asked him about the style of the beer (not just the hops) and all he came up with was 'it's an ale.' Turned out to be a red ale, which was ok. Poor management, nice sunset view, average food and beer, no plans to revisit.

    (2)

  • Brenda H.

    Top 10 meal of my life: I was a bit hesitant about coming to the restaurant because so many people complained about the wait. Many of these people had come early on their reservations, my suggestion is come when your reservation was made. We came on time and we were seated promptly. Our waiter, Brooks, could not have been more helpful and accommodating. He explained about the restaurant, it's artwork, and the interesting selection of food. We started with the fried calamariwhich had a distinctive taste, I believe it was basil. Then, we tried the fried okra, coming from up north, this was a big fete. Actually, it was very good, and I would recommend it to be shared by the table. Their specially blended Petrone tequila was worth getting on the rocks. Very smooth very good. My girls both got the flank steak and cleaned their plates, excellent! I had the seared tuna which was done to perfection. Each dish head it's own unique flavor and presentation. We also got the bread with grits in it, a must! I've dined in many restaurants all over the world and this one matches up to all of them. The ambience, the Decor, the location, the amazing service, the food, the selection, the liquor, it all makes this a world-class restaurant. To all the complainers out there, go find another place to eat!!!!

    (5)

  • Vincent A.

    Another solid showing by Ulele. I'm happy to add this place to the local rotation. I wish they weren't so slow because you see tables open for a while when you're eating. Waiting does not make a restaurant nice. I'd rate the service sub par. Also, don't expect to get out of here without a little bite to the wallet if you want some drinks, but the food is great! They have great home brews but the cheap wine is pretty bad. You can't go wrong with any of the food. Both experiences with pompano were awesome. The mac and cheese is awesome. Pass on the crab. Alligator hush puppies are tasty. We found them a bit bready a couple months ago... Still a delicious dish. Tuna was quality. You have to try this place.

    (4)

  • Amanda G.

    Beyond amazing and very unique!! In Tampa for business and a gentleman at our hotel recommended Ulele. Must try the fried okra, the chili, the grit cake and the list goes on. We enjoyed it so much we went back the following night.

    (5)

  • Bill H.

    I was expecting sizzle and got the fizzle. Gotta start by saying what a location, view atmosphere quite a great start until service reared its head. We had a 5:30 res which we arrived promptly for. After being seated we quickly realized we had the worst seat in the house. Just left of facing the hostess station in a walkway between wall seats and the wine case. HORRIBLE!! We quickly realized everybody coming and going was passing out table and many brushing us as they went by. We asked to be reseated and was about 7 minutes later to one of several yet to be filled tables. Cleary management and our initial waiter were very aware of this poor table location. Upon seating at new table and getting views and smells of tables being served around us we knew we had to try the Kilo. It just smelled to good to pass on even though we really weren't out for steak. Also wanted to try the chargrilled oysters and Pompano since its a rarity to find on local menus even though it's a local fish.

    (2)

  • Kotori B.

    I really wanted to like this place, but instead it was overpriced and made me sick. It was the last Monday of 2014 and my group of friends were ready to have a great night out in Tampa. At first the place seemed cool, atmosphere and decorations were nice, but the hostess said it would be 15 minutes, and we had to wait more like 40 even though we kept seeing people leave. The drinks were good, the specialty cocktails and the beers we tried, but the appetizers were just ok. We ordered the alligator hush puppies, the calamari, and the blistered peppers. Calamari was soggy and oily, the hush puppies were good but a little too doughy and you couldn't taste the gator at all, and I have had better peppers cooked that way before. All our entrees were pretty mediocre despite being between $25-$30, I got the crackled pork shank, which was pretty dry and too salty, the apple chutney didn't add enough to make up for dry meat, and the three asparagus spear on all our plates were cold limp after thoughts. My boyfriends duck was pretty disappointing as well, and the side of Mac and cheese we shared had too much black pepper and no cheese flavor. I was pretty pissed we dropped so much on such a disappointing meal, a then when I got home I was even ill from the food, so the leftovers got tossed. I would say definitely try something else in Tampa.

    (2)

  • Tony P.

    A work of art. ulele is the child of Columbia restaurant fourth-generation owner Richard Gonzmart. This architectural and gastronomic gem located on the Hillsborough River in historic Tampa Heights does not disappoint. The craftsmanship and remaking this venue a former waterworks building from the turn-of-the-century into a state-of-the-art 21st century restaurant and brewery serving Florida inspired dishes is amazing. No expense spared on these details. There is a giant fire pit where they cook these delicious dry aged steaks that is hefty competition to our world famous steakhouse on S. Howard Ave. Roasted oysters or a must-have as well as The oyster shooters. If you are a mac & cheese lover you won't go wrong ordering the cheesy delicacy. Complimentary valet as well as a vibrant bar crowd and oyster bar make it accessible even on nights were a table is difficult to get. The adjacent waterworks Park is a beautiful backdrop. You won't be disappointed.

    (5)

  • Mellie R.

    It was raining the night we visited. The valet did not have umbrellas and the walkway from valet to front door is not covered. Needless to say, I think this colored our visit negatively before we even got in the door. The hostesses seemed a little put out by our arrival somehow. Granted this might have been due to our wet entrance but it was a less than warm greeting. However, our table service was very good. I was with a friend who is very picky not just about what is on her plate but even how it is cooked. Not once did the server indicate any frustration with the multitude of questions or requests. The kitchen did an excellent job of accommodating as well, and this should not be underrated. It was for this reason that I debated upping from 3 to 4 stars. However, there just wasn't enough there for me otherwise. Drinks were very good. I was a little disappointed in the food. Preparation was fine, I think the menu just wasn't talking to me. We ordered dessert and had the same feeling. This place is worth a return trip but I haven't rushed to make it happen.

    (3)

  • Samantha G.

    Food is absolutely phenomenal! Reservations scheduled 3 weeks in advance for a Saturday night at 8:30pm. Did not get seated until 9:10pm. While waiting I am not even joking we waited over 20 minutes to get acknowledged at the bar, 10 minutes after that we were asked for our order....when my boyfriend said something to the girl next to us (bartenders friend, which she stated, then proceeded to get an entire bottle of free wine) "ugh they are busy". We are both bartenders and that type of service even on a busy night was absurd. I do not get upset over busy bars because I know how it is....I honestly believe they need a patio bar or at least more bartenders. Our server Amanda was great and on point and will go back for the food but not to have a drink at the bar.

    (3)

  • Bryan G.

    I recently went to Ulele with the fam. I had the Ulele burger and it was incredible. Probably the best burger I've had in the Tampa area. I also ate something off everyone else's plate. And I enjoyed each dish. The only thing I wasn't a big fan of was the fleet of beer. Nothing special there. Overall, I'll be going back.

    (5)

  • Joshua B.

    The service and decor was great. The beer was average and the food left a lot to be desired. We made lunch reservations for 2:30 pm on 1/17/15. We were able to park ourselves and the approach to the restaurant was great. They really have done a nice job on the location as well as the river walk area. We were greeted as soon as we walked in and seated. We decided to order a few apps and wanted to try a flight of their beers. We ordered the okra fries, blistered peppers, and gator hush puppies. The beer flight arrived while waiting on our apps. We tried every beer they had on tap, and while none of the beers had any noticeable flaws, nothing was a true stand out that made me want a pint. Our apps came and we sampled all of them. The okra fries were the best, but were overly salted. The blistered peppers were good, but had nothing to accompany them and should have been served with some type of sauce. The only thing you could taste in the gator hush puppies was the cornbread like hushpuppy. For meals we had a salad, Ulele burger, Lucanica Salchica sausage sandwich. The salad looked nice, but they topped it with some sort of beans that were under cooked and hard. The burger was ordered medium rare and arrived well done with a dry center. I should have sent it back, but did not. The flavor was nice, but the dried out burger left a lot to be desired. The sausage sandwich was noted as good. While there, the service was great. We really enjoyed the atmosphere. Given the experience we had with the food, I may give this place another shot. With so many other great food options in the Seminole Heights area, I may pass this place up next time I am in the area and hungry.

    (3)

  • Ally S.

    We went for drinks and appetizers and cannot wait to go back for a full meal. We sat out back during sunset and greatly enjoyed our wine. The server was wonderful and made us feel like he wanted to be there and cared about the service he was giving us. He offered to take us into the brewery, which we were unable to do on this visit - but hope to next time.

    (5)

  • Moises H.

    The staff is well trained, the location next to the park and river alone makes eating here a great experience. The okra fries are well seasoned and the beer tasty. Now the one thing I do not understand is why we are forced to play Vegetarian Russian Roulette when going here. It's disappointing seeing a restaurant like this one not having set main vegetarian entrees other than salads, and the Vegetarian dish of the day. I've never liked the idea of going to a restaurant to eat a salad, but I look forward to see how creative they can get with vegetarian dishes. Not here, it's more like take it or leave it, unless you want to create a main dish out of side dishes if you don't like the one entree they have for the day. Heck, you can count on White Castle and Burger King to have a main vegetarian dish that you know of prior to arriving. And yet I still think this is a great place, that's the power of Ulele. I'll keep coming back and either have the surprise entree of the day (since I make reservations weeks in advance) or make a main out of sides. Mr Gonzmart has pour a lot of love to this place and it shows. It's always good seeing an owner doing the rounds or making a cameo appearance like he does.

    (4)

  • Michelle C.

    Overall, this is a great restaurant- the setting is beautiful with the park, springs, on the Hillsborough River. The weather was so nice, and they opened the west wall doors on the dining room- ambiance out the wazoo. The food was phenomenal. Started with oysters- they were fresh and good but might try the other styles next time. Then my entire party ordered fish- the tuna, the snapper and the grouper. My fish was perfectly cooked and the balance of flavors was SPOT on (Spanish aioli and white truffle garlic spinach). The sauce on the grouper was just perfect! The tuna was perfectly seared. The bottle of wine we shared was pretty much the most balanced and delicious Pinot Grigio I've had in ages. Desserts- my god. We ordered the candied duck bacon maple fried ice cream, the guava pie and toasted coconut ice cream. Honestly, while they were all good, I felt the fried ice cream dish was too much- too sweet, few bites is fine- almost sickly sweet after awhile. But that could just be my taste. Several people could split it. The toasted coconut ice cream was divine. The guava pie- luscious, perfectly constructed - a mousse like creation with guava flavor but not overly tart nor too rich. It's a higher price point but worth every penny. I want to come back and sit at the bar and try their beers.

    (4)

  • Cindy B.

    This restaurant is amazing. From the grounds, building, decor, professional staff. The beer is so tasty and good, there is something for everyone. The Okra and Oysters were a wonderful appetizer choice, and the chili and hamburgers were juicy and delicious. This restaurant is my go-to for all my entertaining guests and friends. The experience is unbelievable, they got it right for dining out.

    (5)

  • Diane V.

    Ulele is gorgeous inside and the service is spectacular. We went at lunchtime with a reservation. We ordered the okra fries as an appetizer and they were amazing. The lobster rolls were ordered at our table and they smelled really fishy from the start and were average at best. The chicken salad I ordered was so dry. I felt like it had been grilled and reheated. Very disappointed! I've heard so many great things about this restaurant. I'm not sure if I would return.

    (2)

  • Jen W.

    Went with a large group. Our reservation got messed up even though we had called three times prior to confirm. The manager helped with adding another table so we could all sit together. Started off with drinks... Wedding beer nice and fruity with a bit of a bitter taste. Apps were ok, get the okra fries. I don't like okra at all and these were a nice surprise! Barely any gator in the alligator hush puppies though; that was disappointing. I got the avocado soup which tasted like soupy guacamole. I love guacamole but that wasn't how the dish is described. I also split four sides with a friend, the best were the grit cakes and collards/beans which had a nice garlicky flavor. I tasted the pompano which was ok but nothing I would order again. Why the 3 stars??? More gator in the hush puppies, it was very loud, and the servers either 1) didn't eat seafood so they couldn't recommend things on this very seafood centric menu and 2) didn't know some of the ingredients in the dishes which is very important in case if food allergies.

    (3)

  • H V.

    Worst service ever. We checked in at 1 for an hour long wait. Was rather busy so we decided to wait. For the next 1.5 hours we sat and watched one incompetent fool after another "managing" the hostess stand. We watched empty tables go unsat for 15-20 min blocks. Finally we have up and walked out. At 3 they started texting me that the table is ready and continued texting and holding a table for 10 mins. Now I see why it was so mismanaged. Many people like us probably just gave up and left. NOTE TO THE MANAGENT...invest in a pager system or even ask those hostesses to walk around and call names old school style. Your process sucks for an afternoon lunch to take 2 hours to be sat.

    (1)

  • Lisette B.

    Food was delish! Had the crab mac & cheese and lollipop chicken for appetizers and Meatloaf for dinner all was AMAZING! Great atmosphere; very trendy...a bit loud and loved it! Awesome location by the park/river. MUST MAKE A RESERVATION!!! Check it out! Definitely will go again.

    (5)

  • Dan G.

    We were in Saturday for a late lunch, early dinner. The restaurant was not full but still took a long time to be seated. Once seated we waited 35 minutes before our first appetizer arrived. The food sounded much better than it tasted and was overall very average. I expected a lot more for $120+ for two of us with one beer. I hope they improve their service and food.

    (2)

  • Tammy H.

    This place is really good, and the menu is finally something that has not been done over and over, and regurgitated a thousand times, The frog legs were great, as was the lamb. The place is amazing for its restoration. Hard to believe it used to be the dumpy, old abandoned water works building. The only down side is that it is really hard to get a reservation, and you can just about forget about walking in and getting a table

    (5)

  • Andrea T.

    I finally made it to Ulele for lunch....and it was great. My friend heard reservations are a must (even for lunch) and they are!! We did have to wait about 10 -15 minutes past our reservation time, but that wasn't too bad. We were seated upstairs and had a great view of the Hillsborough River and Water Works Park. The restaurant as a whole has a great vibe. Downstairs you have ceiling to floor windows, given the location most seating options have a great view. There are a variety of seating options as well (inside, outside/patio and upstairs). As for the food. My friend had the grouper sandwich and she loved it. She stated it was very fresh and had wonderful flavor. I had the brisket sandwich and I was equally impressed with it. Our server told me that the kitchen made a slight change to the brisket sandwich by replacing the horseradish aioli with a bbq or tomato based sauce; however, the horseradish aioli was still an option. I went with the horseradish aioli and I recommend it. The taste subtle, not harsh as horseradish can be. The only issue was that I ordered my sandwich w/o onions and it came with onions. Our server was quick to apologize and remedied the matter. A manager also came by to acknowledge the mistake and make sure all else was well. Customer service is key and that was greatly appreciated. The drinks are tasty as well. I definitely recommend Ulele, just make sure you have a reservation!! Looking forward to my next outing.

    (4)

  • Christine P.

    Unimpressed! It's a neat location and the building is well done but I'm not impressed by the food. I've been a few times hoping for a better experience the next but with no luck. Beware that even if you have a reservation, it doesn't mean you won't have to wait 45 minutes. I'm done trying!

    (2)

  • Kelly H.

    An incredibly lively atmosphere, awesome food and great service! No doubt it will be a tremendous success. The beer cheese crab mac, lobster cake and filet are incredible, just to name a few. It's worth going with a larger group to be able to sample as much of the menu as possible; everything sounds so good (and is so good) it's hard to decide. I have been looking forward to a return visit since the moment I left.

    (5)

  • Lolidee S.

    Horrible service.I was calling to see if we can set up a birthday dinner for a group of 20-25 pp. I called left messages for 3 days and sent 2 emails and still have not received a call back. Customer service is horrible

    (1)

  • Bob Y.

    Not sure what all the hype is about. Here we go with another atmosphere restaurant. What happened to restaurants with good food? To be fair there probably isn't anything at Ulele that tastes bad; however, everything I have had there so far has just been mediocre. Considering the prices they charge, one would expect the level of cookery to be higher and Ulele just doesn't deliver. We were served undercooked rice and overcooked duck. The crab mac and cheese. It's a total joke. Crab is haphazardly sprinkled on the already under seasoned dish which adds no value to the dish. The only value it adds is an additional $5 to your bill. Do yourself a favor and get the quail if you must go. If you have $140 to spend on dinner for two, I'm pretty sure there are better options in Tampa with food that is more carefully and expertly prepared

    (2)

  • jacob h.

    cool renovation but the food was very hit or miss.

    (3)

  • Kelly G.

    Went to Ulele with my husband for dinner last night after a holiday party in the area. We did not have a reservation but figured it was a Monday night and it was close to 9pm and at the very least we wouldn't mind enjoying dinner in the bar area. We were told wait for table was 20 minutes, after 35 minutes we decided to eat at the bar and as we placed our order our table became available (total wait time 45 minutes for table, so double what we were told). We decided to stay at the bar--- BIG MISTAKE. A group who said they came from the 'back bar' descended upon the bar like a flock of over-served locusts. The girl who sat next to me was so drunk she almost couldnt speak and fell off her bar chair-- yet, she still continued to order and drink shots with her friends. Finally, after she stumbled off to use the restroom I was able to relocate her bar chair far away enough that she would stop shoving and bouncing into me while I attempted to enjoy my dinner. Upon her return from the restroom, escorted by a manager for the restaurant, the bartenders were told that she was cut-off. FINALLY, maybe she would leave. NOPE! She then climbed up ONTO THE LAP of the man she was with and proceeded to drink his drinks for another 30 minutes all the while slurring about how she wasnt drunk and didnt understand why she was cut off. The food was decent. We started with the cabbage oyster boats-- they were unique and different and I would go back for those easily. For entrees I had the flank steak and my husband had the grouper. I dont eat grouper but he said it was pretty good. My flank steak itself was well cooked and the asparagus was lovely. The mashed potatoes it was served with were NOT GOOD. I like my mashed potatoes a little lumpy-- and these were-- but the lumpy potato bits were undercooked and therefore more crunchy than lumpy. We also shared the jalapeno cheddar grit cake which was quite delicious. Bottom line, the overly served patron who sat next to us pretty much ruined my meal. I didnt understand why the bartender, who gave us sympathetic looks the entire time she was there, didnt ask the management to remove her from the establishment. Like I said, this is not a chain restaurant where people get sloppy drunk on 2-for-1 Natural Light drafts, this is a higher end restaurant. The food was good, but if this is the clientele they are catering to we will not be back.

    (2)

  • Jennifer S.

    Wow is all I have to say! Best meal I've had in Tampa lately! Behind Berns this is my favorite local place. Will definitely be back.

    (5)

  • Richard M.

    I was given misleading information about my reservation and treated rudely by the wait staff. A very poor customer service experience. I will never go back there. Rich M.

    (1)

  • Ann F.

    Great Restaurant with a wonderful staff and outstanding food. My husband and I went there for our 15th wedding anniversary. We were a little late do to car trouble and I was in a wheelchair. They seated us almost immediately and our server Patrick already knew why we were late. He was both attentive and knowledgeable. We had the lobster claw cocktail and avocado cold soup for appetizer. Both excellent. Then my husband had the double bone in pork chop and I had the pan fried pompano with shaved tempura like carrots on top. Both dishes were innovative and deliciously tasty. The meal could not have been better. Their food is all organic and locally grown when available. Patrick our server surprised us with a happy anniversary card as well. Also during our meal, one of the managing owners came over to ask how our meal was which told him was quite over the top. He asked us if there was anything else he could do for us. So because I was in a wheelchair and the ramp was quite steep to go back up to street level, I asked him if at the end of our dinner he could get someone to help us up the ramp. He immediately replied that he would do it, and he and my husband did push me up the ramp together. It was a lovely evening from beginning to end.

    (5)

  • Kimberly S.

    As everyone else has stated, the restaurant is gorgeous. The decor and overall aesthetics of the place are beautiful and don't look like anything else in Tampa (that is a good thing). We had a table in front of the sliding doors looking out onto the river, which was really nice. The front of house staff was friendly and genuinely eager to please. We are vegetarian and the menu has one lone veg entree but quite a few veg sides and small plates. The veg entree seemed like a throw away - grilled veg and tofu stacked with a tomato sauce. For a restaurant that has put so much thought and creativity into the rest of the menu, that veg entree was like an after thought. Based on the entree option, we just did small plates. The avocado soup was flavorful and the texture was so smooth - I was pleasantly surprised with how good the soup was since I generally prefer Haas avocados to Florida avocados. The corn bread was pretty good with a nice subtle flavor from the cheddar and jalapenos. The peppers seemed to desparately lacking seasoning - they were just spicy and oily without much else going on (the sea salt was mounded on one lone pepper on the top of the pile, forcing you to have to try to grab granules and sprinkle the rest of the peppers yourself). Garden patties were a little mushy, but the mix of veggies was nice and the aioli was flavorful so the combination was alright. The limas and collareds were at times wonderful and then the next bite was awful. There was definite uneveness in the cooking of the lima beans because some were crunchy to the point that you wondered if they had been cooked at all versus mushy like they had been cooked all day. The beans that were cooked correctly were delicious. The collareds were great - not overcooked at all and really flavorful with the broth the dish was served with. I loved the concept and flavor of the dish and just wish that someone would have checked the beans prior to service. The Ulele salad seemed to have missed the dressing portion and was therefore pretty dry and flavorless. The accompaniments to the salad were miniscule compared to the pile of mixed greens. One of the management staff came by around the time that we were eating our salad and asked if there was anything we needed and when we mentioned a side of the salad dressing, a ramekin was quickly brought out and he was very courteous about the whole thing. The mac and cheese was decadent, almost too rich. The flavor was nice but there was a pool of orange oil on the top (akin to the type you see on Pizza Hut slices) and it just seemed kind of oily throughout (maybe too much cheddar). Finally, I just wanted to mention the beer. They obviously are proud of their in-house brewery and want to promote it so they don't list any non-Ulele beers on their drink list, which is fine. But what is it with 3/4 of the Ulele beers being lagers - the choices seemed to cater to those that want a substitute to their Bud Light/Sam Adams/Shock Top. When I asked if they had any other beers other than the in-house ones, she said yes they had cans of some other breweries but couldn't list any. In order to not be a pain, I just decided to go with their Rusty's Red. When my beer was brought out, it was in the kind of mug usually reserved for old fashioned root beer floats. How could a place with the aspiration of a serious microbrewery use glassware like that? When you are eating a fairly nice restaurant and the beer offered is supposed to be on par with their wine program, it is odd to have this large clunky glass that not only weighs a ton but stands out like a sore thumb. The brewer consulted with Redner over at CCB on their brewery, but I didn't see anything close to the quality we have come to expect from start-ups around town in the execution or the offerings themselves. Overall I was disappointed, maybe because expectations are sky high for this place. It has everything going for it with a creative menu, reasonable prices, wonderful staff, thoughtful management, and a stunning setting, but it just seemed the execution of the food and beer was lacking. Maybe I was there on an off night and it has only been open two weeks, so we will most likely try it again. I hope the kinks get worked out because this could be such a special place in Tampa.

    (2)

  • Ashley N.

    Wow! The atmosphere is out of this world. The owner of the restaurant makes sure you have a personable visit. The gator hush puppies are incredible. Nice atmosphere inside or outside. Highly recommend for a large party or date night.

    (4)

  • Noel S.

    OK, so this is my second time at Ulele's and I must say I was impressed. In my first review I was very disappointed in the lack of flavor and seasoning on the food. I said after that meal that I wouldn't return for a while. After hearing that lunch was going to be served I checked out the menu and thought "what the hell". My wife and I checked online Sunday afternoon to see if we needed reservations or if we could just stroll in. According to the website we had a green light for seating, no reservations needed. We live about a mile away so we rode our bikes. The place was slammed. Long story short, a 25 minute wait at the bar became a 45. I had two Pale ales and my wife enjoyed the grapefruit cocktail. Once seated we ordered the lollipop chicken and were splitting the Ulele burger. The chicken was a bit weak, but the burger was on the money! Perfectly cooked and delicious. I'm going back again for sure. Keep up the hard work Ulele.

    (4)

  • David C.

    Beautiful renovation in a location that is key to Downtown Tampa's development. Jazz on speakers throughout helped set a great ambience. Tim's tour of the brewery was awesome. Our waiter was friendly and efficient. Manager made us feel welcome by bringing an oven-warmed towel to our son who was cold. Food was very good. This restaurant is definitely not a one-star experience. Tampa is fortunate to have it and you can be certain that it will only improve over time.

    (4)

  • Margie J.

    Had reservations for Monday night. Beautiful atmosphere nice table. Restaurant very loud. Service was good. The oysters we ordered were good. Beer was just mediocre food was extremely disappointing. Ordered the pork it was very under season. Got the tuna and it was way too thick and cold and not tasty. Too bad such of beautiful restaurant in such a great location has such tasteless. Not worth the hype or the price.

    (2)

  • Kareen B.

    Read all the reviews on yelp and I had to agree the restaurant meet all my expectations. Atmosphere great- beautiful building great location I sat right next to the open patio door leading to the outside seating area, food perfection appetizers charcoal oysters my 2nd favorite place I had them only paling in comparison to Drago's located in New Orleans. Fried calamari was tender and flavorful. Main entrees the one bone pork chop was again full of flavor and tender I didn't need a steak knife to eat the food, my colleaguesl had the fish entree and said it was really good. We went for dessert and had the ice cream with duck bacon and cinammonn flakes in that description it's not supposed to sound good but it was excellent it was a good pairing of sweet vs savory amd salty I had to push the plate away because I could of ate the whole desseet but wanted to demonstrate some restraint in my waistline. All in all I'm a new yorker whom has visited many great restaurants however i will definitely visit ulele again and again when I visit Tampa

    (5)

  • Shanna H.

    Ok - I am being generous with the 4 star because we went on the first Friday of a full open, knowing there would be room for improvement and there were some kinks to be worked out. The staff was a little nervous - especially our waitress and cocktail waitress on the patio. When encouraged, these young woman provided great service. The appetizers - charbroiled oysters and alligator hush puppies were above average. My husband thought they were outstanding. The preparation of the duck was spot on. The grouper was slightly overdone and hidden beneath an overwhelming amount of stewed tomatoes. The rice had zero flavoring and did not add to the overall meal (duck). The mashed potatoes with cheddar popcorn was loaded with delish. The overall ambiance and space was incredible. With a few tweaks, this restaurant could be one of the absolute best in Tampa.

    (4)

  • Gino L.

    We had a MOST ENJOYABLE experience 2nite----the ambience was filled w/some great art, the bldg very tastefully restored & the menu fantastic! Never had okra fries---loved them! Then we saw the sunset! To top it off, our waitress, Cherri, was knowledgeable, courteous & extremely efficient---she answered every question cheerfully & gave us top notch service like we were her only table! We left but not b4 making another reservation!! AMAZING EXPERIENCE!!

    (5)

  • Tiffany G.

    Our experience at Ulele's was nothing short of fantastic. We arrived at the restaurant right at 9:15 for our reservation at that time and the entire restaurant was packed. They informed us that they were backed up on seating and that would take a while. And in all honestly, it took us 45 minutes to get sat. But in that time, the staff were so incredibly friendly despite how busy they were. One hostess walked around the lobby handing out samples of their wedding beer (which is delicious). The hostesses in general handled the entire situation with wonderful tact and grace. We were standing right next to the host stands and I heard some of the rudest and creepiest people harassing these women and they were 1000% professional about it. And then the bartenders were wonderful as well. Even though we could clearly see them rushing all over the bar, they took the time to chat with every person that walked up and were very, very accommodating. The mixed drinks and beers that we had were delicious and were were served everything very quickly. Javier was one of the bartenders and he joked around with us and let us sample a beer we were curious about. Terra was another that made sure we were taken care of as well and even recommended the oyster entree to us (which is also delicious). We were sat after we got a second round of drinks. We sat in a corner of the restaurant at a table that faced these open windows that had a nice view of Hillsborough river, which I can only imagine looks stunning at sunset, but it was still pretty at night. Our server was named Brittany, and again, she was wonderful, friendly, and made sure we had everything we wanted or needed. All of our orders came out in great time. Between the two of us we had the okra fries, blistered peppers, vegetarian dish of the day, oysters, the key lime ice cream stack, flour-less chocolate torte, and the guava pie. Everything was delicious, I couldn't pick out a favorite or least favorite even if I wanted to. So even though Ulele's was slammed, the wonderful staff handled the situation fantastically and we received one of the best restaurant services and experiences I can remember. I even asked to speak with a manager/supervisor about the time we had and even he was incredibly friendly and grateful and talked to us about the night. So in short, if you want a great restaurant experience with a wonderful atmosphere, delicious food and drinks, with a wonderful staff and service, GO TO ULELE'S! I will be talking about this restaurant to everyone and will definitely be back frequently!

    (5)

  • Abby K.

    My husband and I went last night and it was pretty good. It is upscale with prices for dishes ranging from $17-28 so if you're looking for inexpensive this isn't the place. I had the wedding beer which was awesome! For an appetizer we ordered the fried quail which was also tasty. My natural chicken however was terrible. The oil sauce that it came with tasted terrible. It was just a bunch of red oil. However, the side of the jalapeño grit patty was excellent. My husband enjoyed his pork shank. For dessert we got the maple ice cream w duck bacon which was good but a little too sweet for me. Service was great and the bar staff was friendly. We'll def go back but I'll stay away from the chicken this time.

    (4)

  • Joshua S.

    To start the complementary valet was very fast and courteous, what more can you expect? Walking in the ambiance was perfect for a night out entertaining clients or date night with that special someone. They were pretty busy so I would suggest making reservations. I sat at the raw bar and Morgan was my server. She was very sweet, outgoing, knowledgeable and everything you expect from your server. She recommended a wonderful cocktail to start with. I asked her opinion on the frog legs and octopus carpaccio and she described them perfectly. You get quite a bit of frog legs in the order but I would order 2 of the carpaccio if you plan on sharing. Both were delicious. I had the pompano for my main course and it was phenomenal! There was quite a bit of wild rice as a filler but that wasn't needed as the portion was rather large. All in all the experience was nothing short of perfect, I just wish the manager stopped by so I could tell them this in person. I look forward to coming back next time I'm in town!

    (5)

  • Lois S.

    not sure what all the hype is about...the menu needs major tweeking and the executiion needs better chefs....the fried calamari was too ordinary; the house salad was soupy and the nondescript mozzarella strands and the hard beans are not wanted......the fish selections need excitement as the snapper was boring...the pork shank was so so and now the fried ice cream with bacon flavor....really????? where was the bacon flaovr and the ice cream was fried 4 hours ago since the corn flake crust wa so soggy.....WOULD NOT COME AGAIN,.

    (2)

  • Mike N.

    I had heard great things about this new restaurant and dined there last Saturday. Made reservation because heard it was popular. Arrived 15min prior to time and they told us they were running behind. Went to packed bar area to get a drink and was presently surprised when a waitress approached us and took our drink order. Finally got seated a solid 70 minutes later . Apps were very good (charbroiled oysters and alligator hush puppies). Beer was so so (but I am beer nerd and wasn't there for the beer) . I ordered fillet and cut of beef was excellent, very tender and cooked perfect (ordered medium rare). BUT it was terribly over salted, so very over seasoned and so salty didn't eat but half of it. Girlfriend got American red snapper and fish was fresh and nice piece of fish but it was over cooked and very dry. Wait staff was attentive but never asked how the steak was prepared or about meal was in general. The devil is in the details and if a dinner (with wine and drinks ) is going to be north of $100/person I expect the details to be done a lot better. The are simply way too many better options for fine dining in the Tampa Bay Area. I don't think I will return.

    (2)

  • Debbi C.

    First off, I want to love this restaurant. The building, a reconverted waterworks building, is charming with original, vintage brick and enough glass and wooden accents-- and a touch of Tampa sports memorabilia-- to keep it current. Ulele is situated on Tampa's waterfront and the views at sunset are spectacular. Large glass doors open to bring the outside in. Outside space is comfy and dog-friendly. And evening complimentary parking is a plus. And then there's the food which keeps me from giving Ulele the 5 stars I wish I could give. First, my lobster cocktail was salty and much too horseradishy. Two of my guests ordered the seafood pot pie and also found it overly seasoned. I found the chicken dish rather plain and uninspired. High marks for the Mac & cheese, the squash gratin, and the stuffed grouper. Portions are big so you'll have enough to bring home for tomorrow's lunch. Our server was attentive, knowledgeable and friendly. Desserts were good, yet very big. After dinner, take a tour of the brewery with Tim, the brewmaster. We all enjoyed the energy and atmosphere of Ulele-- we will try again to see if the food can match the rest of the experience.

    (4)

  • Arthur C.

    I went on Sunday 9/28/2014. It was packed, but the service and food was excellent. We shared four starter. The octopus, oysters, calamari, and frog legs. Wow, they were fantastic but the oyster blows Ricks on the River my local oyster place away. They are not even in the same ball park. I think this is a restaurant that rivals Bern's in service. There is a story about everything even the spring next to the restaurant. The wine list was good too. The beers were brewed in house, as a brewer the server almost had everything right about the brewing of lagers (all their brews are lagers). I wish they had an ale or stout. It would be nice to have a heavy beer with a heavy meal. Maybe later on. I had the Chicken special it was so delicious that I finished past the point of uncomfortably full because there was not enough to take home. I really wish I had left room for the duck bacon fried ice cream. I now have to go back.

    (5)

  • Dani I.

    Seriously this place is beautiful. I just want to rent this place out and have a huge party. It's legit. I had the ulele salad and to be honest it was a little underwhelming. Not much to it. I'm sure everything else is pretty good. I'll try them again. Service was up to par.

    (4)

  • Walt B.

    The ambiance is great and our service was spectacular but we were disappointed with three of our menu selections - and won't be ordering those again. First, the good stuff: the service was amazing on a Tuesday night. And the place was packed. The deconstructed seafood pot pie was good and filling with a very tasty cream sauce and light-as-a-feather pastry puffs. There was, however, more sauce than seafood - only one smoked oyster. The made-on-site beers were good - a flight of three was only $1. Now the bad stuff: The grilled/roasted oysters were the smallest we have ever seen - and that is not good for the prices the place charges. My wife was disappointed at the size - but the flavor was good. We mentioned the small oysters to the server and a manager came over and gave us an additional free order. I've had good grit cakes at other places and the side that came with our order was bland and about room temperature. Could have been warmer - and where were the jalapenos? And the third disappointment was a side of dirty rice that also was room temperature and also bland. An off night? Possibly, but for $70, it should have been better. We will go back to try other dishes on the menu. The place is spectacular and the management aims to please but in some of the Yelp reviews here there are references to little moments of disappointment. Those can add up. Expectations are high for this place and so it's hard to knock. But that menu may have offerings that look better than they taste..

    (3)

  • Katerina B.

    We were so looking forward to try this place but were so disapointed. The place is very nice, but the service is pretty slow and the food was nothing special. We wanted to try aligator but there were just small pieces of meat in cakes/dumplinks, blistered peppers, okra fries and crab mac&cheese. Peppers were the best. I ordered duck with orange sweet sauce, too sweet. There are a lot of places in Tampa you can get better food.

    (3)

  • Ryan P.

    The food was incredible. I had the Little Jimmy brisket sandwich, and sampled my girlfriend's apple and pork sandwich. We also tried the light and the honey flavored beers. We will be coming back for sure.

    (5)

  • Farin F.

    Enjoyed this new tampa restaurant. It is in a great spot so there are awesome views of the Hillsborough river from the restaurant and you can also take a nice walk after. Our waitress was great, really helpful and attentive. I had the apple cider pork sandwich and Ryan had the Ulele burger. My sandwich could have used more carmelized onions or some sauce because the pork was a bit dry although I did like the apple cider flavor. The Ulele burger was good, a very classy and tasty take on burgers. We tried the wedding beer, the water works beer and the honey lager. The wedding beer was better liked by Ryan who prefers pale ales and I enjoyed the honey lager more because I enjoy mead and it reminded me of that. The water works was too bitter for either of us. We'll go back next time to try dessert.

    (4)

  • Gigi S.

    What an attractive complex in Tampa Heights! I forgot where I was for a moment. While the water view and modern feel make this a great place to hang out, the food feels more like an after thought. The offerings are run-of-the-mill and well executed. While my favorite part of the meal were some collard greens, the filet was just okay, and close enough in temperature. The libations were on point, and the valet parking was convenient on a rainy day. It's great that this area is being revitalized by Waterworks Park and I'll certainly be back for drinks soon although I didn't try any food that I just had to return for. Still there's a lot more on the menu to explore, and good times to be had with good friends in tow.

    (4)

  • James T.

    I had the pork shank and it was great. It went well with the sweet apples. The pork was too much food for me, but if you are hungry, it's definitely filling.

    (4)

  • Lindee M.

    Ulele was sufficient but not note worthy. The appetizer of okra was the best part of our meal. We also tried the chicken lollipops that were unique but made with all dark meat and were a bit on the slimy side. The entree of pompano was better but the house rice that is served is was not. Overall the food was okay, I would say this place would be satisfying for those who "eat to live" but for those like me who "live to eat" there is much better out there! The atmosphere is great and the view is even better, the service was very good as well. Meeting for a drink? This place would be a great spot to do so.

    (3)

  • Steven S.

    This is a great place to go for a special occasion. I had the pork chop and it was really good. The desert menu is awesome.

    (5)

  • Elena M.

    The food was delectable and the service was superb! We tried alligator hush puppies, jalapeño grits, lobster rolls, charbroiled oysters, okra, crab Mac & cheese and the duck fried ice cream. The lagers are brewed on site and the cocktails were made to perfection. Awesome dining experience.

    (5)

  • L R.

    I have dined at this restaurant twice now. Everything I tried is delicious and unique. The decor keeps your eyes entertained for quite some time. I love the eclectic mix of steam punk blended with stained glass window panes and grandeur metal stallions. I love how the doors slide open for a fresh air view of the river. The chef and the staff are particular in the details all the way down to the finely ground pepper. It is close to the consistency of pixie dust so it doesn't get stuck in your teeth. Both the bar manager and restaurant manager were hospitable and welcoming. Our server, Juan took the reins to our date night carriage and chose beautiful appetizers, meals, sides and wine paired to those dishes perfectly. Try the jalepeno bread, blistered peppers or crab cake before dinner with your cocktails and the Barbacoa-Charred Green Beans for a tasty side to your entree. The Candied Duck Bacon Maple Fried Ice Cream is out of this world. This is a fairy tale on a plate. I can't wait to go back.

    (5)

  • Adrienne C.

    Update 11/7/14: I increased my rating by one well-deserved star because the management group at Ulele has reached out to me and went out of their way to make the situation right. I look forward to visiting them again when I return to Tampa and patronizing their St. Augustine restaurant again soon. We would have rated them higher if it hadn't been for the crass thievery. The good: Our server, Jenelle, was courteous, accommodating and attentive. The Country Fried Quail was such a hit, we ordered it twice! The bad: We ordered a combination of appetizers and sides, for a total of 11 non-dessert dishes. The last dish they brought out for us to share was the Collards & Lima Beans. Not exactly ending on a high note! That should have been one of the first dishes presented with a build-up to the best dish of the night (the aforementioned quail)!Additionally, we were seated outside around 6pm. It was hot, humid and the sun was in ours eyes. We were uncomplaining, but our group's (as well as the adjacent table's) discomfort was apparent to the servers who attempted to re-arrange some umbrella tables to shield us from the brutal rays--but a manager came over and announced that what they were doing was "not okay," and ordered them to move the tables back. If this was really some violation of policy, it should have been handled more discreetly as not to embarrass the servers--and let the guests know that you are unconcerned with their discomfort. The ugly: Our group stopped in for dinner after a day of shopping and one of the items we purchased was a box full of desserts from Chocolate Pi, which we brought with us so they wouldn't melt inside the car. We stashed it under the table and after 11 savory courses, 2 dessert courses and 2 rounds of cocktails, we forgot about it as we left out table. However, we remembered as soon as we reached the valet. Literally 60 seconds. My husband went back to the table to retrieve it and found that it was gone. He approached our server who told him to check with the hostess who referred him back to the server. After a little back and fort, the hostess finally went back to the kitchen and re-emerged with our treats and we were on our way. As you can imagine, it took a while before we were ready to eat again, and when we finally opened our box of carefully curated confections, we were shocked to discover that someone in the restaurant, in the 180 seconds we were away from the table (counting the time that we realized what we had done and the prolonged search before our items materialized) someone had helped themselves to the only jumbo gourmet oatmeal cream sandwich cookie that was in our box! We weren't even gone FIVE MINUTES and the staff wasted no time in helping themselves to our desserts. Had we left our wallet behind, how long would they have waited before opening it up and selectively lightening its contents?

    (3)

  • Daniel N.

    I liked it a lot. The food was great. They have a variety of selection. Not the usual bay area restaurant type.... The only thing i didn't like is the hall feeling. I felt like i am in a giant hall couldn't hear music just noise. It was way too loud for a dinner conversation. If you want to go out with a company or group of friends than this is your place! If you want a romantic dinner with your other-half forget about it. :)

    (5)

  • Eddie S.

    I travel to Tampa quite often and have tried unsuccessfully on several occasions to get into this restaurant for dinner at a reasonable time. I was finally able to on my recent trip this past week with a group of 6 people who also had been interested in trying one of Tampa's newest restaurant establishments. We arrived early for our reservation and decided to grab some drinks at the bar. The bartenders were very friendly and personable and helped us decide which of their crafted cocktails to try. I opted for the Native Summer, which was delicious and refreshing, garnished with slices of cucumber. The wines are fairly decent as well. For an appetizer, we ordered Oysters Half Shell and the Okra Fries. The Oysters were NOT cleaned - I kept ending up with large pieces of the shell in my mouth and a grainy feeling on my tongue. The small portion of Okra Fries were underwhelming. For my entree I opted for Juan's Snapper, which was not roasted as the menu indicates, but pan-seared and breaded. It too, was bland. One friend ordered on the Mahi Mahi and another decided to try the Flank Stank - both of which were forgettable. In addition to the lack of flavoring each of our meals had, it also seems as if our meals sat under the heat lamps for quite some time - the fish entrees were dry and the steak was borderline warm when we received them. The only entree that was impressive (I use that term loosely) was the Florida Pompano Special that another friend ordered. It had the most flavor and was the most visually appealing dish of the table as well. Overall our meal at Ulele was a huge disappointment. Were it not for the great service by both our server and the bartenders, complimented by the uniqueness of the space and the overall ambiance of the restaurant I would have given the restaurant 2 stars. Unfortunately the odds are I will not be dining here again - and I am disappointed to say that.

    (3)

  • Petra M.

    The service was awesome. The beer was awesome. The the cocktails were awesome. I love the ambience, the setting, gorgeous sunset, the river, the rustic bricks but let's face it, the food sucks. And what surprised me the most was neither one of our servers on both times we went had tasted any of the food. They could not make personal recommendations. How does the chef expect them to sell the food that they've never tasted it? So we dove blindly each time, forgettably so. The food is underwhelming and overpriced. Great drinking spot though.

    (3)

  • Mackenzie K.

    Had an amazing dinner outside overlooking the Hillsborough river. I would absolutely recommend this place to anyone. Wonderful service, atmosphere, food and cocktails. The Orange Mojito was amazing and the Wedding Beer (seasonal) was awesome too. The grilled oysters were awesome as an appetizer and both our snapper and pork came with amazing sides. The crab Mac and cheese is great.

    (5)

  • Kim M.

    I've been twice and each time was an absolute pleasure. The atmosphere is elegant but inviting and the view is beautiful. Both times I ordered the Florida Native Chili which is slightly spicy and exactly what you'd expect from chili and also the Alligator Hush Puppies. Of course you must check out their beers which are brewed on site. The wedding beer is my favorite but all are delicious. This is a perfect addition to our community and will definitely be back!

    (4)

  • Rody A.

    First let me start by saying there is complementary valet parking, the location is exceptional as it is next to a park with a waterview and wildlife. The decor was classic with a touch of rustic modern which complements the fact that the place is a brewery and wine bar. The moscato we had was exquisite and well priced at only $6 glass. The menu is well constructed with something for everyone, so many choices on appetizers that is with the trip just to try a few of the exotic selections such as alligator hush puppies and frog legs. The main courses are a bit on the high end as far as price goes but expected, adequate portions and delicious taste. The lady had flank steak cooked well done to perfection and I had the Chief Red Eagle Duck which was mildly undercooked but the waiter was pleased to send it back and the main chief was nice enough to bring it back and apologize for the inconvenience, needless to say the service was excellent. To top it off the Guava Pie was to die for with some guava "mermelada" on the side. In conclusion the place definitely hits the spot! 4 stars because of the pricy main courses.

    (4)

  • Laurie R.

    Great atmosphere and interesting food. Would highly recommend trying out the restaurant. Custom made drinks were very good as well plus a tour of the brewery with Tim the brewmaster topped off the evening

    (4)

  • Steve C.

    Wow. Wow. Twice. The number of times I've been there. No wonder it's one of Tampa's hot spots. Great fish. Creative dishes. I'll be back.

    (5)

  • Karen S.

    Family of 5 adults ate Saturday night 9/13. Reservations at 7, seated at 7:30. Extremely crowded and loud with happy hour patrons. Impossible to reach the bar for a cocktail prior to being seated. Managed to get 3 beers from the oyster bar. Too crowded inside so walked around outside until table was ready. Gorgeous location on the Hillsborough River, next to newly restored Ulele Springs and Ulele city park. A tremendous amount of work has been done in the restoration of this building and it truly is quite unique. Service - very good. Had to ask for some things but he was quick to oblige and checked back with us often enough. Food - Ummm....some items very good. Lobster cakes, crab mac&cheese, pompano, meatloaf, mashed potatoes and demi glace, maple duck bacon ice cream - all very good. Other items not quite up to par. Jalepeno muffins good tasting but served cold. Disappointing. 22 oz. porterhouse steak. Beautifully crusted Pittsburg style exterior just as requested but absolutely raw inside instead of medium rare as ordered. Squash gratin just average, asparagus and green beans uninspiring. Drinks - beer - ok, but nothing special; signature drinks - no noticable liquor in them; water - served in small juice glasses from a glass bottle on the table. Room temperature. No ice served. Ambiance - VERY LOUD, very crowded, gorgeous view, outside seating (dog friendly). So crowded that we saw 2 servers almost lose heavily loaded trays of food due to rowdy bar patrons bumping into them. The servers all looked stressed, unhappy or absolutely miserable. There wasn't any "hospitality" emmanating from them! Owners need to figure out how to create some walkways/space for servers to get food from the kitchen to the tables without being crushed by bar patrons. The other odd thing we noticed was a female server carrying up the stairs a huge heavily loaded tray full of dishes. Not only was it obviously dangerous but we couldn't imagine how serving staff will tolerate being required to do this day-in-day-out. This establishment is not server friendly at all. Keeping staff may be a problem.

    (3)

  • Veniece K.

    No one recommended to try Ulele, but after driving by every day from work and seeing the valet busy and the parking full - curiosity got the best of me. I wasn't disappointed! However, I went on a Saturday afternoon without a reservation. My wait time was almost two hours. Luckily, I found a spot at the bar and ended up eating there - which I'm not complaining after I split the Ulele burger with a friend. I recommend getting the avocado chimichuri sauce on the side...just make a reservation!

    (4)

  • Lynda F.

    Exactly the type of restaurant that Tampa needs. The okra fries are amazing! The menu is rustic - Florida style. The Deconstructed Seafood Pot Pie was divine, Rich creamy filling with puff pastry pieces. The pear and goat cheese salad was awesome, with a great dressing and ton of flavor. The building is incredible, a true ode to Tampa. Without a doubt will be back here.

    (5)

  • R T.

    Wow!!! Very surprised ! The food was Superb! I give it a five star quality! Very trendy and swanky ambience..the server Matthew was top notch , service was very hospitable ! The staff was great . Manager on board that nite was Juan .. very outgoing making sure we were takin care of ! I will return tomorrow for lunch! Two thumbs Up!!!!

    (5)

  • Okie T.

    Don't get me wrong, the restaurant space and the customer service level here are an A+. However, the food was just good, not great, but just good. I tried numerous appetizers, entrees and desserts, and while I certainly enjoyed them, they did not blow me away. I will definitely come back mainly for the atmosphere.

    (3)

  • Elizabeth C.

    Drinks were good, wine selection was so so. The food was not as creative as I would have liked, my fish was overcooked. The okra fries were good, mussels were also very good. Service was great! Everyone else's food seemed good, they had no complaints. I liked the ambiance was not too happy with sitting upstairs and the bathroom was downstairs. The sports paraphernalia on the walls seemed out of place. I would definately go again.

    (3)

  • Jami S.

    This is one of my new, favorite places in Tampa. Not only is it a beautiful spot (and getting better) but the food and atmosphere are amazing! I've been several times for dinner, this was my first lunch, and it was equally fantastic mid-day as it is in the evening. The native preparation is an important complement to the Florida inspired ingredients. I'm excited for my next meal at Ulele.

    (5)

  • Jenny J.

    We tried to make a last minute reservation the day of our visit, even though it was a Wednesday evening they were packed and we were told that the bars tables were community and we could always get on the wait list if we wanted. So our party of 5 showed up around 730 and we were surprised at the crowd. We were immediately told there was one table outside & we took it. The view was spectacular and the Florida weather provided a cool evening and we were happy. Our server, Britney, came right over with the offer of sparkling or still water. She recommended the Native Summer cocktail to me which was just as delicious as she proclaimed. We the ordered 2 apps, the blistered shishito peppers (my personal faves), and the okra fries, we throughly enjoyed both. They were light, not breaded, and very tasty. Next I asked Britney to help me choose between the tuna or snapper she didn't hesitate to recommend the snapper which was AMAZING! Other people ordered the crab mac n cheese, I tasted it and holy smokes it was great! I few ordered the pear and beet salad, looked beautiful. Someone else ordered and loved the deconstructed seafood pot pie which I also sampled and it was heaven! All in all we had a fantastic experience, a wonderful, top notch server, and the restaurant itself was very unique and beautiful and an awesome edition to the Tampa scene, can't wait to go back! !!

    (5)

  • Aaron K.

    Fantastic dinner! Wait was long but worth it! Ordered the pompano was which cooked to perfection served on wild rice with asparagus. Very light but very tasty. Girlfriend had the NY strip. It was good but we had Bern's last night so it probably is not fair to compare the two places. The Mac & Cheese was the highlight of the night! I love Mac and cheese and it won best in Tampa so I had to try it. It did not disappoint! It was easily the best I've had in Tampa and a must for anyone who visits here.

    (4)

  • Scott P.

    Second visit here was Wednesday the 29th of April. First visit last August was much better from a food quality and presentation experience. I ordered the Flank Steak with Chimichurri, asparagus and mashed potato. The Steak was cooked well done like I prefer, but it was sliced thicker than on on my visit last August. I was also expecting it to be just a little charred, which it wasn't. I received two very thin asparagus spears, and that was it. The potatoes were not as fluffy as they were on my visit in August. And for some strange reason it takes forever to get a glass of Iced Tea, same as my visit back in August. I am perplexed by this. Some of the Staff "work the tables" pouring/refreshing water. I will be back, but it appears Ulele's newness is beginning to wane a bit.

    (3)

  • Erica S.

    I can't say enough about the quality, the ambiance and the staff. Their privately brewed beer is amazing, the outdoor and indoor ambiance is incredible (especially at sunset) and the food is amazing. I don't even care for oysters yet order them every time I go. The fried okra and homemade ketchup are incredible and every entree I have ordered has been stellar. You must check this place out and bring your dog to sit on the patio!

    (5)

  • Christie W.

    Awesome food. All three of us ordered different and tasted each others and everything tasted exquisite. The service is fast friendly. Ashley was helpful with ordering and very knowledgeable! She was very prompt and always had a smile! The noise level is very loud and is very difficult to have a friendly conversation but otherwise the atmosphere is very unique and appealing. My favorite was the Alligator hush puppies.

    (5)

  • Nigel R.

    First of all I love this restaurant. It is owned by the same people who own the Columbia Restaurant. Everything was amazing EXCEPT the signature Kilo Porterhouse Steak! We ordered it Medium instead of Medium Rare and it was a little overdone on one side and they served it dry which being my first time I wasn't sure if that was normal. Now looking at other pictures of this steak im seeing that it appears to be served with butter and minced garlic on top so maybe during the dinner rush it was just overlooked. Either way we are going back. Their Char-grilled oysters are amazing. But order the twelve count as the six count disappears in seconds. We had their signature Duck bacon Ice cream for desert I can tell you it lives up to the hype. I sampled their craft beer which was the best Ive ever tasted. This is seriously good beer. The grounds and building are very cool as it faces the north end of the Hillsborough River Walk project so after dinner you can stroll the boardwalk. If they hadnt missed on the steak I would rate them a five stars. But we will be back and I promise to update this review.

    (3)

  • Larrel S.

    My family and I (my husband and two children,age 6&8) had dinner here last night and it was AMAZING!!!! The food was perfect! It is literally my favorite food so far in Tampa and I've been here a year. We have been to many restaurants but this by far has been my absolute favorite! We skipped an appetizer and had a mojito and the wedding beer! Perfect! Then we moved onto the kids having the lollipop chicken and the sliders. The lollipop chicken was not my daughters favorite, a little spicy for her. My husband had the meatloaf and I had the seafood chowder. Both we amazing! Everything was perfect, the environment, the food and the staff. Thank you so much for a great dinner . We will be back again!

    (5)

  • Jennifer D.

    Stopped by here on a beautifully sunny post-zoo Saturday afternoon for a bite to eat and some chilled wine. Sat at the bar and had a chance to watch oysters being shucked and food being prepared and grilled. The interior is beautiful and modern- quite a large room with an upstairs I didn't see. Our server was sweet and attentive. The menu was extensive with plenty of appetizers, sides, and entrees to choose from. For food, we picked out the Ulele salad, avocado soup, and lobster claws (which were sold out, so we got the lobster cake instead at our server's suggestion). Everything was just ok. The salad was tasty but overdressed, the "soup" was really a bowl of puréed avocado (delicious, but so much avocado! I was expecting something more soup-like), and the lobster cake came out so fast that it just seemed concerning. For wine, we ordered from the "unique" section, and both of our selections were sweeter than we would have liked. A description would have been helpful. The park outside the restaurant is really pretty and nice to walk around after a meal.

    (3)

  • Terri D.

    Ulele, I waited so long for you and you did not disappoint. If I could give ten stars for ambience I would. The artwork and beauty of this building make an atmosphere so inviting that you want to stay and enjoy it. The food is good with some very unique native Florida choices. I have tried several in my three visits there: Charbroiled oysters, Pulpo carpaccio, Waterworks Meatloaf, Gouda Grouper, Florida Native Chili, Roasted Beets and Poached Pear Salad and the Crab Mac n Cheese. I found all the food appetizing and the presentation lovely. We had the Magbee's Honey Lager brew which is delicious. We also tried the Rusty Red also delicious. Dining on the patio for lunch on a beautiful Florida day with the renewed beauty of the Ulele Springs and Waterworks Park is the perfect way to spend an afternoon. Thank you Tampa!!

    (4)

  • Mike S.

    Oh my! Simply wonderful. I feared this place could not live up to the effusive build-up by the media. Well it has. Superior to Bern's in my view, comparable to Mise en Place for creative dishes, and incomparable on décor/setting. An abandoned waterworks has been transformed into a polished masterpiece of architecture, interior design, eclectic art/artifacts and inspired dishes with authentic Florida/native culinary touches. We sampled the Princess cocktail and their red lager...both good if not stellar. Quality jolted upward with superb cheese and shells, fried okra strips and cold avocado soup...much like gazpacho. Recommended entrees were well sauce pompano and deconstructed seafood pot pie with shrimp, scallop, oyster and octopus in a tasty cheese sauce with puff pastry nuggets and wild rice on the side. Could not resist the delectable fried ice cream in bourbon sauce and duck bacon inserted. Service was perfect from being greeted at the door to having a forgotten credit card brought as we left. We will be back. And I must say, no one who purports to know and review Tampa food places can fail to try here.

    (5)

  • Laura L.

    Beautiful building and setting. That's where it ended. Was expecting it to be great; what I had was "not bad." Very good apps, mediocre entrees, unimpressive and slow service both times. Had duck first time there (boring), and grouper special second time (tonight). The way the server described the grouper special was nothing at all like I received. White cheddar popcorn mashed potatoes sans the popcorn or cheddar flavor. Several service missteps. Servers seem intent on trying to remember your order but fail; repeating it several times gets annoying. Sorry, Ulele...I've given you a chance for redemption but was disappointed (again).

    (2)

  • Nat S.

    We loved their interior design and the pretty location a lot. Great place for dating and hang out with friends. Well, but we are not so crazy on their food like others. I might not order the right thing. We actually ordered Grouper, Yellowfin Tuna, and Snapper. I must say it's a little disappointed to me because the tuna came out with such a huge piece and so tasteless and our snapper was overcooked. But their dessert "Keylime ice cream", is what to die for!

    (3)

  • Jessica L.

    This is my first review and it took an amazing Ulele experience to make me finally get on here and share the love. First, let me say that I've lived in Tampa for about 15 years, and NO other restaurant has ever generated as much hype as this place. So, of course, I was expecting to be let down. But thankfully that wasn't the case! We made reservations so the wait wasn't a hassle, but when we walked in there was a group of guys there who were obviously irritated with what was going down. They told the hostess to take them off the list, so reservations are DEFINITELY a necessity (at least at this point). Our table was ready shortly after we arrived, and miiiiight have been the best seat in the house. Right in front of the huge open foldaway doors overlooking the terrace, the river and the waterpark nearby. The cool breeze was refreshing, and it was nice to feel like we were sitting outside without actually sitting outside. Because, you know. Florida. Our waiter, Jorge, was a PEACH. Ask for him if you can. He was prompt without being overbearing and had some great suggestions. Super friendly guy. Just loved him. Our apps consisted of the crab mac n cheese and alligator hush puppies, both of which were good. Kind of wish I had gotten the lobster cakes since they looked amazing. Our cocktails were strong and good. I had the Native Summer and my boyfriend the house mojito. Even in Florida, a good mojito is rare, so they get bonus points for this in my opinion. For the main course, I had the snapper and my boyfriend went for the deconstructed seafood pie. I hate to say it, but his was slightly better. So creamy and ever so slightly sweet! And the puff pastries just melts in your mouth! A great value for just $22. And lastly was the most important part -- THE ICE CREAM DESSERT. The fried ice cream really steals the show (you HAVE to try it), but their "regular" ice creams still knocked my socks off. I actually LIKED their "plain" vanilla. We paired it with the chocolate torte and the sweetness really balanced out the heaviness of the chocolate. The fresh vanilla was apparent and made a huge difference. Even if you aren't a big ice cream fan (I'm not, I prefer cake as my sweet), you really do owe it to yourself to try it. And at just $5 for two scoops, it won't break the bank at the end of the meal :)

    (5)

  • Bill M.

    Just visited Ulele for the first time and was really "wowed" by the location and the ambiance. Our workgroup went there for lunch to celebrate a transitioning coworker. Looking around the restaurant, it was obvious this was a popular spot for power lunches. The colorful decor makes judicious use of copper sculptures and the dining loft also adds an element of interest. There is outdoor dining overlooking the manicured lawn and the river. All these amenities are very pleasing to the senses. Although the menu listed a number of interesting choices, I went with their signature burger sans bun (currently trying to avoid unnecessary carbs). It was juicy and tasty. The only disappointment was the slow service which can be somewhat amplified when you have a tight schedule at the office. This would have been much less of an issue in a purely social situation. All in all, I look forward to going back to Ulele. It is now on my list of Tampa's unique places to go, especially when out-of-town colleagues are visiting.

    (4)

  • Desiree M.

    I was very impressed that the owner had contacted me about my review and asked questions about my experience and we both agreed we would give it another shot as we hope it was just a fluke. Hopefully our second time will be much better.

    (3)

  • Nicole G.

    My first visit to Ulele was for a book club meeting. We didn't have dinner, but the cocktail and the okra fries we shared were delicious, so I definitely wanted to go back. I chose to go for my birthday yesterday at lunch. Our meal was fantastic and the service was attentive and prompt. I think between my brother and my father they tried all of the beers on tap, except for the wedding beer, which they are currently out of. Disappointing, as I would have liked to try it as well, but I ordered the Water Works cocktail and I was fine. We decided on a few appetizers to share - the crab mac and cheese and the alligator hush puppies. Both were outstanding, and my mother, who does not like jalapenos at all, enjoyed her hush puppy. We also ordered a side of jalapeno corn grit cake, and that was very good, as well, as was the chili - even with all of the game meats (venison, boar, et cetera) it did not have a "gamey" taste to it, but was rich and flavorful. For the main event, after trying to decide for a while, we all ordered the Ulele burger, which was delicious! It was moist, juicy, cooked perfectly with just the right amount of pink, and those fried leeks - damn, why did I not think of that, ever?! We had ordered so much food, I had to take half of my chili and half of my burger home. They were a perfect breakfast this morning. I will definitely go back. Seminole Heights has a perfect gem in this restaurant.

    (4)

  • Chi P.

    I think that the beautiful scenery is why people are reviewing this restaurant so highly. This is the second time I've dined here, and the food quality is inconsistent. The first time was much better. Today, everything is overcooked and on the oily side. Service is also pretty bad. We're at the end of our meal and still have all of our plates from the entire lunch.

    (2)

  • Nick W.

    Ok...so, very few times have I gone to a new restaurant on a cold referral and been so rewarded! Our party of four went to Ulele on a whim. Serendipitously we met the brewmaster, Tim, within moments of entering the building, and per his recommendation we started with a full flight if the house beers. I have to say that I have never encountered such a balanced variety of beers that had good flavor and value within each and every offering. The red was sharp and full flavor red without being bitter. The light lager was a solid offering considering that I don't really go in for light beers at all. With it's fruity notes, the "wedding beer" was a great alternate to cider drinkers that don't want something really sweet. The honey wheat was an extremely well rounded beer that will satisfy both lager and ale drinkers. The pale ale an incredibly satisfying choice to pair with our appetizer of charbroiled oysters. BUT...my favorite was the seasonal Octoberfest brew that wasn't on the menu. Ask about it, because if it's available, it was the absolute best choice of the night. Not only was it one if the best Octoberfest brews I have EVER had (thanks again Tim), with a full, savory flavor that has a creamy finish, it was a magnificent pairing to the New York strip special that I selected for my entree. After our charbroiled oysters, we we're fortunate to be given a brew tour by Tim (the talented and enthusiastic brewmaster. *Seriously, his passion was infectious and made us ready to dive into our next beer selections and our pending entrees) After the brewery tour, we sampled a full range of appetizers without a stinker in the bunch: grit cakes, popcorn mashed potatoes, lima beans and collard greens, were all good, but the house chili?! DAMN I have never had a chili so savory and full of flavor that finished so light on the tongue at the end. Truth be told, after the oysters, chili, and beer we could have left satisfied, but moving on to the entrees was NOT a mistake. Sitting at the full service bar area next to the grill, and generously guided by the oyster bar chef, Sarah, our selections were New York Strip, Fillet, the maple marmalade duck (which was neither too sweet, nor too fatty: just right), and the deconstructed seafood pot pie. What ensued was an epic tapas style sharing of food that was only slowed down by my shellfish allergy. *However, I was assured by my dinner companions that the seafood pot pie was no less impressive than any of the other dishes I sampled. All in all, it is one of the best meals I've had this year, and one of the best first encounters with a new restaurant I've ever had.

    (5)

  • Elizabeth M.

    Oh how I love this place! I've been here now for lunch and dinner and both meals were delicious. The food stands up to the excitement and anticipation you feel when reading their innovative menu (no saying "well it LOOKED like it would be good"). The service has been friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable. And of course the atmosphere is a unique mix of modern, urban architecture with laid-back Florida vibes. Bring your wife, bring your best friends, bring your kids, bring your dog...this place somehow ends up working just right for whatever your occasion is. As a vegetarian, I was able to try quite a few things on the menu and enjoyed everything. The top 3 things I can't rave enough about are the chilled avocado soup, okra fries (even the ketchup they come with), and portobello burger (which has decadent configuration of about 7 toppings and must be eaten with a fork). They have a brewery on site, but I tried one of their cocktails. It was good, but I don't remember it being great. I also really enjoyed the side of shells and cheese, but wouldn't put it at the very top of my list because it was a touch dry. There will probably be a wait, but don't be turned off by this. The hostess will text you when your table is ready. Ulele is nestled in the new Waterworks park, so you can take a river-side stroll while waiting for your table or run around in their grassy green space (probably more advisable for the under 12 crowd). Sit outside if you can, this is the outdoor restaurant Tampa has been needing for some time. Beautiful water views, great people watching, sunshine galore during lunch and elegant lighting during dinner. There's no smoking on the patio so you can enjoy your meal outside without the foul wafting odors of cigarettes that are too common in outdoor dining.

    (5)

  • Leanna C.

    Absolutely wonderful food and atmosphere. The Florida wild chili is to die for too! We went on a whim because we'd heard people talking about it and we're not disappointed. I'm pleased to have a quality farm to table type restaurant finally in this area with plenty of quality local and wild proteins. Recommended highly for fellow clean eaters, foodies, and paleo peeps. After dinner we walked through waterworks park, perfect date night!

    (4)

  • Alex A.

    Rice was totally undercooked to the point that most of it was extremely crunchy and the rest was impossible to eat. couldn't believe that one. everything else was ok i guess, but not worth the price esp when considering the fact that they couldn't cook rice properly.

    (2)

  • Monica A.

    Okra fries.. yum

    (4)

  • Julie L.

    Phenomenal place for dinner! Went with a group, table if 10, so we all sampled each others food. The portion sizes were generous. Appetizers were great; frogs legs moist and flavorful, hush puppies gooey and crispy, okra fries tasty! Entrees were as delish as expected. The pork shank was out of this world, flank steak really good, seafood pot pie full of seafood, steaks were great, pompano was the best ever! Desserts were also great. The duck fat ice cream was surprisingly wonderful. The drinks were very good, with fire ant vodka living up to its name. The mojito was the BEST. Wine by the bottle was fairly priced for a nice restaurant. The service was above average, our waiter was knowledgeable and prompt. I would definitely go back, would love to try lunch on the patio next.

    (5)

  • Brian M.

    Let me start by saying the food was amazing and the location couldn't have been revitalized any better. Unfortunately, that alone didn't make our visit enjoyable. We arrived 45 minutes before our reservation to enjoy drinks and explore the area. When we checked in we let them know we were early and they informed us they could seat us at 6pm. The bar was packed and a bit small so after about 10 minutes we were able to get a drink. We walked around and enjoyed the view of the river and spring. This is when the fun stopped! After returning to the host and letting them know we were ready to be sat they told us it would be a few more minutes (totally ok). What we didn't know was a few more minutes was 35 minutes without even an apology for making us wait. When we were sat I respectfully told the waiter I was unhappy about the wait and his response was "good thing you weren't here last night we were sitting people 45 to an hour past reservations." The worst part is half the upstairs was empty with plenty of available tables. I probably would have been fine if a manager apologized or offered a complementary glass of wine or appetizer. Instead I left with a bad first experience and have no desire to go back. Too many great Tampa locations to be treated like that. Ulele is owned and run by some of the best restaurateurs so in my opinion the best is expected.

    (2)

  • Judi R.

    If we had let the reception we received by the greeters serve as a determinant of good places to eat- we would have left! Very rude and pompous young lady there! Thank goodness we proceeded and had an excellent server- Kelly as well as great food. As a vacationing executive, I highly recommend you make front desk changes!

    (4)

  • Leslie C.

    Only giving 3 stars because the ambiance is great. I have tried this restaurant twice now and both times I have been really disappointed. Appetizers are ok, but the entrees each time have been bland and extremely underwhelming. The wild rice side and the asparagus that come with the entrees have little to no discernible seasoning. On my first visit I ordered the ahi tuna with grapefruit reduction and the most I can say about it is that it was fine. Tonight I decided to try the Grouper Ulele... The grouper was heading in the direction of being a few days old as it had a slight fish odor when it arrived and had begun to taste that way as well. The sauce seemed nothing more than canned diced tomatoes poured on top. The rice was still bland and the asparagus tasted as though it had been reheated in a microwave. Very disappointing considering the rave reviews Ulele has been receiving since its opening. I really wanted it to be amazing, as the location and atmosphere are really great... But, it just isn't worth it. I won't be back for a third visit.

    (3)

  • Gerald S.

    Despite reservations we had to wait almost an hour to be seated, and at least 15-20 minutes to see a waiter. I did notice that food from some other tables were being returned. I ordered the meatloaf which was tasty and satisfying, but my wife's chicken dish was not as described in the menu. the sauce was so spicy it had to be returned. And the chicken itself was over cooked and tough.

    (3)

  • Susan H.

    Had the opportunity to experience this wonderful Tampa Gem on Tuesday, August 19th with 3 of my friends..... Gerardo L, Cathy B & Mimi B. . From the moment I parked the car, and walked in...I knew this was going to be an unbelievable & wonderful experience. This is a piece of Tampa History turned into a wonderful restaurant with the most gracious personnel I have ever encountered. I was honored to meet Richard Gonzmart, the most gracious host and passionate man about his vision of this restaurant and his involvement in the community and charities that are near and dear to is heart. The food was amazing. I will leave the expertise of writing about it to my friend Cathy B. and the excellent photography to the Master, Gerardo L.. I so look forward to coming back on August 27th with 6 of my friends.... To paraphrase Cathy B...... " A STAR IS BORN." or should we say , "A 5 STAR has arrived."

    (5)

  • Gerardo L.

    Excellent restaurant with prefect surroundings. They brew their beer and Tim is the master brewer. Excellent concept and food. I love the decorations.

    (5)

  • Kathleen F.

    The atmosphere is really better than the food at this new trendy, art-filled eatery. Recommended by a friend who knew I would love the sensitive yet hip remodel of this industrial building. Packed with original art and a huge number of spot on architectural details, it is a place to see and be seen. I went for Sunday lunch with a friend and they were packed. We waited at the bar and started with a Bloody Mary which was surprisingly one-note. No spice, no salt, no herb. The only thing it was is sweet. Not to my taste at all. I mentioned it to the bartender and the people seated next to me at the bar agreed wholeheartedly. A bit of celery salt a squeeze of lemon and a splash of Crystal hot sauce would have done wonders. I recommended that they consider a spicy pickled okra with the Bloody instead of the boring olive it came with. Pickled okra would certainly be in keeping with the menu and general tone of the place. Our waiter was friendly and efficient. We asked him to suggest an assortment of small plates that we could share, which he happily did. The Okra French Fries were truly tasty. A bit of sea salt and a squeeze of lime gave them a very appealing flavor profile. He suggested the roasted oysters which sounded delicious but were sadly overcooked. What should have been plump juicy bivalves were shriveled and dry. There was not a speck of oyster juice to sop up with the very tasty bread. What an expensive shame. We also ordered the crab macaroni cheese which was overpowered by a heavy hand with the sherry. It was okay but we didn't finish it all. i can make better and I expected better. We also ordered the gator hush puppies which were perfectly cooked and the sauce was really yummy. I would order those again. I wish we had ordered two orders of those and skipped the oysters. We had an incredible fried ice cream dessert with candied duck bacon that was worth the calories. We did finish all of that and I would order it again. All in all, the experience was fun and fresh. The food didn't quite hit the mark I had been lead to expect. Perhaps the form has gotten ahead of the function. Perhaps it was just a bad day. Either way, I'll go back again and give them another try.

    (3)

  • Miguel R.

    This is my first ever review in yelp so here it goes: We visited Ulële for a late dinner and I must say that the location is very nice, the place was built in an old warehouse in the Tampa industrial district, therefore it give the restaurant a very NY city vibe and they make good use of the space, the attention is very good and the staff is genuinely polite. So what's good and what's bad? Well, let's start with good: The food was fresh and the presentation was on point. The Appetizer was Calamari with a pomodoro sauce was very good and the sauce was tasty and natural the temperature was adequate and came fast enough after we placed the order. We also shared an entree since it was past 10PM. We chose to share a 14Oz NY strip that according to the menu it has been aged for 28 days. I ordered the steak medium, Pittsburgh style (charred in the outside), when it came to the table it was the right temperature and cooked exactly how I ordered, it was also tender and flavorful, you can taste the natural charcoal in it (hint of oak maybe) nonetheless good stake. The sides were good too, mashed potatoes that you can actually taste and not some paste mix from a box and the grilled asparagus were great too. Now the bad: I ordered a classic Mojito ( White Rum, mint leaves, simple sirup, lime and soda water) Since I asked the waitress for a classic mojito I was expecting to receive one, well instead I received a drink that had: mint leaves, oranges, tequila and what I thought it was simple sirup. Even though I did not like it very much I decided to drink it because it did not taste bad, but it was certainly not a Mojito. I didn't mention anything to the waitress since she was very nice and polite. Now the entree presentation, even though it was not bad I didn't like the fact that they placed the steak on top of the mashed potatoes as well as the asparagus, the juices from the stake dripped and soaked the potatoes. I truly do not like the gravy or sauce on top of the mashed potatoes not to mention some blood from the steak in the future I would like to see them maybe present the stake in a more "steak house" style and plate it by itself, or maybe not on top of the mashed potatoes. Lastly, when visiting Ulële expect to pay a premium price for the food as the restaurant is part of the new "wave" of culinary experience that Tampa is going through and that we must certainly needed for a long time, places like this one make our city much more desirable and it provides a great atmosphere and dinning experience. Not for nothing it is always packed and you need to make reservations well in advance. Because of the location I would recommend this restaurant for a romantic dinner, let's say: St. Valentine's Day... So better hurry up and reserve your table, I'm sure you won't regret it. Overall great dinner and experience altogether.

    (4)

  • MB C.

    Saturday evening dinner at the oyster bar. Excellent service, amazingly delicious food once again! On the first visit we had seafood. The grilled Oysters and the Pompano are the best in town. On the second visit we ordered the meatloaf with onion rings on top. The meatloaf is amazing. The meatloaf can easily be split between two people. Don't miss the Mac n cheese, with crab or without. Both are perfect. A beautiful setting for an amazing dinner.

    (5)

  • Brian F.

    A colleague of mine and I decided to give Ulele a try and realizing that their lunch service was brand new, we thought that this would be a perfect opportunity to sample the fare and experience the restaurant. I made a reservation on Open Table, and after reading some reviews, was a bit hesitant that our reservation time of 12:15 would be honored. Have no fear...we were seated immediately upon arrival. The menu is full of temptations. That said, I ordered the meatloaf and she had the Gouda Grouper. We also opted for a few additional sides.- the Jalapeno Cheddar Grit cake and Carson's Jalapeno Corn Beer Quick Bread or as I would like to put it- Ulele's take on a corn muffin. We ordered and waited a fair amount of time for the meal to arrive. We arrived and were seated at 12:15 and our meal arrived at about 12:45. That is a bit of a wait for a lunch order, so we decided that a 2 hour lunch was necessary. For those in a hurry, I HIGHLY encourage you to look elsewhere to dine, because if you cannot afford to wait, don't do it. That said, they just began lunch service on Monday so perhaps they don't quite have the "quick service" routine down to a science yet. Back to the food- We were offered sparkling or still water, and we chose the still with lemon. My lunch date was very happy with her Grouper entree, but was overjoyed with the grit cake. She had two, so we shared. They were nicely flavored and we added a bit of butter to top them off. Her Grouper was served on a bed of wild rice with three sprigs of asparagus. My meatloaf was very tasty, 2 slices were nestled on a nice serving of mashed potatoes accompanied by three sprigs of asparagus and topped with fried onions. The mashed potatoes were described as "white popcorn cheddar" but I neither tasted nor noticed a resemblance to the description. That said, the potatoes were good. The meatloaf was presented as two slices about 1/2 in. thick each. For the most part, very flavorful. The corn muffins were delightful with just a hint of jalapeno, and sweetness. I did not notice a beer flavor at all, so I just chalked it up to a very fancy description for a nice corn muffin. We opted for no desert because our time was up. The service was wonderful and attentive and I cannot wait to try the restaurant for dinner. I give it a total of 4 stars for the combination of ambiance and presentation of the food and the overall flavor, though if I had to rate the food alone, I would probably give it 3 1/2 stars. Looking forward to a trip to Ulele for dinner!

    (4)

  • Gabrielle V.

    This review is based solely on drinks, service, and atmosphere. Newly engaged my family wanted to take us out for drinks to celebrate and we chose to try out the new spot in town - Ūlëlē Walking into this place is a treat in itself, they have so much to look at. From sculptures to paintings to signed memorabilia from famous baseball players and boxers. They have a beautiful wine chamber right in the middle of the restaurant, all their drafts are brewed in-house in their own brewery. I am the first to say although my fiancé and brother are beer lovers- I'm not such a big fan, I'm more of a wine girl, BUT their "wedding beer" is really really good!! We had the pleasure of having a personal tour and tasting of their brewery by the brewmaster himself! It was so neat to see the whole process and talk with the man behind it all, you can tell he's very passionate about his job and pleasing their guests. Great experience! Other than that our bartender was nice and all the servers were very friendly. Can't wait to go there and try out the food everyone is raving over!!

    (5)

  • Rachel S.

    WOW! What a GREAT gem of Tampa Bay! Growing the life on the river... the view is wonderful. It's simply beautiful & a must see! The food was amazzzzingggg... everything! If you are a foodie, you will love it! The wine selections were GREAT! with pricing being some of the best I've seen. I can't wait to go back... probably next week :)

    (5)

  • Tina G.

    Seminole Heights area new restaurant, ULELE, gives "Labor of Love" an entirely new meaning. Ulele exudes more ambiance, flavorful foods, and has a wonderfully enthusiastic wait staff ...very refreshing! The very personable, Mr. Gonzmart, is not only a gracious host, but the most giving person one could ever have the pleasure of meeting. The Duck was outstanding! Three Sisters Salad was charged with complimenting flavors. Perfect evening, from start to finish! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

    (5)

  • Bob R.

    I give the owners of Ulele credit for building out its current location and helping to revitalize the area, I do believe this business will be a success. First off, the beer: I understand A LOT has been invested in the brewing equipment for Ulele, unfortunately it doesn't look like they are putting it to good use. The brewer may not be using any adjuncts, but the core beers fail to stand out as anything special or original and could easily be forgotten as a macro product. They are served in frozen mugs (a huge no-no). Maybe the biggest myth in the beer-drinking world is the joy of the chilled glass. Frosty mugs do not enhance your beer-drinking experience. In fact, frosted mugs cause beer to foam, killing their carbonation and nixing the aromas. I do not care what the reasoning is, if you're confident in your beer you do not serve it in a frosted mug. Sadly, Ulele will not turn into a destination for craft beer aficionados until drastic change is made. Service: At times it was efficient, quick, and on point, but was mostly average. I don't know if its policy or the server's choice, but he appeared to have all of his tattoos covered as well as ear piercings. This restaurant is on the edge of Ybor and downtown and has a hip vibe, so I hope its not a restaurant policy, nobody cares if the person serving you food has tattoos that are showing or ears pierced. It gives the impression that management might not be that forward thinking. Food: Oysters were great, and so was the steak, both were cooked well and seasoning was right. The veggies did not stand out as anything special and the mashed potatoes were WAY too salty. Overall: Average in all aspects, but its design and location may be its saving grace.

    (3)

  • Jeff S.

    We had a wonderful dinner looking forward to our next visit. Our server Brittany was great and very attentive to our needs, she made great suggestions for our drinks and meal. The atmosphere and meal was worth the drive from Clearwater Fl. Can't wait to come back.

    (5)

  • Joseph B.

    I thought the location, service , and food were very good. Although I was not blown away by the food, it was tasty and consisitent. The craft beers were great as well. I would go here again for sure.

    (4)

  • Kim Q.

    Soooooo delicious!!! Definitely make a reservation or else you'll be waiting a couple hours. We got the crab mac and cheese for an appetizer. I order the pork shank and my boyfriend ordered the tuna. The only bad thing about our meal was the rice that came with my boyfriend's tuna was undercooked. Otherwise, everything was very very tasty. Atmosphere was great, you can see the river and park and downtown.

    (5)

  • Julia H.

    The cocktails were delicious! We made a meal from the side dishes/appetizers, and wanted seconds of everything. The location is great - right along the water with the new path, and the decor is cool. Even the bathrooms are cool.

    (5)

  • Allison D.

