Rumba Island Bar & Grill Menu

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  • Al E.

    New to the area and decided to try this place out as the place next door was packed. Sat on the patio which was nice. Live music. Not too hot. Two for one drink specials until 7:00. Ordered the sangria. Kind of small with too much ice so now I see why they were two for one. Menu is interesting without being overwhelming. Food is good but the sides are small. Service is good. All in all a nice place. We'll be back.

    (4)
  • Andrea B.

    I LOVE LOVE LOVE Rumba!!! This place has the kindest waitstaff. Yesterday, Nik waited on our large party and was such a sweetheart. She serviced our table with effortless elegance, patience and attentiveness. I always order the Jamaican jerk chicken with sweet potatoes and Jamaican greens! To die for - the jerk salmon is a 10/10 too!!

    (5)
  • Princess G.

    I'm mostly giving the fifth star because our waiter, Alejandro, gave perfect service. He was attentive, yet not overbearing, checking on us quietly so as to not interrupt us mid-chew. He also took his time to explain how certain dishes were cooked, since it was our first time there and we had questions. The atmosphere is casual and islandesque, almost making you forget that you are in the middle of a shopping strip mall on Tampa Rd. And they have a variation of seating arrangements to accommodate any party size. The food was amazing, especially for the price. For $40, we got a kid's meal, two entrees and two drinks. See my profile for pictures and descriptions. Amazing all the way around.

    (5)
  • Mike M.

    Montego Bay Half Chicken, $9.99 and too much food = yay Comes with the excellent cranberry cornbread stuffing Jamacian greens are a must Service is always top-notch Sometimes warm inside Don't sit in front of the band

    (4)
  • Landee F.

    Yummy restaurant that's all opened up to the outside. The staff is very friendly and they have a lot of 2 for 1 drink specials that go on all day long!!! My server was very nice and helpful for picking a dish. They have some good specials too. My favorite is the hog fish...very tasty. The food was not my favorite...but good for the $. The restaurant has a very beachy vibe for not being on the beach, and is often packed on the weekend with awesome live music! Overall, I recommend stopping by!

    (3)
  • Shannan T.

    This is a cool island restaurant. It kind of reminds me of Tommy Bahama casual. Seems to attract the older upper-class at the bar. The service is typically pretty good and consistent. They start you off with jalapeno mini corn muffins. They are good and must you have kids with you and they don't like anything spicy. They usually have pretty good specials and their meals are quite good for the price point. The rice bowls with choice of meat are a good option and seem to be a crowdpleaser. You get rice veggies and meat for $13 or less. On the nights we have been there they have had a live one-man band playing cool island the music or classic tunes. Some people, if inclined, get up and dance around where they play. All in all a good choice for dinner whether it be week day or week night. Although warning if you go on a week day it will most likely feel like it's the weekend LOL

    (4)
  • Rob L.

    My portable person and I had dinner at Rumba and it was really good. Food, (grilled chicken with salad, coconut rice, grilled veg and kids rib with garlic mashed potatoes) was nice, service was prompt and solid. Only negative was dirty silverware, but it was corrected quickly with an apology. Nice outdoor seating, live singer and a warm breeze before the early summer rain moved us out. Well within expectations. I'd go back without hesitation.

    (4)
  • Anthony C.

    What an absolutely awesome experience again and again we are having here. Fathers Day and my wife's birthday dinner was very special as our server Holly took care of remembering my wife's birthday even with all of the Fathers Day celebrations going on. My dinner was the Pineapple Chicken with greens and garlic mashed potatoes was made to perfection. My wife had the Herb crusted Mahi with rice and vegetables which she ate so fast she got the hiccups. When a place is this good you deserve a 5 star rating. We'll be back again for sure!

    (5)
  • James K.

    Our server was great, we were seated right away. Drinks were delivered prompt and were good. It was nice that the manager did a table touch to make sure our experience was going well... Now, here's where the ball was dropped. Ticket times in the kitchen were unacceptable. We waited close to an hour for food. Then when the food was finally delivered the plate drop was abrupt and abrasive. The food was delicious. Management should put additional focus on connecting the great FOH experience that was delivered to the BOH team. The kitchen either has poor leadership or they don't have adequate resources during peak hours.

    (3)
  • Jay R.

