Ulele

The story

Crafted with passion, served with love

A Name with a Story

Ulele — pronounced You-lay-lee — takes its name from a young Native American princess whose story is woven into the history of the land surrounding Tampa Bay. That sense of place is not decorative; it shapes everything on the plate. The restaurant celebrates what the restaurant itself describes as "the vibrant fusion of ingredients from Florida waters and land once home to many Native Americans," drawing on the region's deep roots to inform a distinctly Floridian approach to cooking.

The project is the work of Richard Gonzmart, the restaurateur behind the Columbia Restaurant group, who gutted Tampa's historic Water Works Building in Tampa Heights to create the space. The building's industrial bones remain visible in the lighting and structure — a deliberate nod to the site's past life — while the Riverwalk setting adds an open, waterfront quality that few Tampa dining rooms can match.

The Barbacoa Grill and What Comes Off It

The kitchen's centerpiece is a 10-foot diameter barbacoa grill, and it defines the character of the food. Dishes here are described as intricately flavored and visually striking — Floridian seafood and native-inspired ingredients treated with care rather than novelty. The menu spans lunch and dinner, with a children's menu and beverages rounding out the offering. Outdoor seating along the Riverwalk, pets welcome on the patio, and a private room for group events make Ulele genuinely versatile.

Ulele also operates its own Spring Brewery on-site, meaning the drinks list reflects the same local-first philosophy as the kitchen.

Recognition That Holds Up

Wine Spectator's 2024 Award of Excellence confirms what the list of press coverage has long suggested: the beverage program here is taken seriously. The wine and craft beer selection is curated to complement Floridian seafood rather than compete with it. OpenTable diners have placed Ulele among America's 100 Best Restaurants for a Big Night Out, and the Michelin Guide has highlighted both the cocktails and the restaurant itself among Tampa's notable tables.

For a restaurant rooted so firmly in one place — one history, one stretch of river — Ulele has earned recognition that travels well.