I often come to Ulele and have had pretty good experiences there. This time my visit was ok but the issue was with my order. I went to the take-out counter and ordered the charbroiled oysters. While eating them I realized one oyster was missing the oyster only the cheese and other ingredients were there that had been charbroiled to the shell. How does this happen? I was already home some twenty odd miles away. This was my first time being disappointed with Ulele. I understand it can get busy but oysters aren't cheap and the crazy part is I only had half a dozen. On another note please instruct your staff to ask the customer if they expect change after paying with cash because I wasn't asked and the bartender just kept my change. Point being I would have added more if my change had been returned. read more

Tried out Ulele this weekend for the 1st time after trying to go for years. Every time we came down to Water Street area we would try to have lunch or dinner here but ended up the wait was too long for us. Decided to make a last minute reservation at lunchtime on Saturday. The do have a dedicated lot that you can park in and get your ticket validated and is free. This lot was full, so we decided to do valet which was complimentary and super quick. Just had to get the ticket validated before we departed the restaurant. The restaurant itself is situated right off the river walk and has a large courtyard area. It would be great for outdoor dining and there is lots to see/do in the immediate area. They also have lots of restored statues from Fairyland from back in the day at Lowry Park! Got a round of the Froze for drinks which was really good. For apps we got the charbroiled oysters, which were great. Im not an raw oyster fan, so the cooked ones were great. Also had the okra fries which were crispy and flavorful. For meals i had the lobster roll, which actually came with 2 small rolls. They were served cold, which was my preference anyway! Others in our party had the seafood risotto, the pork shank, and the grouper sandwich. All the meals were good! Service started out strong, but got very slow. Food took about 45 min to come out and the server never came to the table until we were done eating. Not good. Checks took a while to come as well, we were on his time not ours! The server did box the entrees for us which was very nice. Overall a good time at Ulele, I would come back on the right occasion and enjoy the beautiful scenery and great food! read more

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Great restaurant, been here 10+ times. Brews thier own beer with top notch wine selection. Highly recommend.

Zippo Ray was the very best!!!!!!! She recommended the Philly cheese and it was wonderful. The fries that went with it were seasoned well and she was sure to refill our drinks without us having to ask. My husband LOVES the meatloaf and although it's a huge portion he was able to eat (almost) the whole thing. We ate outside and it's such a wonderful view right off the Tampa River Walk and they have the nursery rhyme characters which makes it extra fun. We love the history also and will definitely be back. read more

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While visiting Tampa in early October, we asked friends for restaurant recommendations, and everyone seemed to say the same thing: "You have to try Ulele." So, we made a reservation--and we're so glad we did! We were seated outside, and coming from Upstate New York in the fall, the warm evening air felt absolutely wonderful. Our server greeted us promptly and gave us time to look over the menu. Shortly after, one of the managers, Nick, stopped by to welcome us. When he learned it was our first visit, he shared some fantastic suggestions. My husband is a whiskey enthusiast, and Nick's recommendations were spot-on. He also suggested we start with the crab cakes and oysters--both were fresh, flavorful, and perfectly prepared. Everything was off to an incredible start. We were there for a rare date night, which already made the evening special, but Nick made it extra memorable. He checked in several times throughout our meal with more great suggestions and genuine conversation. His warmth, enthusiasm, and attention made us feel like VIP guests. From start to finish, our evening at Ulele was unforgettable--the food, the drinks, the atmosphere, and the staff were all outstanding. Although Ulele is hundreds of miles from our home in Upstate NY, it's a place we'll be talking about for a long time and one we can't wait to return to. read more

Ulele - Crab cakes and Oysters Half Shell - New American Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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This was quite the experience. The food was great and the staff was extremely friendly. Eating outside on the lawn, we were able to enjoy the view and the nice weather. The menu is eclectic (which is nice to see they don't just serve the same old thing as everyone else). Had an enjoyable meal with friends in a vibrant atmosphere. read more