    Fantastic service. Great food. Knowledgable staff. What's. Fantastic dinner. Charbroiled oysters are fantastic. I had the yellowfin tuna. Amazing.

    (5)

  • Walter H.

    Awesome night. Started w/ Sunset drinks then an outstanding dinner upstairs. The frog legs & grilled oysters were on point. The bone in New York strip rocked. The service was top notch.,

    (5)

  • Nicole N.

    Wonderful experience! It was raining the night of our reservation so we uuber'ed it, not bring sure of the parking situation (uuber was $4 from Channelside btw), but there was valet out front with plenty of Ulele umbrellas so we know for next time. The restaurant is beautiful! The perfect mix of chic, funky, historic, contemporary...exactly what Tampa has been missing. We arrived 20min early of our 7:30 reservation, checked in and went to bar for cocktails. Before we could decide on a beverage, our table was ready. Great corner table with views of the river and our server, John, was quick to arrive to get the drinks we'd been eyeing...the pisco morado and pincess Ulele caipirinha. Both were delicious and refreshing! For appetizers, we had the gator hush puppies and charbroiled oysters. The hush puppies were perfect and my boyfriend (who doesn't like oysters) had 3 oysters, so that tells you they were yummy! For dinner, I had the pompano with mashed potatoes, carrot ribbons, and perfectly cooked green beans. It was delicious...lots of flavor but not heavy heavy..the carrot ribbons are a cousin to onion straws and simply amazing... My boyfriend had the evening's special- a bone in NY Strip w mashed potatoes and green beans. Everything was cooked to perfection and both of our mashed potatoes were creamy and delicious; we think they are among the best we've tasted. We had a bottle of Head High Pinot which was divine and an excellent price point. We finished dinner with the chocolate torte, which was rich, full of flavor, yet light. Our server John was awesome; he was there each step of the way to move onto our next course and check on things..the perfect blend of knowledgable, genuine service without being overly solicitous. After dinner we took our last glass of wine and strolled out by the park. We had a wonderful experience and are looking forward to our next visit.

    (5)

  • Dan T.

    I have been to Ulele 3 times. I want to like this place so much, but... The first time I had the snapper, the mac and cheese, and the okra fries, which were all great. The oysters, however, contained lots of shell shards. Lots. The second I had the seared tuna, which was OK but I wouldn't order it again. It was pretty flavorless. We also had the okra fries again, but they were soggy this time. Same experience with the oysters too - maybe they are not being shucked carefully enough. Also, the second time my parents were with us. My dad had the pork chop, which I didn't taste, but from how he was cutting it, it looked like you needed an electric saw to get through it. My mom had some kind of surf and turf with lobster hash, which could be best described as "cockamamie". The third time we went for lunch, and this was by far their strongest performance. The burger was delicious, but again, soggy okra fries. As others have said, the decor and location are fantastic. And the beer is so good. I just wish they'd put as much effort into the food, especially the dinner menu. I won't go back for dinner, but if I have a good lunch again, I will bump up my star rating.

    (2)

  • Amanda R.

    Incredible food, incredible style... But the only thing that holds me back from giving this restaurant five stars, is consecutively, three times in a row, I have had the WORST hostess service of any restaurant in Tampa Bay. This restaurant will never go under. It's amazing. But it would really mean a lot if they could just train their front staff a lot better - especially appreciate every patron that walks in their front door by treating them with warmness and respect.

    (3)

  • Adam Y.

    This was my 2nd visit to Ulele. The first was a few months back and was a large group at lunch time, and that went really well. I had heard some complaints about their service and reservation issues but that went seamlessly. So I was anxious to take my wife but they are extremely busy so this is not a "spur of the moment" place. We tried a few times to get in a couple days in advance with no luck. If we asked for a 6pm they offered 9:30. So we politely said thanks but we'll try again later. So a few weeks back we decided it would be fun to try out the riverwalk now that parts of it are connected (not quite as many as the mayor would advertise, but everything will happen in due time) and we made a late lunch reservation on a Saturday. We made sure to request indoors and my wife had heard that upstairs was less noisy (not the case) so she added that to our reservation. We were going with another couple and hoped to be able to chat comfortably. We got there at 2:20 for a 2:30 reservation and they took us right away. Unfortunately, as happens a lot, the hostess started walking us downstairs and then to our disappointment, an outside table (April and already 90 degrees..a non starter for us). My wife quickly nipped that in the bud and within minutes we were walking up the stairs. I had to chuckle when I saw 4 empty tables. It makes me shake my head when I see restaurants not pay attention to important details like this. This was precisely the thing that had scared us off after speaking with a close friend. But it worked out okay, and we were quickly given lunch menu's and ordered drinks. We had remembered that they will allow you to order off the dinner menu as well, although some of the items are not available (pork shanks being one of them) but there were enough other choices that we decided to keep both. Eventually we ordered two dinners (the duck breast and the flank steak) with a bunch of appetizers so we had more than enough food. Our service was fantastic, although I have to admit that I was straining to hear what she was saying at times. Even if not completely full, this is a noisy restaurant. If that matters to others, they should know that going in. But we were able to carry on nice conversation. The other thing of note was that it was quite warm so I guess that is something they will address as we move into the summer season. The duck was fantastic. I had most of that myself. I had rice and a green vegetable. Others liked the steak and mashed potatoes. We had one small salad and my wife had a large salad that had beets and a few other items. The jalapeano beer bread was a bit heavy but very tasty. Nothing went to waste. The pricing was reasonable and I am sure we will go here from time to time. This is definitely an in crowd spot and likely to remain popular. The decor is outstanding. Very unique, unlike anything I've seen elsewhere.

    (4)

  • Angela M.

    The atmosphere and food were fantastic tonight. We started with the charbroiled oysters and the raw, both tasty and fresh. for entrees we got the Mahi Mahi special, Flank Steak, Ahi Tuna and Meatloaf... All very good. We ended with chocolate ice cream and local plant city strawberry ice cream, delicious. This is a place we will take out out of town visitors and possible lunch outings on a nice day. Service was also fantastic.

    (4)

  • Matthew V.

    Oysters were wholesome in flavor and wedding beer batch was creative in flavor. Now why I won't go back. Service was irrationally slow for even mere beers with a latter excuse of hectic schedule indoors. At the giving of individual crab forks for the oysters, one was fully coated in filth on the back. When I politely brought it to mention after she placed it on a stained, dirty napkin she showed neither a flinch nor apology as I showed her the issue. At requesting check out, I waited over 20 minutes for her to bring the check. After I walked indoors and asked for her at the front desk, "she had already left the check on the table." My guests concurred that she dropped the check from the rear door 5 minutes after I entered the front to ask for her. I gave her my card as I ran into her walking back to the table, however the final check has calculated to a much higher tab than we ordered. All in all, this was an incredibly poor service on multiple levels at 4 in the afternoon with minimal business to divert attention, even after being given that as an excuse.

    (1)

  • J W.

    Excellent service and a beautiful restaurant. The Manager, Ryan, does an excellent job at making guests feel welcome and going above and beyond to make sure they are enjoying their time there. I would recommend this place to anyone who likes diverse food options and great service.

    (5)

  • Taylor C.

    Great atmosphere, I loved the location right on the river, they have a cool beer garden area outside with cornhole boards to play. The food was amazing, best charbroiled oysters I have ever had. Great place to go for a Date night! All around awesome place, we will definitely be back!

    (5)

  • James B.

    Ulëlē is a decent restaurant with a very cool decor and vibe. Had lunch here on a Sunday afternoon. They were very busy. We were seated promptly and greeted soon afterward by our waiter, Brooks. Drinks were ordered and we got down to the business of menu perusal and selection of what to order. All the staff seemed attentive but Brooks was outstanding. I dine at a fair number of high-end restaurants and I can confidently say that Brooks is easily the best waiter I have had in 5 or more years. He shared the history of the restaurant building, the renovations and the extensive art and collectibles exhibited. He gave USEFUL advice on the menu offerings. Food was good to excellent. I'll be back, but not because the food is so stellar. I'll be back because the food is good at a fair price, with great wine values in an outstanding environment. Of course I will request (demand?) that Brooks wait on us.

    (4)

  • Dilo G.

    Decided to give Ulele a second try and here are the prons and cons: Pros: Beautiful location, great music, great service and jalapeno corn bread was delicious. Great place for a drink. Cons: Too much of a wait, food is ok but chicken was undercook and flavorless. You literally pay high pricing for scene and view but food has nothing spectacular. I guess having this much money will fill this place, but besides their beautiful restaurant there is nothing stellar about their food. Their execution is poor. I will stick to my 2 Stars, until they do not improve I am not planning to come back anytime soon.

    (2)

  • Carolyn T.

    I had high hopes and when we scored a 7 PM reservation on a Thursday, we thought it was fated to be an amazing evening. Not so much..... The restaurant is beautiful. The staff is courteous and efficient. But the food was a HUGE let down. I had the Jose's salad which was explained as their version of a Caesar. It was literally 2 trimmed Romaine hearts with a mayonnaise-like dressing drizzled over the top. No zing from citrus, no depth of flavor from an anchovy or pepper- just laughably bland. My husband ordered oysters with horseradish flakes that needed to be piled on to infuse any sort of dimension. The oysters themselves were fresh & tasty, but the accompanying cracker & weird tomato paste-y sauce made the dish another disappointment. After the levels achieved in the appetizer & salad courses, I was trepidatious to make a full entree selection as prices are rather steep (but not crazy). I selected the vegetables gratin & the popcorn mashed potatoes. Bad choice. They were terrible and at much less than proper serving temperature. My husband fared much better. His filet was awesome. Well seasoned, well cooked, well presented. So much to be learned from this dish. Our server & the manager who visited our table (to address the cold sides) were very sweet, but not nearly enough to get us to make the 25 minute drive back. I have again lost my restaurant picking privileges.

    (3)

  • Jeff D.

    We recently enjoyed a night out here and can say we had fun but that's about it. The hostess told us it would be about an hour so we sat at the bar and ordered a few drinks to start. The wine list was strong and they do make some of there own beers in house. The service at the bar was bellow what you would expect at a place of this caliber, but we pushed thru and ordered some dinner anyway. I had the deconstructed seafood pot pie and can say its components were good but outside of it being a gimmick I could see no reason not to combine the elements. My dinner companion had the grouper and she said she enjoyed it. So what do I take away from this, food good, atmosphere pleasing but service needs some refinement.

    (3)

  • Dawn M.

    Great place! Since the grand opening this restaurant has been dedicated to great food, excellent service, and a beautiful ambiance. Way to pave the way for hospitality in the new and thriving Tampa Heights River East District!

    (5)

  • Jerry N.

    This restaurant is next to Tampa's newest park, Waterworks Park, right on the banks of the Hillsborough River. The service was good, and the food was very good. we tried the okra fries...I liked, my wife not so much. The brewmaster met us at our table and again as we left. We don't drink beer so I can't comment on the quality of their product.

    (4)

  • Brian M.

    Really cool and sleek restaurant - both outside and inside. Had to walk a little ways from the parking lot to the actual restaurant. But we actually didn't mind because you get to see a public park, Hillsborough River, a small waterfall under the bridge, and unique to our experience a wedding on the plush and nicely decorated front lawn. Inside has a cool brick and wood veneer with a modern industrial look. Very pleasing and modern to the eye. Bar was crowded but we had excellent and friendly service not only by the bartenders themselves but also by the wait staff who helped us with our order. The Ring of Fire is very unique and quite tasty with a good kick to get you going. As for their own beers - I tried the Water Works Pale (decent) and the Magbee's Honey Lager (above average). A major gripe (but possible understandable) was the extremely long time we had to wait to be seated at our table for two. Now grant it, we didn't have reservations and it was a Saturday night, but we were told a 1.5 hour wait. And boy, did we wait all of the 1.5 hours for a table for 2. After one hour, we started asking how soon our table would be available and they kept saying we were next. But after another 30 minutes of waiting and more questions about our table, we were finally seated. In other words, don't come hungry. Now for the food - We started out with the Charbroiled Oysters. They were very good. Super fresh, clean, and tasty with sea salt chunks (but not too large to overpower) and were still bubbling when they arrived to our table. My only problem with them was that they were quite small. And I couldn't really taste the two different cheeses. For $12.00 for 6 small oysters - ehh. Still tasty and clean though. I then had the Beer Pan Chicken. It was pretty good. I liked that they gave you the rendering of the cooked chicken, beer, and spices on the side so that you could dip/drizzle your chicken with. Although it was a little messy and hard to eat the chicken as they serve you the wing and leg still connected to the breast. What was really good and not expected was the side. I asked for the "potatoes"; and what I got was this very delicious mashed potatoe soufflé - yum. My girlfriend got The Deconstructed Seafood Pot Pie. She loved it. I tried it too. It was hearty, tasty and very recommended. Both me and the lady more or less got their comfort food. Ulele seems to excel with their comfort food but still add some class to it to raise it above a standard / chain restaurant. I would not recommend their Candied Duck Maple Bacon Fried Ice Cream. What seems good on paper; didn't succeed on the plate. The bacon was super chewy in the ice cream. Made for an odd and unpleasant experience for the jaw and tongue. The corn flakes surrounding the ice cream itself tasted bland and cheap. Didn't taste any maple. All in all, it was just a mess and not good. Ulele has a good premise and looks promising. Nice looking exterior and interior. Good staff; especially the bar staff. Great food and drinks. Ulele needs some work on seating people at a reasonable time and some of their food items need to improve. But very close to a 5 star rating

    (4)

  • Liz M.

    One word. Overrated. Everything was greasy and just so-so. The atmosphere and location are this place's saving grace.

    (3)

  • Brian D.

    My wife and I tried Ulele together with a group, and were WOW'ed!! This is definitely one of the best in town! You can't be the waterworks views and fun decor for aesthetics, but the food arrives just as pretty as well. While I sipped a very tasty Honeymoon beer, brewed on the spot with fresh local strawberries, I curiously eyed that Mac and Cheese. Were there really bacon bits? Was the sauce made with beer brewed onsite? Yes and yes! The four cheese light beer sauce poured over seashell pasta and topped with a Parmesan Romano crust was absolutely delicious on its own. Add Ulele's signature duck bacon and you've got yourself some of the best Mac and Cheese in the south! My wife loved The Florida Native chili: smokey, chunky and not too spicy with just a few beans. (We found out later it was called Florida Native chili because it contained boar, gator, venison, duck, ground chuck, cranberry beans and local spices.) Alligator Hush Puppies were delicious. Made with alligator, country ham and duck bacon (a theme is developing), these little spheres are full of flavor! But then came the 10oz Filet with White Cheddar Popcorn Mashed Potatoes (Russet potatoes with white cheddar, roasted garlic and leeks, topped with popcorn) and a few spears of asparagus. It was literally the best piece of red meat I have ever eaten in my life. You have to be a master to get the crispiness on the outside and maintain a soft, red center. Red meat is not my go-to, but this was perfection! If you just want a burger, you won't be disappointed. The Ulele Burger is a blend of short rib, brisket and chuck chargrilled and topped with house steak sauce, sharp cheddar, a portobello mushroom, fire-roasted red peppers and fried leeks. Now, the portobello mushroom would have made a fine burger on its own, but the blended burger was divine. The fries were just OK, but they weren't really the point. The fried leeks on top, on the other hand, were a fun touch. Expect to eat this baby with a fork! Bonus: try anything topped with fried carrot ribbons. They could be a side dish unto themselves! And then finish with their award winning dessert: Candied Duck Bacon Maple Fried Ice Cream. Vanilla ice cream with cinnamon corn flake crust, drizzled with caramel, topped with candied duck bacon and sweet potato Pizzelle crisp floating on Knob Creek crème anglaise. To. Die. For. This dessert had a whole spread in TBT when it won its award! My wife has a complete review with more foods and photos at runningbetty.com/ulele-t…

    (5)

  • Olivier M.

    I went there last night. It was even better the second time around. Deconstructed sea food pot pie is amazing. Flank steak is delicious. The setting, ambiance, decor are so unique, you have to try it. You need to make a reservation way ahead of time.

    (5)

  • Joyce H.

    A bit pricey, but some of the menu items are exceptional!

    (4)

  • Regina M.

    I am glad i waited till the end of my dining experience before i wrote this review because it would have gotten 0 stars for my first 25 mins. I arrived with my party of three we had a reservatuon. There were 5 staff (3 female and 2 male) at the entrance. We gave them our name and waited and waited . It was not busy. And there were preped tables. We almost left. I am so glad we stayed. Our server was great and everything we ordered was great. So i hope they improve their front door staff because everything else was wonderful (except the dont have regular tea so bring your own tea bags)

    (4)

  • Jennifer F.

    GET A RESERVATION!! Ok. be warned...you will wait maybe 2 hours in the evening without one. So now lets get to lunch time during the week when I went (only reason is because at the moment dinner reservations are a month out at least and I don't wait 2 hours for food). Thursday around 115pm. no reservation we waited bout 20 minutes. The staff was remarkably pleasant (not typical of Tampa anymore). The waiter Patrick had a lot of information about the building and the food on the menu. My friend and I went down the apps: green beans, flash fried peppers, okra, oysters, grit cakes, squash souffle, ice cream, latte and maple bacon ice cream. The okra was probably the best we had ever had. The green beans were delicious not overcooked. the peppers were good. the grit cakes were good. The oysters that are extremely popular were amazing. The ice cream is made in house. Ask about the ice cream maker...there is a story there. In short would I wait 2 hours to eat here, NOPE. Is that a reflection of the place, NOPE. Go have fun. Eat, enjoy. Go off hours like during the week after 130pm. Save the wait and need for reservation.

    (4)

  • Sherri M.

    What a fabulous experience...for starters...the history involved in the idea behind Ulele is something to be embraced. I have lived in Tampa most of my life and had no idea of any of the things I learned from Keith Sedita..the managing partner. His attention to detail and willingness to take the time to give us a mini tour was much appreciated. The Gonzmart family began this process over 2 years ago to make everything as authentic as possible. The statue of Ulele will soon be revealed...and she is a beauty. They make everything fresh ...and local. They have NO FREEZERS ...except for the one for the homemade ice cream!!! They brew their own beer...and have recently acquired barrels from Knob Hill and Patron for new flavors. The fish is all locally caught...the grouper was excellent! My husband had the porterhouse ...amazing flavor. Chef Eric has recently been selected to be one of 10 chefs who will participate in the Taste of the Derby in Louisville Kentucky. The incredible iron and metal work located in various place is also made by a local. I could go on and on....I will add more once I make a return visit..which I will definitely do as soon as possible.

    (5)

  • Kelly L.

    4th time here. It's never been a bad experience. I have always loved the atmosphere. However, every time I go it has been better than the last. I would go more often, seeing that is across the street from my house, but it is expensive and hard to get a table. I have never had the same thing twice because I want to experience the whole menu. So my judgement that this place is actually cooking better food by the day might be off as I haven't had the same thing twice. Ordered the Kilo tonight, a 2.2 lbs porterhouse. I don't like getting steak at restaurants because I can always make it better for a fraction of the cost. I don't know that that is true anymore. I expressed my concern to the waiter, Al, who was awesome to say the least, that I don't usually order steak because it is over cooked. He assured me the kitchen cooks true to temperature. I told him I like it rare, the kind of rare that is purple in the middle. It was not over cooked to say the least. It is the first time I have actually had steak that was cold in the middle. Now I know that I don't want it any other way. It was like butter. Truly amazed. I have been topped, and I need to know where they buy their meat right now.

    (5)

  • Cathy A.

    I was especially excited to eat here after hearing all the great reviews.

    (4)

  • Jaime C.

    I have been to Ulele two times for dinner and once for oysters and beer. I have loved all of my experiences there. Both dinners were complimented by fabulous servers and delicious food...not to mention the amazing view of the lawn and river. The foods that stood out for me were the okra fries with homemade ketchup, guava pie, and the duck bacon ice-cream. I have eaten steak both times and they were cooked to perfection. My husband had the Mahi Mahi and loved it. The charbroiled oysters were delish (not an oyster lover)! I would pass on the squash next time, but to be honest I am not usually a fan. I tried a flight of beer and really liked the honey beer. The wines are at good price points. Casual for lunch and a little more dressy for dinner. The inside is a bit loud, but the outside is nice and quiet.

    (5)

  • Mark Z.

    Great food. Had portobello sandwich. My buddy had a burger. Restaurant has very nice layout. Decent prices.

    (5)

  • William M.

    Food sounded enticing on the menu, but did not deliver when it arrived. The entree arrived cold and took a very long time. Service was lackluster. I would recommend for drinks...only if someone at the bar would pay attention enough to acknowledge your presence. Ambiance is cool. The sports' memorabilia on the walls was very irrelevant to theme of "Ulele".

    (2)

  • Emilio E.

    I was honored by being taken here for brunch on my birthday (St. Patty's Day ). Must say loved the decor, the atmosphere very funky and retro. Staff is amazing and friendly. Food phenomenon we had the okra fries, calamari, I had the grouper sandwhich (blackened) with fries (very tasty and seasoned) my friend had the Ulele burger with fries. Can you say delicious!!! For dessert we had the candied duck bacon maple fried ice cream with corn flakes yes corn flakes it was unique and DELICIOUS!!!!! Highly recommended this place.

    (5)

  • Tom M.

    Amazing atmosphere! Amazing food!! You really can't beat this place, the food was great and unique! The building looks amazing and upscale but is very comfortable and homie. Great location near downtown too. Valet is cheap and quick. Plus on top of all this they have their own brewery!! The only thing I wish they would change would be to offer more of a beer selection. Aside from that, this place is perfect! We will be back again.

    (5)

  • Urban G.

    We ordered half a dozen appetizers from the lobster roll to the grilled oysters every single item was delicious! The service was nice too!

    (4)

  • Maria T O.

    It was my first time at Ulele! Very friendly and reliable server; great Lunch menu and love my choice: apple cider Pork Sandwich; and if course the Maple fried Ice cream!

    (5)

  • Randi H.

    Ok food but kind of pricey. The atmosphere is really nice.

    (3)

  • Shai J.

    What I say about Ulele: the service is prompt and friendly, the food is interestingly good, but what sets this place apart from the other new kids on the block is the atmosphere. Finally a new joint that's not pretentious, stuffy nor overpriced for tiny, not all that good, portions. Just the opposite, the menu make senses, the dishes are refreshing and modern, the service is on point, and you want to order and eat slowly just to take in the vibe achieved by trendy decor with a charismatic twist. Oh, try the quail;)

    (4)

  • Chandra L.

    The decor is outstanding. Going in Spring about 6:45 p.m. gives you good views of the sunset on the Hillsborough River. I had the snapper and it was good. Everyone at my table enjoyed their meal. Desserts were okay would probably skip those next time. Wedding Beer was excellent. Service was good.

    (4)

  • Pat P.

    Had our first meal at Ulele last night and needless to say it was fantastic. The whole ambiance is amazing. Being a Tampa native it was great to see a resurrection of the area. We started out with the Calamari, charbroiled oysters , raw oysters and okra fries. The calamari was tender and tasty and the oysters were great. The fries were fried perfectly. My main course was the Juan's snapper and it was cooked perfectly. I also added a side of the jalapeño cheddar grit cake and it was fantastic. We'll definitely be back

    (5)

  • Melissa I.

    If I was blind folded and just ate the food, I would be able to say the food was quality but I didn't LOVE it. However, the ambiance and service was really amazing. Great for a night out. It will be amazing once the riverwalk comes back here,

    (4)

  • Rob W.

    I have been to Ulele several times before and absolutely LOVED it. Great food, great atmosphere, love how they incorporate local food. I especially love how Tampa-centric their menu is. My parents had never been so my girlfriend and I took them recently for a birthday after I had been talking the place up for the past few months. We made a reservation about a week prior and showed up about 10 mins early on a Tuesday evening. Unfortunately, we weren't seated until a full hour after our reservation time. This was a little bit annoying and I think a hour-plus wait with a reservation is a bit ridiculous, but I get it... things happen, other people sit at their tables for way longer than anticipated, etc. Nobody in our party was all that upset - a half-hour in, I went to go check on our reservation and was told by the hostess that we were one of the next ones up. After an hour my mother went to go check in on what the hold up was... she was within earshot and I heard her politely tell the hostess that she understood that people were not leaving their tables quickly but that we had made a reservation and had now waited over an hour for a table. They looked pretty backed up and I'm sure she had been dealing with frustrated people for hours, but the hostess was SO rude, asked incredulously, "Well, what do you want me to do about it?!?", and was otherwise unbelievably condescending. She then, almost simultaneously, told us our table was ready and, using the menus to hide her face, started talking about my mom to the guy seating us. We asked, "Are you seriously talking about us right in front of our faces?" And she claimed she was "just giving him the menus." The guy seating us acknowledge this, apologized, and promised to talk to her about it. To be fair, the rest of the meal was great, like always. Food was so good and had great service from our server. I was just really disappointed that, after talking the place up so much, we waited so long with a reservation and got such abysmal service from the hostess. Sincerely, I don't think I've ever see a hostess handle a situation as badly as this hostess. Whenever I read reviews on Yelp like this, I always think, "I bet that reviewer was acting like a complete, thin-skinned a-hole and is now overblowing the smallest slight." But this girl was big-time out of line and really unprofessional for no reason. Her behavior was so unbefitting a great place like Ulele. I'm sure I'll get over it and go back at some point, but that experience was really disappointing and left such a bad taste in my mouth. UPDATE: I received a very sincere private message from a member of management about this and was very impressed, so I altered my rating.

    (4)

  • E F.

    I so badly want to love this place. The building, service, menu...all great and so desperately needed in Tampa. Came again and wanted to love everything but all of our fish plates were sooo salty, the rice pilaf was bland and under cooked and my plate only came with 3 tiny burnt heads of asparagus. My bf's FL pompano had fried plantains on it but the plantains were sliced SO thin that you were basically just eating fried oil. I think they need to tweak all of their recipes and maybe change the menu a bit

    (3)

  • Barry B.

    Beautiful venue. The building is hip and very modern ,the open kitchen was amazing. The service was great. Really like the alligator hush puppies. Outside of that the food was bland and average in my opinion especially for the price -2 people lunch no alcohol $60

    (3)

  • Marsha W.

    Great spot for an afternoon lunch. Friendly wait staff. We tried the Rusty Red, Honey Lager, and the seasonal Honeymoon. We liked the Honeymoon due to the sweeter taste. The others were on the bitter side. We had the Alligator hush puppies, Roasted Beets and Pear salad, Water Works Meatloaf, and Lobster roll. The food was very good. Only down side is that it took us an hour and a half to complete the meal. An hour of that was waiting on the food. Plus the fries weren't crispy. We will return when we have plenty of time.

    (4)

  • Albert N.

    Came for lunch. Okra chips weren't what I expected, but were ok. The meal, though, was excellent. Gouda grouper was on point and the Mac and cheese was delicious. Service was impeccable. No wait for lunch. Great bang for the buck at lunch. Highly recommend, will return soon.

    (5)

  • Kristy G.

    The pompano was the best thing I've ever eaten. I also loved the wedding or honeymoon beer...whichever was infused with strawberries. DELICIOUS. Great architecture to admire as well as a beautiful view of the hillsborough river and a park right there. We love lunch or dinner here. Both great dining experiences. Get there early or make a reservation, there is usually an hour long wait for a table :)

    (5)

  • Samoo M.

    We were not impressed at ALL!!! After trying for a whole month to get in finally we did only to sit us 30 minutes after our reservations. I absolutely love southern food but this was absolutely tasteless and blah. The only good thing on the menu was the okra which is sad bc it's basically fried and has lemon juice on it so supper simple but delish. We tried several sides on the menu and none of them were good. Definitely don't waist your time or money. Sorry ulele. Gotta step up the food.

    (2)

  • Malorey S.

    Ulele has claimed the top stop as my new favorite restaurant downtown. So great to see the Waterworks park and the buildings revived. The area is great, even while waiting for your table the park is nice to walk around in or go down to the river. Craft cocktails at the bar, fresh local seafood and nice views. If you don't try the candied duck bacon maple ice cream you are really missing out.

    (5)

  • Najla A.

    If I could give it zero stars I would. They are racist towards Arabs. We waited over an hour while everyone else was seated and when we complained a table magically appeared. We'll never go there again.

    (1)

  • Sabrina S.

    We went here for the first time 3 weeks ago for our anniversary. I had heard many great things about this restaurant and we were both extremely excited to have dinner here. We made a reservation for 8:30pm on a Sunday and we notified them of the occasion. It was a stormy evening, so we left our house early to avoid any traffic delays and we arrived at 8:00pm. We were very pleased to find out that they offer complementary valet parking. The restaurant was packed and it was very difficult to walk through all of the people standing who were waiting for their tables. When we checked in to the front desk, we got a bad vibe from the young girl working at the reception desk. She was dry and unwelcoming. The decor was unique and very pleasing. We hoped that we would be called earlier than the time of our reservation since we arrived very early. We were not going to complain if they didn't, but we did expect to be called at the time of our reservation if we were not called sooner. At 8:35 I asked the lady at the reception how much longer it would be until we were seated and she replied with an unnecessary attitude "We are running behind on our reservations so you will just have to wait". I told her that it would have been appreciated if she would have communicated this to us upon checking in and not 35 minutes later when I am upset due to her lack of communication. We were finally seated upstairs and our waiter was very kind, but was socially awkward. I wish I could remember his name. He was reasonably attentive until we received our main dish and after that, we did not see him again for the remainder of our time there. When we got our food it was cold which leads me to believe that the food was sitting out for a while waiting to be picked up. We wanted to let our waiter know, but we figured if we continued to wait for him it would get even colder. For appetizers we ordered the alligator hush puppies and the crab mac n cheese. The alligator hush puppies were awesome! And the crab mac n cheese was not out of this world, but still good. I was expecting better. For our main dish we shared the flank steak w/ mashed potatoes and it was the perfect amount of food for each of us, but since it was cold it was a little unpleasant to eat. We normally do not eat the ridiculously large portions that are served in most restaurants so, we share. No one came around for refills and I had to ask another waiter to please let our waiter know that we were ready for our check. The waiter that went to check on our waiter came back and ended up giving us the check himself. My assumption was that our waiter must have had more tables down stairs that were keeping him very occupied. I called Ulele the next day and asked to speak to a manager about my experience. The manager was surprised when I told him that the waiter kept going downstairs for long periods of time and that we did not see him after our main dish was served. At the time of the call I did recall the waiter's name and the manager said our waiter did not have any tables downstairs. The manager was very understanding and apologetic for the entire experience. I appreciated that he did not try to make excuses for the employees we interacted with and offered to mail me a gift card to come back to give them a second chance. This is why I rated them 2 stars instead of just 1. I am optimistic that the next time we visit Ulele that our experience will be better.

    (2)

  • Alex C.

    Was delightful! I had the Ulele burger with fries, it was amazing. The appetizer came out and we was not satisfied but as soon as the waiter heard what we was talking about he rushed over and ask if we wanted them replace with a new appetizer and he did. Their brewed beers are also Great!

    (5)

  • Andrew M.

    Great food but awful service We had lunch today (Sat) and the restaurant was beautiful and the food was great but we had terrible service. We sat outside which was great for our family as our kids could enjoy the nice grassy area and entertain themselves with the game of corn hole on the grass. The food was great, Ulele burger was delicious and my wife's tuna salad was very nice. Even the kids meals were solid (good taste, portion and included drink and scoop of ice cream). The service was terrible. We ordered drinks and she forgot my wife's drink. My wife had to ask for refills 3 times before she actually got more. When I ordered, I asked her what she liked or what was popular and she could not answer; she literally told us they had only been open for lunch for a few weeks so she didn't know what she liked or what was popular. We ordered our food and the waitress came back over 5 minutes later to ask how we wanted our burger/steak cooked and what dressing my wife wanted (isn't that something you ask when the food is ordered?). By the end of this long meal (the food did take an inordinate amount of time to arrive) we were more than ready to go, but our waitress was MIA and I had to walk around the restaurant to pay our bill. We were overcharged for drinks (kids drinks that were included per the menu) and the correction took forever. We saw other people have problems with this waitress as well. The manager visited the table next to us to adjust some charges and comp their calamari "for the problems". I do not know what problems they had but it was clear they had service issues as well. Bottom line: for this price point, the service was unacceptable. I hope this was an anomaly or a case of growing pains (recently opened for lunch), but I'm honestly reluctant to go back after this experience.

    (3)

  • Raquel B.

    This is the spot! If you want to impress clients, friends, or family, this is the place to show them. The drinks are fantastic, food is amazing and service is even better. Try the chimichurri steak and the mac and cheese. Yum!

    (5)

  • Mike V.

    We had a company event at Ulele and it was outstanding! We had a great tour of the brewery, and the native grouper, steak & duck(corporate menu choices) were all cooked perfectly. Not bad for a party of ~60. The architecture and views of the Hillsborough River are stunning, and I can't wait to come back and sample the full menu. Worth the trip!

    (5)

  • Michele D.

    Unfortunately all the hype didn't help in this case. Tried all the craft beers and nothing really impressed me or my husband (the German ). My husband had the grouper and it was very fishy tasting. I had the crackling pork shank which was good. But didn't care to take home to enjoy for leftovers the next day. Maybe it was a off day or we got a bad batch of fish. Who knows?.?. The spot does get 5 stars for location, style and service. The river is great to enjoy a sunset and take a stroll after dinner. The service is also great since they have lots of staff walking around at all times.

    (3)

  • Kevin S.

    Awesome food with a Great Ambiance....My new favorite restaurant. We had a hard time deciding what to order so we ordered the first five appetizers on the menu. so we will just start by working down the menu. can't wait till my next trip to Tampa.

    (5)

  • Joseph S.

    I am an Verizon Wireless customer who feels cheated and short changed. About a year ago I purchased a Samsung Gear S watch of which I don't have any complants. However the call fowarding feature does not work properly due to Verizon telephone switching problems. I have noticed through internet searches that many individuals in other parts of the country are having these same issues. The crux of my complaint is why does Verizon sell a product that is not fully supported by Verizon. It seems to me that if their are problems in some parts of the country due to out dated switches as is my understanding the cause of the call fowarding problem. Why has it taken so long to fix. Had long conversations with Verizon about this problem with everyone blaming someone else and no action. I live in the Tampa Bay area, no excuse.

    (2)

  • Anna M.

    I am so in love with Ulele, I decided to come back a second time. We had a late reservation last Friday for 9:45 and it worked out perfectly since we were wrapping up First Friday at The Still in the Heights right down the road. We got there a few minutes early, so we were able to order some drinks from Javier at the bar. We ordered a Native Sun and a Pale Ale. I wasn't a fan of the Pale Ale. It was a little too bland for me. The Native Sun was refreshing but not my favorite. It may have been because I had been drinking sweet drinks prior to our arrival. I also asked Javier about the Wedding Beer that wasn't ready Opening Week. Well, before I even blinked an eye, Tim, the Brewmaster was standing right next to me ready to whisk me away for a taste of the first batch! Talk about feeling special! The Wedding Beer was ready but they weren't going to release to the public until the next day. I felt honored that I was able to try the very first batch! And let me tell you, the Wedding Beer is the best of all of the beers. Erin was our server and was very pleasant and attentive. We started with the Lobster Cake which was made from fresh, live, butter-poached lobster tail meat, cast iron seared, served with Cucumber Ginger Salad. I could not get enough of the Lobster Cake, it was so tasty. Jeff practically had to pull the plate away, so I wouldn't lick it. But ahhhh...the Crab Mac n' Cheese...was just pure heaven. I was so happy I got finally try it with someone who didn't mind the Crab in the Mac n' Cheese. No offense, Dorene, love you! We practically inhaled the Mac n' cheese in less than five minutes. For my entree I ordered the Crackling Pork Shank, which was 1 1/2 pound of crispy pork shank with firecracker apple craisin chutney. Ummmm....wow. It was an unimaginable amount of meat! I am not a chutney fan whatsoever, but the pork was so tender and very delicious. I had leftovers for days! My date ordered the Waterworks Meatloaf made of Ground dry-aged strip loin, Cabernet garlic demi-glaze, served with white cheddar popcorn mash and Tobacco onions. Seriously? It was so good! I couldn't stop laughing because Jeff kept eating my mashed potatoes and when he found some on his dish, he was like a kid on Christmas morning. We decided to skip dessert and have some closer to home. Before we left, we walked along the Riverwalk. Lucky for us, it was a nice night and not too humid. Make sure to plan time before or after your meal to walk along the Riverwalk, it is truly gorgeous. No brainer here. Ulele is STILL five stars for me and I will definitely be back again and again.

    (5)

  • Aleema A.

    I went to UIele for the first time last week and I have to say that I wasn't disappointed. This gem of Riverside Heights is a great addition to the Tampa Bay Area. First of all, the area of town it's in is adorable. There's an entire park there, where you can walk around, watch the sunset, or sit and have a cocktail outside. We made reservations a couple weeks in advance and we were seated about 25 minutes after we arrived. Looking over the cocktalis, there's a delightful assortment of them. I went ahead with the Native Summer. It was a great mix of Gin and Elderflower Liquor. It was very refreshing. For my meal, I ordered the 8oz Flank steak. It was cooked to perfection! I cannot wait to come back to this restaurant. The service was great, the atmosphere was on point and I cannot wait to go back and try something else on the menu!

    (5)

  • Andrea L.

    Amazing. Amazing. And amazing. If you haven't been here, drop what you're doing and go check this place out. The drinks are just a great as the food. Must try's are the alligator hush puppies and pork shank. I will be back many more times to come!

    (5)

  • Taylor P.

    I was disappointed with the hostesses at the stand because we waited an hour and we had a reservation for my birthday dinner and my dad was definitely on the receiving end of their attitudes. Our waiter more than compensated for this as she was extremely attentive and brought our mac n cheese as an appetizer so we could Appease our hunger. Two of us got the flank steak and could not get enough of it, the avocado chimichurri is a great spin. Bacon ice cream was really delicious and refreshing on a hot summer night.

    (3)

  • Mel L.

    I am not quite sure what the fuss is about... I tried the lobster roll and was so bored. Being from New England I know what lobster should taste like. This underwhelming impersonation lacked the succulent flavor I could find if it were hidden at the bottom of a barrel of bacon. Hey, at least the fries were good. The restaurant was trendy, clean, and the service was pleasant. I could give this another try if recommended something I could actually taste, and worth the hype.

    (2)

  • Tricia T.

    Overall, a great experience- eclectic, cool ambiance and delicious food/drink! What more could you ask for?! Went here with their kids - not ideal - but did the early dinner at 5 o'clock. Restaurant was loud enough so they weren't a distraction to other diners. Tried the frog legs and shisito peppers. I never had frog legs and glad I tried them, but would probably order some of the other appetizers next time. Peppers were awesome! So was the deconstructed seafood potpie!! Ordered the wedding beer- light, fruity. Oktoberfest was good too. Overall, I can't wait to come back! Next time without kids so we really can relax and enjoy. Beautiful view of the water as well.

    (5)

  • Tonia C.

    This place is a 5 for location, atmosphere and vibe. The food is a 3-4 at best. The vegetarian options are lacking but they at least have several side dishes I can eat. The Mac n cheese is mediocre, I wouldn't waste your time. The squash gratin and side salad were good. My boyfriend ordered chargrilled oysters and while they were good some where just cheese. The waitress nicely replaced them with some oyster filled ones. The citrus mojito is amazing! Definitely go early and walk the park some, it's especially nice at sunset. Valet was complimentary.

    (4)

  • James P.

    HYPE TRAIN LEAVING THE STATION! WHOO-WHOO Trendy, in hot urban revival riverwalk, and they make their own craft beer? It's like this place was made for up-and-coming Tampa, a town that's just been getting better and better. Careful about that hype train, though. Arriving early for our dinner reservations got us some decent bar time, to try out Ulele's own beers. The wedding beer was decent, the rest unfortunately not so much - at least to my tastes. And unless you're an apiarist (or a bear), you can safely skip the honey beer. After the bar, we were seated before our reserved time - make sure your phone is in a spot where you can be aware when you get a text, since that's how they contact you. The place has an open, hip, Amero-Indian-meets-nu-Tampa vibe. The unfortunate side effect of having such a lofty open area though, it that it's crazy loud inside. Service was friendly and reasonably quick, with a couple decent suggestions. So all in all so far it's a good experience. But this place had been hyped up so much, I'm expecting some next-level food, right? Well, my 14oz strip was good (and cooked a very good medium rare), but the wife's avocado soup was basically a bowl of chipless guacamole. Crab mac and cheese was fine, blistered pepper appetizer was alright. The flourless chocolate torte was like a block of crumbly fudge. Decent, but compared to the HYPE HYPE HYPE this place has been getting, we were underwhelmed. I'm not saying it was a bad experience, but definitely check your expectations. It's fine dining, but not as earth-shattering as it's being made out to be. All that being said though, the lunch menu looks pretty interesting, so I'll have to check that out.

    (3)

  • Jim C.

    Wow, Ulele is fantastic. Such attention to detail in every aspect of decor, service and cuisine. There have no freezers - everything is fresh delivered or made on premises. Other than two handicap spaces, all parking is valet. They use the fenced lots of Stetson University and an adjacent law firm. The valet asks your name and checks it against the reservation list before he takes your car away. Our group started with appetizers and the Blistered Peppers won the taste test. They are not jalapeño peppers but are Shishito Peppers. The okra fries were the next most popular. I ordered Juan's Snapper which was served over garlic spinach rice. Fantastic. The deconstructed Seafood Pot Pie was a hit with our group. We wanted to try the house-made ice cream (coconut) but no room so will save for return trip. Our server, Aaron, did an excellent job. The manager asked how we were doing and Richard Gonzmart did the same. Really good evening, can't wait to return and explore more of the menu.

    (5)

  • Deborah F.

    Second time at Ulële, this time with a larger group (11). We ordered the frog legs as an appetizer and others in our party also ordered apps. Our frog legs came out 15 minutes after all the other apps, which was disheartening. The legs had very little meat, not something I'll order again. Main dishes were the grouper and flank steak. The grouper dish was very flavorful, but not a large enough portion for the price. The flank steak was ordered medium, came out a little more than medium but not too much to send it back. The mashed potatoes and chimichurri sauce were outstanding. Also ordered the Belle Glos Pinot Noir, was good but a little too chilled for my personal taste. Service for the 11 of us was decent.

    (3)

  • Bob B.

    I absolutely love dining at local hot spots. I enjoy seeing what all the fuss is about with certain restaurants. Upon entering the beautiful building (seriously beautiful, $6 million went into the renovation), I was hit with a restaurant loaded with hustle and bustle and glitz galore. I instantly felt like this was a destination restaurant not to be missed. As myself and fellow Tampa Bay Bloggers were whisked away to the upstairs area, I couldn't help but take in all the aromas of steak and char-grilled goodness. The cuisine at Ulele is American inspired Indian, but really focuses on fresh local cuisine indigineous to the Florida. Our first sample of Ulele came in the form of samples of craft beer. Tim Shackton, head brewmaster of Ulele's microbrewery, is known for creating delightful crisp lagers and on this evening I had the chance to sample his Honeymoon beer, a black lager, and a bourbon barrel aged red. Our waiter was gracious enough to recommend the bourbon barrel aged red and I really loved the caramel and vanilla from the barrel that came through, yet it was still full of biting hops. The water they use for brewing their beer (a high-tech filtration system) is actually the water they use to serve patrons at the dinner table. The water comes in glass water bottles original from the Columbia Restaurant, dating back to 1905. The first dish to arrive at our table came in the form of freshly shucked raw oysters on the half shell served with freshly grated horseradish and quartered lemon pieces. These were super fresh and I could've eaten a dozen easy. Here is a pro tip, I later received a bottle of datil pepper sauce to try out and I wish I had that bottle while enjoying some of these oysters. That was followed up with a platter of char-broiled oysters. There were simple and delicious. I enjoyed that there was not a gloppy mess of cheese atop the oysters and they had that great char flavor from the broiler. Next up, I enjoyed the alligator hushpuppies (alligator, country ham, duck bacon, fresh corn, jalapeño, honey datil pepper sauce and fresh-ground horseradish aioli). While not entirely a new idea, these were well-executed bites of crunchy goodness. Ulele blog event-9As the food train kept marching along, I enjoyed a crunchy bite of squash gratin. The veggies were cooked quite well, not mush, yet not raw. I adored the crunchy breadcrumb and manchego mixture atop the vegetables. Now on to the carnivorous portion of our segment. What I enjoyed next, and I do mean enjoy, is a hefty 10 ounce portion of perfectly seared wet-aged filet mignon. The filet was accompanied by fresh asparagus and a mound of white cheddar popcorn mashed potatoes. Taking a brief break from beef, I had the pleasure of noshing on some fresh pan-seared pompano topped with fried carrot ribbons all set atop a mound of wild rice and a drizzle of sundried tomato shallot cream. This could be my favorite dish from the evening. I absolutely loved the fried carrot ribbons. That was quick break and now back to the beef. This mammoth of a steak is the kilo porterhouse, coming in at a whopping 2.2 lbs. This too had great char on the meat and a great steak quality that I absolutely loved. The extra fat in these cuts always lends to great flavor. Swoon. That's what I did when dessert hit the table. Candied Duck Bacon Maple Fried Ice Cream (cinnamon corn flake candied duck bacon crust, Knob Creek crème anglaise, caramel, sweet potato waffle crisp). This was definitely the bees knees and if I wanted to eat whatever the hell I wanted everyday, this would end each and every night for me. Do yourself a favor and get down to Ulele, fast. It is such a unique experience and I absolutely love that they took and area of town and made it an up and coming destination.

    (5)

  • Eric R.

    I will start off by telling you why I had to take off 1 star. We had a reservation at 8:15pm on a Friday night. They are so extremely busy they can't possibly keep to their reservation schedule. We went to the bar to wait for our text that would tell us when our table was ready. The bar is so awkward to stand near due to the proximity of a large table stuck between the kitchen and the bar. We stood at the bar for 20 minutes before we were even acknowledged and got out drinks 10 minutes later. Holy crap! Two people working the bar for the entire warehouse sized restaurant?!? We went outside to enjoy the weather and we're finally paged 45 minutes after our reservation time. Now here's where everything goes absolutely right. We are immediately greeted by our server, Amanda who was friendly and efficient. We ordered a bottle of wine, oysters, lobster cake, filet mignon, and grouper ulele. Of course we had to get the duck bacon crusted maple iced cream because it is basically mandatory heaven on a plate. Even if you don't like to order dessert you have to because you will never try anything so good again. The service was awesome. A sharp contrast to the bar. Our apps and entrees were delivered seamlessly and timed very well considering the restaurant was at 100% capacity. You would never be able to tell because the service was so great. The food was amazing. The filet is 10 oz of pure perfection. It was grilled perfectly to order, well seasoned, and tender. It comes with veg and potatoes or rice and it's cheaper than some a la carte restaurants!! I ordered the okra fries but they never showed up. I didn't mention it and it wasn't on the bill. I was so full anyway. If you want to try this restaurant you should. The outside atmosphere is awesome on the water and the place is well landscaped. I highly recommend it but make your reservations at least 3 weeks in advance!!!!

    (4)

  • Mary C.

    I want to give this place 5 stars...I really do. I'm keeping this short and sweet = food is out of this world!!!!!!! Service= really good, but not great. We sat at the bar and the bartenders weren't communicating. We got a dessert menu before we even got our entrees. We also ordered 2 soups and an app to start and never got the app. We weren't mad, but I still think bartenders should write down menu items. Other than that, they were very friendly and personable. I am not from the area, but I would come back.

    (4)

  • Bret A.

    Think Southern Living in your Tampa backyard! The setting is fantastic - anchoring the north end of Water Works Park on the river by downtown. Outside patio seating puts you right at the park's edge and lets you take advantage of beautiful weather or entertainment such as the Friday concert series or watching the sunset over the river. The inside is funky wood, brick, metal and chrome with high ceilings that somehow conveys intimacy as well as open space. Kind of reminds me of some of the Greenville, SC super cool restaurants. Kind of spectacular! There is an eclectic mix of gourmet, Southern Living style entrees with some burgers and sandwiches thrown in for fun. Most lunch entrees run about $12 and sides $5. Try out the lobster roll, the meat loaf, the salads, cheese grits - awesome! and similar to polenta, cheddar popcorn mashed potato - all were great! Rare these days; there were oysters on the menu. Really outstanding fare. Despite being crowded, it was relatively quiet inside. The service was excellent and friendly as well. This is a really unique dining experience for the Tampa area. You should visit the park and try it out - I'm already planning my next trip!!

    (5)

  • Kelcey O.

    We took our team for lunch today. I have to say first off the service was wonderful. Our server was on point and we never had to ask for anything. I really enjoyed the alligator hush puppies. I would for sure order those again. I heard amazing things about their macaroni and cheese so I wanted to order that. I decided to go with the beet and pear salad with it. I was disappointed with the salad. It was on the salad menu but was NOT a salad. It was some slices of beets. Some slices of pears. And a stack of watercress. I would not order that again. The macaroni and cheese was good but it was very oily, which I wasn't expecting. I'd be willing to give it another shot but I would not order a salad there again.

    (3)

  • Yuri K.

    Ulele was one of those refreshing restaurants that was wonderful from start to finish. The highlight of the lunch was definitely the Lobster Roll. It contained some of the best lobster that I've ever had, and the roll itself was so good that I would've eaten it on its own. The chef was generous with the lobster, which didn't hurt! I would be very surprised if this wasn't their best item on the menu. The lobster is poached in butter and lemon, which is obvious in its flavor. The dessert was also unforgettable, but I'm afraid that I can't remember what it was called -- frozen, key lime, merengue, sorbet-like. This wasn't one of their more popular items but, as a key lime lover, it was perfect. Lastly, the service was fantastic. Our waitress was new but knew exactly how to create a relaxing and memorable experience. Very happy for Tampa to have this gem!

    (5)

  • Margaret B.

    The Florida Native Chili is hands down the best chili I have ever eaten! I go back as often as possible for chili and a wedding beer!

    (5)

  • Gregory S.

    No. 1 Restaurant in Tampa, Service is 2nd to None, 3rd Visit! The best time to make a reservation is just before or during sunset. Its almost like they knew this location had one of the best sunset views in the area. Take your significant other, children, or take it all in alone. Now the food...charbroiled oysters are consistently delicious, Pompano is probably their top selling seafood, and the flank steak is perfectly dressed with avocado chimichurri. If you're not into any of those, don't miss the white cheddar popcorn mashed potatoes (yes, there's actual cheddar popcorn garnish), blistered peppers or okra fries, and save room for the candied duck bacon Maple fried ice cream. But who am I to try to convince you...try it for yourself. Remember, at or near sunset, you won't be dissapointed!

    (5)

  • Joe U.

    Man, this place is popular. I initially went in on a Saturday afternoon with a party of 3. They told is it was going to be a 2-hour wait, but they ended up calling us about 45 minutes. Even though the portions weren't too big (I had the char-grilled oysters and okra fries) for the price, the food was really good. The staff were rally friendly and accommodating and pewter the shades for us when we were sitting near the back wall that was open to the outside. The scenery was a great overlook to some water and a nice park. I would probably go back here, but not too often.

    (4)

  • Michelle D.

    No take-out from the bar. Wait for clearing outside tables could be improved. Wait staff okay. Better than average kids menu. Good recipes. This place really needs to improve the quality of the ingredients. Leaves in the salad rotten, flank steak chewy yet, surprisingly the Grouper was good. Priced above experience.

    (3)

  • Dianna B.

    I -finally- got to enjoy Ulele on my own (well, with the Husbeastie, that is)! I was pleased to be able to visit on a sunny afternoon, so that I could sit outside and enjoy the sun and breeze, and watch the river. The service was delightful, our glasses never went empty, and the husband was excited to get to try some of the hand crafted beer that they make on sight.. he opted for the honeymoon beer, flavoured with local strawberries. He said he didn't taste the fruityness of it, but that it was tasty none the less. We started our meal with the chicken lollipops and they were just as flavourful as I remember them being. A hint of spice in the sauce that made them sing on the tongue. The slaw that they nested on was made of apples, cabbage and other thinly sliced vegetables, which added to the crunch and made it heavenly! Our mains were very diversive: I chose the steak and since it was lunch it was only $15 for an 8 oz portion, atop a large mound cheddar mashed potatoes and the vegetable of the day (grilled asparagus) and a garnish of popcorn (I admit, I was confused) The meat was absolutely delicious, tender and grilled to perfection. The seasoning was so good! The potatoes were decadent, buttery and cheesy and NOM! I was slightly disappointed in the serving of the asparagus as I was given three thin spears, and Asparagus is one of my favorite veggies. (sad) The husband ordered a Chicken corn salad with a lime jalapeno dressing. The corn was straight off the cob, and apparently had been grilled right on it as well. The chicken was juicy and tender, and the dressing was the right amount of tart, but there was very little jalapeno kiss. He devoured it any way.. loved it. While we were dining, we noticed the couple next to us getting dessert, a mounded serving of something, we asked the waiter what it was: Candied Duck Maple bacon fried ice cream. That got us wondering.. and so we decided to try it. Our serving was truly epic, it was HUGE, and surrounded by a moat of cream Anglaise. It was DELICIOUS. I admit the flavor of the duck bacon in the ice cream was a bit of a surprise, but it was a welcome one. We did not lick the bowl clean, like the people next to us, but we came close. Oh boy did we come close. Oh and as for the pop corn garnish: Apparently the local indian tribe are the ones that figured out that if you add heat to dried corn kernels, you get pop corn. That explains -everything-!

    (4)

  • Candy S.

    Deliciousness!!!! Beautiful restaurant!!!! Great ambience! Extraordinary service! Spectacular food! The charbroiled oysters are a must! Cannot leave without enjoying the duck bacon maple ice cream - to die for.!!! Manager Steve Walsh took time to take us outside to walk the grounds, explained the history. And visited our table several times to check on service and offer suggestions!!! I'm a foodie - And Ulele is a favorite!!!!

    (5)

  • Dori B.

    The building is impressive. Stunning inside and out. Comfortable layout--tables are far enough from each other so you can have a comfortable conversation without being heard by others. However, the room is very loud; poor acoustics. Acoustics are necessary for any dining experience. I cannot concentrate on what I'm eating and what my guests are saying when there is so much noise. Hard for Ulele to combat this as it's almost 'cathedral' in design. Being there is the key; the food is very good. Pure and simple: Food from Florida. However, there are some items on the menu that I've tasted that I found bland. I like its location; I like the building itself but it's not a place to eat comfortably

    (2)

  • Erik K.

    After trying Ulele for lunch I decided to come back for dinner. What makes me really frustrated is that I really really really wanted to love the food and experience. What gives me a 2 star rating is the service and front of the house management. We had a party of 4 reservation for 9pm. With a 9pm reservation on a Friday night I fully expect a setting no more than 15-20 after my reservation time. Well boy was this expectation not met. We arrived at 8:50, checked in and was told they where running about 15-20 min past reservation time, perfect I thought, let's go get a drink. At 940 we went back to the hostess stand and was given a run around about our reservation. The bottom line is that they forgot to check us in and told me it would be another 20-30 min before we could be seated. Luckily 4 spots opened at the oyster bar and we grabbed them. Nothing like getting your meal at 11pm. The food was good not great and the service was decent but not great either. Not sure I'd go back with all the other newer options popping up around town Note to management, Manage your reservation desk much better! That's your first impression at a restaurant

    (2)

  • Joe D.

    I previously read mixed reviews on this spot but my girlfriend and I went in with the mindset that we would formulate our own opinion. Atmosphere - top notch (interesting part of town but the restaurant area is safe) Service - very prompt with our table (although it was a Monday night) wait staff was very courteous. Drinks - pretty good, not great though - do try the strawberry beer (not too sweet) Food - apps were outstanding, try the sushitos! I had the pork shank and my lady had the flank steak, the sides were outstanding...the only hit on the food was you couldn't sub different sides :( Overall it was a great dining experience and we would definitely go back.

    (5)

  • Erin H.

    I really wanted to like this place more than I did. It wasn't bad, but definitely wasn't great. Our main issue was not the food, but the service. We rarely saw our waiter, weren't provided drink menus from the start, one we order drinks had to ask to have them brought to us after a long delay, waited nearly 10 minutes for the dessert menus after we asked, had to have the bill brought to us by a manager because our server was too busy, and were met with apologies about something on each interaction with the staff. It wasn't the end of the world, but at almost $30 per entrée, I would expect better. Our food was generally good. I was not overly impressed with the pompano, in general the dish was not very flavorful, but the other people in my party enjoyed their food (the grouper and tuna). My drink (an old fashioned) was very good once I received it. We had oysters, crab mac and cheese. and the hush puppies as starters and the oysters were the highlight. I would consider going back to Ulele, but it will be a while. I can't say that I felt that it was a great value for money. Maybe we just hit it on a bad night--the restaurant was packed.

    (3)

  • Erica G.

    Very busy restaurant, be sure to make a reservation. I suggest taking advantage of the valet parking that is provided, unless you prefer to park your car elsewhere and walk through the river walk. The okra fries, alligator hush puppies and garlic oysters were all very good appetizers. Most of us ordered the the steak with the chimichurri sauce and popcorn mashed potatoes and veggies, which was excellent. I'd love to come back and try some of the other entrees on the menu.

    (4)

  • Lauren P.

    I really wanted to like Ulele. The flavors were not there. While waiting for our table I was drooling over the menu. Everything sounded so good. The inside of ulele is beautiful. A bit industrial but classy. I love it. The service was good. Waiter was very efficient, nice, and knowledgeable. When our food came out it looked beautiful. The first bit was a totally disappointment. No flavor in any of the tables dishes. I got the flank steak with avocado Chimichurri and grilled veggies. My steak came out raw, still cold. I wanted it medium rare. After sending it back, it came back medium well. Anyway, it wasn't great. Pretty boring. Chimichurri did nothing to help it. Asparagus was really thick, too hard, too boring. Everything needed a healthy dose of salt. My boyfriend got a bunch of sides. Baked squash was so boring-could have made something way better at home. Jalapeño cornbread was dry and also flavorless. Mac and cheese was fine, but nothing special. They have the space, and their wait staff down, but the food is lacking big time. I might try Ulele again once they have more time to improve.

    (2)

  • Marc S.

    I have been waiting to try this place...especially since I kept hearing so many good things about it. The restaurant is very cool...nice view and good selection of drinks and food. The parking was a bit difficult and I found the lobster rolls to be mostly bread and not that much for the price you pay. The service was good...we did have to wait even thought I saw a good amount of tables open so that confused me. One of my friends had to go up and ask how much longer and they somehow were able to take us right away all the sudden. I am all about giving places a second try so I will go back and see if I can up my review to 4 or 5 stars next time...still not a bad place at all!

    (3)

  • Isabelle R.

    Stopped by for lunch and tried the lobster roll and a friend's duck club sandwich. Although the lobster was tasty, it wasn't on much of a roll, more like a folded slice of white bread which was odd for this kind of restaurant. The sandwich wasn't anything impressive. I definitely like the ambience but sadly the food wasnt great this time around. Will stick to dinner only.

    (3)

  • Adam T.

    Simply wonderful! As a foodie in Tampa, was waiting for a restaurant like this to come to town. As fair warning, reservations for Friday and Saturday fill at least 2 weeks in advance. Sunday's and weeknights are easier. Have been twice so far; on a date and with friends, and each time was phenomenal. To start, the ambiance is unbeatable. With all the doors open facing the water and the cool decorations, this place doesn't get old. Next comes the wait-staff. Hands-down some of the friendliest people I've met. They are happy working here and it shows. They have a passion for food and it shows when they describe the menu. They have opinions on their own food which is a refreshing change from the average "everything we serve is good." Before I get to food, I have to make a statement: The most reasonably priced wine-list I have seen. To be able to get the Anniversary Caymus at ~$80 a bottle is unheard of. I hope this doesn't change. The food: Simply, have not had a dish that didn't impress me yet. The Charbroiled oysters are a must. Have gotten fish both meals I've had there, but am excited to try the steak. Without any of the other above positives, the food would put this place at 5 stars, but as a collective experience, it's one of the top 3 restaurants in Tampa.

    (5)

  • Marc P.

    Unique take on some classics. Also a great location in an up and coming area

    (5)

  • Ann W.

    Had a great dining experience here the other night. The menu is really interesting and whets your appetite with so many different kinds of dishes. The ambience is unbeatable. It's located in the waterworks Park near downtown Tampa. It looks like a converted factory with lots of glass, very high ceilings and industrial pipe fittings all around. The wine cellar is under the stairs which is a neat use of that otherwise on usable space. It reminds me of restaurants in New York's SoHo. The wait staff are very knowledgeable and friendly. Our server was great and helped recommend some really tasty dishes. For appetizers, we chose the chili made up of so many different kinds of meat including venison, pork, alligator and beef. It was delicious and highly recommended. The fried okra was prepared like frenchfries would be and were finger licking good. As our entrées, I went with the Pompano fish dish with ribbon carrots and tasty wild rice. It was a great combination of sweet, savory and nutty. The pork dish was monumental with over a pound and a half of pork that was coming off the bone with sweet potato mash and vegetables. That was a winner as well. I highly recommend this place for a night out, a festive occasion or if you're looking for a great meal in a cool area of town, this is the place to go to.

    (4)

  • Sandy S.

    This place gets it right every time. I have been here for lunch and dinner with small groups and the service and the food has been consistently outstanding. The drinks are also top notch. Bear in mind, nothing here is cheap and they do not do "specials" or happy hour to my knowledge. The ambience & décor both inside and outside the building is the best I have seen in Tampa. There is limited seating available outside the front entrance to the restaurant and there is a lovely fire pit and promenade that just begs to be walked through. Order a drink and explore the area as you want to be seated. A couple recommendations: The mac and cheese (with or without crab) is decadently creamy. For a healthier option try the shishito peppers as an appetizer. If you like margaritas, they also make an awesome house margarita. Make sure you ask for their exclusively bottled Patron tequila. I would not suggest this place for a large group as it is very loud inside and would be hard to hear each other at a big table.

    (5)

  • Ronnie K.

    What a disappointment! All the hype, only to have mediocre, bland food and minimally par service. Of the 3 appetizers we ordered...lobster cake, alligator hush puppies and crab mac n' cheese, we agreed that the the hush puppies were the best and skip the rest. Three of us ordered steak entrees and one the pompano and unfortunately there were no real winners here either. There was a mistake with one cut of meat and they all came out rare even though different temperatures were ordered. This restaurant did not live up to the hype nor any of our expectations and none of us will be returning any time soon.

    (2)

  • Zao Z.

    This restaurant is probably one of the most unique and best restaurants in the area. The menu is very inventive, especially for Tampa. You will have your classics but there are dishes on there that you won't see in your standard Tampa restaurant. The food was overall cooked very well. They have a decent selection of craft beer and wine. The decor was very nice. Beck did a great job restoring and renovating the building. Besides a few restaurants in Ybor, you won't find unique standalone restaurants in Tampa with charm. Instantly, you feel there is a story or some sort of history. It is also right by the river. It is great for a date. The neighborhood is gentrified and cleaned up. The service was attentive but the server was new? They were not familiar with the menu. He prob can recite the menu but he didn't actually try all the items. Reading about it and experiencing it are very different levels of understanding. I will give it a pass since the restaurant is new.

    (5)

  • Maggie A.

    Fried okra is delicious and the alligator hushpuppies! I had the Ulele salad one time and didn't realize how "healthy" and pretty plain it is so I won't be getting that again. Other than that mishap, the food is amazing. It is mainly meat based which is sometimes a bit much for me so hopefully they'll be adding some vegetarian based dishes soon.

    (5)

  • Taylor E.

    This place was packed on Wednesday, couldn't get a res so we ate at the bar. It made for a nice atmosphere as we set directly in front of the cooking line and grill. Food was delicious. We had the pompano over potatoes, it was great. Drinks were also well done. Would go back. The only ding I have for them was a lack of variety on menu.

    (4)

  • Mel R.

    great experience. i had the 8 oz flank steak with mash potatoes. Delicious!!! especially their avocado chimichurri sauce was just YUMMMMMMMMMMM!

    (5)

  • Lizzy M.

    I'm a Tampa native. I've been to the Columbia more times than I can count so when I heard that Ulele was opening by the same opener, I was so excited to try it out. I went last week and was not impressed at all. Let me first say the ambiance is very cool. The outside area is beautiful. The hostesses were nice and polite. That is about as positive as my rating is. Our waiter was very bad. I know everyone has an off night but he was so uninterested in helping our table, and those around us, and seemed to not want to be working at all. His first question, after bringing water and saying not one word, was what can I get for you? I had to ask him what the specials for the evening were. This restaurant gives no bread or pre dinner snack. Plates are $20-$30, bring some free bread. I dined with 4 other people. I got the flank steak with the "jimmychurry" after seeing so many people on yelp raving about it. Mine was so so. The sauce was on the side and had two measly pieces of avocado in it. It came with mashed potatoes and 4 pieces of asparagus. Nothing on my plate was hot. My husband got the flounder which he liked but was not over the moon about. All in all, our experience was not good. After speaking to other friends and family who have been there, they had similar experiences. If you want over priced food and bad service, this is your spot. Sadly, we will not be back.

    (2)

  • Patricia B.

    I wanted to wait until I've had both lunch and dinner at Ulele before writing a review. Both get 5 stars. I wish I could give 10 stars. Consistently, Ulele has been a gastronomic treat. The deconstructed seafood pot pie is amazing. The crab Mac and cheese is so creamy and heavenly that it's worth the calories, and then some. The okra fries and blistered peppers are both delicious puffs of fabulousness. Their own brewed beers are really good, with a variety of kinds to please anyone. The wines are also good and are stored in a gorgeous room under the stairs. The portobello sandwich at lunch is fantastic. The giant open doors facing the Hillsborough offered a gorgeous view, and when the sun started the blind everyone, they lowered a screen and it provided relief from the sun but you could still see out. The service has been pretty consistent, slow at times, attentive at others. It takes a while for a new restaurant to get its groove, and it seems Ulele is well on its way. Ulele is fast becoming my favorite go to restaurant in Tampa.

    (5)

  • Ly N.

    Had dinner here for my friend's birthday. The place was pretty, the service was excellent! She was very attentive. Ordered oysters, and it was superb! My lollipop chicken was not up to par. It was very cold, and under seasoned.

    (3)

  • Jacquelyn M.

    Visited last month with friends and tried LOTS of good food!! The Ring of Fire had just enough kick with jalapeño vodka (going to have to try to make that at home) Baked oysters were full of cheesy, garlicky, goodness. The mac and cheese did not disappoint. One of the specials was a snapper with an apple chutney, I could have licked the plate. The roast chicken was good, but tasted like a Publix rotisserie chicken. Ice creams were very good, the fried ice cream with duck bacon was fair - probably wouldn't order it again.

    (4)

  • Stephanie S.

    I wish I lived in the area, I'd definitely come here more often. The location is great, and if the weather is nice you should absolutely sit outside. They don't offer a whole lot of beer options, but what they do have is delightful. The food is yummy and the service is good, what more do you really need?

    (4)

  • Amy D.

    The ambience and food are spectacular! Ever since my first visit I've been waiting to go back. The appetizers were in incredible, especially the oysters and okra. The mashed potatoes with white cheddar popcorn sounds better than it is but the homemade pumpkin ice cream makes up for it. The service is the primary reason for 3 stars. It needs some work but I understand they're fairly new and may need to work on the kinks. Well, maybe not...recently, I called to make a group reservations after raving to my friends how great their food was. Not only did I wait 15 minutes for the manager, he was unenthusiastic and forgot manners - hello, thank you, good-bye. Guess service is still in issue whether you're in the restaurant or not. Disappointing.

    (3)

  • Nate C.

    Luella beers were bland and mediocre. Food was good, but I expect better for the price. My date and I both had the same opinion - after hearing plenty of great things, we were underwhelmed. It's worth checking out because there was nothing negative and maybe it will be your thing.

    (3)

  • Kelly S.

    What I love most about this place isn't the food (which of course is pretty good), but the actual physical space, which reminds me of various parties at converted warehouses in Williamsburg circa 2005 - except with millions of dollars in renovations thrown in. Even if modern bourgeois hipster ambiance isn't your thing, you should still check out the menu - especially the Florida pompano with fried carrot ribbons. I'm also a proponent of this jalapeño cocktail they make, which, if I knew what it was called, I would absolutely recommend.

    (4)

  • Chantal L.

    Beers are tasty and cold. The crab Mac and cheese was ridiculous, the lobster cake on point and ulele burger was one of the best I've ever had!

    (5)

  • Paul M.

    My fiancé and I usually go for brunch every Saturday/Sunday morning. We decided to stop in yesterday. The location is absolutely amazing. We were seated outside with an awesome view of the river. The food was extraordinary. We had the lobster cocktail and the charbroiled oysters for appetizer. For the main course I had the sirloin steak and my fiancé had the meatloaf. Everything came out delicious. The service was good, not great. With a place like this, I will definitely be back.

    (5)

  • Erin P.

    I was thrilled to hear that Ulele (you-lay-lee) was going to begin serving lunch on Sundays beginning today (11/2/2014). Rachel M. set up a lunch reservation and we gladly accepted the invite. Upon arrival to Ulele we were taken back with the breath taking view of Tampa's Riverwalk where the restaurant is located. Beautiful on the inside with lots of space with the kitchen location is open so you can see everything that is happening. There is a gorgeous staircase leading upstairs -- did not make it up there but would like to see it next time we visit. The back wall is solid glass over looking the Hillsborough River. We were seated at a ten top in the center of the dining room and immediately approached by our super attentive/friendly waiter Jorge (Thanks for the great service Jorge -- my iced tea was never empty). Would also like to thank managing partner Keith Sedita for stopping by our table and introducing himself. Appreciate him taking the time to make sure our experience was perfect from beginning to end. The hubby and I browsed the list of available craft made beers, extensive wine list and signature cocktails -- we did not try any but were impressed with the eclectic selection. Since there was going to be a large group of us for lunch we decided to all get different appetizers so we could share the goodness. We ordered the Okra Fries, Lollipop Chicken and Karson's Jalapeno Corn Beer Quick Bread. Other guests ordered the Blistered Peppers, Crab Mac and Cheese and Oysters on the Half Shell. (Chris W., you were correct -- the Okra Fries rocked my world). The Okra Fries -- my favorite -- cut okra cooked with lime juice and sea salt with homemade ketchup for dipping sauce. I did not try the Lollipop Chicken (four pieces of chicken with citrus chili sambal, kale and apple slaw), Crab Mac and Cheese (four cheeses, light beer sauce, fresh crab with seashell pasta topped with Romano Parmesan crust) or the Oysters but the hubby said it was all delicious. The Jalapeno Corn Beer Quick Bread (cornbread muffin baked with corn and jalapeno pieces) -- had a nice heat to it. In addition, I am a wimp when it comes to hot/spicy items -- the hubby warned me that a couple of the Blistered Peppers (shishito peppers seared in sea salt, garlic and olive oil) took his breath away, but were very tasty. For our entrees, I ordered the Top Sirloin with popcorn mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus -- hubby chose the Blackened Grouper sandwich. Sirloin was just as tender as a filet mignon and the mashed potatoes were nothing like I have ever eaten. Husband really liked the Grouper sandwich -- said it was flaky and fresh. Everyone raved about their meals. Two hours flew by way too quickly. Unfortunately, we did not get a chance to try any desserts but will be back. We had a wonderful afternoon with delicious food and a great group of people.

    (5)

  • Barbara C.

    This is my third visit to Ulele's. I absolutely love the venue. Location- The location is perfect it is the Hillsborough River, which is scenic and great place to sit and relax while you enjoy a meal. The restaurant is also next to Waterworks park and the Ulele Spring. I am so glad they restored the Spring because it has brought back great marine life and its beautiful to view if you are eating outdoors. The pools that were incorporated are just as beautiful as well. The restaurant is close to downtown and Tampa Heights and has a lot of street parking on Highland street. Ulele also has a parking lot across the street. The area is manicure perfectly and the neighboring buildings are just as beautiful. I am so glad that they chose to restore some of these old historic buildings rather than tearing them down and putting in new buildings. Food - spectacular!! Today I had one of my favorites. The deconstructed seafood potpie. you can never go wrong with this. It has shrimp, calamari, grouper, cheese and some vegetables. It is served with a puff pastry and rice with asparagus. The fried Okra was great. I was surprised because I do not like Okra, but this was done so well, crispy and without breading and seasoned just right. I also tried the mac and cheese with crab which was also delish, but they skimped a bit on the crab meat. I had the lobster roll which was good as well. The building was restored and decorated so well, colors, art and use of old pieces from the old Water Works Building. I love the beer garden on the North side of the building and the broad barbacoa pit on the inside with the bar another nice place to sit and have cocktails. The choice of music has always been superb and I had no wait since we made reservations. I know I will be back again and again.

    (5)

  • Chad L.

    We arrived at 6:45 on Friday and were met with friendly and efficient complimentary parking valet service. The restaurant itself is located in an historic Tampa Water Works building which is located on the banks of the Hillsborough River on an open grassy and tree site. All very pleasant. The interior is very spacious and very open revealing the original and interesting architecture. On the ground floor, besides dining tables were a seafood bar and an open grill where the chefs prepared the steaks, chops and vegetables. From the mezzanine level, where we were seated, it made for a nice show. We were seated promptly with our reservation and our server was attentive. The menu was interesting for some of its unique items, including deep fried okra, fried gator bites, Florida native soup, nice selection of fish and meat. I had the meatloaf that sat on popcorn mash. The meat was moist and tender and the popcorn in the mash was surprisingly good. All their beers are brewed at this location, I had Rusty's Red with my meal. It was a colorful lager with a nice bold taste. Very enjoyable. Also, another pleasant attribute is that guests were generally dress in a dressy casual style - pants for men and dresses for ladies. In our very casual Tampa environment, this provided a nice upscale, but relaxed, ambiance. For me, Ulele is a wonderful addition to our Tampa area restaurants. The only downside is that the noise level in the restaurant is at the roar level. So, a quiet conversation is just not possible.

    (5)

  • Tiffany B.

    Ooookay. Ulele is the definition of overhyped. I can't believe I had to make a reservation 6 weeks out for this place. Let's start with the ambiance. Awkward is the best word I have for it. I don't know if it was the crowd, the too bright atmosphere, or the disjointed decor but both my husband and I felt physically uncomfortable. They also apparently like to keep their door open so we were being assaulted by flies throughout our entire meal. We couldn't wait to leave by the time our check came. Next, the service. Fortunately for her, I can't remember our servers name, but she was one of the most tweaky, awkward people I've ever encountered and she should honestly probably not work in the service industry. She would just look at our food, then look at us, ask a weird question, then linger waaay too long. This happened multiple times. I'm just tying to enjoy my dinner lady, stop being weird. And the tweakiness! I swear to god she must have done a line in the bathroom before her shift because she was crazing eyeing all over the place. The food was very hit or miss. Some was genuinely really good, others were big WTFs. We started with the crab mac&cheese, alligator hush puppies, and the jalapeño cheddar grit cake. The mac and cheese was very good- super rich. The alligator hush puppies were the bomb and I wish I just ordered 10 of those and made a meal out of it. The grit cake was a big WTF. Guys, first of all, presentation is so important. I don't want two f*cking dense bricks of food on a plate. Put a damn garnish and a bit of sauce on it or something. Second, I can't put enough emphasis on the word "brick". It was so dense and hard and soggy. I was thinking it would be dense (hi, grits) but creamy on the inside and pan fried all crisp and delicious on the outside. NOPE. Take my advice and hard pass on that one. For our entrees, my husband got the sirloin, which was fine if not completely forgettable. I got the flank steak, which was also fine, but looked sad and grey. I feel like these people don't know how to cook a great steak. I can cook a better steak than both of those at home in my cast iron and not spend $18+ dollars each for it. The popcorn mashed potatoes that they came with were delicious but again, way too dense. Now that I think about it, I should invite them over and show them how to make a proper steak and potato meal. The squash gratin was just plain awful. They threw some sliced squash on a grill then arranged it on a plate and sprinkled some crunchy shit on it. No flavor. We both took two bites each and left it on the plate. Again, hard pass. Lastly, dessert. We got the Ulele ice cream, which at the time was toasted coconut. 1. That shit had no toasty flavor. 2. It was served in a halved coconut shell, which made it slide all over the plate when you went to stick your spoon in it because no one in the entire restaurant apparently had the forethought to also cut a slice off the bottom to make it sit flat on the plate. Dumb. 3. Again, no presentation. It was ice cream scooped into a coconut shell then frozen rock hard. No garnish, no sauce on the plate, nothing. And how about scoop as you serve so you can actually get a spoon in it instead of rock hard straight out the freezer? Bonus: it'll look a lot nicer. Anywho, needless to say Ulele has been banished for life. They get 2 starts strictly for the hush puppies, but beyond that, not interested in going back here ever.

    (2)

  • Grace C.

    I'm so disappointed I couldn't rank it higher but maybe it was an off night. There were both hits and misses in our dinner. Overall, service was professional and friendly. Our server Erin did a good job keeping us happy and be accommodating to our requests throughout dinner. At no point did she ever make us feel rushed and always kept our drinks filled. Food is really where the stars were deducted. We ordered a variety of things to share and some were better than others. Okra Fries - I would not order this again. The okra was over fried and limp. It was also seasoned oddly and very sour. Beet and Pear Salad - The overall salad was sweeter than I would have preferred it. It needed more tang, goat cheese and a brighter flavor. It was very one note. Charbroiled Oysters - I had broken shells in my oyster. Overall the flavors were just okay. Not a memorable dish. The untoasted sliced baguettes on the side were very uninspired and sad. The dish didn't really have anything sauce on it to sop the bread with anyway. Alligator Hush Puppies - Four come in each order. I found them delicious but could use a bit more gator in each bite. Texture of the hush puppies was perfect. Berkshire Pork Chop - Tender and flavorful. Jalapeno Corn Beer Quick Bread - Flavorful and light. It had a nice kick when you got a piece of jalapeno but not overwhelming. Juan's Snapper - The fish was a bit overcooked. The sides that came with the fish were a too salty. Key West Key Lime Ice Cream Stack - This dessert was frozen solid when we received it and had a very hard time eating it. It was like slicing through a solid block of ice. It was too sour and bitter. Candied Duck Bacon Maple Fried Ice Cream - I really enjoyed this dessert. The crispy waffle bits were perfect with the maple ice cream. It added great crunch and texture to the dessert. The maple flavor really came through. To drink, my husband stuck to their Water Works Ale throughout the night. He preferred it since it was the only one that didn't sound too sweet. I had a glass of Pinot Grigio which went well with the dishes. Overall, the ambiance of the restaurant was nice. It was very crowded when we went so I wouldn't say it was intimate since you had to talk rather loudly to be heard. The bathrooms were clean. Parking was easy (though removed from the main entrance). I'd give this place another chance but I'm not going to be the one suggesting it for a meal.

    (3)

  • Mahesh K.

    Great place with rocking crowd..I found this place after 2 years of stay in Tampa and it's amazing. The place is right on the boardwalk and you can stop for lunch or dinner. It's always better to reverse a table as we had to wait for 45 mins...okra fries and their own brewed beer are must try..am looking forward to visit again..

    (5)

  • Liz I.

    I believe this is a bit over-rated. The food was just okay. Great concept and the remodel is great. The sound level is way up there, don't plan on having a serious or heart to heart conversation in this establishment. Try the Mac and Cheese with the Chili on the side (give it a toss together) Yum

    (3)

  • Cassie D.

    I had heard so many awesome things about Ulele and they were all true. The minute we pulled up the Valet was extremely friendly and made a few recommendations. Our server also asked us what we usually liked and made some recommendations off of that. My friend and I tried the Mojito and Caipirinha for drinks and the Crab Mac N' Cheese to start. That was definitely a great choice, the drinks were refreshing and mixed perfectly (you can never go wrong with mac n' cheese, we cleaned the bowl). For entrees we had the cracklin pork and the flank steak. Both were served with large portions and cooked impeccably. I would suggest Ulele to anyone that asked. Perfect place for any sort of occasion or just to enjoy a meal. To top off our great evening the valet followed up on his recommendations and genuinely was interested in our evening. Great meal experience from start to finish.

    (5)

  • Caitlin M.

