The Tap Room – Hollander Hotel

by South Florida Eats · August 24, 2021

The Tap Room at the Hollander Hotel: 421 4th Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33701

While on a work trip to St. Petersburg, Florida, my colleague and I were trying to figure out where to go for dinner on the night of our arrival. The restaurant at the hotel we were staying at was not open, so the desk clerk mentioned we could walk to the Tap Room at the Hollander Hotel, which was just two blocks away. We figured we might as well try it since not many places were open by the time we got into town.

We had no idea what the menu would be or how crowded the Tap Room would be on a Monday night. To our surprise, they were not overly busy, but several tables were occupied.

The Restaurant:

The Tap Room has both inside and outside seating. Inside is a mix of tables and booths with the bar. You can also sit at the bar if you prefer inside and enjoy lively conversation with the bartender. We decided to sit outside as it was a beautiful night, and we could people watch as the pedestrians strolled by on the sidewalk. Most of the tables were set up for four people, with a few of them made for two people.

There is a very hip vibe to the place, and it seems to be very popular, just like the hotel. The decor of the Tap Room is mostly made from wood and has a very cool feel to it. We were lucky enough to eat here twice – once for lunch and once for dinner. Our servers were amazing, and it never took long to get our meals.

The Food:

For dinner, my colleague Rochelle had the Tap Room’s version of a flatbread. She went with the pepperoni and asked to light sauce. She received four slices that were more like personal pizza slices than an actual flatbread. There are four other types to choose from, or you can make your own with some add-on fees. She was kind enough to share a slice with me, and it was actually delicious. Both of us liked the robustness of the sauce, and the finely chopped pepperoni was nice and crisp. We’d both order it again the next time we are in town.

I had the Hollander Burger for my meal. It’s a 7oz certified Angus beef patty on a brioche bun served with lettuce, tomato, onion, and pickles. You can make it what they call a MacDonnie for $2 more, including shredded lettuce, special sauce, and American cheese. My burger was juicy and cooked exactly how I ordered it. It was one of the best-flavored burgers that I have had in a long time. I opted to get the french fries as my side, which again were cooked perfectly as I like them a little well done, and that is how they make them. The seasoning on them added to the enjoyable taste that I could not get enough of.

The next day, we decided we would go to the Tap Room again, but it would be for lunch this time. Rochelle went with something simple, the Bangkok shrimp. This is normally an appetizer, but she had it for her meal. Seven hand-breaded and fried shrimp are served with a creamy sweet Thai chili sauce on the side. Between the two of us, we polished them off in no time. The Thai sauce had a nice little kick to it, but no so much that it was not enjoyable. You should definitely try them out if you go.

For my lunch, I had the Uptown Cuban sandwich. It features pulled pork, smoked ham, swiss cheese, pickles, and creamy mustard on pressed Cuban bread baked fresh in Ybor City. Again I added the french fries as I am a fry addict. The sandwich burst with flavor created by the combination of meats, cheese, and mustard. It is another meal that I would have again when I visit next.