Service: Bianca was top tier. She has a great personality and offered good recommendations. She checked on us often. Food: we ordered all the courses. The oysters were fantastic. Very flavorful , fried okra tastes like French fries. Definitely recommend. The risotto came recommended but lacked flavor. 0/10 would not recommend unless you don't like flavor. The steak was overcooked. I requested it medium and it came out cold. My plate was taken back and microwaved which resulted in it being over cooked. The salad was good. Drinks were the best thing. And desserts were ok. The bread pudding was a little dry but the flavor with pineapple was a nice pairing. If it were moist it would have been perfect. The coconut ice cream tastes like chill bros so that's a win. read more

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Had a nice lunch here on a Thursday afternoon with really good service from Red. For drinkers we had the margarita and the smash (margarita was sour and tangy, smash was good not great, lots of fruit). For appetizers we had the charbroiled oysters (incredible) and the corn muffins which grew on us--weren't super flavorful but the jalepeno heat builds. For entrees, we got the 1528 burger and the grouper sandwich blackened. Burger was not as juicy or flavorful as we thought it would be for being a blend of short rib, brisket, and chuck HOWEVER the pineapple jam, crispy onions, and jalepeno made a great flavor profile. The grouper on the sandwich was incredibly well cooked, flaky, flavorful, and delicious. Fries were also the perfect kind of diner fry--crispy, almost like they were battered and were delicious with the homemade ketchup. read more

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I visit Ulele right before my trip back to NY. Ulele staff were super kind to me and friend. We sat at the outdoor patio. The outdoor patios are dog friendly :). They have lovely fairytale and Native American decors around the restaurant. They also have valet parking. The food is phenomenal! I shared the seafood risotto with my friend and the chargrilled oysters. We had the highly recommended butter cake. The seafood risotto was delicious. I would recommend the chargrilled oysters. I ate every last bite. The butter cake was moist! It was a very good butter cake! It was also my friends birthday and they gave her chocolate bon bon's! The general manager was the best to us. He is originally from Brooklyn and treated us with so much love! I would go back there as everything was wonderful. read more

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I would have left a two-star review based solely on the food, but the atmosphere and service elevated the experience to a reluctant three. This was my first visit to Ulele, chosen for my birthday lunch after hearing countless glowing recommendations. While the riverfront view was every bit as lovely as promised, the kitchen failed to meet the same standard. My server, Bianca, was exceptional--attentive, engaging, and easily the highlight of the meal. Her professionalism provided a welcome contrast to the inconsistencies from the kitchen. The meal began with the Stone Crab special. As a Tampa native who grew up eating stone crab pulled fresh from the bay, I know its natural sweetness needs nothing more than butter--or garlic butter at most. Unfortunately, the heavy mustard sauce accompanying the dish overwhelmed the delicate flavor of the crab. It masked rather than enhanced, and I quickly abandoned it in favor of simple butter. The Soft-Shell Crab followed, and again the crab itself was good, but it arrived with an equally weighty roasted garlic datil aioli. Both dishes would have benefitted from lighter, more restrained accompaniments that let the seafood speak for itself rather than compete with it. The final course, the Seafood Risotto, was adequate but uninspired. The scallops appeared undercooked; when questioned, the kitchen maintained they were prepared as intended. Time will determine whether that assertion holds true. Overall, the setting and service helped salvage what was otherwise a disappointing birthday meal. The hospitality shone, but the food--unfortunately--did not. read more

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3.8 stars: cute vibe/outdoor area, food was solid and highlights local ingredients Definitely need to make a reservation. Our reservation was for peak dinner time, but we came about an hour earlier to see if we could get seated early, which thankfully we were able to. Had we come even 10 minutes later, it is likely we would have just had to wait until our reservation time. The inside is cutely decorated with a more rustic vibe, but they also have an outdoor seating area and allows for pets. It is in the same area as a market/outdoor area near the water. FOOD: ~Soft Shell Crab (2.5/5): Unfortunately, the soft shell crab was not soft enough. I could not bite through the body of the crab cleanly. ~Oysters (3/5): a-okay. Local oysters so the brine was very mild. Main issue is that 2 of the oysters looked like it was butchered when they were opening them, so it looked very off-putting. ~Seafood risotto (4/5): great flavors and seafoods were cooked well. Green beans were excellent, as well. I know a dish like this can be difficult to control, but the temperature of the seafood was not hot/room temperature, and the outside of the risotto was a little cold. So that first bite was surprising, but the center section of the risotto was warmer. ~Pompano (4/5): The fish was so soft! It could have used maybe a grain or two of salt on it's own, but with the sauce it was fine. The sauce, green beans, and carrot chips were so good! Overall, I can see why this place is so popular! Getting a meal here than taking a stroll along the water walkway is ideal! read more

