Rocco Smith
Brandon, Florida, is one of the best places to live in the entire state. An urban suburb in the Tampa metro region, this charming unincorporated community is the perfect mix of dense suburban life and the natural beauty of Florida.
For those looking for the culture and opportunities of Tampa with the domestic and homey feel of a smaller town, you can’t go wrong with visiting Brandon. This area was founded in the 19th century but experienced several spurts of significant growth during the 20th century and is now an active area with plenty to do and see.
If you’re planning a visit, be prepared for some fantastic food. Alongside some astounding natural scenery are some genuinely great dining opportunities. From classic southern fare to global cuisine, Brandon has a little bit of everything.
With that in mind, I’ve put together a list of some of my favorite places to eat when I’m in Brandon, Florida. These are some of the best restaurants in Brandon, ranging from casual to fancy and everything in between. Check out my list of the best restaurants in Brandon below!
Best Restaurants in Brandon
- Tibby’s New Orleans Kitchen
- The Stein & Vine
- Recipe Box Family Diner
- Taste of Berlin German Restaurant
- Shells Seafood
- Jesse’s Steak and Seafood
- Shrimp Boat Grill
- Allegria Italiana
- Stonewood Grill & Tavern
- Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza
- MISSION BBQ
Tibby’s New Orleans Kitchen
1721 W Brandon Blvd, Brandon, FL 33511
Phone: 813-315-8443
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Check out Tibby’s New Orleans Kitchen for casual and homey dining that features American, Cajun, and Creole cuisines. This place has all the joyfulness and noise that you would want from a New Orleans-inspired restaurant.
Their menu has some great, traditional New Orleans food—and not just the stuff that tourists will go for, but authentic local fare. Be adventurous by trying the shrimp and alligator cheesecake appetizer, or enjoy a classic jambalaya.
Take your time and appreciate the vibrant ambiance. This charming restaurant has plenty of southern hospitality to accompany its southern cuisine.
The Stein & Vine
827 W Bloomingdale Ave, Brandon, FL 33511
Phone: 813-655-4786
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The Stein & Vine is a delightful neighborhood spot that functions as both a taproom and a full restaurant. The bar features 40 rotating beers and a wine list with over 35 options to choose from. Furthermore, the food menu is rotating with daily specials, making for an extra classy touch.
With a short menu that changes regularly, this place is guaranteed to have quality food that the chef put extra thought into. Examples of menu items include crispy rotisserie duck á l’orange and grilled rattlesnake sausage. Stein & Vine also has some tasty burgers that regulars love.
Recipe Box Family Diner
147 E Bloomingdale Ave, Brandon, FL 33511
Phone: 813-655-2686
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If you’re looking for the perfect southern diner to have a yummy breakfast while visiting Brandon, look no further than Recipe Box Family Diner. As the name suggests, this restaurant has home-style cooking that you can’t beat.
The menu has all the classic fare you’ll be craving. Recipe Box Family Diner makes sure that no customer leaves hungry, with their scrambled eggs to truly massive pancakes. Furthermore, these large portions come at a fair price, resulting in a very affordable meal for so much food.
Recipe Box Family Diner has a warm and welcoming staff and a roomy seating area that will make you feel as comfortable as if you were sitting in your kitchen. Ideal for bringing the whole family!
Taste of Berlin German Restaurant
526 Oakfield Dr, Brandon, FL 33511
Phone: 813-685-9392
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Taste of Berlin offers authentic German cuisine in a traditional Germanic restaurant setting. This humble spot, nestled into a strip mall, may not look remarkable, but the food is astounding.
The menu is small and seasonal and always true to German cooking. Some examples of previous menu items include duck with orange sauce and Jaeger Art with schnitzel.
Don’t forget to try out the yummy appetizers like the bratwurst and currywurst. Of course, you never want to leave a German restaurant without trying the dessert—I recommend the German chocolate cake.
Shells Seafood
115 E Brandon Blvd, Brandon, FL 33511
Phone: 813-689-4691
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If you’re in Florida, having some quality seafood is an absolute must. Founded originally in 1985, this wholesome family-owned restaurant is down-to-earth and focuses on making great food and providing excellent service.
This is a great, casual place to kick back and have some delicious seafood. My favorite on the menu is the Salmon Felix, a fresh salmon filet topped with jumbo lump crabmeat in a lobster cream sauce.
The desserts are worthy of an honorable mention as well—don’t miss out on your chance to try an authentic Florida key lime pie.