    Only vacationing in the area and not sure where to go but wanting to find a place to have a late afternoon snack or was it a pre-dinner appetizer I am not sure.What ever the case we saw Rumba as we speeded by and decided the pirate on the sign was reason enough to hang a U-turn and see what kind of grub and grog they offered. It was worth breaking the law and hanging that U-turn because the grub and grog were both excellent. Rumba has a list of drinks that are always on special we started with the 2 for 1 margaritas at only $5.50 a steal anywhere. They where not only tasty they had a nice kick to them. There is a few more drinks I can't recall on the same list but nice to have a few to choose from. What a great deal and served all the time. We then ordered coconut shrimp and calamari both cooked perfect crunchy. The coconut shrimp where awesome a lot of coconut flavor flavor big and tasty could of ate a shrimp boat full of these. The calamari was as good as I have had fresh, good taste and excellent dipping sauce. If this is a indication of how the rest of the food is that is great news for the locals. We ate outside I love the outdoor seating covered out of sun like a living room lots of seats and a nice bar I could hang out here for a while. Our waitress was very nice and took care of us well. Good overall experience great food service and drinks.

    (5)
  • Stacy J.

    Ordered over the phone twice. Once at lunch and once for dinner. the first time the food was great and I was very pleased. They listened to my food sensitivities and made everything just to order. When I went to pick it up at the bar, the girl behind the bar outside acted like I was putting her out by picking up my order and didn't even thank me after I paid and left her a tip. The second time I ordered the waiter was very professional over the phone and was VERY friendly when I picked it up but when I got it back to work it was burned. The salmon was so dry and there were burned grill marks that made the fish almost completely unedible from the dryness and the burned parts. First time food good...service meh Second time service good...food meh

    (2)
  • Scaramouche R.

    Average. Just average. I really wanted to like this place and I was very excited to come tonight. The wife and I ordered fried green tomatoes and calamari to start. It took them 40 minutes to fill that particular part of the order. The tomatoes were pretty good but the calamari was salty. She then ordered the coconut crusted mahi (which she liked) and I ordered the Reef N Beef. My mahi was bland at best. The steak was ok but well done which also meant it was a bit dry. The wait staff was friendly and that helped us deal with our very long wait time for food. We settled our bill as soon as we finished eating and then realized that we had spent 2 1/2 hours in there. Bland food. Long wait time. I know I can do better. Come on Tampa! There's got to be a good fish place around here somewhere!

    (2)
  • Kelleigh M.

    Great little gem in Oldsmar, and a great place to hang out if you're a cougar or looking for a cougar. We met some friends for drinks and dinner and ended up sitting at a high top in the bar for almost 4 hours. It was a great place to people watch and to get some cocktails. In the span of 4 hours, we saw a group of cougars, only to be replaced by a group of pumas. We saw an older man in a full suit who was making his rounds at the bar, kissing babies and shaking hands. I felt like he potentially was the mayor of Oldsmar. All that aside, the food is very well priced and good. We had a grouper cake ($7) and shrimp quesadillas (also $7) for an appetizer. We ordered the shrimp bowl, cheeseburger, catfish sandwich and a Cuban. All were great and a wonderful value. The only thing that made it a little less enjoyable was the fact that the mango chutney on the shrimp rice bowl was drowning my shrimp. It was way too much and way too sweet. If they would have laid off the sauce a bit it would have been perfect. 4 hours and several rounds of drinks later, our tab for the 2 of us was $70. A steal!

    (3)
  • Gigi S.

    Had to update my review from Four stars to Two due to absolute embarrassment. Loved this place, so suggested my boss and coworkers have a team lunch from there. Everyone on the team complained about portion size and went to the in-house cafeteria and ordered additional cups of hummus and stuff. They all knew I raved about the place and recommended it, so I'm going to go crawl under a rock now.

    (2)
  • Dianna B.