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The food was delicious, service was great per usual and as always the setting is so nice. I love to take friends here when they're visiting from out of town! read more

First time trying Ulele and I can see why everyone loves it! The salad was fresh, flavorful, and perfectly balanced. But the star of the night was the bourbon butter cake - absolutely incredible. Rich, warm, and unforgettable. A must-visit in Tampa! read more

Ulele - Key West Key Lime Stack and Bourbon Butter Cake - New American Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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The atmosphere was so beautiful. It was right on the water. I ordered crab cakes, Water Works Meatloaf with garlic mashed potatoes and green beans, cornbread and key lime stack for dessert. The crab cakes had a lot of crab and great flavor. The meatloaf had a different flavor that I'm used to. It wasn't a traditional meatloaf taste but it was still good. It tasted more like a salisbury steak. The cornbread was good but a little dry. The key lime steak was good. Those key West limes do the trick. read more

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Great service, wonderful atmosphere and fantastic food. The trifecta of dining. Ulele has it all! Always given as an option for drinks and dinner when asked for Tampa recommendations. Definitely a favorite! read more

Ulele - Blackened grouper. - New American Near Me - Tampa, Florida

Zero complaints about ANYTHING in this establishment. The atmosphere was amazing. There were ample enough seating arrangements at the bar and dining room, even outside and upstairs. We were greeted immediately by Sarah at the bar area tonight. She was attentive, friendly, and accurate. she gave great recommendations and had such a great attitude throughout our entire experience. We tried the gator tails, chew broiled oysters, Mac and cheese, seafood risotto, and Filet mignon. EVERYTHING was seasoned perfectly, no salt or pepper needed. 10/10 recommend this restaurant for date night, family's, or even a solo date. read more

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Always a good spot for brunch, lunch or dinner. Sitting right off of the Tampa Riverwalk, you can't go wrong. They have an army of staff working and ensuring a great experience. Look at the meals pictured. Make sure to get the fried green tomatoes (if you're into that kind of thing). Yummy read more

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We had an okay experience at Ulele. We came on Saturday night and were seated outside very quickly. The host and servers were very friendly. We ordered a beer and an espresso martini to start and both were excellent! We had the gator tail as an appetizer and it was very delicious. For our main entrees we ordered the fire roasted chicken and the Pompano. When they brought out our orders initially, they brought out the wrong entrees and then had to go back and re-make them. When they eventually came they were only okay. We then had the chocolate torte for dessert which was also only okay. Overall, is definitely worth trying and glad we went! read more

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The food and service was fabulous!! Great menu with lots of options! Large portions!! Plenty of seating, but best to make a reservation. Gets really crowded!! Great seafood dishes!! Fun atmosphere for sure!! Can eat inside or out. Beautiful view if you are eating outside!!! Friendly staff throughout!!! read more

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After so many times of passing this place, we finally got to try out it out. Servers were nice, and they were able to accommodate us with our baby. Casual place. This place was disappointing based on our experience. We sat down on our table and our server asked us about our orders. And we asked about the burgers, because our table behind us got burgers as we were sitting down, and our server said "we only have burgers for lunch". Oh okay so it's a pick & choose type a customer service? Food we ordered: Mac & cheese (very delish no complaints), Calamari (very delish, but also a bit oily), Chef's steak medium rare (we got a overcooked, dry, well done steak, and raw veggies), pork shank with fries, instead of mashed potatoes (a little bit in the harder to chew side, and got a mashed potatoes), Barry's tomahawk pork chop, cooked medium as recommended (a little bit more than medium, also overcooked & dry), and braised short ribs (mediocre). All of this dissatisfaction for exactly $188 including tip. Never again. read more