    I LOVED this place! Seriously. It was recommended by some friends and I went with a few colleagues while in town for a conference. It was definitely worth the cab drive over. I had heard about the maple-duck-bacon-fried-ice cream and I knew I had to have it (it was amazing. It did not disappoint). So, I ordered a cocktail and an appetizer size of the crab mac and cheese. It was delicious, and it was a large enough portion that I had to stop eating it so I wouldn't be too full for dessert! I'm so glad my party was willing to stick around while I ordered dessert (they were all stuffed), because I love duck, bacon, and ice cream. What could be better than all those things together? It really was something else. Fortunately, the server brought extra spoons and I was more than happy for others to dig in because it was a pretty generous size dessert and there was no way I could have eaten it all. It was beautiful and I'd love to return again! Be sure to make a reservation so you know you'll get a seat. It was packed even at 8pm on a Thursday night! Go early and enjoy walking the paths along the riverwalk. It's a beautiful place.

    (5)

  • Genieve D.

    Awesome atmospherics! The burger is great, fried okra, fantastic choices for home brewery and great wine selections. This restaurant overlooks the riverwalk and is a nice place for a date.

    (4)

  • John B.

    Disappointed. The atmosphere is nice. It's a beautiful restaurant in a nice setting on the river. The service was good. The food was marginal. Very large portions and not much flavor. Don't sit upstairs near the kitchen. The exhaust from the kitchen is overwhelming. My eyes are still burning and my clothing stinks from the kitchen exhaust smell. Overall, a disappointing experience.

    (2)

  • Abbie D.

    I had high hopes for this place, so when I walked in and was so mezmorized by the scenery, I knew I would not be failed. We sat at the bar on Easter Sunday and were instantly greeted by the bartender who asked us if we had ever been there before. She then told us about the drink specials and offered up her menu favorites. We split an appetizer and a meal and it was absolute bliss. I cannot wait to go back! Oh and, order the okra fries, you won't regret it.

    (5)

  • April G.

    I love the unique menu items and the waitstaff is generally pretty good once you've got their attention. The hostesses seem to think they're working the door at Club 54 and I'm convinced they'll force you to wait for the purpose of portraying this place as an "exclusive" dining venue. Come on ... we're in Tampa!!! And, half the tables are empty so, seat us!! Managers are friendly and responsive, though. Great location, clean modern decor, nice selection of adult beverages. I'm a fan!

    (4)

  • Mark H.

    It's been a long time since Tampa Heights has had ANYTHING to be proud of. It was odd to me that investors in the 90's skipped right over downtown's suburb and went right for Seminole Heights. Now, it seems the tables are turning and maybe, JUST MAYBE some revitalization will come to this forgotten part of town. So far, we're off to a good start. First, there was the purchase of the old Rialto Theater. Then came the building of Waterworks Park, and now we've got Ulele. I like where this is going! 6 of us rolled up on Ulele last night as part of an ad-hoc crawl Sunday night, despite the summer-like thunderstorms. The wait time for us was about 20 minutes, so we bellied up to the bar and ordered some beers and cocktails. I naturally had an old fashioned. Only one though because the bartender was heavy-handed on the pour, which is definitely not a problem. We all became familiar with the menu while sitting at the bar, so we were ready to order as soon as we were seated. First, I ordered up some jalapeno muffins since they do not offer any complimentary bread. For my meal, I summoned the PORK CHOP with mashed potatoes and got the Ulele side salad. Not everyone can successfully cook a thick-ass pork chop, but I saw them cooking a few of them on the grill, so I had to give it a whirl. Glad I did too. Not only did it look great with its cris-cross grill marks, but it tasted fantastic. The mashed potatoes were decent, but nothing to write home about. They were, however, better than the collard green and lima bean mixture. The side salad was equally as delicious. Not sure what all of the greens were, but I'm certain there wasn't any actual lettuce in there. Definitely worth a try. Nothing that I ate or sampled from around the table was "the best" I'd ever had, but it was all pretty good. Staff was ultra friendly and the decor visually stimulating, so we will return again someday soon for sure. There are some other items on the menu that I'm definitely interested in trying out.

    (3)

  • M R.

    Great place. Decor has a lot of Tampa history. Food is all fresh to table. Service team works in unison like a well oiled machine. The only reason I am not giving it 5-stars is the noise level. We were sitting 5 to a booth. I could only converse with the person next to me and had to shout at the person directly across from me. Basically had to ignore two other friends at the table which was a shame as we were their for a special occasion.

    (3)

  • Daniel A.

    The food was good and the service was excellent. I had the chicken (so much food!), the okra fries (very good!), and the crab Mac n cheese. Overall, I was really satisfied with the place, but I feel like they could have experimented with their dishes more by adding different flavored to make them more unique.

    (4)

  • Christine G.

    5 stars all the way. Everything about this place is awesome. The food, the staff, the drinks, the atmosphere, the design, the use of local foods & businesses. You get a lot of food for a fair price. I can't wait to go back to this place the next time I am in Tampa.

    (5)

  • Kenlee G.

    We have heard so many good things about this place that we went for the first time to celebrate a friends birthday. Let me just say the grounds and inside are gorgeous and our server was more than attentive. But I just can't get over the fact that food was not great for the prices that they are charging. We came for early dinner on a Saturday- which could have been the issue. For starters we had okra fries and the octopus carpaccio. The okra fries were okay- but some had texture issues and were like wood unable to eat. The octopus dish was very disappointing. I have seen pictures on yelp of larger octopus shavings -- and thought the portion on ours was very miniscule- the tiniest of tiny. We both ordered salads- this is were the big disappointment comes in for me-- I ordered the ulele side salad and he ordered the Juan's salad. I cannot understand why a restaurant would have this as a salad with their name on it. Stay away! The Juan's salad, although beautiful to look at was lacking in flavor. The salads came out right after we had just gotten the apps, the timing seemed to be off as we had to wait for awhile until our entrees came out. The meatloaf was awesome- I loved it. Everything on my plate tasted delicious. The birthday boy opted for the chargrilled oysters- which he felt were over- charred. I felt bad because he also had the teeny tiny octopus carpaccio and the tasteless juan's salad-- I mean this was his birthday not mine. The one saving grace, and the reason we may return to give it a second try was the duck bacon fried ice cream. It was wonderful, cannot say enough good things about it. I would definitely recommend it.

    (2)

  • Matt R.

    Excellent fresh food options with great flavor. Fresh cocktails with homemade ingredients. Would definitely recommend it and return myself. Wait staff was attentive and knowledgable. Atmosphere is fresh with a showcase style kitchen.

    (4)

  • Melanie M.

    My first visit here was during the daytime for USF Match Day. Driving there, I was a little iffy about if a truly good place could be in such a strange location. Once there, the waterfront setting was just perfect for our needs. Beyond having a couple drinks and grazing, I did not get to stay and fully dine, but I look forward to coming back and doing so very soon.

    (5)

  • Kelleigh M.

    I'm giving this place 4 stars because of its uniqueness and the need for this type of establishment in Tampa. We arrived at 630 on a Sunday night and immediately checked in for your reservation. We waited about 10 minutes to be sat, which was great considering this place was hopping and quite busy. The menu is "floridian" and local. There was menu items with gator, cornbread, grits, pompano etc. We opted to place an order for the jalepeno cheddar quick bread muffins. There was 4 in the order and they were quite tasty and went will with our side salad. For our entree we ordered the pompano, the grouper and the flank steak. The winner was the flank steak, sadly the pompano wasn't all that great and I wouldn't order it again. The grouper looked pretty tasty. After dinner, our server walked us outside. What a lovely set up! It's right on the water with a huge field. Big enough actually that you could host a private party on the grounds. There is also a Biergarten and a hidden roof top bar. So cool! We took a mini tour of the brewery and had samplings of the wedding beer (get this!) and the pale ale. This is definitely a place to take out of towners and locals alike to give them a true taste of what Tampa has to offer. Well Done, ulele!

    (4)

  • enrique b.

    I'm biased, I think Ulele is a really great addition to the riverwalk project. Really the whole area looks amazing: the water park, the park, the river front, Ulele. I'll be honest, my dining experiences here have been mixed so far, but I'll certainly continue to support this place through its growing pains, because Tampa desperately needs more of this. First, let me the start with the good. The space is beautiful! It's open with a well crafted bar, an additional oyster bar, and an open grill area. The wall that faces the river has doors that open to the terrace and park. They open the doors when the weather permits. The decoration is modern with artifacts that pay homage to local Native American culture. They also have outside seating around the building. I really like the concept of local ingredients, and they have an interesting and diverse wine list along with selections from their own brewery. They also offer some interesting cocktails including Pisco! As far as the food, it's been mostly positive but uneven. I liked the chicken lollipop appetizer quite a bit, the fried quail on the other hand was not crispy. I think bringing it to the table covered is a mistake as the steam makes the dish soggy. The florida chili is tasty but a little inconsistent. For the most part the sandwiches are very good, but I was dissatisfied with the grouper sandwich. The fish was over salted and I don't like that it's served dry with the remoulade on the side. I had to deconstruct the whole thing to get it properly sauced and moist. Probably the best thing I've tried so far, to my surprise, was the native sauté. It's a vegetarian dish, with stir-fry veggies and mushrooms served over rice. It may sound boring but it was so well seasoned and prepared that it really stole the show! The service isn't bad, but it does need tweaking. I don't mind waiting for a table (and believe me, you will wait) but once I'm sitting, I do expect prompt service, but that has been hit or miss. On average I have waited around 45 minutes for food after I've been sat, so they might have too many tables for their kitchen. I also think they might need to add more waiters because though they seem to try, they appear stressed and not very friendly. They also disappear for long periods of time, which is really inconvenient when you are trying to get another drink. If I'm being objective, I would give them 3 stars based on food, drink and service. But I really like the concept and they've done a terrific job with the space so I'll give them 3.5 for now. I hope they continue to tweak the formula because this place could be a real gem.

    (4)

  • Aron T.

    It is always amazing. Grit cakes inspired me to learn how to make them at home.

    (5)

  • Caitlin O.

    We ordered the charbroiled oysters, alligator croquettes, and native chili. All three were excellent. The atmosphere and location are great. We sat outside at an umbrellaed table overlooking the park. Wish we could've tried more on the menu, but we were too full. The oysters had plenty of tasty herbs and garlic, the croquettes had big chunks of gator, and chili had great flavor as well.

    (5)

  • Lauren P.

    I want to like Ulele, mainly because the ambiance is exceptional, it's new, and Tampa needs more places like this. However, the two times I've been the food has been underwhelming at best. Staff was very accommodating and friendly, was moved when seated at an awkward table on a busy night, took awhile to get our server again once relocated. They're busy, I get it. Fish was over-seasoned and lacked imagination. Ordered some kind of vegetable gratin side dish, and was expecting some kind of a baked cheesy goodness - but got a bland plate of anorexic, grilled vegetables with no cheese, sauce or even salt it seemed. For something I could have made at home for a fraction of the price, this struck me as odd. Somehow even the desserts were "off," I tried several given we were a large party and despite the delicious-sounding descriptors, there was nothing exceptional to remark. To top it off my glass of champagne (francis coppola's brand apparently) was served in a can. Don't get me wrong I can deal with drinking out of a can...but for Ulele's menu prices I don't know if I would serve champagne in a can - even if it was the Queen's brand... Hopefully they're still working out the kinks and I just had two fluke meals there...

    (2)

  • Catherine C.

    This is suppose to be the hottest new restaurant in the Tampa area. The only reservations we could get were at 6:45. We were seated promptly, however our server was more than busy with other tables. Took awhile to get his attention. The food took extremely long to come out. I can't say how disappointed we all were with our dinners. I had a local fish that was breaded and very dry. The mashed potatoes were like glue. Other people in our party had the veal shank ?? and I was told it was tasteless. If you are thinking about going to this restaurant....I'd save your money and go somewhere else!!

    (1)

  • Nikki A.

    I was overjoyed to sample some of the innovative items offered at Ulele. I can highly recommend the Native Summer Cocktail (gin, Elderflower, fresh lime juice, simple syrup, and cucumbers), the okra fries with a to-die-for house-made ketchup, and I have been dreaming about the Crackling Pork Shank for days. I enjoy the way they pay homage to the past with items like the Jalapeno Corn Beer Quick bread, and I love the way they embrace all things Florida. There are also many comfort food type items done at a gourmet level. I was happy to relish all of this tastiness while in a beautiful setting. Well done, Ulele, you are a future gem of this community.

    (5)

  • Ryan H.

    Went there with a group of 9 for my birthday, Christian took excellent care of us. From explaining the concept of the restaurant, the beers brewed on site, the food, and even the history of the building he was excellent. The Buckhorn brew and honey lager were both excellent beers, the Buckhorn being the current seasonal brew. For appetizers I preferred the blistered peppers over the zucchini fries; the alligator bites and crab mac and cheese were both good but for portion and sharing sake I'd go for the gator bites. The water works meatloaf was great, and the popcorn topped mashed potatoes are delectable. The only thing I was slightly displeased with was that most of the entrees only came with one side. For the prices they charge I would expect two.

    (4)

  • Tiffany H.

    I can totally understand the hype surrounding Ulele after being involved in the surprise send-off for Eric C. a couple weeks ago. Our party arrived early, and we spent a few minutes at the bar before getting a tour of the brewery. Our table wasn't ready for us and we needed a place to hide after all... The brewmaster gave us a little 101 on all things beer and provided some samples for those who were so inclined. As a non-drinker I passed. The ambiance they created was really impressive. There's several pieces of artwork at Ulele, the materials used in the renovation are modern and chic, and even the brewery had its own little touches (especially in the lighting). I'm unfamiliar with Tampa's old buildings to know what it looked like before, but it's obvious a lot of money and conceptualization went into the build-out. Our servers for the evening were wonderful. We couldn't have asked for more friendly, attentive, and helpful service. I hope the rest of the staff at Ulele were as top notch as our crew that night. Now, the best part - the food. Overall I liked what I ordered. I tried the duck with the orange marmalade sauce. It came with a side of mixed rice and a veggie. The duck was a perfect 10. The veggie side was good but not especially memorable, and the rice was not even worth eating. Sorry, but no. The rice was just... bland and reminded me of something I could get from an Uncle Ben's package. I tried a piece of a tablemate's pork and it was phenomenally prepared. Same for the flank steak. They clearly know how to prepare their proteins well. I rounded the night out with the key lime stack and I was a little underwhelmed. The presentation was wonderful. The crust and the meringue were both delicious, but the lime ice cream could do with some kind of a modification. The texture wasn't my favorite, but the flavor was okay though a little generic. Considering I was still hungry post duck and veg, I polished it off. I also gave their funky iced tea blend a shot - I can't remember what was in it but it was nice for a change. If you want it sweetened though, ask for someone to add a little simple syrup to it. The first time around I didn't and powered through it, but the second time I got it fixed up perfectly. All in all, it was a good experience. But considering it felt like I didn't get quite the bang for my buck, and it would take me an hour or so to get there, I have too many other options to pick instead.

    (4)

  • Matthew H.

    Foods great. Always. Service is great. Fran's a doll. Currently one of the finest restaurants in Tampa. Let's hope it stays just the way it is.

    (5)

  • Richard S.

    This is our new Tampa favorite. Food is amazing, service is impeccable, and atmosphere is trendy without being stuffy. We started with the calamari and okra fries. Both were delicious. For dinner we had the filet, meatloaf, and side of mac and cheese. Again everything was fantastic. Highly recommend everything! And John is an awesome server!! Very personable and never seemed too busy to take care of us. Recommend him!!

    (5)

  • George R.

    $30 later after lunch, I'm like, "Meh." The best thing about the restaurant is the physical restaurant itself. Beautifully done and right on the river here in Tampa. I don't know if they don't have the proper chefs or just poor menu ingredients. My salad was tasteless and lacked any type of life. The best thing about our meal was the free sparkling water and the coleslaw. There wasn't much to say about my partners lunch as well. Either way I won't be going back anytime soon. Hopefully others will have better food then we did.

    (2)

  • Trista B.

    This place exceeded my expectations! We went for a girls night and decided the best way to experience the most food was by sharing. We ordered the crab mac & cheese, duck breast, Florida jumpers (frog legs), calamari, pompano and for dessert, fried icecream coated in duck bacon and cinnamon corn flakes with a knob creek bourbon creame anglaise. Every single thing we are was delicious but my favorite was the duck and the ice cream. We got to meet the brewmaster Tim and you can tell by the way he speaks how in love with this place he is. He is proud of his beer and of the restaurant! Ulele is about giving. You can feel it from the moment you walk in. The vibe and positive energy exploding out of that place is infectious. The menu gives honor to tradition and heritage while being modern and edgy. The decor supports local artisans. The building breathes new life into Tampa and the river walk area. The charity work they've done so far is astounding. Amazing all around. I'll be back time and time again.

    (5)

  • jennifer C.

    What a great addition to Tampa! Tampa is really becoming a foodie place and Ulele is part of the reason. Had New Years dinner here and was quite the celebration. On a night that so many things could go wrong, our experience was enjoyable and a great way to ring in the new year. Everyone dishes were spot on. Pompano, duck and steak all done with care. BYOB? Yes please! Mac and cheese was one of the best in Tampa. The only down side was the attitude of our server at first, however it was New Years so she probably wished she was else where, though she warmed up as the evening progressed . All in all, will defiantly return with pleasure.

    (4)

  • Kelly Q.

    I hadn't been back to Ulele since the Yelp event here, but I honestly have to say I'm glad I went back as I left just as impressed as I had that first time. I took my mom and her friend here while they were staying in Tampa and they both just couldn't stop raving about their experience. The weather was definitely on our side as we sat outside sipping on our Sav Blanc's watching the sunset. Our waiter was phenomenal -- I wish I could remember his name, I only remember that he was just super tall haha -- but he was very attentive, very knowledgeable about the food and very relaxed and friendly. He made us feel really taken care of, like he was solely there to make sure we had a great experience. I had a steak, my mom a snapper, and her friend had the Ulele salad with the gator/bison chili. And WOW is all i have to say. As good as my steak was, I was definitely jealous of my mom's snapper on risotto (a special that evening). And my mom is not a person who finishes her plate and she could have licked that plate clean! Let's make an honorable mention about the icecream too. Just fantastic. I had the coconut and chocolate flavor, if they would hand me a whole tub of it all I would need is a bigger spoon. And the wedding beer, what superb quality, my moms friend went gaga for it.

    (5)

  • Luisa R.

    The first time we went to this restaurant was for my birthday last year. We had a fantastic experience. Food and service were great. I loveeee the Candied Duck Bacon maple fried Ice Cream OHH MYY delicous!!!. But a few months later we decided to take my parents in law there and it was TERRIBLE. We had reservations for 7:30 and we were seated at 8:10. It was crazy loud and busy. We ordered some drinks and oysters to start and it took about 40 minutes for the Oysters to make it to the table. The Red eagle duck and the Pork chop were very good. At the end they did not charge us for the Oysters.

    (3)

  • Cori W.

    So we decided to try Ulele for lunch for Father's day and I'm glad we gave it another try. I will say I was a bit disappointed that they had a special father's day menu, I really wanted to try several things on their lunch menu, so that was a bummer, but I will just have to go back during lunch one day to have that experience ;) We got the oysters again, mainly because they were amazing the first time and it being a special menu they only had certain appetizers available....I was sad though, because I really wanted to try their alligator hush puppies. My husband had some chili which was good and my MIL had the avocado soup which she really liked. I opted this time for the Pompano which I'm so glad I did. It was exceptional....only complaint was it could use a bit more sauce.....the sauce is really good. My husband got the Swordfish this time and they enjoyed that. My mother had their vegetarian cassoule which she liked and my MIL had the lobster Benedict off of their brunch menu which looked amazing. All in all a great afternoon. Also the wedding beer is as good as everyone says.....you should get it!

    (4)

  • Emily R.

    Not a good experience unfortunately. Beautiful location. Parking is down the street in a lot of if you don't want to pay for valet. We were a party of ten upstairs. Waitress was no where to be found and we waited 45 mins after getting our drinks to order. No soap in the ladies bathroom. Had to ask three separate times for a refill of my sons lemonade. Over priced menu but great seafood.

    (2)

  • Jael N.

    Love the atmosphere in this restaurant. Have been twice and I have to say the second time was much better, possibly because the first time I visited was close to their opening. I tried lots of different things. My favorites were: the meatloaf which is done with out too much gravy or sauce, the lamb shank which is gigantic and fall off the bone, the Jalapeño grit cake is incredible, the oysters are fresh, had the okra and even though they are fried they are actually a very light appetizer. All their portions are huge! Be prepared to have left overs. I tried the fried ice cream and even though it is award winning I wasn't impressed. However the Guava Cake is to die for! Their cocktails are also so yummy and different. The only thing I did not love was the treatment at the bar and the welcome desk. The ladies are very presumptuous in the front desk. At the bar we sat down after dinner because we were waiting for our cab. The restaurant had already closed but we had just finished dining. Our waiter told us we could order a drink while we waited but the lady bartender told us no. I find that pretty ridiculous considering she was in the bar and there were a few other guest still in the restaurant.

    (4)

  • Robin Z.

    Loved it! But make a reservation. It gets packed...even for lunch. Sat outside and the setting is beautiful. Shared the fried okra (and I don't even like okra...or so I thought!). Very tasty. The beet salad was very good and the crab mac 'n cheese was delicious! Service was great. I will be back soon!

    (5)

  • Nickk S.

    Fairly pricey for the, albeit delicious, food, but the atmosphere and the location makes up for it.

    (4)

  • Rachel H.

    Tampa was in need of an upscale restaurant for the everyman. Location, Menu, Staff, Drinks, Pricing, all five stars. We'd wanted to check this out so badly we took the first reservation available for Labor Day weekend, 8:45 p.m. on Monday. Yikes, worth wanting to gnaw my arm off from 6- 9pm though, WORTH IT. We arrived early on Labor Day to walk around the new park (awesome) and take in the restaurant from the bar until our reservation for dinner was up. I highly recommend doing this as the view of the kitchen from the bar helped us curate what we wanted from the menu. We started with a flight of their beers (they were okay), a mug of their red ale (okay), a glass of their cab (Chateau Smith, excellent), and an order of the okra fries (heavenly, the homemade ketchup it comes with will blow you away). It was emphasized as we ordered throughout our time sitting in the bar area that they were a team, so it didn't matter who you ordered from. Refreshing! As we sat down to dinner, our waitress was friendly and knew the menu well. Another point of interest was that in recomending different items from the menu, she didn't pick the most expensive options, she included things that were popular with her other diners and things she liked as well. I ordered the Three sisters Salad which was vegan and incredible (it was my meal and definitely satsifying, included charred veggies, cranberry beans, and lots of different lettuces) along with the chilled avocado soup (a little salty but I really enjoyed it regardless). My husband got the deconstructed seafood pie which came with puff pastries and wild rice/asparagus on the side. He LOVED this, it came recommended by another couple at the bar and he really enjoyed it. Rich and filling, but really really good. Nothing on the menu was over $30 and honestly, every single thing sounded great. The dishes we watched come out of the kitchen were appetizing and creative looking all while not plated in a way that made them seem unapproachable. Portion sizes were on point, nothing was so small it left us starving as we left, and each person we came into contact with on the staff was friendly and helpful. The restaurant itself is just beautiful, maybe the most lovely interior since Oxford Exchange burst on the scene. Five star experience, you need to go!

    (5)

  • Michael P.

    The building is awesome although very loud inside. Waiter was great. Food was disappointing. Okra fries ok. Calamari was great. Beers pretty good. KC strip steak at first was almost raw (asked for medium). It was brought back charred all around well done and unedible peripherally and still medium rare on the inside. no flavor. grouper was dry. meatloaf ok. filet was not tender as you would expect. no real flavor. all in all didn't come near the hype level. probably won't try again.

    (3)

  • Amara G.

    Who asks for Long Island Iced Teas anymore? What kind of an unclassy drunk does that? Ding! Ding Ding Ding! You know it! I did on Friday night. What was I thinking of? Obviously I was not thinking. Could that be a side effect of my new eye shadow? Melissa, the bartender at Dufrain, looked straight into my eyes and said: "these things are dangerous." I gave her one of my classic eye rolls that said; "ay, nena, pleasssse." But I was not driving anywhere and the dare inconspicuously hidden in her warning became appealing. Sat at the bar with some of the usual suspects. Deep nonsensical conversation. Lovely as always. Remember the Ding DIng DINg DING! You heard when you knew I was the classless drunk? Capitalize all letters, bold them up, highlight them any fluorescent color of preference, draw a cartoon thinking bubble of my head (not above my head, inside) and place them there. Woke up when the alarm of my painful brain went off. Reached for my black sunglasses, put them on...Dragged my yellow self out of bed and wandered into the kitchen in search of Gatorade. Like Greta Garbo, I had a languished absent look. Like her, "I just vvvvvanted to left alonnnne." But a Saturday late lunch at Ulele had been carefully scheduled and the Real Housewives of Tampa Rico would be merciless to me in my absence. The thought of such vulturing over my sensitivities and small indiscretions gave me chills. What was I to do other than pull myself together, use tons of make-up foundation and eye concealer, wear one of my panama hats low Mafioso style, and show enough cleavage to distract them. Sunny and humid, this was the perfect day to be outside and mingle. I promptly folded and placed my hangover gloom into my purse. Walked into Ulele to find my friends. A table full of fabulous. Found then amidst the remembrance of the shade they had thrown at each other the previous night. My, oh, my. Better to play invisible. Ulele was busy as usual. Servers running and sprinting all over the place carrying colorful cocktails and sides of yummy. We promptly ordered drinks. Mimosas for some. One so high maintenance that he asked for a "no-pulp mimosa. Just a tad of OJ"... It sounded something like: "Ay linda, I want a mimosa but with no OJ." Like an Old Fashioned, but with only whiskey and ice. Yes. One of my friends has stopped drinking alcohol altogether. We are seriously considering he might be pregnant and not telling us. I was conscious of it and tried to stay away from stepping on his hormones. Another asked for beer, and after giving us all a lecture about wasting precious moments of our lives by using the cell phone, proceeded to sip at the beer as he played with his iphone. It was clear that shade had been thrown plenty the night before and that if one of us did not pull a Teresa Guidice table flipping it would be a miracle. I ordered pisco morado. Did not try the beer as I am allergic to it, nor the mimosas for they are always the same. Did try a very strong Caipirinha. My pisco morado was... Beautiful to look at. Refreshing and cool. As appetizers we enjoyed the fried okra, the lobster cake, crab mac and cheese, Florida jumpers (frog legs), Alligator hush puppies and the lollipop chicken. All amazing as always. The frog legs so tender inside and crispy on the outside that one of us should be placed on medical observation for the next days as he ate the bones of the frog legs as well. How unchic. As main we had Charbroiled Oysters, a classic burger, the Florida native chili, the lucanica salchicha, and a Gouda Grouper. As we waited for our grub, two felt their sensibilities had been deflowered; and even threatened to move to the table next to us. Marooned, but close enough to still take part in the male o drama (yes, you have read correctly). Olympic word ping pong. The food served as a pacifier of sorts. Everyone mostly shared their plates, even when Mimosa boy is a self-declared plate Scrooge. Silence and an occasional pleasure groan kept hormones at bay. Perhaps it had all been caused by alcohol dehydration and low blood sugar. Ulele, saved us yet again! No flipped tables. No flipped birds. We left satisfied. We took a stroll down the river walk... basked in the sun. Peaceful and silent. Strange. A miracle. "ay, at what time is the eboat? What are we drinking then? Isn't it too hot for red wine? I won't be having none of that, mamita! Will there be Serrano and prosciutto?"--and the silence broke... we were friends again.

    (4)

  • Kim O.

    The atmosphere here is great. It's such an interesting building and the service is fabulous and friendly. Our server was able to help us out with some questions we had about the menu. Our appetizers were really good. We had the oysters, which were very fresh. I had the skirt steak, and it was kind of disappointing because it came out kind of cold and just drenched in the sauce it came with. But someone else at my table had the meatloaf and it was soooo good. They also had really reasonable wine bottle prices, which was impressive. I really want to come back here and try some of the beers and also try another, better entree. Then I'll review again!

    (4)

  • Wendy C.

    I was really excited to try this new "talk of the town" restaurant. I went for an Ohio U alumni dinner with spouses so the organizer made the reservation. The table was ready and set nicely. To start off, I had the buttery Chardonnay and my hubby had a crown and 7. Both were tasty but we believe the drink prices were on the pricey side. For our appetizer we shared the lobster cake. It was quite tasty but a bit too spicy for me. For my main course, I had the meatloaf which came with garlic mashed potatoes, asparagus and onion straws. I really liked the texture and taste of the meatloaf with the sauce. Everything on the plate was yummy. The side salad was extra but unique. It had greens, fire roasted peppers and Swiss cheese with the house balsamic dressing and I enjoyed it. We did not have dessert as we were too full and I have leftovers for tomorrow. The location is right on the Hillsborough River and next to a park. Beautiful views. Definitely worth a visit as the menu is unique, however a bit pricey.

    (4)

  • Steven H.

    Where do I begin? Menu states "gulf only oysters" but it's June right now and any oysters from the gulf would be like playing Russian roulette with the next 24hrs of your life. Someone at our table wanted a smaller than 10 Oz filet and we were told that it was not possible to do...let me note that the menu item above it has an 8 Oz filet mentionted. For my meal, I wanted to have my 10 Oz filet seasoned like the 20oz strip, but was told that it would be a $9 upcharge (so it was the same price at the 20oz). Completely ridiculous and unsavy wait staff.

    (1)

  • Cathy B.

    When you take a family with such a rich local history especially with the local food scene and they decide to top themselves and surround themselves with history, romance and some of the best minds and hands in the food world you are guaranteed a homerun! Ulele does not disappoint. From the incredible artwork and architecture to the crispy and tender calamari..... the lobster claw that melts in your mouth..... the jalepeno beer cornbread muffins...then there were the steaks... wash it down with Tim Stockton's craft brews and you have yourself Tampa's newest brightest star! Not to be missed- they open Aug 26th and get your reservations fast because this beautiful waterside dining at the historic waterworks building north of downtown is a gem!!

    (5)

  • Christy J.

    Now that I've visited Ulele 5+ times...I feel as if I can write a comprehensive review. First, ambiance. This place is top notch. Florida water, beautiful open air interior, clean, open kitchen and gorgeous artwork. Second, drinks. Well, for the beer drinkers, it's amazing to discover that they don't even keg their beer! They brew it and run the tap lines directly to the restaurant. The cocktails are also hand crafted with various spirits available on the rolling bar. Third, service. I've never had a bad experience. Whether it be a hostess, bartender, server or food runner. The perfect amount of professionalism is accompanied by just the right amount of "real," as if these people are hired to fit the description of: great server, down to earth. No snooty or trashy people here. Last but not least, the food. It never disappoints. Each item on the menu leaves you wanting to come back a second time. Go. Go now.

    (5)

  • Christina A.

    The atmosphere makes up for a lot here. The food is good but not great. I did not enjoy the okra fries because they just had so much vinegar on them. Maybe I had a bad batch. Everyone at my table that ordered fish was very happy. I ordered the pork and it was NOT fall off the bone tender. It was actually pretty dry. But enough complaining. The place is gorgeous!!!! We went on a night when they had all the doors on the downstairs closed to let in the breeze from the river. It was lovely. The ice cream and beer was FANTASTIC! I highly recommend asking if the brew master can visit your table. Now that is a man that enjoys his job! He gave us a tour of the brewery after dinner and it was a great end to a wonderful evening. I definitely will be going back and recommending this place to friends.

    (4)

  • Chrissy M.

    Great food and service (I highly Recommend the meatloaf!) with a lovely view of the river and new Water Works park. Just a few tips: Skip the fried ice cream, bring cash for valet and ask for a tour of the brewery with Tim! :)

    (4)

  • Kim N.

    Great times at this restaurant last night with good food, fun atmosphere, and great sunset view. Our table ordered the Okra Fries, Pulpo Carpaccio (shaved octopus), Florida Pompano, Crackling Pork Shank, Flank Steak, Jalepeno Cheddar Grit Cake, Dinner Special Seared Tuna over Rock Shrimp, House-Made Ulele Coconut Ice Cream, and Candied Duck Bacon Maple Fried Ice Cream. All were delicious. Added bonus is that the restaurant brews its own beer - loved the Magbee's Honey Lager. Our reservation was at 7:15pm and we were not seated until 7:45pm. They do text you when your table is ready so you can walk around the area and enjoy the sunset.

    (5)

  • Dorangela B.

    Beautiful ambiance especially sitting by the French pocket doors that open to the water view during sunset! The meatloaf with cheese mashed potatoes is phenomenal. I had a red sangria and a Pisco sour and was not impressed with either one of those. Everything else amazing!

    (4)

  • Gigi G.

    I was here in March for a late dinner with two colleagues and I reallllly liked their food, ambiance, etc.

    (4)

  • Ro S.

    Great place to try new and delicious foods! My 6 year old son enjoyed everything! He even liked the atmosphere. He said "why is there pretty people here?"

    (5)

  • Corey M.

    South Tampa Paintball is the best course in the entire St, Petersburg/Tampa area. I highly recommend for new players to come out and try, they give you competitive guns, not so bs mechanical gun..... which means that you have the same advantage as other players (that bring own markers). No one is excluded so not only is it a great social hangout!!! BUT you can get to play the greatest sport ever!! Feel free to ask question don't be embarrassed we all started somewhere.... P.S. The prices are fair with great Staff!! :)

    (5)

  • Sam E.

    Uggg this one hurts. So much hype about this place and we were very excited to try it out. Reservations are annoyingly difficult to get so we planned a couple weeks out to go on a Tuesday...at 5:30pm. Even though we had reservations we were still told there would be a wait and that they would text us when the table was ready. The wait turned out to be around 20 minutes. Normally this would have been really annoying but part of the appeal of this place is the gorgeous location on the water and a city park. Waitstaff very friendly and helpful, they were about as good as you get. We were given a heads-up to just go tapas style and order a bunch of different apps to split (just me and the wife) so we could try multiple things. Hush puppies = I liked them but they were not amazing. Friend okra = nice little thing to munch on. Oysters were probably the best thing we had but again just not amazing as we had hoped. Wasn't going to have dessert but the waitress hyped Duck Bacon Maple Ice Cream so much that you could tell she truly thought it was the best dessert she'd ever had. As a big dessert guy I was all in at that point and then we got it and it was just good, not great. It had a frosted flakes coating that was kind of soggy and just really didn't work. Love so many things about this place; location, decor, concept, staff but the food just fell flat for some reason. We're hoping we just ordered the wrong things so we may try again.

    (3)

  • Joseph A.

    The food is good, not great, and certainly not memorable, except for the okra fries. The room is gorgeous. They spent some heavy coin on this space, that's for sure. But they forgot about acoustics so be prepared to yell at your dinner companions to make conversation. But here's the most breathtaking mistake: they built this very nifty center-piece wine showcase, with glass and steel and stacks of wine....to impress us with their wine knowledge and sophistication. At first glance, it's quite impressive. But it's a front for genuine stupidity which becomes painfully obvious when you look at the wine list. For 2 reasons: 1- the list is ordinary, small and profoundly shallow. Nothing special, nothing well-chosen, no surprises. 2- there are no vintages listed for the wines. Let me repeat that: THERE ARE NO VINTAGES LISTED FOR THE WINES! (I yelled that because for a moment I thought I was back in their dining room.) If a restaurant brags about its wine coolness with a $100,000+ wine-storage centerpiece. and then doesn't list vintage for any wine in their dull collection, then I can only assume whoever made that call is an idiot. Or it's a chinese restaurant who keep their wine inventory on top of their Traulsen refrigerator. My assumption of stupidity became a fact when I mentioned all of this to one of the food and beverage managers (who agreed with me, by the way). He explained that since inventory changes so frequently, the company didn't want to incur the expense of reprinting the wine-list when vintages changed. That's class.

    (2)

  • Kati Lynn O.

    I have been here twice now, once for dinner which was so-so and most recently for lunch. Lunch surpassed my expectations! We went in with 7 people and they were able to sit us within a few minutes. Perfect weather to have the doors open. The dining room has not changed, still gogeous. Our server Katie was very polite and attentive. We had the char broiled oysters, and in the very last one which I ate there was a pearl! What luck. I had the little jimmy brisket sandwich, very good- I wouldn't call it a brisket like most are used to but still very good. The breading got soggy quick though. It seemed like that with most of my parties complaints, but only having one thing wrong for 7 people is pretty good in my book. Two of our party split the ulele burger which seems like a great idea because that burger is massive and looked awesome! We will be back most definitely.

    (4)

  • Jason W.

    This is my third time to Ulele and I'm just as disappointed as the times before. It's a beautiful place but that's it. The service is horrible, everyone is either standing around ignoring customers or moving at a snails pace. Did I mention there might be only 6 tables sat in the whole place and we waited at the hostess stand for 10 minutes for a table. The food is mediocre, too bad, because the concept is cool. In a town of lots of great restaurants you shouldn't waste your time here, too many other great places to spend your money

    (2)

  • Natalie M.

    So after seeing so many of my fellow yelp friends check in and post about this place, we definitely wanted to check this place out. We went on a weekday, which was surprisingly busy, so we put our names down, and the wait was about 20 minutes. While we waited, we walked around and I have to say, the location is so nice and to be able to enjoy the view, definitely made the wait go by quicker. Once inside, you can feel the ambiance of the restaurant, which had a very cool vibe. The menu had a good selection. We decided to try the calamari, which was bland and very disappointing for us. We also ordered the charbroiled oysters, and I have to say, what a disappointment. We ordered half a dozen and out of the 6, only three were decent size, the other three were so tiny, I was shocked the restaurant even allowed the kitchen to send them out. I ordered the porterhouse steak to share with my sister, and while it was big, it wasn't seasoned well. My husband ordered meatloaf and I have to say it looked like what they serve at the hospital, the way it was sliced and looked. Overall I give the restaurant 4 stars for location and ambiance but only 2.5-3 for food and service.

    (4)

  • Matthew B.

    I feel that the memory of Princess Ulele is honored by this beautiful location. Ulele restaurant is a large brick building situated next to Ulele spring, a crystal clear bubbling spring just north of the heart of downtown Tampa. The scenery evokes a feeling of freshness and a closeness to nature which is what the food is also trying to emulate. Ulele serves a native inspired menu, sometimes vaguely inspired, which is delicious to say the least. You have a choice to sit outdoors with a beautiful water front view or inside the restored brick structure that used to house a Tampa Water works pump station. Indoor seating still feels airy and open with high ceilings and huge "garage door windows" that can be opened when the weather is nice. I started my meal with the okra fries. They were fantastic. Just okra, no breading, fried till they hold a light crunch, then tossed in a little lime juice. I loved them. For my entree I ordered the Horno Chicken (Horno, meaning "oven"). The smoky tomato and corn "sauce" served over the chicken was very nice. The chicken was a breast cutlet, my least favorite piece of the bird, which I felt was a little dry. I am a pretty picky bastard and have high standards for chicken breast. It wasn't too dry, just a little. Perhaps an option for white or dark meat would be nice. Or rotisserie chicken covered in the same amazing sauce would have been lovely. Rotisserie breast is rarely dry. Still it managed to be very tasty and satisfying. I plan on returning with friends next time. There are many items on the menu that looked very delectable!!

    (4)

  • Lindsay H.

    Great outdoor seating, open indoor concept dining, yummy cocktails, apps and seafood, great service most visits. Fun place to take friends in town. One of my new favorites.

    (5)

  • David J.

    Their apps and small plates (blistered peppers! roasted okra! chicken lollies!) are among my favorites, as well as the grilled oysters and sangrita shooters (WOW!). There is a lot to love about this waterpark/riverwalk gem! The house brewed beers are essentially all lagers (even their "pale" is a pale lager) and served in frosted mugs, which isn't always my favorite but I may change my tune come dead of summer. :)

    (4)

  • Brian C.

    Lunch Monday Feb 16, 5 stars for uniqueness and originality of menu, food presentation and taste of food! These folks make their own ketchup and make their own zucchini pickles! The only thing frozen here is the ice cream. Decor is beautiful and the location is fabulous. Honestly, I was a bit surprised at how good this place really was! So why is it rated a 4 star? The portion size was smaller than expected. Lobster Rolls were out of this world, but they were basically 2 bites for a man. Grouper Sandwich was fresh, but was less than an inch thick. The Fried Frog Leg appetizer must have had about 20 frog legs, problem was they were barely bigger than tadpoles and the meat was very scare on them. I heard this place gets crazy busy on weekends and reservation holders usually have a wait! Lunch crowd was very busy as well for a Monday. This may become my favorite restaurant in Tampa as it reminds of many of the places I enjoy eating at in Charleston, SC & Portland, OR. Cant wait to go back for a dinner and for another lunch and try more dishes! If you are reading this -- you should make the drive and TRY THIS PLACE!

    (4)

  • Heather F.

    Food was great, service was AWFUL! I left my debit card at the bar, when I returned not even 10 minutes later I was told "no you didn't" when I said I had left my card. Then a week later, I got a letter from my bank saying I had requested my PIN number that night. Card was turned in by the bartender the next day. Smells fishy to me. The waitress was SO rude. She spent very little time checking on us and more time finishing her end of night duties. Once again, good food- HORRENDOUSLY bad service.

    (1)

  • Elizabeth L.

    My two stars are for the atmosphere. It's located on the Hillsborough River, and the view is gorgeous. However, the food was bland and unseasoned. I started with a martini that took over 20 to arrive. Then we ordered the Okra fries and lobster cake. The Okra fries could have been good, but they were seasonless. The Lobster Cake appetizer was ONE lobster cake. Nothing special. My husband ordered their burger for lunch, and it was good (for a burger). I ordered the $18 Lobster roll, which was below average in taste, and was also lacking any seasoning. Half way through, I added some salt and pepper, and this helped a little. My advice is to pack your own picnic basket, and have lunch in the beautiful park next door. Same view of the river, and it's free!!!

    (2)

  • Dylan G.

    Great location and friendly stuff. The food was ok. We ordered some appies as we were in a rush so we didn't try anything off the main menu. If you are an oyster fan this is the place to go!

    (4)

  • Benny B.

    So the place is a geographical oddity with a lovely spring, kids playing in the water fountains. But I'm a tad unimpressed. There was much miscommunication at the front when it came time to seat us. We were instructed to follow someone only to find someone else was being seated at our "table" Our server while polite, and cheerful, never checked back on the food or that we were ok with everything until it came time for the check. It's nice and fancy but the glitter covers a less than ordinary overpriced raunt...

    (2)

  • Garnet F.

    It was good. The atmosphere is relaxing and all the food was good. The service was friendly and attentive. I don't think it lives up to all the hype, though.

    (4)

  • Dina A.

    Brian was the Best I have seen in awhile! Thanks for the Great Service!

    (5)

  • Leah W.

    I had very high hopes for this restaurant given its pedigree and the raves I had been reading. Perhaps my lukewarm reaction was a result of my expectations being too high. The ambiance of this restaurant was terrific - a very 'cool' place in terms of interior decor. We ordered the okra fries, crab mac and cheese, deconstructed seafood pot pie and the Ulele as a side salad. I love okra and really looked forward to trying their fry interpretation. It was interesting but nothing that I find myself craving after the fact. The same goes for the crab mac and cheese. It just wasn't that memorable. I think the crab itself jumped out of the pot and ran away because darned if I could find it in the cup! The Ulele salad was tasty and I wish I'd had ordered that as my full meal. My dining companion said the seafood pot pie was fine but nothing to rave about. Bottom line - this is one of the new, hip, au courant, etc. places to eat and if you want to hang with the 'in' crowd it should be on your list. If your interest steers more in the desire for a great meal - head to Boca or one of the many eateries in Seminole Heights.

    (3)

  • Chris M.

    Vibe place down by the water. Food is excellent, service is great. Bar is nice as well.

    (4)

  • Travis S.

    This place rocked!! From the extremely fresh food to the amazing river view this place is top notch! This is a fairly new restaurant in the tampa bay area and I can see it growing to be one of the best in its class. First and foremost reservations are highly recommended, Just for lunch we had to wait 3 days just to get in with reservations. We started with the calamari just because you can tell a lot about a restaurant by its calamari. It gets you ready for the next thing your about to eat and this was honestly the freshest and most flavorful calamari I have ever had. A bunch of people who told us about this restaurant told us to get the Florida Native Chili. Some of what makes this chili is Alligator, wild boar, venison, duck and ground chuck. Needless to say you would never know that you are eating them but the flavor is impeccable. For our main course we had Little Jimmy Brisket & Apple Cider Pork. Both were phenomenal but the Apple Cider Pork was better in terms of flavor. I can't wait to go back to try dinner.

    (5)

  • Princess P.

    Holy. Tastebuds. If there were more stars in this app, I'd use em all. This place was heaven to all senses. Amazing food. Just as amazing service. A friend and I pretty much splurged here. Their menu is out of this world. And their food, incomparable. We got the pulpo carpaccio, blistered peppers, pork shank, seared tuna, duck bacon ice cream, and guava pie. Yes. We got it all. Portions are massive so we took a lot to go. But oh my god was the bill worth the taste. The food was not only eye appealing but it left your tastebuds mesmerized and wanting more!! Must come for anyone who visits the area! Just go. Don't ask questions. GO!!NOW!!

    (5)

  • Don M.

    Wedding beer, okra fries alligator hushpu plies, jalapeño cornbread. Pork shank, white cheddar popcorn mashed potatoes. Delicious!

    (5)

  • Lisa Maria K.

    SERVICE SERVICE SERVICE! What a shame. I came here expecting wonderful things, but as well all know, you gotta be able to walk the walk to talk the talk. **disclaimer** I come from an extensive restaurant background working all positions front of house and management and most recently worked as a server in a 5star restaurant in NYC. Made a rez for 3:30 in the afternoon for a late lunch to accommodate our vacation schedule and also made a notation that my fiance and I were celebrating our engagement. 3:30 in the afternoon on christmas eve? yeah I thought it would be decently busy for a hip new trending restaurant. We were greeted and wait about a good 10 mins to be seated for a table that was already set. (There should not have been such a delay). About 5 mins later our server touched our table and briefly congratulated us on our engagement which was nice of him to note. Reviewing the menu, everything - EVERYTHING looked amazing! Ordered some beers since they are a nano brewery of sorts, appetizer, entrees, and sides. Got beers first. Asked if we wanted water halfway into our meal. 1st nono. Water always comes first. Our server seemed busy assisting a larger party next to us and maybe some other tables. I am quite sympathetic towards service industry people, as I am one myself, so I fully understand when a server is touch and go with tables, but he was a little more than absent from serving us. Our food arrived in good time for how busy the kitchen must have been. All the food was great, nothing to rave about, but still good. This was until I discovered parchment paper in my french fries. We notified our server, and his reaction was more off putting than the actual situation. He seemed more annoyed and disgruntled that he had to deal with it. 2nd nono, he asked if we wanted it to be taken back. -sidenote: when someone finds something other than food that was NOT intentionally placed there on a plate, you remove it immediately from the table and take it to the kitchen so they can see their mistake and make note. We of course said yes, he took it back and asked us if we wanted another one, and before we could answer he answered for us. Now at this time, the restaurant was transitioning from lunch to dinner service. As we sat and waited for about 15-20 mins for the new plate to come out, we had finished our meal. At this time we were a little peeved, so we had it packed up and asked for the check. When we got the check he explained that he took it off, and re-rung it in to be made again. Usually in these kinds of circumstances the associated item will be comp'ed. Nothing was comp'ed, no manager came by, and nothing was dealt with. LEFT FULLY DISAPPOINTED and later on got sick from the food. (the food that was packed was pitifully thrown in a box with none of the included sauces) I think management needs to review steps of service with FOH and need to be more involved to avoid these kinds of situations in the future.

    (1)

  • Liana M.

    Flies, flies, flies...... Terrible experience. Manager came over twice to apologize and said they're close to water and we were sitting close to the door. We covered all glasses with our napkins after one got in our wine and they brought us another glass. Kids sliders and fries we're VERY salty, had to send back. Steaks were very dry and didn't have a lot of flavor. Positives: Waiter was excellent. Pompano was great. I think fish dishes were clearly better than meat. Oysters were big and very also good. Wine list offered a lot of excellent choices. We will not return anytime soon. We had too large a bill to have flies in our food. They really need a solution--fast.

    (2)

  • JaxMan T.

    After my third visit to this gorgeous venue, sad to say that Ulele is losing its edge. While the food remains decent, if not amazing, the service seems to be losing its rhythm. First, I love this place and could not be more supportive of the stunning urban revitalization that the Gonzmart-Buckhorn team has achieved for our beloved Tampa. I want Ulele to be successful. But the restaurant has to succeed on its food quality and merit, not just on its concept. The execution of the concept makes all the difference. Second, my main grievance is with the service. When the restaurant first opened, it seemed almost over-staffed, with multitudes of bus boys, runners, skilled waiters and ubiquitous headphoned managers attending to the needs of its guests. The result was a very smart but unobtrusive high-end service experience. Now the service is just like a regular restaurant, much like the Columbia itself, where your needs are met but the execution is lacking. Frankly, at this price point, there is no excuse for food arriving less than piping hot or the pace of a meal being mistimed due to inattention. Last, this seems to coincide with a overall decline in the inspiration and execution of the otherwise decent food. The best menu items are the sizzling pork shank and the meatloaf, but the flank steak has been disappointing. If Ulele wants to withstand the test of time and be more than just a fad, the Gonzmart's will need to be as passionate about their service, food and overall execution as they are about their decor and setting. I wish them luck.

    (3)

  • Jen H.

    This was my second visit, but my husband's first. Let me say first that my first visit compared to this visit was like night and day. Now I'll now comment on my most recent visit. The blistered peppers were amazing. By far the best thing (and probably only good ting) we ate. We ordered the alligator hush puppies which were mediocre at best. Not much flavor and came with some mayo-based sauces, if that's what you want to call them (there was hardly any on our plate). My husband ordered the little jimmy's brisket and I ordered the gouda grouper. The little jimmy's brisket looked and tasted like cheap frozen meat and the bread was soaked through with grease. He maybe ate a quarter of the sandwich at the most. Did I mention that the server told us that this was his favorite dish? The fries were cold, soggy, and hardly any salt (no salt on the table either). My gouda grouper was okay. They advertise it as having gouda, but there was just a little drizzle on the outside of the plate. Very dry, and again bland. We had intensions of ordering dessert (it was delicious on my first visit) and drinks after, but the waiter didn't even ask. Came over and gave us the bill, so we paid and left. I know my husband won't be going back. I'm still in limbo since my first visit was so good... Definitely lacking consistency on the service and the food.

    (2)

  • Luis E.

    This people know how to run a restaurant. Great atmosphere, the staff was knowledgeable and courteous, food was excellent I had the yellow fin tuna for the first time. They have this fry calamari that you can taste the garlic in a good way mmm!. I just ended with the chocolate cake. Great experience I want to go back to try the burgers and okra fries.

    (5)

  • Suzi M.

    Excellent drinks; beautiful place.

    (4)

  • Axis S.

    I'll need to go back to get a better sense of the place, but for now 3 stars. Summary: Good food at a decent value, with service and setting to help you smile. A safe, reliable bet for a date or business lunch. First thoughts upon arrival: IT IS PACKED, literally standing room only and I think over half the tables were groups of 15 or more having their holiday gatherings. And yet, the staff kept up as best they could, and everything arrived reasonably quickly and our servers were attentive and friendly. Crowd is upper-third of Tampa's movers, likely SideBurn's refuges, or people that lunched at Oxford Exchange earlier. Wine list is a good selection of primarily Western Hemisphere offerings. Not a super-deep cellar, but some excellent bottles for the expected markups. I didn't ask about corkage fees, but I imagine it's in the $15-20 range. Meal: Hush puppies, Okra starters. Okra was very good, hush puppies were warm, flavorful, and presented on two sauces. Plating was professional and clean. Chef Richard's Grilled Tomato & Onion Salad, and Roast Beet and Poached Pear salad. Get the beet&pear salad, as it's an excellent piece of balance - tart, earthy, sharp/sour (from the cheese), and acid from the dressing. The Chef Richards fell flat with me - showed up lukewarm, and while the promised char intensity was there, I felt maybe there might have been something missing? I chalked it up to an over-whelmed kitchen, will try it again later, maybe, but really, give it a miss. Deconstructed Seafood Pot pie, and Chief Red Eagle Duck. Both are very good in different directions, obviously - I had Fume Blanc with my seafood, my date had the Pinot Noir with their duck. Both dishes showed up warm (not hot), were plated well, and the duck was cooked to temperature properly. Good execution from a kitchen back on its heels. And yet, there's not much more to say about the entries -- "as expected," in that the seafood pie was sherry & butter & all the seafoods and warming. The duck was duck with port/orange sauce. Sides were anemic asparagus over forgettable wild rice, and felt like something I'd get at a chain restaurant, really. But sadly, no epiphany. I'll go back at some point to give them another chance - maybe we picked the wrong night and the wrong foods. Even so, three stars and bookmarked to try again during a less hectic night.

    (3)

  • Katie M.

    Vegan friendly?! Yes! Loved Ulele!! With all the new restaurants popping up, it's been hard to find one that has vegan options for my husband. Ulele's exemplary service and diverse menu offerings were able to accommodate and impress!! We had: Apps: Shishito blistered peppers Okra fries Entrees: Flank steak w/ asparagus and wild rice (for me) Eggplant casserole (for vegan husband) Side: Mac & cheese (me again) April was our server and she killed it!! The okra fries are amazing.

    (5)

  • Christian N.

    Fantastic place with something for everyone. Incredibly well restored old brick warehouse is simultaneously inspiring and relaxing. Seating is available outside, inside, at the bar and upstairs in a large loft area. I went for lunch during the holidays and recommend the following: 1) make a reservation. This place is super popular. 2) get the garden patties as an appetizer. Think crab cakes made of thinly peeled vegetables and a perfectly paired spicy mayo sauce. De-lic-ious! 3) try the apple cider pork sandwich. The apple flavor accentuates the caramelized onions in a sweet blend of flavorful goodness. Do it! That's all I've got for now, but I'll definitely be back. Can't wait.

    (5)

  • Cathie D.

    I will start with the building and location. This place is the old water works pumping station that they have remodeled and incorporated into the RiverWalk & Water Works Park projects in Tampa Heights. It is absolutely beautiful!! As a Tampa native I am very proud that we have an establishment like this in Tampa. To start we ordered one of our favorite wines, and were surprised by the nominal mark up on the bottle. We were seated pretty quickly on the 2nd level. Our waiter was very friendly & informative. We had the okra fries as an appetizer. They were so good!! I had the tuna and my husband had the snapper. The red sauce on my tuna & mashed potatoes was so good!! I'm not a huge fan of tuna (ordered it to be different), but it was still good. My husband's snapper was excellent. The bacon ice cream dessert is ridiculously good & a must have!! We walked around on the River Walk afterward....beautiful with downtown Tampa & the Hillsborough River in the background!

    (5)

  • Max B.

    This is a classy spot for dinner or drinks. I am in town for business and found this place on Yelp. It was packed when I showed up. Since I was by myself though I was able to snag a single seat at the corner bar. The random company was lively and engaging. I ended up staying for almost two hours. Usually when eating out alone I am out in just under an hour. Based on a recommendation I had the duck (Medium temp). The flavor was rich and the orange marmalade glaze tied up the meal well. It even came with popcorn in the mashed potatoes, not sure where that idea ever came from but it tasted good. I recommend this spot for anyone looking for a nice night out.

    (4)

  • Katy P.

    This is a must in the Tampa Bay Area! This may be my new favorite place to eat. The environment is so cool and chill, very hip. Everything inside is reclaimed, which I love because I'm all about using resources. Everything is local, even the refurbished items, and in season. We went last night and their beer was a strawberry beer and their ice cream was strawberry ice cream because that is what is in season right now. All the strawberries came from Plant City also. The food was amazing...and with four girls, we tried A LOT of food! For appetizers, we got the alligator puppies, the Mac and cheese, the garlic oysters, and the okra fries with house made ketchup. Every single item was fantastic! I would want all of that again. For dinner, I got the crab Mac and cheese. I am a macaroni and cheese connoisseur! This was just the right amount of cheeses, very creamy, and not an over-powering amount of crab. It was perfect! The girls got amazing dishes as well. One got the special, which was Mahi with an apple and pear glaze, the cheese popcorn mashed potatoes and green beans. Delicious. Another got the beer pan chicken, which we all decided was nothing special, it just tastes like Publix rotisserie chicken. Of course we got dessert and they were amazing also! I had the key lime dessert. It was very tart, frozen, covered in graham cracker and with a side of toasted marshmallow-like stuff. It was my favorite on the table. We also got the homemade vanilla bean, strawberry, coconut, and chocolate ice creams. Every single one was mouth watering. The last of our desserts was the most interesting on the menu, but the least impressive. We got the candied duck bacon maple fried ice cream. It was covered in what tasted like stale cereal and was not as tasteful as we imagined. Don't get sucked into the fun name! All in all, this is my new favorite restaurant and I want everyone I know to experience this place!

    (5)

  • Heather A.

    The first impression of this place definitely has a wow factor. The fountain/statue, exposed brick interior, super funky hipster decor, beautiful walkway around the river next to the park. We loved it! We decided to check this place out at 830pm on a Monday night and the wait was 45 minutes. We went to the bar and ordered 2 glasses of wine (their wine list is so affordable! Definitely take advantage of their wine selection and prices) and the baked oysters. The oysters were delicious. Once sat, I ordered the Juan salad (their take on a caesar sort of) and hubby got the tomato and onion salad. Both good. I had the snapper on wild rice and spinach and Kyle got the grouper with wild rice and asparagus and we added a side of crab mac n cheese. My snapper was a bit dry... we also wanted the potatoes instead of the rice, but our server never gave us the choice and wasn't really around enough for us to ask after we ordered. They ran out of 2 desserts so we tried the chocolate tort with vanilla ice cream. It was good, but we're definitely going back to try the fried ice cream with candied bacon.

    (4)

  • Burr C.

    Location/Atmosphere: Ulele is a new restaurant that opened a couple months ago. It's in a great location right next to Tampa Water Works park downtown on the Hillsborough river. The west side of the restaurant has large floor to ceiling doors that open up to a spectacular view of the evening sunset. Seating is available outside, but you'll want the "west" end for the view. It's new so get reservations early and expect the restaurant to be packed and noisy for now. Bar: The full service bar was well tended and serves their own brews of beer. I tried the "Rusty Red" amber beer which was very good. Food: The menu is Florida inspired with a wide variety of choices. We had a party of four and we tried several of their appetizers: Calamari, Florida Jumpers (frog legs), Country Fried Quail, and Charbroiled Oysters. The calamari was very good. The Jumpers and Quail were interesting to try but not very flavorful or filling. The Charbroiled Oysters are unique and had good flavor but when you Charbroil Oysters, they are not soft and plump like you might expect as when you eat them raw. I'd still recommend trying those just for the flavor. Two of us tried the Florida Pampano (fish). It was properly cooked and had good flavor for a mild flavor fish. If you like Mahi Mahi or Snapper, you might give this one a try. Oddly enough - my favorite item was the "Jalapeño Corn Beer Quick Bread" which you can order as a side dish. They are little corn bread muffins with jalapeño that were just wonderful - we ordered a second round after the table finished the first. Service: The bartender and waitress were very good, polite and attentive. The food service was slow but they are a new restaurant and the place was packed so we didn't really think twice about it. The "host" or "Maitre d" (not sure what he was but he stood around and monitored) had the snootiness that seems to arrive with every new trendy restaurant but in year I'm sure that will pass. For example, we had a table of 4 and a 5th person stopped by for a quick drink. While we grabbed a chair for him to join for a few minutes, we overheard the "host/Maitre'D" comment "Ugh...that's a table for 4!". Our 5th got up and gently 'educated' him about etiquette and his temporary status . Bottom line - go! It's a great location, good food, and nice atmosphere.

    (4)

  • Scott S.

    This will be quick and easy: -Wedding Beer -Lobster Claw -Octopus -Ahi Tuna AMAZING!

    (5)

  • David W.

    The restaurant is in downtown Tampa. They renovated an old Water Works building ... lots of exposed brick and steal girders, two-story interior space. Food? Lobster Cake appetizer -- lots of tender lobster. Charbroiled Oysters -- garlic, parmesan and romano cheese -- I'm not a fan of oysters generally, but these were so flavorful and delicious. Steak - very tender and juicy. They work hard to source local Florida ingredients. The beef is from area ranches and is processed in the state -- which is fairly rare if I understand correctly. White Cheddar Popcorn Mashed Potatoes -- good but I don't think there was any popcorn on mine. Ale -- their own craft brewed beers -- I had Galaxy Hopper Red, a seasonal choice -- smooth, more of a focus on malts rather than hops, which I like. Dessert was a flourless chocolate cake with some kind of wine/berry reduction and Ugandan vanilla bean ice cream -- amazing.

    (4)

  • Kim T.

    beautiful building the old water works. Service was good. Food was fresh. For the money however it needs work. I live downtown and if you want superior service there are several places who really do it better. Maybe if I go again I will have a different experience until then it was just Meh.

    (2)

  • Thomas B.

    This restaurant was an absolute highlight of a recent trip to Tampa. The place came highly recommended by friends and I thought, "what is all the hype about...really?" I have to say...it met all of my expectations. We were fortunate enough to be able to sit outside. The service was impeccable. From the minute we sat down until the minute we left...EXCELLENT. For starters: The blistered peppers are excellent! We also had the okra fries. They were so delicious (and I hate okra...and I am not fond of Oprah, either). I had the grouper entree and it was OUT OF THIS WORLD DELICIOUS. The place was busy and was a tad loud on the inside, so be prepared for that! It was just a great place to go to dinner and I cannot wait to go back and enjoy it next time!

    (5)

  • Jen C.

    Nice enough place! It was pretty crowded and we got put at a less-than-awesome table next to a birthday party with a bunch of kids (though it was like, 8:30 pm on a Friday night?), but we had a decent time there. One issue we found was when we ordered something that was a bit off-menu (mashed potatoes instead of risotto) with one of the fish dishes. The fish was placed on top of the potatoes and then was overcooked because of the heat of the potatoes. But I really can't blame them for that -- it's not on their regular menu, so it's pretty understandable. I think if we didn't have four separate people tell us this was the best restaurant they'd ever been to, we probably would rate it higher. But the expectation was set really high, and because of that, I'd call it just A-OK.

    (3)

  • Susan M.

    So this being my second visit here I was already happy, my first visit was great and the food was very good (ranges from okay to amazing). My second visit was a bit more complicated. After making reservations for 8:30 pm for a Wednesday night we arrive 5 minutes before our reservation time only to be told there's a wait but they can't tell us how long the wait will be. So my group of 4 decide to peruse the menu so we have an idea of what we want to order, it basically took us 45 minutes to get sat past our reservation time. So I warn now make reservations but be prepared to still wait a while (but I guess since it's the new hot restaurant its expected?). Anyways, for the food. We ordered the Chargrilled oysters (a must, delicious) and the gator hushpuppies (they are good but it is difficult to distinguish the gator in them). All the appetizers were good and we were definitely satisfied with the oysters, I highly recommend ordering them. I ended up ordering the skirt steak with the Jimmychurri sauce, which if you love chimichurri sauce this is great because they add avocado and it was delicious, and a side of the crab mac n' cheese. Both were good, and I was satisfied but it wasn't something that was amazing to go back for. My friends ordered the NY Strip, Filet and Swordfish. Again, all were great but not amazing. All in all, I do love the ambiance and will definitely be going back to try more items on their menu. I would love to try the lunch since they have a lot of items that I would love to try. I definitely recommend going here but this is not a place for a romantic date since it is quite loud. I would recommend it for a girl's night out or a nice dinner eclectic dinner date.

    (4)

  • K.L. R.

    Went to an event here and just had drinks... so I can't comment on the food... however, this place has a neat atmosphere and is really cool inside. They have an outdoor patio area upstairs (which is where my event was) that they had set up a buffet and room to talk, etc. I definitely want to go back again soon.

    (4)

  • Heather K.

    Yummm!!! Had a late dinner there last night and it was the perfect ending to a perfect night!! The food and service were wonderful! We had the blistered peppers and calamari as appetizers. Then for the entree we had the "Deconstructed Beef Wellington" special! My fiancé was in beef heaven!!! The portion was huge, & the taste was right!! We also added the Mac n chz and the squash gratin on the side--delish! My friend ordered the oysters--he said they were the best he's had!! We will def be back!! :)

    (4)

  • Tony P.

    I read some not-so-flattering reviews so I went in with tempered expectations. If i could, I would give them 4.5 stars. We had no problem with our reservation time, it was kept and we were promptly seen by our server and drinks were brought quickly. I would pass on the beers we tried (the wedding beer and their special that day, the oatmeal stout) but they have a decent wine list and some fun cocktails. Our server was knowledgeable about the menu and was able to steer us in the right direction when we asked for ideas. She was very attentive all night, and the rest of the staff did a good job making sure the table was bussed and food and drinks brought out correctly. We started with some appetizers, with the lollipop chicken being a big crowd-pleaser, and the okra fries being enjoyed by 3 of our 4. I had the pork shank, and tried a bite of the filet and the meatloaf. The shank was huge, tender, and tasted good, although I do wish they made the outside a little crispier when they flash-fried it. The filet was excellent, cooked right on temp and seasoned to perfection. I'm not a huge meatloaf fan, but it was a different take on traditional meatloaf and I wound up enjoying it, even though I still wouldn't order it myself. Everyone loved the mac n cheese (non-crab version) and i thought the rice was good, if a little bland. I don't like cheddar mashed potatoes, but I couldn't taste the cheddar in these so I liked them. I thought the popcorn was a little gimmicky though. The asparagus was fine, nothing special. The atmosphere has been beaten to death on here, but it really is cool and very different from other places in the Tampa area. It's a little loud, but it has a great energy. I would highly recommend Ulele for a date, small group, or a business dinner where the aim is to impress and not really talk details.

    (5)

  • Casey C.

    Delicious -awesome view of the river!! We sat out on the grass and had some drinks playing cornhole - great time!!

    (5)

  • Amanda M.

    5 FREAKING stars !!!! Everything about this place is freaking awesome , from the history of the place to the whole vibe of it all.. the people are super friendly & know their stuff on the menu forsure. We started off w. The charbroiled garlic and Parmesan oysters & oh my God I cannot tell you how amazing they were ... and I don't even like oysters but after last night I am now obsessed . I got the flank steak for dinner comes w. Mash potatoes w. A little bit of popcorn ! Yes I said popcorn I didn't even expect it but it wasn't bad at all it wasn't overwhelming at all either I also got the honeymoon beer which was a freaking amazinggg ! Over all this place is like a hidden gem & I will be coming again . I now consider his restaurant to be one of my faves :D

    (5)

  • Nichole M.

    Extremely disappointed. Was told an hour wait. Waited for one hour 45 minutes. Hostess is not very friendly and actually is not honest about wait times. If rather be over told than under told. Brew master was very nice and knowledgeable as well as bar tender. The wait staff looks stressed and over worked. The food was just ok. I am not certain if come back. But if I do I will have to have a reservation but from what I've read those don't work out well either.

    (2)

  • Lisa W.

    We were there for dinner last night. My pompano was fantastic, as was my husband's meat loaf. The homemade strawberry ice cream was heavenly. On our way out, head chef Eric came to speak with us. We will definitely be back.

    (5)

  • Dawn S.

    Food was yummy-had the crab Mac and cheese and jalapeño muffins for apps. Yummy! For entree had the seafood pot pie-was delicious but only had a few bites so I could save room for dessert. I had the key lime ice cream stack. The flavor was good but the consistency tasted like freezer burnt ice cream/shaved ice... Was a little odd. My friend ordered the meatloaf-huge portion and she let me have a bite-also yummy. For dessert she had the duck bacon fries ice cream-sounds beyond weird on the menu but was super delicious! Try it!!! Service was good and the Interior was lovely. Plenty of parking options and the restaurant is in a really cool up and coming part of town. Glass of wine, split apps down the middle, entree and dessert was 45$ (not including the tip). Made a reservation-highly recommend doing so. We arrived early and the place was almost empty but when we left at seven it was packed with ppl waiting outside!

    (4)

  • Lisa L.

    You really can't go wrong here. The food is absolutely delicious and there's plenty of variety to choose from on the menu whether you lean toward healthy or indulgent. The servers are exceptional in their knowledge of the food and their high standard of service. And then there's the beautiful surroundings both inside and outside of the restaurant: that in itself is worth the trip. I can't say enough about Ulele and the consistent, positive experiences I've had there.

    (5)

  • Jordan D.

    Listen, I don't normally write reviews and I am a habitual yelp user for finding great dining. This place is a must try. I've been to all of the premier restaraunts in Tampa and Ulele should be considered. The food is fantastic. The Chili, Oysters and seafood pot pie are amazing. Our server Fran (shout out) was also awesome. Their cocktail creations are also pretty good. They're really busy, make a reservation ahead of time!

    (5)

  • Steph W.

    Soooooo good! 8 of us went... Between us, we had steak, deconstructed seafood pot pie, grouper, snapper, and mahi mahi as entrees. Oysters, alligator hush puppies, calamari, and quail as appetizers. Guava pie, duck bacon fried ice cream, key lime ice cream, peppermint ice cream, and chocolate dessert. EVERYTHING was outstanding, we were all in awe of this place. It is also beautifully decorated, we could not get over the amazing building.

    (5)

  • S R.

    Not worth the hype. Had dinner on a Monday night- maybe their "A" team works weekends? The server told me the wrong special (she said it was a ribeye when it was really a new York strip) so I changed my order to the flank steak. Meat was flavorless and the potatoes while tasty, was like eating thick paste. Food came out warm, not hot. The bartender did a great job of selling one of their special drinks which turned out to be a $10 glass of flat sangria. I can see why it is a popular spot but the food is not convincing enough for a return visit. Didn't even order dessert-- just didn't want to be disappointed anymore. I am really surprised that the managers who walk around looking like secret service with their ear pieces, do not take the time to ask the patrons how their food is.

    (2)

  • Carolyn L.

    Just spent 3 hours at ULELE . We were a party of 4. We had heard only rave reviews. Over all very disappointing .Our reservation was honored 30 minutes late. First we ordered drinks... Martini's were poorly made and the glass 1/4 filled. We called it to the attention of the server... He fixed that . No apology , No sorry... Just came back with filled glasses. I will say the dozen raw oysters were wonderful. Otherwise the entrees were just okay. This after one of our party was served something she did not order. They seemed very busy and completely confused over service and pick up. The manager came by to ask about the entree mix up .., we mentioned the martini. He showed no interest. This restaurant was very disappointing. I would not recommend it or go back again .

    (2)

  • Catherine D.

    Upon your first steps into Ulele, take time to look around at the décor, the architecture, the river.... and realize the history of this place, and how authentic this spot is to Tampa. I bet you'd give it 5 stars right off as "a cool place to visit". Then, sample one of their beers, from their own brewery in-house...your rating jumps tp a 5+ rating in an instant. Eat...anything (and for a reasonable price, sample several small plates and beers and stay awhile). We loved the lobster cake app, pork, and charbroiled oysters. You will wish Yelp offered a 10 star option. It's just that good, that amiable, that inviting, that authentic....and that special.

    (5)

  • Michael A.

    Great location and good customer service. Highly recommended it you are visiting Tampa, FL with your pets.

    (5)

  • SH K.

    Had lunch here today - got the Apple Cider Pork sandwich, as well as the Florida Avocado, both of which were really really good! When the weather's nice, my suggestion is to sit just where they open the glass "windows"

    (5)

  • Justin M.

    The atmosphere and service was excellent. I'm not picky at all but the new york strip I got wasn't that great. It was the special for that night. They added some sort of gravey to it which had mushrooms and mussels in it. I don't think gravey compliments a steak very well and the mashed popcorn potatoes....well it was mashed potatoes with popcorn on top. Totally random and I didn't really get the point of it. Their beer was really good though! I'll come back but this time I'm trying something different. I do recommend at least trying this place. Make reservations in advance fyi

    (3)

  • Eric E.

    Could have been much better. Much anticipated, hard to get a reservation. Simply stunning locale made even better by it's slightly offbeat location and the gorgeous waterworks park on the riverbend. Best dish was the lobster cake. Three areas for improvement: 1) very loud. Probably inevitable in this sort of old converted building but we were a party of 7 and had to shout to be heard. Better for couples or smaller groups. 2) small wine servings. I don't understand the trend toward oversized goblets filled one third of the way. Sure, it allows you to better experience the nose of the wine but it looks like a small, rationed pour. Would rather have a smaller, at least half full glass. Signature cocktails were great I would go with them. 3) inconsistent food. Sorry to say I went in worried about this because I have never been a fan of food at the Columbia. Specific concerns: porterhouse ordered med rare came out med well. Grilled oysters were TINY defeating the purpose of the preparation. Deconstructed seafood pie was insanely rich like something from the 1950s before we realized that two sticks of butter in a dish was not a great idea. Alligator hush puppies and lobster cake were delicious. So....probably won't go back until they upgrade the good. Service was great.

    (3)

  • Mandy J.

    Great apps and desserts, entrees are good but not amazing as the rest of their food.

    (5)

  • Justin R.

    I hate to have this be the first thing I write about for this review, but is this restaurant really in Tampa Heights, or is it in Ybor, maybe downtown? This has been driving me nuts. Regardless the restaurant is located waterside of the Hillsborough River, adjacent to the Water Works Park. The grounds entering in to the restaurant will let you know the attention to detail this establishment has placed on each minute moving part of this grand symphony. It's one of the few restaurants where you can honestly say the exterior is every bit as planned and lavish as the interior. The interior is quite amazing, a crisp layer of simple modernity sweeps across the dining room floor, combined with art; makes the visual experience one that is engaging and tasteful, yet not overdone. The service was prompt, our server who just started was fairly knowledgeable and prompt. They had many signature hand-muddled cocktails, of which I did not partake, Ulele also has in house brewed beers, but I didn't try any of these either, instead I opted for the wine. I will say that I felt like their wine list was a little underdeveloped, but this is a minor detail for me, but may be an issue to another customer looking to pair their food with that perfect glass of wine. The food was amazing. I got the beer can chicken, something that is simple, but can easily be verkackt. The chicken was prepared to perfection, not dry, not overdone, perfect. The citrus marinade and seasoning was a light note that didn't completely sweep away the tender flavors of the meat. The dish was served with a small side of green beans, which were fair enough, and an exceptionally delectable side of cornbread, I'm not sure if it was the jalapeno cheddar or the quick bread, regardless it was amazing. My daughter ordered the kids burgers, and seemed to be satisfied. The restaurant was exceptionally busy and all of our food was served in a timely fashion. The best thing is that the meal I received I would have valued for more than what we paid, and if I feel that way walking out of a restaurant, I am a guaranteed customer for life. Ulele is admirable, distinct new addition to the Tampa food scene.

    (4)

  • Martic R.

    Finally decided to stop by for a real sit down dinner. Can't believe it's only been a year since they opened and it's still a very busy place. The interior is spacious and full of interesting architecture. My four starts goes mostly to our excellent server who we kept on his toes for the entire night. I had the grouper and even though I liked it I felt it was missing a bit of seasoning. I also tried the chocolate ice cream and the flourless tart both good but the tart is very very rich so I recommend you share. Some tried the dessert with bacon and they felt in love. It's a great space for events and will absolutely go back to to try other items on the menu. I got what I'm calling truffles as a Ulele gift and they were amazing why are these not on the dessert menu... Please add them ASAP

    (4)

  • Yohanis C.

    Great grouper, lollipop chicken and patron añejo. The ice cream is incredible! Very nice service.

    (5)

  • Mallory W.

    Ulele is one of my FAVORITE Tampa restaurants. Definitely a job well done by the Gonzmart team. My first experience was a dinner reservation during their first week of being open. They didn't miss a beat, which is surprising for a new restaurant! I've been several times since then, for lunch, large group parties, and New Years Eve, Nothing here is bad, but there are definitely stars of the menu. The GREAT: -Appetizers: Okra fries. I was hesitant because I expected deep fried globs, but my husband insisted. Much to my delight, the okra fries were gluten free and tossed in some sort of lime + sea salt concoction. Super crispy and fresh. Fresh Calamari: Not your normal calamari. Order it. Alligator Hush Puppies: Soooo WONDERFUL. Served with the best horseradish aioli you could imagine. -Entrees: THE POMPANO!!!!! On NYE the server really pushed the pompano, so we obliged. Other members of our table got the yellowfin tuna and snapper, but the Pompano won the entree round for sure. The dish is served with fried carrot ribbons.. .How am I ever supposed to go back to regular carrots again after eating those delicious pieces of vegetable goodness? -Side: Squash gratin.. They do it right and serve it in a skillet. THE GOOD: -Appetizers: lollipop chicken... It's GOOD, just not GREAT... But it's just chicken, so what do you expect? Entree: The Chief Red Eagle Duck... So, there were bites of this dish that were GREAT (the inner, less well-done parts of the meat), and parts that were good (outsides a little too cooked if you ask me).. I would recommend the snapper over this, but it still put a smile on my face. Sides: Mac N Cheese: it was good, but didn't stand out compared to the other dishes we enjoyed. I'm going back to Ulele this weekend and hope to try some new dishes! Highly recommend this place for all types of occasions.

    (5)

  • Kate E.

    3 stars for location, atmosphere and service! The food was nothing special. Nothing bad but nothing great. It's a great spot on the water and if timed correctly can yield a great sunset on the water. The building and the art is beautiful. Love the sculptures. Our waiter was very helpful and knowledgable. For dinner we had the grouper, meat loaf, and Mac and cheese appetizer. The grouper was ok and the meat loaf was also ok and enough to feed 3 people. (My mom makes better ) The Mac and cheese disappointed me the most. Reminded me of velvetta with a few pieces of crab on top. I'll be back but maybe for lunch instead!

    (3)

  • Fiorella G.

    Oh U.le.le how I love thee. The location, the food, the service...it's all on point. It's located next to the waterworks park right by the Hillsborough river. The surroundings are truly beautiful and despite the hours of wait time the wait is pleasant enough. I usually go put my name on the list (they text you when your table is ready) and go do something else or stroll the waterworks park. You can't call ahead and put your name on the list, I really wish they had that option. The first time I went there was a 2 hour wait time and then they sat us outside. I was not happy...until the sun started to set. I sat there eating delicious food watching the sun set over the river, happy happy happy. On another occasion at sunset we sat inside right by the large window, also beautiful. Enjoy the view while you eat if you can! The service has been amazing every time I've gone. Pleasant, knowledgable and professional servers do a great job making you feel welcome and know when not to interrupt you. I've tried a lot of things on the menu over time. I don't have a favorite just yet but there are some top contenders. The fresh calamari comes with an Amarillo chili dressing that is delicious. The jalapeño grits cake was a surprising favorite, it's always nice to enjoy jalapeño flavor without being overwhelmed by the spicyness. The guava pie, so good!!! Florida pompano...those fried carrot ribbons give it such an interesting sweet taste. The flank steak, I'm so picky about my chimicurri but the jimmychurri is good in a very different way. I would not expect the sharp taste of traditional chimi but it's a milder type of delicious that's worth trying. They have their own brews...nothing blew my mind but it's nice to try the suggested pairings. I go back often :)

    (5)

  • Daisy D.

    I saw Ulele pop up on my radar when a few of my TB friends started posting reviews. When we found ourselves back in the area, I knew we had to try to check it out. We secured a reservation for a Saturday night & made our way down to the Waterworks building. The surrounding area/park was a great place to hang out and wait for our table to be ready. After we grabbed a cocktail at the bar to sip on while we waited, we strolled through the park (and even caught a glimpse of Maleficent on the big screen). My husband had read a few of the reviews mentioning an outstanding waiter named Brooks. So I was a happy diner when we were escorted upstairs to our table and told Brooks would be our server that evening. Doesn't hurt that he's not too shabby to look at either. ;) As we perused the menu we decided to go with a strategy that has worked well for us in the past to order several appetizers to share and decide on the second round after making it through the first. For our first round of nibbles we went with the Blistered Peppers, Okra Fries and the Oysters on the Half Shell. The peppers & okra were the perfect snacking app - and while they are easy to share, I would recommend a couple orders if you have a party over four people. Oysters were plump, fresh, salty, and among the biggest I've had. (That's what she said!) For my main I ended up going with the Flank Steak. My meat was served with asparagus & the white cheddar popcorn mashed potatoes. The steak was cooked perfectly. The avocado 'jimmichuri' was a neat twist. And while I love an avocado, I'm not the biggest fan of Florida avocados (The horror!) because I do think there are tastier varieties out there. The popcorn in the potatoes definitely offered an interesting twist to a rather traditional side. They were tasty, but after all the appetizers it was a little stuffed-feeling inducing. We had planned to go back for lunch before we left for home, but got derailed. Definitely looking forward to trying lunch next time.