    I came here because I'd never been. I'd been when it was a different place, and I'd liked it, so I decided to treat myself to a nice dinner. I was seated in a nice little booth that was tucked up against the wall, this gave me a chance to look around and look at the decor. Much of it was lovely, with bamboo lighting and great paintings. It set the mood for a lovely island feel. My Waiter, Fred, was very attentive, he'd not worked there very long,and answered honestly when I asked him what he'd tried on the menu. He gave me suggestions and I listened carefully, and went with NONE of them. I ordered the Fried Green Tomatoes as a starter, they came with jerk Aioli, when they were delivered, they were crispy and hot, the flavour was delicious! I ordered the steak as my main, and I have to admit I wasn't too thrilled with the seasoning they put on the meat or the veg. The redskin garlic potatoes were dry. This was my least favorite part of the meal. I was offered dessert and I chose to order the Coconut cake. I wasn't sure what I was expecting, but I'm GLAD I ordered it. The cake itself was delivered with 2 scoops of vanilla icecream and a HUGE round of coconut cake smothered in toasted coconut. It was like heaven. I couldn't eat it all! The ice cream though, it was icy .. not creamy. That was kind of meh, but the CAKE.. omg.. the cake! So good. I did tell the waiter about the ice cream, just so it could be corrected for the next patron, I wasn't going to eat that anyway. Overall, it was a good visit!

    (4)
  • Bob L.

    Normally everrything is perfect here, today not everything. I ordered a Hogfish sandwich as the waitress had explained it had 7 oz. of fish for 13.99 vs. 6 oz. for $16.99 on the dinner with salad & 2 sides.. Being all about the fish I went with the sandwich. Sandwich came with 2 pieces of fried fish about the size of a White Castle hamburger. Never complained but didn't seem at all like Frank Chivas kind of meal What to do?.

    (3)
  • Cat G.

    I enjoyed my experience here. I ordered the jerk grilled chicken with coconut rice and sautéed vegetables. The chicken & vegetables were amazing. The rice was ok, nothing special. My meal came with their muffins & a fiesta salad. I don't really care for cornbread, so I didn't really like the muffins (my brother, who was dining with me, loved them tho, so don't go by me). The salad was pretty good, definitely fresh. Service was fast & friendly. Will absolutely go back.

    (4)
  • Katie M.

    The food was amazing and there were a wide variety of choices. I had the fried green tomatoes, house salad and the pineapple chicken. I was a little nervous about the tomatoes as they were a lot thicker than I am used to be they were still amazing and a good texture. The salad and chicken had the perfect amount of tropical sweetness and added flavor. The cornbread muffins were also quite delicious. It is a pretty open restaurant and with the summer coming it was pretty hot, but I am not sure if it was because I was seated by the kitchen or the weather.

    (4)
  • Marilyn K.

    I took a friend from Canada there for lunch recently and we both had a great meal for a very reasonable price. I recommend it for just about anything. Nice atmosphere and great Caribbean food!

    (5)
  • Vanessa T.

    I sometimes think my boyfriend is a spokesperson for this place because he ALWAYS wants to go here. I'd say he mentions it at least once a week. It was decent the first time, but I'm not usually the type to return to a restaurant I like (but don't love) repeatedly. Well, well, well... Rumba, somehow you've won me over. I hate that I'm publicizing this for fear they'll end up running out the next time I go, but you MUST get the coconut-crusted Mahi. It's quite possibly the best fish dinner I've had at a restaurant (not counting the grouper at Frenchy's, of course). Everything is so unique about this bay area based chain. Whether you're eating the house salad that comes with crumbled plantain chips and freshly chopped mango or one of unique sides (like stuffing, or coconut rice) you're going to find a reason to come back. Note, while this is a seafood joint, my boyfriend is OBSESSED with their island-style pulled pork. He practically licks the plate. For those that often skip the 'bread basket,' don't miss out on the addictive corn muffins. Try this place on for size and if it doesn't get you the first time, try again.

    (5)
  • D'Anna R.

    Never dissapointed in the food here. The Bowls, Burgers, Wings & Seafood are all Legit. Solid Spot for a Good Meal.

    (4)
  • Jim C.

    VIBE: New, modern, island feel, stone floors, beach art on walls, indoor, outdoor dining. Large bar with TVs, 1/2 of bar is inside & the other side is open to outdoor seating area. Same owners as Marlin Darlin, Island Way Grill, Salt Rock, etc. ORDER THE: We visited at lunch an had unbelievable value meal. I had Filet Mignon K-Bob with 2 sides for $7.99 which included two sides - 9 to chose from. I chose Jamaican Greens (collard greens) and Braised Cabbage, very good. My wife had onion crusted salmon with sides of mashed sweet potatoes and Caribbean black beans. Go for early menu (11:30 am to 5:45 pm) and get same meal as in evening for greatly reduced price. ,

    (4)
  • Dana B.