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Great Sunday night dinner! Atmosphere was great indoor or outdoor seating. We arrived early and had a drink outside and checked out the sculptures and had dinner inside. We started with Gator tails. Battered seasoned and fried tasty. It was chewy though. Also had soft shell crab delicious. Entrees 3 out of 4 ordered the risotto lots of flavor and full of shrimp, scallops and crawfish tails. I had the pompano in sun dried tomato cream its was excellent. No leftovers. Dessert coconut ice cream, bourbon butter cake and key lime stack. I think the ice cream stole the show. The bourbon cake came with vanilla ice cream yum. They were skimpy on the blackberries. It was a non event. Plenty of parking. There is a lot $50 unless u eat at Ulele then it's complimentary. Do forget to get validated. Wasn't disappointed and highly recommend it. I thought the pricing was fair. Make a reservation and enjoy. read more

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I was traveling to Tampa for an overnight trip and got into town late. My best friend said to try Ulele since I didn't have to share my food with husband or kids. I didn't want to eat in so I ordered pick up; Bone in Ribeye (slightly over medium) with the mashed potatoes and string beans and I REALLY wanted the Bourbon Cake but they didn't have any ice cream so I ordered the key lime stack. When I reached, parking was a little weird but the valet let me park up front to get my food. That was already a plus. Once I got in I was greeted nicely by the hostesses who pointed me to the bar. They all were so kind, laughed at my little no sharing joke and I sat inside with a cup of water while I waited about 15 minutes. Everyone that walked by spoke about their food and how they were not disappointed so my hopes were getting higher and higher. I could smell the food through the bag when they handed it to me. My ride to my hotel smelled lovely. I cracked open my boxes and man, that ribeye was cooked beautifully. I wish I had a photo but I was so hungry. I dug I'm with PLASTIC utensils. You hear me!? Plastic. The steak cut like butter. The potatoes were lovely and the string beans had a crunch and were seasoned well. The key lime stack had a wonderful taste as well and it was the perfect non-sharing meal. The only reason for the 4 star is because of the ice cream machine not working. BUT otherwise the meal was SOLID. I was also surprised with chocolates by the bartender. Nice little treat I'll enjoy tomorrow. read more

My friend Danielle, and I usually do a Christmas walk- down the Riverwalk to Ulele for champagne and oysters. Unfortunately, it didn't happen this year. But, today, spur of the moment - we were both free and we did our walk!! Down Bayshore, on the Riverwalk- headed over to the Armature Works area and stopped in at Ulele! We sat at the Oyster bar, which is our favorite, and the guys shucking oysters were so nice & engaging!! It's fun to watch them shuck, knowing we will be eating some of their bounty!! We started with a spicy and a skinny margarita, then followed with a bottle of Schramsberg bubbles - always a favorite of mine. We ordered the okra fries with homemade dipping sauce- similar to ketchup, but better- these are amazing!! They are not fried in batter, but, I'm guessing skillet fried in oil.... Not heavy at all, We also ordered the Barbacoa shrimp and half a dozen oysters. We ordered half a dozen, not knowing if we would want more or not. Of course we did want more, but we were so full that we did not need anymore to eat. Our server was amazing, and he had a trainee who was great as well. They were both very nice, and knowledgeable about the menu. They did a great job with service. We love sitting at the oyster bar, because it's fun to interact with the oyster shuckers and it's really good people watching as well. Danielle and I had a great walk on the Riverwalk, great food and drinks at Ulele- great experience in a beautiful restaurant. Love the history behind the building!!!! Truly a great day- try Ulele if you never have!! It's also a great place for events at Armature Works, the Christmas lighted boat parade , and many other things. read more

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Restaurant in on river walk tampa bay. A Very busy Restaurant the day we were there. We Expected a long wait. Service. Girls at front deck were very friendly. Food was good . read more

