Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa is proud to announce the Wine Spectator’s 2024 Restaurant Awards for its exceptional wine program. This prestigious award acknowledges the finest restaurants worldwide for their wine selection.

Council Oak Steaks & Seafood has won the Best of Award of Excellence. As the resort’s sophisticated American steakhouse, Council Oak offers over 600 wines from more than a dozen countries with an extensive by-the-glass, half-bottle and large format selection. The Council Oak wine list represents numerous varietals and regions that features Napa Valley classics, award-winning Champagne and First-Growth Bordeaux wines. Council Oak’s bar offers well-known brands alongside an exclusive list of high-end spirits.

Best of Award of Excellence recipients display excellent breadth across multiple winegrowing regions and/or significant vertical depth of top producers, along with the superior presentation.

Cipresso, Seminole Hard Rock Tampa’s Italian American restaurant, won the Award of Excellence, for its collection of 400 wines from various regions in seven countries.

The Rez Grill also won the Award of Excellence for its 120 wines from various regions in eight countries at this American grill with a southern soul.

The Award of Excellence recognizes restaurants whose wine lists feature a well-chosen assortment of quality producers along with a thematic match to the menu in both price and style.

“We are honored to have received the Best of Award of Excellence for Council Oak and Awards of Excellence for Cipresso and The Rez Grill,” said James Manuel, Director of Food & Beverage for Seminole Hard Rock Tampa. “We strive to provide quality wine selections and dining options for all guests to enjoy.”  

Restaurant hours at Council Oak Steaks and Seafood include Signature Brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sunday dinner from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Monday through Thursday dinner from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday dinner from 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Additional Lounge hours include Friday and Saturday from noon to 1 a.m. For reservations to Council Oak Steaks and Seafood visit at hardrock.com/tampa/council-oak or call 813-627-7600.

Restaurant and bar hours at Cipresso include Sunday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. For reservations to Cipresso visit hardrock.com/tampa/cipresso or call 813-627-8130.

Restaurant and bar hours at The Rez Grill include Thursday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday from 4 p.m. to midnight and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. For reservations to The Rez Grill visit hardrock.com/tampa/the-rez-grill or call 813-627-8120. Closed Monday through Wednesday.

Launched in 1981, the Restaurant Awards represent the world’s only program focused exclusively on restaurant wine service. They are assigned on three levels: the Award of Excellence, the Best of Award of Excellence and the Grand Award, with 2,150; 1,531; and 96 winners this year in each respective category.

Wine Spectator’s special Restaurant Awards issue became available to readers July 9.