Council Oak Steaks & Seafood (in Seminole Hard Rock Tampa)
An upscale steakhouse and seafood restaurant within the Seminole Hard Rock Tampa, renowned for its dry-aged steaks and fresh catches.
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Council Oak Steaks & Seafood (in Seminole Hard Rock Tampa)
Highlights
Must-see attractions
An upscale steakhouse and seafood restaurant within the Seminole Hard Rock Tampa, renowned for its dry-aged steaks and fresh catches.
"A meal at Council Oak is something you will talk about for weeks after going."
Dine in the Main Dining Room
Opt for the main dining room for a better experience; lounge service can be inconsistent.
Beware of Casino Smoke
Smoke from the casino may drift in, which could be noticeable to non-smokers.
Quick Facts
Cuisine
Steak House, Seafood
Price
$$$
Phone
(813) 627-7600
Address
5223 Orient Rd, Tampa, FL 33610, USA
Highlights
Discover the most iconic attractions and experiences
Exquisite Steaks and Seafood
Experience USDA prime steaks, dry-aged on-site, and the freshest seafood, including live Maine lobsters flown in daily.
Luxurious Sunday Brunch Buffet
Indulge in a lavish Sunday brunch with prime rib, lamb, crab legs, and a delightful mimosa selection.
Impeccable Service and Ambiance
Enjoy an elegant dining atmosphere with attentive, knowledgeable service that elevates the entire experience.
Plans like a pro.
Thinks like you
Menu
Most Popular Items
Insider Tips
from TikTok, Instagram & Reddit
Dine in the Main Dining Room
Opt for the main dining room for a better experience; lounge service can be inconsistent.
Beware of Casino Smoke
Smoke from the casino may drift in, which could be noticeable to non-smokers.
Reservations Highly Recommended
Book your table three weeks in advance, especially for weekends, as they fill up quickly.
Try the House Salad
Don't overlook the house salad; it's surprisingly amazing and reasonably priced.
Tips
from all over the internet
Dine in the Main Dining Room
Opt for the main dining room for a better experience; lounge service can be inconsistent.
Beware of Casino Smoke
Smoke from the casino may drift in, which could be noticeable to non-smokers.
Reservations Highly Recommended
Book your table three weeks in advance, especially for weekends, as they fill up quickly.
Try the House Salad
Don't overlook the house salad; it's surprisingly amazing and reasonably priced.
What Travellers Say
Reviews Summary
Council Oak Steaks & Seafood is widely praised for its exceptional steaks and seafood, impeccable service, and elegant ambiance, making it a top choice for celebrations. While most diners rave about the quality of the food and attentive staff, a few have noted that kitchen errors and ambient casino smoke can detract from the overall experience. Despite these occasional issues, the culinary excellence and professional service often outweigh any minor drawbacks.
"WOW! The filet mignon was incredible! The fresh crab 🦀 appetizer just melted in your mouth. The lobster 🦞 mac and cheese 🧀 was amazing! I cannot say enough about how elegant this place is. The service was top notch and what you would expect from a high-end steakhouse. It's expensive, actually very expensive, but if you have something to celebrate, this is the place that will wow on every level. The bread basket had a couple of different breads with was a nice touch. A smoked old fashioned is a must as well as an espresso martini with the berry cheesecake! Great atmosphere for a well crafted cocktail if you only want a drink between gambling 🎰!"
Melissa Previte
"Council Oak is hands-down, my favorite steakhouse!!!! The steaks are always cooked perfectly, and the scallops are just as impressive. I highly recommend adding the béarnaise sauce, blue cheese crumbles, or the lump crab Oscar on top of your steak. Those will take it to the next level. The warm parmesean truffle fries are a must, too. Everything on the menu is full of flavor, and it’s clear they put a lot of care into every dish. Just a heads-up, you’ll want to make a reservation about three weeks in advance since they fill up fast. I’ll absolutely be coming back again and again per usual. This place never disappoints!"