Ulele - Fresh Calamari - New American Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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First positive - Frank was so helpful and kind. We accidentally headed the wrong way from the parking lot to get to the restaurant and ended up at a dead end with a fence and we had to turn around. We were nervous about missing our reservation so we started jogging. My son saw Frank walking towards us and, being that we aren't from around here, he tried to tell him that way was a dead end. He politely said yes he knew, he works for Ulele and that's the employee parking area. We said oh good. We are just trying to not miss our reservation. He asked what name the reservation was under and then radioed in to the restaurant letting them know we were headed in but running late. Upon arrival he had moved his vehicle and walked us in, made sure we were greeted and seated timely. Second positive - Matt, our waiter, greeted us promptly and was very polite. Our water and soda was brought quickly. I asked what his recommendations were and he had three very good suggestions, and explained WHY he was suggesting them. This is impressive for a restaurant these days. You could tell it was a sincere recommendation, and he had experienced the flavors in the dishes. Not only that but I am sober, and when I asked which dishes had alcohol in them, he knew what did and didn't and if it did, what exactly was in it. Third positive- the food came out quickly, was hot and fresh and looked fantastic. My son ordered the Ribeye, and said it was fantastic. I took Matt's recommendation and went with the seafood risotto, which had shrimp, lobster and scallops. It was served with perfectly cooked, seasoned green beans. The risotto was probably one of the best I've ever eaten. Matt came back a couple of times to check on us and our satisfaction, but not too many times where it makes you uncomfortable. Frank also came back after we were done with our meal to ensure our satisfaction. I worked in a restaurant for 18 years. This was a 12/10 for service, taste, presentation, as well atmosphere. Matt, our waiter, was very knowledgeable about which seafood dishes used alcohol in them and what exactly it was. As I am a sober person, I steer clear of "bourbon glaze" type dishes. The seafood risotto had cooking wine but Matt was able to tell me that off the cuff and had already experienced the dish himself. The parking lot offers validated parking for restaurant customers. I will say this was the ONLY issue we had was trying to figure out where to park and how to get to the restaurant from the parking area. In the dark, and not being from the area, it was a bit confusing. Had we not run into Frank, it definitely would have made our experience a little different. read more

Ulele - Seafood Risotto Bone-in Ribeye 1 1/2 lb. - New American Near Me - Tampa, Florida

The food is always solid here and consistent. The chargrilled oysters were amazing a must have when you go. I ordered the "Pallardy" it was very good and my friend ordered the seafood risotto. We had zipporah as a waitress, she was FANTASTIC, she gave all the recommendations and really took her time with us to ensure we ordered the best option. The hostess service wasn't the best but that is typical and unfortunate. It wasn't that busy when we first got there which was nice but the bar area area could have been better kept. The scenery is always nice. read more

Ulele - Menu - New American Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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This place is amazing! I had the braised short rib with mashed potatoes and green beans, and it was delicious. I also had the jalapeño bread as an appetizer and it was the perfect starter. We sat outside and the service was good - the server had all the great recommendations. This restaurant is right on the outskirts of Armature Works and next to the Hillsborough river so there are a lot cute opportunities for pictures. Definitely a must visit if you're in the area! read more

Ulele - Menu - New American Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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Came by for drinks and brunch last weekend and had a great time outdoors! Ulele has a complimentary parking lot for guests maybe a five-minute walk from the venue, and the outdoor space at the bar and on the patio was fantastic. (It didn't hurt that it was a perfect, 77-degree day.) Our server, Ivan, was a joy and we had a mix of above-average brunch and lunch fare (along with frose!) throughout the afternoon. Very glad to make your acquaintance, Ulele! read more

I had a layover and a friend recommended ūlëlē. It's a Beautiful Outdoor and Indoor space next to Tampa's Riverwalk. I was able to be seated quickly without a reservation on a Saturday afternoon. Plenty of bar seating both indoor and outdoor as well. My server Amber was kind, welcoming, and extremely knowledgeable about the menu, able to confidently recommend drinks, appetizers, main courses, and dessert. I started with a white wine from Spain, the 2022 Melanie Verdejo, Rueda. Light, fruity, a bit on the sweeter side for a white but not overpoweringly so. Next, I had the Aji Amarillo Ceviche. Wow! Fresh, crisp, flavorful and delicious. Then I had the Filet Mignon, 8oz of medium rare amazingness. I added a side of Karson's Jalapeño Corn Beer Muffins and "Fuego" Street Corn. Both flavorful and amazing, see photos. I also had a glass of the Alfonso-Hobbs, Godello, less sweet and more crisp, I loved it! Finally I finished with the Pineapple Upside Down Bread Pudding, with their house made coconut ice cream and dark rum sauce, it's a must have for any bread pudding lover. Ok let's get back to Amber, she needs a raise! When I tell you she quickly and efficiently checked on all of her guests around me myself included after every table delivery, I mean it. Whether it's a glass of wine or your main dish she will quickly ensure everything came out perfect and to your liking. Approachable, caring, attentive and friendly seriously ask for her as your server. Finally, a moment again for the ambiance, picturesque views and amazing family friendly event space. Thanks to Amber and everyone for a wonderful dining experience away from home! read more