    The Food, Live Music & Environment were All Excellent! It was a beautiful evening to eat outside. My husband had the special which was the hog fish (AWESOME) and I had the filet Mignon (Also AWESOME).

    (5)
  • Meagan F.

    Slow service. Food is ok. The pulled pork was pretty tasty. The service wasn't good. The waiter seemed rushed and wasn't too friendly. I wouldn't come back.

    (2)
  • Ken K.

    Wasn't expecting to eat here but was presently surprised. Prices were reasonable too. I had Mahi Mahi sandwich and it was great. Others in my group had the Grouper and loved it. The Crab Mac n Cheese was also amazing.

    (4)
  • Dave K.

    Rumba on Hillsborough is always very consistent and food is always hot and fresh. Only had a couple of issues with Salmon, but they took care of it. Menu has a lot of choices w/o being overwhelming. Service at the bar is always good - Joey, Kelly, Lyndsey and Heather - always take care of us. Now the downside - Don't know that I would sit inside the restaurant. Had some lousy servers and it seems they have some turnover with waiters, but there are few good ones if your lucky.

    (4)
  • Mike J.

    If only Yelp allowed for a half star I would award it for the muffins that start out the meal. The good review ends there. The drink glasses are too small for water and soda, that's ok if you have a server that pays attention, but that's not ok if you eat half your meal thirsty and the other half with 4 empty glasses beside your plate. The food was mediocre, certain food items were never delivered to the table, and the fries were soggy and mushy. I do give credit, management was very nice and attentitive, but in my opinion it takes more than being nice to run a successful restuarant. The waitress never apologized and 4 empty glasses and several dirty plates sat there after getting management's attention for at least 10 minutes before we decided to leave. The owner should consider some immediate improvement or shut down this restaurant and move Sal the manager along with the muffin man over to Salt Rock right next door and focus on running one restaurant correctly before he loses customers to them all. We won't be going back, I hope we were an exception. We eat out at least once a week and this has to be the worst experience in years, enough to learn yelp has a review system to hopefully get the owners attention.

    (1)
  • Dana S.

    This place is just okay to me. I like the restaurant on gulf to bay better. The food was just okay. Nothing special at all to me. I got the rumba trio with ribs, jerk wings and fried shrimp and the fried shrimp was under cooked and the ribs were overcooked. The wings I didn't even eat, i just gave it to my boyfriend. The sauce on the ribs were good. The side of veggies I had was undercooked and bland. The carrots were so hard, and the side salad they gave me was super cold, like it's been in a fridge for awhile. Was not really a fan. If I want Rumba I'll try the other location instead.

    (2)
  • Tiffany W.

    Love this place! Great atmosphere , great drinks, and great food! I usually get the half chicken with their amazing coleslaw and corn puddin!!! Yumm! The food here has a lot of flavor!!

    (5)
  • Daniel K.

    We were in the area for a wedding, needed to have lunch and Rumba was recommended by "locals". GOOD RECOMMENDATION.very good food (pulled pork w/ black beans and rice, and chicken w/ lemon chutney sauce) Nice venue all open to the patio knowledgeable and efficient young servers. If we lived here we'd be back many times !!

    (4)
  • Kelly L.

    Excellent food and excellent service. If you can get there before 5:45, they have a great happy hour. Two for one margaritas and a great early bird menu. All time fav is the lobster mac-and-cheese. They have delicious ribs too. Order extra BBQ sauce if that's your choice, they are a little stingy with the sauce. Also, the jalapeño cornbread muffins are super yummy. Ask for the apple cinnamon butter as well. They don't bring the butter out with the muffins, so be sure to ask!

    (5)
  • Josephine W.

    What can I say the food was scrumptious.The service phenomenonal. Patrick our server was very tentative.We did not want for anything. My drink was always full and the outside area was perfect for such a lovely evening.

    (5)
  • Angie S.

    Back at Rumba's 4/17/15 with 5 friends. LOVE this place, the food never disappoints, the service is spot on and the experience was enjoyable. Don't ever pass up the opportunity to go here, you'll be a regular after your first visit.

    (4)
  • Bill Z.