K Taylor
"One of the best steakhouses in Tampa. Oysters Rockefeller and pork belly also great. Located right in the casino so you can enjoy a whole night here. The lobby entrance is impressive with a view into their dry aging and butcher space. The left dining room has a view into the large kitchen, the right dining room has live music, and the bar is beautiful with many allocated whiskies to choose from...so different spaces to enjoy for multiple visits."
Texas Gator
What People Like
What People Dislike
Frequently Asked Questions
It features an on-site butcher shop and dry-aging room with Himalayan salt walls, offering USDA prime steaks and fresh seafood in an elegant setting.
Yes, it is located within the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa.
Reservations are highly recommended, as the restaurant can fill up quickly, sometimes requiring booking weeks in advance.
Popular choices include the filet mignon, lobster mac and cheese, crab cakes, and any of their dry-aged steaks. The smoked old fashioned is also a recommended drink.
The restaurant offers a sophisticated and elegant atmosphere, though some find the lighting brighter than expected for fine dining.
While not explicitly listed, the menu offers seafood and steak options, and diners can inquire about specific needs.
Yes, the restaurant sometimes features live acoustic music, particularly in the bar area.
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Top 50 restaurants of Tampa Bay 2016 edition
The Grand Central complex and the whole Channel District have grown up around suave Cena, a nearly three-year-old Italian anchor that is the personal and distinctive vision of talented chef Michael Buttacavoli (Council Oak, SideBern’s). He and his team (Kyle Martin as sous, Evan Schmidt on pastry, Jessica Wentworth the new general manager) have set a steady course as newcomers like the just-opened District Tavern, Fabrica Woodfired Pizza and Ginger Beard Coffee (which works out of Pour House in the morning when it is closed) have gotten things bustling, a Duckweed Urban Grocery on the horizon. Buttacavoli is working on some wine dinners and a new small-plates menu for the bar, but the bulk of his time is taken with refining his already elegant dinner menu: A handful of pastas, risotto and “secondi” are served in a serene dining room dominated by oversized photos of textural rock formations.
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Buttacavoli was the chef de cuisine at SideBern’s for eight years under Jeannie Pierola and was the chef at Council Oak at the Hard Rock after that, where he hooked up with dynamo Cena pastry chef Evan Schmidt. Together they have honed an effective and affecting short menu of Italian regional dishes, from punchy antipasti to pastas and risotti, many offered in half portions, and secondi that are as stylishly pretty as any around (also, almost everything is under $30). The dolci change frequently, but there’s often something that’s a riff on a macaron, something trifle-ish or tiramisulike, maybe a cheesecake, all of it with flying buttresses and molded chocolate wings and spaceship add-ons.
20 Best Date-Night Tampa Restaurants You Need to Try
Another great getaway bound to delight anyone on date night is Council Oak Steaks & Seafood located at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa. An innovative and sophisticated fine-dining experience offering the finest USDA steaks from its butcher shop, seafood from local waters, and live Maine lobsters flown in daily is sure to please. Have fun at any number of bars before or after dinner, enjoy the slots together or grab a seat and play a little poker.
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa Reviews & Prices
Guests here have a variety of dining options to choose from, ranging from fine dining at Council Oak Steaks & Seafood to a food court offering burgers, pizza and Asian fare. The signature Hard Rock Cafe offers burgers and casual food in an entertaining venue filled with rock memorabilia. As the name suggests, Rock 'N Raw is a raw bar and sushi bar, while Rise Kitchen & Deli features comfort food classics for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
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Sleek and sophisticated, Council Oak Steaks & Seafood is located in Tampa's Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. A popular destination for prime steaks, fresh seafood and selections from the award winning wine list, the atmosphere is contemporary and upscale, and the service is second-to-none. The steaks at Council Oak are 100% U.S.D.A. prime, dry aged 21 to 28 days, and cut on-site by celebrity master butcher, Walter Apfelbaum.
