If you’re looking for a nice place to relax that offers a stellar view and good food, opt for Tampa’s Ulele. Said to be a native-inspired restaurant and brewery, it sources fresh fruits, vegetables, fish and proteins from Florida (as they’re available). When not available, they use food harvested from family-owned companies in the U.S. Ulele sits along the Hillsborough River’s 2.6-mile Riverwalk and just might be the perfect place to wind down.
You can dine indoors or out. Inside has an industrial look with lots of wood accents. The outdoors has tons of green space, huge fans to keep you cool and a walk-up bar.
Ulele, as the story goes, was a Tocobaga princess in the 1500s. Her tribe had endured previous hostile encounters with European explorers and when they captured 17-year-old Juan Ortiz, a member of the Spanish Narvaez expedition, and made plans to roast him alive, she threw herself over his body and begged for mercy. Ortiz was spared.
Ulele’s menu is interesting and diverse. Appetizers range from okra fries, to gator tail, alligator hush puppies, barbacoa shrimp, and a “native” chili made with alligator, wild boar, venison, duck, ground chuck, cranberry beans and chili spices. Or if you prefer something a bit more traditional, they also have panko-crusted shrimp, calamari and a crab mac & cheese. If you’re an oyster fan, they offer those on the half shell or charbroiled.
I opted for okra fries and the gulf grouper sandwich. I’m not sure what I expected with the okra but you’d certainly never confuse them for a side of fries. I couldn’t quite decide if I liked them. Okra always tastes earthy to me but then you add a smoky flavor on top of that and it makes an interesting combination.
On the other hand, I can say without reservation that the grouper sandwich was wonderful and the side of coleslaw was perfect – not too much mayonnaise drowning it out. It was light and refreshing.
If you think a sandwich won’t quite cut it for you, they also have entrees. Choose from gouda grouper, pompano, blackened redfish, mahi-mahi, fire-roasted chicken, pork shank, meatloaf and top sirloin. The entrees also include two plant-based selections: a mix of sauteed portobello mushrooms, onions, zucchini, squash, green beans and wild rice; or a portobello mushroom stuffed with zucchini, squash, corn, red onion, spinach, cranberry beans and manchego cheese on top of wild rice with crispy carrot ribbons.
There are salads and sides if you’d prefer something even lighter and a great little dessert selection. They have pineapple upside-down bread pudding with a dark rum sauce, a flourless chocolate torte, Key West key lime stack, and candied bacon maple ice cream. Never one to pass up sweets, I settled on the Key West key lime stack and a cappuccino.
The dinner menu has more extensive proteins from which to choose. In addition to what’s offered at lunch, there’s a tomahawk pork chop, short ribs, a flank steak and filet mignon.
I highly recommend Ulele. The food is delicious. Don’t, however, expect fast food prices. My lunch (before tip) was $48. I would also suggest that you don’t take the dress code on their website too seriously. It says the attire is casual elegance but if you’re too casual, they may seat you outside. I was there in sweatpants, a tee shirt and sneakers and no one suggested I eat outside. Of course, I was also there at lunch. I asked my waitress and she assured me I would’ve been fine for dinner.
- 1810 N. Highland Avenue in Tampa Heights
- 813-999-4952
- Reservations for dinner suggested
- There’s not a lot of parking by the restaurant but there’s valet parking for the dinner guests and a lot around the corner. During the day, it’s $10.
- http://www.ulele.com
Lisa Browder 
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