Jackson's Bistro, Bar & Sushi of Tampa — Restaurant in Tampa

Visited for the first time today for their Sunday Brunch. The restaurant is lovely and you have a view of the waterfront from nearly every table.

The waitstaff was exceptional and cordial. Drinks were brought expediently, water filled before glasses became empty, plates cleared quickly, and checked often to see if we needed anything.

The food was very good as well. You had your standard breakfast offerings plus a custom omelet station. The bacon was well prepared and the grits were good. Those are two difficult things for a lot of restaurants to get right, but Jackson's pulled it off. The grits had a few lumps by the time I got around to them but they still had great flavor and were overall creamy. I liked that the eggs were soft as well, overcooked scrambled eggs are just not appetizing.

There was an assortment of seafood dishes that I did not partake in, but my friends enjoyed them.

I enjoyed my lunch selections even more than breakfast. I sampled the brisket, which was so flavorful and completely tender, chicken that was in an olive sauce, olive & feta salad, and probably my favorite of the regular food items was the flank steak with yucca, amazing! I would suggest adding a couple more side dish items, there were some baby potatoes, but mashed potatoes, a rice dish, or mixed veggies would have been nice as well. (And I'll be honest, there might have been some more options that I missed)

I wasn't very tempted by the dessert options. The mint chocolate macaron, and the bread pudding were the stand outs here. I wish I had saved room for more of the bread pudding!

People will balk at the $40 price for this meal, but honestly it's not that bad. It's a nice restaurant with a great view, attentive staff, and for the most part really good food that you can enjoy as much of as you like.

Something else I appreciated was that their chairs are comfortable and very lightweight. Very easy to pull out and sit close to the table. I wish more restaurants would follow suit. I generally prefer booths but here I'm definitely okay...

I feel like I am being generous with 4 stars, but my bf and I came here since we just moved to Tampa and received a gift card from my parents. We sat outside and it was beautiful being right by the bay and Harbour. I will say that the drinks were good! For the appetizer I ordered a spicy eggplant unagi, and they ended up coming out with the watermelon and eggplant nigiri. I didn’t realize initially bc there WAS eggplant and after looking at the menu again I realized there was another appetizer with eggplant which was not what I ordered. I didn’t say anything bc I hate being a Karen and it was whatever. It tasted OKAY but I was sad bc I wanted to try to other app that I actually ordered. It didn’t help that our waiter would run his mouth for about 20 minutes it felt like every time he came to our table and it actually slowed down service bc we figured he was doing this with every table! Being friendly is fine but not when it interferes with customer service. I am also vegan and that was another part of the reason why we went bc they had a vegan portion of the menu. I asked what the waiter recommended on it and he mentioned the lions mane so I got that. Oh gosh let me tell you, that entree is not suited for human life. I am NOT a picky eater especially being vegan but WOW that entree was BAD. Initially I made the face that up would make when eating a very sour lemon, i couldn’t tell if it was salty, bitter, or sour. The waiter noticed I didn’t eat any of it and asked me about it and I told him truthfully. He took it back to the kitchen and had 3 people tried it and then said “I don’t know it might be acidic”. I looked it up and I guess sometimes when the lions mane mushroom is starting to get old it starts to taste acidic? Not sure but he took it off the bill and gave us a free dessert! the lions mane has such great potential with its meaty texture, I’m sure they will be able to improve it! I do not like leaving negative reviews but we most likely won’t be back! Otherwise the view and the...

Great Atmosphere, Good Food, but Room for Improvement

Jackson’s Bistro, Bar & Sushi in Tampa has a lot going for it, but there are a few areas that could use some refinement to truly match the expectations set by its prime waterfront location and reputation.

First, the positives. The setting is absolutely stunning. Overlooking the water, the outdoor seating offers breathtaking views, especially at sunset. It’s the perfect spot for a romantic evening or a special night out. The ambiance inside is equally inviting, with modern decor and a lively yet relaxed vibe that suits both casual dinners and celebrations.

The menu is extensive and diverse, featuring everything from sushi to classic bistro fare. The sushi, in particular, stands out for its fresh ingredients and creative presentation. The specialty rolls are a highlight, blending flavors that feel both inventive and satisfying. Other dishes, like the steaks and seafood, are good but not exceptional for the price point.

However, the service can be inconsistent. While some servers are attentive and knowledgeable, others seem rushed or inattentive, which can detract from the overall experience. During busy times, it’s not uncommon to experience delays in receiving food or drink orders, which can be frustrating when you’re expecting a high-end dining experience.

Additionally, while the quality of the food is generally good, there are occasional misses. Some dishes lack seasoning or balance, and the portion sizes can be hit-or-miss depending on what you order. For the price, you expect more consistency across the board.

In conclusion, Jackson’s Bistro, Bar & Sushi has the potential to be an outstanding dining destination. Its location and ambiance are hard to beat, and certain menu items shine. However, improving the consistency of the service and refining some dishes would elevate it to the next level. It’s worth a visit, especially for the views and sushi, but manage your expectations if you’re looking for a flawless...