    (5)

  • Chelsea B.

    I have GOT to get on the yelp bandwagon here with all the love. This place is FANTABULOUS! Just...fantabulous. Really. I had to make up a word to properly encompass its wonder. They consistently run long lines, but next to Waterworks park, who cares? It's set up with text message notifications, so you can wander the pretty renovated park to your heart's content or just grab a beer and wait outside at their side tables. Pro tip: go near sunset. They've really done an incredible job with the space, welcoming the outside in and making it really feel like it's on the river (which it is). Their walls open up to the outside, and they have great outdoor seating too. But let's be real, you're not here for the view...it's all about the food. THE FOOD IS AMAZING. No, really, it's amazing. Fantabulous to use my earlier term. The blistered peppers were everything that Yelp promised and the Alligator Hush Puppies probably the best thing we had. Their fish special was tender and falling apart and their burger was done just right. We topped it off with the Candied Duck Bacon Maple Fried Ice Cream because the table next to us was raving about it, and man was it tasty. Like a salty-savory version of fried ice cream that is better than I can describe. I was also pleasantly amazed by their house-made microbrewery beers. They had good variety and were incredibly well made. You could order some beers and take them out to the outside Biergarten, and it would be a great place to hang with friends under the stringed lighting. I love love love this place!

    (5)

  • Natasha P.

    Ulele's is officially on my everything on the menu list. I absolutly love everything about this place, from the atmosphere, the beautiful building structure to the yum yum99 food. I enjoyed being able to see how some of the food is cooked. Highly recommend making a reservation or go sit at the bar if you don't want to wait long to be seated. For my first trip, i had the to die for allegator hush puppies and both baked and raw osyters and some of my dates yum yum99 steak. My goal by the end of this year is to try everything on their menu cause they have many rare and different foods I have never tried. Had exellent service sitting at the bar. I love it when i don't have to wait very long for my food and drinks to come out. Our bartender was on point at all times. From the moment I walked in Ulele I fell in love and posted many pictures upon my check in of all the beautiful decor, even the restrooms were awesome. The entire restaurant was breath taking to compliment the yummy food and awesome service. Looking forward to my next trip

    (5)

  • Mark P.

    Definitely worthy of 5 stars. One of the best restaurants in Tampa and this was evident by a 45 min wait for a table at 9pm. But a friend and I were able to grab a couple seats at the bar, which was good enough for us. I ordered the meatloaf with a garlic demi glace served with popcorn mashed potatoes, asparagus, and tobacco onions. This was really, really good; cooked almost perfectly. I would've liked it a little more juicy but no problem. The mash was also very good, especially accompanied with the onions. My friend got the pork shank with firecracker apple craisin chutney, which I sampled. It was also very tasty and tender. The chutney went well with the pork. The servings for both entrees were unusually huge for such a nice restaurant and were priced well. For dessert, we had to try the candied duck bacon maple fried ice cream. Any dessert with 7 words has to be really good and it did not disappoint. They could have added 10 more words to the title as it also has a cinnamon cornflake crust with sweet potato waffle crisp and caramel. It's large enough to share and hopefully, you have a friend like mine who doesn't like sweets too much. More for me! It is a little pricey at $9 but go for it! It's that good. Service was top-notch. Our waiter was friendly and does his job very well. 5 stars for Diego! Very nice atmosphere with two levels of seating, as well as an outdoor patio and rooftop patio. Maybe next time I'll get lucky enough to score a booth. Can't wait to go back and try more of their menu!

    (5)

  • Ken D.

    I just adore this place! Beautiful inside and out. It was my ladies birthday yesterday. I read a review saying we needed a reservation six weeks ahead of time and that just wasn't true. We just showed up and were immediately seated. They've got some beautiful art around the place, a big statue of a horse and the kitchen is open and watching the chefs is a show in itself. The ambiance is truly relaxing. We found not one bit of pretentiousness here. Everything was stellar. We started with a couple rum runners because they didn't have Mai-tai's so our waitress in her divine wisdom brought us the closest thing instead of wasting everyone's time and she knew we wanted something fruity. I'm man enough to admit I love fruity drinks on occasion. I love that kind of thinking! The drinks were delicious! And I know most people would be bothered because it's not what they asked for but she saved us a whole silly conversation and we adored her for it! We would have done that anyway! The two lobster claw cocktail as an appetizer was perfect and deliciously chilled served in a martini glass! We both got the cracklin pork shank and popcorn potatoes for our main coarse and it was life changing! You can not believe how delicious it was! A huge pork shank crispy in the outside cover in a sauce of the gods and fall apart moist on the inside! We also had a side of green beans with a spicy sauce on them that was also brilliantly yum-tastic! We had to even take some to go because the portions were so large! It's rare when I think everything is perfect. From the service of every worker, our waitress Aubrey, the beauty of the establishment and sincerely the food is impeccable. It was a perfect way to end the birthday of my favorite person in the world. They treated us with care and respect and I can't thank them enough for that. I will be back over and over again. All of that and under a hundred bucks? I tipped about forty percent because it was that epic. And since it was a birthday, I seriously can't tell you how happy I am no one came up and started singing or anything, we both find it humiliating if that ever happens. This place deserves all the love they get. Thank you Ulele! I mean it. Thank you for a wonderful night. -Ken

    (5)

  • Meron A.

    This place was ehhh and mediocre. With all the hype I was expecting more than what it was. We started with the octopus and the hush puppies. The octopus was bland but the sauce it was served with was overly spicy, the seaweed salad it came with was good but overall the concept of the dish was confusing. The alligator hush puppies were awesome. Since we came for lunch we had the ulele burger and and the pork sandwich which were both great, but we found the pork sandwich too sweet and lacked texture. For dessert the we had the fried ice cream, which wasn't fried or at least we didn't know what was fried about it. You would think we had our server for guidance but it was like pulling teeth to get any bit of of reaction or conversation out of him. Our server did his job but was dull at best. Overall this place, and menu is confused and nothing super extraordinary about it.

    (3)

  • Michelle T.

    1 star for ambiance, decor & museum grade elements 1 star for diverse menu selection 1 star for culinary presentation, taste & flavor 1 star for prime urban location 1 star for personal attentive professional service 1 extra star for Chuck (at the bar) great asset to Ulele! ULELE'S NEWEST FAN!

    (5)

  • Jules W.

    The atmosphere is super cool, but loud - our waiter was solid, but could have been a smidge more attentive (didn't ask if we needed drink refills for example). The food was good - the okra fries were the best part. The meal portion size was incredible - too much for one meal, really. And the meals were good - might go back and try another entree. My meal was tasty, but not shout it from the mountain top tasty...

    (3)

  • Adam B.

    I had dinner here Saturday,9/12. Out party ordered several things and we shared so everyone got to experience the menu. Blistered Shishito Peppers: This was a rather large order for an app. The peppers themselves were larger than I have had at other places as well. They were wonderful with a nice balance of flavor from the earthy pepper, charred outsie and touch of salt. Okra Fries:Were tasty on their own with some type of vinegar applied after cooking. They went very well with the ketchup as well Octopus Carpaccio: This dish was excellent. The octopus was both plentiful and tender. The accompanying sauce and seaweed salad allowed the dinner to change flavor combos and ALL of them worked. Florida Chili: This was likely my least favorite of the appetizers. The balance of chips to chili was a bit off and it didnt really fit with our meal Charbroiled oysters: These were cooked correctly and had a pretty good flavor. However, I was perplexed by the addition of sliced french bread with the order. This is a common way to serve them in new orleans, but those oysters are typicall covered in a garlicky butter sauce that the bread helps soak up. In this case the oysters lacked any sauce and putting in on a plain piece of bread only muted the flavors further. Pompano w/ Fried Carrots: Fish was cooked perfectly the fried carrots were a nice addition. The sauce was wonderful but there was not enough for each bite of fish. Collard Greens and Beans: the collards had a good flavor and retained just a slight crunch which was nice as a lot of places tend to overcook them imo. However, the beans were just as crunchy which kinda blew the whole side for me Snapper: Well cooked, nice sauce, good flavor Grit cakes: Very tasty nice amount of jalapeno flavor Tomato and Onion Salad: A nice grilled, flavorful side Quail: The mustard flavor and cooking of the quail was awesome I would totally go back to this place. The food, service and beers were wonderful.

    (4)

  • Amy K.

    I went to Ulele on a weeknight with a group of girlfriends. We were seated outside after a short wait time. The view was absolutely beautiful! The restaurant is located on the Hillsborough river along a newly renovated walkway and the sunset was breathtaking. The waiter readily served our large group and accompanied our individual requests for wine and food. The wine selection is great and the bottles are fairly priced. For dinner, the entrees run mostly in the $20 range. I opted for the $6 Florida Native Chili. The ingredients included alligator, boar, venison, duck and beef. It was well worth the price! Very tasty and complex in flavor. The waitstaff was very attentive and friendly. I'd like to also compliment the restrooms, which were very unique! They were clean and exemplified the fact that a lot of thought went into the design of this establishment. Valet parking is available, but parking elsewhere is difficult. Parking on side streets is your best bet, as long as you are mindful of tow zones.

    (4)

  • Robbie C.

    I just love everything about Ulele! The decor is one of the most unique you will find in tampa. The artistry that was put into this restaurant is worthy of your presence. The exterior brick with the gorgeous double doors, the stained glass, the open air with views of the river, the giant horse, seems like no detail was left out. As if the ambiance alone wasn't enough, the service is friendly and they always me feel welcome. The food offerings are sure to please your palate. I've been here several times now and have always enjoyed every taste. We shared a few apps, the crab Mac n cheese made with lump crab is addicting but will fill you up quickly! The wedding beer goes great with all. My daughter and son in law got flights of beer to taste many of their craft options. We also shared an order of the salty okra fries. The saltiness is balanced out with lime juice. This comes served with ketchup which I never use and ding unnecessary. For my lunch entree, I ordered the Narive Sauté and it was the bomb! Pan seared veggies with a soy ginger reduction over wild rice. Usually served with portobellos which I'm not a fan of so left out. Love that everything is fresh as this allows customization. Have it your way makes me a happy diner. Reservations always recommended for this very popular destination.

    (5)

  • Allie S.

    Beautiful space, knowledgeable friendly staff and amazing food. Definitely a go to spot for a special night out.

    (5)

  • Karina M.

    Amazing service, I would recomend her to all my friends.

    (5)

  • Justina M.

    Great experience. Came for my birthday dinner and arrived about 30 minutes early (reservation was at 8, wasn't say until 8:15) and for a Wednesday it was a lot busier than expected. They also will text you when your table is ready which is a great plus since you sometimes will not hear your name when your table is ready at other establishments (or your reservation is snatched up by someone else) The bartenders were great, made great small talk and made you feel welcomed. Great view of the Hillsborough river at sunset right outside. Our server was all smiles, the only thing is that it took a while to get our drinks when we sat at our table. Once we got those, it was even more smooth sailing. We had gator hush puppies for an appetizer along with a flank steak and meatloaf with a side of their regular Mac and cheese. All amazing. The Ulele beers we had were Magbee's Honey Lager, Wedding Beer (both less hoppy), Waterworks Pale Ale and Rustys Red(both more hoppy). Our server also gave me a complimentary blueberry ice cream that she says is made at the restaurant. Very good. All around great experience! Will be back.

    (5)

  • Allison N.

    Bring your appetite and an adventurous spirit if you're coming to Ulele! Their dishes are super delicious and just all around GOOD. I am so happy I finally stopped in after several months of being green with envy at other Yelpers who had already been! I went for lunch a few weeks ago and was really excited about eating here. We made reservations and waited a little while to be seated, but the place was PACKED! And what a beautiful little spot it is, by the way. The decor here is so gorgeous and unique. It's sort of got a modern vibe with bits and pieces of antique-y feeling things like stained glass windows thrown in for good measure. We started with the okra fries and the octopus carpaccio. The okra fries were my personal favorite. They were not super fried but just slightly crispy and perfectly salted. They were full of flavor, something I wasn't really anticipating from okra of all vegetables. The carpaccio was the bomb.com . I don't even know if I really like octopus because honestly, I haven't really eaten it that much (I'm a new convert to seafood) but if it's this good all the time, count me in. I ordered the horno chicken with asparagus and let me tell you, whatever Ulele is putting in that sauce needs to be bottled and sold. It tastes tomatoey at first, almost like a marinara. Then the kick of spice comes in at the end to keep your tongue guessing. My friend ordered the alligator chili and it was SO good! I'm not even a huge chili fan but I was definitely loving up on that alligator stuff from Ulele. I would love to try their ice creams and the other desserts here since all the photos look so awesome. When I come back to Tampa I will definitely head here to try some new things out!

    (4)

  • Karen S.

    Great atmosphere, indoor, outdoor, a brewery, corn hole, great bar. If you eat outside with kids, it backs up to the river (great sunset views)plus the kiddos can run wild in the grassy park area. The service is excellent (on both occasions we visited). The only caveat is the app and side menu by far beat the actual dinner menu. All the entrees we ordered there were underwhelming - when I say that I mean I could have cooked it equally or better at home. Seasoning and flavor of the dinner menu needs work. But drinks, oyster bar, appetizers and sides - SOOOO good. Plus the building is just awesome.

    (4)

  • Shannon C.

    We had a party of 8, 7:30 on a Saturday night. We started out at the bar where the bartender let us sample some beer and crafted some awesome cocktails. I don't remember his name, but he was fantastic. Then we were seated, and Brian, our server took over....and boy did he take over. As a chick who used to wait tables, I appreciate the hard work wait staff do, and was so impressed with Brian, it wasn't even funny. Damn, he was just that good. He kept things moving along at the perfect pace, he gave recommendations, he laughed, he joked, he was meant to be a server. I listened to everything he said and I made my choice. Pompano. Never even heard of this fish, but I wanted to be adventurous because Brian told us to be adventurous. Holy cow, I can't shut up about this fish. The preparation was perfection. I can't wait to dig into the leftovers today. I must have ate too much crab mac and cheese and quail before my meal, because that too was awesome. I also had a few bites of my husbands filet, and we both thought it was the best filet we had had in quite some time. Asparagus was cooked perfect. And since we were told before we ordered that we had to have the coffee ice cream, we ordered ice cream. We went with the coffee and toasted coconut. I loved them both, but preferred the coffee. It was perfect!!! I can't wait to go back, and I will for sure ask for Brian, someone needs to give that guy an award or something! Great job Ulele!!!!

    (5)

  • Melinda M.

    Summary: Food is ok. Ambiance is nice for friends, but not an intimate date. The hype isn't real! At least not for me. After reading so many great reviews we finally gave it a try. Parking wasn't an issue plus there's valet. The building itself is very impressive and the view outside is gorgeous. We didn't make reservations because figured it was a Thursday night so it shouldn't be too busy. We were wrong, but the wait wasn't too bad. We were seated by one of the huge open doors. The interior was simple but nicely decorated. Loved the open dining room concept, however, it could get quite loud so I don't think this would be a place for a romantic dinner. Our server came to get our drink order and bring the menu. Looking through the menu, nothing looked amazing. Once we got our plates, my thoughts were confirmed. We ordered 1/2 dozen chargrilled oysters and only 2-3 of them were actually decent sizes but the rest were so tiny that it's unconscionable to serve them. Reading other reviews, many echoed the same sentiment. The kilo porterhouse was cooked well, but lacked serious flavor. The meatloaf looked and tasted like one of those you get in the freezer section of your grocery store. It's very hard to mess up calamari, but somehow they didn't get it right. It wasn't crispy and just plain boring. We didn't bother with dessert because we didn't want to be disappointed even more. I've a very forgiving nature, so I will give this place another try in the not so near future.

    (3)

  • Breonna L.

    Maybe I'm just picky but reading the reviews, I thought this place would be better. The decor was obviously beautiful. Seriously beautiful. Theres a park outside so the scenery is topnotch. However, the food in between 3.1 and 3.5 stars lol. I had the Floridian chili which was tasty but not amazing (and keep in mind they are a little pricey!). I also have the cornbread which was again, decent, but not amazing. However, I will say portions are pretty nice and I like how you can see them prepare your food. Would I come again? Maybe but its definitely not on my list of top-notch Tampa resturants.

    (3)

  • Arne A.

    What can I say that hasn't already been said about this place. I've been back multiple times for lunch and dinner and haven't been disappointed yet. I'm sure all the superlatives to describe Ulele have been used up so I'll just run through a few of my menu favorites. Apps: Charbroiled oysters, THE CRAB MAC & CHEESE (other worldly type of delicious) Entrees: Lobster roll (only available at lunch), Florida Pompano is the best fish dish. Crackling Pork Shank is ridiculous and there's enough to take home. Dessert: Duck bacon ice cream. Enough said. Drinks: Any of their in house beers (there's all different types so almost all beer tastes are covered...I love their seasonal brews though). As far an cocktails go the Ring of Fire is hands down the go to drink for Ulele.

    (5)

  • Marisa D.

    Beautiful Waterfront Restaurant with perfect Grounds, Gourmet FOOD, perfect Service, and as you can see from my other reviews I am a picky person who typically likes to complain. Brew their own beer, great wine list that was not overpriced! Desserts that are yummy. Great food presentation. Amazing design and concept. It's restaurants like this that make me love living in TAMPA, FL! LOVED this place. And they have a new boat dock. We had appetizers of charbroiled oysters, the calamari was very FRESH! I ordered the DUCK which as amazing.. He ordered the special rib-eye steak amazing flavor! Friends ordered the fish two different ones both yummy. I do wish they had a tiny bit more flexibility in switching out the sides. The menu does not say which sides come with what food dish, so it was kind of confusing and some people like to stay away from rice and potatoes and eat more veggies and that made it difficult. We were stuffed but I do hate to waste food like potatoes and rice sides, when a veggie could have been substituted. I do understand food cost, but maybe pick an affordable food cost veggie and make it a substitute option? Overall I loved the FOOD, Loved the concept and flavors... loved the waterfront setting.

    (5)

  • Sherí T.

    1st visit was served food contaminated with shellfish (I have a serious shellfish allergy), even though server and kitchen were notified. The result... well you can guess. 2nd visit - Visited for late lunch at the bar; mediocre service... tired and rude (at 2pm) bartenders. Likely won't return.

    (2)

  • Katrina P.

    After the new-Ness of Ulele "wore off" we decided to try this new restaurant that was bragged as "All things Florida"! The location was beautiful - in the new WaterWorks Park area of Downtown Tampa, the views and water-side locale makes for a boost in the experience. Food: we tried the fried okra, corn muffins, lobster roll, and hush puppies - all were fantastic! Beer: The in-house made Honey Lager was lightly sweetened but flavorful We'll definitely be back to enjoy the surroundings of Ulele and try out more of the menu!

    (5)

  • michelle l.

    After such a positive first experience at Ulele, I returned again, and had a less spectacular night. It started from the very beginning. I had reservations at 8pm. I arrived, and they said it'd be "a few minutes." 45 minutes later, we were finally seated. 45 minutes! We live in Tampa, not New York. And if you're going to overbook like this, why don't you have adequate seating in the "waiting" area? I will admit that the wine list has some pretty fantastic deals. A bottle of 2011 Opus One for only $188? Yes please! 2005 Silver Oak for $140? Woo hoo! I have not seen such bargains around Tampa. Don't bother with the $20 corkage, drink what they have. (Btw, they do have very reasonable mid-priced wines too.) But the food wasn't great. We started with the lobster cake, which had sweet and fresh lobster in huge chunks, but was overcooked with black seared streaks. I did not think the cucumber ginger salad added anything to the actual lobster cake. I had the grouper, and while the fish was mild and the sauce good, the meat was so overcooked, it was dry. What a waste of a good piece of fish. My husband had the pork shank, and he liked the meat but didn't love the chutney. For dessert, I tried the guava pie, which was fine, and my husband had espresso ice cream. They do make excellent ice cream. Other than the great wine list, I am not sure if I'd return. I think they overbook and that affects the quality of the food.

    (3)

  • Lauren C.

    I loved seeing Ulele on Emeril Florida and enjoyed it as much as he did! The restaurant is very cool looking however not in a great area. I would not want to be there too late at night. They do offer free valet. The okra fries were delicious! I expected them to be breaded but were grilled with yummy charcoal and vinegar flavors. The jalapeño cornbread melted in my mouth! I had the Florida Pompano which was in a creamy sun dried tomato shallot cream sauce with fried carrot strings. Yum! The portion was large and it was cooked perfectly. I will be back.

    (4)

  • Tom L.

    Amazing food, great setting, impeccable service and a wonderful experience. Went for lunch and on the recommendation of our server has the Ulele burger medium rare. It was incredible. But, it was challenges by my cup of Florida chili. Wild boar, alligator...and goodness. It was hearty, a little sweet and had a perfect slow and low burn to the end of it. Delicious. The wonderful person who introduced me to Ulele had the meatloaf which she confirmed tastes as amazing as it looked. This was really a great experience.

    (5)

  • Celeste S.

    Went on a Sunday for lunch and it was perfect! the environment, the food the drinks... everything was great! I've heard that dinner crowd is hectic and it's pricey at that time also. I made reservations for lunch and I'm glad I did, it got pretty busy after my friends and I got there.

    (4)

  • Alejandro O.

    Been here 3 times. First two times were for dinner and lunch. Both times yielded great food. This last time I must say was horrible. I got the brisket sandwich and while it wasn't dry was so devoid of flavor it seems they forgot where the salt and pepper was. The calamari and the okra fries were great. My uncle got the top sirloin and it looked like it was cooked on a George Forman grill. Barely any char marks. He was unimpressed with the flavor and it was tough to cut. Love the ambiance but the food was a big letdown this time.

    (3)

  • Andrew H.

    Obligatory Huge Ethics Disclaimer: an immediate family member of mine works here. While we were eating, he was not working. He was seated with us. I pride myself on my honesty. I'm the type of guy that will hurt the feelings of loved ones for the sake of self-integrity (sometimes known as "being an A-hol"), but this definitely bares mentioning. I'm not sure if we got special treatment or not because I've only been here once. I don't usually mention the service in a review anyway. Unless it is bad. (it was not) Ok, now that we got that out of the way. This is the exact type of place that Tampa has so desperately needed, for years. Finally something original and local that isn't a beach-side tourist-trap! And, what, they brew their own beer? I don't know the exact history, but it looks like they took an old building no one wanted anymore and gave it NEW LIFE. I love the design of the place, brick, huge windows, high ceilings, it's gorgeous. AND it's right on the river/bicycle trail (Tampa has bicycle trails now?!) We got a wild sampling of the beers. They were just OK. They seem to not want to rock the boat with the beers here too much. They are solidly done, but they are very "safe". Not much of anything outside the box, nothing to rock the boat. If you're not usually into craft/microbrew beer, you will probably LIKE the beer here. If you ARE into heartier/bolder/hoppier beers, you should come here for the food and go to Angry Chair for beers afterwards. We got a variety of apps (see photos), they were all unique and relatively excellent. I don't even like oysters, but I loved what they did with them here. As far as the main course, I loved what everyone at the table got! The steak was probably the best thing I tasted, it was excellent. I didn't get steak because I wanted to get something more uniquely "Florida" (can get a good steak just about anywhere in the US if you know where to look!). Big mistake on my part. I got the Yellow fin. The presentation was gorgeous, nice, deep, purple-red rare center. That is exactly how I like it cooked. But. It was very very very very bland. Absurdly bland. It tasted like nothing. The pumpkin seed crisp on the outside of it, tasted like nothing. I was very disappointed. I actually used the salt shaker, something I never do. I don't even remember the last time I touched a salt shaker. For dessert we got the duck bacon/ice cream thing. It was FANTASTIC. Be sure to share though, it's sooooper rich. I can't imagine one person taking it down. Overall I was impressed. I'll be back next time I fly thousands of miles in from the tundra of the 49th state. I won't be getting the yellow fin though.

    (4)

  • Josiah G.

    My fiance and I were lucky enough to have our engagement party here a few weeks ago. So, although I can't comment on the typical service and operations going on in the building, the things happening in the tent outside were amazing. The servers and bartenders working in the tent with us were above par in every aspect of their jobs. Jorge, especially, went above and beyond to make all of our guests very happy. The food was ridiculous. We had pork shanks, flank steaks and mac n cheese, to name a few. The mini pork shanks literally fell off the bone with just a tug of the fork. The flank steak with the avocado chimmichurri was delicious and cooked perfectly. The mac n cheese was served with different toppings, one of them being duck bacon, so that was pretty much the talk of the night regarding the food. The beautiful setting, amazing food and top-notch service really made me proud and thankful to have our engagement party here. I cannot wait to come back and try some different items from the regular menu. A big thank you to Ulele and their staff for making it a night not to forget!

    (5)

  • Brian P.

    One of the best new restaurants in Tampa. An excellent ambiance and a converted warehouse lends a very modern feeling. It's a huge space with a rooftop bar, beer garden, and patio seating next to the river. The food is excellent and the wine list, while not overly expansive, is extremely well priced for a restaurant (minimal markup over retail).

    (4)

  • Polly C.

    I dined at Ulele last evening for the first time. The restaurant is very attractive and the surrounding grounds are beautiful. ..the setting is on the Hillsborough River and of course there is the Ulele Spring. Our waiter could not have been more informative, polite, and knowledgeable of the restaurant that he represents. The food was very good. My only concern is that in my opinion the menu felt a bit limited. I do not like sea food so my choices were not vast. Hopefully the owners will expand the menu at some point.

    (4)

  • Erica M.

    We've wanted to try Ulele since it opened but found it was nearly impossible to get a reservation. We heard from a friend that they are intentionally limiting a very small number of reservations during peak times to make it appear impossible to get in. That definitely made it lose a few points in my book, but oh well...to each his own marketing gimmicks. We arrived at 6:45 on a Friday night and requested an outdoor table for 4. Indoor tables were available immediately and we were quoted a 25-30 minute wait for outside. We grabbed a drink at the bar and went out to the beer garden to relax and enjoy the beautiful evening. The place is huge - the beer garden was cool, but I would love to see them offer a small menu out there. Even just oysters and a few different finger foods would be cool. We were seated nearly an hour after we put our name in and our server was very pleasant. For food, we started with the charbroiled oysters and alligator hushpuppies and for entrees had the duck, ahi tuna, grouper, and the mac n cheese and octopus carpaccio. The best item of the night was the duck - cooked and flavored well. The oysters were tasty but the hushpuppies had very little flavor...we didn't even finish those. I had the carpaccio and mac n cheese. Mac n cheese had good flavor but the cheese sauce almost tasted broken. A little mealy for my liking. Didn't care much for the carpaccio...it wasn't bad, just wasn't special. The tuna was excellent quality and the pumpkin seeds added nice texture and a different taste than your typical sesame seed crust. I had a bite of the grouper and thought it was good, but everyone else at the table thought it was meh. Overall, we had a nice experience and loved the ambiance. We would definitely go back for drinks outside, and maybe some raw oysters, too. The menu was balanced and had something for everyone, so it would be a good spot to visit even with non adventurous eaters.

    (4)

  • Ashley C.

    Decor and location are spot on. The food is just okay for the price. The best item we ordered was the pork shank. The mahi special and meatloaf were average. We had a 7:00 reservation and didn't get seated until 7:45. The saving grace was the view outside and places to sit while you waited. I was a bit disappointed as this was somewhere I've waited to try for while.

    (3)

  • Michael K.

    So not miss this hot spot , make reservations in advance

    (5)

  • Brunel J.

    I went there with a group of friends after hearing about this place. Food was ok at best. We had a long wait although we had reservation. I was not too impressed.

    (3)

  • Raini F.

    Excellent food & service! Overall atmosphere was very busy on the inside but the surrounding grounds are beautiful. I suggest the meatloaf, it was delicious. Bottled wine prices are very reasonable. I will definitely be going back!

    (4)

  • Kevin O.

    I actually made a reservation via Open Table before they even opened. The atmosphere is incredible. Casual elegance with a South Florida feel. The food (I had the Chimichurri Flank Steak and Kim had the Meatloaf) was VERY Good. Also started off with the Chili which included Alligator, Wild Boar, Duck, Venison, Ground Chuck, Cranberry Beans and chili spices which I had to try with that line up....Incredible! No gamey taste at all. Highly recommended!! but make a reservation

    (5)

  • Desiree B.

    Great food in an amazing location overlooking the new Water Works Pk with amazing bridges and views of downtown. Home made ice cream was incredible. Fresh seafood, meat, veges, etc. All are bought the same day. Incredible experience. This place is a gem in Tampa.

    (5)

  • s t.

    The calamari was greasy and cold. The chicken dish had a side of au jus that was a cup full of chicken fat- disgusting. The crab macaroni and cheese was hard cold and been sitting around: crab very stringy and overcooked. Save your money- better food at Burger King.

    (1)

  • Johnny C.

    There is something about this restaurant that I really like. You can tell as soon as you walk through the door the attention to detail that has been lavished on this old pump house. There are several dining areas that cater to a more casual of formal feeling. On my 3 visits I have not found anything that disappointed me. You have to stop in and see for yourself why this jewel on the river is so well received in Tampa Bay

    (5)

  • Shawn G.

    Just fantastic from ambiance to wine and food, maybe the best Grouper I've ever had and coming from someone who grew up in Florida, I take my seafood seriously. Had the Yellowfin as well, was ok, would definitely go with the Grouper..

    (5)

  • James W.

    The food and service go hand and hand. Atomsphere and view is spectacular. Amazinf Snapper and the fried okra fries will make you a fan. Hey some of the best brew in Tampa. Fresh! We absolutely love this place.

    (5)

  • Mac M.

    The hype is justified. Blistered peppers, okra fries, beet salad, roasted oysters, pompano, flank steak, multiple beers...one of the best meals we've ever had. Great service, very nice people...get there.

    (5)

  • Malary J.

    I have been here before and always have been pleased with the service and the food. This time the service was amazing, our waitress told us the history of Ulele as well as information about what we were eating as we were enjoying our delicious meal. The special was Moonfish which is from Hawaii that I never have even heard of before. Hands down the Moonfish was the best fish over ever had. I gladly had no problem paying $28 for this rare and delicious fish. The wild rice and salsa that came with the fish paired greatly with it. I really enjoyed my food and experience here. Can't wait to go back!

    (5)

  • Bridget H.

    The good: Terrific atmosphere and delicious fish! The bad: Despite the hip setting, it was quite loud! The verdict: I'll be back!

    (4)

  • Stephany P.

    Honestly this is a 4.5-5 but I'm very strict with consistency and I've only been here once. So when you go, do EVERYTHING in your power to get the duck bacon fried ice cream. Get it as an appetizer, a main entree or dessert whatever you have to do to get it! In addition to God's gift to ice cream, we had the ocra fries-delicious, had a citrusy taste to it, crispy and went great with the homemade ketchup. Also, it wasn't as slimy as orca usually is, so no worries there. The Alligator puppies were good but mostly ham for some reason and barely any gator. Still a great corn batter and the sauce that was used for dipping was pretty good. Almost forgot to mention their home made beer- delicious and served perfectly. I can't remember the specific ones we had but the descriptions are pretty spot on about taste. I also heard they give brewery tours, I really wished we had asked to go on a tour but time was limited. TWO THUMBS UP!

    (4)

  • Tia S.

    So I have been dying to get back to Ulele after experiencing it for the first time at a Yelp Elite event. At the event we were served a variety of appetizers and given a brewery tour. During that experience I was very pleased with the selection of food we sampled. Several of my friends have also been for either lunch or dinner and raved about the service and the food. It was my birthday month and I decided I would make it a priority to finally get here for dinner. I tagged along with some friends going for a group dinner and I must say I wasn't as impressed as I was initially. Sadly I agreed with the recent reviews where people said they felt the restaurant was overrated. Don't get me wrong, the ambiance is great and the service is as to be expected but the food was just alright to me. I ordered the Caipirinha and okra fries to start. I enjoyed both. For my entrée I ordered the lamb shank as which received rave reviews from the server and one of my table mates. The portion was plentiful and so I was excited when it was delivered to the table. It was served with asparagus and popcorn mashed potatoes (supposedly - because mine had no popcorn). Even after mentioning my mashed potatoes were sans popcorn, my server still did not make it right. The lamb shank was cooked well throughout but the meat itself was bland. The mango sauce added flavor but it was disappointing to have to dip each piece of meat I ate into the sauce before consuming it in order for the entrée to have an acceptable taste. Overall as a table, we had mixed reviews. Half of the table thought the food was good and the other thought it was just okay and would not be in a rush to return.

    (2)

  • Caitie O.

    I was so excited to try out Ulele. It has been a long wait!!! The ambiance of this new, hit restaurant is great! You get a modern, industrial feel starting from the fountain outside all the way to the bathrooms. I went for a birthday party, so we had a rather large group. The chicken lollipops were outstanding. The perfect blend of flavor, fat, and crunchy! I also had the New York Strip with amazing "pop corn potatoes" and two or three sprigs of asparagus. The steak was cooked to my specifications (medium rare), but I felt that the flavor was lacking. I had to season it with the salt and pepper on the table (a big disappointment for a steak). I also ordered a side of the spicy green beans, it was clear they were fresh. Nothing too outstanding, but still good. We finished the meal with the chocolate torte and the Duck Bacon Fried Ice Cream. The torte was rich and creamy, just like a torte is supposed to be. My ice cream was sweet, but had very little duck bacon to add saltiness. Our service was great for such a large party, but I have to say that the food, while good, did not overly wow me... I will probably come back, but for what I pay for a plate, I was expecting more of a flavor explosion...

    (4)

  • Ed S.

    Very cool spot, great location right in the river, w a neat flaming statue outside. The building is a converted Water Works (I think) and has a cool industrial chic vibe. Unfortunately it does get very loud with hard surfaces for noise to bounce off of. Service was good. I thought everything was very tasty, the broiled oysters were delicious but not sure how well it fit in with the theme. The chili was so comforting and satisfying. The snapper was flaky and well prepared. I didn't love the house made micro brew beers, they were ok, but not outstanding. Over all great "scene" spot.

    (4)

  • Tracy E.

    I really wanted to love Ulele. After hearing rave reviews from friends, and having viewed the unique and interesting menu online, it sounded like a shoe-in for my new favorite Tampa restaurant. However, I have been three times now, and still find it average at best. For each of my visits, I have ordered off the lunch menu. During my first visit in early August, I ordered the Gouda Grouper. I attempted to sub out the rice for another vegetable because I eat low carb, but was informed that not substitutions were allowed. I went ahead and ordered the squash gratin on the side and also their in-house brewed "Wedding Beer." My husband ordered the Waterworks Meatloaf and a flight of their various beers. Food presentation was nice, but the taste was underwhelming. Nothing was bad, but nothing was fantastic. Everything was just average. Even as I write this, I can't think of one positive thing that really stuck with me about the food. There was simply nothing memorable about it. As for the beer, we were definitely not impressed. The beer descriptions in the menu did not seem to match the beers we were served. I am not a beer connoisseur, but I know good beer when I drink it, and this was just not good. The beers did not seem to be brewed to style, and were very disappointing. Normally, after a mediocre restaurant experience like this, I wouldn't bother to go back. But as fate would have it, I have had two business lunches scheduled at Ulele since my first visit, both in August. Both times were equally underwhelming. At my second visit I had the Fresh-Roasted Yellow Fin Tuna Salad. I can honestly say I have made better tuna salad out of a can. It was literally just a blob of tuna dumped on a bed of romaine. It was dry, almost chalky, and lacked any real favor. Definitely not what you would expect for $12. On my third visit, I tried the Grilled Chicken and Corn Salad with Jalapeno Lime Dressing. I would recommend changing the description for this particular menu item to: dry chicken and corn with an overwhelmingly limey dressing on a bed of boring romaine lettuce. On a positive note, the location along the new Riverwalk and next the new Waterworks Park is very scenic, and the building itself is really neat. There is also some nice artwork inside, but beware of the sculpture of a native American impaled on a spear next to the front door inside. I wasn't a huge fan of that particular piece (especially while eating) but some of the other pieces are very nice. The restaurant gets pretty noisy downstairs because its a big open space, so beware if you are going there to actually try to have a conversation with someone. Upstairs is quieter, but the décor is a weird mix of sports memorabilia, and I am not sure how it fits with the rest of the vibe of the place. Overall, it wasn't so bad that I would never go again, but it wasn't good enough for me to go there on my own initiative either. Perhaps the items on the dinner menu are better, and with prices around $30 an entre, they better be.

    (2)

  • Lisa W.

    I couldn't wait to try Ulele and planned our friend's birthday dinner there. We were a group of 13 and had a reservation for 7:45 pm. The restaurant was packed, so we grabbed drinks and headed outside to relax. The atmosphere was great, bartender was friendly and his drinks innovative. The food was fair. And, our server... Eh. For a large group, it seemed like it was his first night. I'd probably give Ulele another shot because it has a lot of promise, but maybe for happy hour.

    (4)

  • Tina J.

    I have had this placed bookmarked for a while. When my company told us they were going there for lunch..GREAT! and that the company was treating us because of our hard work...OMG EVEN BETTER!! The first thing I noticed was their awesome door and decor. I was told to check out the restroom as well, if I thought the door was cool. We made reservations and were seated immediately. There was a total of 7 of us. We started off with a bottle of wine, recommended by our server. It was a very smooth pinot noir. We also started with a variety of appetizers. We ordered the following to share: Okra Fries- Not overly battered or greasy. Just right. It tasted so good by it self, you won't need to dip it into the house made ketchup. Lobster Claw Cocktail- It had a small kick, if you like spicy, you may not even notice it. There was a lot of cocktail sauce, which I like, but it was a bit overwhelming. My acid reflux was acting up because of the amount that was in it. Still delicious though and the claws were huge. Fresh Calamari- Good- it just wasn't anything memorable for me. Crab Mac & Cheese- YumI was glad we were sharing this. Two bites was enough as this is very rich and hearty. I needed to make space for other food! Charbroiled Oysters- I love my oysters raw, and have had my share of charbroiled oysters. But THESE charbroiled oysters were amazing! I couldn't just have one, we ordered another half dozen! The garlic butter was on point for my taste buds! For my entree, I chose the Gouda Grouper. The fish was cook well but I wish there was more Gouda. The fish didn't take any of the gouda flavor, so they didn't really mesh together uniformly. It was like eating fish. Then eating Gouda. For dessert we ordered the following to share: Flourless Chocolate Torte- Yummy! I love anything chocolate, but this was a great consistency as well as taste. I could've eaten more! Key Lime Key West Ice Cream Stack- I will start off by saying I am not a fan of Key lime, it's too tarte for me, so that is just a personal preference. But I will say, however, that this was good in taste, it wasn't too tart for me. Some places are Candied Duck Maple Bacon Ice Cream- This is their famous dessert. I wanted to love it, but I don't. The ice cream was good, the added duck bacon bits was good as well, but the cinnamon corn flake tasted a bit stale. Overall, I would say come and order a bunch of appetizers (tapas style) as they were all so good and you get a wide variety of flavors to choose from. Next time I will try other apps that I didn't get to this time. The decor is trendy with a nice view. It is a bit noisy as it can and does get packed. But it's a fun environment and a cool place to check out.

    (4)

  • Charlene W.

    Hmmm. I really WANT to give this a better rating but I simply can't. For atmosphere and originality, definitely 5 stars. Food.... Hell no. The Chilled Avocado soup is good but nothing to brag about. Lobster claw cocktail.... Ok. Just 2 claws in a cocktail l sauce with some corn. Had the lunch menu. Brisket sandwich. I'd give it a 3 out of 5 max. It's ok. Bread should have been a better and perhaps if it was served as well as the description it would have been better. Just not impressed.

    (3)

  • Tiffany G.

    Our experience at Ulele's was nothing short of fantastic. We arrived at the restaurant right at 9:15 for our reservation at that time and the entire restaurant was packed. They informed us that they were backed up on seating and that would take a while. And in all honestly, it took us 45 minutes to get sat. But in that time, the staff were so incredibly friendly despite how busy they were. One hostess walked around the lobby handing out samples of their wedding beer (which is delicious). The hostesses in general handled the entire situation with wonderful tact and grace. We were standing right next to the host stands and I heard some of the rudest and creepiest people harassing these women and they were 1000% professional about it. And then the bartenders were wonderful as well. Even though we could clearly see them rushing all over the bar, they took the time to chat with every person that walked up and were very, very accommodating. The mixed drinks and beers that we had were delicious and were were served everything very quickly. Javier was one of the bartenders and he joked around with us and let us sample a beer we were curious about. Terra was another that made sure we were taken care of as well and even recommended the oyster entree to us (which is also delicious). We were sat after we got a second round of drinks. We sat in a corner of the restaurant at a table that faced these open windows that had a nice view of Hillsborough river, which I can only imagine looks stunning at sunset, but it was still pretty at night. Our server was named Brittany, and again, she was wonderful, friendly, and made sure we had everything we wanted or needed. All of our orders came out in great time. Between the two of us we had the okra fries, blistered peppers, vegetarian dish of the day, oysters, the key lime ice cream stack, flour-less chocolate torte, and the guava pie. Everything was delicious, I couldn't pick out a favorite or least favorite even if I wanted to. So even though Ulele's was slammed, the wonderful staff handled the situation fantastically and we received one of the best restaurant services and experiences I can remember. I even asked to speak with a manager/supervisor about the time we had and even he was incredibly friendly and grateful and talked to us about the night. So in short, if you want a great restaurant experience with a wonderful atmosphere, delicious food and drinks, with a wonderful staff and service, GO TO ULELE'S! I will be talking about this restaurant to everyone and will definitely be back frequently!

    (5)

  • Abby K.

    My husband and I went last night and it was pretty good. It is upscale with prices for dishes ranging from $17-28 so if you're looking for inexpensive this isn't the place. I had the wedding beer which was awesome! For an appetizer we ordered the fried quail which was also tasty. My natural chicken however was terrible. The oil sauce that it came with tasted terrible. It was just a bunch of red oil. However, the side of the jalapeño grit patty was excellent. My husband enjoyed his pork shank. For dessert we got the maple ice cream w duck bacon which was good but a little too sweet for me. Service was great and the bar staff was friendly. We'll def go back but I'll stay away from the chicken this time.

    (4)

  • Joshua S.

    To start the complementary valet was very fast and courteous, what more can you expect? Walking in the ambiance was perfect for a night out entertaining clients or date night with that special someone. They were pretty busy so I would suggest making reservations. I sat at the raw bar and Morgan was my server. She was very sweet, outgoing, knowledgeable and everything you expect from your server. She recommended a wonderful cocktail to start with. I asked her opinion on the frog legs and octopus carpaccio and she described them perfectly. You get quite a bit of frog legs in the order but I would order 2 of the carpaccio if you plan on sharing. Both were delicious. I had the pompano for my main course and it was phenomenal! There was quite a bit of wild rice as a filler but that wasn't needed as the portion was rather large. All in all the experience was nothing short of perfect, I just wish the manager stopped by so I could tell them this in person. I look forward to coming back next time I'm in town!

    (5)

  • Lois S.

    not sure what all the hype is about...the menu needs major tweeking and the executiion needs better chefs....the fried calamari was too ordinary; the house salad was soupy and the nondescript mozzarella strands and the hard beans are not wanted......the fish selections need excitement as the snapper was boring...the pork shank was so so and now the fried ice cream with bacon flavor....really????? where was the bacon flaovr and the ice cream was fried 4 hours ago since the corn flake crust wa so soggy.....WOULD NOT COME AGAIN,.

    (2)

  • Mike N.

    I had heard great things about this new restaurant and dined there last Saturday. Made reservation because heard it was popular. Arrived 15min prior to time and they told us they were running behind. Went to packed bar area to get a drink and was presently surprised when a waitress approached us and took our drink order. Finally got seated a solid 70 minutes later . Apps were very good (charbroiled oysters and alligator hush puppies). Beer was so so (but I am beer nerd and wasn't there for the beer) . I ordered fillet and cut of beef was excellent, very tender and cooked perfect (ordered medium rare). BUT it was terribly over salted, so very over seasoned and so salty didn't eat but half of it. Girlfriend got American red snapper and fish was fresh and nice piece of fish but it was over cooked and very dry. Wait staff was attentive but never asked how the steak was prepared or about meal was in general. The devil is in the details and if a dinner (with wine and drinks ) is going to be north of $100/person I expect the details to be done a lot better. The are simply way too many better options for fine dining in the Tampa Bay Area. I don't think I will return.

    (2)

  • Sherí T.

    1st visit was served food contaminated with shellfish (I have a serious shellfish allergy), even though server and kitchen were notified. The result... well you can guess. 2nd visit - Visited for late lunch at the bar; mediocre service... tired and rude (at 2pm) bartenders. Likely won't return.

    (2)

  • Katrina P.

    After the new-Ness of Ulele "wore off" we decided to try this new restaurant that was bragged as "All things Florida"! The location was beautiful - in the new WaterWorks Park area of Downtown Tampa, the views and water-side locale makes for a boost in the experience. Food: we tried the fried okra, corn muffins, lobster roll, and hush puppies - all were fantastic! Beer: The in-house made Honey Lager was lightly sweetened but flavorful We'll definitely be back to enjoy the surroundings of Ulele and try out more of the menu!

    (5)

  • Stephany P.

    Honestly this is a 4.5-5 but I'm very strict with consistency and I've only been here once. So when you go, do EVERYTHING in your power to get the duck bacon fried ice cream. Get it as an appetizer, a main entree or dessert whatever you have to do to get it! In addition to God's gift to ice cream, we had the ocra fries-delicious, had a citrusy taste to it, crispy and went great with the homemade ketchup. Also, it wasn't as slimy as orca usually is, so no worries there. The Alligator puppies were good but mostly ham for some reason and barely any gator. Still a great corn batter and the sauce that was used for dipping was pretty good. Almost forgot to mention their home made beer- delicious and served perfectly. I can't remember the specific ones we had but the descriptions are pretty spot on about taste. I also heard they give brewery tours, I really wished we had asked to go on a tour but time was limited. TWO THUMBS UP!

    (4)

  • Tia S.

    So I have been dying to get back to Ulele after experiencing it for the first time at a Yelp Elite event. At the event we were served a variety of appetizers and given a brewery tour. During that experience I was very pleased with the selection of food we sampled. Several of my friends have also been for either lunch or dinner and raved about the service and the food. It was my birthday month and I decided I would make it a priority to finally get here for dinner. I tagged along with some friends going for a group dinner and I must say I wasn't as impressed as I was initially. Sadly I agreed with the recent reviews where people said they felt the restaurant was overrated. Don't get me wrong, the ambiance is great and the service is as to be expected but the food was just alright to me. I ordered the Caipirinha and okra fries to start. I enjoyed both. For my entrée I ordered the lamb shank as which received rave reviews from the server and one of my table mates. The portion was plentiful and so I was excited when it was delivered to the table. It was served with asparagus and popcorn mashed potatoes (supposedly - because mine had no popcorn). Even after mentioning my mashed potatoes were sans popcorn, my server still did not make it right. The lamb shank was cooked well throughout but the meat itself was bland. The mango sauce added flavor but it was disappointing to have to dip each piece of meat I ate into the sauce before consuming it in order for the entrée to have an acceptable taste. Overall as a table, we had mixed reviews. Half of the table thought the food was good and the other thought it was just okay and would not be in a rush to return.

    (2)

  • Tracy E.

    I really wanted to love Ulele. After hearing rave reviews from friends, and having viewed the unique and interesting menu online, it sounded like a shoe-in for my new favorite Tampa restaurant. However, I have been three times now, and still find it average at best. For each of my visits, I have ordered off the lunch menu. During my first visit in early August, I ordered the Gouda Grouper. I attempted to sub out the rice for another vegetable because I eat low carb, but was informed that not substitutions were allowed. I went ahead and ordered the squash gratin on the side and also their in-house brewed "Wedding Beer." My husband ordered the Waterworks Meatloaf and a flight of their various beers. Food presentation was nice, but the taste was underwhelming. Nothing was bad, but nothing was fantastic. Everything was just average. Even as I write this, I can't think of one positive thing that really stuck with me about the food. There was simply nothing memorable about it. As for the beer, we were definitely not impressed. The beer descriptions in the menu did not seem to match the beers we were served. I am not a beer connoisseur, but I know good beer when I drink it, and this was just not good. The beers did not seem to be brewed to style, and were very disappointing. Normally, after a mediocre restaurant experience like this, I wouldn't bother to go back. But as fate would have it, I have had two business lunches scheduled at Ulele since my first visit, both in August. Both times were equally underwhelming. At my second visit I had the Fresh-Roasted Yellow Fin Tuna Salad. I can honestly say I have made better tuna salad out of a can. It was literally just a blob of tuna dumped on a bed of romaine. It was dry, almost chalky, and lacked any real favor. Definitely not what you would expect for $12. On my third visit, I tried the Grilled Chicken and Corn Salad with Jalapeno Lime Dressing. I would recommend changing the description for this particular menu item to: dry chicken and corn with an overwhelmingly limey dressing on a bed of boring romaine lettuce. On a positive note, the location along the new Riverwalk and next the new Waterworks Park is very scenic, and the building itself is really neat. There is also some nice artwork inside, but beware of the sculpture of a native American impaled on a spear next to the front door inside. I wasn't a huge fan of that particular piece (especially while eating) but some of the other pieces are very nice. The restaurant gets pretty noisy downstairs because its a big open space, so beware if you are going there to actually try to have a conversation with someone. Upstairs is quieter, but the décor is a weird mix of sports memorabilia, and I am not sure how it fits with the rest of the vibe of the place. Overall, it wasn't so bad that I would never go again, but it wasn't good enough for me to go there on my own initiative either. Perhaps the items on the dinner menu are better, and with prices around $30 an entre, they better be.

    (2)

  • Caitie O.

    I was so excited to try out Ulele. It has been a long wait!!! The ambiance of this new, hit restaurant is great! You get a modern, industrial feel starting from the fountain outside all the way to the bathrooms. I went for a birthday party, so we had a rather large group. The chicken lollipops were outstanding. The perfect blend of flavor, fat, and crunchy! I also had the New York Strip with amazing "pop corn potatoes" and two or three sprigs of asparagus. The steak was cooked to my specifications (medium rare), but I felt that the flavor was lacking. I had to season it with the salt and pepper on the table (a big disappointment for a steak). I also ordered a side of the spicy green beans, it was clear they were fresh. Nothing too outstanding, but still good. We finished the meal with the chocolate torte and the Duck Bacon Fried Ice Cream. The torte was rich and creamy, just like a torte is supposed to be. My ice cream was sweet, but had very little duck bacon to add saltiness. Our service was great for such a large party, but I have to say that the food, while good, did not overly wow me... I will probably come back, but for what I pay for a plate, I was expecting more of a flavor explosion...

    (4)

  • Ed S.

    Very cool spot, great location right in the river, w a neat flaming statue outside. The building is a converted Water Works (I think) and has a cool industrial chic vibe. Unfortunately it does get very loud with hard surfaces for noise to bounce off of. Service was good. I thought everything was very tasty, the broiled oysters were delicious but not sure how well it fit in with the theme. The chili was so comforting and satisfying. The snapper was flaky and well prepared. I didn't love the house made micro brew beers, they were ok, but not outstanding. Over all great "scene" spot.

    (4)

  • Lisa W.

    I couldn't wait to try Ulele and planned our friend's birthday dinner there. We were a group of 13 and had a reservation for 7:45 pm. The restaurant was packed, so we grabbed drinks and headed outside to relax. The atmosphere was great, bartender was friendly and his drinks innovative. The food was fair. And, our server... Eh. For a large group, it seemed like it was his first night. I'd probably give Ulele another shot because it has a lot of promise, but maybe for happy hour.

    (4)

  • Malary J.

    I have been here before and always have been pleased with the service and the food. This time the service was amazing, our waitress told us the history of Ulele as well as information about what we were eating as we were enjoying our delicious meal. The special was Moonfish which is from Hawaii that I never have even heard of before. Hands down the Moonfish was the best fish over ever had. I gladly had no problem paying $28 for this rare and delicious fish. The wild rice and salsa that came with the fish paired greatly with it. I really enjoyed my food and experience here. Can't wait to go back!

    (5)

  • Bridget H.

    The good: Terrific atmosphere and delicious fish! The bad: Despite the hip setting, it was quite loud! The verdict: I'll be back!

    (4)

  • Tina J.

    I have had this placed bookmarked for a while. When my company told us they were going there for lunch..GREAT! and that the company was treating us because of our hard work...OMG EVEN BETTER!! The first thing I noticed was their awesome door and decor. I was told to check out the restroom as well, if I thought the door was cool. We made reservations and were seated immediately. There was a total of 7 of us. We started off with a bottle of wine, recommended by our server. It was a very smooth pinot noir. We also started with a variety of appetizers. We ordered the following to share: Okra Fries- Not overly battered or greasy. Just right. It tasted so good by it self, you won't need to dip it into the house made ketchup. Lobster Claw Cocktail- It had a small kick, if you like spicy, you may not even notice it. There was a lot of cocktail sauce, which I like, but it was a bit overwhelming. My acid reflux was acting up because of the amount that was in it. Still delicious though and the claws were huge. Fresh Calamari- Good- it just wasn't anything memorable for me. Crab Mac & Cheese- YumI was glad we were sharing this. Two bites was enough as this is very rich and hearty. I needed to make space for other food! Charbroiled Oysters- I love my oysters raw, and have had my share of charbroiled oysters. But THESE charbroiled oysters were amazing! I couldn't just have one, we ordered another half dozen! The garlic butter was on point for my taste buds! For my entree, I chose the Gouda Grouper. The fish was cook well but I wish there was more Gouda. The fish didn't take any of the gouda flavor, so they didn't really mesh together uniformly. It was like eating fish. Then eating Gouda. For dessert we ordered the following to share: Flourless Chocolate Torte- Yummy! I love anything chocolate, but this was a great consistency as well as taste. I could've eaten more! Key Lime Key West Ice Cream Stack- I will start off by saying I am not a fan of Key lime, it's too tarte for me, so that is just a personal preference. But I will say, however, that this was good in taste, it wasn't too tart for me. Some places are Candied Duck Maple Bacon Ice Cream- This is their famous dessert. I wanted to love it, but I don't. The ice cream was good, the added duck bacon bits was good as well, but the cinnamon corn flake tasted a bit stale. Overall, I would say come and order a bunch of appetizers (tapas style) as they were all so good and you get a wide variety of flavors to choose from. Next time I will try other apps that I didn't get to this time. The decor is trendy with a nice view. It is a bit noisy as it can and does get packed. But it's a fun environment and a cool place to check out.

    (4)

  • Barbara C.

    This is my third visit to Ulele's. I absolutely love the venue. Location- The location is perfect it is the Hillsborough River, which is scenic and great place to sit and relax while you enjoy a meal. The restaurant is also next to Waterworks park and the Ulele Spring. I am so glad they restored the Spring because it has brought back great marine life and its beautiful to view if you are eating outdoors. The pools that were incorporated are just as beautiful as well. The restaurant is close to downtown and Tampa Heights and has a lot of street parking on Highland street. Ulele also has a parking lot across the street. The area is manicure perfectly and the neighboring buildings are just as beautiful. I am so glad that they chose to restore some of these old historic buildings rather than tearing them down and putting in new buildings. Food - spectacular!! Today I had one of my favorites. The deconstructed seafood potpie. you can never go wrong with this. It has shrimp, calamari, grouper, cheese and some vegetables. It is served with a puff pastry and rice with asparagus. The fried Okra was great. I was surprised because I do not like Okra, but this was done so well, crispy and without breading and seasoned just right. I also tried the mac and cheese with crab which was also delish, but they skimped a bit on the crab meat. I had the lobster roll which was good as well. The building was restored and decorated so well, colors, art and use of old pieces from the old Water Works Building. I love the beer garden on the North side of the building and the broad barbacoa pit on the inside with the bar another nice place to sit and have cocktails. The choice of music has always been superb and I had no wait since we made reservations. I know I will be back again and again.

    (5)

  • Tiffany B.

    Ooookay. Ulele is the definition of overhyped. I can't believe I had to make a reservation 6 weeks out for this place. Let's start with the ambiance. Awkward is the best word I have for it. I don't know if it was the crowd, the too bright atmosphere, or the disjointed decor but both my husband and I felt physically uncomfortable. They also apparently like to keep their door open so we were being assaulted by flies throughout our entire meal. We couldn't wait to leave by the time our check came. Next, the service. Fortunately for her, I can't remember our servers name, but she was one of the most tweaky, awkward people I've ever encountered and she should honestly probably not work in the service industry. She would just look at our food, then look at us, ask a weird question, then linger waaay too long. This happened multiple times. I'm just tying to enjoy my dinner lady, stop being weird. And the tweakiness! I swear to god she must have done a line in the bathroom before her shift because she was crazing eyeing all over the place. The food was very hit or miss. Some was genuinely really good, others were big WTFs. We started with the crab mac&cheese, alligator hush puppies, and the jalapeño cheddar grit cake. The mac and cheese was very good- super rich. The alligator hush puppies were the bomb and I wish I just ordered 10 of those and made a meal out of it. The grit cake was a big WTF. Guys, first of all, presentation is so important. I don't want two f*cking dense bricks of food on a plate. Put a damn garnish and a bit of sauce on it or something. Second, I can't put enough emphasis on the word "brick". It was so dense and hard and soggy. I was thinking it would be dense (hi, grits) but creamy on the inside and pan fried all crisp and delicious on the outside. NOPE. Take my advice and hard pass on that one. For our entrees, my husband got the sirloin, which was fine if not completely forgettable. I got the flank steak, which was also fine, but looked sad and grey. I feel like these people don't know how to cook a great steak. I can cook a better steak than both of those at home in my cast iron and not spend $18+ dollars each for it. The popcorn mashed potatoes that they came with were delicious but again, way too dense. Now that I think about it, I should invite them over and show them how to make a proper steak and potato meal. The squash gratin was just plain awful. They threw some sliced squash on a grill then arranged it on a plate and sprinkled some crunchy shit on it. No flavor. We both took two bites each and left it on the plate. Again, hard pass. Lastly, dessert. We got the Ulele ice cream, which at the time was toasted coconut. 1. That shit had no toasty flavor. 2. It was served in a halved coconut shell, which made it slide all over the plate when you went to stick your spoon in it because no one in the entire restaurant apparently had the forethought to also cut a slice off the bottom to make it sit flat on the plate. Dumb. 3. Again, no presentation. It was ice cream scooped into a coconut shell then frozen rock hard. No garnish, no sauce on the plate, nothing. And how about scoop as you serve so you can actually get a spoon in it instead of rock hard straight out the freezer? Bonus: it'll look a lot nicer. Anywho, needless to say Ulele has been banished for life. They get 2 starts strictly for the hush puppies, but beyond that, not interested in going back here ever.

    (2)

  • Grace C.

    I'm so disappointed I couldn't rank it higher but maybe it was an off night. There were both hits and misses in our dinner. Overall, service was professional and friendly. Our server Erin did a good job keeping us happy and be accommodating to our requests throughout dinner. At no point did she ever make us feel rushed and always kept our drinks filled. Food is really where the stars were deducted. We ordered a variety of things to share and some were better than others. Okra Fries - I would not order this again. The okra was over fried and limp. It was also seasoned oddly and very sour. Beet and Pear Salad - The overall salad was sweeter than I would have preferred it. It needed more tang, goat cheese and a brighter flavor. It was very one note. Charbroiled Oysters - I had broken shells in my oyster. Overall the flavors were just okay. Not a memorable dish. The untoasted sliced baguettes on the side were very uninspired and sad. The dish didn't really have anything sauce on it to sop the bread with anyway. Alligator Hush Puppies - Four come in each order. I found them delicious but could use a bit more gator in each bite. Texture of the hush puppies was perfect. Berkshire Pork Chop - Tender and flavorful. Jalapeno Corn Beer Quick Bread - Flavorful and light. It had a nice kick when you got a piece of jalapeno but not overwhelming. Juan's Snapper - The fish was a bit overcooked. The sides that came with the fish were a too salty. Key West Key Lime Ice Cream Stack - This dessert was frozen solid when we received it and had a very hard time eating it. It was like slicing through a solid block of ice. It was too sour and bitter. Candied Duck Bacon Maple Fried Ice Cream - I really enjoyed this dessert. The crispy waffle bits were perfect with the maple ice cream. It added great crunch and texture to the dessert. The maple flavor really came through. To drink, my husband stuck to their Water Works Ale throughout the night. He preferred it since it was the only one that didn't sound too sweet. I had a glass of Pinot Grigio which went well with the dishes. Overall, the ambiance of the restaurant was nice. It was very crowded when we went so I wouldn't say it was intimate since you had to talk rather loudly to be heard. The bathrooms were clean. Parking was easy (though removed from the main entrance). I'd give this place another chance but I'm not going to be the one suggesting it for a meal.

    (3)

  • Chad L.

    We arrived at 6:45 on Friday and were met with friendly and efficient complimentary parking valet service. The restaurant itself is located in an historic Tampa Water Works building which is located on the banks of the Hillsborough River on an open grassy and tree site. All very pleasant. The interior is very spacious and very open revealing the original and interesting architecture. On the ground floor, besides dining tables were a seafood bar and an open grill where the chefs prepared the steaks, chops and vegetables. From the mezzanine level, where we were seated, it made for a nice show. We were seated promptly with our reservation and our server was attentive. The menu was interesting for some of its unique items, including deep fried okra, fried gator bites, Florida native soup, nice selection of fish and meat. I had the meatloaf that sat on popcorn mash. The meat was moist and tender and the popcorn in the mash was surprisingly good. All their beers are brewed at this location, I had Rusty's Red with my meal. It was a colorful lager with a nice bold taste. Very enjoyable. Also, another pleasant attribute is that guests were generally dress in a dressy casual style - pants for men and dresses for ladies. In our very casual Tampa environment, this provided a nice upscale, but relaxed, ambiance. For me, Ulele is a wonderful addition to our Tampa area restaurants. The only downside is that the noise level in the restaurant is at the roar level. So, a quiet conversation is just not possible.

    (5)

  • Martic R.

    Finally decided to stop by for a real sit down dinner. Can't believe it's only been a year since they opened and it's still a very busy place. The interior is spacious and full of interesting architecture. My four starts goes mostly to our excellent server who we kept on his toes for the entire night. I had the grouper and even though I liked it I felt it was missing a bit of seasoning. I also tried the chocolate ice cream and the flourless tart both good but the tart is very very rich so I recommend you share. Some tried the dessert with bacon and they felt in love. It's a great space for events and will absolutely go back to to try other items on the menu. I got what I'm calling truffles as a Ulele gift and they were amazing why are these not on the dessert menu... Please add them ASAP

    (4)

  • Yohanis C.

    Great grouper, lollipop chicken and patron añejo. The ice cream is incredible! Very nice service.

    (5)

  • Mallory W.

    Ulele is one of my FAVORITE Tampa restaurants. Definitely a job well done by the Gonzmart team. My first experience was a dinner reservation during their first week of being open. They didn't miss a beat, which is surprising for a new restaurant! I've been several times since then, for lunch, large group parties, and New Years Eve, Nothing here is bad, but there are definitely stars of the menu. The GREAT: -Appetizers: Okra fries. I was hesitant because I expected deep fried globs, but my husband insisted. Much to my delight, the okra fries were gluten free and tossed in some sort of lime + sea salt concoction. Super crispy and fresh. Fresh Calamari: Not your normal calamari. Order it. Alligator Hush Puppies: Soooo WONDERFUL. Served with the best horseradish aioli you could imagine. -Entrees: THE POMPANO!!!!! On NYE the server really pushed the pompano, so we obliged. Other members of our table got the yellowfin tuna and snapper, but the Pompano won the entree round for sure. The dish is served with fried carrot ribbons.. .How am I ever supposed to go back to regular carrots again after eating those delicious pieces of vegetable goodness? -Side: Squash gratin.. They do it right and serve it in a skillet. THE GOOD: -Appetizers: lollipop chicken... It's GOOD, just not GREAT... But it's just chicken, so what do you expect? Entree: The Chief Red Eagle Duck... So, there were bites of this dish that were GREAT (the inner, less well-done parts of the meat), and parts that were good (outsides a little too cooked if you ask me).. I would recommend the snapper over this, but it still put a smile on my face. Sides: Mac N Cheese: it was good, but didn't stand out compared to the other dishes we enjoyed. I'm going back to Ulele this weekend and hope to try some new dishes! Highly recommend this place for all types of occasions.

    (5)

  • Fiorella G.

    Oh U.le.le how I love thee. The location, the food, the service...it's all on point. It's located next to the waterworks park right by the Hillsborough river. The surroundings are truly beautiful and despite the hours of wait time the wait is pleasant enough. I usually go put my name on the list (they text you when your table is ready) and go do something else or stroll the waterworks park. You can't call ahead and put your name on the list, I really wish they had that option. The first time I went there was a 2 hour wait time and then they sat us outside. I was not happy...until the sun started to set. I sat there eating delicious food watching the sun set over the river, happy happy happy. On another occasion at sunset we sat inside right by the large window, also beautiful. Enjoy the view while you eat if you can! The service has been amazing every time I've gone. Pleasant, knowledgable and professional servers do a great job making you feel welcome and know when not to interrupt you. I've tried a lot of things on the menu over time. I don't have a favorite just yet but there are some top contenders. The fresh calamari comes with an Amarillo chili dressing that is delicious. The jalapeño grits cake was a surprising favorite, it's always nice to enjoy jalapeño flavor without being overwhelmed by the spicyness. The guava pie, so good!!! Florida pompano...those fried carrot ribbons give it such an interesting sweet taste. The flank steak, I'm so picky about my chimicurri but the jimmychurri is good in a very different way. I would not expect the sharp taste of traditional chimi but it's a milder type of delicious that's worth trying. They have their own brews...nothing blew my mind but it's nice to try the suggested pairings. I go back often :)

    (5)

  • Daisy D.

    I saw Ulele pop up on my radar when a few of my TB friends started posting reviews. When we found ourselves back in the area, I knew we had to try to check it out. We secured a reservation for a Saturday night & made our way down to the Waterworks building. The surrounding area/park was a great place to hang out and wait for our table to be ready. After we grabbed a cocktail at the bar to sip on while we waited, we strolled through the park (and even caught a glimpse of Maleficent on the big screen). My husband had read a few of the reviews mentioning an outstanding waiter named Brooks. So I was a happy diner when we were escorted upstairs to our table and told Brooks would be our server that evening. Doesn't hurt that he's not too shabby to look at either. ;) As we perused the menu we decided to go with a strategy that has worked well for us in the past to order several appetizers to share and decide on the second round after making it through the first. For our first round of nibbles we went with the Blistered Peppers, Okra Fries and the Oysters on the Half Shell. The peppers & okra were the perfect snacking app - and while they are easy to share, I would recommend a couple orders if you have a party over four people. Oysters were plump, fresh, salty, and among the biggest I've had. (That's what she said!) For my main I ended up going with the Flank Steak. My meat was served with asparagus & the white cheddar popcorn mashed potatoes. The steak was cooked perfectly. The avocado 'jimmichuri' was a neat twist. And while I love an avocado, I'm not the biggest fan of Florida avocados (The horror!) because I do think there are tastier varieties out there. The popcorn in the potatoes definitely offered an interesting twist to a rather traditional side. They were tasty, but after all the appetizers it was a little stuffed-feeling inducing. We had planned to go back for lunch before we left for home, but got derailed. Definitely looking forward to trying lunch next time.

    (5)

  • Chelsea B.

    I have GOT to get on the yelp bandwagon here with all the love. This place is FANTABULOUS! Just...fantabulous. Really. I had to make up a word to properly encompass its wonder. They consistently run long lines, but next to Waterworks park, who cares? It's set up with text message notifications, so you can wander the pretty renovated park to your heart's content or just grab a beer and wait outside at their side tables. Pro tip: go near sunset. They've really done an incredible job with the space, welcoming the outside in and making it really feel like it's on the river (which it is). Their walls open up to the outside, and they have great outdoor seating too. But let's be real, you're not here for the view...it's all about the food. THE FOOD IS AMAZING. No, really, it's amazing. Fantabulous to use my earlier term. The blistered peppers were everything that Yelp promised and the Alligator Hush Puppies probably the best thing we had. Their fish special was tender and falling apart and their burger was done just right. We topped it off with the Candied Duck Bacon Maple Fried Ice Cream because the table next to us was raving about it, and man was it tasty. Like a salty-savory version of fried ice cream that is better than I can describe. I was also pleasantly amazed by their house-made microbrewery beers. They had good variety and were incredibly well made. You could order some beers and take them out to the outside Biergarten, and it would be a great place to hang with friends under the stringed lighting. I love love love this place!

    (5)

  • Natasha P.

    Ulele's is officially on my everything on the menu list. I absolutly love everything about this place, from the atmosphere, the beautiful building structure to the yum yum99 food. I enjoyed being able to see how some of the food is cooked. Highly recommend making a reservation or go sit at the bar if you don't want to wait long to be seated. For my first trip, i had the to die for allegator hush puppies and both baked and raw osyters and some of my dates yum yum99 steak. My goal by the end of this year is to try everything on their menu cause they have many rare and different foods I have never tried. Had exellent service sitting at the bar. I love it when i don't have to wait very long for my food and drinks to come out. Our bartender was on point at all times. From the moment I walked in Ulele I fell in love and posted many pictures upon my check in of all the beautiful decor, even the restrooms were awesome. The entire restaurant was breath taking to compliment the yummy food and awesome service. Looking forward to my next trip

    (5)

  • Mark P.

    Definitely worthy of 5 stars. One of the best restaurants in Tampa and this was evident by a 45 min wait for a table at 9pm. But a friend and I were able to grab a couple seats at the bar, which was good enough for us. I ordered the meatloaf with a garlic demi glace served with popcorn mashed potatoes, asparagus, and tobacco onions. This was really, really good; cooked almost perfectly. I would've liked it a little more juicy but no problem. The mash was also very good, especially accompanied with the onions. My friend got the pork shank with firecracker apple craisin chutney, which I sampled. It was also very tasty and tender. The chutney went well with the pork. The servings for both entrees were unusually huge for such a nice restaurant and were priced well. For dessert, we had to try the candied duck bacon maple fried ice cream. Any dessert with 7 words has to be really good and it did not disappoint. They could have added 10 more words to the title as it also has a cinnamon cornflake crust with sweet potato waffle crisp and caramel. It's large enough to share and hopefully, you have a friend like mine who doesn't like sweets too much. More for me! It is a little pricey at $9 but go for it! It's that good. Service was top-notch. Our waiter was friendly and does his job very well. 5 stars for Diego! Very nice atmosphere with two levels of seating, as well as an outdoor patio and rooftop patio. Maybe next time I'll get lucky enough to score a booth. Can't wait to go back and try more of their menu!

    (5)

  • Ken D.

    I just adore this place! Beautiful inside and out. It was my ladies birthday yesterday. I read a review saying we needed a reservation six weeks ahead of time and that just wasn't true. We just showed up and were immediately seated. They've got some beautiful art around the place, a big statue of a horse and the kitchen is open and watching the chefs is a show in itself. The ambiance is truly relaxing. We found not one bit of pretentiousness here. Everything was stellar. We started with a couple rum runners because they didn't have Mai-tai's so our waitress in her divine wisdom brought us the closest thing instead of wasting everyone's time and she knew we wanted something fruity. I'm man enough to admit I love fruity drinks on occasion. I love that kind of thinking! The drinks were delicious! And I know most people would be bothered because it's not what they asked for but she saved us a whole silly conversation and we adored her for it! We would have done that anyway! The two lobster claw cocktail as an appetizer was perfect and deliciously chilled served in a martini glass! We both got the cracklin pork shank and popcorn potatoes for our main coarse and it was life changing! You can not believe how delicious it was! A huge pork shank crispy in the outside cover in a sauce of the gods and fall apart moist on the inside! We also had a side of green beans with a spicy sauce on them that was also brilliantly yum-tastic! We had to even take some to go because the portions were so large! It's rare when I think everything is perfect. From the service of every worker, our waitress Aubrey, the beauty of the establishment and sincerely the food is impeccable. It was a perfect way to end the birthday of my favorite person in the world. They treated us with care and respect and I can't thank them enough for that. I will be back over and over again. All of that and under a hundred bucks? I tipped about forty percent because it was that epic. And since it was a birthday, I seriously can't tell you how happy I am no one came up and started singing or anything, we both find it humiliating if that ever happens. This place deserves all the love they get. Thank you Ulele! I mean it. Thank you for a wonderful night. -Ken

    (5)

  • Kate E.

    3 stars for location, atmosphere and service! The food was nothing special. Nothing bad but nothing great. It's a great spot on the water and if timed correctly can yield a great sunset on the water. The building and the art is beautiful. Love the sculptures. Our waiter was very helpful and knowledgable. For dinner we had the grouper, meat loaf, and Mac and cheese appetizer. The grouper was ok and the meat loaf was also ok and enough to feed 3 people. (My mom makes better ) The Mac and cheese disappointed me the most. Reminded me of velvetta with a few pieces of crab on top. I'll be back but maybe for lunch instead!

    (3)

  • Meron A.

    This place was ehhh and mediocre. With all the hype I was expecting more than what it was. We started with the octopus and the hush puppies. The octopus was bland but the sauce it was served with was overly spicy, the seaweed salad it came with was good but overall the concept of the dish was confusing. The alligator hush puppies were awesome. Since we came for lunch we had the ulele burger and and the pork sandwich which were both great, but we found the pork sandwich too sweet and lacked texture. For dessert the we had the fried ice cream, which wasn't fried or at least we didn't know what was fried about it. You would think we had our server for guidance but it was like pulling teeth to get any bit of of reaction or conversation out of him. Our server did his job but was dull at best. Overall this place, and menu is confused and nothing super extraordinary about it.

    (3)

  • Michelle T.

    1 star for ambiance, decor & museum grade elements 1 star for diverse menu selection 1 star for culinary presentation, taste & flavor 1 star for prime urban location 1 star for personal attentive professional service 1 extra star for Chuck (at the bar) great asset to Ulele! ULELE'S NEWEST FAN!

    (5)

  • Jules W.

    The atmosphere is super cool, but loud - our waiter was solid, but could have been a smidge more attentive (didn't ask if we needed drink refills for example). The food was good - the okra fries were the best part. The meal portion size was incredible - too much for one meal, really. And the meals were good - might go back and try another entree. My meal was tasty, but not shout it from the mountain top tasty...

    (3)

  • Adam B.

    I had dinner here Saturday,9/12. Out party ordered several things and we shared so everyone got to experience the menu. Blistered Shishito Peppers: This was a rather large order for an app. The peppers themselves were larger than I have had at other places as well. They were wonderful with a nice balance of flavor from the earthy pepper, charred outsie and touch of salt. Okra Fries:Were tasty on their own with some type of vinegar applied after cooking. They went very well with the ketchup as well Octopus Carpaccio: This dish was excellent. The octopus was both plentiful and tender. The accompanying sauce and seaweed salad allowed the dinner to change flavor combos and ALL of them worked. Florida Chili: This was likely my least favorite of the appetizers. The balance of chips to chili was a bit off and it didnt really fit with our meal Charbroiled oysters: These were cooked correctly and had a pretty good flavor. However, I was perplexed by the addition of sliced french bread with the order. This is a common way to serve them in new orleans, but those oysters are typicall covered in a garlicky butter sauce that the bread helps soak up. In this case the oysters lacked any sauce and putting in on a plain piece of bread only muted the flavors further. Pompano w/ Fried Carrots: Fish was cooked perfectly the fried carrots were a nice addition. The sauce was wonderful but there was not enough for each bite of fish. Collard Greens and Beans: the collards had a good flavor and retained just a slight crunch which was nice as a lot of places tend to overcook them imo. However, the beans were just as crunchy which kinda blew the whole side for me Snapper: Well cooked, nice sauce, good flavor Grit cakes: Very tasty nice amount of jalapeno flavor Tomato and Onion Salad: A nice grilled, flavorful side Quail: The mustard flavor and cooking of the quail was awesome I would totally go back to this place. The food, service and beers were wonderful.

    (4)

  • Charlene W.

    Hmmm. I really WANT to give this a better rating but I simply can't. For atmosphere and originality, definitely 5 stars. Food.... Hell no. The Chilled Avocado soup is good but nothing to brag about. Lobster claw cocktail.... Ok. Just 2 claws in a cocktail l sauce with some corn. Had the lunch menu. Brisket sandwich. I'd give it a 3 out of 5 max. It's ok. Bread should have been a better and perhaps if it was served as well as the description it would have been better. Just not impressed.

    (3)

  • Amy K.

    I went to Ulele on a weeknight with a group of girlfriends. We were seated outside after a short wait time. The view was absolutely beautiful! The restaurant is located on the Hillsborough river along a newly renovated walkway and the sunset was breathtaking. The waiter readily served our large group and accompanied our individual requests for wine and food. The wine selection is great and the bottles are fairly priced. For dinner, the entrees run mostly in the $20 range. I opted for the $6 Florida Native Chili. The ingredients included alligator, boar, venison, duck and beef. It was well worth the price! Very tasty and complex in flavor. The waitstaff was very attentive and friendly. I'd like to also compliment the restrooms, which were very unique! They were clean and exemplified the fact that a lot of thought went into the design of this establishment. Valet parking is available, but parking elsewhere is difficult. Parking on side streets is your best bet, as long as you are mindful of tow zones.

    (4)

  • Robbie C.

    I just love everything about Ulele! The decor is one of the most unique you will find in tampa. The artistry that was put into this restaurant is worthy of your presence. The exterior brick with the gorgeous double doors, the stained glass, the open air with views of the river, the giant horse, seems like no detail was left out. As if the ambiance alone wasn't enough, the service is friendly and they always me feel welcome. The food offerings are sure to please your palate. I've been here several times now and have always enjoyed every taste. We shared a few apps, the crab Mac n cheese made with lump crab is addicting but will fill you up quickly! The wedding beer goes great with all. My daughter and son in law got flights of beer to taste many of their craft options. We also shared an order of the salty okra fries. The saltiness is balanced out with lime juice. This comes served with ketchup which I never use and ding unnecessary. For my lunch entree, I ordered the Narive Sauté and it was the bomb! Pan seared veggies with a soy ginger reduction over wild rice. Usually served with portobellos which I'm not a fan of so left out. Love that everything is fresh as this allows customization. Have it your way makes me a happy diner. Reservations always recommended for this very popular destination.

    (5)

  • Allie S.

    Beautiful space, knowledgeable friendly staff and amazing food. Definitely a go to spot for a special night out.

    (5)

  • Karina M.

    Amazing service, I would recomend her to all my friends.

    (5)

  • Justina M.

    Great experience. Came for my birthday dinner and arrived about 30 minutes early (reservation was at 8, wasn't say until 8:15) and for a Wednesday it was a lot busier than expected. They also will text you when your table is ready which is a great plus since you sometimes will not hear your name when your table is ready at other establishments (or your reservation is snatched up by someone else) The bartenders were great, made great small talk and made you feel welcomed. Great view of the Hillsborough river at sunset right outside. Our server was all smiles, the only thing is that it took a while to get our drinks when we sat at our table. Once we got those, it was even more smooth sailing. We had gator hush puppies for an appetizer along with a flank steak and meatloaf with a side of their regular Mac and cheese. All amazing. The Ulele beers we had were Magbee's Honey Lager, Wedding Beer (both less hoppy), Waterworks Pale Ale and Rustys Red(both more hoppy). Our server also gave me a complimentary blueberry ice cream that she says is made at the restaurant. Very good. All around great experience! Will be back.

    (5)

  • Allison N.

