Simply put, Bern’s is a Tampa institution and probably the one place you should plan to eat if you only have one night in town. The stark, rather dull facade of the building in the heart of South Tampa doesn’t prepare you for the warren of lavishly decorated (and mostly windowless) rooms inside, where tables are full every night from early until late. People come for the delicious steaks (all cut to order), incredible wine list (the cellar has over half a million bottles), and indescribable ambiance of a place that really has to be experienced to be understood. Make sure you request a table in the dessert room for after your meal, and you’ll be whisked off to a moody upstairs lounge where decadent ice creams and other treats are served inside capsule-like rooms meant to resemble wine barrels.
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An Oenophile's Dream
A recipient of the Wine Spectator Grand Award, Bern’s Wine Cellar holds more than a half million wine bottles. After a dinner of perfectly aged steak or decadent caviar, guests are invited to the second-floor parlor to linger in booths while listening to music and enjoying pastries, coffee, or dessert wines.