Award-Winning Restaurants | Seminole Hard Rock Tampa
Council Oak Steaks & Seafood offers the sophisticated, classic-American steakhouse fare our guests know featuring U.S.D.A. prime steaks, fresh seafood, specialty dishes showcasing an open-kitchen, in-house butcher shop and dry-aging room outfitted with pink Himalayan salt walls, multi-level seating, and wine rooms highlighting the restaurant’s award-winning selection of more than 400 labels. Dining Details Book a Table
Tampa Bay's Top Steakhouses 2022
Council Oak Steaks & Seafood is a trendy, modern steakhouse located in the Seminole Hard Rock Casino Tampa. “Council Oak is home to its very own onsite butcher shop and dry-aging room outfitted with pink Himalayan salt walls where select steaks are dry-aged 28 days,” says Council Oak Chef de Cuisine Jeremy White. “Here our meat is personally selected, cut and branded for diners.
15 Tampa Michelin Star Restaurants You Want To Try
Treat yourself to supper at Council Oak Steaks and Seafood, which is situated inside the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Tampa. It sounds like a spa for priceless steaks, but the upscale restaurant’s steaks are dry-aged on-site in rooms with pink Himalayan salt walls. If that’s not enough glitz, the establishment will elevate your dinner with table-side caviar service.
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If you are looking for a date night that leaves a lasting impression, Council Oak steakhouse, located inside the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, is top notch. “From appetizers to dinner and dessert, everything I’ve ever ordered from Council Oak has been to-die-for,” said Stoneback. “A meal at Council Oak is something you will talk about for weeks after going.
Best Steak Houses In Tampa That's NOT Bern's
This steakhouse located inside the Seminole Hard Rock & Casino in Tampa was the other highly recommended spot from our listeners. The menu offers U.S.D.A. prime cuts of beef, a signature raw bar and local seafood selections, and more. With the open-kitchen, guests can catch all of the action as their meals are prepared by Council Oak’s chefs.
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Meal Price: $60+Cuisine: Steak and seafood Location: 5223 Orient Rd, Tampa, FL 33610Opening hours: 10am -2pm and 5pm – 10pm (Sunday) 5pm – 10pm (Monday-Thursday), 5pm – Midnight (Saturday). Source seminolehardrocktampa.com. Council Oak Steaks & Seafood is one of the three fine dining venues in the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.
Best Steakhouses In Tampa ; Try These 12 Restaurants
This steak house restaurant serves prime steaks and fresh seafood, making it one of the best steakhouses in Tampa, Fl. Council Oak is owned by Seminole Hard Rock hotel and casino, Tampa, Florida, the United States of America. This place is not only famous for its steaks and seafood but also its wine and delicious dessert.
Highest-rated fine dining restaurants in Tampa, according to Tripadvisor
– Rating: 4.5 / 5 (414 reviews)– Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (3.5/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)– Type of cuisine: American, Steakhouse– Price: $$$$– Address: 5223 Orient Rd, Tampa, FL 33610-4114– Read more on Tripadvisor
Highest-rated Steakhouses in Tampa, According to Tripadvisor
- Rating: 4.5 / 5 (420 reviews)- Detailed ratings: Food (4.5/5), Service (4.5/5), Value (3.5/5), Atmosphere (4.0/5)- Type of cuisine: American, Steakhouse- Price: $$$$- Address: 5223 Orient Rd, Tampa, FL 33610-4114- Read more on Tripadvisor
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Personally, we think it's even better than the infamous Bern's. Bonus is that when you're done with your dinner you can have some fun at the live roulette tables at the Seminole Hard Rock Casino. Or head to the Sugar Factory for dessert!
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Council Oak Steaks & Seafood, 5223 Orient Rd., East Lake-Orient Park | Sunday, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. | Located inside the Hard Rock Casino, this spot boasts a carving table, seafood options, and of course, drink specials.
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5223 Orient Rd, Tampa, FL 33610Phone: 813-627-7600 Visit Website. View this post on Instagram. A post shared by Eugenia – Tampa Food Blogger (@geniabemefood)
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