Jesse’s Steak and Seafood
524 W Brandon Blvd, Brandon, FL 33511
Phone: 813-685-2381
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Jesse’s Steak and Seafood is the best restaurant in Brandon for a tasty surf and turf meal. This place has a great casual steakhouse vibe and some fantastic food to accompany it. Jesse’s Steak and Seafood prioritize quality above all else and serve USDA choice beef and incredibly fresh seafood.
If you’re looking for a more straightforward meal, their charburgers are regularly voted best in the region. For those in a fancier mood, Jesse’s, of course, has plenty of steak and seafood menu items to choose from.
Insider tip: One of the best appetizers is the crabbed stuffed mushrooms.
Shrimp Boat Grill
1020 Bloomingdale Ave, Valrico, FL 33596
Phone: 813-571-5858
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Shrimp Boat Grill is a popular favorite for locals, and for a good reason. This restaurant takes special care to ensure that each of its customers has an outstanding experience. With consistently good food and a lovely ambiance that includes a fireplace and live music, Shrimp Boat Grill leaves nothing to be desired.
The fresh catch seafood is lovely, especially—you guessed it—the shrimp. They also have a prime rib dish that gets rave reviews. Be sure to save room for dessert. The peanut butter mousse is delicious.
For a reliably good meal and friendly service, be sure to visit Shrimp Boat Grill while you’re in town.
Allegria Italiana
518 Oakfield Dr, Brandon, FL 33511
Phone: 813-651-1166
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This charming little Italian restaurant in the corner of a shopping plaza offers scrummy and authentic cuisine. Anyone familiar with Italian food can confirm that this restaurant is the real deal despite the unassuming location.
For the perfect Italian dining experience, I recommend sitting in the outdoor area under an umbrella. With a glass of red wine and a table with a white tablecloth, you will feel like you are back in the old country.
Some of the popular menu items include bruschetta and the fettuccine alfredo with chicken. Before you head out, don’t forget to take a cannoli.
Stonewood Grill & Tavern
612 E Bloomingdale Ave, Brandon, FL 33511
Phone: 813-655-9561
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Stonewood Grill and Tavern is a classic Florida dining experience. You would be remiss in visiting the area without checking it out. This friendly and hospitable restaurant has elegant and cozy neutral tones, big wooden furniture, stone, and fireplaces.
The food is always good at this family-friendly restaurant. Go big with a sirloin steak or relax with an excellent cheeseburger. Yummy appetizers and decadent desserts will bookend your meal and ensure a fantastic evening out.
When you visit Stonewood Grill, you can expect positive and happy service, a well-appointed space, and memorable dishes.
Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza
1912 W Brandon Blvd, Brandon, FL 33511
Phone: 813-409-3830
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Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza is an attractive option if you’re looking for an elevated pizza restaurant experience. This popular spot uses fresh ingredients and coal-fired flavor to create some of the best pizza out there.
You can always create your coal-fired pizza, but you really should try out some of the restaurant’s signature dishes. For instance, Paulie’s Pie comes with baby meatballs, Italian sausage, hot or sweet peppers, and ricotta cheese.
Other notable menu items include the long hot meatball mozzarella sandwich, Maria’s meatballs, the rigatoni and meatball pasta, and the New York-style cheesecake.
MISSION BBQ
1504 W Brandon Blvd, Brandon, FL 33511
Phone: 813-830-9618
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Mission BBQ may be a chain restaurant, but each location always has the charm and friendliness of a local spot. Perhaps this is due to the hospitable service, or maybe the locally-inspired decor. Or perhaps it’s just the effect of the delicious barbeque.
This popular barbecue restaurant has a patriotic and first responder theme that recognizes local veterans and first responder units in the location. When you dine here, you can be confident that you are contributing to resources that will go back into the community.
Some of the best menu items include brisket, pulled pork, and mac and cheese. One of the best parts of Mission BBQ is the wide selection of sauces, so be sure to ask for your favorites when you order.
Final Thoughts
Brandon, Florida, is a fun and unique place to explore while in the Tampa Bay Area. Rich in culture and nature, you are sure to have a valuable experience.
These are some of the best restaurants and dining experiences you can have in Brandon. Furthermore, while you are in the area, you may also want to check out some of the nightlife in the nearby area!
Did we leave a restaurant out of this list? Make sure you leave us a comment, and we’ll check it out!
