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Interior - Ava Restaurant, Tampa, FL

Ava Restaurant

4.5 (2319)
$31 to $50
Italian
718 S. Howard Ave., Tampa, FL 33606

Make a reservation

A photo of Ava Restaurant restaurant

Ava Restaurant

4.5
$31 to $50
Italian
Tampa

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 35 times today
Experiences are available.

About this restaurant

  • Charming
  • Neighborhood gem
  • Good for special occasions
Ava's menu will feature inspired Italian cuisine prepared in a simple and rustic fashion. Central to our vision will be house cured salumi, fresh hand made pasta and Neapolitan pizza cooked at 900 degrees in our Italian-made Acunto pizza oven. Ingredients will be fresh, seasonal, and local whenever possible. We are located in South Tampa (SoHo), close to Downtown and Hyde Park.
We have brunch Saturday's and Sunday's with bottomless mimosas!
Ava has limited seating, reservations may be inside or outside. We attempt to accommodate special requests, please let us know what your preference may be in the "add a special request' field. However, we can't guarantee all table requests. We look forward to serving you.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Italian, Contemporary Italian
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sat 10:30 am–2:00 pm Sun 10:30 am–2:30 pm Dinner Mon–Thu 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Sun 5:00 pm–8:30 pm
  • Contact
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive chef
    John Lister
  • Catering
    Ava offers off site catering, please check out our website for options.
  • Private party facilities
    Ava has two private rooms and the patio can be made private for larger parties.
  • Private party contact
    Donald Buzzell: (727) 415-2671
  • Delivery & takeout
  • Neighborhood
    Tampa
  • Cross street
    Howard Ave & Swann
  • Parking details
    Self parking in the Garage.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cafe, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Entertainment, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Experiences

  • More Pie, Less Dishes - Join Us for Thanksgiving!!

    1 - 10 people

    Nov 26, 2026 only
    Join us at Ava for Thanksgiving! We will have a traditional Turkey Dinner and many of our house favorites. You can see our Thanksgiving menu on our website.
    More Pie, Less Dishes - Join Us for Thanksgiving!! Photo
  • Come Celebrate NYE at Ava!!!

    1 - 10 people

    Dec 31, 2026 only
    Ava will have a special 4 course menu for NYE, dinner will be priced by the Entree Antipasti Choose One Prime Beef Carpaccio Truffle aioli, micro arugula, crouton Shrimp Scampi white wine, garlic, house bread Wild Mushroom Risotto morel, porcini, cremini mushrooms, pecorino romano Ravioli al Tartufo e Formaggio Truffle & cheese ravioli, cauliflower puree, mushroom, melted leeks, brown butter, truffle, crispy leeks Insalate Choose One Marinated Tomatoes stracciatella pesto Apple & Walnut mixed greens, apples, spiced walnuts, gorgonzola, lemon dressing Tuscan Soup white bean veggies Secondi Choose One Pan Roasted Chicken $75.00 morel mushrooms, celery root & potato mash, fresh black truffles Chilean Seabass $85.00 piccata style, creamy fregola, baby kale Surf & Turf $95.00 wood grilled filet, lobster cake, rosemary whipped potatoes, asparagus, bearnaise Wagyu NY Strip $120.00 rosemary whipped potatoes, roasted mushrooms, asparagus Dessert Dessert Trio tiramisu - chocolate torte - nutella mousse
    Come Celebrate NYE at Ava!!! Photo
  • Join Us for Christmas Eve!!!

    1 - 10 people

    Dec 24, 2026 only
    Join us at Ava for Christmas Eve! We will have a traditional Feast of Seven Fishes and many of our house favorites. You can see our Christmas Eve menu on our website.
    Join Us for Christmas Eve!!! Photo

Private dining

Concierge
AI Beta

Our AI assistant, Concierge, is here to answer your questions about this restaurant.

Reviews

OpenTable reviews from verified diners

Reviews from people who have dined at Ava Restaurant.

4.5

4.5
(2319)
  • 4.4Food
  • 4.6Service
  • 4.5Ambience
  • 4.2Value

Noise • Moderate

Loved For

  • Tampa / Central Florida West

    Most Booked 1000-Point Tables

  • Tampa

    Most Booked 1000-Point Tables

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Ava Restaurant offers a "great atmosphere" with "amazing ambiance," providing "delicious food" and attentive service. Notable highlights include the "bread service" and Italian dishes, praised for their authenticity. Although noise and space issues are noted, the "young, vibrant atmosphere" and an "extensive wine list" make it a popular choice for diners.
2,319 Reviews
  1. Ben Gold

    West Palm Beach91 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 25, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This was the second time here and we brought others who had not experienced the great food and ambiance. We love starting off with multiple apps and you have to do the bread service (best ever). The main courses were great and there was enough to take home. We also had great wine and cocktails and the evening was great!

    Is this helpful?

  2. Colin Gold

    Fort Lauderdale2 reviews

    4.0

    Dined on October 17, 2026

    1. Overall 4
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 3
    4. Ambience 5
    Great food, service was good but got my order wrong when I gave specific instructions. And took over 10min to get my drink but had a great meal.

    Is this helpful?

  3. amanda Gold

    San Francisco12 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 10, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    This food was absolutely delicious. The dining area is beautiful and the staff are friendly

    Is this helpful?

  4. John Gold

    Denver15 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 10, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Best food I have had there! It was a terrific evening! Suggest everyone go there!

