There’s something magical about a lazy Florida morning when the mist still clings to the Tampa Riverwalk, and the sun hangs low like a watchful eye. It’s on mornings like this that a place like Ulele draws you in — and now, with its recent crowning on OpenTable’s 2025 Top 100 Brunch Restaurants list, it’s no longer just Tampa’s best-kept secret.
Ulele, standing proud at 1810 N Highland Avenue, whispers stories from the past through the weathered bricks of the old 1903 Water Works building. Though it doesn’t serve a “traditional brunch menu,” diners flock here for mid-morning feasts under a sky stitched with seagulls and the occasional flash of sunlight on the water. They come not just for the fresh oysters, not just for the beautiful waterfront views, but for something harder to name — something that feels like stepping into a dream you don’t want to wake from.
A Place Where the River Breathes
Walking toward Ulele, you might feel the faint pulse of Tampa’s old heartbeat, still strong along the Hillsborough River. Steps from the lively Armature Works and the laughter-soaked Water Works Park, Ulele’s outdoor patio stretches like a welcoming hand over the river’s steady current.
Inside, the air smells of salt and fire — not the cheap kind, but the rich, savory smoke from the massive 10-foot barbacoa grill. It’s here that the freshest catches from Florida’s waters and the ripest harvests of the land are transformed into works of art.
The menu hums with life: dishes plated with a precision that could almost feel menacing if it weren’t so mouthwatering. And if you listen closely, you might even hear the echo of old songs, sung by the river itself, blessing every forkful you lift to your mouth.
A Living Tribute to Tampa’s Wild Spirit
Beyond the food, Ulele offers something deeper — a tether to Tampa’s wild, lush soul. Sitting in the dining room, you’re surrounded by soaring beams and the gleam of house-made craft beers from Ulele Spring Brewery, each sip as bold and untamed as the Florida wilderness.
The casual dress code lets you breathe easy, but there’s a respectfulness woven into the experience — sleeveless shirts on men are not allowed inside the dining rooms, a nod to preserving the slightly haunted elegance of the place. It’s not stuffy, but it demands a certain reverence, as if you’ve stepped into a living memory that refuses to be forgotten.
And right outside, Water Works Park pulses with families, artists, and dreamers. It’s a scene that blurs the line between dining and daydreaming, where your meal feels like a ritual honoring every moment that led you there.
Ulele: More Than a Meal — An Experience
OpenTable’s acknowledgment isn’t just a pat on the back; it’s a call to the world to witness what Tampa locals have known all along. Ulele isn’t just a restaurant — it’s an experience. A place where time slows, where the food seems to shimmer with life, and where even the river seems to lean in to listen.
So next time you wander the Tampa Heights streets, follow the scent of char and citrus, listen for the clink of glasses and the hush of the river, and step through Ulele’s doors. Just be prepared: once you taste it, once you feel it, you might never want to leave.
Are You Ready to Taste the Legend?
Because Ulele is waiting — with its fire, its flavor, and its secret heartbeat echoing through every stone and spoonful. And if you think this is the end of the story… you’re wrong.
It’s just the beginning.
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