Nested away just outside of the Water Works division of downtown Tampa, travelers and diners find themselves in an unlikely place unlike most destinations in town. No one dared to travel to this part of town a decade ago due to the underdevelopment and crime, yet owners from the Columbia Restaurant Group kept a clean vision in mind. Now connected to Tampa's Riverwalk, visitors are able to access this place via bikes or segways, making it a whole lot easier than by vehicle where this is slim off-street parking options. The best part about this place is they make a good amount of their cocktails from scratch and pickle all of their garnishments. We were so impressed with the rustic decor, open kitchen concept and how the place was skillfully laid out design wise. Most of their menu is locally sourced and extremely fresh. The cocktails are divine and of course the beer is local! Ybor City rests just down the road where you can find Cigar City Brewing. Craft beers have popped up in a craze in this town, as well as St. Petersburg, Florida. We recommend trying everything you can possibly get your tastebuds on! Ulele also honors Open Table reservations and is recommended because this place can hold a serious waiting list if you're not careful, especially on the weekends. Lunchtime or brunch is the best time we chose to dive in, however like most, we do not drink and drive. Hail an Uber or Lyft service to get you home safely. Featured below is a Bloody Mary made from everything scratch... it was terribly good! We nibbled on the octopus sashimi featured below and was offered to try the milkshake and fries by the awesome bartenders. We will be back!