    Is this helpful?

  5. Norma

    New York City2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on October 3, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 4
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    The salmon a d pork chops were very delicious. The calamari batter needed seasoning. But the herbal aoli was excellent! Jess our server was the best, super attentive and very nice.

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  6. Zoila

    Tampa1 review

    5.0

    Dined on October 3, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I had a wonderful experience at Ava Restaurant yesterday! The food was delicious, the atmosphere was lovely, and the prices were reasonable. Everything was great. I would definitely come back!

    Is this helpful?

  7. Richard

    Tampa5 reviews

    3.0

    Dined on September 26, 2026

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 2
    The ambient noise level makes it difficult to maintain a standard conversation across the table. The options were quite limited, and we struggled to find something for everyone. It is a very minimalist selection, leaving us wishing for a few more choices. No children's options.

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  8. Ray

    Tampa21 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on September 19, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    I had been before and was not all that impressed but after a few year hiatus, I decided to try it again. Food was great. I like everything and I can be very critical

    Is this helpful?

  9. Rose

    Tampa4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on September 18, 2026

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Bread service is excellent. We shared the eggplant parm, it was a big portion and it’s delicious.

    Is this helpful?

  10. Ime

    Tampa1 review

    3.0

    Dined on September 16, 2026

    1. Overall 3
    2. Food 3
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 4
    Ordered 2 apps...bread service and rosette di pasta were great. Margherita pizza and cavatelli al salsicca entrees very good. Italian soda cocktails were delicious, light and refreshing, multiple flavors available. Pass on the dot cake espresso martini, too sweet and not aesthetically appealing.

    Is this helpful?

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $31 to $50
  • Cuisines
    Italian, Contemporary Italian
  • Hours of operation
    Brunch Sat 10:30 am–2:00 pm Sun 10:30 am–2:30 pm Dinner Mon–Thu 5:00 pm–9:00 pm Fri, Sat 5:00 pm–10:00 pm Sun 5:00 pm–8:30 pm
  • Contact
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Smart Casual
  • Executive chef
    John Lister
  • Catering
    Ava offers off site catering, please check out our website for options.
  • Private party facilities
    Ava has two private rooms and the patio can be made private for larger parties.
  • Private party contact
    Donald Buzzell: (727) 415-2671
  • Delivery & takeout
  • Neighborhood
    Tampa
  • Cross street
    Howard Ave & Swann
  • Parking details
    Self parking in the Garage.
  • Additional
    Banquet, Bar/Lounge, Beer, BYO Wine, Cafe, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Counter Seating, Entertainment, Full Bar, Happy Hour, Indoor Fireplace, Non-Smoking, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Patio/Outdoor Dining, Private Room, Takeout, View, Weekend Brunch, Wheelchair Access, Wine

FAQs

Ava's weekend brunch is a favorite, Saturday (10:30 am–2:00 pm) and Sunday (10:30 am–2:30 pm) draw praise, and Sunday evenings are often a quieter time to dine.

Yes, Ava hosts private gatherings; guests have used the restaurant's private/party room (for example, a party of nine) and found it worked well for their group.

Yes, the menu includes a Vegano section (Chunk Steak made with Beyond Meat, served with penne or spaghetti), and guests report the staff successfully accommodated gluten- and dairy-free needs.

Portions at Ava tend to be satisfying, multiple guests say they left comfortably full or happily took leftovers to go after their meal.

Yes, Ava is well suited to date night, with an inviting atmosphere, warm lighting, booths and patio seating, and guests who specifically mention using it for date nights and couples' dinners.

Ava fills up on peak nights and special occasions, while Sunday evenings and Tuesday happy hour visits tend to be quieter.

Yes, Ava offers outdoor seating; guests frequently mention enjoying the patio (including seating by an outdoor fireplace).

The Tagliatelle alle Bolognese is a recurring favorite, it appears on the menu and multiple guests praise it.

Ava feels modern and welcoming, warm lighting, an open kitchen with a brick/wood-fired oven, comfortable booths and a lively bar, plus a pleasant patio for al fresco dining.

Smart casual is the guide, think polished but relaxed: neat, comfortable clothing rather than formal wear.

Yes, Ava’s weekend brunch includes Bottomless Mimosas (2-hour limit with purchase of an entrée), and the restaurant also offers a Happy Hour menu featuring apps, 8" pizzas and handmade cocktails.

Yes, Ava is family-friendly: the brunch menu includes a Kids Brunch section (scrambled eggs and chicken fingers), and multiple guests praise it as a comfortable spot for families with children.

For a relaxed, quieter meal try Sunday evenings at Ava, guests specifically call Sunday nights a slow, pleasant time; if you want the buzz and brunch dishes, weekend brunch (Sat–Sun mornings) is a popular choice.

Ava offers indoor dining and outdoor seating, plus bar/high-top seating and a private room for parties, the restaurant notes reservations may be inside or outside and guests describe a patio, bar seating and a private party room.

Yes, the restaurant asks that you add any table or preference requests in the booking "add a special request" field; they attempt to accommodate requests but can’t guarantee them.

How FAQ content is generated

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. Tampa / Central Florida West
  4. Tampa
  5. Tampa

Make a reservation

A photo of Ava Restaurant restaurant

Ava Restaurant

4.5
$31 to $50
Italian
Tampa

Make a reservation

2 people
7:00 PM
Booked 35 times today
Experiences are available.
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