top of page

Lilac: Where Tampa Dines in Velvet and Gold

  • Kapri Soprano
  • Aug 10
  • 2 min read

Updated: Aug 12

In the heart of Tampa, Lilac pairs Michelin-starred finesse with a lush, art-deco-meets-urban-forest setting, creating a dining experience that is as opulent to the eyes as it is to the palate.


Lilac in Tampa Bay
Lilac in Tampa Bay

Tucked into the verdant lobby of The Tampa EDITION, Lilac is more than just a restaurant, it’s a sensorial daydream, a verdant fantasy where Art Deco glamour meets a modern Florida forest. From its sweeping emerald-green velvet banquettes to the rich walnut floors and soft globe lighting, Lilac’s ambiance sets the scene for an unforgettable Michelin-starred dining experience.


At the helm is Chef John Fraser, whose European training and Greek heritage converge to create a Mediterranean cuisine that is at once elevated and approachable. Since opening in 2022 within Tampa’s first Forbes Five-Star hotel, Lilac quickly earned one of the city’s first Michelin stars, an extraordinary achievement in under a year.


Chef Fraser’s vision is rooted in seasonal, locally sourced ingredients, boldly Mediterranean but deeply Floridian. His creations, whether offered as an eight-course tasting menu or a newly added à la carte option, blend vibrant, vegetable-forward sensibility with the rich coastal flavors of Tampa Bay.






A Feast for Every Sense


The culinary journey begins with shared hors d’oeuvres—delicate Maine lobster feuillantine under smoke, poultry mousse piped onto almond croissants with port gelée, or a gooseberry tartlette with tarragon warmth. Followed by show-stopping entrées: rosemary-smoked diver scallops under cloches, spice-braised rabbit in semolina halos, Dover sole bathed in brown butter, or Colorado lamb with herbed crusts. Seasonal sea treasures like Ora King salmon or scamp grouper are brilliantly reimagined with local coast flavors.


Champagne and Caviar: Tableside Theater


More than food, Lilac offers theatrical dining. A Champagne cocktail cart glides through the dining room, crafting bespoke bubbly drinks tableside, sometimes shimmering with real gold flakes. For those seeking opulence with texture, the caviar service arrives as Osetra pearls crowned atop sun-dried tomato cream and spinach, paired with warm duck-fat tater tots, a luxurious spin on Tampa-style indulgence.


Why It Captures the Palm Coast of Elegance


  • Culinary excellence grounded in heritage: Greek, Turkish, Mediterranean—all with a Tampa Bay twist.

  • Sensory decor that blends nature and sophistication: lush, artful, unforgettable.

  • Service as narrative: personalized, polished, and genuinely warm part of the Michelin distinction.

  • Versatility of experience: choose a curated tasting odyssey or create your own exploration à la carte.


Why You Must Dine Here


Lilac is Tampa’s edible masterpiece: a place where food and decor converge into art. It’s where cocktails are theater, the cuisine is poetry, and every element, from plates to plush seats, is meticulously crafted to elevate. For anyone seeking a dining experience infused with grace, boldness, and heart this is your sanctuary.

Let Lilac transport you into a dream that tastes as stunning as its setting.


When you step into Lilac, you don’t just dine, you arrive at an experience. A modern-day Eden where the Mediterranean meets Tampa, and artistry unfolds at every forkful.

Get a Taste of Tampa —Right in Your Inbox

© 2025 by PrentisHill Powered and secured by St.AnnsBae

Follow

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram

Contact BATB

Get in touch so we can start working together.

bottom of page