If you want to have, quite possibly, one of the best meals of your life, head to Bern’s Steak House in South Tampa.

Anytime someone I know from out of town comes to Tampa, I recommend they go to Bern’s for an incredible dining experience they’ll never forget. From the moment you walk in the door, you’ll realize Bern’s is a cut above the rest. The decor is beautifully gaudy, if that makes sense. So they’ve got this amazing ambiance and the service is perfection.

But what you will really enjoy is the food. You have to start with their world-famous French Onion Soup. The steaks are to-die-for. Even if you aren’t a steak lover, you’ll find cavier, oysters, sea bass…just amazing fish and poultry dishes.

And you’ve got to cap it all off with a trip to the Harry Waugh Dessert Room. It’s so romantic. You’ll have your own little sealed off booth. And you can enjoy Banans Foster (my favorite)…but so many delicious desserts to choose from.

The story of Bern’s Steak House is such an interesting one. It dates back to 1923. A boy named Bern Laxer was born on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. He served in World War II and then went back to New York City and met Gert, who became his wife.

Bern had seen his aunt toil over a family restaurant in Tampa when he visited her and made a promise to NEVER get into the restaurant business. Well, you know something must’ve changed, because we today we have BERN’s Steak House. You can read the rest of the fascinating story here.

Don’t forget to take a tour of their world-famous wine cellar when you visit.

Hear more about Bern’s Steak House (5:28) on the Experience Tampa Bay in 10 Minutes or Less podcast. You can also hear about a great place for Chicken Parmesan in St. Pete (1:08) and discover Xochitl Cocina Mexicana (8:57).

Written By Roxanne Wilder

Photo courtesy of Todd “MJ” Schnitt

Produced by Micaela Figueroa