    Bring your appetite and an adventurous spirit if you're coming to Ulele! Their dishes are super delicious and just all around GOOD. I am so happy I finally stopped in after several months of being green with envy at other Yelpers who had already been! I went for lunch a few weeks ago and was really excited about eating here. We made reservations and waited a little while to be seated, but the place was PACKED! And what a beautiful little spot it is, by the way. The decor here is so gorgeous and unique. It's sort of got a modern vibe with bits and pieces of antique-y feeling things like stained glass windows thrown in for good measure. We started with the okra fries and the octopus carpaccio. The okra fries were my personal favorite. They were not super fried but just slightly crispy and perfectly salted. They were full of flavor, something I wasn't really anticipating from okra of all vegetables. The carpaccio was the bomb.com . I don't even know if I really like octopus because honestly, I haven't really eaten it that much (I'm a new convert to seafood) but if it's this good all the time, count me in. I ordered the horno chicken with asparagus and let me tell you, whatever Ulele is putting in that sauce needs to be bottled and sold. It tastes tomatoey at first, almost like a marinara. Then the kick of spice comes in at the end to keep your tongue guessing. My friend ordered the alligator chili and it was SO good! I'm not even a huge chili fan but I was definitely loving up on that alligator stuff from Ulele. I would love to try their ice creams and the other desserts here since all the photos look so awesome. When I come back to Tampa I will definitely head here to try some new things out!

    (4)

  • Karen S.

    Great atmosphere, indoor, outdoor, a brewery, corn hole, great bar. If you eat outside with kids, it backs up to the river (great sunset views)plus the kiddos can run wild in the grassy park area. The service is excellent (on both occasions we visited). The only caveat is the app and side menu by far beat the actual dinner menu. All the entrees we ordered there were underwhelming - when I say that I mean I could have cooked it equally or better at home. Seasoning and flavor of the dinner menu needs work. But drinks, oyster bar, appetizers and sides - SOOOO good. Plus the building is just awesome.

    (4)

  • Shannon C.

    We had a party of 8, 7:30 on a Saturday night. We started out at the bar where the bartender let us sample some beer and crafted some awesome cocktails. I don't remember his name, but he was fantastic. Then we were seated, and Brian, our server took over....and boy did he take over. As a chick who used to wait tables, I appreciate the hard work wait staff do, and was so impressed with Brian, it wasn't even funny. Damn, he was just that good. He kept things moving along at the perfect pace, he gave recommendations, he laughed, he joked, he was meant to be a server. I listened to everything he said and I made my choice. Pompano. Never even heard of this fish, but I wanted to be adventurous because Brian told us to be adventurous. Holy cow, I can't shut up about this fish. The preparation was perfection. I can't wait to dig into the leftovers today. I must have ate too much crab mac and cheese and quail before my meal, because that too was awesome. I also had a few bites of my husbands filet, and we both thought it was the best filet we had had in quite some time. Asparagus was cooked perfect. And since we were told before we ordered that we had to have the coffee ice cream, we ordered ice cream. We went with the coffee and toasted coconut. I loved them both, but preferred the coffee. It was perfect!!! I can't wait to go back, and I will for sure ask for Brian, someone needs to give that guy an award or something! Great job Ulele!!!!

    (5)

  • Melinda M.

    Summary: Food is ok. Ambiance is nice for friends, but not an intimate date. The hype isn't real! At least not for me. After reading so many great reviews we finally gave it a try. Parking wasn't an issue plus there's valet. The building itself is very impressive and the view outside is gorgeous. We didn't make reservations because figured it was a Thursday night so it shouldn't be too busy. We were wrong, but the wait wasn't too bad. We were seated by one of the huge open doors. The interior was simple but nicely decorated. Loved the open dining room concept, however, it could get quite loud so I don't think this would be a place for a romantic dinner. Our server came to get our drink order and bring the menu. Looking through the menu, nothing looked amazing. Once we got our plates, my thoughts were confirmed. We ordered 1/2 dozen chargrilled oysters and only 2-3 of them were actually decent sizes but the rest were so tiny that it's unconscionable to serve them. Reading other reviews, many echoed the same sentiment. The kilo porterhouse was cooked well, but lacked serious flavor. The meatloaf looked and tasted like one of those you get in the freezer section of your grocery store. It's very hard to mess up calamari, but somehow they didn't get it right. It wasn't crispy and just plain boring. We didn't bother with dessert because we didn't want to be disappointed even more. I've a very forgiving nature, so I will give this place another try in the not so near future.

    (3)

  • Breonna L.

    Maybe I'm just picky but reading the reviews, I thought this place would be better. The decor was obviously beautiful. Seriously beautiful. Theres a park outside so the scenery is topnotch. However, the food in between 3.1 and 3.5 stars lol. I had the Floridian chili which was tasty but not amazing (and keep in mind they are a little pricey!). I also have the cornbread which was again, decent, but not amazing. However, I will say portions are pretty nice and I like how you can see them prepare your food. Would I come again? Maybe but its definitely not on my list of top-notch Tampa resturants.

    (3)

  • Arne A.

    What can I say that hasn't already been said about this place. I've been back multiple times for lunch and dinner and haven't been disappointed yet. I'm sure all the superlatives to describe Ulele have been used up so I'll just run through a few of my menu favorites. Apps: Charbroiled oysters, THE CRAB MAC & CHEESE (other worldly type of delicious) Entrees: Lobster roll (only available at lunch), Florida Pompano is the best fish dish. Crackling Pork Shank is ridiculous and there's enough to take home. Dessert: Duck bacon ice cream. Enough said. Drinks: Any of their in house beers (there's all different types so almost all beer tastes are covered...I love their seasonal brews though). As far an cocktails go the Ring of Fire is hands down the go to drink for Ulele.

    (5)

  • Marisa D.

    Beautiful Waterfront Restaurant with perfect Grounds, Gourmet FOOD, perfect Service, and as you can see from my other reviews I am a picky person who typically likes to complain. Brew their own beer, great wine list that was not overpriced! Desserts that are yummy. Great food presentation. Amazing design and concept. It's restaurants like this that make me love living in TAMPA, FL! LOVED this place. And they have a new boat dock. We had appetizers of charbroiled oysters, the calamari was very FRESH! I ordered the DUCK which as amazing.. He ordered the special rib-eye steak amazing flavor! Friends ordered the fish two different ones both yummy. I do wish they had a tiny bit more flexibility in switching out the sides. The menu does not say which sides come with what food dish, so it was kind of confusing and some people like to stay away from rice and potatoes and eat more veggies and that made it difficult. We were stuffed but I do hate to waste food like potatoes and rice sides, when a veggie could have been substituted. I do understand food cost, but maybe pick an affordable food cost veggie and make it a substitute option? Overall I loved the FOOD, Loved the concept and flavors... loved the waterfront setting.

    (5)

  • michelle l.

    After such a positive first experience at Ulele, I returned again, and had a less spectacular night. It started from the very beginning. I had reservations at 8pm. I arrived, and they said it'd be "a few minutes." 45 minutes later, we were finally seated. 45 minutes! We live in Tampa, not New York. And if you're going to overbook like this, why don't you have adequate seating in the "waiting" area? I will admit that the wine list has some pretty fantastic deals. A bottle of 2011 Opus One for only $188? Yes please! 2005 Silver Oak for $140? Woo hoo! I have not seen such bargains around Tampa. Don't bother with the $20 corkage, drink what they have. (Btw, they do have very reasonable mid-priced wines too.) But the food wasn't great. We started with the lobster cake, which had sweet and fresh lobster in huge chunks, but was overcooked with black seared streaks. I did not think the cucumber ginger salad added anything to the actual lobster cake. I had the grouper, and while the fish was mild and the sauce good, the meat was so overcooked, it was dry. What a waste of a good piece of fish. My husband had the pork shank, and he liked the meat but didn't love the chutney. For dessert, I tried the guava pie, which was fine, and my husband had espresso ice cream. They do make excellent ice cream. Other than the great wine list, I am not sure if I'd return. I think they overbook and that affects the quality of the food.

    (3)

  • Andrew H.

    Obligatory Huge Ethics Disclaimer: an immediate family member of mine works here. While we were eating, he was not working. He was seated with us. I pride myself on my honesty. I'm the type of guy that will hurt the feelings of loved ones for the sake of self-integrity (sometimes known as "being an A-hol"), but this definitely bares mentioning. I'm not sure if we got special treatment or not because I've only been here once. I don't usually mention the service in a review anyway. Unless it is bad. (it was not) Ok, now that we got that out of the way. This is the exact type of place that Tampa has so desperately needed, for years. Finally something original and local that isn't a beach-side tourist-trap! And, what, they brew their own beer? I don't know the exact history, but it looks like they took an old building no one wanted anymore and gave it NEW LIFE. I love the design of the place, brick, huge windows, high ceilings, it's gorgeous. AND it's right on the river/bicycle trail (Tampa has bicycle trails now?!) We got a wild sampling of the beers. They were just OK. They seem to not want to rock the boat with the beers here too much. They are solidly done, but they are very "safe". Not much of anything outside the box, nothing to rock the boat. If you're not usually into craft/microbrew beer, you will probably LIKE the beer here. If you ARE into heartier/bolder/hoppier beers, you should come here for the food and go to Angry Chair for beers afterwards. We got a variety of apps (see photos), they were all unique and relatively excellent. I don't even like oysters, but I loved what they did with them here. As far as the main course, I loved what everyone at the table got! The steak was probably the best thing I tasted, it was excellent. I didn't get steak because I wanted to get something more uniquely "Florida" (can get a good steak just about anywhere in the US if you know where to look!). Big mistake on my part. I got the Yellow fin. The presentation was gorgeous, nice, deep, purple-red rare center. That is exactly how I like it cooked. But. It was very very very very bland. Absurdly bland. It tasted like nothing. The pumpkin seed crisp on the outside of it, tasted like nothing. I was very disappointed. I actually used the salt shaker, something I never do. I don't even remember the last time I touched a salt shaker. For dessert we got the duck bacon/ice cream thing. It was FANTASTIC. Be sure to share though, it's sooooper rich. I can't imagine one person taking it down. Overall I was impressed. I'll be back next time I fly thousands of miles in from the tundra of the 49th state. I won't be getting the yellow fin though.

    (4)

  • Josiah G.

    My fiance and I were lucky enough to have our engagement party here a few weeks ago. So, although I can't comment on the typical service and operations going on in the building, the things happening in the tent outside were amazing. The servers and bartenders working in the tent with us were above par in every aspect of their jobs. Jorge, especially, went above and beyond to make all of our guests very happy. The food was ridiculous. We had pork shanks, flank steaks and mac n cheese, to name a few. The mini pork shanks literally fell off the bone with just a tug of the fork. The flank steak with the avocado chimmichurri was delicious and cooked perfectly. The mac n cheese was served with different toppings, one of them being duck bacon, so that was pretty much the talk of the night regarding the food. The beautiful setting, amazing food and top-notch service really made me proud and thankful to have our engagement party here. I cannot wait to come back and try some different items from the regular menu. A big thank you to Ulele and their staff for making it a night not to forget!

    (5)

  • Lauren C.

    I loved seeing Ulele on Emeril Florida and enjoyed it as much as he did! The restaurant is very cool looking however not in a great area. I would not want to be there too late at night. They do offer free valet. The okra fries were delicious! I expected them to be breaded but were grilled with yummy charcoal and vinegar flavors. The jalapeño cornbread melted in my mouth! I had the Florida Pompano which was in a creamy sun dried tomato shallot cream sauce with fried carrot strings. Yum! The portion was large and it was cooked perfectly. I will be back.

    (4)

  • Tom L.

    Amazing food, great setting, impeccable service and a wonderful experience. Went for lunch and on the recommendation of our server has the Ulele burger medium rare. It was incredible. But, it was challenges by my cup of Florida chili. Wild boar, alligator...and goodness. It was hearty, a little sweet and had a perfect slow and low burn to the end of it. Delicious. The wonderful person who introduced me to Ulele had the meatloaf which she confirmed tastes as amazing as it looked. This was really a great experience.

    (5)

  • Shannon H.

    I was interested in going to Ulele, because it was one of the few places that had a lobster roll. I had also good things from my fellow yelpers. My boyfriend and I decided to go for lunch, because the prices are more reasonable. We went there on a week day, and it was surprisingly busy. Many of the patrons were on their lunch break, since they were dressed in business casual attire. We did have a bit of a long wait, and others seemed to be getting seated before us, even though they came in after us.They also take reservations, so quite a few tables were reserved. We ended up getting offered to sit at the oyster bar, or a long, community-type table near the bar. The decor was quite interesting, in a good way. The inside really capitalized on being in the water works area. The bathrooms had very cool door knobs, sinks, faucets, and even toilet paper holders! The dining area inside also had that rustic atmosphere. The kitchen is an open one, and you can see your meal being prepared. Another plus was the nice location, which had a view of the Hillsborough river. I had the lobster roll, of course, and my boyfriend had the apple cider pork sandwich. He really liked the sandwich. He usually puts a lot of sauce(s) on what he orders, but the pork was so juicy that he did not need to do that. I enjoyed my lobster roll, I just wish it had been bigger! We want to go back, and I definitely want to try some oysters next time.

    (4)

  • Miranda V.

    4.5 stars, and I'm always so liberal with stars! This place was great, the service, atmosphere and food so I suggest everyone go at least once. To be quite honest, I thought they would be a bit more pricey but between the two of us we only spent $75 on 2 appetizers, an entree, a half dozen oysters, 1 side, beer and dessert. I enjoyed everything except the dessert which wasn't terrible but entirely too too sweet! I'm a sweets person but you may want to forgo the candied duck bacon maple fried ice cream to experience something else. Also, my charbroiled oysters were to die for, but my first bite had a bit of shell (comes with the territory) which was pretty off putting but no issues after that.

    (4)

  • Cece C.

    Awesome restaurant! I finally made it here, on a weekend night. Understandably, the only reservations they had open were at 10pm, but we came early (really early, like 5pm) and got an unreserved outside table. The atmosphere is amazing. I love the country home meets art deco feel. The huge fish sculpture is something I want in the 5,000 square foot log cabin (off the grid of course) I plan to have one day. The service, great - from our server, to the hostess girls, everyone was very friendly and accomodating. I also liked the exposed ceilings and the open kitchen. Such great design. Food-wise I would say it was good. I wasn't blown away by everything, but it was certainly interesting. Charred oysters were tasty, but crab mac wasn't my style and kind of disappointing. The deconstructed seafood pot pie? Amazing! It was fun to guess what type of seafood was in my mouth. Boyfriend enjoyed the grouper as well. The honey beer was delicious. I would have liked to try the wedding beer but they were out. Wish they had mentioned that up front. Next time I'll do a craft cocktail. ...I'll also bring my dog! The outside tables are dog-friendly and I know she would love to come after an afternoon sniffing and doing her business in the park. Go here!

    (5)

  • Mare G.

    This place is such a cool space and their food was awesome. Really cool location and really pretty artwork throughout. Fried okra is a must and we had their charbroiled oysters. Service was super nice and the guava pie for desert was light and fluffy.

    (5)

  • Steve A.

    Ulele is quite a magical setting, notable more for its atmosphere than any particular style of food. Regardless of the characterization as Native American Char Cooking, whatever that is, there are few items on the menu that wouldn't be at home on the menu of any plain old American bar and grill. We liked everything we tried. My favorite was probably the closest to the theme, the grilled shishito peppers. They were perfectly charred and served on a bed of diced garlic. The cheddar popcorn wasn't apparent on the mashed potatoes, a huge mound of which propped up my excellent steak. It was described as a strip, but seemed more like a Delmonico. The wine list offers some excellent values, particularly on the higher end wines such as the Caymus Cab we shared. Service was extremely friendly, knowledgable and helpful. And the setting, overlooking the Riverwalk, can't be beat.

    (4)

  • Katy A.

    It's unfortunate that I found this place on my last day in Tampa because it was by far the best meal I had while visiting. The menu is original, local and really interesting. It's rare that I open a menu and everything jumps out at me. If I had more time, I would have planned a second meal here. I ordered the blistered peppers, octopus carpaccio and gator hush puppies to start. Appetizers were absolutely wonderful and plentiful. I couldn't get enough of the peppers, which were spicy, salty and garlicky with a deep roasted flavor. My main was the pork with apple sandwich which was good and would have been perfect in colder weather. Dessert was the guava pie, which was incredible. The restaurant is well decorated and a very large but comfortable space. The restaurant location on the Riverwalk was beautiful and made for a nice digestive stroll after my huge meal. Wait staff were all friendly and helpful. I'm definitely coming back next trip!

    (5)

  • Jon B.

    I don't like seafood, mushrooms, or food cooked with wine. Consequently, I couldn't find any entree that I wanted to order. I chose a few sides, including the mac and cheese despite the beer content. My sides were lukewarm. I didn't see any sandwiches on the dinner menu. I'm always disappointed when a restaurant is so heavily hyped, and I don't enjoy it. Perhaps I'm too simple for Ulele. I hope everyone else likes it. The historic building, and interior and exterior buildout is very cool. 1 star for the food, added a star for the architecture.

    (2)

  • Nadine F.

    4 stars for the atmosphere and creative culinary experience. The Atmosphere: This upscale restaurant is located at the recently restored Ulele Spring and on Hillsborough River. Despite the enormous population of invasive Bufo Toads at the spring (someone should do something about that)...it's a beautiful location and great place in Tampa to watch the sunset. The restaurant is in a Renovated building and has been transformed into a work of art. Although the dress code is technically casual, no one in the restaurant at dinner will be dressed casually. The Food: Florida inspired and the menu ranges from frog legs and craft beer to Filet and grilled oysters . My party of 9 had mixed reviews but my personal experience was a great one. The stars of this culinary show, were definitely the sides. We started with Okra fries and Jalapeño corn quick Bread as appetizers. The Okra fries tossed in lime and salt which complimented the okra flavor perfectly. Although I did enjoy them, I would have preferred them to be served hot and crispy but they came to the table cold and soggy.The Jalapeno corn quick bread was cornbread muffins with jalapeno. They were sweet and spicy. A great flavor combo that the entire table enjoyed. When ordering our entrees we discovered that all entrees come with the vegetable of the day and rice or potatoes. Despite the great list of "sides" those are all sold separately and not available for substitution. Since we were determined to try them , my husband and I ordered a few stand outs to share in addition to our meals. The Jalapeno grit cakes were amazing and not too spicy. The mashed potatoes were very creamy and had a lot of flavor. The vegetable of the day was sugar snap peas and they were cooked perfectly. The mac n cheese was good and had a hint of extra flavor with the added peppers (not mentioned on the menu) but it did not impress my nephews (8 and 10) who are mac and cheese experts. For my main course I tried the beer pan chicken. Half a chicken, tender and moist just like a rotisserie chicken but the skin did have a lot of flavor. My nephews also had this and both really enjoyed it. Actually, I ended up sharing my chicken with other members of my party who were disappointed in their selections. (Order chicken over the Duck). For Desert: the flour-less Chocolate torte. Very rich, you have to be a choco-holic to like it. I did like it, but I love rich chocolate. The portions are small and only enough for one person. So when you order desert expecting to share you will be a bit disappointed. They did however make it pretty with a candle for my birthday. The Service: Although the hostess was very courteous, I would recommend more training for the wait staff. He knew the menu well enough but was impatient and cold. Overall we had a great dining experience. I recommend coming only when you have time to spare. We had a reservation and was seated promptly but our dinner took 3 hours. The food was timed appropriately and we hardly noticed how slow the kitchen was but we would have been upset if we had additional plans for the night.

    (4)

  • Brett N.

    Why 5 stars? Because lunch is just as awesome as dinner. --- --- --- I have been to Ulele three times now - once for dinner and twice for lunch. All 3 times were really great experiences, but I think I liked lunch even better just because of the surrounding views in the daylight. I will say this - there is no better place in Tampa to have to wait for a table than Ulele. You just take a stroll down to Waterworks Park and sit on a bench overlooking the Hillsborough River. Ulele texts you when your table is ready, which is so much more convenient than having to worry about a buzzer that might not be in range 100 yards or so away at the park. I also happened to visit Ulele twice for lunch during a streak of about 3 consecutive weeks of perfect weather. Sunshine with temperatures in the 70's and a nice breeze. Ahhhhh... I love living here. But there's just no nicer place to sit either outside, or inside with the "barn doors" open than Ulele. I am in love with the look of the place, and everything that they did on the grounds and with the park. It's just perfection. But in terms of the food - I ordered the lobster roll and the Ulele burger. Both are really great choices, and I would recommend letting your hunger level dictate your choice between the two. The lobster roll is not a ton of food, so don't order that if you're starving. The burger is absolutely delicious, as are the fries. As much as the burger is more filling than the lobster roll, it's not the kind of burger and fries that make you want to roll over into a coma afterward. I'm no food scientist, so I don't know exactly what it is in a burger and fries that make you feel like your energy is zapped afterward, but all I can tell you is that it didn't happen here. So to summarize - Everything looks great. Everything tastes great. And afterward, you feel great. Ulele = *insert thumbs up emoji here*

    (5)

  • EJ P.

    I waited a very long time to experience this so-called destination restaurant, so that it would work out all the kinks before I tried it. I'm not sure whether the restaurant has declined since opening, or whether it was a mediocre restaurant to start with. But you know things are going to go not so well when it takes 15-20 minutes for the waiter to show up to your table to take your order, bring drinks, bring appetizers, bring the entrees etc. Also for the love of god, this is America, where we love ice in our drinks. Why would they ever think of serving room temperature water? We got little cups of room temperature water, sort of like what you get at the hospital. Bizarre. About the food, there is absolutely nothing spectacular about this food that will make you want to come back to have it again. The lobster roll was under-seasoned and had salsa on top (WTF???), the flank steak was so chewy I could hardly eat it, the mashed potatoes with popcorn were gluey, the fried calamari was soaked in grease, the mac and cheese was just OK. No surprise, it's just another mediocre Tampa restaurant that has been extremely over-hyped.

    (2)

  • Anousha H.

    Much anticipated dinner finally happened & I am sad to say I was not blown away. I would give the experience a 3.5 overall. Drinks & appetizers:5 - food:2. Upon arrival of all our party members we were seated. The restaurant itself is beautiful, decorated with a modern twist. Absolutely loved the giant windows opening toward the water. I especially liked the holiday decorations, adding a nice touch during the holiday season. The cocktails looked wonderful so decided on ring of fire that is a little sweet with a hint of warmth. It was delicious. The appetizers looked amazing & we ordered almost all: lobster cake, alligator hush puppies, fried okra, blistered peppers. All were delicious, flavorful & we were so impressed at that point. I highly recommend their appetizers! I decided on the grouper & side of veggies & the Lima collard. The grouper was NOT tasty. It was too dry & the flavor was off. The rice it was served with was cold. The Lima collard & veggies were great additions & I ended up eating my sides for dinner. I tried my girlfriend's beer pan chicken & it needed more flavoring. Although it said it was marinated in citrus herbs. It was a let down too. The main dishes were not at all what I had expected from Ūlëlē. I was disappointed by the main dishes. I would try them out for lunch & update this review later (maybe that will be a better experiences) At this point I wasn't sure if I wanted to try dessert after the main dish being a let down but I wanted the full Ūlëlē experience so went for the Flour less torte. It was delicious! I'm glad we finished dinner on a sweeter note.

    (3)

  • Noelle L.

    We had a solid 3 star lunch at Ulele. The highlight was most definitely the chargrilled oysters. They were outstanding! The Ulele burger was the best option out of the sandwiches were chose. There was a punch of flavor that the other entrees lacked. The jalapeno cheddar grit cake was really good. Now for the "just okay" list: The smoked brisket sandwich was good, but there was nothing notable about it. The apple cider pork sandwich was good, but again, nothing "knock your socks off" about it. The chili was good, but again, nothing spectacular. The beers were sampled were: Wedding Beer, Rusty Red, and the Pale Ale. All were refreshing. Will we return? Yes. We'd like to try some of the other offerings Ulele has to see if maybe we just didn't order the right things. The ambiance is great; we just wished the food matched the ambiance. We will definitely order the chargrilled oysters again!!!

    (3)

  • Emily D.

    I came here in April for the first time. This was one of the best restaurant experiences I've ever had, anywhere! Our server Tiffany put such a positive personal touch on everything. Friendly and attentive, she even gave my family and I a tour of the restaurant and its brewery. She was so knowledgeable about the history of the grounds and the decorative artwork. I have never had a server show so much interest in their job, nor have I ever had a server be so personable. Tiffany made our experience that much more memorable and we plan on coming back when we're in town again. The food was also spectacular. I had the octopus carpaccio for an appetizer and it did not disappoint. Right down to the hot Asian pepper garnish, the flavors were on point. For an entree, I had the snapper. It was served over truffled spinach which was to die for! Ulele is solid all around. From the out-of-this-world service to a great and fresh menu, I highly recommend stopping here if you haven't already!

    (5)

  • Sandy C.

    My daughter and I had lunch here and we were shocked that it was a 1-2hr wait just for lunch! So we sat at the bar. The ambience was very nice and inviting. We tried the frog legs which were really good! The staff was amazingly friendly and even encouraged my child to try new foods and gave her some scallops and oysters. Of course we ended our meal with the fried ice cream!! The ice cream was very rich and creamy. The potatoe waffle was a bit hard and chewy. It would be nicer to have a crunchy one instead. Either way, would order again!

    (5)

  • Eric S.

    I would love to give them 5 starts for the excellent food, staff, feel of restaurant and other little things. I celebrated my birthday evening there and they gave me the best small gesture I've ever received in a restaurant "a happy birthday card sign by the staff"

    (5)

  • Teri W.

    Established fall 2014 in a former waterworks facility in Tampa Heights, Ulele is a lovely & much appreciated addition to the Tampa Bay. Items like Charbroiled oysters, meatloaf, & grouper sandwiches-truly a variety for any group of customers. We came on a Sat morning with reservations (recommended as it does get busy) & were seated upstairs. Decor is rustic but contemporary, & open kitchen gives an entertaining view. Service was prompt & we tried a seasonal home brew lager infused with berries. Yumm. We ordered the charbroiled oysters which were fabulous. My meatloaf was served on mashed potatoes & only two stems of asparagus. Other guests ordered sirloin & didn't seem too impressed but had no serious complaints either. My husband had the grouper sandwich & enjoyed the homemade ketchup & tartar sauce. Location is great for families & business gatherings-close to downtown & will surely be a spot I bring friends from out of town.

    (4)

  • Rachel M.

    I'm actually dreaming of this place already. I was just there a few hours ago. Last week, they started their lunch menu. Immediately, I knew I wanted to go as soon as possible w it being a new offered menu, & it being a more compatible price point for me. I made a reservation of 10 people right away which was a breeze. I left a voice mail and Ulele called me back. Initally I wanted the tables outside (they are dog friendly), but it got cooler out. I called later in the week to change it with ease. Getting checked in and seated was easy. Even though half of the table was not there yet, it was not a problem. I specially requested an area that was not as loud and had a great view. I got just that. They even made it a point for us to sit next to the Tampa Mayor Buckhorn which was nice. Our server Jorge was on point in all ways. He knew how to make good insightful suggestions of plates, describe them to us. He made sure we had everything we needed and more. He made sure we were comfortable w the temperature since the side doors were open. He was even making sure our pictures he took of us were perfect. Our food was awesome. We ordered some plates to share and entrees to eat on our own. We had charbroiled oysters, chicken lollipops, okra, peppers, jalapeño corn bread. For plates we ordered lobster rolls, gouda grouper, top sirloin, chili, crab mac and cheese. Everything was amazing. We also tried a combo of asparagus and green beans. Asparagus were better, so Jorge gave us more. I tried a pretty grapefruit grenadine alcoholic drink, & it was good, but a bit strong for me. Others had their local beers. We did have dessert. Their guava pie w a side of toasted coconut ice cream was out of this world. All in all, the A+ service and food, amazing atmosphere, & great company make this restaurant an amazing new Tampa icon. I look forward to coming here again in the future. I would definitely without a doubt recommend this restaurant to anyone.

    (5)

  • Ben T.

    Had lunch at Ulele today. It was an awesome experience. Or server was awesome and she was great to ask what was some of the best dishes. Everything she suggested was well worth the advice. The presentation of each plate was beautiful. It is on the upper end of most peoples budget. But in fairness the food is top notice. The art is great. You will need reservations and make them fast for the fill up fast. The wine cellar it the neatest and a great view of the Hillsborough River. This is a must for great dinning. The meatloaf was awesome and the mac & Chess and the cooked oysters where great, Wines are all domestic and local grown. Then dessert I had the Fortune Taylor's Guava Pie was huge and to die for. The homemade Ulele Ice Cream toasted coconut was awesome and when it melted in you mouth was pure heaven. I would go again in a minute.

    (5)

  • Nick G.

    Get the "Chief Red Eagle" Duck and don't look back. Enough said. Also, they're really stepping up their beer game. Had a pint of a season beer that was aged 60 days in a bourbon barrel that was unreal delicious. Eat here. Then eat here again. Then come thank me and go eat here again.

    (4)

  • Ashley S.

    Delicious! I was in town for business and heard about Ulele. Wow, I am so happy I went for lunch. The food is ultra fresh and impeccably prepared. I sat at the oyster bar, so I could see into the open kitchen. I saw they were grilling grapefruit, and as I'm on a grapefruit kick, asked the waitress about the dish that incorporates grilled grapefruit. She told me about the Yellowfin Tuna with a pumpkin seed crust, which is on the dinner menu. I went ahead and ordered it, and it was perfect. Savory, with a hint of sweetness thanks to the ginger-soy reduction. Besides the food, the service is on point - friendly and welcoming. I can't say enough about this restaurant and the uniqueness it offers. I recommend this place to anyone visiting the area. Sheesh... I asked the executive chef to open a restaurant in South Florida just so I can enjoy it more often!

    (5)

  • Ross M.

    So after hearing amazing things about this place from people far and wide ranging from my fiancee's grandmother's senior foodie friends to all the amazing yelpers and even newspaper and online articles; I knew this place would be awesome. I made reservations two weeks ahead of time for Sunday at 2:30. My parents were in town and this would be our last meal before they flew back to frozen Detroit. We arrived at 2:30 and there was a 10 or 15 minute wait for people who had not made reservation. Our party of five was seated at a large booth not too far from the kitchen grill area. The decor and ambiance was out of this world. The attention to detail is spectacular and you are awed by that unique creative interior and clever use of old waterworks and pumping station remnants. The lunch menu is surprisingly affordable and plentiful I found it difficult to make decisions on what I wanted to eat. The awesomeness of the experience at Ulele had me feeling adventurous so I decided to go with sliced octopus as an appetizer. It was phenomenal and the peppers were very spicy so they may not be for everyone, but you can easily eat around them, as my fiancee did (leaving me extra). It was a bit rubbery, but I loved every minute of it. I will definitely eat it again. For the main course I got the Lucanica Salchica, aspicy sausage sandwich; it was wonderful but quite messy. It was not too spicy and it was very filling. As a side I stuck with the fries. They were nothing to write home about they were not bad and i enjoyed them with lots of salt and pepper (otherwise they might have been a little bland). Both my fiancé and her grandmother went with the lobster roll; both cleaned their plates and stated they were very pleased with their selection My dad went with the meatloaf and my mom went with the Apple Cider Pork. My dad loves his meat loaf and my mom loved her sandwich. She gave me the last little bit and I exclaimed "PORK CHOPS AND APPLE SAUCE SANDWICH!" It was truly amazing and I would highly recommend it. For drinks, I beleive my dad went with the Waterworks Sunset. It has a huge slice a grape fruit inside. He was pleased. The rest of us went with beer. The Magbee's Honey Lager was wonderful. I really really really liked the Wedding Beer it reminded me slightly of Abita Purple Haze which is one of our household favorites. I also went with the Rusty Red and the Waterworks IPA; both were fantastic. My fiancee's grandmother also went with the Waterworks IPA. She liked it a lot and found the hops kick enjoyable (I'm not sure if she's ever had an IPA before). Even the bathrooms incorporate themes of gears and pumps and pumping station remnants. The locks in the bathroom on the stall doors were very nifty. They used pipes for the toilet paper! Everything was new and fun and creative and awesome. Ulele really is a home run and to quote from our great community manager, Brett N., Ulele is truly a Future Tampa Institute. As we strolled around the river front in the sun saying goodbye to my parents and watching boats zoom by on a Sunday afternoon, the amazing experience of Ulele helped comfort the sadness of parting ways with family for a couple of months. I cannot wait to go back!

    (5)

  • Melissa M.

    Awesome from top to bottom. The venue itself is gorgeous. Brick and repurposed wood, floor to ceiling windowed walls that open to a view if the water - glass, concrete and metal finishings - super cool. The wait was LONG for a Wednesday. Make reservations. Or, grab a fancy cocktail and catch the sunset. We did that and it was perfect. I'm not a seafood person so I ordered the flank steak. They gave me a knife... not sure why as I was able to cut it with my fork. :) cooked perfectly and very flavorful. My friend had meatloaf and it was to die for. I will order that next time. We also tried okra fries (awesome) chicken lollies (flavorful and delish) as well as the maple duck bacon and key lime IceCream desserts. The bill was well under $100 which seemed like a steal for the service, awesome food and spiffy restaurant. A must try restaurant!

    (5)

  • Katy S.

    If I had to use one word to describe Ulele, it would be unique. After the Yelp event the other night, myself and some other Yelpsters decided to stick around and have dinner at Ulele. Being that I wasn't starving, I decided to stick with Rose' wine and side dishes. I had the Native Florida Chili and the Mac n' Cheese. Others at my table had a variety fo dishes ranging from Steak and Scallops to a vegetarian squash dish. Every single one of us raved about our food and the service was extremely attentive. Most at my table got dessert and said very good things about the various dessert dishes. The atmosphere is very nice and unlike any other restaurant I have been to recently. This is a GREAT addition to the Tampa food scene and I would love to come back for a date night or a Sunday brunch!

    (5)

  • Steve E.

    10 years ago today the very first Yelp review was posted to the site by a guy in San Francisco, and so it seems appropriate that I picked today to post my 1000th Yelp review. I can think of no finer place to spotlight with this milestone review than a restaurant which exemplifies the very best of Tampa's food, drink, architecture, history, and customer service -- and so, Review #1000 goes to... Ulele. For those who don't know, Ulele Restaurant is named after Princess Ulele, the young daughter of the chief of the west Florida Tocobaga Indian tribe. In a story that seems eerily familiar, Princess Ulele threw herself over the Spanish explorer, Juan Ortiz, moments before he was about to be roasted alive. The Pocahontas - John Smith legend happened 80 years later. Hmmmmmm... A group of local Yelpers gathered at Ulele about a week ago to enjoy a spectacular meal, and to say Bon Voyage to one of our favorite friends. Eric C has taken a two-year internship in Providence, Rhode Island and so we wanted to send him out in style. With a bit of cunning and deception, we all gathered at the bar at Ulele ahead of time before Eric & Robbie's arrival. The plan was to surprise them, and then all enjoy a wonderful dinner. The restaurant is located in a refurbished two-story warehouse along the Hillsborough River just north of the Performing Arts Center and Waterworks Park. The weathered brick exterior combined with the modern metal works sculptures is the perfect juxtaposition for this fine dining establishment. Something old - something new - and something WOW! Through the front doors and to your right is the open-air grill and a beautiful bar area displaying colorful bottles and Ulele's house-brewed beers on tap. Keep an eye on the walls for some gorgeous modern artwork and stained glass windows. While we were waiting for Robbie & Eric to arrive, Head Brewmaster Tim Shackton gave us a tour of the on-site microbrewery, and shared some secrets with us about the delicious Adult beverages that are produced back in his brew palace. Order the Wedding Beer!!! The hostess snuck our group through the back patio and in through the open doors that face the Hillsborough River. Our group hid our faces behind our menus until Eric rounded the corner, and then it was time to yell "SURPRISE!" and have some fun. Amid all of the laughter we ordered some very fabulous dishes off their unique menu. The food is an interesting mix of locally-sourced ingredients with Gulf Coast seafood, fresh-from-Florida Beef, fowl, pork, and vegetarian options. I started with a dozen charbroiled oysters and a dash of their homemade hot sauce, and shared my oysters with several people. Others ordered crab mac & cheese, pulpo carpaccio (shaved octopus in a spicy piri piri sauce), okra fries, Florida native chili (alligator, wild boar, vension, and duck), and a wide variety of house special salads. I added the half-sized Ulele salad, which was mixed greens, arugula, and watercress with baby Swiss, cranberry beans, fire-roasted peppers, onions, and a warm balsamic vinaigrette. Excellent choice as a light precursor to a delicious dinner! For my entrée I selected one of the specials for the evening which was a dry-aged, 14-ounce NY strip steak topped with sautéed shrimp, and served over Ulele's white cheddar mashed potatoes topped with popcorn & roasted garlic. That came with a side of perfectly cooked string beans. (I confess that half of my dinner came home with me for the next night). I should pause here to give credit to our servers Sydney and Rodney. Both were extremely knowledgeable about the menu and the food preparation, and they did a fabulous job keeping up with everyone's drink orders and special requests. They remembered what each of us had ordered and helped make some very useful suggestions about pairing entrees with appetizers and so on. Two thumbs up for you guys! By now we had bestowed our gag gifts upon Eric including a palm tree tiara, palm tree table centerpiece, woolen hat and scarf, and a tastefully tacky Hawaiian shirt. (Be sure to check out the photos.) It was finally time for dessert, and wow the choices were fantastic. I ordered a basic dish of their homemade very berry ice cream which arrived at the table as two scoops served inside of a hollowed-out coconut shell. Very whimsical and extremely tasty. Our surprise dinner for Eric was a huge success, and the folks at Ulele treated us to some incredibly delicious food and home-brewed beers, and then dazzled us with their creative architecture and spot-on customer service. Thank you to Ulele for an amazing evening, and thank you for giving me the perfect spot to honor with my 1000th Yelp review!

    (5)

  • Chris C.

    This place was amazing! Grilled oysters unreal, grouper sandwich awsome, ulele burger so juicy and tasty...our waitress , Danielle, is someone you need to ask for...great person and great service...highly recommend this place..oh yeah...they brew their own beers...water works ale and ulele light!!!!

    (5)

  • Jason C.

    I've been here for dinner in the past but had not yet come for happy hour. The restaurant was super accommodating for our group. Our server, Javier, was super friendly and helped make sure we had a good time. I tried the squash gratin. It was a great light snack with my beer. I also tried the duck bacon fried ice cream. It had a great maple flavor. The crust was kind of soggy, and I couldn't really taste the duck bacon. I think their regular ice cream is better. Overall, it was a fun, vibrant place for a Sunday happy hour.

    (4)

  • Michelle M.

    The historic, century-old Water Works Building in Seminole Heights has been transformed into the urban and hip restaurant, Ulele, that offers Floridian and Native American inspired dishes. Modern décor is showcased through the interior and exterior of Ulele. An intricate cogs-and-wheels front door made by Dominique Martinez of Rustic Steel Creations greets diners at the entrance of the brick building. Inside you'll find furniture made from reclaimed Florida wood, an open 10-foot barbacoa kitchen, a glass wine cellar, and an on-site brewery. My husband and I booked a 7pm reservation on OpenTable for Ulele on October 18th. Our table wasn't quite ready for us at our requested time so we took the opportunity to explore the riverwalk and park. Once our table was ready we were led upstairs on the floating staircase and were treated to tranquil waterfront views of the Hillsborough River. The liquor menu included handcrafted beers from Ulele's brewery, signature cocktails, and domestic wines from family-owned vineyards. The wines range from affordable bottles under $30 to more impressive wines, such as the Opus One at a bank breaking price tag of $188. We opted for a Bordeaux Red Blend, "Baby Blue" from Blue Rock Vineyard in Sonoma, Alexander Valley. The wine was a very unique blend and I would definitely order it again. We started off our meal with the Ulele side salad with mixed greens, arugula, watercress, baby Swiss cheese, cranberry beans, fire-roasted peppers, onions, and a balsamic vinaigrette and the Florida Native Chili with alligator, wild boar, venison, duck, ground chuck, and cranberry beans. The salad was light and refreshing, but my husband's chili was too hearty and he was practically full before our meals arrived. For our entrees I ordered the Seafood Risotto special of the evening. This dish contained generous portions of lobster tails, crab claws, scallops and shrimp. My husband ordered the Flank Steak with a Florida avocado "Jimmychurri". This dish sounded great on the menu, but we both agreed it fell a bit flat. The steak was too chewy and the Jimmychurri sauce was bland. We also didn't understand why popcorn was on top of the mashed potatoes. It didn't add any flavor or texture to the potatoes. Unfortunately we didn't save room for dessert, but the Candied Duck Bacon Maple Fried Ice Cream sounded amazing!

    (4)

  • Karen F.

    Ulele is one of those restaurants that you think there is no way it can live up to all the hype, and then you go, and it surpasses all your expectations! I couldn't picture where this was even located, so when I pulled up I was pleasantly surprised at its location next to a park, near the water, with plenty of room to have tables outside. Valet parking is offered, plus there is free street parking. The building both outside and in is fabulous. Made of brick, fitted with industrial-style pipe accessories and cool lighting, they have interesting sculptures scattered everywhere, and unique artwork lining the walls. TIP 1 - there are at least 2 Picasso signed/numbered prints - find 'em! I also heard rumor of a Dali, but didn't get to see it. At the small but efficient bar, I had one of their specialty cocktails - the Native Summer, a light refreshing Nolet's gin drink which was delicious. TIP 2 - the unique pictures next to the bar represent their signature drinks - see if you can figure out which is which. We were lucky enough to get a behind the scenes tour of the brewery with the charming brewmaster, and you could just tell how passionate he was about this aspect of the restaurant. There is even a beer garden courtyard area which would be great for hanging out. Now, on to the food - it was so fun going with a huge group of people, and the passing of plates and sharing of food was a constant. I was so pleased to taste so many different things. My personal favorites - okra fries, roasted beet and poached pear salad with goat cheese, charbroiled oysters, Florida Native chili, and the special berry ice cream. Other items I enjoyed getting to try but wouldn't necessarily order (again): white Lima beans and collards (too garlicky), corn beer quick bread (not enough flavor), the chocolate torte (too intense), and my dessert - the Guava Pie. The pie sounded awesome, but it just had a very odd flavor that even the guava reduction on the side couldn't save. Everybody we met working in the restaurant was welcoming and engaging. Our two servers were spot on - friendly, efficient, and knowledgeable - although they need to recognize that when people ask for entree recommendations, they shouldn't list every item! So happy to have a place like this in town! Uh..la.la...

    (5)

  • Sara S.

    Updated: Service was unbelievably better last time. It makes a huge difference! Well, a difference in stars at least. :) Wow, what a restaurant. Everything was perfect! ... Except for when our server forgot about us for half an hour. Good thing the food and atmosphere are one of a kind in Tampa. The location could not be any more beautiful, convenient, serene. Waterview, bridge walkways, sunset, grassy knolls, water park, playground, street and valet parking... It all makes for a great first impression. Then you see the industrial brick building with grand metal sculptures of gears and double doors welcoming you into a bustling, high energy restaurant. Host staff is welcoming and pleasant. There's the bar to the right, an open kitchen and cocktail tables as well. Seating is all around the building, inside to the left and upstairs. I'm looking forward to dining outside when it gets cooler. The menu is interesting and as tasty as all the other reviewers have described in detail. The charbroiled oysters really stood out as did the okra fries. The crab mac and cheese was not as expected. There are some things that should not go together and I think crab and mac and cheese are one of them. The cheese overpowers the crab, but there's still a hint of crab flavor leaving an ocean aftertaste. Maybe my brain couldn't register the pairing of flavors. Others seem to like it. What really spoiled the oh so perfect evening was the service. We were neglected after our server was sat a party of six next to us. She forgot about our appetizers. Someone else brought them out along with our entrées by another food runner at the same time, half hour after we ordered. She apologized to us, thanked the runners, and didn't come back again till we were ready for our check. We had no room on our table for all of the entrées and the appetizers. We had to move food onto plates to fit everything. It was a mess. I put some of the blame on management. They should know better than to staff a Friday night with inexperienced servers. She was even struggling with a wine bottle for the table of six. Manager looked sharp in his suit, though I'm not sure what he was doing walking around not noticing a struggling server or our table sitting without food for so long. This is a special restaurant and I'm grateful it's here and hope they work out some kinks. My glass also had sharp shards from a chipped edge. The kitchen prepares some awesome and unique dishes and their cocktail menu is fun, so we'll give it another try.

    (4)

  • Jordan B.

    I honestly cannot say enough good things about this place. Skewing my traditional review style, I will just post a portion of the letter I wrote them after my trip. Yeah, it was THAT good. "To the Partners, Managers, Chefs, and Staff of Ulele, Thank you for a superbly FLAWLESS meal Friday night. Every single detail was flawless, from the moment we walked in and were greeted by the hostesses, to our phenomenal waitress Janelle who served us from the fresh oyster bar, to the literally jaw-dropping and mouthwatering masterpieces created by Chef Eric Lackey and his team. In recent memory, I cannot recall a more perfect experience - and that is a word I VERY rarely use to describe a dining experience. Usually, there is always SOME small thing a restaurant can do better, can improve upon, can finesse. Not this time. Not at Ulele last Friday night. Janelle, in addition to having great recommendations (and convincing me to try the steak special when I was initially set on fish - a rock star choice), provided us with superb service and even took us on a brief tour of the brewery after our meal. As a huge craft beer geek, this was the sweet potato crisp on top of the fried ice cream - which, by the way, was easily the BEST dessert I've EVER had. I'm still thinking about it. To top is off, I was extremely honored with the presence of Chef Eric who came out to say hello (I think Janelle tipped him off that we were fawning over the food) and accept my gratitude, of which he and his team were very deserving. That said, please extend my thanks to every member of your team for an extremely memorable night and a meal which my date described as "the best dinner I've ever had". I myself am hard pressed to disagree; it was certainly among the most fantastic." I'll finish out by saying...GO! Everything about this place is a damn gem, from the beautiful riverside property and expansive outdoor patio, to the onsite brewery rooftop dining area, to the service and every single detail of the cuisine. The worst thing about Ulele is that I don't live right next to it. Actually, that might be a good thing, otherwise I'd probably never go anywhere else.

    (5)

  • Boon C.

    The location of the restaurant as part of the city water park make the unique setting. The backdrop sunset can be better to tell the story of restaurant. We arrive at the restaurant at Sunday night 5:50 pm and the wait line is already require 50 minutes of wait. We decide to sit at the oyster bar and have our dinner. The menu is interesting. To start we have the pulpo carpaccio - shave octopus with spicy source. While we were sitting there, there are worker open the oyster. After we have finish the octopus while waiting for the entree, we decided to order the oyster. I ask the worker can we select the oyster for the charbroil. They allow me to select. I have select the bigger and nicer oyster and the send to the kitchen to cook. The oyster is definitely the best dish of the appetizer. For the entree we have order the Florida Pompano and the Chief red Eagle Duck. The duck is ok and they try to imitate the French cuisine Duck O' lean. The pompano is tasty however the fish is not salty enough. I believe they can be better. For our entree we have wait for 30 minutes after the appetizer was finish. The time to wait is too long. Our fellow elite yelp member is overrated this restaurant. The price range is expensive but the food is mediocre. The only dish that impress me is the charbroil oyster. If you notice, half of the entree menu items are open grill cooking not stir fry or pan sear. This tell you the skill of the chef and their capability.

    (3)

  • Melinda O.

    I really liked it but the menu is a bit adventurous for me.

    (3)

  • Mary J.

    Ulele is a revelation and a celebration of Tampa's waterfront and the wonderful foods that define Florida. The building was transformed from a former water pumping station that was idle and forlorn. The bones remain and the interior has been impressively refined and designed. The natural light from the many windows and the folding glass doors allow Ulele to merge with its waterside setting, not simply overlook it. There is so much to look at and take in thanks to the abundance of wonderful art that has been displayed and the many commissioned pieces that range from the front door adornment of colorful gears to the metal chain wine rack installed beneath the stairs. The menu is a dazzling line up of dishes that seem familiar but have been creatively redefined using fresh ingredients. Each item I've sampled has been perfectly prepared so that no single flavor comes on too strong but blends beautifully into a composed dish. This is a destination dining spot that already has me planning to return at sunset to enjoy one of its delicious signature cocktails, come back with out-of-town guests who want to experience one of Tampa's best restaurants and any time for any excuse that I can steal away to this picture perfect spot for a pitch perfect meal.

    (5)

  • Sean F.

    I would leave 4 1/2 stars if I could. Great atmosphere and great food. Small simple menu. I recommend going their for lunch over dinner but no mater what you will have to wait. The burger is amazing.

    (5)

  • Dustin S.

    Ulele is perhaps one of the more put together restaurants in Tampa. They are consistent, staff is attentive, the build-out is fantastic, and my wife and I have never eaten anything there that wasn't above average....including one of the best filets either one of us has ever had. The place also has really fun drinks, my favorites are the "Native Summer" and the "Ring of Fire". It's a tough place to get a table because it is still very popular but I would highly recommend making it a priority.

    (5)

  • Chamo Q.

    Well, This is The typical trendy wanna be 5 stars restaurant. Food is not that bad but it's not that great, drinks are average, decor is a forced new edgy kind of place meets old restaurant style, not impressed!! We arrived with no reservation (even though we called 1 hour previous arrival to confirm they were opened, we were not advised by woman in phone to make reservation) we got there at 2 pm and it was a line out the door. The Lady greet us and immediately said: the wait is 1 hour. I responded it was ok, she put my name on list and took my number. We sat for about 30 minutes, (btw, I sat in this wooden bench that had a nail or something sharp that almost ripped my pants), anyway, we noticed that it was a table empty for about 20 min and they were not sitting guests there, we asked why they have people waiting if they have open tables? They said that table was by the window and the sun would bother the guests if they were seated there, we couldn't see that as possible because the table had more shade than sun, in any case I walked around the restaurant and counted 8 empty tables and 3 buzzes ready for guests and tones on people waiting to be seated (included my party). Finally 10 min later (I would say 40 min wait) they sat us in the sunny table (like a punishment) which didn't bother us because still had more shade than sun. (I felt like they were holding people out to pretend to be super busy and super hot so people would THInk They are so hot that the wait to eat is 1 hour!! Now the story with our meal continues: We ordered the fried Okra (it was ok) and corn bread (very good) that came out in about 10 min after seating. Our entrees, We ordered Gouda grouper and we got 2 more appetizers as entrees 1 lobster and 1 fried calamari. After waiting for over 25 min our server checked on us and apologized and said our food will be out in 30 seconds (his words), 10 min later the manager (a man in a suit) came and said our food is coming out in few mins, at that point we had been there seating 30 min for our entrees!!! Manager expedite the order and 5 min later we finally got all... 35 minutes for our food and half of then restaurant was empty! Calamari was saggy, salsa was terrible Lobster was really good, great portion Grouper absolutely amazing !! The best part.. Because of their delay and such a bad service to us since our arrival they entire meal was free of charge. The server felt very bad for the confusion and apologized many times, very sweet guy, manager very gentile and thoughtful !! I will totally be back and I know in future we should make reservation before hand and I know what to order and I will not come during any holiday but a week day to see if service is not as mediocre.

    (2)

  • Zulekha F.

    This restaurant has great decor and it's in a great location. Nevertheless, I wasn't too impressed with the food I ordered. My appetizer and main course was surprisingly not hot enough. My fries were cold. The customer service was decent and the servers provided great suggestions.

    (3)

  • Patty H.

    Visiting Tampa, Florida from Austin, Texas, where food is an experience. I read the reviews for Ulele and made a reservation to try it with 3 other people. Despite making a reservation for 7:15pm, we still had to wait for a table for 45 minutes, which found a bit odd since usually reservations are seated fairly quickly at most restaurants. There were no apologies for the delay, but a friendly welcome. Once seated, service was good and the server seemed knowledgeable and provided good insight on why some dishes were her favorites versus others that were "popular". We ordered the fried okra as an appetizer, which was tasty and well seasoned. For entrees, we ordered the file mignon, the snapper special with scallops and shrimp, and oysters. The food was good, but the recipes did not wow us. The steak was tender and well seasoned, but equally tender and well seasoned as any decent, equally priced steakhouse or seafood restaurant offers anywhere else. The fish was fine, but was a bit dry and there was not enough sauce to help the fish out. The oysters were good, but you better like garlic and cheese if you want to commit to that dish. Overall, I can see how a local would be impressed with the vibe and the image it brings to its patrons. However, if you are used to judging by the quality of the menu and the food, then I would suggest to lower your expectations if you try this place. There is more ingenuity to the dishes and flavor in other restaurants in town for sure.

    (3)

  • Michael J. C.

    Amazing restaurant, always accommodating and delicious.great atmosphere and I can't get enough of those okra fries!

    (5)

  • Tj M.

    If I could give Ulele 2.5 stars, I would, but the atmosphere and view merit my 3 star rating. I first went to Ulele right after opening and we we're told 30-45 minute wait upon arrival, no big deal. Until almost 2 hours later, when we still had not been seated. I get that you take reservations, but you don't tell someone 45 minutes and make them wait 2 hours with a restaurant full of open tables. While waiting for our table, I decided to order a drink for my wife and I. She drinks wine, simple and I drink Moscow Mules, still simple. It was the worst drink I have ever had at a bar to date. I am all for strong drinks, but this was pure vodka with a splash of ginger beer, no lime at all. I did try one of their beers and it was a pleasant light/crisp beer that I would definitely have again. As far as food is concerned, it was just ok. Some things were really great, some were not so great. The best things were the mac 'n' cheese and my sons kid sliders. My skirt steak was sub-par at best and my wife ordered what she thought to be a "16 Oz rib-eye" but actually ended up being a $40 pot roast. Overall, it's a cool place that's very trendy in terms of decor; that has an incredible open view of Tampa's river and downtown. Food/drink wise I have definitely had better in Tampa. If you aren't concerned with your taste buds, but rather your atmosphere this is your spot. If you're looking for the best meal you've had in a while, there's other places for you.

    (3)

  • Dani I.

    Seriously this place is beautiful. I just want to rent this place out and have a huge party. It's legit. I had the ulele salad and to be honest it was a little underwhelming. Not much to it. I'm sure everything else is pretty good. I'll try them again. Service was up to par.

    (4)

  • Walt B.

    The ambiance is great and our service was spectacular but we were disappointed with three of our menu selections - and won't be ordering those again. First, the good stuff: the service was amazing on a Tuesday night. And the place was packed. The deconstructed seafood pot pie was good and filling with a very tasty cream sauce and light-as-a-feather pastry puffs. There was, however, more sauce than seafood - only one smoked oyster. The made-on-site beers were good - a flight of three was only $1. Now the bad stuff: The grilled/roasted oysters were the smallest we have ever seen - and that is not good for the prices the place charges. My wife was disappointed at the size - but the flavor was good. We mentioned the small oysters to the server and a manager came over and gave us an additional free order. I've had good grit cakes at other places and the side that came with our order was bland and about room temperature. Could have been warmer - and where were the jalapenos? And the third disappointment was a side of dirty rice that also was room temperature and also bland. An off night? Possibly, but for $70, it should have been better. We will go back to try other dishes on the menu. The place is spectacular and the management aims to please but in some of the Yelp reviews here there are references to little moments of disappointment. Those can add up. Expectations are high for this place and so it's hard to knock. But that menu may have offerings that look better than they taste..

    (3)

  • Katerina B.

    We were so looking forward to try this place but were so disapointed. The place is very nice, but the service is pretty slow and the food was nothing special. We wanted to try aligator but there were just small pieces of meat in cakes/dumplinks, blistered peppers, okra fries and crab mac&cheese. Peppers were the best. I ordered duck with orange sweet sauce, too sweet. There are a lot of places in Tampa you can get better food.

    (3)

  • Ryan P.

    The food was incredible. I had the Little Jimmy brisket sandwich, and sampled my girlfriend's apple and pork sandwich. We also tried the light and the honey flavored beers. We will be coming back for sure.

    (5)

  • Farin F.

    Enjoyed this new tampa restaurant. It is in a great spot so there are awesome views of the Hillsborough river from the restaurant and you can also take a nice walk after. Our waitress was great, really helpful and attentive. I had the apple cider pork sandwich and Ryan had the Ulele burger. My sandwich could have used more carmelized onions or some sauce because the pork was a bit dry although I did like the apple cider flavor. The Ulele burger was good, a very classy and tasty take on burgers. We tried the wedding beer, the water works beer and the honey lager. The wedding beer was better liked by Ryan who prefers pale ales and I enjoyed the honey lager more because I enjoy mead and it reminded me of that. The water works was too bitter for either of us. We'll go back next time to try dessert.

    (4)

  • Gigi S.

    What an attractive complex in Tampa Heights! I forgot where I was for a moment. While the water view and modern feel make this a great place to hang out, the food feels more like an after thought. The offerings are run-of-the-mill and well executed. While my favorite part of the meal were some collard greens, the filet was just okay, and close enough in temperature. The libations were on point, and the valet parking was convenient on a rainy day. It's great that this area is being revitalized by Waterworks Park and I'll certainly be back for drinks soon although I didn't try any food that I just had to return for. Still there's a lot more on the menu to explore, and good times to be had with good friends in tow.

    (4)

  • James T.

    I had the pork shank and it was great. It went well with the sweet apples. The pork was too much food for me, but if you are hungry, it's definitely filling.

    (4)

  • Lindee M.

    Ulele was sufficient but not note worthy. The appetizer of okra was the best part of our meal. We also tried the chicken lollipops that were unique but made with all dark meat and were a bit on the slimy side. The entree of pompano was better but the house rice that is served is was not. Overall the food was okay, I would say this place would be satisfying for those who "eat to live" but for those like me who "live to eat" there is much better out there! The atmosphere is great and the view is even better, the service was very good as well. Meeting for a drink? This place would be a great spot to do so.

    (3)

  • Steven S.

    This is a great place to go for a special occasion. I had the pork chop and it was really good. The desert menu is awesome.

    (5)

  • Elena M.

    The food was delectable and the service was superb! We tried alligator hush puppies, jalapeño grits, lobster rolls, charbroiled oysters, okra, crab Mac & cheese and the duck fried ice cream. The lagers are brewed on site and the cocktails were made to perfection. Awesome dining experience.

    (5)

  • L R.

    I have dined at this restaurant twice now. Everything I tried is delicious and unique. The decor keeps your eyes entertained for quite some time. I love the eclectic mix of steam punk blended with stained glass window panes and grandeur metal stallions. I love how the doors slide open for a fresh air view of the river. The chef and the staff are particular in the details all the way down to the finely ground pepper. It is close to the consistency of pixie dust so it doesn't get stuck in your teeth. Both the bar manager and restaurant manager were hospitable and welcoming. Our server, Juan took the reins to our date night carriage and chose beautiful appetizers, meals, sides and wine paired to those dishes perfectly. Try the jalepeno bread, blistered peppers or crab cake before dinner with your cocktails and the Barbacoa-Charred Green Beans for a tasty side to your entree. The Candied Duck Bacon Maple Fried Ice Cream is out of this world. This is a fairy tale on a plate. I can't wait to go back.

    (5)

  • Adrienne C.

    Update 11/7/14: I increased my rating by one well-deserved star because the management group at Ulele has reached out to me and went out of their way to make the situation right. I look forward to visiting them again when I return to Tampa and patronizing their St. Augustine restaurant again soon. We would have rated them higher if it hadn't been for the crass thievery. The good: Our server, Jenelle, was courteous, accommodating and attentive. The Country Fried Quail was such a hit, we ordered it twice! The bad: We ordered a combination of appetizers and sides, for a total of 11 non-dessert dishes. The last dish they brought out for us to share was the Collards & Lima Beans. Not exactly ending on a high note! That should have been one of the first dishes presented with a build-up to the best dish of the night (the aforementioned quail)!Additionally, we were seated outside around 6pm. It was hot, humid and the sun was in ours eyes. We were uncomplaining, but our group's (as well as the adjacent table's) discomfort was apparent to the servers who attempted to re-arrange some umbrella tables to shield us from the brutal rays--but a manager came over and announced that what they were doing was "not okay," and ordered them to move the tables back. If this was really some violation of policy, it should have been handled more discreetly as not to embarrass the servers--and let the guests know that you are unconcerned with their discomfort. The ugly: Our group stopped in for dinner after a day of shopping and one of the items we purchased was a box full of desserts from Chocolate Pi, which we brought with us so they wouldn't melt inside the car. We stashed it under the table and after 11 savory courses, 2 dessert courses and 2 rounds of cocktails, we forgot about it as we left out table. However, we remembered as soon as we reached the valet. Literally 60 seconds. My husband went back to the table to retrieve it and found that it was gone. He approached our server who told him to check with the hostess who referred him back to the server. After a little back and fort, the hostess finally went back to the kitchen and re-emerged with our treats and we were on our way. As you can imagine, it took a while before we were ready to eat again, and when we finally opened our box of carefully curated confections, we were shocked to discover that someone in the restaurant, in the 180 seconds we were away from the table (counting the time that we realized what we had done and the prolonged search before our items materialized) someone had helped themselves to the only jumbo gourmet oatmeal cream sandwich cookie that was in our box! We weren't even gone FIVE MINUTES and the staff wasted no time in helping themselves to our desserts. Had we left our wallet behind, how long would they have waited before opening it up and selectively lightening its contents?

    (3)

  • Daniel N.

    I liked it a lot. The food was great. They have a variety of selection. Not the usual bay area restaurant type.... The only thing i didn't like is the hall feeling. I felt like i am in a giant hall couldn't hear music just noise. It was way too loud for a dinner conversation. If you want to go out with a company or group of friends than this is your place! If you want a romantic dinner with your other-half forget about it. :)

    (5)

  • Diane H.

    Had a group of 5 for dinner. Reservation was on point, service was spot on. The okra fries and the spinach under the snapper was WAY too salty ( for anyone at the table). The seafood deconstructed pot pie was SO good!! The oysters are always a hit. Except for the minor issue with salt on the one appetizer ( fixed immediately by our waiter) and the spinach, everything else was perfect! We will go back often! Unless you find a rare street parking spot, you must use complimentary valet. On busy nights, be prepared to wait in line for valet.

    (4)

  • Lisa P.

    First time here and I was really impressed! From the unique design of the building and decor, to the great open dining area with windows and doors that open out to the waterfront and patio tables, to the very cool bar area, I knew I was hooked. Then came the menu. Awesome selection and my group tried many of the appetizers and entrees as we could, all of which were perfect. Jorge was our server and if you go ask for him. Outstanding service and a great disposition. Made the experience of dining here that much more enjoyable! Can't wait to go back!

    (5)

  • Eddie S.

    I travel to Tampa quite often and have tried unsuccessfully on several occasions to get into this restaurant for dinner at a reasonable time. I was finally able to on my recent trip this past week with a group of 6 people who also had been interested in trying one of Tampa's newest restaurant establishments. We arrived early for our reservation and decided to grab some drinks at the bar. The bartenders were very friendly and personable and helped us decide which of their crafted cocktails to try. I opted for the Native Summer, which was delicious and refreshing, garnished with slices of cucumber. The wines are fairly decent as well. For an appetizer, we ordered Oysters Half Shell and the Okra Fries. The Oysters were NOT cleaned - I kept ending up with large pieces of the shell in my mouth and a grainy feeling on my tongue. The small portion of Okra Fries were underwhelming. For my entree I opted for Juan's Snapper, which was not roasted as the menu indicates, but pan-seared and breaded. It too, was bland. One friend ordered on the Mahi Mahi and another decided to try the Flank Stank - both of which were forgettable. In addition to the lack of flavoring each of our meals had, it also seems as if our meals sat under the heat lamps for quite some time - the fish entrees were dry and the steak was borderline warm when we received them. The only entree that was impressive (I use that term loosely) was the Florida Pompano Special that another friend ordered. It had the most flavor and was the most visually appealing dish of the table as well. Overall our meal at Ulele was a huge disappointment. Were it not for the great service by both our server and the bartenders, complimented by the uniqueness of the space and the overall ambiance of the restaurant I would have given the restaurant 2 stars. Unfortunately the odds are I will not be dining here again - and I am disappointed to say that.

    (3)

  • Petra M.

    The service was awesome. The beer was awesome. The the cocktails were awesome. I love the ambience, the setting, gorgeous sunset, the river, the rustic bricks but let's face it, the food sucks. And what surprised me the most was neither one of our servers on both times we went had tasted any of the food. They could not make personal recommendations. How does the chef expect them to sell the food that they've never tasted it? So we dove blindly each time, forgettably so. The food is underwhelming and overpriced. Great drinking spot though.

    (3)

  • Mackenzie K.

    Had an amazing dinner outside overlooking the Hillsborough river. I would absolutely recommend this place to anyone. Wonderful service, atmosphere, food and cocktails. The Orange Mojito was amazing and the Wedding Beer (seasonal) was awesome too. The grilled oysters were awesome as an appetizer and both our snapper and pork came with amazing sides. The crab Mac and cheese is great.

    (5)

  • Kim M.

    I've been twice and each time was an absolute pleasure. The atmosphere is elegant but inviting and the view is beautiful. Both times I ordered the Florida Native Chili which is slightly spicy and exactly what you'd expect from chili and also the Alligator Hush Puppies. Of course you must check out their beers which are brewed on site. The wedding beer is my favorite but all are delicious. This is a perfect addition to our community and will definitely be back!

    (4)

  • Debborah C.

    Meatloaf was awful. Sent it back. Pork chop looked good but little flavor. The kale with lima beans was bitter. Won't be back. Waitress wasn't very good either. Calamari wasn't very impressive. Over all the cost wasn't worth it.

    (1)

  • Abby C.

    Went with two friends and we had gulf coast half shell oysters, yellowfin tuna, juan's snapper, wild river rice, spinach, white cheddar popcorn mashed potatoes, squash gratin and three different desserts (coffee ice cream, chocolate ice cream and mango strawberry sorbet). All was incredibly flavorful. Our waiter, Peter, was very well informed about the menu choices and was warm and friendly, too. Will look forward to coming back next time I am in Tampa.

    (5)

  • Melissa H.

    This place has great ambiance . The bar and the decor are very cool. Good drinks, great staff, great food . Definitely a place worth visiting again :)

    (4)

  • Beth D.

    This place has an awesome atmosphere and great healthy food choices! The lunch salad entrees are a very generous portion size. We sat by the oyster shucking counter since they said it would be a 30 minute wait for a table...even though we saw lots of open tables. The service was very good and the food came out quickly.

    (4)

  • Nildalia C.

    Wanted to try one of the top ten restaurants in the Tampa Bay Area. As an app, I ordered the alligator hush puppies. The sauce was good though not too much of the gator taste. The hush puppy batter was probably the best I've ever had. As an entree, i ordered the meatloaf and must say was a bit disappointed. The overall presentation of the meal was beautiful but the meatloaf lacked in originality. I felt that it was just a lump of meat that someone quickly put on the grill. By the time it got to the table, it was cold. The atmosphere of this restaurant is truly amazing....just wish I felt the same about what I ordered.

    (3)

  • Celeste S.

    Went on a Sunday for lunch and it was perfect! the environment, the food the drinks... everything was great! I've heard that dinner crowd is hectic and it's pricey at that time also. I made reservations for lunch and I'm glad I did, it got pretty busy after my friends and I got there.

    (4)

  • Alejandro O.

    Been here 3 times. First two times were for dinner and lunch. Both times yielded great food. This last time I must say was horrible. I got the brisket sandwich and while it wasn't dry was so devoid of flavor it seems they forgot where the salt and pepper was. The calamari and the okra fries were great. My uncle got the top sirloin and it looked like it was cooked on a George Forman grill. Barely any char marks. He was unimpressed with the flavor and it was tough to cut. Love the ambiance but the food was a big letdown this time.

    (3)

  • Rody A.

    First let me start by saying there is complementary valet parking, the location is exceptional as it is next to a park with a waterview and wildlife. The decor was classic with a touch of rustic modern which complements the fact that the place is a brewery and wine bar. The moscato we had was exquisite and well priced at only $6 glass. The menu is well constructed with something for everyone, so many choices on appetizers that is with the trip just to try a few of the exotic selections such as alligator hush puppies and frog legs. The main courses are a bit on the high end as far as price goes but expected, adequate portions and delicious taste. The lady had flank steak cooked well done to perfection and I had the Chief Red Eagle Duck which was mildly undercooked but the waiter was pleased to send it back and the main chief was nice enough to bring it back and apologize for the inconvenience, needless to say the service was excellent. To top it off the Guava Pie was to die for with some guava "mermelada" on the side. In conclusion the place definitely hits the spot! 4 stars because of the pricy main courses.

    (4)

  • Laurie R.

    Great atmosphere and interesting food. Would highly recommend trying out the restaurant. Custom made drinks were very good as well plus a tour of the brewery with Tim the brewmaster topped off the evening

    (4)

  • Steve C.

    Wow. Wow. Twice. The number of times I've been there. No wonder it's one of Tampa's hot spots. Great fish. Creative dishes. I'll be back.

    (5)

  • Karen S.

    Family of 5 adults ate Saturday night 9/13. Reservations at 7, seated at 7:30. Extremely crowded and loud with happy hour patrons. Impossible to reach the bar for a cocktail prior to being seated. Managed to get 3 beers from the oyster bar. Too crowded inside so walked around outside until table was ready. Gorgeous location on the Hillsborough River, next to newly restored Ulele Springs and Ulele city park. A tremendous amount of work has been done in the restoration of this building and it truly is quite unique. Service - very good. Had to ask for some things but he was quick to oblige and checked back with us often enough. Food - Ummm....some items very good. Lobster cakes, crab mac&cheese, pompano, meatloaf, mashed potatoes and demi glace, maple duck bacon ice cream - all very good. Other items not quite up to par. Jalepeno muffins good tasting but served cold. Disappointing. 22 oz. porterhouse steak. Beautifully crusted Pittsburg style exterior just as requested but absolutely raw inside instead of medium rare as ordered. Squash gratin just average, asparagus and green beans uninspiring. Drinks - beer - ok, but nothing special; signature drinks - no noticable liquor in them; water - served in small juice glasses from a glass bottle on the table. Room temperature. No ice served. Ambiance - VERY LOUD, very crowded, gorgeous view, outside seating (dog friendly). So crowded that we saw 2 servers almost lose heavily loaded trays of food due to rowdy bar patrons bumping into them. The servers all looked stressed, unhappy or absolutely miserable. There wasn't any "hospitality" emmanating from them! Owners need to figure out how to create some walkways/space for servers to get food from the kitchen to the tables without being crushed by bar patrons. The other odd thing we noticed was a female server carrying up the stairs a huge heavily loaded tray full of dishes. Not only was it obviously dangerous but we couldn't imagine how serving staff will tolerate being required to do this day-in-day-out. This establishment is not server friendly at all. Keeping staff may be a problem.

    (3)

  • Shanida D.

    The positve about Ulele is the beautiful location!!! The restaurant was nice inside however it was too crowded. When I go out to eat I like to sit down and relax. Well there is just too much going on. I ate the New York steak it was good. The mashed potatoes tasted like powder mashed potato. It looked like they just added som potato skin to appear real. I wasn't happy with the service at all. She took too long to serve drinks and then to pick up the payment so we could leave. This place could be nice to just hang out with a few friends for som drinks but not my favorite place to eat.

    (3)

  • Occy V.

    I was really hoping the way this place was reviewed that it was going to be that amazing. Unfortunately it was just ok which honestly didn't warrant the price. The okra appetizer was pretty good and my house salad was as well. The steak I had ordered as medium came back bleeding which just isn't for me. I also had asked them to season it extra and it still lacked flavor. It is by far one of the nicest restaurants as far as the view that we have in the area. Where it is and how it was redone is really surprising.

    (3)

  • Laura A.

    We have been to Ulele a few times now and we love the look of the restaurant it is beautiful and we love to support anything in the Tampa Area but, service was slow we received our oysters and they were awesome but our waitress never brought our other appetizers so we brought them home to the dog. And at the end of the night my son realized his car was robbed in there lot. I don't think we will be back anytime soon. I wish it was different...

    (2)

  • Jenny J.

    We tried to make a last minute reservation the day of our visit, even though it was a Wednesday evening they were packed and we were told that the bars tables were community and we could always get on the wait list if we wanted. So our party of 5 showed up around 730 and we were surprised at the crowd. We were immediately told there was one table outside & we took it. The view was spectacular and the Florida weather provided a cool evening and we were happy. Our server, Britney, came right over with the offer of sparkling or still water. She recommended the Native Summer cocktail to me which was just as delicious as she proclaimed. We the ordered 2 apps, the blistered shishito peppers (my personal faves), and the okra fries, we throughly enjoyed both. They were light, not breaded, and very tasty. Next I asked Britney to help me choose between the tuna or snapper she didn't hesitate to recommend the snapper which was AMAZING! Other people ordered the crab mac n cheese, I tasted it and holy smokes it was great! I few ordered the pear and beet salad, looked beautiful. Someone else ordered and loved the deconstructed seafood pot pie which I also sampled and it was heaven! All in all we had a fantastic experience, a wonderful, top notch server, and the restaurant itself was very unique and beautiful and an awesome edition to the Tampa scene, can't wait to go back! !!

    (5)

  • Aaron K.

    Fantastic dinner! Wait was long but worth it! Ordered the pompano was which cooked to perfection served on wild rice with asparagus. Very light but very tasty. Girlfriend had the NY strip. It was good but we had Bern's last night so it probably is not fair to compare the two places. The Mac & Cheese was the highlight of the night! I love Mac and cheese and it won best in Tampa so I had to try it. It did not disappoint! It was easily the best I've had in Tampa and a must for anyone who visits here.

    (4)

  • Scott P.

    Second visit here was Wednesday the 29th of April. First visit last August was much better from a food quality and presentation experience. I ordered the Flank Steak with Chimichurri, asparagus and mashed potato. The Steak was cooked well done like I prefer, but it was sliced thicker than on on my visit last August. I was also expecting it to be just a little charred, which it wasn't. I received two very thin asparagus spears, and that was it. The potatoes were not as fluffy as they were on my visit in August. And for some strange reason it takes forever to get a glass of Iced Tea, same as my visit back in August. I am perplexed by this. Some of the Staff "work the tables" pouring/refreshing water. I will be back, but it appears Ulele's newness is beginning to wane a bit.

    (3)

  • Erica S.

    I can't say enough about the quality, the ambiance and the staff. Their privately brewed beer is amazing, the outdoor and indoor ambiance is incredible (especially at sunset) and the food is amazing. I don't even care for oysters yet order them every time I go. The fried okra and homemade ketchup are incredible and every entree I have ordered has been stellar. You must check this place out and bring your dog to sit on the patio!

    (5)

  • Christie W.

    Awesome food. All three of us ordered different and tasted each others and everything tasted exquisite. The service is fast friendly. Ashley was helpful with ordering and very knowledgeable! She was very prompt and always had a smile! The noise level is very loud and is very difficult to have a friendly conversation but otherwise the atmosphere is very unique and appealing. My favorite was the Alligator hush puppies.

    (5)

  • Veniece K.

    No one recommended to try Ulele, but after driving by every day from work and seeing the valet busy and the parking full - curiosity got the best of me. I wasn't disappointed! However, I went on a Saturday afternoon without a reservation. My wait time was almost two hours. Luckily, I found a spot at the bar and ended up eating there - which I'm not complaining after I split the Ulele burger with a friend. I recommend getting the avocado chimichuri sauce on the side...just make a reservation!

    (4)

  • Nigel R.

    First of all I love this restaurant. It is owned by the same people who own the Columbia Restaurant. Everything was amazing EXCEPT the signature Kilo Porterhouse Steak! We ordered it Medium instead of Medium Rare and it was a little overdone on one side and they served it dry which being my first time I wasn't sure if that was normal. Now looking at other pictures of this steak im seeing that it appears to be served with butter and minced garlic on top so maybe during the dinner rush it was just overlooked. Either way we are going back. Their Char-grilled oysters are amazing. But order the twelve count as the six count disappears in seconds. We had their signature Duck bacon Ice cream for desert I can tell you it lives up to the hype. I sampled their craft beer which was the best Ive ever tasted. This is seriously good beer. The grounds and building are very cool as it faces the north end of the Hillsborough River Walk project so after dinner you can stroll the boardwalk. If they hadnt missed on the steak I would rate them a five stars. But we will be back and I promise to update this review.

    (3)

  • Larrel S.

    My family and I (my husband and two children,age 6&8) had dinner here last night and it was AMAZING!!!! The food was perfect! It is literally my favorite food so far in Tampa and I've been here a year. We have been to many restaurants but this by far has been my absolute favorite! We skipped an appetizer and had a mojito and the wedding beer! Perfect! Then we moved onto the kids having the lollipop chicken and the sliders. The lollipop chicken was not my daughters favorite, a little spicy for her. My husband had the meatloaf and I had the seafood chowder. Both we amazing! Everything was perfect, the environment, the food and the staff. Thank you so much for a great dinner . We will be back again!

    (5)

  • Jennifer D.

    Stopped by here on a beautifully sunny post-zoo Saturday afternoon for a bite to eat and some chilled wine. Sat at the bar and had a chance to watch oysters being shucked and food being prepared and grilled. The interior is beautiful and modern- quite a large room with an upstairs I didn't see. Our server was sweet and attentive. The menu was extensive with plenty of appetizers, sides, and entrees to choose from. For food, we picked out the Ulele salad, avocado soup, and lobster claws (which were sold out, so we got the lobster cake instead at our server's suggestion). Everything was just ok. The salad was tasty but overdressed, the "soup" was really a bowl of puréed avocado (delicious, but so much avocado! I was expecting something more soup-like), and the lobster cake came out so fast that it just seemed concerning. For wine, we ordered from the "unique" section, and both of our selections were sweeter than we would have liked. A description would have been helpful. The park outside the restaurant is really pretty and nice to walk around after a meal.

    (3)

  • Terri D.

    Ulele, I waited so long for you and you did not disappoint. If I could give ten stars for ambience I would. The artwork and beauty of this building make an atmosphere so inviting that you want to stay and enjoy it. The food is good with some very unique native Florida choices. I have tried several in my three visits there: Charbroiled oysters, Pulpo carpaccio, Waterworks Meatloaf, Gouda Grouper, Florida Native Chili, Roasted Beets and Poached Pear Salad and the Crab Mac n Cheese. I found all the food appetizing and the presentation lovely. We had the Magbee's Honey Lager brew which is delicious. We also tried the Rusty Red also delicious. Dining on the patio for lunch on a beautiful Florida day with the renewed beauty of the Ulele Springs and Waterworks Park is the perfect way to spend an afternoon. Thank you Tampa!!

    (4)

  • Mike S.

    Oh my! Simply wonderful. I feared this place could not live up to the effusive build-up by the media. Well it has. Superior to Bern's in my view, comparable to Mise en Place for creative dishes, and incomparable on décor/setting. An abandoned waterworks has been transformed into a polished masterpiece of architecture, interior design, eclectic art/artifacts and inspired dishes with authentic Florida/native culinary touches. We sampled the Princess cocktail and their red lager...both good if not stellar. Quality jolted upward with superb cheese and shells, fried okra strips and cold avocado soup...much like gazpacho. Recommended entrees were well sauce pompano and deconstructed seafood pot pie with shrimp, scallop, oyster and octopus in a tasty cheese sauce with puff pastry nuggets and wild rice on the side. Could not resist the delectable fried ice cream in bourbon sauce and duck bacon inserted. Service was perfect from being greeted at the door to having a forgotten credit card brought as we left. We will be back. And I must say, no one who purports to know and review Tampa food places can fail to try here.

    (5)

  • Laura L.

    Beautiful building and setting. That's where it ended. Was expecting it to be great; what I had was "not bad." Very good apps, mediocre entrees, unimpressive and slow service both times. Had duck first time there (boring), and grouper special second time (tonight). The way the server described the grouper special was nothing at all like I received. White cheddar popcorn mashed potatoes sans the popcorn or cheddar flavor. Several service missteps. Servers seem intent on trying to remember your order but fail; repeating it several times gets annoying. Sorry, Ulele...I've given you a chance for redemption but was disappointed (again).

    (2)

  • Nat S.

    We loved their interior design and the pretty location a lot. Great place for dating and hang out with friends. Well, but we are not so crazy on their food like others. I might not order the right thing. We actually ordered Grouper, Yellowfin Tuna, and Snapper. I must say it's a little disappointed to me because the tuna came out with such a huge piece and so tasteless and our snapper was overcooked. But their dessert "Keylime ice cream", is what to die for!

    (3)

  • Jessica L.