    Best word to describe this place: mediocre! From the service to the decor, to the food... Everything about this place was just mediocre. I had the onion encrusted salmon and it tasted super fishy, no flavor. The island cole slaw tasted only like the cilantro they put in it and the raspberry corn bread stuffing was bland. I have no idea what these other reviews are talking about. I could've had better seafood at Applebee's or Waffle House. I do not recommend this place. I gave it 2 stars because the drinks are cheap.

    (2)
  • Mary Beth W.

    LOVEEE this place! The food is always good, and the atmosphere is live! Everyone always seems to be enjoying themselves there! I have been quite a few times to this location and Oldsmar and the Rumba Salad with Jerk Chicken is consistently good in both locations. Also, ventured outta my comfort zone and had the Rumba Burger - EXCELLANT!

    (5)
  • Rachel M.

    I had a fabulous day today starting my day off at Island Earth Days at Honeymoon Island, and following this we were looking for a nice restaurant that was not pricey, was fun, and had a great variety. We did not want to go to our fall back place that we always go to that we still love very much BD's Mongolian BBQ, soooooooo YELP came to the rescue..... We found Rumba in a nice pretty brand new plaza. It called my name especially for it's comfy outside pet friendly patio. It's bar was a pretty nifty, inside outside bar, and what I found to be fascinating, I know sounds weird, but women would love it....They had hooks under the bar to hang your purse. How nice and accomodating for us. Guys, don't be jealous, ok. The menu had all kinds of stuff for any type of palate, and the coolest thing about it was we were there for the early bird specials which were from 11:30-5:45. It was a lot of the regular menu on this menu for about $5-7 cheaper. Everything was mostly under $10. How great is that?!!!!! What you would love even more was the buy 2 for 1 drinks. My sangrias were soooooooooo good, first time I felt buzzed in forever, bc usually I don't drink bc I don't want to spend the money for it. The first nice surprise was cute little corn bread muffins, about 5 of them, had sweet taste and a very slight taste of jalapeno. No spicy whatsoever!!! Very Yummy! Our food came shortly after. Hubby had the chicken with the pineapply chutney with coconut rice, and mashed potatoes. I had the mahi with the blue crab stuffing with holandaise, sweet mashed potatoes, and sauteed veggies. I must say NO COMPLAINTS!!!!! :-) We followed that up with a coconut cream cake with vanilla ice cream. Oh My Heaven, we have found it. Our waiter was very knowledgeable, but at times he was MIA. One of the bus boys was very very helpful so I give him props for going out of his duty and helping us. We definitely will come back here. We wish that we had our puppy with us but he was at home. He will love it too, and so will you!!

    (5)
  • Grneyedmnst R.

    Great oldies music outside, awesome waitstaff, the food was very good and you get a lot for the price. Would definitely go back.

    (5)
  • Miranda B.

    The food here so so awesome! Service was great. Our waitress left us alone yet was always around when we needed a refill or had a question. The atmosphere was awesome and the place was very clean. They have the best coconut shrimp I've ever had! I never write reviews for anything but this restaurant impressed me so much that I felt the need to give them an awesome review. Will totally be back!

    (5)
  • Mark H.

    Excellent food and service. I've been here twice, and I've been pleased thus far. The pulled pork BBQ sandwich with mango BBQ sauce is excellent, and the grilled meatloaf is to die for. If you like meatloaf as much as I do, then you know how hard it is to find a place that serves it up properly. In my opinion, this might be the best meatloaf I've ever eaten. Also, the appetizers are simply amazing. I always thought that The Conch House over in St. Augustine has this recipe on hemlock, but they have some serious competition at Rumba. In fact, I'd say that Rumba's are better. But don't sleep on the jerky wings appetizer because you like conch fritters. You absolutely have to try these wings. As for desserts, I like the key lime pie a lot, but last night my bro ordered a rum cake and all I can say is "wow." Prices are moderate ($80 for 4 adults, 2 appetizers, 2 desserts, no alcohol) and the staff is fast and friendly. I will definitely be back for a 3rd visit soon.

    (4)
  • Ming Z.