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I have been wanting to try this restaurant out for some time now and finally was able to. There grilled oysters here are AMAZING!!!!! This was my favorite thing we ordered here. I also really loved my beverage. I cannot remember the name but it was their spicy drink. The seafood risotto I ordered was good, it could have been better though. It needed a bit more salt to it. The appetizers were great as well. Loved the fried tomatoes ! read more

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Well needless to say our kids come here all the time and tell us we need to try it out. We finally had a chance to go downtown and WOW are we glad we did! Such a cool vibe, great atmosphere, service, food and drinks. It is pretty dark in there in the evenings so the photos are not great, but the food was! I highly recommend the crab cakes for an appetizer and their Espresso martini for your cocktail. We will definitely be back many times to come! read more

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I sat at the shucking bar which is wear I sat my first time to Ulele's. I started with an expresso martini which tasted great! Then while I decided between 5 different menu items the local girl beside me ordered a native chili to go, which was one of my choices. Alligator, boar, duck and venison and loaded up with red onion, jalapeños and cheese. Great start to a meal. Next I ordered a piece of "Fuego" street corn. It was great. I ended up striking up a conversation with one of the employees who was sitting at the bar, Madison, about life in general. She had been working here for 3 years and spoke very highly of the restaurant, staff and culture. Anthony, who was my server, took great care of me and made great food suggestions. I enjoyed speaking with him and he really had a great insight about the menu. I watched Daniel work tirelessly shucking and preparing oysters my entire meal. We had a great conversation and seems to be a good person. Ulele's never disappoints. I always meet people but this time I feel like Madison, Anthony and Daniel made for a very enjoyable meal and conservation! Thank you! read more

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Was in Tampa and decided to give this place a try. It's next to Armature Works in Tampa Heights. Lots of people there when we got there at 3 pm. We were seated in about 5 minutes in the upstairs dining area. The menu is large and the prices are high but don't let that stop you from eating here. I ordered the Water Works Meatloaf Ground strip loin, Cabernet garlic demi-glace, roasted garlic mashed potatoes, seasonal vegetable. Featured as "Best Thing I Ever Ate" by Food Network celebrity Chef Robert Irvine. Let me say the portions were big and it tasted amazing. The mashed potatoes were out of this world. My wife got the Seafood Risotto Pan-seared shrimp and sea scallops, butter-poached lobster claw, crawfish tail meat, saffron risotto, charred corn cream sauce and seasonal vegetable. The scollops were huge and tasted great and the risotto was cooked perfectly. read more

Ulele - Waterworks meatloaf - New American Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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This restaurant was extremely disappointing. So I always pass by here with the family and after many times of saying we're gonna try it we finally decided to try it. Customer service was great. Very friendly people. Ambiance is lovely and the entire area where the restaurant is situated is so beautiful. However, the food was terrible! Well actually the calamari and Mac n cheese were great! I can't say the same about the main entrees. I got the chefs choice of meat. The server asked me how do you want it done so I said "medium-rare". He proceeds to take everyone's order as well. So, it was freezing. With the wind index, the weather was in the low 50's. I asked the server if he can turn on the heater and finally after maybe around 20 minutes he turns it on! My son and I were both sniffling at this point - I'm still sniffling while writing this review. So the main entrees arrive. I got what appears to be a flank steak and it was no where near being medium rare. It wasn't medium well or well done either. The steak was over cooked and so hard to cut up but I ate it anyways since I was starving. I tried a little bit of everyone's entree in my table and they were all hard except for the braised beef. The veggies and starches were also awful. I paid almost $190 (with Tip) for what has been the worst food of my life. Never coming here again! read more