    This is my first review and it took an amazing Ulele experience to make me finally get on here and share the love. First, let me say that I've lived in Tampa for about 15 years, and NO other restaurant has ever generated as much hype as this place. So, of course, I was expecting to be let down. But thankfully that wasn't the case! We made reservations so the wait wasn't a hassle, but when we walked in there was a group of guys there who were obviously irritated with what was going down. They told the hostess to take them off the list, so reservations are DEFINITELY a necessity (at least at this point). Our table was ready shortly after we arrived, and miiiiight have been the best seat in the house. Right in front of the huge open foldaway doors overlooking the terrace, the river and the waterpark nearby. The cool breeze was refreshing, and it was nice to feel like we were sitting outside without actually sitting outside. Because, you know. Florida. Our waiter, Jorge, was a PEACH. Ask for him if you can. He was prompt without being overbearing and had some great suggestions. Super friendly guy. Just loved him. Our apps consisted of the crab mac n cheese and alligator hush puppies, both of which were good. Kind of wish I had gotten the lobster cakes since they looked amazing. Our cocktails were strong and good. I had the Native Summer and my boyfriend the house mojito. Even in Florida, a good mojito is rare, so they get bonus points for this in my opinion. For the main course, I had the snapper and my boyfriend went for the deconstructed seafood pie. I hate to say it, but his was slightly better. So creamy and ever so slightly sweet! And the puff pastries just melts in your mouth! A great value for just $22. And lastly was the most important part -- THE ICE CREAM DESSERT. The fried ice cream really steals the show (you HAVE to try it), but their "regular" ice creams still knocked my socks off. I actually LIKED their "plain" vanilla. We paired it with the chocolate torte and the sweetness really balanced out the heaviness of the chocolate. The fresh vanilla was apparent and made a huge difference. Even if you aren't a big ice cream fan (I'm not, I prefer cake as my sweet), you really do owe it to yourself to try it. And at just $5 for two scoops, it won't break the bank at the end of the meal :)

    (5)

  • Bill M.

    Just visited Ulele for the first time and was really "wowed" by the location and the ambiance. Our workgroup went there for lunch to celebrate a transitioning coworker. Looking around the restaurant, it was obvious this was a popular spot for power lunches. The colorful decor makes judicious use of copper sculptures and the dining loft also adds an element of interest. There is outdoor dining overlooking the manicured lawn and the river. All these amenities are very pleasing to the senses. Although the menu listed a number of interesting choices, I went with their signature burger sans bun (currently trying to avoid unnecessary carbs). It was juicy and tasty. The only disappointment was the slow service which can be somewhat amplified when you have a tight schedule at the office. This would have been much less of an issue in a purely social situation. All in all, I look forward to going back to Ulele. It is now on my list of Tampa's unique places to go, especially when out-of-town colleagues are visiting.

    (4)

  • Desiree M.

    I was very impressed that the owner had contacted me about my review and asked questions about my experience and we both agreed we would give it another shot as we hope it was just a fluke. Hopefully our second time will be much better.

    (3)

  • Nicole G.

    My first visit to Ulele was for a book club meeting. We didn't have dinner, but the cocktail and the okra fries we shared were delicious, so I definitely wanted to go back. I chose to go for my birthday yesterday at lunch. Our meal was fantastic and the service was attentive and prompt. I think between my brother and my father they tried all of the beers on tap, except for the wedding beer, which they are currently out of. Disappointing, as I would have liked to try it as well, but I ordered the Water Works cocktail and I was fine. We decided on a few appetizers to share - the crab mac and cheese and the alligator hush puppies. Both were outstanding, and my mother, who does not like jalapenos at all, enjoyed her hush puppy. We also ordered a side of jalapeno corn grit cake, and that was very good, as well, as was the chili - even with all of the game meats (venison, boar, et cetera) it did not have a "gamey" taste to it, but was rich and flavorful. For the main event, after trying to decide for a while, we all ordered the Ulele burger, which was delicious! It was moist, juicy, cooked perfectly with just the right amount of pink, and those fried leeks - damn, why did I not think of that, ever?! We had ordered so much food, I had to take half of my chili and half of my burger home. They were a perfect breakfast this morning. I will definitely go back. Seminole Heights has a perfect gem in this restaurant.

    (4)

  • Chi P.

    I think that the beautiful scenery is why people are reviewing this restaurant so highly. This is the second time I've dined here, and the food quality is inconsistent. The first time was much better. Today, everything is overcooked and on the oily side. Service is also pretty bad. We're at the end of our meal and still have all of our plates from the entire lunch.

    (2)

  • Nick W.

    Ok...so, very few times have I gone to a new restaurant on a cold referral and been so rewarded! Our party of four went to Ulele on a whim. Serendipitously we met the brewmaster, Tim, within moments of entering the building, and per his recommendation we started with a full flight if the house beers. I have to say that I have never encountered such a balanced variety of beers that had good flavor and value within each and every offering. The red was sharp and full flavor red without being bitter. The light lager was a solid offering considering that I don't really go in for light beers at all. With it's fruity notes, the "wedding beer" was a great alternate to cider drinkers that don't want something really sweet. The honey wheat was an extremely well rounded beer that will satisfy both lager and ale drinkers. The pale ale an incredibly satisfying choice to pair with our appetizer of charbroiled oysters. BUT...my favorite was the seasonal Octoberfest brew that wasn't on the menu. Ask about it, because if it's available, it was the absolute best choice of the night. Not only was it one if the best Octoberfest brews I have EVER had (thanks again Tim), with a full, savory flavor that has a creamy finish, it was a magnificent pairing to the New York strip special that I selected for my entree. After our charbroiled oysters, we we're fortunate to be given a brew tour by Tim (the talented and enthusiastic brewmaster. *Seriously, his passion was infectious and made us ready to dive into our next beer selections and our pending entrees) After the brewery tour, we sampled a full range of appetizers without a stinker in the bunch: grit cakes, popcorn mashed potatoes, lima beans and collard greens, were all good, but the house chili?! DAMN I have never had a chili so savory and full of flavor that finished so light on the tongue at the end. Truth be told, after the oysters, chili, and beer we could have left satisfied, but moving on to the entrees was NOT a mistake. Sitting at the full service bar area next to the grill, and generously guided by the oyster bar chef, Sarah, our selections were New York Strip, Fillet, the maple marmalade duck (which was neither too sweet, nor too fatty: just right), and the deconstructed seafood pot pie. What ensued was an epic tapas style sharing of food that was only slowed down by my shellfish allergy. *However, I was assured by my dinner companions that the seafood pot pie was no less impressive than any of the other dishes I sampled. All in all, it is one of the best meals I've had this year, and one of the best first encounters with a new restaurant I've ever had.

    (5)

  • Elizabeth M.

    Oh how I love this place! I've been here now for lunch and dinner and both meals were delicious. The food stands up to the excitement and anticipation you feel when reading their innovative menu (no saying "well it LOOKED like it would be good"). The service has been friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable. And of course the atmosphere is a unique mix of modern, urban architecture with laid-back Florida vibes. Bring your wife, bring your best friends, bring your kids, bring your dog...this place somehow ends up working just right for whatever your occasion is. As a vegetarian, I was able to try quite a few things on the menu and enjoyed everything. The top 3 things I can't rave enough about are the chilled avocado soup, okra fries (even the ketchup they come with), and portobello burger (which has decadent configuration of about 7 toppings and must be eaten with a fork). They have a brewery on site, but I tried one of their cocktails. It was good, but I don't remember it being great. I also really enjoyed the side of shells and cheese, but wouldn't put it at the very top of my list because it was a touch dry. There will probably be a wait, but don't be turned off by this. The hostess will text you when your table is ready. Ulele is nestled in the new Waterworks park, so you can take a river-side stroll while waiting for your table or run around in their grassy green space (probably more advisable for the under 12 crowd). Sit outside if you can, this is the outdoor restaurant Tampa has been needing for some time. Beautiful water views, great people watching, sunshine galore during lunch and elegant lighting during dinner. There's no smoking on the patio so you can enjoy your meal outside without the foul wafting odors of cigarettes that are too common in outdoor dining.

    (5)

  • Leanna C.

    Absolutely wonderful food and atmosphere. The Florida wild chili is to die for too! We went on a whim because we'd heard people talking about it and we're not disappointed. I'm pleased to have a quality farm to table type restaurant finally in this area with plenty of quality local and wild proteins. Recommended highly for fellow clean eaters, foodies, and paleo peeps. After dinner we walked through waterworks park, perfect date night!

    (4)

  • Alex A.

    Rice was totally undercooked to the point that most of it was extremely crunchy and the rest was impossible to eat. couldn't believe that one. everything else was ok i guess, but not worth the price esp when considering the fact that they couldn't cook rice properly.

    (2)

  • Monica A.

    Okra fries.. yum

    (4)

  • Julie L.

    Phenomenal place for dinner! Went with a group, table if 10, so we all sampled each others food. The portion sizes were generous. Appetizers were great; frogs legs moist and flavorful, hush puppies gooey and crispy, okra fries tasty! Entrees were as delish as expected. The pork shank was out of this world, flank steak really good, seafood pot pie full of seafood, steaks were great, pompano was the best ever! Desserts were also great. The duck fat ice cream was surprisingly wonderful. The drinks were very good, with fire ant vodka living up to its name. The mojito was the BEST. Wine by the bottle was fairly priced for a nice restaurant. The service was above average, our waiter was knowledgeable and prompt. I would definitely go back, would love to try lunch on the patio next.

    (5)

  • Lynda F.

    Exactly the type of restaurant that Tampa needs. The okra fries are amazing! The menu is rustic - Florida style. The Deconstructed Seafood Pot Pie was divine, Rich creamy filling with puff pastry pieces. The pear and goat cheese salad was awesome, with a great dressing and ton of flavor. The building is incredible, a true ode to Tampa. Without a doubt will be back here.

    (5)

  • R T.

    Wow!!! Very surprised ! The food was Superb! I give it a five star quality! Very trendy and swanky ambience..the server Matthew was top notch , service was very hospitable ! The staff was great . Manager on board that nite was Juan .. very outgoing making sure we were takin care of ! I will return tomorrow for lunch! Two thumbs Up!!!!

    (5)

  • Okie T.

    Don't get me wrong, the restaurant space and the customer service level here are an A+. However, the food was just good, not great, but just good. I tried numerous appetizers, entrees and desserts, and while I certainly enjoyed them, they did not blow me away. I will definitely come back mainly for the atmosphere.

    (3)

  • Brian M.

    Let me start by saying the food was amazing and the location couldn't have been revitalized any better. Unfortunately, that alone didn't make our visit enjoyable. We arrived 45 minutes before our reservation to enjoy drinks and explore the area. When we checked in we let them know we were early and they informed us they could seat us at 6pm. The bar was packed and a bit small so after about 10 minutes we were able to get a drink. We walked around and enjoyed the view of the river and spring. This is when the fun stopped! After returning to the host and letting them know we were ready to be sat they told us it would be a few more minutes (totally ok). What we didn't know was a few more minutes was 35 minutes without even an apology for making us wait. When we were sat I respectfully told the waiter I was unhappy about the wait and his response was "good thing you weren't here last night we were sitting people 45 to an hour past reservations." The worst part is half the upstairs was empty with plenty of available tables. I probably would have been fine if a manager apologized or offered a complementary glass of wine or appetizer. Instead I left with a bad first experience and have no desire to go back. Too many great Tampa locations to be treated like that. Ulele is owned and run by some of the best restaurateurs so in my opinion the best is expected.

    (2)

  • Judi R.

    If we had let the reception we received by the greeters serve as a determinant of good places to eat- we would have left! Very rude and pompous young lady there! Thank goodness we proceeded and had an excellent server- Kelly as well as great food. As a vacationing executive, I highly recommend you make front desk changes!

    (4)

  • Leslie C.

    Only giving 3 stars because the ambiance is great. I have tried this restaurant twice now and both times I have been really disappointed. Appetizers are ok, but the entrees each time have been bland and extremely underwhelming. The wild rice side and the asparagus that come with the entrees have little to no discernible seasoning. On my first visit I ordered the ahi tuna with grapefruit reduction and the most I can say about it is that it was fine. Tonight I decided to try the Grouper Ulele... The grouper was heading in the direction of being a few days old as it had a slight fish odor when it arrived and had begun to taste that way as well. The sauce seemed nothing more than canned diced tomatoes poured on top. The rice was still bland and the asparagus tasted as though it had been reheated in a microwave. Very disappointing considering the rave reviews Ulele has been receiving since its opening. I really wanted it to be amazing, as the location and atmosphere are really great... But, it just isn't worth it. I won't be back for a third visit.

    (3)

  • Susan H.

    Had the opportunity to experience this wonderful Tampa Gem on Tuesday, August 19th with 3 of my friends..... Gerardo L, Cathy B & Mimi B. . From the moment I parked the car, and walked in...I knew this was going to be an unbelievable & wonderful experience. This is a piece of Tampa History turned into a wonderful restaurant with the most gracious personnel I have ever encountered. I was honored to meet Richard Gonzmart, the most gracious host and passionate man about his vision of this restaurant and his involvement in the community and charities that are near and dear to is heart. The food was amazing. I will leave the expertise of writing about it to my friend Cathy B. and the excellent photography to the Master, Gerardo L.. I so look forward to coming back on August 27th with 6 of my friends.... To paraphrase Cathy B...... " A STAR IS BORN." or should we say , "A 5 STAR has arrived."

    (5)

  • Gerardo L.

    Excellent restaurant with prefect surroundings. They brew their beer and Tim is the master brewer. Excellent concept and food. I love the decorations.

    (5)

  • Kathleen F.

    The atmosphere is really better than the food at this new trendy, art-filled eatery. Recommended by a friend who knew I would love the sensitive yet hip remodel of this industrial building. Packed with original art and a huge number of spot on architectural details, it is a place to see and be seen. I went for Sunday lunch with a friend and they were packed. We waited at the bar and started with a Bloody Mary which was surprisingly one-note. No spice, no salt, no herb. The only thing it was is sweet. Not to my taste at all. I mentioned it to the bartender and the people seated next to me at the bar agreed wholeheartedly. A bit of celery salt a squeeze of lemon and a splash of Crystal hot sauce would have done wonders. I recommended that they consider a spicy pickled okra with the Bloody instead of the boring olive it came with. Pickled okra would certainly be in keeping with the menu and general tone of the place. Our waiter was friendly and efficient. We asked him to suggest an assortment of small plates that we could share, which he happily did. The Okra French Fries were truly tasty. A bit of sea salt and a squeeze of lime gave them a very appealing flavor profile. He suggested the roasted oysters which sounded delicious but were sadly overcooked. What should have been plump juicy bivalves were shriveled and dry. There was not a speck of oyster juice to sop up with the very tasty bread. What an expensive shame. We also ordered the crab macaroni cheese which was overpowered by a heavy hand with the sherry. It was okay but we didn't finish it all. i can make better and I expected better. We also ordered the gator hush puppies which were perfectly cooked and the sauce was really yummy. I would order those again. I wish we had ordered two orders of those and skipped the oysters. We had an incredible fried ice cream dessert with candied duck bacon that was worth the calories. We did finish all of that and I would order it again. All in all, the experience was fun and fresh. The food didn't quite hit the mark I had been lead to expect. Perhaps the form has gotten ahead of the function. Perhaps it was just a bad day. Either way, I'll go back again and give them another try.

    (3)

  • Gerald S.

    Despite reservations we had to wait almost an hour to be seated, and at least 15-20 minutes to see a waiter. I did notice that food from some other tables were being returned. I ordered the meatloaf which was tasty and satisfying, but my wife's chicken dish was not as described in the menu. the sauce was so spicy it had to be returned. And the chicken itself was over cooked and tough.

    (3)

  • Elizabeth C.

    Drinks were good, wine selection was so so. The food was not as creative as I would have liked, my fish was overcooked. The okra fries were good, mussels were also very good. Service was great! Everyone else's food seemed good, they had no complaints. I liked the ambiance was not too happy with sitting upstairs and the bathroom was downstairs. The sports paraphernalia on the walls seemed out of place. I would definately go again.

    (3)

  • Jami S.

    This is one of my new, favorite places in Tampa. Not only is it a beautiful spot (and getting better) but the food and atmosphere are amazing! I've been several times for dinner, this was my first lunch, and it was equally fantastic mid-day as it is in the evening. The native preparation is an important complement to the Florida inspired ingredients. I'm excited for my next meal at Ulele.

    (5)

  • Miguel R.

    This is my first ever review in yelp so here it goes: We visited Ulële for a late dinner and I must say that the location is very nice, the place was built in an old warehouse in the Tampa industrial district, therefore it give the restaurant a very NY city vibe and they make good use of the space, the attention is very good and the staff is genuinely polite. So what's good and what's bad? Well, let's start with good: The food was fresh and the presentation was on point. The Appetizer was Calamari with a pomodoro sauce was very good and the sauce was tasty and natural the temperature was adequate and came fast enough after we placed the order. We also shared an entree since it was past 10PM. We chose to share a 14Oz NY strip that according to the menu it has been aged for 28 days. I ordered the steak medium, Pittsburgh style (charred in the outside), when it came to the table it was the right temperature and cooked exactly how I ordered, it was also tender and flavorful, you can taste the natural charcoal in it (hint of oak maybe) nonetheless good stake. The sides were good too, mashed potatoes that you can actually taste and not some paste mix from a box and the grilled asparagus were great too. Now the bad: I ordered a classic Mojito ( White Rum, mint leaves, simple sirup, lime and soda water) Since I asked the waitress for a classic mojito I was expecting to receive one, well instead I received a drink that had: mint leaves, oranges, tequila and what I thought it was simple sirup. Even though I did not like it very much I decided to drink it because it did not taste bad, but it was certainly not a Mojito. I didn't mention anything to the waitress since she was very nice and polite. Now the entree presentation, even though it was not bad I didn't like the fact that they placed the steak on top of the mashed potatoes as well as the asparagus, the juices from the stake dripped and soaked the potatoes. I truly do not like the gravy or sauce on top of the mashed potatoes not to mention some blood from the steak in the future I would like to see them maybe present the stake in a more "steak house" style and plate it by itself, or maybe not on top of the mashed potatoes. Lastly, when visiting Ulële expect to pay a premium price for the food as the restaurant is part of the new "wave" of culinary experience that Tampa is going through and that we must certainly needed for a long time, places like this one make our city much more desirable and it provides a great atmosphere and dinning experience. Not for nothing it is always packed and you need to make reservations well in advance. Because of the location I would recommend this restaurant for a romantic dinner, let's say: St. Valentine's Day... So better hurry up and reserve your table, I'm sure you won't regret it. Overall great dinner and experience altogether.

    (4)

  • MB C.

    Saturday evening dinner at the oyster bar. Excellent service, amazingly delicious food once again! On the first visit we had seafood. The grilled Oysters and the Pompano are the best in town. On the second visit we ordered the meatloaf with onion rings on top. The meatloaf is amazing. The meatloaf can easily be split between two people. Don't miss the Mac n cheese, with crab or without. Both are perfect. A beautiful setting for an amazing dinner.

    (5)

  • Brian F.

    A colleague of mine and I decided to give Ulele a try and realizing that their lunch service was brand new, we thought that this would be a perfect opportunity to sample the fare and experience the restaurant. I made a reservation on Open Table, and after reading some reviews, was a bit hesitant that our reservation time of 12:15 would be honored. Have no fear...we were seated immediately upon arrival. The menu is full of temptations. That said, I ordered the meatloaf and she had the Gouda Grouper. We also opted for a few additional sides.- the Jalapeno Cheddar Grit cake and Carson's Jalapeno Corn Beer Quick Bread or as I would like to put it- Ulele's take on a corn muffin. We ordered and waited a fair amount of time for the meal to arrive. We arrived and were seated at 12:15 and our meal arrived at about 12:45. That is a bit of a wait for a lunch order, so we decided that a 2 hour lunch was necessary. For those in a hurry, I HIGHLY encourage you to look elsewhere to dine, because if you cannot afford to wait, don't do it. That said, they just began lunch service on Monday so perhaps they don't quite have the "quick service" routine down to a science yet. Back to the food- We were offered sparkling or still water, and we chose the still with lemon. My lunch date was very happy with her Grouper entree, but was overjoyed with the grit cake. She had two, so we shared. They were nicely flavored and we added a bit of butter to top them off. Her Grouper was served on a bed of wild rice with three sprigs of asparagus. My meatloaf was very tasty, 2 slices were nestled on a nice serving of mashed potatoes accompanied by three sprigs of asparagus and topped with fried onions. The mashed potatoes were described as "white popcorn cheddar" but I neither tasted nor noticed a resemblance to the description. That said, the potatoes were good. The meatloaf was presented as two slices about 1/2 in. thick each. For the most part, very flavorful. The corn muffins were delightful with just a hint of jalapeno, and sweetness. I did not notice a beer flavor at all, so I just chalked it up to a very fancy description for a nice corn muffin. We opted for no desert because our time was up. The service was wonderful and attentive and I cannot wait to try the restaurant for dinner. I give it a total of 4 stars for the combination of ambiance and presentation of the food and the overall flavor, though if I had to rate the food alone, I would probably give it 3 1/2 stars. Looking forward to a trip to Ulele for dinner!

    (4)

  • Gabrielle V.

    This review is based solely on drinks, service, and atmosphere. Newly engaged my family wanted to take us out for drinks to celebrate and we chose to try out the new spot in town - Ūlëlē Walking into this place is a treat in itself, they have so much to look at. From sculptures to paintings to signed memorabilia from famous baseball players and boxers. They have a beautiful wine chamber right in the middle of the restaurant, all their drafts are brewed in-house in their own brewery. I am the first to say although my fiancé and brother are beer lovers- I'm not such a big fan, I'm more of a wine girl, BUT their "wedding beer" is really really good!! We had the pleasure of having a personal tour and tasting of their brewery by the brewmaster himself! It was so neat to see the whole process and talk with the man behind it all, you can tell he's very passionate about his job and pleasing their guests. Great experience! Other than that our bartender was nice and all the servers were very friendly. Can't wait to go there and try out the food everyone is raving over!!

    (5)

  • Rachel S.

    WOW! What a GREAT gem of Tampa Bay! Growing the life on the river... the view is wonderful. It's simply beautiful & a must see! The food was amazzzzingggg... everything! If you are a foodie, you will love it! The wine selections were GREAT! with pricing being some of the best I've seen. I can't wait to go back... probably next week :)

    (5)

  • Tina G.

    Seminole Heights area new restaurant, ULELE, gives "Labor of Love" an entirely new meaning. Ulele exudes more ambiance, flavorful foods, and has a wonderfully enthusiastic wait staff ...very refreshing! The very personable, Mr. Gonzmart, is not only a gracious host, but the most giving person one could ever have the pleasure of meeting. The Duck was outstanding! Three Sisters Salad was charged with complimenting flavors. Perfect evening, from start to finish! HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

    (5)

  • Bob R.

    I give the owners of Ulele credit for building out its current location and helping to revitalize the area, I do believe this business will be a success. First off, the beer: I understand A LOT has been invested in the brewing equipment for Ulele, unfortunately it doesn't look like they are putting it to good use. The brewer may not be using any adjuncts, but the core beers fail to stand out as anything special or original and could easily be forgotten as a macro product. They are served in frozen mugs (a huge no-no). Maybe the biggest myth in the beer-drinking world is the joy of the chilled glass. Frosty mugs do not enhance your beer-drinking experience. In fact, frosted mugs cause beer to foam, killing their carbonation and nixing the aromas. I do not care what the reasoning is, if you're confident in your beer you do not serve it in a frosted mug. Sadly, Ulele will not turn into a destination for craft beer aficionados until drastic change is made. Service: At times it was efficient, quick, and on point, but was mostly average. I don't know if its policy or the server's choice, but he appeared to have all of his tattoos covered as well as ear piercings. This restaurant is on the edge of Ybor and downtown and has a hip vibe, so I hope its not a restaurant policy, nobody cares if the person serving you food has tattoos that are showing or ears pierced. It gives the impression that management might not be that forward thinking. Food: Oysters were great, and so was the steak, both were cooked well and seasoning was right. The veggies did not stand out as anything special and the mashed potatoes were WAY too salty. Overall: Average in all aspects, but its design and location may be its saving grace.

    (3)

  • Jeff S.

    We had a wonderful dinner looking forward to our next visit. Our server Brittany was great and very attentive to our needs, she made great suggestions for our drinks and meal. The atmosphere and meal was worth the drive from Clearwater Fl. Can't wait to come back.

    (5)

  • Nicole N.

    Wonderful experience! It was raining the night of our reservation so we uuber'ed it, not bring sure of the parking situation (uuber was $4 from Channelside btw), but there was valet out front with plenty of Ulele umbrellas so we know for next time. The restaurant is beautiful! The perfect mix of chic, funky, historic, contemporary...exactly what Tampa has been missing. We arrived 20min early of our 7:30 reservation, checked in and went to bar for cocktails. Before we could decide on a beverage, our table was ready. Great corner table with views of the river and our server, John, was quick to arrive to get the drinks we'd been eyeing...the pisco morado and pincess Ulele caipirinha. Both were delicious and refreshing! For appetizers, we had the gator hush puppies and charbroiled oysters. The hush puppies were perfect and my boyfriend (who doesn't like oysters) had 3 oysters, so that tells you they were yummy! For dinner, I had the pompano with mashed potatoes, carrot ribbons, and perfectly cooked green beans. It was delicious...lots of flavor but not heavy heavy..the carrot ribbons are a cousin to onion straws and simply amazing... My boyfriend had the evening's special- a bone in NY Strip w mashed potatoes and green beans. Everything was cooked to perfection and both of our mashed potatoes were creamy and delicious; we think they are among the best we've tasted. We had a bottle of Head High Pinot which was divine and an excellent price point. We finished dinner with the chocolate torte, which was rich, full of flavor, yet light. Our server John was awesome; he was there each step of the way to move onto our next course and check on things..the perfect blend of knowledgable, genuine service without being overly solicitous. After dinner we took our last glass of wine and strolled out by the park. We had a wonderful experience and are looking forward to our next visit.

    (5)

  • Dan T.

    I have been to Ulele 3 times. I want to like this place so much, but... The first time I had the snapper, the mac and cheese, and the okra fries, which were all great. The oysters, however, contained lots of shell shards. Lots. The second I had the seared tuna, which was OK but I wouldn't order it again. It was pretty flavorless. We also had the okra fries again, but they were soggy this time. Same experience with the oysters too - maybe they are not being shucked carefully enough. Also, the second time my parents were with us. My dad had the pork chop, which I didn't taste, but from how he was cutting it, it looked like you needed an electric saw to get through it. My mom had some kind of surf and turf with lobster hash, which could be best described as "cockamamie". The third time we went for lunch, and this was by far their strongest performance. The burger was delicious, but again, soggy okra fries. As others have said, the decor and location are fantastic. And the beer is so good. I just wish they'd put as much effort into the food, especially the dinner menu. I won't go back for dinner, but if I have a good lunch again, I will bump up my star rating.

    (2)

  • Amanda R.

    Incredible food, incredible style... But the only thing that holds me back from giving this restaurant five stars, is consecutively, three times in a row, I have had the WORST hostess service of any restaurant in Tampa Bay. This restaurant will never go under. It's amazing. But it would really mean a lot if they could just train their front staff a lot better - especially appreciate every patron that walks in their front door by treating them with warmness and respect.

    (3)

  • Adam Y.

    This was my 2nd visit to Ulele. The first was a few months back and was a large group at lunch time, and that went really well. I had heard some complaints about their service and reservation issues but that went seamlessly. So I was anxious to take my wife but they are extremely busy so this is not a "spur of the moment" place. We tried a few times to get in a couple days in advance with no luck. If we asked for a 6pm they offered 9:30. So we politely said thanks but we'll try again later. So a few weeks back we decided it would be fun to try out the riverwalk now that parts of it are connected (not quite as many as the mayor would advertise, but everything will happen in due time) and we made a late lunch reservation on a Saturday. We made sure to request indoors and my wife had heard that upstairs was less noisy (not the case) so she added that to our reservation. We were going with another couple and hoped to be able to chat comfortably. We got there at 2:20 for a 2:30 reservation and they took us right away. Unfortunately, as happens a lot, the hostess started walking us downstairs and then to our disappointment, an outside table (April and already 90 degrees..a non starter for us). My wife quickly nipped that in the bud and within minutes we were walking up the stairs. I had to chuckle when I saw 4 empty tables. It makes me shake my head when I see restaurants not pay attention to important details like this. This was precisely the thing that had scared us off after speaking with a close friend. But it worked out okay, and we were quickly given lunch menu's and ordered drinks. We had remembered that they will allow you to order off the dinner menu as well, although some of the items are not available (pork shanks being one of them) but there were enough other choices that we decided to keep both. Eventually we ordered two dinners (the duck breast and the flank steak) with a bunch of appetizers so we had more than enough food. Our service was fantastic, although I have to admit that I was straining to hear what she was saying at times. Even if not completely full, this is a noisy restaurant. If that matters to others, they should know that going in. But we were able to carry on nice conversation. The other thing of note was that it was quite warm so I guess that is something they will address as we move into the summer season. The duck was fantastic. I had most of that myself. I had rice and a green vegetable. Others liked the steak and mashed potatoes. We had one small salad and my wife had a large salad that had beets and a few other items. The jalapeano beer bread was a bit heavy but very tasty. Nothing went to waste. The pricing was reasonable and I am sure we will go here from time to time. This is definitely an in crowd spot and likely to remain popular. The decor is outstanding. Very unique, unlike anything I've seen elsewhere.

    (4)

  • Matthew V.

    Oysters were wholesome in flavor and wedding beer batch was creative in flavor. Now why I won't go back. Service was irrationally slow for even mere beers with a latter excuse of hectic schedule indoors. At the giving of individual crab forks for the oysters, one was fully coated in filth on the back. When I politely brought it to mention after she placed it on a stained, dirty napkin she showed neither a flinch nor apology as I showed her the issue. At requesting check out, I waited over 20 minutes for her to bring the check. After I walked indoors and asked for her at the front desk, "she had already left the check on the table." My guests concurred that she dropped the check from the rear door 5 minutes after I entered the front to ask for her. I gave her my card as I ran into her walking back to the table, however the final check has calculated to a much higher tab than we ordered. All in all, this was an incredibly poor service on multiple levels at 4 in the afternoon with minimal business to divert attention, even after being given that as an excuse.

    (1)

  • J W.

    Excellent service and a beautiful restaurant. The Manager, Ryan, does an excellent job at making guests feel welcome and going above and beyond to make sure they are enjoying their time there. I would recommend this place to anyone who likes diverse food options and great service.

    (5)

  • Taylor C.

    Great atmosphere, I loved the location right on the river, they have a cool beer garden area outside with cornhole boards to play. The food was amazing, best charbroiled oysters I have ever had. Great place to go for a Date night! All around awesome place, we will definitely be back!

    (5)

  • James B.

    Ulëlē is a decent restaurant with a very cool decor and vibe. Had lunch here on a Sunday afternoon. They were very busy. We were seated promptly and greeted soon afterward by our waiter, Brooks. Drinks were ordered and we got down to the business of menu perusal and selection of what to order. All the staff seemed attentive but Brooks was outstanding. I dine at a fair number of high-end restaurants and I can confidently say that Brooks is easily the best waiter I have had in 5 or more years. He shared the history of the restaurant building, the renovations and the extensive art and collectibles exhibited. He gave USEFUL advice on the menu offerings. Food was good to excellent. I'll be back, but not because the food is so stellar. I'll be back because the food is good at a fair price, with great wine values in an outstanding environment. Of course I will request (demand?) that Brooks wait on us.

    (4)

  • Dilo G.

    Decided to give Ulele a second try and here are the prons and cons: Pros: Beautiful location, great music, great service and jalapeno corn bread was delicious. Great place for a drink. Cons: Too much of a wait, food is ok but chicken was undercook and flavorless. You literally pay high pricing for scene and view but food has nothing spectacular. I guess having this much money will fill this place, but besides their beautiful restaurant there is nothing stellar about their food. Their execution is poor. I will stick to my 2 Stars, until they do not improve I am not planning to come back anytime soon.

    (2)

  • Carolyn T.

    I had high hopes and when we scored a 7 PM reservation on a Thursday, we thought it was fated to be an amazing evening. Not so much..... The restaurant is beautiful. The staff is courteous and efficient. But the food was a HUGE let down. I had the Jose's salad which was explained as their version of a Caesar. It was literally 2 trimmed Romaine hearts with a mayonnaise-like dressing drizzled over the top. No zing from citrus, no depth of flavor from an anchovy or pepper- just laughably bland. My husband ordered oysters with horseradish flakes that needed to be piled on to infuse any sort of dimension. The oysters themselves were fresh & tasty, but the accompanying cracker & weird tomato paste-y sauce made the dish another disappointment. After the levels achieved in the appetizer & salad courses, I was trepidatious to make a full entree selection as prices are rather steep (but not crazy). I selected the vegetables gratin & the popcorn mashed potatoes. Bad choice. They were terrible and at much less than proper serving temperature. My husband fared much better. His filet was awesome. Well seasoned, well cooked, well presented. So much to be learned from this dish. Our server & the manager who visited our table (to address the cold sides) were very sweet, but not nearly enough to get us to make the 25 minute drive back. I have again lost my restaurant picking privileges.

    (3)

  • Jeff D.

    We recently enjoyed a night out here and can say we had fun but that's about it. The hostess told us it would be about an hour so we sat at the bar and ordered a few drinks to start. The wine list was strong and they do make some of there own beers in house. The service at the bar was bellow what you would expect at a place of this caliber, but we pushed thru and ordered some dinner anyway. I had the deconstructed seafood pot pie and can say its components were good but outside of it being a gimmick I could see no reason not to combine the elements. My dinner companion had the grouper and she said she enjoyed it. So what do I take away from this, food good, atmosphere pleasing but service needs some refinement.

    (3)

  • Dawn M.

    Great place! Since the grand opening this restaurant has been dedicated to great food, excellent service, and a beautiful ambiance. Way to pave the way for hospitality in the new and thriving Tampa Heights River East District!

    (5)

  • Jerry N.

    This restaurant is next to Tampa's newest park, Waterworks Park, right on the banks of the Hillsborough River. The service was good, and the food was very good. we tried the okra fries...I liked, my wife not so much. The brewmaster met us at our table and again as we left. We don't drink beer so I can't comment on the quality of their product.

    (4)

  • Brian M.

    Really cool and sleek restaurant - both outside and inside. Had to walk a little ways from the parking lot to the actual restaurant. But we actually didn't mind because you get to see a public park, Hillsborough River, a small waterfall under the bridge, and unique to our experience a wedding on the plush and nicely decorated front lawn. Inside has a cool brick and wood veneer with a modern industrial look. Very pleasing and modern to the eye. Bar was crowded but we had excellent and friendly service not only by the bartenders themselves but also by the wait staff who helped us with our order. The Ring of Fire is very unique and quite tasty with a good kick to get you going. As for their own beers - I tried the Water Works Pale (decent) and the Magbee's Honey Lager (above average). A major gripe (but possible understandable) was the extremely long time we had to wait to be seated at our table for two. Now grant it, we didn't have reservations and it was a Saturday night, but we were told a 1.5 hour wait. And boy, did we wait all of the 1.5 hours for a table for 2. After one hour, we started asking how soon our table would be available and they kept saying we were next. But after another 30 minutes of waiting and more questions about our table, we were finally seated. In other words, don't come hungry. Now for the food - We started out with the Charbroiled Oysters. They were very good. Super fresh, clean, and tasty with sea salt chunks (but not too large to overpower) and were still bubbling when they arrived to our table. My only problem with them was that they were quite small. And I couldn't really taste the two different cheeses. For $12.00 for 6 small oysters - ehh. Still tasty and clean though. I then had the Beer Pan Chicken. It was pretty good. I liked that they gave you the rendering of the cooked chicken, beer, and spices on the side so that you could dip/drizzle your chicken with. Although it was a little messy and hard to eat the chicken as they serve you the wing and leg still connected to the breast. What was really good and not expected was the side. I asked for the "potatoes"; and what I got was this very delicious mashed potatoe soufflé - yum. My girlfriend got The Deconstructed Seafood Pot Pie. She loved it. I tried it too. It was hearty, tasty and very recommended. Both me and the lady more or less got their comfort food. Ulele seems to excel with their comfort food but still add some class to it to raise it above a standard / chain restaurant. I would not recommend their Candied Duck Maple Bacon Fried Ice Cream. What seems good on paper; didn't succeed on the plate. The bacon was super chewy in the ice cream. Made for an odd and unpleasant experience for the jaw and tongue. The corn flakes surrounding the ice cream itself tasted bland and cheap. Didn't taste any maple. All in all, it was just a mess and not good. Ulele has a good premise and looks promising. Nice looking exterior and interior. Good staff; especially the bar staff. Great food and drinks. Ulele needs some work on seating people at a reasonable time and some of their food items need to improve. But very close to a 5 star rating

    (4)

  • Liz M.

    One word. Overrated. Everything was greasy and just so-so. The atmosphere and location are this place's saving grace.

    (3)

  • Brian D.

    My wife and I tried Ulele together with a group, and were WOW'ed!! This is definitely one of the best in town! You can't be the waterworks views and fun decor for aesthetics, but the food arrives just as pretty as well. While I sipped a very tasty Honeymoon beer, brewed on the spot with fresh local strawberries, I curiously eyed that Mac and Cheese. Were there really bacon bits? Was the sauce made with beer brewed onsite? Yes and yes! The four cheese light beer sauce poured over seashell pasta and topped with a Parmesan Romano crust was absolutely delicious on its own. Add Ulele's signature duck bacon and you've got yourself some of the best Mac and Cheese in the south! My wife loved The Florida Native chili: smokey, chunky and not too spicy with just a few beans. (We found out later it was called Florida Native chili because it contained boar, gator, venison, duck, ground chuck, cranberry beans and local spices.) Alligator Hush Puppies were delicious. Made with alligator, country ham and duck bacon (a theme is developing), these little spheres are full of flavor! But then came the 10oz Filet with White Cheddar Popcorn Mashed Potatoes (Russet potatoes with white cheddar, roasted garlic and leeks, topped with popcorn) and a few spears of asparagus. It was literally the best piece of red meat I have ever eaten in my life. You have to be a master to get the crispiness on the outside and maintain a soft, red center. Red meat is not my go-to, but this was perfection! If you just want a burger, you won't be disappointed. The Ulele Burger is a blend of short rib, brisket and chuck chargrilled and topped with house steak sauce, sharp cheddar, a portobello mushroom, fire-roasted red peppers and fried leeks. Now, the portobello mushroom would have made a fine burger on its own, but the blended burger was divine. The fries were just OK, but they weren't really the point. The fried leeks on top, on the other hand, were a fun touch. Expect to eat this baby with a fork! Bonus: try anything topped with fried carrot ribbons. They could be a side dish unto themselves! And then finish with their award winning dessert: Candied Duck Bacon Maple Fried Ice Cream. Vanilla ice cream with cinnamon corn flake crust, drizzled with caramel, topped with candied duck bacon and sweet potato Pizzelle crisp floating on Knob Creek crème anglaise. To. Die. For. This dessert had a whole spread in TBT when it won its award! My wife has a complete review with more foods and photos at runningbetty.com/ulele-t…

    (5)

  • Olivier M.

    I went there last night. It was even better the second time around. Deconstructed sea food pot pie is amazing. Flank steak is delicious. The setting, ambiance, decor are so unique, you have to try it. You need to make a reservation way ahead of time.

    (5)

  • Joyce H.

    A bit pricey, but some of the menu items are exceptional!

    (4)

  • Jennifer F.

    GET A RESERVATION!! Ok. be warned...you will wait maybe 2 hours in the evening without one. So now lets get to lunch time during the week when I went (only reason is because at the moment dinner reservations are a month out at least and I don't wait 2 hours for food). Thursday around 115pm. no reservation we waited bout 20 minutes. The staff was remarkably pleasant (not typical of Tampa anymore). The waiter Patrick had a lot of information about the building and the food on the menu. My friend and I went down the apps: green beans, flash fried peppers, okra, oysters, grit cakes, squash souffle, ice cream, latte and maple bacon ice cream. The okra was probably the best we had ever had. The green beans were delicious not overcooked. the peppers were good. the grit cakes were good. The oysters that are extremely popular were amazing. The ice cream is made in house. Ask about the ice cream maker...there is a story there. In short would I wait 2 hours to eat here, NOPE. Is that a reflection of the place, NOPE. Go have fun. Eat, enjoy. Go off hours like during the week after 130pm. Save the wait and need for reservation.

    (4)

  • Sherri M.

    What a fabulous experience...for starters...the history involved in the idea behind Ulele is something to be embraced. I have lived in Tampa most of my life and had no idea of any of the things I learned from Keith Sedita..the managing partner. His attention to detail and willingness to take the time to give us a mini tour was much appreciated. The Gonzmart family began this process over 2 years ago to make everything as authentic as possible. The statue of Ulele will soon be revealed...and she is a beauty. They make everything fresh ...and local. They have NO FREEZERS ...except for the one for the homemade ice cream!!! They brew their own beer...and have recently acquired barrels from Knob Hill and Patron for new flavors. The fish is all locally caught...the grouper was excellent! My husband had the porterhouse ...amazing flavor. Chef Eric has recently been selected to be one of 10 chefs who will participate in the Taste of the Derby in Louisville Kentucky. The incredible iron and metal work located in various place is also made by a local. I could go on and on....I will add more once I make a return visit..which I will definitely do as soon as possible.

    (5)

  • Kelly L.

    4th time here. It's never been a bad experience. I have always loved the atmosphere. However, every time I go it has been better than the last. I would go more often, seeing that is across the street from my house, but it is expensive and hard to get a table. I have never had the same thing twice because I want to experience the whole menu. So my judgement that this place is actually cooking better food by the day might be off as I haven't had the same thing twice. Ordered the Kilo tonight, a 2.2 lbs porterhouse. I don't like getting steak at restaurants because I can always make it better for a fraction of the cost. I don't know that that is true anymore. I expressed my concern to the waiter, Al, who was awesome to say the least, that I don't usually order steak because it is over cooked. He assured me the kitchen cooks true to temperature. I told him I like it rare, the kind of rare that is purple in the middle. It was not over cooked to say the least. It is the first time I have actually had steak that was cold in the middle. Now I know that I don't want it any other way. It was like butter. Truly amazed. I have been topped, and I need to know where they buy their meat right now.

    (5)

  • Cathy A.

    I was especially excited to eat here after hearing all the great reviews.

    (4)

  • Joseph B.

    I thought the location, service , and food were very good. Although I was not blown away by the food, it was tasty and consisitent. The craft beers were great as well. I would go here again for sure.

    (4)

  • Kim Q.

    Soooooo delicious!!! Definitely make a reservation or else you'll be waiting a couple hours. We got the crab mac and cheese for an appetizer. I order the pork shank and my boyfriend ordered the tuna. The only bad thing about our meal was the rice that came with my boyfriend's tuna was undercooked. Otherwise, everything was very very tasty. Atmosphere was great, you can see the river and park and downtown.

    (5)

  • Julia H.

    The cocktails were delicious! We made a meal from the side dishes/appetizers, and wanted seconds of everything. The location is great - right along the water with the new path, and the decor is cool. Even the bathrooms are cool.

    (5)

  • Allison D.

    Fantastic service. Great food. Knowledgable staff. What's. Fantastic dinner. Charbroiled oysters are fantastic. I had the yellowfin tuna. Amazing.

    (5)

  • Walter H.

    Awesome night. Started w/ Sunset drinks then an outstanding dinner upstairs. The frog legs & grilled oysters were on point. The bone in New York strip rocked. The service was top notch.,

    (5)

  • Regina M.

    I am glad i waited till the end of my dining experience before i wrote this review because it would have gotten 0 stars for my first 25 mins. I arrived with my party of three we had a reservatuon. There were 5 staff (3 female and 2 male) at the entrance. We gave them our name and waited and waited . It was not busy. And there were preped tables. We almost left. I am so glad we stayed. Our server was great and everything we ordered was great. So i hope they improve their front door staff because everything else was wonderful (except the dont have regular tea so bring your own tea bags)

    (4)

  • Angela M.

    The atmosphere and food were fantastic tonight. We started with the charbroiled oysters and the raw, both tasty and fresh. for entrees we got the Mahi Mahi special, Flank Steak, Ahi Tuna and Meatloaf... All very good. We ended with chocolate ice cream and local plant city strawberry ice cream, delicious. This is a place we will take out out of town visitors and possible lunch outings on a nice day. Service was also fantastic.

    (4)

  • Jaime C.

    I have been to Ulele two times for dinner and once for oysters and beer. I have loved all of my experiences there. Both dinners were complimented by fabulous servers and delicious food...not to mention the amazing view of the lawn and river. The foods that stood out for me were the okra fries with homemade ketchup, guava pie, and the duck bacon ice-cream. I have eaten steak both times and they were cooked to perfection. My husband had the Mahi Mahi and loved it. The charbroiled oysters were delish (not an oyster lover)! I would pass on the squash next time, but to be honest I am not usually a fan. I tried a flight of beer and really liked the honey beer. The wines are at good price points. Casual for lunch and a little more dressy for dinner. The inside is a bit loud, but the outside is nice and quiet.

    (5)

  • Mark Z.

    Great food. Had portobello sandwich. My buddy had a burger. Restaurant has very nice layout. Decent prices.

    (5)

  • William M.

    Food sounded enticing on the menu, but did not deliver when it arrived. The entree arrived cold and took a very long time. Service was lackluster. I would recommend for drinks...only if someone at the bar would pay attention enough to acknowledge your presence. Ambiance is cool. The sports' memorabilia on the walls was very irrelevant to theme of "Ulele".

    (2)

  • Emilio E.

    I was honored by being taken here for brunch on my birthday (St. Patty's Day ). Must say loved the decor, the atmosphere very funky and retro. Staff is amazing and friendly. Food phenomenon we had the okra fries, calamari, I had the grouper sandwhich (blackened) with fries (very tasty and seasoned) my friend had the Ulele burger with fries. Can you say delicious!!! For dessert we had the candied duck bacon maple fried ice cream with corn flakes yes corn flakes it was unique and DELICIOUS!!!!! Highly recommended this place.

    (5)

  • Tom M.

    Amazing atmosphere! Amazing food!! You really can't beat this place, the food was great and unique! The building looks amazing and upscale but is very comfortable and homie. Great location near downtown too. Valet is cheap and quick. Plus on top of all this they have their own brewery!! The only thing I wish they would change would be to offer more of a beer selection. Aside from that, this place is perfect! We will be back again.

    (5)

  • Urban G.

    We ordered half a dozen appetizers from the lobster roll to the grilled oysters every single item was delicious! The service was nice too!

    (4)

  • Maria T O.

    It was my first time at Ulele! Very friendly and reliable server; great Lunch menu and love my choice: apple cider Pork Sandwich; and if course the Maple fried Ice cream!

    (5)

  • Eric E.

    Could have been much better. Much anticipated, hard to get a reservation. Simply stunning locale made even better by it's slightly offbeat location and the gorgeous waterworks park on the riverbend. Best dish was the lobster cake. Three areas for improvement: 1) very loud. Probably inevitable in this sort of old converted building but we were a party of 7 and had to shout to be heard. Better for couples or smaller groups. 2) small wine servings. I don't understand the trend toward oversized goblets filled one third of the way. Sure, it allows you to better experience the nose of the wine but it looks like a small, rationed pour. Would rather have a smaller, at least half full glass. Signature cocktails were great I would go with them. 3) inconsistent food. Sorry to say I went in worried about this because I have never been a fan of food at the Columbia. Specific concerns: porterhouse ordered med rare came out med well. Grilled oysters were TINY defeating the purpose of the preparation. Deconstructed seafood pie was insanely rich like something from the 1950s before we realized that two sticks of butter in a dish was not a great idea. Alligator hush puppies and lobster cake were delicious. So....probably won't go back until they upgrade the good. Service was great.

    (3)

  • Mandy J.

    Great apps and desserts, entrees are good but not amazing as the rest of their food.

    (5)

  • Justin R.

    I hate to have this be the first thing I write about for this review, but is this restaurant really in Tampa Heights, or is it in Ybor, maybe downtown? This has been driving me nuts. Regardless the restaurant is located waterside of the Hillsborough River, adjacent to the Water Works Park. The grounds entering in to the restaurant will let you know the attention to detail this establishment has placed on each minute moving part of this grand symphony. It's one of the few restaurants where you can honestly say the exterior is every bit as planned and lavish as the interior. The interior is quite amazing, a crisp layer of simple modernity sweeps across the dining room floor, combined with art; makes the visual experience one that is engaging and tasteful, yet not overdone. The service was prompt, our server who just started was fairly knowledgeable and prompt. They had many signature hand-muddled cocktails, of which I did not partake, Ulele also has in house brewed beers, but I didn't try any of these either, instead I opted for the wine. I will say that I felt like their wine list was a little underdeveloped, but this is a minor detail for me, but may be an issue to another customer looking to pair their food with that perfect glass of wine. The food was amazing. I got the beer can chicken, something that is simple, but can easily be verkackt. The chicken was prepared to perfection, not dry, not overdone, perfect. The citrus marinade and seasoning was a light note that didn't completely sweep away the tender flavors of the meat. The dish was served with a small side of green beans, which were fair enough, and an exceptionally delectable side of cornbread, I'm not sure if it was the jalapeno cheddar or the quick bread, regardless it was amazing. My daughter ordered the kids burgers, and seemed to be satisfied. The restaurant was exceptionally busy and all of our food was served in a timely fashion. The best thing is that the meal I received I would have valued for more than what we paid, and if I feel that way walking out of a restaurant, I am a guaranteed customer for life. Ulele is admirable, distinct new addition to the Tampa food scene.

    (4)

  • Justin M.

    The atmosphere and service was excellent. I'm not picky at all but the new york strip I got wasn't that great. It was the special for that night. They added some sort of gravey to it which had mushrooms and mussels in it. I don't think gravey compliments a steak very well and the mashed popcorn potatoes....well it was mashed potatoes with popcorn on top. Totally random and I didn't really get the point of it. Their beer was really good though! I'll come back but this time I'm trying something different. I do recommend at least trying this place. Make reservations in advance fyi

    (3)

  • Justin P.

    Simply outstanding. A unique and complete experience that adds much needed range to the Tampa dining scene. Our server was amazing and guided us to some excellent choices. Got the filet special and the snapper-- both were excellent with great flavor. Fried Okra is a must as well as the key lime stack and the espresso ice cream for dessert. We will return as soon as we can.

    (5)

  • Brian P.

    One of the best new restaurants in Tampa. An excellent ambiance and a converted warehouse lends a very modern feeling. It's a huge space with a rooftop bar, beer garden, and patio seating next to the river. The food is excellent and the wine list, while not overly expansive, is extremely well priced for a restaurant (minimal markup over retail).

    (4)

  • Polly C.

    I dined at Ulele last evening for the first time. The restaurant is very attractive and the surrounding grounds are beautiful. ..the setting is on the Hillsborough River and of course there is the Ulele Spring. Our waiter could not have been more informative, polite, and knowledgeable of the restaurant that he represents. The food was very good. My only concern is that in my opinion the menu felt a bit limited. I do not like sea food so my choices were not vast. Hopefully the owners will expand the menu at some point.

    (4)

  • Erica M.

    We've wanted to try Ulele since it opened but found it was nearly impossible to get a reservation. We heard from a friend that they are intentionally limiting a very small number of reservations during peak times to make it appear impossible to get in. That definitely made it lose a few points in my book, but oh well...to each his own marketing gimmicks. We arrived at 6:45 on a Friday night and requested an outdoor table for 4. Indoor tables were available immediately and we were quoted a 25-30 minute wait for outside. We grabbed a drink at the bar and went out to the beer garden to relax and enjoy the beautiful evening. The place is huge - the beer garden was cool, but I would love to see them offer a small menu out there. Even just oysters and a few different finger foods would be cool. We were seated nearly an hour after we put our name in and our server was very pleasant. For food, we started with the charbroiled oysters and alligator hushpuppies and for entrees had the duck, ahi tuna, grouper, and the mac n cheese and octopus carpaccio. The best item of the night was the duck - cooked and flavored well. The oysters were tasty but the hushpuppies had very little flavor...we didn't even finish those. I had the carpaccio and mac n cheese. Mac n cheese had good flavor but the cheese sauce almost tasted broken. A little mealy for my liking. Didn't care much for the carpaccio...it wasn't bad, just wasn't special. The tuna was excellent quality and the pumpkin seeds added nice texture and a different taste than your typical sesame seed crust. I had a bite of the grouper and thought it was good, but everyone else at the table thought it was meh. Overall, we had a nice experience and loved the ambiance. We would definitely go back for drinks outside, and maybe some raw oysters, too. The menu was balanced and had something for everyone, so it would be a good spot to visit even with non adventurous eaters.

    (4)

  • Ashley C.

    Decor and location are spot on. The food is just okay for the price. The best item we ordered was the pork shank. The mahi special and meatloaf were average. We had a 7:00 reservation and didn't get seated until 7:45. The saving grace was the view outside and places to sit while you waited. I was a bit disappointed as this was somewhere I've waited to try for while.

    (3)

  • Debbi C.

    First off, I want to love this restaurant. The building, a reconverted waterworks building, is charming with original, vintage brick and enough glass and wooden accents-- and a touch of Tampa sports memorabilia-- to keep it current. Ulele is situated on Tampa's waterfront and the views at sunset are spectacular. Large glass doors open to bring the outside in. Outside space is comfy and dog-friendly. And evening complimentary parking is a plus. And then there's the food which keeps me from giving Ulele the 5 stars I wish I could give. First, my lobster cocktail was salty and much too horseradishy. Two of my guests ordered the seafood pot pie and also found it overly seasoned. I found the chicken dish rather plain and uninspired. High marks for the Mac & cheese, the squash gratin, and the stuffed grouper. Portions are big so you'll have enough to bring home for tomorrow's lunch. Our server was attentive, knowledgeable and friendly. Desserts were good, yet very big. After dinner, take a tour of the brewery with Tim, the brewmaster. We all enjoyed the energy and atmosphere of Ulele-- we will try again to see if the food can match the rest of the experience.

    (4)

  • Arthur C.

    I went on Sunday 9/28/2014. It was packed, but the service and food was excellent. We shared four starter. The octopus, oysters, calamari, and frog legs. Wow, they were fantastic but the oyster blows Ricks on the River my local oyster place away. They are not even in the same ball park. I think this is a restaurant that rivals Bern's in service. There is a story about everything even the spring next to the restaurant. The wine list was good too. The beers were brewed in house, as a brewer the server almost had everything right about the brewing of lagers (all their brews are lagers). I wish they had an ale or stout. It would be nice to have a heavy beer with a heavy meal. Maybe later on. I had the Chicken special it was so delicious that I finished past the point of uncomfortably full because there was not enough to take home. I really wish I had left room for the duck bacon fried ice cream. I now have to go back.

    (5)

  • Gregory S.

    No. 1 Restaurant in Tampa, Service is 2nd to None, 3rd Visit! The best time to make a reservation is just before or during sunset. Its almost like they knew this location had one of the best sunset views in the area. Take your significant other, children, or take it all in alone. Now the food...charbroiled oysters are consistently delicious, Pompano is probably their top selling seafood, and the flank steak is perfectly dressed with avocado chimichurri. If you're not into any of those, don't miss the white cheddar popcorn mashed potatoes (yes, there's actual cheddar popcorn garnish), blistered peppers or okra fries, and save room for the candied duck bacon Maple fried ice cream. But who am I to try to convince you...try it for yourself. Remember, at or near sunset, you won't be dissapointed!

    (5)

  • Erik K.

    After trying Ulele for lunch I decided to come back for dinner. What makes me really frustrated is that I really really really wanted to love the food and experience. What gives me a 2 star rating is the service and front of the house management. We had a party of 4 reservation for 9pm. With a 9pm reservation on a Friday night I fully expect a setting no more than 15-20 after my reservation time. Well boy was this expectation not met. We arrived at 8:50, checked in and was told they where running about 15-20 min past reservation time, perfect I thought, let's go get a drink. At 940 we went back to the hostess stand and was given a run around about our reservation. The bottom line is that they forgot to check us in and told me it would be another 20-30 min before we could be seated. Luckily 4 spots opened at the oyster bar and we grabbed them. Nothing like getting your meal at 11pm. The food was good not great and the service was decent but not great either. Not sure I'd go back with all the other newer options popping up around town Note to management, Manage your reservation desk much better! That's your first impression at a restaurant

    (2)

  • Joe D.

    I previously read mixed reviews on this spot but my girlfriend and I went in with the mindset that we would formulate our own opinion. Atmosphere - top notch (interesting part of town but the restaurant area is safe) Service - very prompt with our table (although it was a Monday night) wait staff was very courteous. Drinks - pretty good, not great though - do try the strawberry beer (not too sweet) Food - apps were outstanding, try the sushitos! I had the pork shank and my lady had the flank steak, the sides were outstanding...the only hit on the food was you couldn't sub different sides :( Overall it was a great dining experience and we would definitely go back.

    (5)

  • Erin H.

    I really wanted to like this place more than I did. It wasn't bad, but definitely wasn't great. Our main issue was not the food, but the service. We rarely saw our waiter, weren't provided drink menus from the start, one we order drinks had to ask to have them brought to us after a long delay, waited nearly 10 minutes for the dessert menus after we asked, had to have the bill brought to us by a manager because our server was too busy, and were met with apologies about something on each interaction with the staff. It wasn't the end of the world, but at almost $30 per entrée, I would expect better. Our food was generally good. I was not overly impressed with the pompano, in general the dish was not very flavorful, but the other people in my party enjoyed their food (the grouper and tuna). My drink (an old fashioned) was very good once I received it. We had oysters, crab mac and cheese. and the hush puppies as starters and the oysters were the highlight. I would consider going back to Ulele, but it will be a while. I can't say that I felt that it was a great value for money. Maybe we just hit it on a bad night--the restaurant was packed.

    (3)

  • Erica G.

    Very busy restaurant, be sure to make a reservation. I suggest taking advantage of the valet parking that is provided, unless you prefer to park your car elsewhere and walk through the river walk. The okra fries, alligator hush puppies and garlic oysters were all very good appetizers. Most of us ordered the the steak with the chimichurri sauce and popcorn mashed potatoes and veggies, which was excellent. I'd love to come back and try some of the other entrees on the menu.

    (4)

  • Joe U.

    Man, this place is popular. I initially went in on a Saturday afternoon with a party of 3. They told is it was going to be a 2-hour wait, but they ended up calling us about 45 minutes. Even though the portions weren't too big (I had the char-grilled oysters and okra fries) for the price, the food was really good. The staff were rally friendly and accommodating and pewter the shades for us when we were sitting near the back wall that was open to the outside. The scenery was a great overlook to some water and a nice park. I would probably go back here, but not too often.

    (4)

  • Michelle D.

    No take-out from the bar. Wait for clearing outside tables could be improved. Wait staff okay. Better than average kids menu. Good recipes. This place really needs to improve the quality of the ingredients. Leaves in the salad rotten, flank steak chewy yet, surprisingly the Grouper was good. Priced above experience.

    (3)

  • Lauren P.

    I really wanted to like Ulele. The flavors were not there. While waiting for our table I was drooling over the menu. Everything sounded so good. The inside of ulele is beautiful. A bit industrial but classy. I love it. The service was good. Waiter was very efficient, nice, and knowledgeable. When our food came out it looked beautiful. The first bit was a totally disappointment. No flavor in any of the tables dishes. I got the flank steak with avocado Chimichurri and grilled veggies. My steak came out raw, still cold. I wanted it medium rare. After sending it back, it came back medium well. Anyway, it wasn't great. Pretty boring. Chimichurri did nothing to help it. Asparagus was really thick, too hard, too boring. Everything needed a healthy dose of salt. My boyfriend got a bunch of sides. Baked squash was so boring-could have made something way better at home. Jalapeño cornbread was dry and also flavorless. Mac and cheese was fine, but nothing special. They have the space, and their wait staff down, but the food is lacking big time. I might try Ulele again once they have more time to improve.

    (2)

  • Marc S.

    I have been waiting to try this place...especially since I kept hearing so many good things about it. The restaurant is very cool...nice view and good selection of drinks and food. The parking was a bit difficult and I found the lobster rolls to be mostly bread and not that much for the price you pay. The service was good...we did have to wait even thought I saw a good amount of tables open so that confused me. One of my friends had to go up and ask how much longer and they somehow were able to take us right away all the sudden. I am all about giving places a second try so I will go back and see if I can up my review to 4 or 5 stars next time...still not a bad place at all!

    (3)

  • Isabelle R.

    Stopped by for lunch and tried the lobster roll and a friend's duck club sandwich. Although the lobster was tasty, it wasn't on much of a roll, more like a folded slice of white bread which was odd for this kind of restaurant. The sandwich wasn't anything impressive. I definitely like the ambience but sadly the food wasnt great this time around. Will stick to dinner only.

    (3)

  • Adam T.

    Simply wonderful! As a foodie in Tampa, was waiting for a restaurant like this to come to town. As fair warning, reservations for Friday and Saturday fill at least 2 weeks in advance. Sunday's and weeknights are easier. Have been twice so far; on a date and with friends, and each time was phenomenal. To start, the ambiance is unbeatable. With all the doors open facing the water and the cool decorations, this place doesn't get old. Next comes the wait-staff. Hands-down some of the friendliest people I've met. They are happy working here and it shows. They have a passion for food and it shows when they describe the menu. They have opinions on their own food which is a refreshing change from the average "everything we serve is good." Before I get to food, I have to make a statement: The most reasonably priced wine-list I have seen. To be able to get the Anniversary Caymus at ~$80 a bottle is unheard of. I hope this doesn't change. The food: Simply, have not had a dish that didn't impress me yet. The Charbroiled oysters are a must. Have gotten fish both meals I've had there, but am excited to try the steak. Without any of the other above positives, the food would put this place at 5 stars, but as a collective experience, it's one of the top 3 restaurants in Tampa.

    (5)

  • Marc P.

    Unique take on some classics. Also a great location in an up and coming area

    (5)

  • Ann W.

    Had a great dining experience here the other night. The menu is really interesting and whets your appetite with so many different kinds of dishes. The ambience is unbeatable. It's located in the waterworks Park near downtown Tampa. It looks like a converted factory with lots of glass, very high ceilings and industrial pipe fittings all around. The wine cellar is under the stairs which is a neat use of that otherwise on usable space. It reminds me of restaurants in New York's SoHo. The wait staff are very knowledgeable and friendly. Our server was great and helped recommend some really tasty dishes. For appetizers, we chose the chili made up of so many different kinds of meat including venison, pork, alligator and beef. It was delicious and highly recommended. The fried okra was prepared like frenchfries would be and were finger licking good. As our entrées, I went with the Pompano fish dish with ribbon carrots and tasty wild rice. It was a great combination of sweet, savory and nutty. The pork dish was monumental with over a pound and a half of pork that was coming off the bone with sweet potato mash and vegetables. That was a winner as well. I highly recommend this place for a night out, a festive occasion or if you're looking for a great meal in a cool area of town, this is the place to go to.

    (4)

  • Sandy S.

    This place gets it right every time. I have been here for lunch and dinner with small groups and the service and the food has been consistently outstanding. The drinks are also top notch. Bear in mind, nothing here is cheap and they do not do "specials" or happy hour to my knowledge. The ambience & décor both inside and outside the building is the best I have seen in Tampa. There is limited seating available outside the front entrance to the restaurant and there is a lovely fire pit and promenade that just begs to be walked through. Order a drink and explore the area as you want to be seated. A couple recommendations: The mac and cheese (with or without crab) is decadently creamy. For a healthier option try the shishito peppers as an appetizer. If you like margaritas, they also make an awesome house margarita. Make sure you ask for their exclusively bottled Patron tequila. I would not suggest this place for a large group as it is very loud inside and would be hard to hear each other at a big table.

    (5)

  • Ronnie K.

    What a disappointment! All the hype, only to have mediocre, bland food and minimally par service. Of the 3 appetizers we ordered...lobster cake, alligator hush puppies and crab mac n' cheese, we agreed that the the hush puppies were the best and skip the rest. Three of us ordered steak entrees and one the pompano and unfortunately there were no real winners here either. There was a mistake with one cut of meat and they all came out rare even though different temperatures were ordered. This restaurant did not live up to the hype nor any of our expectations and none of us will be returning any time soon.

    (2)

  • Zao Z.

    This restaurant is probably one of the most unique and best restaurants in the area. The menu is very inventive, especially for Tampa. You will have your classics but there are dishes on there that you won't see in your standard Tampa restaurant. The food was overall cooked very well. They have a decent selection of craft beer and wine. The decor was very nice. Beck did a great job restoring and renovating the building. Besides a few restaurants in Ybor, you won't find unique standalone restaurants in Tampa with charm. Instantly, you feel there is a story or some sort of history. It is also right by the river. It is great for a date. The neighborhood is gentrified and cleaned up. The service was attentive but the server was new? They were not familiar with the menu. He prob can recite the menu but he didn't actually try all the items. Reading about it and experiencing it are very different levels of understanding. I will give it a pass since the restaurant is new.

    (5)

  • Maggie A.

    Fried okra is delicious and the alligator hushpuppies! I had the Ulele salad one time and didn't realize how "healthy" and pretty plain it is so I won't be getting that again. Other than that mishap, the food is amazing. It is mainly meat based which is sometimes a bit much for me so hopefully they'll be adding some vegetarian based dishes soon.

    (5)

  • Taylor E.

    This place was packed on Wednesday, couldn't get a res so we ate at the bar. It made for a nice atmosphere as we set directly in front of the cooking line and grill. Food was delicious. We had the pompano over potatoes, it was great. Drinks were also well done. Would go back. The only ding I have for them was a lack of variety on menu.

    (4)

  • Mel R.

    great experience. i had the 8 oz flank steak with mash potatoes. Delicious!!! especially their avocado chimichurri sauce was just YUMMMMMMMMMMM!

    (5)

  • Lizzy M.

    I'm a Tampa native. I've been to the Columbia more times than I can count so when I heard that Ulele was opening by the same opener, I was so excited to try it out. I went last week and was not impressed at all. Let me first say the ambiance is very cool. The outside area is beautiful. The hostesses were nice and polite. That is about as positive as my rating is. Our waiter was very bad. I know everyone has an off night but he was so uninterested in helping our table, and those around us, and seemed to not want to be working at all. His first question, after bringing water and saying not one word, was what can I get for you? I had to ask him what the specials for the evening were. This restaurant gives no bread or pre dinner snack. Plates are $20-$30, bring some free bread. I dined with 4 other people. I got the flank steak with the "jimmychurry" after seeing so many people on yelp raving about it. Mine was so so. The sauce was on the side and had two measly pieces of avocado in it. It came with mashed potatoes and 4 pieces of asparagus. Nothing on my plate was hot. My husband got the flounder which he liked but was not over the moon about. All in all, our experience was not good. After speaking to other friends and family who have been there, they had similar experiences. If you want over priced food and bad service, this is your spot. Sadly, we will not be back.

    (2)

  • Patricia B.

    I wanted to wait until I've had both lunch and dinner at Ulele before writing a review. Both get 5 stars. I wish I could give 10 stars. Consistently, Ulele has been a gastronomic treat. The deconstructed seafood pot pie is amazing. The crab Mac and cheese is so creamy and heavenly that it's worth the calories, and then some. The okra fries and blistered peppers are both delicious puffs of fabulousness. Their own brewed beers are really good, with a variety of kinds to please anyone. The wines are also good and are stored in a gorgeous room under the stairs. The portobello sandwich at lunch is fantastic. The giant open doors facing the Hillsborough offered a gorgeous view, and when the sun started the blind everyone, they lowered a screen and it provided relief from the sun but you could still see out. The service has been pretty consistent, slow at times, attentive at others. It takes a while for a new restaurant to get its groove, and it seems Ulele is well on its way. Ulele is fast becoming my favorite go to restaurant in Tampa.

    (5)

  • Ly N.

    Had dinner here for my friend's birthday. The place was pretty, the service was excellent! She was very attentive. Ordered oysters, and it was superb! My lollipop chicken was not up to par. It was very cold, and under seasoned.

    (3)

  • Jacquelyn M.

    Visited last month with friends and tried LOTS of good food!! The Ring of Fire had just enough kick with jalapeño vodka (going to have to try to make that at home) Baked oysters were full of cheesy, garlicky, goodness. The mac and cheese did not disappoint. One of the specials was a snapper with an apple chutney, I could have licked the plate. The roast chicken was good, but tasted like a Publix rotisserie chicken. Ice creams were very good, the fried ice cream with duck bacon was fair - probably wouldn't order it again.

    (4)

  • Stephanie S.

    I wish I lived in the area, I'd definitely come here more often. The location is great, and if the weather is nice you should absolutely sit outside. They don't offer a whole lot of beer options, but what they do have is delightful. The food is yummy and the service is good, what more do you really need?

    (4)

  • Amy D.

    The ambience and food are spectacular! Ever since my first visit I've been waiting to go back. The appetizers were in incredible, especially the oysters and okra. The mashed potatoes with white cheddar popcorn sounds better than it is but the homemade pumpkin ice cream makes up for it. The service is the primary reason for 3 stars. It needs some work but I understand they're fairly new and may need to work on the kinks. Well, maybe not...recently, I called to make a group reservations after raving to my friends how great their food was. Not only did I wait 15 minutes for the manager, he was unenthusiastic and forgot manners - hello, thank you, good-bye. Guess service is still in issue whether you're in the restaurant or not. Disappointing.

    (3)

  • Nate C.

    Luella beers were bland and mediocre. Food was good, but I expect better for the price. My date and I both had the same opinion - after hearing plenty of great things, we were underwhelmed. It's worth checking out because there was nothing negative and maybe it will be your thing.

    (3)

  • Erin P.

    I was thrilled to hear that Ulele (you-lay-lee) was going to begin serving lunch on Sundays beginning today (11/2/2014). Rachel M. set up a lunch reservation and we gladly accepted the invite. Upon arrival to Ulele we were taken back with the breath taking view of Tampa's Riverwalk where the restaurant is located. Beautiful on the inside with lots of space with the kitchen location is open so you can see everything that is happening. There is a gorgeous staircase leading upstairs -- did not make it up there but would like to see it next time we visit. The back wall is solid glass over looking the Hillsborough River. We were seated at a ten top in the center of the dining room and immediately approached by our super attentive/friendly waiter Jorge (Thanks for the great service Jorge -- my iced tea was never empty). Would also like to thank managing partner Keith Sedita for stopping by our table and introducing himself. Appreciate him taking the time to make sure our experience was perfect from beginning to end. The hubby and I browsed the list of available craft made beers, extensive wine list and signature cocktails -- we did not try any but were impressed with the eclectic selection. Since there was going to be a large group of us for lunch we decided to all get different appetizers so we could share the goodness. We ordered the Okra Fries, Lollipop Chicken and Karson's Jalapeno Corn Beer Quick Bread. Other guests ordered the Blistered Peppers, Crab Mac and Cheese and Oysters on the Half Shell. (Chris W., you were correct -- the Okra Fries rocked my world). The Okra Fries -- my favorite -- cut okra cooked with lime juice and sea salt with homemade ketchup for dipping sauce. I did not try the Lollipop Chicken (four pieces of chicken with citrus chili sambal, kale and apple slaw), Crab Mac and Cheese (four cheeses, light beer sauce, fresh crab with seashell pasta topped with Romano Parmesan crust) or the Oysters but the hubby said it was all delicious. The Jalapeno Corn Beer Quick Bread (cornbread muffin baked with corn and jalapeno pieces) -- had a nice heat to it. In addition, I am a wimp when it comes to hot/spicy items -- the hubby warned me that a couple of the Blistered Peppers (shishito peppers seared in sea salt, garlic and olive oil) took his breath away, but were very tasty. For our entrees, I ordered the Top Sirloin with popcorn mashed potatoes and grilled asparagus -- hubby chose the Blackened Grouper sandwich. Sirloin was just as tender as a filet mignon and the mashed potatoes were nothing like I have ever eaten. Husband really liked the Grouper sandwich -- said it was flaky and fresh. Everyone raved about their meals. Two hours flew by way too quickly. Unfortunately, we did not get a chance to try any desserts but will be back. We had a wonderful afternoon with delicious food and a great group of people.

    (5)

  • Brittany L.

    I came here for the first time for a Yelp event and was so impressed by what I saw that a group of us decided to stay for dinner. During the event I sampled 4 different beers: Oktoberfest, Honey Lager, Wedding Beer, and Bourbon Honey Lager, and really enjoyed all of them. I tried several appetizers as well: Alligator Hush Puppy, Lobster Cake, Chicken Lollipop, and a slice of flank steak. All were good but my favorite was the hush puppy...like a savory, meaty donut hole. Yum! I started dinner with a Fresh From Florida Mojito ($8.95), which adds fresh-squeezed OJ to the traditional mojito recipe. It was very good and the fresh flavors of the ingredients were very evident. For dinner I had a bowl of chili ($6) and ice cream. The chili is really excellent. It features a variety of Florida wild game: venison, wild boar, alligator...and maybe one other? alongside small red beans and crushed tomato. It's served with some flat bread (maybe pita?) crisps. Yum! The dessert menu is fairly large but I decided I had to get ice cream since it's homemade. For $5 you get 2 scoops and you can mix and match from the flavors available! I had the pumpkin ice cream, which pretty much tasted like frozen pumpkin pie complete with tasty bits of crust, and the Valrhona chocolate which was very rich and delicious. My check total for 2 scoops of ice cream, a cocktail, and a bowl of chili was under $20 before tax. The only menu items I saw that were over $30 were the large steaks or steak and seafood combos, which included 2 sides. The rest of the menu looked amazing enough that I came back with my boyfriend about a month later. We started with a glass of wine and a beer flight along with a bowl of chili and a side of mac and cheese...mix them together if you're feeling decadent. I have to say that he's quite a wine snob and this list met his approval both for offerings and pricing. For dinner I had seafood pot pie and he had a steak. Our entrees were really good and we both had leftovers for lunch the next day. I really like the mashed potatoes but the popcorn is an odd touch. It always seems to be kinda chewy and doesn't add much flavor to the dish. There are only like 6 pieces, so if you're put off by it push them aside. The only gripe I can come up with about Ulele is that if you're on a date with one other person, the seating leaves you oddly exposed. The booths are big, for 4-6 diners. If you're a couple you'll likely end up sitting at a table that's right in the middle of the floor, kind of on display. This restaurant is surprisingly affordable for how nice it is and the quality of the ingredients. Menu is very approachable...you're not going to find a lot of French words or ingredients and techniques you've never heard of. I would definitely recommend it to anyone and look forward to coming back again and again!

    (5)

  • D O.

    I got a seared tuna appetizer and butternut squash gnocchi. The tuna was very fresh and perfectly seared. I would have preferred a spicier mire acidic sauce to what they served, but it was still good. The gnocchi, however, were magnificent: light, flavorful, in a delicious sauce, and they went great with the butternut squash chunks and fresh spinach that they were served with. The portion was generous but not excessive. The restaurant is clean, looks nice and has a pleasant patio with torches and fountains.

    (5)

  • Marcus W.

    Best Manhattan in town. Hands down. Lobster cake: 5 stars Char oysters: 5 stars Snapper special: 4 stars Homemade Coffee Ice cream: 5 stars Ahi: 5 stars Greeting: 5 stars Server: 5 stars Ambiance: 5 stars Decor: 5 stars Overall Experience: 5 stars Will definitely be back again. Great restaurant. Great location too.

    (5)

  • Sheila D.

    We just dined at Ulele last night for our anniversary. It's in a cool part of town, and the little walk there from the parking lot was nice. We had a reservation, but the table wasn't ready, so we went to the overcrowded bar. The bartender was great and made us fabulous drinks. Our waiter was also great! (Rodney) We had the oyster shooters, 1 each with tequila and some kind of tomato juice- so good! The filet was perfect and the yellow fin tuna was excellent, albeit the rice wasn't cooked enough for me. (hard bits!). We had the guava pie for dessert and it was so good. The only reason we probably won't go back, is because the place is excruciatingly LOUD!! I mean really LOUD!!!! It's too bad because the food is really tasty! Maybe there are some tables outside?- but we're talking Florida... so you take your chances- heat, rain, bugs etc...(this isn't Europe). Darn it!!

    (3)

  • Keith B.

    I was excited to try Ulele, as a new and potentially exciting addition to downtown. . I've had three close people in my life have poor experiences since its opening. Still, I wanted to give it a shot for myself. Unfortunately the trend of a poor experience has continued tonight in my time at Ulele. I believe in being as specific as possible, so here are things to keep in mind: *We were seated 35-40 minutes after our reservation time, with no mention of the delay. I also let go of the "interesting" greeting by the hostess, which felt to me to be a bit and unnecessarily smug. *12-15 minutes after being seated, a woman came to ask for drink orders. She was friendly and accommodating, tho we had no clue who she was. *Drinks then arrived on the first appearance of our server at least 15 minutes later. *A guest of ours discretely mentioned the poor service to server; he apologized, yet that didn't change the experience to come. *Salads then arrived at least 15 minutes later. *Entres (basic fish, tuna, etc.) then arrived at least 25 minutes later. Tuna cooked medium showed no pink. Without much presence of a server or manager, not much could be done there. Other entrees were quite tasty and nicely prepared. *Server was gone once salads arrived and wasn't seen until much, much later. Although he seemed very nice, he was either overwhelmed or unconcerned about the issues. The mood felt like it was to suggest this: to eat somewhere so amazing like Ulele, one just deals with this sort of stuff. Felt like I was in an episode of Sex and the City. Attitude is such a tricky and potentially dangerous piece with which to deal. What attitude is Ulele working to create? *Wrong cocktail arrived later. No real follow up from server, hope I wasn't allergic to gin! (There was a miscommunication between someone who server had sent over to take refill drinks from him, and what got ordered.) *Silverware and ground black pepper took a weirdly long amount of time. *Manager eventually came to table, upon request, and this was the first occasion to see a manager in the upstairs space by us during the entire sitting. He was surprised to hear of issues, as "they never have them." He just "wishes his employees would have told him." As customers, how does that help? What do we do with that? It's a lack of ownership, at least in part. Blame never wins long term. Also if we would've seen a manager dating issues,we would've let him know much earlier. *Manager repeated line about the servers. However as most know: help is only as good as the management. *awkward moment with manager (kindly?) wanting to buy us desserts. Then maybe a round of drinks. Note: we weren't there to get anything for free, and there was no expectation of that; however, how the issue was resolved felt unsatisfactory. *Some items were comped--no rhyme or reason. The mistaken drink order stayed on my ticket. Manager chose to not return to the table to let us know how he reconciled it. Had the server do it. If you know customer service or have been there, you understand that that choice feels purposeful and meaningful. At least in part, manager had no sustained interest in making experience better, and to see if it met customers' satisfaction. If he did, he should have finished reconciling it with us. It's a shame--as I believe there is/was much potential here. However, the basics just weren't covered well or adequately. This was a similar experience for the others who tried Ulele and had an unpleasant time. There's still time to fix this, perhaps, but the clock is ticking fast. The hostesses asked me how it all was as I moved to exit. Upon my politely saying, unfortunately terrible," one hostess couldn't find it in herself to NOT be smiling as she listened, as if she was amused or thought it was cute. Maybe she was nervous. By the third time I said it to another hostess, she finally listened and understood that we had already seen a manager and his help was limited, evasive, and non persuasive. The space readily avails itself to large family and work parties. I would never subject my family or colleagues or guests on business to that, however. In part too because the atmosphere and a bit of the noise didn't quite match the food prices. Valet asked me how it all was. To my response, "unfortunately terrible," the one valet said, "but your taking food to go?!!" (Suggesting it must not have been that bad. I took to go because the experience and our treatment made me lose my appetite.) The vibe in the restaurant is understandably going for contemporary and trendy. Sadly the experience on this night fell short of the service I'd been wiling to accept even from a casual diner. Customers didn't prevail here. That's too bad. Wish the service, the timing, the management would have even adequately matched the potential.

    (1)

  • Marshall G.

