OpenTable’s yearly ‘Top 100 Restaurants’ list includes two dining establishments from Tampa

Both upscale concepts recently received recognition from the Michelin guide.

OpenTable, a reservation company, annually compiles a list of the country’s 100 best restaurants based on “12 million verified diner reviews and dining metrics.” The 2023 edition of this prestigious roundup features two local establishments.

Lilac, the Mediterranean concept at The Tampa Edition, secured a spot on the list, marking one of the three restaurants in the city to receive Michelin stars earlier this year. Additionally, the longstanding local institution, Bern’s Steak House, known for its classic menu of dry-aged steaks, unique dessert lounge, and extensive wine collection, also made the cut.

In a departure from previous years, OpenTable organized its “best restaurants” by state rather than assigning numerical rankings from 1 to 100.

Bern’s Steak House, a fixture in South Tampa since 1956, earned acclaim from Forbes magazine as one of “The World’s Best Steakhouses” this year.

Contrasting Bern’s traditional approach, Lilac, a newly-opened Mediterranean-inspired restaurant located on the ground floor of The Tampa Edition, offers a contemporary menu crafted by Chef John Fraser. The use of “Florida-focused ingredients and French techniques” contributed to Lilac earning one of the city’s first Michelin stars in May, alongside other Tampa establishments Rocca and Koya.

OpenTable’s annual list also features other notable Florida eateries, including Latitudes Key West on Sunset Key, Buccan in Palm Beach, Llama Restaurant in St. Augustine, and Savour in Tallahassee.

When curating its “best restaurants” list, OpenTable considers various factors such as “diner ratings, percentage of reservations made in advance, and five-star reviews.”