About
Named after a Native American princess, Ulele crafts its menus to reflect the native ingredients and cooking methods of the region's earliest people.
The restaurant's name, pronounced You-lay-lee, comes from the daughter of a Tocobaga chief. Her story of courage and kindness still echoes across Florida today.
Behind it all is the 1905 Family of Restaurants, who also manage the Columbia Restaurants, Cha Cha Coconuts, and Caso Santo Stefano. With deep roots in Tampa dining, this organization set out to offer something both innovative and steeped in local tradition.
Set by a natural spring that once served as a vital water source, Ulele welcomed guests in August 2014 in the renovated 1903 Tampa Heights Water Works building. The transformation marked a key moment in revitalizing the Tampa Heights neighborhood and reconnecting the riverfront to the community.
Its location makes it easy to plan an itinerary around a meal at Ulele. For instance, visit the area's museums, such as the Glazer Children's Museum and the Tampa Museum of Art, followed by a celebratory meal. While your biggest challenge will be deciding where to begin, be sure to end your day of adventure at Ulele!
Vibe
The historic two-story brick building rests along the Tampa Riverwalk, framed by manicured lawns and landscaping. The red-brick facade features modern accents, connecting diners with Tampa's history in a beautifully updated manner.
This stylish trend continues, with its white vaulted ceiling home to ductwork and rafters. Exposed brick walls blend with painted walls, uniting its industrial style with its contemporary look. Artwork is used sparingly and adds to the room's allure.
The dining space downstairs features a large room, a bar with seating, and an open kitchen, also with bar seating. Upstairs, you can dine overlooking the first floor, creating an exceptional dining experience. For open-air dining, the outdoor patio puts you right beside the Hillsborough River, perfect for enjoying Florida weather. There's also a separate beer garden for a laid-back experience.
Together, these features make Ulele an ideal match for a memorable vacation meal in Tampa's sunshine.
Ulele: Menu & Drinks
While the restaurant has a lunch and dinner menu, it offers the same fare, with dinner portions larger.
Kickstart your epicurean adventure with a starter like the Aji Amarillo Ceviche. This seafood classic features mahi-mahi, shrimp, and calamari marinated in Leche de tigre with Peruvian yellow peppers. Red onions, cilantro, choclo corn, serrano pepper, and trout roe add the final but all-important flavors and textures.
The Native Chili is a hearty starter that could suffice for a meal! This carnivore wonder showcases alligator, wild boar, venison, duck, and ground chuck. The cranberry beans and chili spices unite the meats into a memory-making meal.
The charbroiled oysters are another standout, Barbacoa-grilled with garlic butter and grated Parmesan and Romano cheeses. Additional seafood delights are the Gouda Grouper and Seafood Risotto.
The entrees from the "Land" section of the menu include fire-roasted chicken, Water Works Meatloaf, a tomahawk pork chop, short ribs and hanger steak.
A plant-based meal for those on special diets is the Three Sisters Stuffed Portobello. This creative meal features stuffed oven-roasted, marinated portobello caps with fresh grilled zucchini, squash, corn, red onion, red pepper, sautéed spinach, and cranberry beans. The manchego cheese, wild rice blend, and crisp carrot ribbons unite to create a spectacular meal.
Toss in the various salads and sandwiches, and there's something on the menu for even your pickiest eater.
Drinks at Ulele get the same attention as the food. The Ulele Spring Brewery produces several rotating craft beers. The extensive wine list pairs with any of the delicious meals, while the craft cocktails offer a refreshing treat on a warm Tampa day.
With its classy, renovated building, Native American-inspired food and artwork, Ulele adds an authenticity to any Tampa trip.
Local Tips
- Join the mailing list for updates, specials, and more.
- Take advantage of the valet, as nearby parking spots fill up fast.
- The atmosphere is casual elegance with many guests in formal attire; men must wear sleeves.
- Arrive early to explore the beer garden and Riverwalk.
