Rosenheim Restaurant — Restaurant in Tampa

I was frankly shocked at my experience here given the stellar reviews. From the moment we arrived we experienced a number of issues: 1 - Walking through the south entrance from the parking lot an aggressive panhandler tried to sell us a cat stand. He was right next to the entrance to the restaurant. When we left he was gone so hopefully that was a one off. 2 - Once we were sat outside we waited so long for someone to come take our order we wondered if we were supposed to order inside at the register. I went in and inquired, shortly after someone came by to take our order. 3 - We came on a very cold day by Florida standards (40s-50s) which shouldn't have been a problem as there are a number of heaters on the patio. Two of them went out around the same time and one was replaced promptly. The one by us was inspected, but never replaced, resulting in a very cold dining experience. 4 - A couple of hours after dining here both of us became violently ill with, what I assume, was food poisoning. This was not a mild tummy ache, but rather a loss of control of both ends type sickness with my temperature spiking at 104 at one point. We had to call out of work multiple days and I lost 16 pounds over the following week. Normally I'd play the devil's advocate and say maybe it was something else we'd eaten that day, but I'd been fasting and Rosenheim was the only meal I'd had that day. While it is not a provable fact that the sickness was caused by Rosenheim, it is my opinion that something from their establishment was the root cause. I called and talked with the manager, Rose, once I felt up to having a phone call. Initially she said that she'd take care of the bill the next time their accounting staff was onsite, but later changed her mind. She said she'd called all the other customers that had ordered what we'd had (which I'm not sure how she gets numbers for everyone she hosts) and said since there was no negative feedback from other customers and since I'd not gone to the hospital, they would not do anything for us, which is extremely disappointing as I'd shared most of the customer service issues I'd outlined above as well.

General Notes: 1 - The atmosphere is nice, but the road is quite noisy if you sit on the patio. 2 - The food tasted fine (going down), but felt over priced for the portion. 3 - Many dishes come with fries. They're lackluster and seem like the kind that come frozen from a bulk supplier, they were lukewarm at time of serving. 4 - We had communication issues with staff that do not speak English. Not atypical for establishments serving international cuisine, but it was a point of frustration with our visit when trying to order and address concerns. 5 - I was excited to try the Turkish coffee and it was the highlight of the dining experience. I haven't been able to find a place that serves a proper one since Bern's discontinued it due to too many people not understanding what a Turkish coffee actually is and sending it back.

At the end of the day, it seems like people enjoy patronizing this place, but given my experience, I will not be returning and cannot...

Okay, I’m an Arab with high standards because I’ve had the privilege to eat fantastic Arabic food my whole life. That being said, Rosenheim surpassed all my expectations. The ambiance was great, the waiter was sweet and understanding despite how hectic and unorganized our group of six was. We sat outside which was probably not the best option for a cold wet day but the ambiance and general atmosphere was so good that we were there for hours not even bothered by the weather.

We ordered a bunch of appetizers and platters to taste a little bit of everything. I have it listed below with my opinion on each plate. The general consensus was that everything was delicious.

(1)lentil soup - fantastic! Literally this is such an Arab staple. It is the chicken soup of the Arab world and everyone has high standards when it comes to a solid lentil soup. This one was unbelievably smooth, flavor was perfectly balanced and the presentation/portion was generous and sophisticated. 10/10

(2)dynamite shrimp - this reminded me of bang bang shrimp from bonefish, if bonefish actually made good bang bang shrimp anymore. It was great! Flavorful sauce, not too spicy. Shrimp cooked perfectly, so it melted in your mouth. The breading was still crunchy even thought they were generally sauced. 9/10 only bc the breading kept falling off the shrimp when I was eating.

(3) hummus - this is another Arab staple that rosenheim knocked out the park. Flavor profile was great! They didn’t cheap out on the tahini sauce like other spots do and the consistency was perfectly smooth! Texture of everything was on point. 10/10,

(4) Kebbeh - crunchy outside, flavorful inside. I’ve had better but this is definitely top of the list. Not too oily, filled well with ground beef, and the portion size was larger than normal kebbeh you’d expect at a restaurant. It felt like the type of kebbeh I’d expect my mom to make. No cutting corners. Everything done with care.

(4) toshka (I think, the name escapes me) - this was the beef and cheese filled pita. It is not something I’m super familiar with when it comes to Arab cousin which is why we ordered it. It was just as fantastic as everything else we had. Flavor profile on point. Pomegranate molasses was a fantastic touch. I don’t think it need the humus that comes with it but the humus is so good, I’ll never complain if given more. 10/10

Side note: bread came with the humus. Idk if they make it in house but it was fantastic.

I have no pictures of the food because I was so hungry that we just dug in and by the time we remembered to take a photo the care taken in presentation was destroyed. It would have been unfair to take pictures at that point.

People with us got the shawarma sandwich, mixed grill, and rosenheim special. There were no complains. Everyone liked their food. I’d just say that I did see ppl add salt to the fries, maybe that needed more seasoning but other than that, everyone was happy.

For desert, we all shared a knafe. It was fantastic! Yet another Arab staple that was cooked beautifully.

In conclusion: it’s...

Last night, my date and I discovered a true gem in Ybor City, Rosenheim, a Mediterranean restaurant that delivered not just an incredible meal, but an unforgettable dining experience. From the warm hospitality to the expertly crafted flavors, every detail left a lasting impression.

Impeccable Service & Inviting Atmosphere: The moment we stepped inside, the ambiance struck a perfect balance between elegance and comfort. Our waitstaff was exceptionally attentive, ensuring our glasses were never empty and that we had everything we needed without feeling rushed. As someone who has traveled extensively through the Middle East and Mediterranean, I was thrilled to see a menu that felt both authentic and exciting. We opted for the Mixed Grill for Two, and it was a revelation. The platter arrived with an array of succulent, perfectly charred meats, tender lamb, juicy chicken, and flavorful kebabs, accompanied by fragrant saffron rice, a crisp salad, creamy hummus, and an assortment of vibrant sauces. Each bite was a reminder of why Mediterranean cuisine is so beloved.

Despite our hearty appetites, the portions were so generous that we couldn’t finish everything, though we certainly tried! Though the dessert menu was tempting, we simply had no room left so instead, we ended our meal with Turkish coffee, a recommendation from the owner himself. Infused with cardamom, it had a subtly exotic aroma—familiar yet intriguingly different, like a secret spice you can’t quite place but can’t stop savoring. My date, a coffee enthusiast, was delighted, and even I (a devoted tea drinker) found it utterly delicious.

What truly set Rosenheim apart was the genuine hospitality. The owner greeted us warmly, and upon learning it was our first visit, insisted we try the Turkish coffee on the house, a gesture that spoke volumes about their commitment to guest satisfaction. Rosenheim isn’t just a restaurant; it’s an experience. Whether you’re a Mediterranean food aficionado or a newcomer eager to explore bold flavors, this place delivers on every level. We’ll absolutely be back, next time, with just enough restraint to save room for dessert! Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5) Highlights: Mixed Grill, Turkish Coffee, Exceptional Hospitality Perfect For: Date nights, special occasions, or anyone craving authentic...