It’s long been an adage that there’s nothing like a hotel bar, but lately, hotel restaurants are taking the starring role. Two newer Tampa Bay Area hotel restaurants have been named among the best in America as travelers and locals alike flock to resort eateries, even without a room key.
OpenTable just released its list of the 100 best hotel restaurants in America, showcasing dining experiences “that are destinations in their own right.” Lilac at the Tampa Edition and Elliott Aster at The Vinoy in St. Pete were the only Tampa Bay Area stars to make the list, though an impressive 18 Florida spots made the Top 100.
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It’s no surprise to see these two on the list, as Elliott Aster just joined Lilac this year on the official Michelin Recommended list. In fact, Lilac earned a Michelin Star in its very first year of operation, back in May of 2023. Each restaurant reflects the growing trend of high-end hotel dining being treated less like a private country club and more like a front porch welcoming guests in regardless of whether they’re staying the night. Not to take anything away from The Vinoy’s excellent actual front porch, of course.
The OpenTable list wasn’t ranked 1-100, so we unfortunately don’t get to quibble about where in the rankings each one fell. But the selection process was still meticulous, OpenTable says, as it relied on more than 10 million individual reviews to create the A-to-Z list. Restaurants with a minimum threshold of diner reviews were considered and evaluated by a compilation of unique data points, OpenTable explained, including diner ratings and the percentage of five-star reviews. Those metrics were also weighted to comprise an overall score.
Elliott Aster and Lilac each checked in with 4.8-star ratings, and both have certainly been popular with locals. The two restaurants offer a nice contrast and reflect their locations. The swanky and modern Lilac fits perfectly into Water Street Tampa along with a Mediterranean-driven lineup. Elliott Aster is a perfect blend of refined comfort, its beautifully transformed dining hall and New American-leaning menu fitting in perfectly with the yacht basin and vibrant waterfront parks surrounding the hotel.
Here’s what OpenTable has to say about each restaurant.
Elliott Aster: “Elliott Aster, a Michelin Recommended restaurant, brings refined dining to The Vinoy Resort & Golf Club under the direction of award-winning Chef Lee Wolen. Once the property’s original dining hall, the space has been thoughtfully reimagined into one of downtown St. Petersburg’s premier dining destinations, featuring an elegant lounge, beautifully appointed dining room, and stunning private dining space. The menu highlights wood-fired steaks, handcrafted pastas, fresh seafood, and a signature antipasti bar, with weekend brunch offered every Saturday and Sunday. Paired with The Vinoy’s signature hospitality, every visit is met with warm service, exceptional cuisine, and a memorable dining experience.”
Lilac: “Lilac, the Michelin-Starred Mediterranean restaurant helmed by the esteemed Chef John Fraser, redefines the art of dining. It features signature elements of Chef Fraser’s Mediterranean cuisine mastery, explored through fresh Floridian ingredients.
Open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday, the dining room’s open concept, walnut flooring, and glowing pendant globes surround an eight-seat Christian Liaigre chef’s counter and a lively open kitchen, creating a convivial, yet elevated environment. Taking its cues from Fraser’s Greek heritage and his admiration of Turkish and French cuisines, Lilac’s menu is a balance of fresh, seasonal, and locally-sourced items with bold flavors and exquisite presentations.”
You can check out the full Top 100 list here, and there’s plenty in driving distance if you don’t mind braving I-4.