    Buzz from a co-worker from night before. Raved about the charbroiled oysters and okra fries as apps. I had the oysters and the fries the next night. While very tasty, the oysters were more like clams, as far as meat goes. I expected meaty, large succulent oyster meat. I got some pebble sized oysters. The included bread is very tasty when dredged in the left over juice in the serving plate. Okra Fries. Decent. I expected more from the menu description. Entree was one of the specials that night, a 14oz Porterhouse, 28 day dry aged. I ordered medium rare with the included cheddar popcorn mash and asparagus. Steak came out more rare. A huge mastodon piece of meat,carved on a separate plate from the potatoes and 6 or so asparagus tips. Steak was delicious, if a bit underdone for MR. Not a fan of the popcorn in the mashed potatoes. Maybe if it was fresh and put on top of the potatoes, it might have worked. As served, it was just mushy pop corn in good tasting mashed potatoes. Asparagus was perfectly crisp tender. Wait staff was very good if a bit hovering. I'd certainly go back for another chance, tripadvisor.com/ShowUser…

    (3)

  • Chris W.

    Inside and out I love how this restaurant looked. The outside has beautiful views of the water with some amusing metal sculptures on display. The inside is hip and modern and quite a sight to behold. Our table was situated near a full-sized horse statue and some giant doors that had been left open. It was so wonderful having the cool night breeze and the view of the water right in front of us. It's been a long time since I was so impressed with the ambience of a restaurant. Before we were seated we were able to take a brewery tour, which was interesting. The drinkers in the group were able to get a sample of the product being produced, which was a nice touch. The biggest surprise for me was the okra fries. Every time I have tried okra in the past I have not liked it. It is usually fried and covered in batter, which does not help. Here they serve them crispy with a dipping sauce. I was quite surprised that I liked it. I did find it slightly absurd that because I wanted a chicken dish I had to order a $17 entrée that was a Paul Bunyan sized portion. Literally half a chicken on my plate. There does not exist a scenario where I would ever be able to eat all of that. I wish that they offered the choice to have half that much chicken for half the price. There was some kind of screwup with my order, which meant that everyone else got their food and was almost finished by the time I finally got my entrée. As someone who is a notoriously slow eater that was pretty much my worst nightmare. I got the beer can chicken and it was moist and tasty but again there was way too much of it. The wait staff felt bad for me staring at the table while everyone else was eating so they comped me a side order. I got the mashed potatoes with popcorn. I'm still not sure why the menu has a popcorn/mashed potato combination. It was good mashed potatoes with a few pieces of white cheddar popcorn sprinkled on top. I can't say that the popcorn added anything to this dish except confusion for me. For dessert I got the flourless chocolate torte, which was a little too rich for my tastes. I was looking at what everyone else got and I thought that it was neat that the ice cream was served in coconut shells! I am not crazy about the parking situation at all. You either pay for valet or try and find a spot on the streets nearby. There was a large, fenced in parking lot very close to the restaurant that was open and half empty but a sign said that it was not for public parking. Very frustrating. Overall I had a fun dinner here with some great friends.

    (4)

  • Taira F.

    Love it Love it Love it If you don't, your dumb! (ment in a Joking manner) I have been here a handful of times and I could list all the reasons this place is amazing but really go for yourself. It's my favorite place to bring out of towners! My second choice would be something in Seminole Heights but with so many options there. I like to go to the best Tampa Heights Riverside spot!

    (5)

  • Thomas L.

    Great food. Great wine list, great staff. This place is constantly busy and they handle it with little to no hiccups. Space is a great, built into the park around it. Highly suggest them for anyone whom hasn't had tried them yet.

    (5)

  • Eric C.

    I had the most spectacular time at this restaurant!!! I was surprised by my wife and fellow Yelpers to a going away party. They surprised me and I was in complete shock that they were able to do it, but it was great. The staff and food at this place were amazing and I'd love to go back often, but don't have the time now. I had the single pork chop and it was seasoned so perfectly that I really enjoyed every bite. There were several of us there and many of us shared our food to get different tastes and that made it even better. I tried the Oktoberfest beer and it was really good and was well worth waiting for. My wife had the squash (I'm not really sure what it was, but you'll see it in her posting), and she really enjoyed it too. The staff went all out to make this a very special occasion for us and they surpassed that. I met with the GM after the party and explained to him how much we enjoyed ourselves and how I would let everyone I know about the place. To all my friends that were there, Thank You very much for fantastic surprise party, to those that could not make, I'll be back in town once in a while and will try to make to an event or two.

    (5)

  • Mahesh K.

    Great place with rocking crowd..I found this place after 2 years of stay in Tampa and it's amazing. The place is right on the boardwalk and you can stop for lunch or dinner. It's always better to reverse a table as we had to wait for 45 mins...okra fries and their own brewed beer are must try..am looking forward to visit again..

    (5)

  • Liz I.

    I believe this is a bit over-rated. The food was just okay. Great concept and the remodel is great. The sound level is way up there, don't plan on having a serious or heart to heart conversation in this establishment. Try the Mac and Cheese with the Chili on the side (give it a toss together) Yum

    (3)

  • Cassie D.

    I had heard so many awesome things about Ulele and they were all true. The minute we pulled up the Valet was extremely friendly and made a few recommendations. Our server also asked us what we usually liked and made some recommendations off of that. My friend and I tried the Mojito and Caipirinha for drinks and the Crab Mac N' Cheese to start. That was definitely a great choice, the drinks were refreshing and mixed perfectly (you can never go wrong with mac n' cheese, we cleaned the bowl). For entrees we had the cracklin pork and the flank steak. Both were served with large portions and cooked impeccably. I would suggest Ulele to anyone that asked. Perfect place for any sort of occasion or just to enjoy a meal. To top off our great evening the valet followed up on his recommendations and genuinely was interested in our evening. Great meal experience from start to finish.

    (5)

  • Caitlin M.

    I LOVED this place! Seriously. It was recommended by some friends and I went with a few colleagues while in town for a conference. It was definitely worth the cab drive over. I had heard about the maple-duck-bacon-fried-ice cream and I knew I had to have it (it was amazing. It did not disappoint). So, I ordered a cocktail and an appetizer size of the crab mac and cheese. It was delicious, and it was a large enough portion that I had to stop eating it so I wouldn't be too full for dessert! I'm so glad my party was willing to stick around while I ordered dessert (they were all stuffed), because I love duck, bacon, and ice cream. What could be better than all those things together? It really was something else. Fortunately, the server brought extra spoons and I was more than happy for others to dig in because it was a pretty generous size dessert and there was no way I could have eaten it all. It was beautiful and I'd love to return again! Be sure to make a reservation so you know you'll get a seat. It was packed even at 8pm on a Thursday night! Go early and enjoy walking the paths along the riverwalk. It's a beautiful place.

    (5)

  • Genieve D.

    Awesome atmospherics! The burger is great, fried okra, fantastic choices for home brewery and great wine selections. This restaurant overlooks the riverwalk and is a nice place for a date.

    (4)

  • John B.

    Disappointed. The atmosphere is nice. It's a beautiful restaurant in a nice setting on the river. The service was good. The food was marginal. Very large portions and not much flavor. Don't sit upstairs near the kitchen. The exhaust from the kitchen is overwhelming. My eyes are still burning and my clothing stinks from the kitchen exhaust smell. Overall, a disappointing experience.

    (2)

  • Abbie D.

    I had high hopes for this place, so when I walked in and was so mezmorized by the scenery, I knew I would not be failed. We sat at the bar on Easter Sunday and were instantly greeted by the bartender who asked us if we had ever been there before. She then told us about the drink specials and offered up her menu favorites. We split an appetizer and a meal and it was absolute bliss. I cannot wait to go back! Oh and, order the okra fries, you won't regret it.

    (5)

  • April G.

    I love the unique menu items and the waitstaff is generally pretty good once you've got their attention. The hostesses seem to think they're working the door at Club 54 and I'm convinced they'll force you to wait for the purpose of portraying this place as an "exclusive" dining venue. Come on ... we're in Tampa!!! And, half the tables are empty so, seat us!! Managers are friendly and responsive, though. Great location, clean modern decor, nice selection of adult beverages. I'm a fan!

    (4)

  • Mark H.

    It's been a long time since Tampa Heights has had ANYTHING to be proud of. It was odd to me that investors in the 90's skipped right over downtown's suburb and went right for Seminole Heights. Now, it seems the tables are turning and maybe, JUST MAYBE some revitalization will come to this forgotten part of town. So far, we're off to a good start. First, there was the purchase of the old Rialto Theater. Then came the building of Waterworks Park, and now we've got Ulele. I like where this is going! 6 of us rolled up on Ulele last night as part of an ad-hoc crawl Sunday night, despite the summer-like thunderstorms. The wait time for us was about 20 minutes, so we bellied up to the bar and ordered some beers and cocktails. I naturally had an old fashioned. Only one though because the bartender was heavy-handed on the pour, which is definitely not a problem. We all became familiar with the menu while sitting at the bar, so we were ready to order as soon as we were seated. First, I ordered up some jalapeno muffins since they do not offer any complimentary bread. For my meal, I summoned the PORK CHOP with mashed potatoes and got the Ulele side salad. Not everyone can successfully cook a thick-ass pork chop, but I saw them cooking a few of them on the grill, so I had to give it a whirl. Glad I did too. Not only did it look great with its cris-cross grill marks, but it tasted fantastic. The mashed potatoes were decent, but nothing to write home about. They were, however, better than the collard green and lima bean mixture. The side salad was equally as delicious. Not sure what all of the greens were, but I'm certain there wasn't any actual lettuce in there. Definitely worth a try. Nothing that I ate or sampled from around the table was "the best" I'd ever had, but it was all pretty good. Staff was ultra friendly and the decor visually stimulating, so we will return again someday soon for sure. There are some other items on the menu that I'm definitely interested in trying out.

    (3)

  • M R.

    Great place. Decor has a lot of Tampa history. Food is all fresh to table. Service team works in unison like a well oiled machine. The only reason I am not giving it 5-stars is the noise level. We were sitting 5 to a booth. I could only converse with the person next to me and had to shout at the person directly across from me. Basically had to ignore two other friends at the table which was a shame as we were their for a special occasion.

    (3)

  • Daniel A.

    The food was good and the service was excellent. I had the chicken (so much food!), the okra fries (very good!), and the crab Mac n cheese. Overall, I was really satisfied with the place, but I feel like they could have experimented with their dishes more by adding different flavored to make them more unique.

    (4)

  • Christine G.

    5 stars all the way. Everything about this place is awesome. The food, the staff, the drinks, the atmosphere, the design, the use of local foods & businesses. You get a lot of food for a fair price. I can't wait to go back to this place the next time I am in Tampa.

    (5)

  • Kelly S.

    What I love most about this place isn't the food (which of course is pretty good), but the actual physical space, which reminds me of various parties at converted warehouses in Williamsburg circa 2005 - except with millions of dollars in renovations thrown in. Even if modern bourgeois hipster ambiance isn't your thing, you should still check out the menu - especially the Florida pompano with fried carrot ribbons. I'm also a proponent of this jalapeño cocktail they make, which, if I knew what it was called, I would absolutely recommend.

    (4)

  • Chantal L.

    Beers are tasty and cold. The crab Mac and cheese was ridiculous, the lobster cake on point and ulele burger was one of the best I've ever had!

    (5)

  • Paul M.

    My fiancé and I usually go for brunch every Saturday/Sunday morning. We decided to stop in yesterday. The location is absolutely amazing. We were seated outside with an awesome view of the river. The food was extraordinary. We had the lobster cocktail and the charbroiled oysters for appetizer. For the main course I had the sirloin steak and my fiancé had the meatloaf. Everything came out delicious. The service was good, not great. With a place like this, I will definitely be back.

    (5)

  • Cassandra S.

    This was about my fifth time top Ulele but only my second for a sit down dinner. I was thoroughly impressed. It was one of the best experiences so far here. My parents, boyfriend and I also ordered something different and we ask loved our dishes. The drinks were great, service was great and we were sat shortly after we arrived due to having a reservation. Over all great experience.

    (4)

  • Laura B.

    The service was the kiss of death for Ulele. The food was pretty good (I'll break it down more later). The drinks were okay, I probably got the wrong thing for my pallet. Have heard from many others that lunch is not the time to go. I would amend that to include the bar is not the place to sit. Now, the food specs: calamari - amazing, may be the only reason I go back; lobster roll - above average, not stellar; grouper sandwich - pretty good, ordered blackened but served fried, sauce was good; fries were super salty; fried ice cream was awful, too chewy with bacon and cereal.

    (3)

  • Kenlee G.

    We have heard so many good things about this place that we went for the first time to celebrate a friends birthday. Let me just say the grounds and inside are gorgeous and our server was more than attentive. But I just can't get over the fact that food was not great for the prices that they are charging. We came for early dinner on a Saturday- which could have been the issue. For starters we had okra fries and the octopus carpaccio. The okra fries were okay- but some had texture issues and were like wood unable to eat. The octopus dish was very disappointing. I have seen pictures on yelp of larger octopus shavings -- and thought the portion on ours was very miniscule- the tiniest of tiny. We both ordered salads- this is were the big disappointment comes in for me-- I ordered the ulele side salad and he ordered the Juan's salad. I cannot understand why a restaurant would have this as a salad with their name on it. Stay away! The Juan's salad, although beautiful to look at was lacking in flavor. The salads came out right after we had just gotten the apps, the timing seemed to be off as we had to wait for awhile until our entrees came out. The meatloaf was awesome- I loved it. Everything on my plate tasted delicious. The birthday boy opted for the chargrilled oysters- which he felt were over- charred. I felt bad because he also had the teeny tiny octopus carpaccio and the tasteless juan's salad-- I mean this was his birthday not mine. The one saving grace, and the reason we may return to give it a second try was the duck bacon fried ice cream. It was wonderful, cannot say enough good things about it. I would definitely recommend it.

    (2)

  • Matt R.

    Excellent fresh food options with great flavor. Fresh cocktails with homemade ingredients. Would definitely recommend it and return myself. Wait staff was attentive and knowledgable. Atmosphere is fresh with a showcase style kitchen.

    (4)

  • Melanie M.

    My first visit here was during the daytime for USF Match Day. Driving there, I was a little iffy about if a truly good place could be in such a strange location. Once there, the waterfront setting was just perfect for our needs. Beyond having a couple drinks and grazing, I did not get to stay and fully dine, but I look forward to coming back and doing so very soon.

    (5)

  • s t.

    The calamari was greasy and cold. The chicken dish had a side of au jus that was a cup full of chicken fat- disgusting. The crab macaroni and cheese was hard cold and been sitting around: crab very stringy and overcooked. Save your money- better food at Burger King.

    (1)

  • Johnny C.

    There is something about this restaurant that I really like. You can tell as soon as you walk through the door the attention to detail that has been lavished on this old pump house. There are several dining areas that cater to a more casual of formal feeling. On my 3 visits I have not found anything that disappointed me. You have to stop in and see for yourself why this jewel on the river is so well received in Tampa Bay

    (5)

  • Shawn G.

    Just fantastic from ambiance to wine and food, maybe the best Grouper I've ever had and coming from someone who grew up in Florida, I take my seafood seriously. Had the Yellowfin as well, was ok, would definitely go with the Grouper..

    (5)

  • Desiree M.

    We were determined to go... so glad we took the chance and went :-) We called ahead for a reservation, none were to be had for the night we wanted... really a Thursday? but hey, it's Ulele... Gonzmart family! I've heard nothing but amazing stories and reviews about this place... and I desperately wanted to be in the thick of it... we were not disappointed. The three of us arrived right at 5pm so to beat the crowd for a better chance at a table, (used the Valet) the perfect weather complimented the beautiful sunset that was to follow. We were seated right away in the second level, what a view from any angle in this restaurant. The food was just as amazing. We enjoyed a bottle of wine with two appetizers, Country Fried Quail and Alligator Hush Puppies, both are a must to start off your taste buds a rolling with happiness. When your family has been in the Restaurant business for 100 years (or more) you know how to do it right! and the Gonzmart's definitely know the secrets :-) We each tried a different dish, I had the Grouper Ulele which was amazing! with the white chedder popcorn mashed potatoes. My husband had the special of the night baked Eggplant, which was also so tasty and our friend had the flank steak medium rare, and it was also delicious. For dessert we enjoyed a special of the night not listed on the menu, which included homemade ice cream, a slice of chocolate torte and heavy whipped cream served in a huge martini like sliver glass. A must try is the Candied Duck Bacon Maple Fried Ice Cream... you will not be sorry! but sad if you dont! Cafe con Leche was done right and was very generous in a big mug. We finished the evening by getting a TShirt and watching the sunset as we enjoyed a nice stroll through the new park. Can't wait to go again!

    (4)

  • Kristen H.

    I have been to ulele multiple times and I have ALWAYS had exception service from the entire staff. The okra fries are absolutely amazing so are the hush puppies, the lobster rolls is amazing for lunch so is the grouper. Chuck, a bartender at ulele recently recommended the lucina salchica for lunch and it was exceptional the perfect amount of spice and awesome fries to go with it. Chuck was very attentive and provided awesome service I will definitely find a seat at the bar if he is working again. The staff is able to handle busy crowds with ease and take a negative situation and make it positive. This place is BUSY a great staff like that have is what they need. The toasting coconut ice cream is fabulous as is the key lime stack the fried ice cream is the bees knees

    (5)

  • Jason P.

    Okay enough with the hype over this place and let's actually take a look at the pedestrian and unimaginative menu that they are trying to sell as Native American Inspired food.. What I saw was a menu that was trying to compete with a Grillsmith, LongHorn, and Bonefish all in one.. Not saying its not a gorgeous place, its just the menu is not up to par. We ordered the alligator, country ham, corn duck bacon and jalapeño hush puppies with duet of sauces.. What we got were 4 mind numbingly bland over fried balls with not one speck of the aforementioned 4 ingredients.. It was amateur all the way and for $9 serving 4 slightly better versions of Long John Silver hush puppies is a crime. Then the entrees. Grilled grouper with stewed tomatoes, basil, lemon zest, garlic and olive oil. What we got was an amateur version of way way overcooked grilled grouper set atop Uncle Bens citrus flavored wild rice with what looked and tasted like marinara sauce and a few absolutely perfect asparagus.. The asparagus was the best part of this $28 dish. We ate it all because it was almost 11pm and we were starving. I had ordered the waiters recommendation of crackling pork shank with firecracker apple craisin chutney.. What I got was a deep fried pre cooked Sysco pork shank with some sweet WAY TO SWEET sauce of some sort over top.. With the most gummy mashed potatoes and the previously stated perfectly cooked asparagus as the fish. This dish was as bad as it gets in my opinion and I sent it back because of it.. No way should a high end restaurant serve this kind of processed garbage that Sysco sells to sports bars like Millers Ale House.. Seriously check it out. We also had 2 of the house brewed specialty beers. I would say they are similar to the rolling rock or yeungling but they charge $5 for them.. The manager Jose came to our table and I tried nicely to tell him how disappointed I was about all of the food, but all he could do was smile and insist that I was wrong. Anyway the service was good (a bit gun shy) but good. The bar looks really small but well designed and they have an interesting kitchen set up. With a huge hood and grill so you can watch the chefs overcook the grouper right in front of your eyes. The outdoor space is beautiful and I am proud that it is in my neighborhood. Maybe I am a bit over critical but I think that a restaurant that has as much hype and potential as this place needs not be a hybrid of the three mediocre chain restaurants I mentioned earlier.. Right now in my opinion its trying to hard to be everything to everyone. My advise: Find a soul, actually deliver on the flavors you describe on your menu, get more actual native american dishes maybe a fry bread appetizer maybe some braised bison and for god sakes get that frozen Hormel pork shank off the menu and Tampa will have another great restaurant.

    (2)

  • Blake N.

    Great atmosphere food and drinks. Right on the river. Park your bike and grab a beer. Or take a tour in the brew house or sit on the rooftop deck.

    (5)

  • Debora S.

    The one star is for the outside views. Pretentious. If you are trying so hard to be upscale the food needs to back it up. I don't mind paying $14 for a lobster app when you can taste the star of the dish, the lobster. Besides the over seasoning, even if the lobster were cooked properly, rubberbands, it could have been anything in that lobster cake. Next app equally bad, the Krab mac and cheese, I use a K for crab because due to the over seasoning again, those few white stringy things could have been anything and the Kraft mac and cheese shells in a box does not warrant that price. Third app, the exotic meat stew, mystery mush. Seems this place had a lot of wine and craft beers flowing to most tables, perhaps I should have partaken, it might have dulled my tastebuds.

    (1)

  • Darryl F.

    First time here after a couple of fundraisers at Waterworks Park (which as an aside is very nice) and reading tremendous reviews we took a random shot at stopping for a drink prime time on Friday. The seas parted and we ended up with two seats at the bar. OK. Javier and Chuck are the two greatest bartenders I have ever met! The drinks fun food and lest we forget amazing decor (eclectic exposed brick loft) have made this an amazing night. P.S. Lobster cake appetizer.

    (5)

  • James S.

    This restaurant has a great location and really nice decor. Food options are good and provide for a nice variety.

    (4)

  • Rodney A.

    Tonight I shared the kilo porterhouse with my girlfriend, and the lobster cake for an appetizer. Everything was really good, and our server Tatiana was really knowledgeable and helpfull. The only thing I didn't get about a restaurant in a green building is that our left overs was given to us in a non eco friendly cheap plastic bag, and Styrofoam container. I will be back again though.

    (4)

  • J L.

    Kudos to the owners of this restaurant for their hard work and restoration of the waterworks building and area. They truly deserve recognition and credit for such a noble act! It's a stunning landscape once more. Food; I expected much better -- I really did. I was rooting for them for so long and had hopes of something grand. Service; much the same. We had some hiccups getting seated with a reservation which was weird. And upon sitting down we were served with 3 checks before we even got our water. Mistake? Yes. But time to polish up. The food was boring. Nothing spectacular. The deconstructed pot pie did not come with enough of the puffs to dip and was too greasy for me. The fish was bland. The chargrilled oysters were just okay; I've had 10x better in New Orleans. I could go on but won't because I'm still rooting for Ulele. I do hope with time there are improvements.

    (2)

  • Amyn H.

    Really innovative food that is great tasting in a charming but eclectic atmosphere. My wife and I were pleasantly surprised!

    (5)

  • Jeff J.

    Saw an article about this place online, decided to give it a try for a nice after Christmas break. The atmosphere was amazing, the service was excellent, and the food and spirits were to die for! The oysters were some the the freshest I've ever had, the beer was refreshing and delicious, and the homemade ice cream is easily Top 3 best ever. Keep up the good work, we will certainly be back soon!

    (5)

  • Mary A.

    Ulele has an amazing location and great view to the river. The problem is the service gets extremely slow as it gets busy. We did lunch reservation for 11:15 and got sit promptly, honoring our request to be seated next to the door with the river view. My husband asked for the Ulele burger with french fries, a side salad and a beer. the portion was big,and everything was good, not amazing. I ordered the Native Sautee, the vegetable were bland, I couldn't taste the soy ginger reduction. the rice was good. It didn't look or taste like a restaurant plate. I finished my meal and it took about 25 min for them to offer dessert. I was excited with the key lime ice cream with bruleed meringue. I love Bruleed meringue!. After a long wait(more that 30 min) they brought us a frozen popsicle texture ice cream with whipped cream on the side instead of bruleed meringue, Really!!!! We complaint that it was to cold to eat. He said that it's just how it comes, and they might ran out of meringue and replaced with something else. Not something that you will expect for that type of restaurant! We waited until the ice cream was edible to eat without getting a brain freeze. We left at 1:30pm; yes.... more than 2hours for the whole experience!!!! I really like the ambience, I will love if the service and the food have the same standard.

    (2)

  • Amy H.

    I love this place. The grouper, the Charbroiled oysters, and the Crab Mac & cheese are excellent. Definitely come early and check out the beer garden. They let you sample their microbrew selection.

    (5)

  • James L.

    Great location and atmosphere ... terrific bar and super friendly bartenders. Place is lively and sophisticated but not overly stuffy. Appetizers were tasty and the oysters were very fresh. Entrees are so-so ... the Berkshire Pork was tasty but a little dry - slightly over cooked.

    (3)

  • Angie F.

    Excellent food and service. Would recommend. Great view and if your looking for what Florida is about. This is the place

    (5)

  • Nancy H.

    Excellent food and atmosphere! I had the meatloaf...it was amazing. Be sure to check out the little outdoor second floor lounge. Nice place to sit and have a drink while you wait for your table. get there early so you can explore...be sure to make a reservation! Helpings are VERY generous...2 can easily share especially if you want to have an appetizer or salad. We tried the peppers for an appetizer...fantastic..not spicy but flavorful and delicious! This is a true Tampa gem!

    (5)

  • Jennifer C.

    Although the atmosphere was stellar..I didn't think the food was at all worth the horrible wait. Our reservation was for 830 yet we didn't get seated until 930. .then we didn't get our food until 11. When we did finally get our food it tasted like it had sat under a warming light for a long while. My husband and I eat out a lot at many area restaurants..like Edison and Datz which I personally feel are miles above Ulele. And one last note. ..there was no toilet paper in anybody the stalls in the women's bathroom and remained that way even though I told 2 people and an hour later heard another lady telling them again..no TP for the ladies? Unacceptable

    (1)

  • Siouxsie S.

    I ate at Ulele's on two separate occasions recently. One was on a Saturday afternoon. I believe our server's name was Al, and he was fantastic! The drinks & food were INCREDIBLE...everything fresh & local. The ambience was amazing...during the day the park offers up an incredible vista. A few nights prior, I had attended a large meeting for work and ordered the snapper off of the menu. Everyone else loved their meal, but the snapper was a bit tough and seemed like it had been frozen. I wished I had ordered one of the specials instead, but I had my heart set on the snapper after reviewing the menu the night before. However, with that said, the salads and sides were great and our service was amazing. It is difficult to get food, ambience, and service this great in Tampa and reminded me of eateries in NYC, Brooklyn, and larger metro areas. Kudos to Ulele's ownership, chef(s), management & staff. A grade "A" experience.

    (5)

  • Caitlin C.

    We went the other night as a spontaneous thing. So we did not have reservations but that was okay because we got to check out the bar and the outside area. I had a wedding beer which I thought was good but I'm no beer connsuiour. We were seating fairly quickly because I still had my drink. Then We ordered frog legs, which were pretty good. They are not overly fried so they can be on the small side. I shared the Florida pompano with my boyfriend and We ordered a side of Mac and cheese. We weren't overly hungry so we wanted to share and I found it to be pleantly of food so portions can be large. It was amazing and I loved the sauce. The Mac and cheese was pretty good, not dry or anything.

    (5)

  • Kelly M.

    Great tasting and unique menu options. Beet/Pear salad...yum. Stylish and fun location, noisy in a good way. Five-star waitstaff and great value. No useful waiting area, we were "in the way" until seated. I was particularly grateful to make use of the clever foil pouches for my leftovers. Love to see environmental consciousness in the restrooms, too. Our weekday reservation was a three week wait. Don't delay...get there.

    (5)

  • Cory L.

    Arrived at the restaurant after being recommended by the hotel where we were staying, and found it to be completely full except for the bar area. Since it was just me and my fiance, we decided to go ahead and sit at bar and dine there. The waitress that took care of us was extremely friendly, and after telling her we were flying home that day in just a few hours, she knew that we were in somewhat of a hurry but still wanted a proper dining experience. She explained some of the items on the menu, telling us her personal favorites, and we selected calimari, the grouper sandwich and the lobster roll. Unfortunately for us, she informed us that they have extremely good burgers, but we were more in the mood for seafood... Nevertheless, the calimari was some of the best we had ever tasted, my fiance's grouper sandwich was big enough for two of us, and my lobster roll was terrific! Throughout our dining time, the waitress was there to take care of us, talked to us (without being overly talkative...) and was just perfect. After telling her where we were from and how much we liked the new restaurant, the manager came over and talked with us as well. Made us feel very welcomed in their establishment. They then offered us a tour of the brewery where they make all of their beers. Their brewmaster was there to give us a personalized tour and allowed us to sample all of their beers. It was a great experience for the two of us, and the next time we are in Tampa, we definitely look forward to visiting Ulele again!!!

    (5)

  • Michael K.

    So not miss this hot spot , make reservations in advance

    (5)

  • Brunel J.

    I went there with a group of friends after hearing about this place. Food was ok at best. We had a long wait although we had reservation. I was not too impressed.

    (3)

  • Raini F.

    Excellent food & service! Overall atmosphere was very busy on the inside but the surrounding grounds are beautiful. I suggest the meatloaf, it was delicious. Bottled wine prices are very reasonable. I will definitely be going back!

    (4)

  • Hermun P.

    I'm in love with this restaurant! Finally a restaurant in Tampa that opens up to a beautiful park and water without the hustle and bustle around. The food was excellent from start to finish and so was the service. I can't wait to go back and try new things on the menu!

    (5)

  • Kristina L.

    Incredible night. Had very high expectations and Ulele delivered on all counts. I food allergies and they were super accomidating to the point of sautéing the "fried calamari" . The restaurant itself is a true spectacle. A great addition to Tampa culture. The service was awesome, thank you Morgan. The atmosphere was fun and alive. The food was amazing. From apps to salads to entrees. Our entire party of 9 loved it all. Will be back again and again.

    (5)

  • Paul R.

    This is a beautiful restaurant with a beautiful setting, that said it is a popular restaurant that requires a long wait if you don't have a reservation. We were told an hour ten min wait when we arrived it turned out being an hour 45 min wait. It was raining so no outside waiting seats were available and the inside was packed with all of us waiting. Very uncomfortable My recommendation is not to go if you don't have a reservation Now that that's out of the way we had a fabulous meal on most points. Our waitress was great. Very knowledgable on ALL points of the menu. We ordered apps of calamari which was cooked perfectly ( I know that's hard to do) and flame roasted oysters. The oysters were over done ( so I guess they are hard to cook too) to the point a couple didn't come off the shell... the waitress noticed before we did and had the kitchen make a couple more ( good job) - so we know they were good by those two The others, not so much. All of our dinners were excellent ...meatloaf, deconstructed seafood pot pie and pork shank. The fourth person had okra fries (delicious) and wild game chili ( the use of wild game was useless). 2 deserts guava pie was heavy on gelatin just ok and deep fried maple ice cream duck bacon etc etc- better than the pie. All beer is made on site (bland) and wines are all from the U.S. Ummm?? What is good here just couldn't be any better what's not so good can be fixed ( I hope) I gave 4 stars cause even with all my warnings I really liked this place

    (4)

  • Arthur H.

    Drinks are great but don't recommend as service is worst i have had. Server for outside said would return but haven't seen him in over 1/2 hr. Atmosphere is great but better bring your own food and beer.

    (1)

  • Stephanie L.

    We had heard about Ulele while visiting friends in Seminole Heights. We were more than happy to accept the only reservation left @ 10:pm due to prior plans. Once there, we were surprised and impressed by the ambience which only heightened our expectations. I started the night with a delicious cappuccino while waiting for our table. Once seated we were greeted with the first disappointment- a bottle of room temperature water; poured into a children's size glass with no ice. Unfortunately, the disappointments only continued from there. Gator hush puppies arrived and Lacked all Ingredients listed. Both fish entrees that my date and I ordered were dry/ overcooked and lacked flavor. Our fish was consumed despite my disappointment. Pork shank on the other hand looked inedible and after two bites was sent away. Host then ordered Mac and cheese to Curb his appetite which I tasted and was good, but lacked in temperature. After our frustrations of these things we decided to just pay the bill and leave.

    (2)

  • Audra B.

    Maybe my expectations were too high, but for being named one if the COUNTRY'S top 100 restaurants, I wasn't very impressed. We went on a Friday night at around 8:30. Our waiter bragged about the special and then informed us it was sold out after we ordered it. Another entree that was ordered at the table was also sold out. I thought this was unusual for a Friday night that wasn't even that busy. We ended up getting okra fries and the gator hush puppies for appetizers and I got the flank steak for an entree. The food was okay. Nothing too spectacular, ESPECIALLY for the price. I probably will not be returning to Ulele.

    (3)

  • Ben F.

    We have frequented Ulele many times since it has opened. Our experience last week was the worst. We had 8pm reservations and at 8:30 when I inquired with the front desk I was told that they were busy and they would call us as soon as a table opened up. The manager Paul Gaylord was borderline rude and literally blew me off and our group of 8. I told him that this is unacceptable and I strongly suggest he change his attitude and work on getting our table sooner than later. One of my guest is the owner and editor and food critique of a local newspaper and I was looking forward to her to experience Ulele. At 8:50 we were seated and the server who started out fine copped an attitude after I asked him why the bottle of white wine had not arrived. The rest of our drinks were out for at least 15 minutes. He rudely snapped at me and said " what do I have to do to make you happy". Needless to say the rest of the night went downhill. The quality of the food was average. The service borderline lousy and the manager was not up to par. We visit Ulele about every other week and have noticed a very high turnover with managers and wait staff. On a positive note, Chuck the bartender rocks !

    (1)

  • Gin S.

    Beautiful building and surroundings. Took hubby for lunch and tasted 2 of the beers brewed on premise. Excellent. Seated on time. Service was flawless, all while appearing casual. Our server Al was outstanding. We had grilled oysters, which were fabulous! Steak and grouper sandwich on point. For desert we chose toasted coconut ice cream which was the only disappointment ok but not excellent like rest of meal, maybe a garnish of toast coconut would help? The express ice cream was a better choice. We will be back!

    (4)

  • Lesley M.

    Outdoor area was pretty and the architecture and decor was nice. However, the acoustics were bad. It's very loud. Not meant for an intimate dinner for two or a large party of 8 or more bc you can't hear. Okay food. Nothing spectacular. Poor service. The servers were assigned too many tables. They need to fix the sensors at the sink in the women's restroom. It was difficult to wash your hands and you couldn't get any hot water. We won't be back. I'd rather go to many of Tampa's up and coming restaurants that have their act together. Disappointing for a Gonzmart establishment.

    (2)

  • Betsy W.

    Delicious. Tastefully decorated.... Service was impeccable. The Orange mojito and the calamari were amazing. Will definitely be back.

    (5)

  • S D.

    Nice place on the water. Very open and airy with a modern farmhouse feel. The food was unique and tasty. It would be great for a downtown night out or even for a group.

    (4)

  • Susan B.

    Wonderful afternoon grazing the appetizer and dinner menu. Raw oysters, char-broiled oysters, beet and pear salad, lobster cocktail, okra fries, deconstructed seafood pot pie, flank steak, florida pompano and more.

    (4)

  • Ea T.

    we didn't make a reservation and could not get a table but we found a spot at the bar which turned out to be pleasant ,i could not be more pleased with the service,and the food was fresh and flavorful although a bit heavy handed on the salt.we will be back , it would have been nice if there was a touch of music in the background . we started out with 2 mimosas with were unique with orange but a little on the sweet side. the blistered peppers . perfect started dish for 2 to share with a glass of wine. Sarah greeted us at the bar along with Scott and i could not have asked for better service. you might over look this restaurant because its in a park unless you its when they are open and you see the valet parking attendants. this is more of a seafood restaurant but they also offer some beef and pork.

    (4)

  • Jeanine S.

    I wanted to LOVE this place but because of my dinner, I only like it. First impressions... but because of our awesome server and how aesthetically pleasing this place is I'll be back. Hopefully my next entre experience is better. We started at the oyster bar, had a beer and fried calamari (nope, no oysters haha)!. The calamari was good which is a BIG positive in my book (this is another barometer for how I rate places do they pass the calamari test?! Yes, yes they do) The beer (tried 2), umm that wasn't too good (sorry)- they brew but they should consider refraining. Dinner: Crackling Pork Shank (recommended- so I tried it) the saving grace of that dish were the mashed potatoes (which I normally don't like but they don't have fries), it saved my meal. It was lack luster and the chutney was yuckney (get it?!?). Normally if there's duck on the menu (and there is, that's my choice but I was swayed by our server, darn the luck). My dinner date had the meatloaf and loved it, had a few bites and it was good but who goes out to eat for meatloaf (or chicken for that matter)... luckily it was my cousin other wise, the same fate that my Anchor bar date suffer would have been his ;) Next time, I'll go with my gut (duck) and wine.

    (3)

  • M D.

    Lots of hype, clearly. We arrived 10 minutes before our reservation time (party of 2) and were made to wait 20 minutes before they would seat us, despite 30+ empty tables and several walk-in parties being seated before us. Ordered sides as appetizers - collards with white beans (the one truly tasty thing we had) and barbacoa-charred green beans (no char at all, just sautéed in olive oil and covered with some aioli). The entrees (flank steak and half-chicken) were supposed to come with potatoes and vegetables, but really came with other items from the side item list (not specified which ones, though, so we ended up with two more orders of non-charred green beans, a grit cake brick, and mashed potatoes topped with stale white cheddar popcorn from a bag). Dessert was a candied duck bacon maple fried ice cream with cinnamon cornflakes and a chewy waffle cookie. They were out of the wedding beer, so we tried a new beer - Honeymoon beer - that tasted like Capri sun. The manager then offered us another beer that he described as 'Galaxy hop.' I asked him about the style of the beer (not just the hops) and all he came up with was 'it's an ale.' Turned out to be a red ale, which was ok. Poor management, nice sunset view, average food and beer, no plans to revisit.

    (2)

  • Brenda H.

    Top 10 meal of my life: I was a bit hesitant about coming to the restaurant because so many people complained about the wait. Many of these people had come early on their reservations, my suggestion is come when your reservation was made. We came on time and we were seated promptly. Our waiter, Brooks, could not have been more helpful and accommodating. He explained about the restaurant, it's artwork, and the interesting selection of food. We started with the fried calamariwhich had a distinctive taste, I believe it was basil. Then, we tried the fried okra, coming from up north, this was a big fete. Actually, it was very good, and I would recommend it to be shared by the table. Their specially blended Petrone tequila was worth getting on the rocks. Very smooth very good. My girls both got the flank steak and cleaned their plates, excellent! I had the seared tuna which was done to perfection. Each dish head it's own unique flavor and presentation. We also got the bread with grits in it, a must! I've dined in many restaurants all over the world and this one matches up to all of them. The ambience, the Decor, the location, the amazing service, the food, the selection, the liquor, it all makes this a world-class restaurant. To all the complainers out there, go find another place to eat!!!!

    (5)

  • Vincent A.

    Another solid showing by Ulele. I'm happy to add this place to the local rotation. I wish they weren't so slow because you see tables open for a while when you're eating. Waiting does not make a restaurant nice. I'd rate the service sub par. Also, don't expect to get out of here without a little bite to the wallet if you want some drinks, but the food is great! They have great home brews but the cheap wine is pretty bad. You can't go wrong with any of the food. Both experiences with pompano were awesome. The mac and cheese is awesome. Pass on the crab. Alligator hush puppies are tasty. We found them a bit bready a couple months ago... Still a delicious dish. Tuna was quality. You have to try this place.

    (4)

  • Amanda G.

    Beyond amazing and very unique!! In Tampa for business and a gentleman at our hotel recommended Ulele. Must try the fried okra, the chili, the grit cake and the list goes on. We enjoyed it so much we went back the following night.

    (5)

  • Bill H.

    I was expecting sizzle and got the fizzle. Gotta start by saying what a location, view atmosphere quite a great start until service reared its head. We had a 5:30 res which we arrived promptly for. After being seated we quickly realized we had the worst seat in the house. Just left of facing the hostess station in a walkway between wall seats and the wine case. HORRIBLE!! We quickly realized everybody coming and going was passing out table and many brushing us as they went by. We asked to be reseated and was about 7 minutes later to one of several yet to be filled tables. Cleary management and our initial waiter were very aware of this poor table location. Upon seating at new table and getting views and smells of tables being served around us we knew we had to try the Kilo. It just smelled to good to pass on even though we really weren't out for steak. Also wanted to try the chargrilled oysters and Pompano since its a rarity to find on local menus even though it's a local fish.

    (2)

  • Kevin O.

    I actually made a reservation via Open Table before they even opened. The atmosphere is incredible. Casual elegance with a South Florida feel. The food (I had the Chimichurri Flank Steak and Kim had the Meatloaf) was VERY Good. Also started off with the Chili which included Alligator, Wild Boar, Duck, Venison, Ground Chuck, Cranberry Beans and chili spices which I had to try with that line up....Incredible! No gamey taste at all. Highly recommended!! but make a reservation

    (5)

  • Desiree B.

    Great food in an amazing location overlooking the new Water Works Pk with amazing bridges and views of downtown. Home made ice cream was incredible. Fresh seafood, meat, veges, etc. All are bought the same day. Incredible experience. This place is a gem in Tampa.

    (5)

  • Kotori B.

    I really wanted to like this place, but instead it was overpriced and made me sick. It was the last Monday of 2014 and my group of friends were ready to have a great night out in Tampa. At first the place seemed cool, atmosphere and decorations were nice, but the hostess said it would be 15 minutes, and we had to wait more like 40 even though we kept seeing people leave. The drinks were good, the specialty cocktails and the beers we tried, but the appetizers were just ok. We ordered the alligator hush puppies, the calamari, and the blistered peppers. Calamari was soggy and oily, the hush puppies were good but a little too doughy and you couldn't taste the gator at all, and I have had better peppers cooked that way before. All our entrees were pretty mediocre despite being between $25-$30, I got the crackled pork shank, which was pretty dry and too salty, the apple chutney didn't add enough to make up for dry meat, and the three asparagus spear on all our plates were cold limp after thoughts. My boyfriends duck was pretty disappointing as well, and the side of Mac and cheese we shared had too much black pepper and no cheese flavor. I was pretty pissed we dropped so much on such a disappointing meal, a then when I got home I was even ill from the food, so the leftovers got tossed. I would say definitely try something else in Tampa.

    (2)

  • Tony P.

    A work of art. ulele is the child of Columbia restaurant fourth-generation owner Richard Gonzmart. This architectural and gastronomic gem located on the Hillsborough River in historic Tampa Heights does not disappoint. The craftsmanship and remaking this venue a former waterworks building from the turn-of-the-century into a state-of-the-art 21st century restaurant and brewery serving Florida inspired dishes is amazing. No expense spared on these details. There is a giant fire pit where they cook these delicious dry aged steaks that is hefty competition to our world famous steakhouse on S. Howard Ave. Roasted oysters or a must-have as well as The oyster shooters. If you are a mac & cheese lover you won't go wrong ordering the cheesy delicacy. Complimentary valet as well as a vibrant bar crowd and oyster bar make it accessible even on nights were a table is difficult to get. The adjacent waterworks Park is a beautiful backdrop. You won't be disappointed.

    (5)

  • Mellie R.

    It was raining the night we visited. The valet did not have umbrellas and the walkway from valet to front door is not covered. Needless to say, I think this colored our visit negatively before we even got in the door. The hostesses seemed a little put out by our arrival somehow. Granted this might have been due to our wet entrance but it was a less than warm greeting. However, our table service was very good. I was with a friend who is very picky not just about what is on her plate but even how it is cooked. Not once did the server indicate any frustration with the multitude of questions or requests. The kitchen did an excellent job of accommodating as well, and this should not be underrated. It was for this reason that I debated upping from 3 to 4 stars. However, there just wasn't enough there for me otherwise. Drinks were very good. I was a little disappointed in the food. Preparation was fine, I think the menu just wasn't talking to me. We ordered dessert and had the same feeling. This place is worth a return trip but I haven't rushed to make it happen.

    (3)

  • Samantha G.

    Food is absolutely phenomenal! Reservations scheduled 3 weeks in advance for a Saturday night at 8:30pm. Did not get seated until 9:10pm. While waiting I am not even joking we waited over 20 minutes to get acknowledged at the bar, 10 minutes after that we were asked for our order....when my boyfriend said something to the girl next to us (bartenders friend, which she stated, then proceeded to get an entire bottle of free wine) "ugh they are busy". We are both bartenders and that type of service even on a busy night was absurd. I do not get upset over busy bars because I know how it is....I honestly believe they need a patio bar or at least more bartenders. Our server Amanda was great and on point and will go back for the food but not to have a drink at the bar.

    (3)

  • Bryan G.

    I recently went to Ulele with the fam. I had the Ulele burger and it was incredible. Probably the best burger I've had in the Tampa area. I also ate something off everyone else's plate. And I enjoyed each dish. The only thing I wasn't a big fan of was the fleet of beer. Nothing special there. Overall, I'll be going back.

    (5)

  • Joshua B.

    The service and decor was great. The beer was average and the food left a lot to be desired. We made lunch reservations for 2:30 pm on 1/17/15. We were able to park ourselves and the approach to the restaurant was great. They really have done a nice job on the location as well as the river walk area. We were greeted as soon as we walked in and seated. We decided to order a few apps and wanted to try a flight of their beers. We ordered the okra fries, blistered peppers, and gator hush puppies. The beer flight arrived while waiting on our apps. We tried every beer they had on tap, and while none of the beers had any noticeable flaws, nothing was a true stand out that made me want a pint. Our apps came and we sampled all of them. The okra fries were the best, but were overly salted. The blistered peppers were good, but had nothing to accompany them and should have been served with some type of sauce. The only thing you could taste in the gator hush puppies was the cornbread like hushpuppy. For meals we had a salad, Ulele burger, Lucanica Salchica sausage sandwich. The salad looked nice, but they topped it with some sort of beans that were under cooked and hard. The burger was ordered medium rare and arrived well done with a dry center. I should have sent it back, but did not. The flavor was nice, but the dried out burger left a lot to be desired. The sausage sandwich was noted as good. While there, the service was great. We really enjoyed the atmosphere. Given the experience we had with the food, I may give this place another shot. With so many other great food options in the Seminole Heights area, I may pass this place up next time I am in the area and hungry.

    (3)

  • Ally S.

    We went for drinks and appetizers and cannot wait to go back for a full meal. We sat out back during sunset and greatly enjoyed our wine. The server was wonderful and made us feel like he wanted to be there and cared about the service he was giving us. He offered to take us into the brewery, which we were unable to do on this visit - but hope to next time.

    (5)

  • Moises H.

    The staff is well trained, the location next to the park and river alone makes eating here a great experience. The okra fries are well seasoned and the beer tasty. Now the one thing I do not understand is why we are forced to play Vegetarian Russian Roulette when going here. It's disappointing seeing a restaurant like this one not having set main vegetarian entrees other than salads, and the Vegetarian dish of the day. I've never liked the idea of going to a restaurant to eat a salad, but I look forward to see how creative they can get with vegetarian dishes. Not here, it's more like take it or leave it, unless you want to create a main dish out of side dishes if you don't like the one entree they have for the day. Heck, you can count on White Castle and Burger King to have a main vegetarian dish that you know of prior to arriving. And yet I still think this is a great place, that's the power of Ulele. I'll keep coming back and either have the surprise entree of the day (since I make reservations weeks in advance) or make a main out of sides. Mr Gonzmart has pour a lot of love to this place and it shows. It's always good seeing an owner doing the rounds or making a cameo appearance like he does.

    (4)

  • Michelle C.

    Overall, this is a great restaurant- the setting is beautiful with the park, springs, on the Hillsborough River. The weather was so nice, and they opened the west wall doors on the dining room- ambiance out the wazoo. The food was phenomenal. Started with oysters- they were fresh and good but might try the other styles next time. Then my entire party ordered fish- the tuna, the snapper and the grouper. My fish was perfectly cooked and the balance of flavors was SPOT on (Spanish aioli and white truffle garlic spinach). The sauce on the grouper was just perfect! The tuna was perfectly seared. The bottle of wine we shared was pretty much the most balanced and delicious Pinot Grigio I've had in ages. Desserts- my god. We ordered the candied duck bacon maple fried ice cream, the guava pie and toasted coconut ice cream. Honestly, while they were all good, I felt the fried ice cream dish was too much- too sweet, few bites is fine- almost sickly sweet after awhile. But that could just be my taste. Several people could split it. The toasted coconut ice cream was divine. The guava pie- luscious, perfectly constructed - a mousse like creation with guava flavor but not overly tart nor too rich. It's a higher price point but worth every penny. I want to come back and sit at the bar and try their beers.

    (4)

  • Cindy B.

    This restaurant is amazing. From the grounds, building, decor, professional staff. The beer is so tasty and good, there is something for everyone. The Okra and Oysters were a wonderful appetizer choice, and the chili and hamburgers were juicy and delicious. This restaurant is my go-to for all my entertaining guests and friends. The experience is unbelievable, they got it right for dining out.

    (5)

  • Diane V.

    Ulele is gorgeous inside and the service is spectacular. We went at lunchtime with a reservation. We ordered the okra fries as an appetizer and they were amazing. The lobster rolls were ordered at our table and they smelled really fishy from the start and were average at best. The chicken salad I ordered was so dry. I felt like it had been grilled and reheated. Very disappointed! I've heard so many great things about this restaurant. I'm not sure if I would return.

    (2)

  • James W.

    The food and service go hand and hand. Atomsphere and view is spectacular. Amazinf Snapper and the fried okra fries will make you a fan. Hey some of the best brew in Tampa. Fresh! We absolutely love this place.

    (5)

  • Mac M.

    The hype is justified. Blistered peppers, okra fries, beet salad, roasted oysters, pompano, flank steak, multiple beers...one of the best meals we've ever had. Great service, very nice people...get there.

    (5)

  • Jen W.

    Went with a large group. Our reservation got messed up even though we had called three times prior to confirm. The manager helped with adding another table so we could all sit together. Started off with drinks... Wedding beer nice and fruity with a bit of a bitter taste. Apps were ok, get the okra fries. I don't like okra at all and these were a nice surprise! Barely any gator in the alligator hush puppies though; that was disappointing. I got the avocado soup which tasted like soupy guacamole. I love guacamole but that wasn't how the dish is described. I also split four sides with a friend, the best were the grit cakes and collards/beans which had a nice garlicky flavor. I tasted the pompano which was ok but nothing I would order again. Why the 3 stars??? More gator in the hush puppies, it was very loud, and the servers either 1) didn't eat seafood so they couldn't recommend things on this very seafood centric menu and 2) didn't know some of the ingredients in the dishes which is very important in case if food allergies.

    (3)

  • H V.

    Worst service ever. We checked in at 1 for an hour long wait. Was rather busy so we decided to wait. For the next 1.5 hours we sat and watched one incompetent fool after another "managing" the hostess stand. We watched empty tables go unsat for 15-20 min blocks. Finally we have up and walked out. At 3 they started texting me that the table is ready and continued texting and holding a table for 10 mins. Now I see why it was so mismanaged. Many people like us probably just gave up and left. NOTE TO THE MANAGENT...invest in a pager system or even ask those hostesses to walk around and call names old school style. Your process sucks for an afternoon lunch to take 2 hours to be sat.

    (1)

  • Lisette B.

    Food was delish! Had the crab mac & cheese and lollipop chicken for appetizers and Meatloaf for dinner all was AMAZING! Great atmosphere; very trendy...a bit loud and loved it! Awesome location by the park/river. MUST MAKE A RESERVATION!!! Check it out! Definitely will go again.

    (5)

  • Dan G.

    We were in Saturday for a late lunch, early dinner. The restaurant was not full but still took a long time to be seated. Once seated we waited 35 minutes before our first appetizer arrived. The food sounded much better than it tasted and was overall very average. I expected a lot more for $120+ for two of us with one beer. I hope they improve their service and food.

    (2)

  • Tammy H.

    This place is really good, and the menu is finally something that has not been done over and over, and regurgitated a thousand times, The frog legs were great, as was the lamb. The place is amazing for its restoration. Hard to believe it used to be the dumpy, old abandoned water works building. The only down side is that it is really hard to get a reservation, and you can just about forget about walking in and getting a table

    (5)

  • Andrea T.

    I finally made it to Ulele for lunch....and it was great. My friend heard reservations are a must (even for lunch) and they are!! We did have to wait about 10 -15 minutes past our reservation time, but that wasn't too bad. We were seated upstairs and had a great view of the Hillsborough River and Water Works Park. The restaurant as a whole has a great vibe. Downstairs you have ceiling to floor windows, given the location most seating options have a great view. There are a variety of seating options as well (inside, outside/patio and upstairs). As for the food. My friend had the grouper sandwich and she loved it. She stated it was very fresh and had wonderful flavor. I had the brisket sandwich and I was equally impressed with it. Our server told me that the kitchen made a slight change to the brisket sandwich by replacing the horseradish aioli with a bbq or tomato based sauce; however, the horseradish aioli was still an option. I went with the horseradish aioli and I recommend it. The taste subtle, not harsh as horseradish can be. The only issue was that I ordered my sandwich w/o onions and it came with onions. Our server was quick to apologize and remedied the matter. A manager also came by to acknowledge the mistake and make sure all else was well. Customer service is key and that was greatly appreciated. The drinks are tasty as well. I definitely recommend Ulele, just make sure you have a reservation!! Looking forward to my next outing.

    (4)

  • Christine P.

    Unimpressed! It's a neat location and the building is well done but I'm not impressed by the food. I've been a few times hoping for a better experience the next but with no luck. Beware that even if you have a reservation, it doesn't mean you won't have to wait 45 minutes. I'm done trying!

    (2)

  • Kelly H.

    An incredibly lively atmosphere, awesome food and great service! No doubt it will be a tremendous success. The beer cheese crab mac, lobster cake and filet are incredible, just to name a few. It's worth going with a larger group to be able to sample as much of the menu as possible; everything sounds so good (and is so good) it's hard to decide. I have been looking forward to a return visit since the moment I left.

    (5)

  • Lolidee S.

    Horrible service.I was calling to see if we can set up a birthday dinner for a group of 20-25 pp. I called left messages for 3 days and sent 2 emails and still have not received a call back. Customer service is horrible

    (1)

  • Bob Y.

    Not sure what all the hype is about. Here we go with another atmosphere restaurant. What happened to restaurants with good food? To be fair there probably isn't anything at Ulele that tastes bad; however, everything I have had there so far has just been mediocre. Considering the prices they charge, one would expect the level of cookery to be higher and Ulele just doesn't deliver. We were served undercooked rice and overcooked duck. The crab mac and cheese. It's a total joke. Crab is haphazardly sprinkled on the already under seasoned dish which adds no value to the dish. The only value it adds is an additional $5 to your bill. Do yourself a favor and get the quail if you must go. If you have $140 to spend on dinner for two, I'm pretty sure there are better options in Tampa with food that is more carefully and expertly prepared

    (2)

  • jacob h.

    cool renovation but the food was very hit or miss.

    (3)

  • Kelly G.

    Went to Ulele with my husband for dinner last night after a holiday party in the area. We did not have a reservation but figured it was a Monday night and it was close to 9pm and at the very least we wouldn't mind enjoying dinner in the bar area. We were told wait for table was 20 minutes, after 35 minutes we decided to eat at the bar and as we placed our order our table became available (total wait time 45 minutes for table, so double what we were told). We decided to stay at the bar--- BIG MISTAKE. A group who said they came from the 'back bar' descended upon the bar like a flock of over-served locusts. The girl who sat next to me was so drunk she almost couldnt speak and fell off her bar chair-- yet, she still continued to order and drink shots with her friends. Finally, after she stumbled off to use the restroom I was able to relocate her bar chair far away enough that she would stop shoving and bouncing into me while I attempted to enjoy my dinner. Upon her return from the restroom, escorted by a manager for the restaurant, the bartenders were told that she was cut-off. FINALLY, maybe she would leave. NOPE! She then climbed up ONTO THE LAP of the man she was with and proceeded to drink his drinks for another 30 minutes all the while slurring about how she wasnt drunk and didnt understand why she was cut off. The food was decent. We started with the cabbage oyster boats-- they were unique and different and I would go back for those easily. For entrees I had the flank steak and my husband had the grouper. I dont eat grouper but he said it was pretty good. My flank steak itself was well cooked and the asparagus was lovely. The mashed potatoes it was served with were NOT GOOD. I like my mashed potatoes a little lumpy-- and these were-- but the lumpy potato bits were undercooked and therefore more crunchy than lumpy. We also shared the jalapeno cheddar grit cake which was quite delicious. Bottom line, the overly served patron who sat next to us pretty much ruined my meal. I didnt understand why the bartender, who gave us sympathetic looks the entire time she was there, didnt ask the management to remove her from the establishment. Like I said, this is not a chain restaurant where people get sloppy drunk on 2-for-1 Natural Light drafts, this is a higher end restaurant. The food was good, but if this is the clientele they are catering to we will not be back.

    (2)

  • Jennifer S.

    Wow is all I have to say! Best meal I've had in Tampa lately! Behind Berns this is my favorite local place. Will definitely be back.

    (5)

  • Richard M.

    I was given misleading information about my reservation and treated rudely by the wait staff. A very poor customer service experience. I will never go back there. Rich M.

    (1)

  • Ann F.

    Great Restaurant with a wonderful staff and outstanding food. My husband and I went there for our 15th wedding anniversary. We were a little late do to car trouble and I was in a wheelchair. They seated us almost immediately and our server Patrick already knew why we were late. He was both attentive and knowledgeable. We had the lobster claw cocktail and avocado cold soup for appetizer. Both excellent. Then my husband had the double bone in pork chop and I had the pan fried pompano with shaved tempura like carrots on top. Both dishes were innovative and deliciously tasty. The meal could not have been better. Their food is all organic and locally grown when available. Patrick our server surprised us with a happy anniversary card as well. Also during our meal, one of the managing owners came over to ask how our meal was which told him was quite over the top. He asked us if there was anything else he could do for us. So because I was in a wheelchair and the ramp was quite steep to go back up to street level, I asked him if at the end of our dinner he could get someone to help us up the ramp. He immediately replied that he would do it, and he and my husband did push me up the ramp together. It was a lovely evening from beginning to end.

    (5)

  • Kimberly S.

    As everyone else has stated, the restaurant is gorgeous. The decor and overall aesthetics of the place are beautiful and don't look like anything else in Tampa (that is a good thing). We had a table in front of the sliding doors looking out onto the river, which was really nice. The front of house staff was friendly and genuinely eager to please. We are vegetarian and the menu has one lone veg entree but quite a few veg sides and small plates. The veg entree seemed like a throw away - grilled veg and tofu stacked with a tomato sauce. For a restaurant that has put so much thought and creativity into the rest of the menu, that veg entree was like an after thought. Based on the entree option, we just did small plates. The avocado soup was flavorful and the texture was so smooth - I was pleasantly surprised with how good the soup was since I generally prefer Haas avocados to Florida avocados. The corn bread was pretty good with a nice subtle flavor from the cheddar and jalapenos. The peppers seemed to desparately lacking seasoning - they were just spicy and oily without much else going on (the sea salt was mounded on one lone pepper on the top of the pile, forcing you to have to try to grab granules and sprinkle the rest of the peppers yourself). Garden patties were a little mushy, but the mix of veggies was nice and the aioli was flavorful so the combination was alright. The limas and collareds were at times wonderful and then the next bite was awful. There was definite uneveness in the cooking of the lima beans because some were crunchy to the point that you wondered if they had been cooked at all versus mushy like they had been cooked all day. The beans that were cooked correctly were delicious. The collareds were great - not overcooked at all and really flavorful with the broth the dish was served with. I loved the concept and flavor of the dish and just wish that someone would have checked the beans prior to service. The Ulele salad seemed to have missed the dressing portion and was therefore pretty dry and flavorless. The accompaniments to the salad were miniscule compared to the pile of mixed greens. One of the management staff came by around the time that we were eating our salad and asked if there was anything we needed and when we mentioned a side of the salad dressing, a ramekin was quickly brought out and he was very courteous about the whole thing. The mac and cheese was decadent, almost too rich. The flavor was nice but there was a pool of orange oil on the top (akin to the type you see on Pizza Hut slices) and it just seemed kind of oily throughout (maybe too much cheddar). Finally, I just wanted to mention the beer. They obviously are proud of their in-house brewery and want to promote it so they don't list any non-Ulele beers on their drink list, which is fine. But what is it with 3/4 of the Ulele beers being lagers - the choices seemed to cater to those that want a substitute to their Bud Light/Sam Adams/Shock Top. When I asked if they had any other beers other than the in-house ones, she said yes they had cans of some other breweries but couldn't list any. In order to not be a pain, I just decided to go with their Rusty's Red. When my beer was brought out, it was in the kind of mug usually reserved for old fashioned root beer floats. How could a place with the aspiration of a serious microbrewery use glassware like that? When you are eating a fairly nice restaurant and the beer offered is supposed to be on par with their wine program, it is odd to have this large clunky glass that not only weighs a ton but stands out like a sore thumb. The brewer consulted with Redner over at CCB on their brewery, but I didn't see anything close to the quality we have come to expect from start-ups around town in the execution or the offerings themselves. Overall I was disappointed, maybe because expectations are sky high for this place. It has everything going for it with a creative menu, reasonable prices, wonderful staff, thoughtful management, and a stunning setting, but it just seemed the execution of the food and beer was lacking. Maybe I was there on an off night and it has only been open two weeks, so we will most likely try it again. I hope the kinks get worked out because this could be such a special place in Tampa.

    (2)

  • Ashley N.

    Wow! The atmosphere is out of this world. The owner of the restaurant makes sure you have a personable visit. The gator hush puppies are incredible. Nice atmosphere inside or outside. Highly recommend for a large party or date night.

    (4)

  • Noel S.

    OK, so this is my second time at Ulele's and I must say I was impressed. In my first review I was very disappointed in the lack of flavor and seasoning on the food. I said after that meal that I wouldn't return for a while. After hearing that lunch was going to be served I checked out the menu and thought "what the hell". My wife and I checked online Sunday afternoon to see if we needed reservations or if we could just stroll in. According to the website we had a green light for seating, no reservations needed. We live about a mile away so we rode our bikes. The place was slammed. Long story short, a 25 minute wait at the bar became a 45. I had two Pale ales and my wife enjoyed the grapefruit cocktail. Once seated we ordered the lollipop chicken and were splitting the Ulele burger. The chicken was a bit weak, but the burger was on the money! Perfectly cooked and delicious. I'm going back again for sure. Keep up the hard work Ulele.

    (4)

  • David C.

    Beautiful renovation in a location that is key to Downtown Tampa's development. Jazz on speakers throughout helped set a great ambience. Tim's tour of the brewery was awesome. Our waiter was friendly and efficient. Manager made us feel welcome by bringing an oven-warmed towel to our son who was cold. Food was very good. This restaurant is definitely not a one-star experience. Tampa is fortunate to have it and you can be certain that it will only improve over time.

    (4)

  • Margie J.

    Had reservations for Monday night. Beautiful atmosphere nice table. Restaurant very loud. Service was good. The oysters we ordered were good. Beer was just mediocre food was extremely disappointing. Ordered the pork it was very under season. Got the tuna and it was way too thick and cold and not tasty. Too bad such of beautiful restaurant in such a great location has such tasteless. Not worth the hype or the price.

    (2)

  • Kareen B.

    Read all the reviews on yelp and I had to agree the restaurant meet all my expectations. Atmosphere great- beautiful building great location I sat right next to the open patio door leading to the outside seating area, food perfection appetizers charcoal oysters my 2nd favorite place I had them only paling in comparison to Drago's located in New Orleans. Fried calamari was tender and flavorful. Main entrees the one bone pork chop was again full of flavor and tender I didn't need a steak knife to eat the food, my colleaguesl had the fish entree and said it was really good. We went for dessert and had the ice cream with duck bacon and cinammonn flakes in that description it's not supposed to sound good but it was excellent it was a good pairing of sweet vs savory amd salty I had to push the plate away because I could of ate the whole desseet but wanted to demonstrate some restraint in my waistline. All in all I'm a new yorker whom has visited many great restaurants however i will definitely visit ulele again and again when I visit Tampa

    (5)

  • Shanna H.

    Ok - I am being generous with the 4 star because we went on the first Friday of a full open, knowing there would be room for improvement and there were some kinks to be worked out. The staff was a little nervous - especially our waitress and cocktail waitress on the patio. When encouraged, these young woman provided great service. The appetizers - charbroiled oysters and alligator hush puppies were above average. My husband thought they were outstanding. The preparation of the duck was spot on. The grouper was slightly overdone and hidden beneath an overwhelming amount of stewed tomatoes. The rice had zero flavoring and did not add to the overall meal (duck). The mashed potatoes with cheddar popcorn was loaded with delish. The overall ambiance and space was incredible. With a few tweaks, this restaurant could be one of the absolute best in Tampa.

    (4)

  • Gino L.

    We had a MOST ENJOYABLE experience 2nite----the ambience was filled w/some great art, the bldg very tastefully restored & the menu fantastic! Never had okra fries---loved them! Then we saw the sunset! To top it off, our waitress, Cherri, was knowledgeable, courteous & extremely efficient---she answered every question cheerfully & gave us top notch service like we were her only table! We left but not b4 making another reservation!! AMAZING EXPERIENCE!!

    (5)

  • enrique b.

    I'm biased, I think Ulele is a really great addition to the riverwalk project. Really the whole area looks amazing: the water park, the park, the river front, Ulele. I'll be honest, my dining experiences here have been mixed so far, but I'll certainly continue to support this place through its growing pains, because Tampa desperately needs more of this. First, let me the start with the good. The space is beautiful! It's open with a well crafted bar, an additional oyster bar, and an open grill area. The wall that faces the river has doors that open to the terrace and park. They open the doors when the weather permits. The decoration is modern with artifacts that pay homage to local Native American culture. They also have outside seating around the building. I really like the concept of local ingredients, and they have an interesting and diverse wine list along with selections from their own brewery. They also offer some interesting cocktails including Pisco! As far as the food, it's been mostly positive but uneven. I liked the chicken lollipop appetizer quite a bit, the fried quail on the other hand was not crispy. I think bringing it to the table covered is a mistake as the steam makes the dish soggy. The florida chili is tasty but a little inconsistent. For the most part the sandwiches are very good, but I was dissatisfied with the grouper sandwich. The fish was over salted and I don't like that it's served dry with the remoulade on the side. I had to deconstruct the whole thing to get it properly sauced and moist. Probably the best thing I've tried so far, to my surprise, was the native sauté. It's a vegetarian dish, with stir-fry veggies and mushrooms served over rice. It may sound boring but it was so well seasoned and prepared that it really stole the show! The service isn't bad, but it does need tweaking. I don't mind waiting for a table (and believe me, you will wait) but once I'm sitting, I do expect prompt service, but that has been hit or miss. On average I have waited around 45 minutes for food after I've been sat, so they might have too many tables for their kitchen. I also think they might need to add more waiters because though they seem to try, they appear stressed and not very friendly. They also disappear for long periods of time, which is really inconvenient when you are trying to get another drink. If I'm being objective, I would give them 3 stars based on food, drink and service. But I really like the concept and they've done a terrific job with the space so I'll give them 3.5 for now. I hope they continue to tweak the formula because this place could be a real gem.

    (4)

  • Aron T.

    It is always amazing. Grit cakes inspired me to learn how to make them at home.

    (5)

  • Caitlin O.

    We ordered the charbroiled oysters, alligator croquettes, and native chili. All three were excellent. The atmosphere and location are great. We sat outside at an umbrellaed table overlooking the park. Wish we could've tried more on the menu, but we were too full. The oysters had plenty of tasty herbs and garlic, the croquettes had big chunks of gator, and chili had great flavor as well.

    (5)

  • Kelleigh M.

    I'm giving this place 4 stars because of its uniqueness and the need for this type of establishment in Tampa. We arrived at 630 on a Sunday night and immediately checked in for your reservation. We waited about 10 minutes to be sat, which was great considering this place was hopping and quite busy. The menu is "floridian" and local. There was menu items with gator, cornbread, grits, pompano etc. We opted to place an order for the jalepeno cheddar quick bread muffins. There was 4 in the order and they were quite tasty and went will with our side salad. For our entree we ordered the pompano, the grouper and the flank steak. The winner was the flank steak, sadly the pompano wasn't all that great and I wouldn't order it again. The grouper looked pretty tasty. After dinner, our server walked us outside. What a lovely set up! It's right on the water with a huge field. Big enough actually that you could host a private party on the grounds. There is also a Biergarten and a hidden roof top bar. So cool! We took a mini tour of the brewery and had samplings of the wedding beer (get this!) and the pale ale. This is definitely a place to take out of towners and locals alike to give them a true taste of what Tampa has to offer. Well Done, ulele!

    (4)

  • Lauren P.

    I want to like Ulele, mainly because the ambiance is exceptional, it's new, and Tampa needs more places like this. However, the two times I've been the food has been underwhelming at best. Staff was very accommodating and friendly, was moved when seated at an awkward table on a busy night, took awhile to get our server again once relocated. They're busy, I get it. Fish was over-seasoned and lacked imagination. Ordered some kind of vegetable gratin side dish, and was expecting some kind of a baked cheesy goodness - but got a bland plate of anorexic, grilled vegetables with no cheese, sauce or even salt it seemed. For something I could have made at home for a fraction of the price, this struck me as odd. Somehow even the desserts were "off," I tried several given we were a large party and despite the delicious-sounding descriptors, there was nothing exceptional to remark. To top it off my glass of champagne (francis coppola's brand apparently) was served in a can. Don't get me wrong I can deal with drinking out of a can...but for Ulele's menu prices I don't know if I would serve champagne in a can - even if it was the Queen's brand... Hopefully they're still working out the kinks and I just had two fluke meals there...

    (2)

  • Catherine C.

    This is suppose to be the hottest new restaurant in the Tampa area. The only reservations we could get were at 6:45. We were seated promptly, however our server was more than busy with other tables. Took awhile to get his attention. The food took extremely long to come out. I can't say how disappointed we all were with our dinners. I had a local fish that was breaded and very dry. The mashed potatoes were like glue. Other people in our party had the veal shank ?? and I was told it was tasteless. If you are thinking about going to this restaurant....I'd save your money and go somewhere else!!

    (1)

  • Tiffany H.

    I can totally understand the hype surrounding Ulele after being involved in the surprise send-off for Eric C. a couple weeks ago. Our party arrived early, and we spent a few minutes at the bar before getting a tour of the brewery. Our table wasn't ready for us and we needed a place to hide after all... The brewmaster gave us a little 101 on all things beer and provided some samples for those who were so inclined. As a non-drinker I passed. The ambiance they created was really impressive. There's several pieces of artwork at Ulele, the materials used in the renovation are modern and chic, and even the brewery had its own little touches (especially in the lighting). I'm unfamiliar with Tampa's old buildings to know what it looked like before, but it's obvious a lot of money and conceptualization went into the build-out. Our servers for the evening were wonderful. We couldn't have asked for more friendly, attentive, and helpful service. I hope the rest of the staff at Ulele were as top notch as our crew that night. Now, the best part - the food. Overall I liked what I ordered. I tried the duck with the orange marmalade sauce. It came with a side of mixed rice and a veggie. The duck was a perfect 10. The veggie side was good but not especially memorable, and the rice was not even worth eating. Sorry, but no. The rice was just... bland and reminded me of something I could get from an Uncle Ben's package. I tried a piece of a tablemate's pork and it was phenomenally prepared. Same for the flank steak. They clearly know how to prepare their proteins well. I rounded the night out with the key lime stack and I was a little underwhelmed. The presentation was wonderful. The crust and the meringue were both delicious, but the lime ice cream could do with some kind of a modification. The texture wasn't my favorite, but the flavor was okay though a little generic. Considering I was still hungry post duck and veg, I polished it off. I also gave their funky iced tea blend a shot - I can't remember what was in it but it was nice for a change. If you want it sweetened though, ask for someone to add a little simple syrup to it. The first time around I didn't and powered through it, but the second time I got it fixed up perfectly. All in all, it was a good experience. But considering it felt like I didn't get quite the bang for my buck, and it would take me an hour or so to get there, I have too many other options to pick instead.

    (4)

  • Matthew H.

    Foods great. Always. Service is great. Fran's a doll. Currently one of the finest restaurants in Tampa. Let's hope it stays just the way it is.

    (5)

  • Richard S.

    This is our new Tampa favorite. Food is amazing, service is impeccable, and atmosphere is trendy without being stuffy. We started with the calamari and okra fries. Both were delicious. For dinner we had the filet, meatloaf, and side of mac and cheese. Again everything was fantastic. Highly recommend everything! And John is an awesome server!! Very personable and never seemed too busy to take care of us. Recommend him!!

    (5)

  • George R.

    $30 later after lunch, I'm like, "Meh." The best thing about the restaurant is the physical restaurant itself. Beautifully done and right on the river here in Tampa. I don't know if they don't have the proper chefs or just poor menu ingredients. My salad was tasteless and lacked any type of life. The best thing about our meal was the free sparkling water and the coleslaw. There wasn't much to say about my partners lunch as well. Either way I won't be going back anytime soon. Hopefully others will have better food then we did.

    (2)

  • Nikki A.

    I was overjoyed to sample some of the innovative items offered at Ulele. I can highly recommend the Native Summer Cocktail (gin, Elderflower, fresh lime juice, simple syrup, and cucumbers), the okra fries with a to-die-for house-made ketchup, and I have been dreaming about the Crackling Pork Shank for days. I enjoy the way they pay homage to the past with items like the Jalapeno Corn Beer Quick bread, and I love the way they embrace all things Florida. There are also many comfort food type items done at a gourmet level. I was happy to relish all of this tastiness while in a beautiful setting. Well done, Ulele, you are a future gem of this community.

    (5)

  • Ryan H.

    Went there with a group of 9 for my birthday, Christian took excellent care of us. From explaining the concept of the restaurant, the beers brewed on site, the food, and even the history of the building he was excellent. The Buckhorn brew and honey lager were both excellent beers, the Buckhorn being the current seasonal brew. For appetizers I preferred the blistered peppers over the zucchini fries; the alligator bites and crab mac and cheese were both good but for portion and sharing sake I'd go for the gator bites. The water works meatloaf was great, and the popcorn topped mashed potatoes are delectable. The only thing I was slightly displeased with was that most of the entrees only came with one side. For the prices they charge I would expect two.

    (4)

  • Trista B.

    This place exceeded my expectations! We went for a girls night and decided the best way to experience the most food was by sharing. We ordered the crab mac & cheese, duck breast, Florida jumpers (frog legs), calamari, pompano and for dessert, fried icecream coated in duck bacon and cinnamon corn flakes with a knob creek bourbon creame anglaise. Every single thing we are was delicious but my favorite was the duck and the ice cream. We got to meet the brewmaster Tim and you can tell by the way he speaks how in love with this place he is. He is proud of his beer and of the restaurant! Ulele is about giving. You can feel it from the moment you walk in. The vibe and positive energy exploding out of that place is infectious. The menu gives honor to tradition and heritage while being modern and edgy. The decor supports local artisans. The building breathes new life into Tampa and the river walk area. The charity work they've done so far is astounding. Amazing all around. I'll be back time and time again.

    (5)

  • jennifer C.

    What a great addition to Tampa! Tampa is really becoming a foodie place and Ulele is part of the reason. Had New Years dinner here and was quite the celebration. On a night that so many things could go wrong, our experience was enjoyable and a great way to ring in the new year. Everyone dishes were spot on. Pompano, duck and steak all done with care. BYOB? Yes please! Mac and cheese was one of the best in Tampa. The only down side was the attitude of our server at first, however it was New Years so she probably wished she was else where, though she warmed up as the evening progressed . All in all, will defiantly return with pleasure.

    (4)

  • Kelly Q.

    I hadn't been back to Ulele since the Yelp event here, but I honestly have to say I'm glad I went back as I left just as impressed as I had that first time. I took my mom and her friend here while they were staying in Tampa and they both just couldn't stop raving about their experience. The weather was definitely on our side as we sat outside sipping on our Sav Blanc's watching the sunset. Our waiter was phenomenal -- I wish I could remember his name, I only remember that he was just super tall haha -- but he was very attentive, very knowledgeable about the food and very relaxed and friendly. He made us feel really taken care of, like he was solely there to make sure we had a great experience. I had a steak, my mom a snapper, and her friend had the Ulele salad with the gator/bison chili. And WOW is all i have to say. As good as my steak was, I was definitely jealous of my mom's snapper on risotto (a special that evening). And my mom is not a person who finishes her plate and she could have licked that plate clean! Let's make an honorable mention about the icecream too. Just fantastic. I had the coconut and chocolate flavor, if they would hand me a whole tub of it all I would need is a bigger spoon. And the wedding beer, what superb quality, my moms friend went gaga for it.

    (5)

  • Luisa R.

    The first time we went to this restaurant was for my birthday last year. We had a fantastic experience. Food and service were great. I loveeee the Candied Duck Bacon maple fried Ice Cream OHH MYY delicous!!!. But a few months later we decided to take my parents in law there and it was TERRIBLE. We had reservations for 7:30 and we were seated at 8:10. It was crazy loud and busy. We ordered some drinks and oysters to start and it took about 40 minutes for the Oysters to make it to the table. The Red eagle duck and the Pork chop were very good. At the end they did not charge us for the Oysters.

    (3)

  • Cori W.

    So we decided to try Ulele for lunch for Father's day and I'm glad we gave it another try. I will say I was a bit disappointed that they had a special father's day menu, I really wanted to try several things on their lunch menu, so that was a bummer, but I will just have to go back during lunch one day to have that experience ;) We got the oysters again, mainly because they were amazing the first time and it being a special menu they only had certain appetizers available....I was sad though, because I really wanted to try their alligator hush puppies. My husband had some chili which was good and my MIL had the avocado soup which she really liked. I opted this time for the Pompano which I'm so glad I did. It was exceptional....only complaint was it could use a bit more sauce.....the sauce is really good. My husband got the Swordfish this time and they enjoyed that. My mother had their vegetarian cassoule which she liked and my MIL had the lobster Benedict off of their brunch menu which looked amazing. All in all a great afternoon. Also the wedding beer is as good as everyone says.....you should get it!

    (4)

  • Emily R.

    Not a good experience unfortunately. Beautiful location. Parking is down the street in a lot of if you don't want to pay for valet. We were a party of ten upstairs. Waitress was no where to be found and we waited 45 mins after getting our drinks to order. No soap in the ladies bathroom. Had to ask three separate times for a refill of my sons lemonade. Over priced menu but great seafood.

    (2)

  • Jael N.

    Love the atmosphere in this restaurant. Have been twice and I have to say the second time was much better, possibly because the first time I visited was close to their opening. I tried lots of different things. My favorites were: the meatloaf which is done with out too much gravy or sauce, the lamb shank which is gigantic and fall off the bone, the Jalapeño grit cake is incredible, the oysters are fresh, had the okra and even though they are fried they are actually a very light appetizer. All their portions are huge! Be prepared to have left overs. I tried the fried ice cream and even though it is award winning I wasn't impressed. However the Guava Cake is to die for! Their cocktails are also so yummy and different. The only thing I did not love was the treatment at the bar and the welcome desk. The ladies are very presumptuous in the front desk. At the bar we sat down after dinner because we were waiting for our cab. The restaurant had already closed but we had just finished dining. Our waiter told us we could order a drink while we waited but the lady bartender told us no. I find that pretty ridiculous considering she was in the bar and there were a few other guest still in the restaurant.

    (4)

  • Rachel H.

    Tampa was in need of an upscale restaurant for the everyman. Location, Menu, Staff, Drinks, Pricing, all five stars. We'd wanted to check this out so badly we took the first reservation available for Labor Day weekend, 8:45 p.m. on Monday. Yikes, worth wanting to gnaw my arm off from 6- 9pm though, WORTH IT. We arrived early on Labor Day to walk around the new park (awesome) and take in the restaurant from the bar until our reservation for dinner was up. I highly recommend doing this as the view of the kitchen from the bar helped us curate what we wanted from the menu. We started with a flight of their beers (they were okay), a mug of their red ale (okay), a glass of their cab (Chateau Smith, excellent), and an order of the okra fries (heavenly, the homemade ketchup it comes with will blow you away). It was emphasized as we ordered throughout our time sitting in the bar area that they were a team, so it didn't matter who you ordered from. Refreshing! As we sat down to dinner, our waitress was friendly and knew the menu well. Another point of interest was that in recomending different items from the menu, she didn't pick the most expensive options, she included things that were popular with her other diners and things she liked as well. I ordered the Three sisters Salad which was vegan and incredible (it was my meal and definitely satsifying, included charred veggies, cranberry beans, and lots of different lettuces) along with the chilled avocado soup (a little salty but I really enjoyed it regardless). My husband got the deconstructed seafood pie which came with puff pastries and wild rice/asparagus on the side. He LOVED this, it came recommended by another couple at the bar and he really enjoyed it. Rich and filling, but really really good. Nothing on the menu was over $30 and honestly, every single thing sounded great. The dishes we watched come out of the kitchen were appetizing and creative looking all while not plated in a way that made them seem unapproachable. Portion sizes were on point, nothing was so small it left us starving as we left, and each person we came into contact with on the staff was friendly and helpful. The restaurant itself is just beautiful, maybe the most lovely interior since Oxford Exchange burst on the scene. Five star experience, you need to go!