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Dinner for 2. - Ambiance (3*) Some of the sculptures were quite cool, and the outdoors area looked quite fun. The rating is mostly a reflection of the really loud and echoey interior. - Service (4*) Friendly and professional (even the waitress in training). A bit of a lag in getting our food. - Gator Tails, $15 (5*) Breaded delicately. Could actually taste the gator tails. - Native Chili, $10 (4*) While all the different kinds of meat sounded delicious on menu (duck, venison, boar), my suspicion that they would all sort of blend together into the chili came true. Good tasting but muddled. - Florida Pompano Pallardy, $32 (5*) Florida pompano is hard to find, even in Florida. Meaty, dense white meat, but not dry at all. Loved the crawfish tails with great flavor. The crisp carrot ribbons were so, so good... I could eat a whole bowl of those alone. I would eat this all day long if I lived in Tampa. - Value (4*) The gator tails felt a little expensive, but that plate of fish was truly awesome and a good portion of fish. - Final Word Loved, loved, loved the pompano dish. read more

Ulele did not disappoint! Bella was an amazing server. I have family in town and came for lunch. We ordered the crispy carrots, the trout dish, and the plant-based vegetable dish. All were absolutely amazing! I just love how the restaurant gives you a view of the water and armature works. The food is such high-quality. Overall 10/10! read more

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This was a great place. The ambiance is perfect and the food was great. Had the Shrimp appetizer, great flavors and spices. Also had the Mahi Mahi for lunch and it was prepared perfectly. This would be a great spot for a nice lunch with friends or a date night. Highly reccommend. read more

This place is more than just a restaurant in the Tampa Heights area near Downtown Tampa. Located on the Tampa Riverwalk, they are open for lunch and dinner. The outdoor riverfront setting offers a very spacious seating area. We were there for lunch on a beautiful day so we sat outside at an open umbrella table with nice views of the zen fish pond and the river. I had the Shrimp Po'Boy $18 with the Cole slaw side. We also had the Carrot Ribbons $6. Everything was delicious. Our server was very friendly and efficient. He validated our complimentary parking ticket for the gated parking lot across the street. read more

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When my SO and I arrived in Tampa to visit our friends, the first restaurant we ate at in Tampa was Ulele. It's been many many years since I've been to Tampa so it was basically new to me. And, after interestingly, the folks who own Colombia also own Ulele (I discovered this later). The theme of the restaurant is ingredients inspired by what the natives ate. Still seemed kinda vague but whatever, the place was packed. We unfortunately did not have a reservation so I think it was about an hour wait at 5pm EST on a Sunday. We explored the nearby food market and had some chips and guac and salsa from a food stall (can't remember the name). It was a nice appetizer before we finally got seated at Ulele. The reason we went here is because they had vegan option for the SO and one of our friends. Now after having ceviche in Miami, I really wanted to try it here. So I went with the aji amarillo ceviche. The ceviche was very strong in the citrus and acidity, which is tough for some people to handle, but the flavor was good. I do wish it was toned down a little and had some more seafood, but it was good. I also ordered the fried okra for the table. I was actually surprised when it came out this way and I'm mixed on it. I love fried okra, but having it like this, it wasn't as heavy on the okra as I've had at other places (Smithtown Seafood in Lexington, KY had fried okra on their menu once, I think it was a limited time offering but it was by far the best fried okra I've had). It was fine but I did expect more. As for the entree, I really wasn't sure what to get here by the place seemed to emphasize seafood, so, as suggested by our server, the seafood risotto was what I ended up with. It's one of their signature dishes and a favorite and I agree. It was full of flavor and the ratio of proteins to carbs to veggies was perfect. The broth was definitely very strong with the seafood blend and it was just fantastic. My only gripe, and this is really really minor, was the risotto itself wasn't as thick as I prefer. Maybe it wasn't arborio rice they used, something was a little off with it, but it was still fantastic. If I find myself back here, I'm going to stick with the entrees and skip the apps. read more

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