    (5)

  • Michael P.

    The building is awesome although very loud inside. Waiter was great. Food was disappointing. Okra fries ok. Calamari was great. Beers pretty good. KC strip steak at first was almost raw (asked for medium). It was brought back charred all around well done and unedible peripherally and still medium rare on the inside. no flavor. grouper was dry. meatloaf ok. filet was not tender as you would expect. no real flavor. all in all didn't come near the hype level. probably won't try again.

    (3)

  • Amara G.

    Who asks for Long Island Iced Teas anymore? What kind of an unclassy drunk does that? Ding! Ding Ding Ding! You know it! I did on Friday night. What was I thinking of? Obviously I was not thinking. Could that be a side effect of my new eye shadow? Melissa, the bartender at Dufrain, looked straight into my eyes and said: "these things are dangerous." I gave her one of my classic eye rolls that said; "ay, nena, pleasssse." But I was not driving anywhere and the dare inconspicuously hidden in her warning became appealing. Sat at the bar with some of the usual suspects. Deep nonsensical conversation. Lovely as always. Remember the Ding DIng DINg DING! You heard when you knew I was the classless drunk? Capitalize all letters, bold them up, highlight them any fluorescent color of preference, draw a cartoon thinking bubble of my head (not above my head, inside) and place them there. Woke up when the alarm of my painful brain went off. Reached for my black sunglasses, put them on...Dragged my yellow self out of bed and wandered into the kitchen in search of Gatorade. Like Greta Garbo, I had a languished absent look. Like her, "I just vvvvvanted to left alonnnne." But a Saturday late lunch at Ulele had been carefully scheduled and the Real Housewives of Tampa Rico would be merciless to me in my absence. The thought of such vulturing over my sensitivities and small indiscretions gave me chills. What was I to do other than pull myself together, use tons of make-up foundation and eye concealer, wear one of my panama hats low Mafioso style, and show enough cleavage to distract them. Sunny and humid, this was the perfect day to be outside and mingle. I promptly folded and placed my hangover gloom into my purse. Walked into Ulele to find my friends. A table full of fabulous. Found then amidst the remembrance of the shade they had thrown at each other the previous night. My, oh, my. Better to play invisible. Ulele was busy as usual. Servers running and sprinting all over the place carrying colorful cocktails and sides of yummy. We promptly ordered drinks. Mimosas for some. One so high maintenance that he asked for a "no-pulp mimosa. Just a tad of OJ"... It sounded something like: "Ay linda, I want a mimosa but with no OJ." Like an Old Fashioned, but with only whiskey and ice. Yes. One of my friends has stopped drinking alcohol altogether. We are seriously considering he might be pregnant and not telling us. I was conscious of it and tried to stay away from stepping on his hormones. Another asked for beer, and after giving us all a lecture about wasting precious moments of our lives by using the cell phone, proceeded to sip at the beer as he played with his iphone. It was clear that shade had been thrown plenty the night before and that if one of us did not pull a Teresa Guidice table flipping it would be a miracle. I ordered pisco morado. Did not try the beer as I am allergic to it, nor the mimosas for they are always the same. Did try a very strong Caipirinha. My pisco morado was... Beautiful to look at. Refreshing and cool. As appetizers we enjoyed the fried okra, the lobster cake, crab mac and cheese, Florida jumpers (frog legs), Alligator hush puppies and the lollipop chicken. All amazing as always. The frog legs so tender inside and crispy on the outside that one of us should be placed on medical observation for the next days as he ate the bones of the frog legs as well. How unchic. As main we had Charbroiled Oysters, a classic burger, the Florida native chili, the lucanica salchicha, and a Gouda Grouper. As we waited for our grub, two felt their sensibilities had been deflowered; and even threatened to move to the table next to us. Marooned, but close enough to still take part in the male o drama (yes, you have read correctly). Olympic word ping pong. The food served as a pacifier of sorts. Everyone mostly shared their plates, even when Mimosa boy is a self-declared plate Scrooge. Silence and an occasional pleasure groan kept hormones at bay. Perhaps it had all been caused by alcohol dehydration and low blood sugar. Ulele, saved us yet again! No flipped tables. No flipped birds. We left satisfied. We took a stroll down the river walk... basked in the sun. Peaceful and silent. Strange. A miracle. "ay, at what time is the eboat? What are we drinking then? Isn't it too hot for red wine? I won't be having none of that, mamita! Will there be Serrano and prosciutto?"--and the silence broke... we were friends again.

    (4)

  • Wendy C.

    I was really excited to try this new "talk of the town" restaurant. I went for an Ohio U alumni dinner with spouses so the organizer made the reservation. The table was ready and set nicely. To start off, I had the buttery Chardonnay and my hubby had a crown and 7. Both were tasty but we believe the drink prices were on the pricey side. For our appetizer we shared the lobster cake. It was quite tasty but a bit too spicy for me. For my main course, I had the meatloaf which came with garlic mashed potatoes, asparagus and onion straws. I really liked the texture and taste of the meatloaf with the sauce. Everything on the plate was yummy. The side salad was extra but unique. It had greens, fire roasted peppers and Swiss cheese with the house balsamic dressing and I enjoyed it. We did not have dessert as we were too full and I have leftovers for tomorrow. The location is right on the Hillsborough River and next to a park. Beautiful views. Definitely worth a visit as the menu is unique, however a bit pricey.

    (4)

  • Steven H.

    Where do I begin? Menu states "gulf only oysters" but it's June right now and any oysters from the gulf would be like playing Russian roulette with the next 24hrs of your life. Someone at our table wanted a smaller than 10 Oz filet and we were told that it was not possible to do...let me note that the menu item above it has an 8 Oz filet mentionted. For my meal, I wanted to have my 10 Oz filet seasoned like the 20oz strip, but was told that it would be a $9 upcharge (so it was the same price at the 20oz). Completely ridiculous and unsavy wait staff.

    (1)

  • Cathy B.

    When you take a family with such a rich local history especially with the local food scene and they decide to top themselves and surround themselves with history, romance and some of the best minds and hands in the food world you are guaranteed a homerun! Ulele does not disappoint. From the incredible artwork and architecture to the crispy and tender calamari..... the lobster claw that melts in your mouth..... the jalepeno beer cornbread muffins...then there were the steaks... wash it down with Tim Stockton's craft brews and you have yourself Tampa's newest brightest star! Not to be missed- they open Aug 26th and get your reservations fast because this beautiful waterside dining at the historic waterworks building north of downtown is a gem!!

    (5)

  • Christy J.

    Now that I've visited Ulele 5+ times...I feel as if I can write a comprehensive review. First, ambiance. This place is top notch. Florida water, beautiful open air interior, clean, open kitchen and gorgeous artwork. Second, drinks. Well, for the beer drinkers, it's amazing to discover that they don't even keg their beer! They brew it and run the tap lines directly to the restaurant. The cocktails are also hand crafted with various spirits available on the rolling bar. Third, service. I've never had a bad experience. Whether it be a hostess, bartender, server or food runner. The perfect amount of professionalism is accompanied by just the right amount of "real," as if these people are hired to fit the description of: great server, down to earth. No snooty or trashy people here. Last but not least, the food. It never disappoints. Each item on the menu leaves you wanting to come back a second time. Go. Go now.

    (5)

  • Christina A.

    The atmosphere makes up for a lot here. The food is good but not great. I did not enjoy the okra fries because they just had so much vinegar on them. Maybe I had a bad batch. Everyone at my table that ordered fish was very happy. I ordered the pork and it was NOT fall off the bone tender. It was actually pretty dry. But enough complaining. The place is gorgeous!!!! We went on a night when they had all the doors on the downstairs closed to let in the breeze from the river. It was lovely. The ice cream and beer was FANTASTIC! I highly recommend asking if the brew master can visit your table. Now that is a man that enjoys his job! He gave us a tour of the brewery after dinner and it was a great end to a wonderful evening. I definitely will be going back and recommending this place to friends.

    (4)

  • Chrissy M.

    Great food and service (I highly Recommend the meatloaf!) with a lovely view of the river and new Water Works park. Just a few tips: Skip the fried ice cream, bring cash for valet and ask for a tour of the brewery with Tim! :)

    (4)

  • Kim N.

    Great times at this restaurant last night with good food, fun atmosphere, and great sunset view. Our table ordered the Okra Fries, Pulpo Carpaccio (shaved octopus), Florida Pompano, Crackling Pork Shank, Flank Steak, Jalepeno Cheddar Grit Cake, Dinner Special Seared Tuna over Rock Shrimp, House-Made Ulele Coconut Ice Cream, and Candied Duck Bacon Maple Fried Ice Cream. All were delicious. Added bonus is that the restaurant brews its own beer - loved the Magbee's Honey Lager. Our reservation was at 7:15pm and we were not seated until 7:45pm. They do text you when your table is ready so you can walk around the area and enjoy the sunset.

    (5)

  • Dorangela B.

    Beautiful ambiance especially sitting by the French pocket doors that open to the water view during sunset! The meatloaf with cheese mashed potatoes is phenomenal. I had a red sangria and a Pisco sour and was not impressed with either one of those. Everything else amazing!

    (4)

  • Gigi G.

    I was here in March for a late dinner with two colleagues and I reallllly liked their food, ambiance, etc.

    (4)

  • Ro S.

    Great place to try new and delicious foods! My 6 year old son enjoyed everything! He even liked the atmosphere. He said "why is there pretty people here?"

    (5)

  • Corey M.

    South Tampa Paintball is the best course in the entire St, Petersburg/Tampa area. I highly recommend for new players to come out and try, they give you competitive guns, not so bs mechanical gun..... which means that you have the same advantage as other players (that bring own markers). No one is excluded so not only is it a great social hangout!!! BUT you can get to play the greatest sport ever!! Feel free to ask question don't be embarrassed we all started somewhere.... P.S. The prices are fair with great Staff!! :)

    (5)

  • Kim O.

    The atmosphere here is great. It's such an interesting building and the service is fabulous and friendly. Our server was able to help us out with some questions we had about the menu. Our appetizers were really good. We had the oysters, which were very fresh. I had the skirt steak, and it was kind of disappointing because it came out kind of cold and just drenched in the sauce it came with. But someone else at my table had the meatloaf and it was soooo good. They also had really reasonable wine bottle prices, which was impressive. I really want to come back here and try some of the beers and also try another, better entree. Then I'll review again!

    (4)

  • Robin Z.

    Loved it! But make a reservation. It gets packed...even for lunch. Sat outside and the setting is beautiful. Shared the fried okra (and I don't even like okra...or so I thought!). Very tasty. The beet salad was very good and the crab mac 'n cheese was delicious! Service was great. I will be back soon!

    (5)

  • Nickk S.

    Fairly pricey for the, albeit delicious, food, but the atmosphere and the location makes up for it.

    (4)

  • Sam E.

    Uggg this one hurts. So much hype about this place and we were very excited to try it out. Reservations are annoyingly difficult to get so we planned a couple weeks out to go on a Tuesday...at 5:30pm. Even though we had reservations we were still told there would be a wait and that they would text us when the table was ready. The wait turned out to be around 20 minutes. Normally this would have been really annoying but part of the appeal of this place is the gorgeous location on the water and a city park. Waitstaff very friendly and helpful, they were about as good as you get. We were given a heads-up to just go tapas style and order a bunch of different apps to split (just me and the wife) so we could try multiple things. Hush puppies = I liked them but they were not amazing. Friend okra = nice little thing to munch on. Oysters were probably the best thing we had but again just not amazing as we had hoped. Wasn't going to have dessert but the waitress hyped Duck Bacon Maple Ice Cream so much that you could tell she truly thought it was the best dessert she'd ever had. As a big dessert guy I was all in at that point and then we got it and it was just good, not great. It had a frosted flakes coating that was kind of soggy and just really didn't work. Love so many things about this place; location, decor, concept, staff but the food just fell flat for some reason. We're hoping we just ordered the wrong things so we may try again.

    (3)

  • Joseph A.

    The food is good, not great, and certainly not memorable, except for the okra fries. The room is gorgeous. They spent some heavy coin on this space, that's for sure. But they forgot about acoustics so be prepared to yell at your dinner companions to make conversation. But here's the most breathtaking mistake: they built this very nifty center-piece wine showcase, with glass and steel and stacks of wine....to impress us with their wine knowledge and sophistication. At first glance, it's quite impressive. But it's a front for genuine stupidity which becomes painfully obvious when you look at the wine list. For 2 reasons: 1- the list is ordinary, small and profoundly shallow. Nothing special, nothing well-chosen, no surprises. 2- there are no vintages listed for the wines. Let me repeat that: THERE ARE NO VINTAGES LISTED FOR THE WINES! (I yelled that because for a moment I thought I was back in their dining room.) If a restaurant brags about its wine coolness with a $100,000+ wine-storage centerpiece. and then doesn't list vintage for any wine in their dull collection, then I can only assume whoever made that call is an idiot. Or it's a chinese restaurant who keep their wine inventory on top of their Traulsen refrigerator. My assumption of stupidity became a fact when I mentioned all of this to one of the food and beverage managers (who agreed with me, by the way). He explained that since inventory changes so frequently, the company didn't want to incur the expense of reprinting the wine-list when vintages changed. That's class.

    (2)

  • Kati Lynn O.

    I have been here twice now, once for dinner which was so-so and most recently for lunch. Lunch surpassed my expectations! We went in with 7 people and they were able to sit us within a few minutes. Perfect weather to have the doors open. The dining room has not changed, still gogeous. Our server Katie was very polite and attentive. We had the char broiled oysters, and in the very last one which I ate there was a pearl! What luck. I had the little jimmy brisket sandwich, very good- I wouldn't call it a brisket like most are used to but still very good. The breading got soggy quick though. It seemed like that with most of my parties complaints, but only having one thing wrong for 7 people is pretty good in my book. Two of our party split the ulele burger which seems like a great idea because that burger is massive and looked awesome! We will be back most definitely.

    (4)

  • Jason W.

    This is my third time to Ulele and I'm just as disappointed as the times before. It's a beautiful place but that's it. The service is horrible, everyone is either standing around ignoring customers or moving at a snails pace. Did I mention there might be only 6 tables sat in the whole place and we waited at the hostess stand for 10 minutes for a table. The food is mediocre, too bad, because the concept is cool. In a town of lots of great restaurants you shouldn't waste your time here, too many other great places to spend your money

    (2)

  • Natalie M.

    So after seeing so many of my fellow yelp friends check in and post about this place, we definitely wanted to check this place out. We went on a weekday, which was surprisingly busy, so we put our names down, and the wait was about 20 minutes. While we waited, we walked around and I have to say, the location is so nice and to be able to enjoy the view, definitely made the wait go by quicker. Once inside, you can feel the ambiance of the restaurant, which had a very cool vibe. The menu had a good selection. We decided to try the calamari, which was bland and very disappointing for us. We also ordered the charbroiled oysters, and I have to say, what a disappointment. We ordered half a dozen and out of the 6, only three were decent size, the other three were so tiny, I was shocked the restaurant even allowed the kitchen to send them out. I ordered the porterhouse steak to share with my sister, and while it was big, it wasn't seasoned well. My husband ordered meatloaf and I have to say it looked like what they serve at the hospital, the way it was sliced and looked. Overall I give the restaurant 4 stars for location and ambiance but only 2.5-3 for food and service.

    (4)

  • Matthew B.

    I feel that the memory of Princess Ulele is honored by this beautiful location. Ulele restaurant is a large brick building situated next to Ulele spring, a crystal clear bubbling spring just north of the heart of downtown Tampa. The scenery evokes a feeling of freshness and a closeness to nature which is what the food is also trying to emulate. Ulele serves a native inspired menu, sometimes vaguely inspired, which is delicious to say the least. You have a choice to sit outdoors with a beautiful water front view or inside the restored brick structure that used to house a Tampa Water works pump station. Indoor seating still feels airy and open with high ceilings and huge "garage door windows" that can be opened when the weather is nice. I started my meal with the okra fries. They were fantastic. Just okra, no breading, fried till they hold a light crunch, then tossed in a little lime juice. I loved them. For my entree I ordered the Horno Chicken (Horno, meaning "oven"). The smoky tomato and corn "sauce" served over the chicken was very nice. The chicken was a breast cutlet, my least favorite piece of the bird, which I felt was a little dry. I am a pretty picky bastard and have high standards for chicken breast. It wasn't too dry, just a little. Perhaps an option for white or dark meat would be nice. Or rotisserie chicken covered in the same amazing sauce would have been lovely. Rotisserie breast is rarely dry. Still it managed to be very tasty and satisfying. I plan on returning with friends next time. There are many items on the menu that looked very delectable!!

    (4)

  • Brian C.

    Lunch Monday Feb 16, 5 stars for uniqueness and originality of menu, food presentation and taste of food! These folks make their own ketchup and make their own zucchini pickles! The only thing frozen here is the ice cream. Decor is beautiful and the location is fabulous. Honestly, I was a bit surprised at how good this place really was! So why is it rated a 4 star? The portion size was smaller than expected. Lobster Rolls were out of this world, but they were basically 2 bites for a man. Grouper Sandwich was fresh, but was less than an inch thick. The Fried Frog Leg appetizer must have had about 20 frog legs, problem was they were barely bigger than tadpoles and the meat was very scare on them. I heard this place gets crazy busy on weekends and reservation holders usually have a wait! Lunch crowd was very busy as well for a Monday. This may become my favorite restaurant in Tampa as it reminds of many of the places I enjoy eating at in Charleston, SC & Portland, OR. Cant wait to go back for a dinner and for another lunch and try more dishes! If you are reading this -- you should make the drive and TRY THIS PLACE!

    (4)

  • Heather F.

    Food was great, service was AWFUL! I left my debit card at the bar, when I returned not even 10 minutes later I was told "no you didn't" when I said I had left my card. Then a week later, I got a letter from my bank saying I had requested my PIN number that night. Card was turned in by the bartender the next day. Smells fishy to me. The waitress was SO rude. She spent very little time checking on us and more time finishing her end of night duties. Once again, good food- HORRENDOUSLY bad service.

    (1)

  • Elizabeth L.

    My two stars are for the atmosphere. It's located on the Hillsborough River, and the view is gorgeous. However, the food was bland and unseasoned. I started with a martini that took over 20 to arrive. Then we ordered the Okra fries and lobster cake. The Okra fries could have been good, but they were seasonless. The Lobster Cake appetizer was ONE lobster cake. Nothing special. My husband ordered their burger for lunch, and it was good (for a burger). I ordered the $18 Lobster roll, which was below average in taste, and was also lacking any seasoning. Half way through, I added some salt and pepper, and this helped a little. My advice is to pack your own picnic basket, and have lunch in the beautiful park next door. Same view of the river, and it's free!!!

    (2)

  • Dylan G.

    Great location and friendly stuff. The food was ok. We ordered some appies as we were in a rush so we didn't try anything off the main menu. If you are an oyster fan this is the place to go!

    (4)

  • Leah W.

    I had very high hopes for this restaurant given its pedigree and the raves I had been reading. Perhaps my lukewarm reaction was a result of my expectations being too high. The ambiance of this restaurant was terrific - a very 'cool' place in terms of interior decor. We ordered the okra fries, crab mac and cheese, deconstructed seafood pot pie and the Ulele as a side salad. I love okra and really looked forward to trying their fry interpretation. It was interesting but nothing that I find myself craving after the fact. The same goes for the crab mac and cheese. It just wasn't that memorable. I think the crab itself jumped out of the pot and ran away because darned if I could find it in the cup! The Ulele salad was tasty and I wish I'd had ordered that as my full meal. My dining companion said the seafood pot pie was fine but nothing to rave about. Bottom line - this is one of the new, hip, au courant, etc. places to eat and if you want to hang with the 'in' crowd it should be on your list. If your interest steers more in the desire for a great meal - head to Boca or one of the many eateries in Seminole Heights.

    (3)

  • Chris M.

    Vibe place down by the water. Food is excellent, service is great. Bar is nice as well.

    (4)

  • Travis S.

    This place rocked!! From the extremely fresh food to the amazing river view this place is top notch! This is a fairly new restaurant in the tampa bay area and I can see it growing to be one of the best in its class. First and foremost reservations are highly recommended, Just for lunch we had to wait 3 days just to get in with reservations. We started with the calamari just because you can tell a lot about a restaurant by its calamari. It gets you ready for the next thing your about to eat and this was honestly the freshest and most flavorful calamari I have ever had. A bunch of people who told us about this restaurant told us to get the Florida Native Chili. Some of what makes this chili is Alligator, wild boar, venison, duck and ground chuck. Needless to say you would never know that you are eating them but the flavor is impeccable. For our main course we had Little Jimmy Brisket & Apple Cider Pork. Both were phenomenal but the Apple Cider Pork was better in terms of flavor. I can't wait to go back to try dinner.

    (5)

  • Lisa Maria K.

    SERVICE SERVICE SERVICE! What a shame. I came here expecting wonderful things, but as well all know, you gotta be able to walk the walk to talk the talk. **disclaimer** I come from an extensive restaurant background working all positions front of house and management and most recently worked as a server in a 5star restaurant in NYC. Made a rez for 3:30 in the afternoon for a late lunch to accommodate our vacation schedule and also made a notation that my fiance and I were celebrating our engagement. 3:30 in the afternoon on christmas eve? yeah I thought it would be decently busy for a hip new trending restaurant. We were greeted and wait about a good 10 mins to be seated for a table that was already set. (There should not have been such a delay). About 5 mins later our server touched our table and briefly congratulated us on our engagement which was nice of him to note. Reviewing the menu, everything - EVERYTHING looked amazing! Ordered some beers since they are a nano brewery of sorts, appetizer, entrees, and sides. Got beers first. Asked if we wanted water halfway into our meal. 1st nono. Water always comes first. Our server seemed busy assisting a larger party next to us and maybe some other tables. I am quite sympathetic towards service industry people, as I am one myself, so I fully understand when a server is touch and go with tables, but he was a little more than absent from serving us. Our food arrived in good time for how busy the kitchen must have been. All the food was great, nothing to rave about, but still good. This was until I discovered parchment paper in my french fries. We notified our server, and his reaction was more off putting than the actual situation. He seemed more annoyed and disgruntled that he had to deal with it. 2nd nono, he asked if we wanted it to be taken back. -sidenote: when someone finds something other than food that was NOT intentionally placed there on a plate, you remove it immediately from the table and take it to the kitchen so they can see their mistake and make note. We of course said yes, he took it back and asked us if we wanted another one, and before we could answer he answered for us. Now at this time, the restaurant was transitioning from lunch to dinner service. As we sat and waited for about 15-20 mins for the new plate to come out, we had finished our meal. At this time we were a little peeved, so we had it packed up and asked for the check. When we got the check he explained that he took it off, and re-rung it in to be made again. Usually in these kinds of circumstances the associated item will be comp'ed. Nothing was comp'ed, no manager came by, and nothing was dealt with. LEFT FULLY DISAPPOINTED and later on got sick from the food. (the food that was packed was pitifully thrown in a box with none of the included sauces) I think management needs to review steps of service with FOH and need to be more involved to avoid these kinds of situations in the future.

    (1)

  • Liana M.

    Flies, flies, flies...... Terrible experience. Manager came over twice to apologize and said they're close to water and we were sitting close to the door. We covered all glasses with our napkins after one got in our wine and they brought us another glass. Kids sliders and fries we're VERY salty, had to send back. Steaks were very dry and didn't have a lot of flavor. Positives: Waiter was excellent. Pompano was great. I think fish dishes were clearly better than meat. Oysters were big and very also good. Wine list offered a lot of excellent choices. We will not return anytime soon. We had too large a bill to have flies in our food. They really need a solution--fast.

    (2)

  • Benny B.

    So the place is a geographical oddity with a lovely spring, kids playing in the water fountains. But I'm a tad unimpressed. There was much miscommunication at the front when it came time to seat us. We were instructed to follow someone only to find someone else was being seated at our "table" Our server while polite, and cheerful, never checked back on the food or that we were ok with everything until it came time for the check. It's nice and fancy but the glitter covers a less than ordinary overpriced raunt...

    (2)

  • Garnet F.

    It was good. The atmosphere is relaxing and all the food was good. The service was friendly and attentive. I don't think it lives up to all the hype, though.

    (4)

  • Dina A.

    Brian was the Best I have seen in awhile! Thanks for the Great Service!

    (5)

  • JaxMan T.

    After my third visit to this gorgeous venue, sad to say that Ulele is losing its edge. While the food remains decent, if not amazing, the service seems to be losing its rhythm. First, I love this place and could not be more supportive of the stunning urban revitalization that the Gonzmart-Buckhorn team has achieved for our beloved Tampa. I want Ulele to be successful. But the restaurant has to succeed on its food quality and merit, not just on its concept. The execution of the concept makes all the difference. Second, my main grievance is with the service. When the restaurant first opened, it seemed almost over-staffed, with multitudes of bus boys, runners, skilled waiters and ubiquitous headphoned managers attending to the needs of its guests. The result was a very smart but unobtrusive high-end service experience. Now the service is just like a regular restaurant, much like the Columbia itself, where your needs are met but the execution is lacking. Frankly, at this price point, there is no excuse for food arriving less than piping hot or the pace of a meal being mistimed due to inattention. Last, this seems to coincide with a overall decline in the inspiration and execution of the otherwise decent food. The best menu items are the sizzling pork shank and the meatloaf, but the flank steak has been disappointing. If Ulele wants to withstand the test of time and be more than just a fad, the Gonzmart's will need to be as passionate about their service, food and overall execution as they are about their decor and setting. I wish them luck.

    (3)

  • Jen H.

    This was my second visit, but my husband's first. Let me say first that my first visit compared to this visit was like night and day. Now I'll now comment on my most recent visit. The blistered peppers were amazing. By far the best thing (and probably only good ting) we ate. We ordered the alligator hush puppies which were mediocre at best. Not much flavor and came with some mayo-based sauces, if that's what you want to call them (there was hardly any on our plate). My husband ordered the little jimmy's brisket and I ordered the gouda grouper. The little jimmy's brisket looked and tasted like cheap frozen meat and the bread was soaked through with grease. He maybe ate a quarter of the sandwich at the most. Did I mention that the server told us that this was his favorite dish? The fries were cold, soggy, and hardly any salt (no salt on the table either). My gouda grouper was okay. They advertise it as having gouda, but there was just a little drizzle on the outside of the plate. Very dry, and again bland. We had intensions of ordering dessert (it was delicious on my first visit) and drinks after, but the waiter didn't even ask. Came over and gave us the bill, so we paid and left. I know my husband won't be going back. I'm still in limbo since my first visit was so good... Definitely lacking consistency on the service and the food.

    (2)

  • Axis S.

    I'll need to go back to get a better sense of the place, but for now 3 stars. Summary: Good food at a decent value, with service and setting to help you smile. A safe, reliable bet for a date or business lunch. First thoughts upon arrival: IT IS PACKED, literally standing room only and I think over half the tables were groups of 15 or more having their holiday gatherings. And yet, the staff kept up as best they could, and everything arrived reasonably quickly and our servers were attentive and friendly. Crowd is upper-third of Tampa's movers, likely SideBurn's refuges, or people that lunched at Oxford Exchange earlier. Wine list is a good selection of primarily Western Hemisphere offerings. Not a super-deep cellar, but some excellent bottles for the expected markups. I didn't ask about corkage fees, but I imagine it's in the $15-20 range. Meal: Hush puppies, Okra starters. Okra was very good, hush puppies were warm, flavorful, and presented on two sauces. Plating was professional and clean. Chef Richard's Grilled Tomato & Onion Salad, and Roast Beet and Poached Pear salad. Get the beet&pear salad, as it's an excellent piece of balance - tart, earthy, sharp/sour (from the cheese), and acid from the dressing. The Chef Richards fell flat with me - showed up lukewarm, and while the promised char intensity was there, I felt maybe there might have been something missing? I chalked it up to an over-whelmed kitchen, will try it again later, maybe, but really, give it a miss. Deconstructed Seafood Pot pie, and Chief Red Eagle Duck. Both are very good in different directions, obviously - I had Fume Blanc with my seafood, my date had the Pinot Noir with their duck. Both dishes showed up warm (not hot), were plated well, and the duck was cooked to temperature properly. Good execution from a kitchen back on its heels. And yet, there's not much more to say about the entries -- "as expected," in that the seafood pie was sherry & butter & all the seafoods and warming. The duck was duck with port/orange sauce. Sides were anemic asparagus over forgettable wild rice, and felt like something I'd get at a chain restaurant, really. But sadly, no epiphany. I'll go back at some point to give them another chance - maybe we picked the wrong night and the wrong foods. Even so, three stars and bookmarked to try again during a less hectic night.

    (3)

  • Katie M.

    Vegan friendly?! Yes! Loved Ulele!! With all the new restaurants popping up, it's been hard to find one that has vegan options for my husband. Ulele's exemplary service and diverse menu offerings were able to accommodate and impress!! We had: Apps: Shishito blistered peppers Okra fries Entrees: Flank steak w/ asparagus and wild rice (for me) Eggplant casserole (for vegan husband) Side: Mac & cheese (me again) April was our server and she killed it!! The okra fries are amazing.

    (5)

  • Christian N.

    Fantastic place with something for everyone. Incredibly well restored old brick warehouse is simultaneously inspiring and relaxing. Seating is available outside, inside, at the bar and upstairs in a large loft area. I went for lunch during the holidays and recommend the following: 1) make a reservation. This place is super popular. 2) get the garden patties as an appetizer. Think crab cakes made of thinly peeled vegetables and a perfectly paired spicy mayo sauce. De-lic-ious! 3) try the apple cider pork sandwich. The apple flavor accentuates the caramelized onions in a sweet blend of flavorful goodness. Do it! That's all I've got for now, but I'll definitely be back. Can't wait.

    (5)

  • Luis E.

    This people know how to run a restaurant. Great atmosphere, the staff was knowledgeable and courteous, food was excellent I had the yellow fin tuna for the first time. They have this fry calamari that you can taste the garlic in a good way mmm!. I just ended with the chocolate cake. Great experience I want to go back to try the burgers and okra fries.

    (5)

  • Suzi M.

    Excellent drinks; beautiful place.

    (4)

  • Cathie D.

    I will start with the building and location. This place is the old water works pumping station that they have remodeled and incorporated into the RiverWalk & Water Works Park projects in Tampa Heights. It is absolutely beautiful!! As a Tampa native I am very proud that we have an establishment like this in Tampa. To start we ordered one of our favorite wines, and were surprised by the nominal mark up on the bottle. We were seated pretty quickly on the 2nd level. Our waiter was very friendly & informative. We had the okra fries as an appetizer. They were so good!! I had the tuna and my husband had the snapper. The red sauce on my tuna & mashed potatoes was so good!! I'm not a huge fan of tuna (ordered it to be different), but it was still good. My husband's snapper was excellent. The bacon ice cream dessert is ridiculously good & a must have!! We walked around on the River Walk afterward....beautiful with downtown Tampa & the Hillsborough River in the background!

    (5)

  • Max B.

    This is a classy spot for dinner or drinks. I am in town for business and found this place on Yelp. It was packed when I showed up. Since I was by myself though I was able to snag a single seat at the corner bar. The random company was lively and engaging. I ended up staying for almost two hours. Usually when eating out alone I am out in just under an hour. Based on a recommendation I had the duck (Medium temp). The flavor was rich and the orange marmalade glaze tied up the meal well. It even came with popcorn in the mashed potatoes, not sure where that idea ever came from but it tasted good. I recommend this spot for anyone looking for a nice night out.

    (4)

  • Katy P.

    This is a must in the Tampa Bay Area! This may be my new favorite place to eat. The environment is so cool and chill, very hip. Everything inside is reclaimed, which I love because I'm all about using resources. Everything is local, even the refurbished items, and in season. We went last night and their beer was a strawberry beer and their ice cream was strawberry ice cream because that is what is in season right now. All the strawberries came from Plant City also. The food was amazing...and with four girls, we tried A LOT of food! For appetizers, we got the alligator puppies, the Mac and cheese, the garlic oysters, and the okra fries with house made ketchup. Every single item was fantastic! I would want all of that again. For dinner, I got the crab Mac and cheese. I am a macaroni and cheese connoisseur! This was just the right amount of cheeses, very creamy, and not an over-powering amount of crab. It was perfect! The girls got amazing dishes as well. One got the special, which was Mahi with an apple and pear glaze, the cheese popcorn mashed potatoes and green beans. Delicious. Another got the beer pan chicken, which we all decided was nothing special, it just tastes like Publix rotisserie chicken. Of course we got dessert and they were amazing also! I had the key lime dessert. It was very tart, frozen, covered in graham cracker and with a side of toasted marshmallow-like stuff. It was my favorite on the table. We also got the homemade vanilla bean, strawberry, coconut, and chocolate ice creams. Every single one was mouth watering. The last of our desserts was the most interesting on the menu, but the least impressive. We got the candied duck bacon maple fried ice cream. It was covered in what tasted like stale cereal and was not as tasteful as we imagined. Don't get sucked into the fun name! All in all, this is my new favorite restaurant and I want everyone I know to experience this place!

    (5)

  • Lindsay H.

    Great outdoor seating, open indoor concept dining, yummy cocktails, apps and seafood, great service most visits. Fun place to take friends in town. One of my new favorites.

    (5)

  • David J.

    Their apps and small plates (blistered peppers! roasted okra! chicken lollies!) are among my favorites, as well as the grilled oysters and sangrita shooters (WOW!). There is a lot to love about this waterpark/riverwalk gem! The house brewed beers are essentially all lagers (even their "pale" is a pale lager) and served in frosted mugs, which isn't always my favorite but I may change my tune come dead of summer. :)

    (4)

  • Princess P.

    Holy. Tastebuds. If there were more stars in this app, I'd use em all. This place was heaven to all senses. Amazing food. Just as amazing service. A friend and I pretty much splurged here. Their menu is out of this world. And their food, incomparable. We got the pulpo carpaccio, blistered peppers, pork shank, seared tuna, duck bacon ice cream, and guava pie. Yes. We got it all. Portions are massive so we took a lot to go. But oh my god was the bill worth the taste. The food was not only eye appealing but it left your tastebuds mesmerized and wanting more!! Must come for anyone who visits the area! Just go. Don't ask questions. GO!!NOW!!

    (5)

  • Don M.

    Wedding beer, okra fries alligator hushpu plies, jalapeño cornbread. Pork shank, white cheddar popcorn mashed potatoes. Delicious!

    (5)

  • Heather A.

    The first impression of this place definitely has a wow factor. The fountain/statue, exposed brick interior, super funky hipster decor, beautiful walkway around the river next to the park. We loved it! We decided to check this place out at 830pm on a Monday night and the wait was 45 minutes. We went to the bar and ordered 2 glasses of wine (their wine list is so affordable! Definitely take advantage of their wine selection and prices) and the baked oysters. The oysters were delicious. Once sat, I ordered the Juan salad (their take on a caesar sort of) and hubby got the tomato and onion salad. Both good. I had the snapper on wild rice and spinach and Kyle got the grouper with wild rice and asparagus and we added a side of crab mac n cheese. My snapper was a bit dry... we also wanted the potatoes instead of the rice, but our server never gave us the choice and wasn't really around enough for us to ask after we ordered. They ran out of 2 desserts so we tried the chocolate tort with vanilla ice cream. It was good, but we're definitely going back to try the fried ice cream with candied bacon.

    (4)

  • Burr C.

    Location/Atmosphere: Ulele is a new restaurant that opened a couple months ago. It's in a great location right next to Tampa Water Works park downtown on the Hillsborough river. The west side of the restaurant has large floor to ceiling doors that open up to a spectacular view of the evening sunset. Seating is available outside, but you'll want the "west" end for the view. It's new so get reservations early and expect the restaurant to be packed and noisy for now. Bar: The full service bar was well tended and serves their own brews of beer. I tried the "Rusty Red" amber beer which was very good. Food: The menu is Florida inspired with a wide variety of choices. We had a party of four and we tried several of their appetizers: Calamari, Florida Jumpers (frog legs), Country Fried Quail, and Charbroiled Oysters. The calamari was very good. The Jumpers and Quail were interesting to try but not very flavorful or filling. The Charbroiled Oysters are unique and had good flavor but when you Charbroil Oysters, they are not soft and plump like you might expect as when you eat them raw. I'd still recommend trying those just for the flavor. Two of us tried the Florida Pampano (fish). It was properly cooked and had good flavor for a mild flavor fish. If you like Mahi Mahi or Snapper, you might give this one a try. Oddly enough - my favorite item was the "Jalapeño Corn Beer Quick Bread" which you can order as a side dish. They are little corn bread muffins with jalapeño that were just wonderful - we ordered a second round after the table finished the first. Service: The bartender and waitress were very good, polite and attentive. The food service was slow but they are a new restaurant and the place was packed so we didn't really think twice about it. The "host" or "Maitre d" (not sure what he was but he stood around and monitored) had the snootiness that seems to arrive with every new trendy restaurant but in year I'm sure that will pass. For example, we had a table of 4 and a 5th person stopped by for a quick drink. While we grabbed a chair for him to join for a few minutes, we overheard the "host/Maitre'D" comment "Ugh...that's a table for 4!". Our 5th got up and gently 'educated' him about etiquette and his temporary status . Bottom line - go! It's a great location, good food, and nice atmosphere.

    (4)

  • Scott S.

    This will be quick and easy: -Wedding Beer -Lobster Claw -Octopus -Ahi Tuna AMAZING!

    (5)

  • David W.

    The restaurant is in downtown Tampa. They renovated an old Water Works building ... lots of exposed brick and steal girders, two-story interior space. Food? Lobster Cake appetizer -- lots of tender lobster. Charbroiled Oysters -- garlic, parmesan and romano cheese -- I'm not a fan of oysters generally, but these were so flavorful and delicious. Steak - very tender and juicy. They work hard to source local Florida ingredients. The beef is from area ranches and is processed in the state -- which is fairly rare if I understand correctly. White Cheddar Popcorn Mashed Potatoes -- good but I don't think there was any popcorn on mine. Ale -- their own craft brewed beers -- I had Galaxy Hopper Red, a seasonal choice -- smooth, more of a focus on malts rather than hops, which I like. Dessert was a flourless chocolate cake with some kind of wine/berry reduction and Ugandan vanilla bean ice cream -- amazing.

    (4)

  • Kim T.

    beautiful building the old water works. Service was good. Food was fresh. For the money however it needs work. I live downtown and if you want superior service there are several places who really do it better. Maybe if I go again I will have a different experience until then it was just Meh.

    (2)

  • Thomas B.

    This restaurant was an absolute highlight of a recent trip to Tampa. The place came highly recommended by friends and I thought, "what is all the hype about...really?" I have to say...it met all of my expectations. We were fortunate enough to be able to sit outside. The service was impeccable. From the minute we sat down until the minute we left...EXCELLENT. For starters: The blistered peppers are excellent! We also had the okra fries. They were so delicious (and I hate okra...and I am not fond of Oprah, either). I had the grouper entree and it was OUT OF THIS WORLD DELICIOUS. The place was busy and was a tad loud on the inside, so be prepared for that! It was just a great place to go to dinner and I cannot wait to go back and enjoy it next time!

    (5)

  • Jen C.

    Nice enough place! It was pretty crowded and we got put at a less-than-awesome table next to a birthday party with a bunch of kids (though it was like, 8:30 pm on a Friday night?), but we had a decent time there. One issue we found was when we ordered something that was a bit off-menu (mashed potatoes instead of risotto) with one of the fish dishes. The fish was placed on top of the potatoes and then was overcooked because of the heat of the potatoes. But I really can't blame them for that -- it's not on their regular menu, so it's pretty understandable. I think if we didn't have four separate people tell us this was the best restaurant they'd ever been to, we probably would rate it higher. But the expectation was set really high, and because of that, I'd call it just A-OK.

    (3)

  • Susan M.

    So this being my second visit here I was already happy, my first visit was great and the food was very good (ranges from okay to amazing). My second visit was a bit more complicated. After making reservations for 8:30 pm for a Wednesday night we arrive 5 minutes before our reservation time only to be told there's a wait but they can't tell us how long the wait will be. So my group of 4 decide to peruse the menu so we have an idea of what we want to order, it basically took us 45 minutes to get sat past our reservation time. So I warn now make reservations but be prepared to still wait a while (but I guess since it's the new hot restaurant its expected?). Anyways, for the food. We ordered the Chargrilled oysters (a must, delicious) and the gator hushpuppies (they are good but it is difficult to distinguish the gator in them). All the appetizers were good and we were definitely satisfied with the oysters, I highly recommend ordering them. I ended up ordering the skirt steak with the Jimmychurri sauce, which if you love chimichurri sauce this is great because they add avocado and it was delicious, and a side of the crab mac n' cheese. Both were good, and I was satisfied but it wasn't something that was amazing to go back for. My friends ordered the NY Strip, Filet and Swordfish. Again, all were great but not amazing. All in all, I do love the ambiance and will definitely be going back to try more items on their menu. I would love to try the lunch since they have a lot of items that I would love to try. I definitely recommend going here but this is not a place for a romantic date since it is quite loud. I would recommend it for a girl's night out or a nice dinner eclectic dinner date.

    (4)

  • K.L. R.

    Went to an event here and just had drinks... so I can't comment on the food... however, this place has a neat atmosphere and is really cool inside. They have an outdoor patio area upstairs (which is where my event was) that they had set up a buffet and room to talk, etc. I definitely want to go back again soon.

    (4)

  • Heather K.

    Yummm!!! Had a late dinner there last night and it was the perfect ending to a perfect night!! The food and service were wonderful! We had the blistered peppers and calamari as appetizers. Then for the entree we had the "Deconstructed Beef Wellington" special! My fiancé was in beef heaven!!! The portion was huge, & the taste was right!! We also added the Mac n chz and the squash gratin on the side--delish! My friend ordered the oysters--he said they were the best he's had!! We will def be back!! :)

    (4)

  • Tony P.

    I read some not-so-flattering reviews so I went in with tempered expectations. If i could, I would give them 4.5 stars. We had no problem with our reservation time, it was kept and we were promptly seen by our server and drinks were brought quickly. I would pass on the beers we tried (the wedding beer and their special that day, the oatmeal stout) but they have a decent wine list and some fun cocktails. Our server was knowledgeable about the menu and was able to steer us in the right direction when we asked for ideas. She was very attentive all night, and the rest of the staff did a good job making sure the table was bussed and food and drinks brought out correctly. We started with some appetizers, with the lollipop chicken being a big crowd-pleaser, and the okra fries being enjoyed by 3 of our 4. I had the pork shank, and tried a bite of the filet and the meatloaf. The shank was huge, tender, and tasted good, although I do wish they made the outside a little crispier when they flash-fried it. The filet was excellent, cooked right on temp and seasoned to perfection. I'm not a huge meatloaf fan, but it was a different take on traditional meatloaf and I wound up enjoying it, even though I still wouldn't order it myself. Everyone loved the mac n cheese (non-crab version) and i thought the rice was good, if a little bland. I don't like cheddar mashed potatoes, but I couldn't taste the cheddar in these so I liked them. I thought the popcorn was a little gimmicky though. The asparagus was fine, nothing special. The atmosphere has been beaten to death on here, but it really is cool and very different from other places in the Tampa area. It's a little loud, but it has a great energy. I would highly recommend Ulele for a date, small group, or a business dinner where the aim is to impress and not really talk details.

    (5)

  • Casey C.

    Delicious -awesome view of the river!! We sat out on the grass and had some drinks playing cornhole - great time!!

    (5)

  • Amanda M.

    5 FREAKING stars !!!! Everything about this place is freaking awesome , from the history of the place to the whole vibe of it all.. the people are super friendly & know their stuff on the menu forsure. We started off w. The charbroiled garlic and Parmesan oysters & oh my God I cannot tell you how amazing they were ... and I don't even like oysters but after last night I am now obsessed . I got the flank steak for dinner comes w. Mash potatoes w. A little bit of popcorn ! Yes I said popcorn I didn't even expect it but it wasn't bad at all it wasn't overwhelming at all either I also got the honeymoon beer which was a freaking amazinggg ! Over all this place is like a hidden gem & I will be coming again . I now consider his restaurant to be one of my faves :D

    (5)

  • Nichole M.

    Extremely disappointed. Was told an hour wait. Waited for one hour 45 minutes. Hostess is not very friendly and actually is not honest about wait times. If rather be over told than under told. Brew master was very nice and knowledgeable as well as bar tender. The wait staff looks stressed and over worked. The food was just ok. I am not certain if come back. But if I do I will have to have a reservation but from what I've read those don't work out well either.

    (2)

  • Lisa W.

    We were there for dinner last night. My pompano was fantastic, as was my husband's meat loaf. The homemade strawberry ice cream was heavenly. On our way out, head chef Eric came to speak with us. We will definitely be back.

    (5)

  • Dawn S.

    Food was yummy-had the crab Mac and cheese and jalapeño muffins for apps. Yummy! For entree had the seafood pot pie-was delicious but only had a few bites so I could save room for dessert. I had the key lime ice cream stack. The flavor was good but the consistency tasted like freezer burnt ice cream/shaved ice... Was a little odd. My friend ordered the meatloaf-huge portion and she let me have a bite-also yummy. For dessert she had the duck bacon fries ice cream-sounds beyond weird on the menu but was super delicious! Try it!!! Service was good and the Interior was lovely. Plenty of parking options and the restaurant is in a really cool up and coming part of town. Glass of wine, split apps down the middle, entree and dessert was 45$ (not including the tip). Made a reservation-highly recommend doing so. We arrived early and the place was almost empty but when we left at seven it was packed with ppl waiting outside!

    (4)

  • Lisa L.

    You really can't go wrong here. The food is absolutely delicious and there's plenty of variety to choose from on the menu whether you lean toward healthy or indulgent. The servers are exceptional in their knowledge of the food and their high standard of service. And then there's the beautiful surroundings both inside and outside of the restaurant: that in itself is worth the trip. I can't say enough about Ulele and the consistent, positive experiences I've had there.

    (5)

  • Jordan D.

    Listen, I don't normally write reviews and I am a habitual yelp user for finding great dining. This place is a must try. I've been to all of the premier restaraunts in Tampa and Ulele should be considered. The food is fantastic. The Chili, Oysters and seafood pot pie are amazing. Our server Fran (shout out) was also awesome. Their cocktail creations are also pretty good. They're really busy, make a reservation ahead of time!

    (5)

  • Steph W.

    Soooooo good! 8 of us went... Between us, we had steak, deconstructed seafood pot pie, grouper, snapper, and mahi mahi as entrees. Oysters, alligator hush puppies, calamari, and quail as appetizers. Guava pie, duck bacon fried ice cream, key lime ice cream, peppermint ice cream, and chocolate dessert. EVERYTHING was outstanding, we were all in awe of this place. It is also beautifully decorated, we could not get over the amazing building.

    (5)

  • S R.

    Not worth the hype. Had dinner on a Monday night- maybe their "A" team works weekends? The server told me the wrong special (she said it was a ribeye when it was really a new York strip) so I changed my order to the flank steak. Meat was flavorless and the potatoes while tasty, was like eating thick paste. Food came out warm, not hot. The bartender did a great job of selling one of their special drinks which turned out to be a $10 glass of flat sangria. I can see why it is a popular spot but the food is not convincing enough for a return visit. Didn't even order dessert-- just didn't want to be disappointed anymore. I am really surprised that the managers who walk around looking like secret service with their ear pieces, do not take the time to ask the patrons how their food is.

    (2)

  • Carolyn L.

    Just spent 3 hours at ULELE . We were a party of 4. We had heard only rave reviews. Over all very disappointing .Our reservation was honored 30 minutes late. First we ordered drinks... Martini's were poorly made and the glass 1/4 filled. We called it to the attention of the server... He fixed that . No apology , No sorry... Just came back with filled glasses. I will say the dozen raw oysters were wonderful. Otherwise the entrees were just okay. This after one of our party was served something she did not order. They seemed very busy and completely confused over service and pick up. The manager came by to ask about the entree mix up .., we mentioned the martini. He showed no interest. This restaurant was very disappointing. I would not recommend it or go back again .

    (2)

  • Catherine D.

    Upon your first steps into Ulele, take time to look around at the décor, the architecture, the river.... and realize the history of this place, and how authentic this spot is to Tampa. I bet you'd give it 5 stars right off as "a cool place to visit". Then, sample one of their beers, from their own brewery in-house...your rating jumps tp a 5+ rating in an instant. Eat...anything (and for a reasonable price, sample several small plates and beers and stay awhile). We loved the lobster cake app, pork, and charbroiled oysters. You will wish Yelp offered a 10 star option. It's just that good, that amiable, that inviting, that authentic....and that special.

    (5)

  • Michael A.

    Great location and good customer service. Highly recommended it you are visiting Tampa, FL with your pets.

    (5)

  • SH K.

    Had lunch here today - got the Apple Cider Pork sandwich, as well as the Florida Avocado, both of which were really really good! When the weather's nice, my suggestion is to sit just where they open the glass "windows"

    (5)

  • Rob W.

    I have been to Ulele several times before and absolutely LOVED it. Great food, great atmosphere, love how they incorporate local food. I especially love how Tampa-centric their menu is. My parents had never been so my girlfriend and I took them recently for a birthday after I had been talking the place up for the past few months. We made a reservation about a week prior and showed up about 10 mins early on a Tuesday evening. Unfortunately, we weren't seated until a full hour after our reservation time. This was a little bit annoying and I think a hour-plus wait with a reservation is a bit ridiculous, but I get it... things happen, other people sit at their tables for way longer than anticipated, etc. Nobody in our party was all that upset - a half-hour in, I went to go check on our reservation and was told by the hostess that we were one of the next ones up. After an hour my mother went to go check in on what the hold up was... she was within earshot and I heard her politely tell the hostess that she understood that people were not leaving their tables quickly but that we had made a reservation and had now waited over an hour for a table. They looked pretty backed up and I'm sure she had been dealing with frustrated people for hours, but the hostess was SO rude, asked incredulously, "Well, what do you want me to do about it?!?", and was otherwise unbelievably condescending. She then, almost simultaneously, told us our table was ready and, using the menus to hide her face, started talking about my mom to the guy seating us. We asked, "Are you seriously talking about us right in front of our faces?" And she claimed she was "just giving him the menus." The guy seating us acknowledge this, apologized, and promised to talk to her about it. To be fair, the rest of the meal was great, like always. Food was so good and had great service from our server. I was just really disappointed that, after talking the place up so much, we waited so long with a reservation and got such abysmal service from the hostess. Sincerely, I don't think I've ever see a hostess handle a situation as badly as this hostess. Whenever I read reviews on Yelp like this, I always think, "I bet that reviewer was acting like a complete, thin-skinned a-hole and is now overblowing the smallest slight." But this girl was big-time out of line and really unprofessional for no reason. Her behavior was so unbefitting a great place like Ulele. I'm sure I'll get over it and go back at some point, but that experience was really disappointing and left such a bad taste in my mouth. UPDATE: I received a very sincere private message from a member of management about this and was very impressed, so I altered my rating.

    (4)

  • E F.

    I so badly want to love this place. The building, service, menu...all great and so desperately needed in Tampa. Came again and wanted to love everything but all of our fish plates were sooo salty, the rice pilaf was bland and under cooked and my plate only came with 3 tiny burnt heads of asparagus. My bf's FL pompano had fried plantains on it but the plantains were sliced SO thin that you were basically just eating fried oil. I think they need to tweak all of their recipes and maybe change the menu a bit

    (3)

  • Barry B.

    Beautiful venue. The building is hip and very modern ,the open kitchen was amazing. The service was great. Really like the alligator hush puppies. Outside of that the food was bland and average in my opinion especially for the price -2 people lunch no alcohol $60

    (3)

  • Shai J.

    What I say about Ulele: the service is prompt and friendly, the food is interestingly good, but what sets this place apart from the other new kids on the block is the atmosphere. Finally a new joint that's not pretentious, stuffy nor overpriced for tiny, not all that good, portions. Just the opposite, the menu make senses, the dishes are refreshing and modern, the service is on point, and you want to order and eat slowly just to take in the vibe achieved by trendy decor with a charismatic twist. Oh, try the quail;)

    (4)

  • Chandra L.

    The decor is outstanding. Going in Spring about 6:45 p.m. gives you good views of the sunset on the Hillsborough River. I had the snapper and it was good. Everyone at my table enjoyed their meal. Desserts were okay would probably skip those next time. Wedding Beer was excellent. Service was good.

    (4)

  • Pat P.

    Had our first meal at Ulele last night and needless to say it was fantastic. The whole ambiance is amazing. Being a Tampa native it was great to see a resurrection of the area. We started out with the Calamari, charbroiled oysters , raw oysters and okra fries. The calamari was tender and tasty and the oysters were great. The fries were fried perfectly. My main course was the Juan's snapper and it was cooked perfectly. I also added a side of the jalapeño cheddar grit cake and it was fantastic. We'll definitely be back

    (5)

  • Melissa I.

    If I was blind folded and just ate the food, I would be able to say the food was quality but I didn't LOVE it. However, the ambiance and service was really amazing. Great for a night out. It will be amazing once the riverwalk comes back here,

    (4)

  • Randi H.

    Ok food but kind of pricey. The atmosphere is really nice.

    (3)

  • Marsha W.

    Great spot for an afternoon lunch. Friendly wait staff. We tried the Rusty Red, Honey Lager, and the seasonal Honeymoon. We liked the Honeymoon due to the sweeter taste. The others were on the bitter side. We had the Alligator hush puppies, Roasted Beets and Pear salad, Water Works Meatloaf, and Lobster roll. The food was very good. Only down side is that it took us an hour and a half to complete the meal. An hour of that was waiting on the food. Plus the fries weren't crispy. We will return when we have plenty of time.

    (4)

  • Albert N.

    Came for lunch. Okra chips weren't what I expected, but were ok. The meal, though, was excellent. Gouda grouper was on point and the Mac and cheese was delicious. Service was impeccable. No wait for lunch. Great bang for the buck at lunch. Highly recommend, will return soon.

    (5)

  • Kristy G.

    The pompano was the best thing I've ever eaten. I also loved the wedding or honeymoon beer...whichever was infused with strawberries. DELICIOUS. Great architecture to admire as well as a beautiful view of the hillsborough river and a park right there. We love lunch or dinner here. Both great dining experiences. Get there early or make a reservation, there is usually an hour long wait for a table :)

    (5)

  • Samoo M.

    We were not impressed at ALL!!! After trying for a whole month to get in finally we did only to sit us 30 minutes after our reservations. I absolutely love southern food but this was absolutely tasteless and blah. The only good thing on the menu was the okra which is sad bc it's basically fried and has lemon juice on it so supper simple but delish. We tried several sides on the menu and none of them were good. Definitely don't waist your time or money. Sorry ulele. Gotta step up the food.

    (2)

  • Malorey S.

    Ulele has claimed the top stop as my new favorite restaurant downtown. So great to see the Waterworks park and the buildings revived. The area is great, even while waiting for your table the park is nice to walk around in or go down to the river. Craft cocktails at the bar, fresh local seafood and nice views. If you don't try the candied duck bacon maple ice cream you are really missing out.

    (5)

  • Sabrina S.

    We went here for the first time 3 weeks ago for our anniversary. I had heard many great things about this restaurant and we were both extremely excited to have dinner here. We made a reservation for 8:30pm on a Sunday and we notified them of the occasion. It was a stormy evening, so we left our house early to avoid any traffic delays and we arrived at 8:00pm. We were very pleased to find out that they offer complementary valet parking. The restaurant was packed and it was very difficult to walk through all of the people standing who were waiting for their tables. When we checked in to the front desk, we got a bad vibe from the young girl working at the reception desk. She was dry and unwelcoming. The decor was unique and very pleasing. We hoped that we would be called earlier than the time of our reservation since we arrived very early. We were not going to complain if they didn't, but we did expect to be called at the time of our reservation if we were not called sooner. At 8:35 I asked the lady at the reception how much longer it would be until we were seated and she replied with an unnecessary attitude "We are running behind on our reservations so you will just have to wait". I told her that it would have been appreciated if she would have communicated this to us upon checking in and not 35 minutes later when I am upset due to her lack of communication. We were finally seated upstairs and our waiter was very kind, but was socially awkward. I wish I could remember his name. He was reasonably attentive until we received our main dish and after that, we did not see him again for the remainder of our time there. When we got our food it was cold which leads me to believe that the food was sitting out for a while waiting to be picked up. We wanted to let our waiter know, but we figured if we continued to wait for him it would get even colder. For appetizers we ordered the alligator hush puppies and the crab mac n cheese. The alligator hush puppies were awesome! And the crab mac n cheese was not out of this world, but still good. I was expecting better. For our main dish we shared the flank steak w/ mashed potatoes and it was the perfect amount of food for each of us, but since it was cold it was a little unpleasant to eat. We normally do not eat the ridiculously large portions that are served in most restaurants so, we share. No one came around for refills and I had to ask another waiter to please let our waiter know that we were ready for our check. The waiter that went to check on our waiter came back and ended up giving us the check himself. My assumption was that our waiter must have had more tables down stairs that were keeping him very occupied. I called Ulele the next day and asked to speak to a manager about my experience. The manager was surprised when I told him that the waiter kept going downstairs for long periods of time and that we did not see him after our main dish was served. At the time of the call I did recall the waiter's name and the manager said our waiter did not have any tables downstairs. The manager was very understanding and apologetic for the entire experience. I appreciated that he did not try to make excuses for the employees we interacted with and offered to mail me a gift card to come back to give them a second chance. This is why I rated them 2 stars instead of just 1. I am optimistic that the next time we visit Ulele that our experience will be better.

    (2)

  • Alex C.

    Was delightful! I had the Ulele burger with fries, it was amazing. The appetizer came out and we was not satisfied but as soon as the waiter heard what we was talking about he rushed over and ask if we wanted them replace with a new appetizer and he did. Their brewed beers are also Great!

    (5)

  • Najla A.

    If I could give it zero stars I would. They are racist towards Arabs. We waited over an hour while everyone else was seated and when we complained a table magically appeared. We'll never go there again.

    (1)

  • Andrew M.

    Great food but awful service We had lunch today (Sat) and the restaurant was beautiful and the food was great but we had terrible service. We sat outside which was great for our family as our kids could enjoy the nice grassy area and entertain themselves with the game of corn hole on the grass. The food was great, Ulele burger was delicious and my wife's tuna salad was very nice. Even the kids meals were solid (good taste, portion and included drink and scoop of ice cream). The service was terrible. We ordered drinks and she forgot my wife's drink. My wife had to ask for refills 3 times before she actually got more. When I ordered, I asked her what she liked or what was popular and she could not answer; she literally told us they had only been open for lunch for a few weeks so she didn't know what she liked or what was popular. We ordered our food and the waitress came back over 5 minutes later to ask how we wanted our burger/steak cooked and what dressing my wife wanted (isn't that something you ask when the food is ordered?). By the end of this long meal (the food did take an inordinate amount of time to arrive) we were more than ready to go, but our waitress was MIA and I had to walk around the restaurant to pay our bill. We were overcharged for drinks (kids drinks that were included per the menu) and the correction took forever. We saw other people have problems with this waitress as well. The manager visited the table next to us to adjust some charges and comp their calamari "for the problems". I do not know what problems they had but it was clear they had service issues as well. Bottom line: for this price point, the service was unacceptable. I hope this was an anomaly or a case of growing pains (recently opened for lunch), but I'm honestly reluctant to go back after this experience.

    (3)

  • Raquel B.

    This is the spot! If you want to impress clients, friends, or family, this is the place to show them. The drinks are fantastic, food is amazing and service is even better. Try the chimichurri steak and the mac and cheese. Yum!

    (5)

  • Mike V.

    We had a company event at Ulele and it was outstanding! We had a great tour of the brewery, and the native grouper, steak & duck(corporate menu choices) were all cooked perfectly. Not bad for a party of ~60. The architecture and views of the Hillsborough River are stunning, and I can't wait to come back and sample the full menu. Worth the trip!

    (5)

  • Michele D.

    Unfortunately all the hype didn't help in this case. Tried all the craft beers and nothing really impressed me or my husband (the German ). My husband had the grouper and it was very fishy tasting. I had the crackling pork shank which was good. But didn't care to take home to enjoy for leftovers the next day. Maybe it was a off day or we got a bad batch of fish. Who knows?.?. The spot does get 5 stars for location, style and service. The river is great to enjoy a sunset and take a stroll after dinner. The service is also great since they have lots of staff walking around at all times.

    (3)

  • Kevin S.

    Awesome food with a Great Ambiance....My new favorite restaurant. We had a hard time deciding what to order so we ordered the first five appetizers on the menu. so we will just start by working down the menu. can't wait till my next trip to Tampa.

    (5)

  • Joseph S.

    I am an Verizon Wireless customer who feels cheated and short changed. About a year ago I purchased a Samsung Gear S watch of which I don't have any complants. However the call fowarding feature does not work properly due to Verizon telephone switching problems. I have noticed through internet searches that many individuals in other parts of the country are having these same issues. The crux of my complaint is why does Verizon sell a product that is not fully supported by Verizon. It seems to me that if their are problems in some parts of the country due to out dated switches as is my understanding the cause of the call fowarding problem. Why has it taken so long to fix. Had long conversations with Verizon about this problem with everyone blaming someone else and no action. I live in the Tampa Bay area, no excuse.

    (2)

  • Anna M.

    I am so in love with Ulele, I decided to come back a second time. We had a late reservation last Friday for 9:45 and it worked out perfectly since we were wrapping up First Friday at The Still in the Heights right down the road. We got there a few minutes early, so we were able to order some drinks from Javier at the bar. We ordered a Native Sun and a Pale Ale. I wasn't a fan of the Pale Ale. It was a little too bland for me. The Native Sun was refreshing but not my favorite. It may have been because I had been drinking sweet drinks prior to our arrival. I also asked Javier about the Wedding Beer that wasn't ready Opening Week. Well, before I even blinked an eye, Tim, the Brewmaster was standing right next to me ready to whisk me away for a taste of the first batch! Talk about feeling special! The Wedding Beer was ready but they weren't going to release to the public until the next day. I felt honored that I was able to try the very first batch! And let me tell you, the Wedding Beer is the best of all of the beers. Erin was our server and was very pleasant and attentive. We started with the Lobster Cake which was made from fresh, live, butter-poached lobster tail meat, cast iron seared, served with Cucumber Ginger Salad. I could not get enough of the Lobster Cake, it was so tasty. Jeff practically had to pull the plate away, so I wouldn't lick it. But ahhhh...the Crab Mac n' Cheese...was just pure heaven. I was so happy I got finally try it with someone who didn't mind the Crab in the Mac n' Cheese. No offense, Dorene, love you! We practically inhaled the Mac n' cheese in less than five minutes. For my entree I ordered the Crackling Pork Shank, which was 1 1/2 pound of crispy pork shank with firecracker apple craisin chutney. Ummmm....wow. It was an unimaginable amount of meat! I am not a chutney fan whatsoever, but the pork was so tender and very delicious. I had leftovers for days! My date ordered the Waterworks Meatloaf made of Ground dry-aged strip loin, Cabernet garlic demi-glaze, served with white cheddar popcorn mash and Tobacco onions. Seriously? It was so good! I couldn't stop laughing because Jeff kept eating my mashed potatoes and when he found some on his dish, he was like a kid on Christmas morning. We decided to skip dessert and have some closer to home. Before we left, we walked along the Riverwalk. Lucky for us, it was a nice night and not too humid. Make sure to plan time before or after your meal to walk along the Riverwalk, it is truly gorgeous. No brainer here. Ulele is STILL five stars for me and I will definitely be back again and again.

    (5)

  • Aleema A.

    I went to UIele for the first time last week and I have to say that I wasn't disappointed. This gem of Riverside Heights is a great addition to the Tampa Bay Area. First of all, the area of town it's in is adorable. There's an entire park there, where you can walk around, watch the sunset, or sit and have a cocktail outside. We made reservations a couple weeks in advance and we were seated about 25 minutes after we arrived. Looking over the cocktalis, there's a delightful assortment of them. I went ahead with the Native Summer. It was a great mix of Gin and Elderflower Liquor. It was very refreshing. For my meal, I ordered the 8oz Flank steak. It was cooked to perfection! I cannot wait to come back to this restaurant. The service was great, the atmosphere was on point and I cannot wait to go back and try something else on the menu!

    (5)

  • Andrea L.

    Amazing. Amazing. And amazing. If you haven't been here, drop what you're doing and go check this place out. The drinks are just a great as the food. Must try's are the alligator hush puppies and pork shank. I will be back many more times to come!

    (5)

  • Taylor P.

    I was disappointed with the hostesses at the stand because we waited an hour and we had a reservation for my birthday dinner and my dad was definitely on the receiving end of their attitudes. Our waiter more than compensated for this as she was extremely attentive and brought our mac n cheese as an appetizer so we could Appease our hunger. Two of us got the flank steak and could not get enough of it, the avocado chimichurri is a great spin. Bacon ice cream was really delicious and refreshing on a hot summer night.

    (3)

  • Mel L.

    I am not quite sure what the fuss is about... I tried the lobster roll and was so bored. Being from New England I know what lobster should taste like. This underwhelming impersonation lacked the succulent flavor I could find if it were hidden at the bottom of a barrel of bacon. Hey, at least the fries were good. The restaurant was trendy, clean, and the service was pleasant. I could give this another try if recommended something I could actually taste, and worth the hype.

    (2)

  • Tricia T.

    Overall, a great experience- eclectic, cool ambiance and delicious food/drink! What more could you ask for?! Went here with their kids - not ideal - but did the early dinner at 5 o'clock. Restaurant was loud enough so they weren't a distraction to other diners. Tried the frog legs and shisito peppers. I never had frog legs and glad I tried them, but would probably order some of the other appetizers next time. Peppers were awesome! So was the deconstructed seafood potpie!! Ordered the wedding beer- light, fruity. Oktoberfest was good too. Overall, I can't wait to come back! Next time without kids so we really can relax and enjoy. Beautiful view of the water as well.

    (5)

  • Tonia C.

    This place is a 5 for location, atmosphere and vibe. The food is a 3-4 at best. The vegetarian options are lacking but they at least have several side dishes I can eat. The Mac n cheese is mediocre, I wouldn't waste your time. The squash gratin and side salad were good. My boyfriend ordered chargrilled oysters and while they were good some where just cheese. The waitress nicely replaced them with some oyster filled ones. The citrus mojito is amazing! Definitely go early and walk the park some, it's especially nice at sunset. Valet was complimentary.

    (4)

  • James P.

    HYPE TRAIN LEAVING THE STATION! WHOO-WHOO Trendy, in hot urban revival riverwalk, and they make their own craft beer? It's like this place was made for up-and-coming Tampa, a town that's just been getting better and better. Careful about that hype train, though. Arriving early for our dinner reservations got us some decent bar time, to try out Ulele's own beers. The wedding beer was decent, the rest unfortunately not so much - at least to my tastes. And unless you're an apiarist (or a bear), you can safely skip the honey beer. After the bar, we were seated before our reserved time - make sure your phone is in a spot where you can be aware when you get a text, since that's how they contact you. The place has an open, hip, Amero-Indian-meets-nu-Tampa vibe. The unfortunate side effect of having such a lofty open area though, it that it's crazy loud inside. Service was friendly and reasonably quick, with a couple decent suggestions. So all in all so far it's a good experience. But this place had been hyped up so much, I'm expecting some next-level food, right? Well, my 14oz strip was good (and cooked a very good medium rare), but the wife's avocado soup was basically a bowl of chipless guacamole. Crab mac and cheese was fine, blistered pepper appetizer was alright. The flourless chocolate torte was like a block of crumbly fudge. Decent, but compared to the HYPE HYPE HYPE this place has been getting, we were underwhelmed. I'm not saying it was a bad experience, but definitely check your expectations. It's fine dining, but not as earth-shattering as it's being made out to be. All that being said though, the lunch menu looks pretty interesting, so I'll have to check that out.

    (3)

  • Bob B.

    I absolutely love dining at local hot spots. I enjoy seeing what all the fuss is about with certain restaurants. Upon entering the beautiful building (seriously beautiful, $6 million went into the renovation), I was hit with a restaurant loaded with hustle and bustle and glitz galore. I instantly felt like this was a destination restaurant not to be missed. As myself and fellow Tampa Bay Bloggers were whisked away to the upstairs area, I couldn't help but take in all the aromas of steak and char-grilled goodness. The cuisine at Ulele is American inspired Indian, but really focuses on fresh local cuisine indigineous to the Florida. Our first sample of Ulele came in the form of samples of craft beer. Tim Shackton, head brewmaster of Ulele's microbrewery, is known for creating delightful crisp lagers and on this evening I had the chance to sample his Honeymoon beer, a black lager, and a bourbon barrel aged red. Our waiter was gracious enough to recommend the bourbon barrel aged red and I really loved the caramel and vanilla from the barrel that came through, yet it was still full of biting hops. The water they use for brewing their beer (a high-tech filtration system) is actually the water they use to serve patrons at the dinner table. The water comes in glass water bottles original from the Columbia Restaurant, dating back to 1905. The first dish to arrive at our table came in the form of freshly shucked raw oysters on the half shell served with freshly grated horseradish and quartered lemon pieces. These were super fresh and I could've eaten a dozen easy. Here is a pro tip, I later received a bottle of datil pepper sauce to try out and I wish I had that bottle while enjoying some of these oysters. That was followed up with a platter of char-broiled oysters. There were simple and delicious. I enjoyed that there was not a gloppy mess of cheese atop the oysters and they had that great char flavor from the broiler. Next up, I enjoyed the alligator hushpuppies (alligator, country ham, duck bacon, fresh corn, jalapeño, honey datil pepper sauce and fresh-ground horseradish aioli). While not entirely a new idea, these were well-executed bites of crunchy goodness. Ulele blog event-9As the food train kept marching along, I enjoyed a crunchy bite of squash gratin. The veggies were cooked quite well, not mush, yet not raw. I adored the crunchy breadcrumb and manchego mixture atop the vegetables. Now on to the carnivorous portion of our segment. What I enjoyed next, and I do mean enjoy, is a hefty 10 ounce portion of perfectly seared wet-aged filet mignon. The filet was accompanied by fresh asparagus and a mound of white cheddar popcorn mashed potatoes. Taking a brief break from beef, I had the pleasure of noshing on some fresh pan-seared pompano topped with fried carrot ribbons all set atop a mound of wild rice and a drizzle of sundried tomato shallot cream. This could be my favorite dish from the evening. I absolutely loved the fried carrot ribbons. That was quick break and now back to the beef. This mammoth of a steak is the kilo porterhouse, coming in at a whopping 2.2 lbs. This too had great char on the meat and a great steak quality that I absolutely loved. The extra fat in these cuts always lends to great flavor. Swoon. That's what I did when dessert hit the table. Candied Duck Bacon Maple Fried Ice Cream (cinnamon corn flake candied duck bacon crust, Knob Creek crème anglaise, caramel, sweet potato waffle crisp). This was definitely the bees knees and if I wanted to eat whatever the hell I wanted everyday, this would end each and every night for me. Do yourself a favor and get down to Ulele, fast. It is such a unique experience and I absolutely love that they took and area of town and made it an up and coming destination.

    (5)

  • Jim C.

    Wow, Ulele is fantastic. Such attention to detail in every aspect of decor, service and cuisine. There have no freezers - everything is fresh delivered or made on premises. Other than two handicap spaces, all parking is valet. They use the fenced lots of Stetson University and an adjacent law firm. The valet asks your name and checks it against the reservation list before he takes your car away. Our group started with appetizers and the Blistered Peppers won the taste test. They are not jalapeño peppers but are Shishito Peppers. The okra fries were the next most popular. I ordered Juan's Snapper which was served over garlic spinach rice. Fantastic. The deconstructed Seafood Pot Pie was a hit with our group. We wanted to try the house-made ice cream (coconut) but no room so will save for return trip. Our server, Aaron, did an excellent job. The manager asked how we were doing and Richard Gonzmart did the same. Really good evening, can't wait to return and explore more of the menu.

    (5)

  • Deborah F.

    Second time at Ulële, this time with a larger group (11). We ordered the frog legs as an appetizer and others in our party also ordered apps. Our frog legs came out 15 minutes after all the other apps, which was disheartening. The legs had very little meat, not something I'll order again. Main dishes were the grouper and flank steak. The grouper dish was very flavorful, but not a large enough portion for the price. The flank steak was ordered medium, came out a little more than medium but not too much to send it back. The mashed potatoes and chimichurri sauce were outstanding. Also ordered the Belle Glos Pinot Noir, was good but a little too chilled for my personal taste. Service for the 11 of us was decent.

    (3)

  • Eric R.

    I will start off by telling you why I had to take off 1 star. We had a reservation at 8:15pm on a Friday night. They are so extremely busy they can't possibly keep to their reservation schedule. We went to the bar to wait for our text that would tell us when our table was ready. The bar is so awkward to stand near due to the proximity of a large table stuck between the kitchen and the bar. We stood at the bar for 20 minutes before we were even acknowledged and got out drinks 10 minutes later. Holy crap! Two people working the bar for the entire warehouse sized restaurant?!? We went outside to enjoy the weather and we're finally paged 45 minutes after our reservation time. Now here's where everything goes absolutely right. We are immediately greeted by our server, Amanda who was friendly and efficient. We ordered a bottle of wine, oysters, lobster cake, filet mignon, and grouper ulele. Of course we had to get the duck bacon crusted maple iced cream because it is basically mandatory heaven on a plate. Even if you don't like to order dessert you have to because you will never try anything so good again. The service was awesome. A sharp contrast to the bar. Our apps and entrees were delivered seamlessly and timed very well considering the restaurant was at 100% capacity. You would never be able to tell because the service was so great. The food was amazing. The filet is 10 oz of pure perfection. It was grilled perfectly to order, well seasoned, and tender. It comes with veg and potatoes or rice and it's cheaper than some a la carte restaurants!! I ordered the okra fries but they never showed up. I didn't mention it and it wasn't on the bill. I was so full anyway. If you want to try this restaurant you should. The outside atmosphere is awesome on the water and the place is well landscaped. I highly recommend it but make your reservations at least 3 weeks in advance!!!!

    (4)

  • Mary C.

    I want to give this place 5 stars...I really do. I'm keeping this short and sweet = food is out of this world!!!!!!! Service= really good, but not great. We sat at the bar and the bartenders weren't communicating. We got a dessert menu before we even got our entrees. We also ordered 2 soups and an app to start and never got the app. We weren't mad, but I still think bartenders should write down menu items. Other than that, they were very friendly and personable. I am not from the area, but I would come back.

    (4)

  • Bret A.

    Think Southern Living in your Tampa backyard! The setting is fantastic - anchoring the north end of Water Works Park on the river by downtown. Outside patio seating puts you right at the park's edge and lets you take advantage of beautiful weather or entertainment such as the Friday concert series or watching the sunset over the river. The inside is funky wood, brick, metal and chrome with high ceilings that somehow conveys intimacy as well as open space. Kind of reminds me of some of the Greenville, SC super cool restaurants. Kind of spectacular! There is an eclectic mix of gourmet, Southern Living style entrees with some burgers and sandwiches thrown in for fun. Most lunch entrees run about $12 and sides $5. Try out the lobster roll, the meat loaf, the salads, cheese grits - awesome! and similar to polenta, cheddar popcorn mashed potato - all were great! Rare these days; there were oysters on the menu. Really outstanding fare. Despite being crowded, it was relatively quiet inside. The service was excellent and friendly as well. This is a really unique dining experience for the Tampa area. You should visit the park and try it out - I'm already planning my next trip!!

    (5)

  • Kelcey O.

    We took our team for lunch today. I have to say first off the service was wonderful. Our server was on point and we never had to ask for anything. I really enjoyed the alligator hush puppies. I would for sure order those again. I heard amazing things about their macaroni and cheese so I wanted to order that. I decided to go with the beet and pear salad with it. I was disappointed with the salad. It was on the salad menu but was NOT a salad. It was some slices of beets. Some slices of pears. And a stack of watercress. I would not order that again. The macaroni and cheese was good but it was very oily, which I wasn't expecting. I'd be willing to give it another shot but I would not order a salad there again.

    (3)

  • Yuri K.

    Ulele was one of those refreshing restaurants that was wonderful from start to finish. The highlight of the lunch was definitely the Lobster Roll. It contained some of the best lobster that I've ever had, and the roll itself was so good that I would've eaten it on its own. The chef was generous with the lobster, which didn't hurt! I would be very surprised if this wasn't their best item on the menu. The lobster is poached in butter and lemon, which is obvious in its flavor. The dessert was also unforgettable, but I'm afraid that I can't remember what it was called -- frozen, key lime, merengue, sorbet-like. This wasn't one of their more popular items but, as a key lime lover, it was perfect. Lastly, the service was fantastic. Our waitress was new but knew exactly how to create a relaxing and memorable experience. Very happy for Tampa to have this gem!

    (5)

  • Margaret B.

    The Florida Native Chili is hands down the best chili I have ever eaten! I go back as often as possible for chili and a wedding beer!

    (5)

  • Dianna B.

    I -finally- got to enjoy Ulele on my own (well, with the Husbeastie, that is)! I was pleased to be able to visit on a sunny afternoon, so that I could sit outside and enjoy the sun and breeze, and watch the river. The service was delightful, our glasses never went empty, and the husband was excited to get to try some of the hand crafted beer that they make on sight.. he opted for the honeymoon beer, flavoured with local strawberries. He said he didn't taste the fruityness of it, but that it was tasty none the less. We started our meal with the chicken lollipops and they were just as flavourful as I remember them being. A hint of spice in the sauce that made them sing on the tongue. The slaw that they nested on was made of apples, cabbage and other thinly sliced vegetables, which added to the crunch and made it heavenly! Our mains were very diversive: I chose the steak and since it was lunch it was only $15 for an 8 oz portion, atop a large mound cheddar mashed potatoes and the vegetable of the day (grilled asparagus) and a garnish of popcorn (I admit, I was confused) The meat was absolutely delicious, tender and grilled to perfection. The seasoning was so good! The potatoes were decadent, buttery and cheesy and NOM! I was slightly disappointed in the serving of the asparagus as I was given three thin spears, and Asparagus is one of my favorite veggies. (sad) The husband ordered a Chicken corn salad with a lime jalapeno dressing. The corn was straight off the cob, and apparently had been grilled right on it as well. The chicken was juicy and tender, and the dressing was the right amount of tart, but there was very little jalapeno kiss. He devoured it any way.. loved it. While we were dining, we noticed the couple next to us getting dessert, a mounded serving of something, we asked the waiter what it was: Candied Duck Maple bacon fried ice cream. That got us wondering.. and so we decided to try it. Our serving was truly epic, it was HUGE, and surrounded by a moat of cream Anglaise. It was DELICIOUS. I admit the flavor of the duck bacon in the ice cream was a bit of a surprise, but it was a welcome one. We did not lick the bowl clean, like the people next to us, but we came close. Oh boy did we come close. Oh and as for the pop corn garnish: Apparently the local indian tribe are the ones that figured out that if you add heat to dried corn kernels, you get pop corn. That explains -everything-!

    (4)

  • Candy S.

    Deliciousness!!!! Beautiful restaurant!!!! Great ambience! Extraordinary service! Spectacular food! The charbroiled oysters are a must! Cannot leave without enjoying the duck bacon maple ice cream - to die for.!!! Manager Steve Walsh took time to take us outside to walk the grounds, explained the history. And visited our table several times to check on service and offer suggestions!!! I'm a foodie - And Ulele is a favorite!!!!

    (5)

  • Dori B.

    The building is impressive. Stunning inside and out. Comfortable layout--tables are far enough from each other so you can have a comfortable conversation without being heard by others. However, the room is very loud; poor acoustics. Acoustics are necessary for any dining experience. I cannot concentrate on what I'm eating and what my guests are saying when there is so much noise. Hard for Ulele to combat this as it's almost 'cathedral' in design. Being there is the key; the food is very good. Pure and simple: Food from Florida. However, there are some items on the menu that I've tasted that I found bland. I like its location; I like the building itself but it's not a place to eat comfortably

    (2)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :11:00 am - 10

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : No
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Dinner
    Parking : Valet, Street, Private Lot
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Trendy
    Noise Level : Average
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : Free
    Has TV : No
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : No

Ulele

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