    I have been eating at Rumba twice now and I am very pleased of their service and food quality. Both time we were seated immediately and drinks were served shortly afterward. Staffs are well trained. They are efficient, professional and friendly. We met their manager and he watches over all customers. Food quality is surprisingly good. Instead of common Floridan greasy deep-fried food, Rumba goes island fusion. Eye-pleasing presentation definitely boost my appetite. Dishes like Tuna Nacho, drunken shrimp, oyster Bienville serves the purpose of been creative and clever. There are plenty Caribbean dishes to choose such as Jerk, Rasta Pasta. It is a good alternative if you are tired of accustom food. Price is very reasonable. It is almost too cheap consider the good food restaurant serves. The restaurant has great layout at both indoor and outdoor for all groups . I especially like their bar area, a great place for people watching. Most guests are young and properly dressed. Thanks God I smell Chanel again. I am so glad Rumba choose one of their locations at our Oldsmar, the city with population of 18591. It is such a refreshing Caribbean breeze over this retirement island.

    (4)
  • Glenn H.

    Was very disappointed. Servers and staff were great but they were out of food on a Thursday night. Did not have soup, calamari, steak, some fish, etc, etc. Ate outside and they allowed a couple to bring their dog who barked extremely loud and tried to bite every kid that walked by. Food was not all that. The entertainer was good. Overall i would not recommend a place that doesn't keep enough food in stock on a weekday.

    (2)
  • B M.

    Super yummy, super fun, super way to spend the day! We've been going for the past couple months. The drinks are delicious, and the food tasty....always dependable. Busy at lunch and dinner time and drink specials just rock.

    (4)
  • Kelly K.

    Decided this would be the ideal lounging place for a low key lunch. I met me buddy at the outside bar which for those of us that will brave the outside in the middle of summer can appreciate such venues with air-conditioning outdoors. We had a lovely bartender, Christy who was very attentive. Between the company, the beer and the baseball game we kicked back a few drinks and before we knew it, it was 2:30. They have a wonderful menu with something for everyone. We went with the Tuna nachos and crab mac'n'cheese. Both were great, didn't blow me away but I would order again. We decided to leave about 5:00 shortly after the bartender switch, all of which were helpful and never left my glass empty. This was my first time at the Oldsmar location, and I approve! Besides being so close to a main road I have no qualms and will be back again.

    (4)
  • Chuck R.

    Very good food and very reasonable prices. We had lunch here on 8/16 and it wasn't too busy. The waitstaff was very friendly. Will definitely be back to try other items on the menu. (P.S. their coconut rice is yummy!)

    (4)
  • Benn D.

    Food is pretty good but small portions for what the price is.

    (3)
  • Jessica J.

    As soon as you walk in the front door, you are welcomed with delicious spicy flavor molecules floating in the air. This place makes me grateful for the long ride to visit family in Oldsmar. Everything we ate and drank was delicious. And the service was impeccable.. friendly, timely, and knowledgeable. Our server seemed to be busting his ass but when he was at our table, we always had his full attention. We started with the drunken shrimp - quite large pieces in a slightly spicy flavorful sauce. Perfect for sharing. I had the coconut encrusted mahi mahi. I'm not a big fan of breading but it was worth it for this fish... WOW!! It didn't even taste like fish at all. It was so moist, almost like a tender piece of chicken. And came with two delicious dipping sauces. I love that you get to pick two sides with your entree. Though the coconut rice was not so impressive - I've had better in Thai restaurants. Others in my party had the soft shell crab - spicy and yummy, and the rumba trio - an excellent sampler of a few different meat/seafood types. Drinks - YUM!! They have great 2 for 1 deals on margaritas, sangria, and others ALL THE TIME. I went with the Painkiller cocktail which is great if you like something a little creamy, courtesy of the pina colada mix. With a sprinkle of nutmeg on top, this tropical drink really satisfied my "it's almost Thanksgiving" taste buds. Mango mojito - according to my dining partner this is one of the best!

    (4)
  • Kristin W.

    The atmosphere is great. The drinks are cheap. The food is good. It's a weekly staple for me. The live music isn't fantastic, but it's enjoyable. Entertaining to say the least! I love the outdoor patio and bar area. The kabob deals are great. Last week I ordered the filet and shrimp kabob and it was full of flavor and cooked exactly how I like it. The salads are small. It's a shame too because they're really good. The little biscuits they give you before your meal are good too. It's always nice when a restaurant gives you something for nothing. Recommended for happy hour, relaxed date night, a good hang out place with friends. Kid-friendly.

    (4)
  • Jenny C.

    My party of four ate at Rumba Island Bar and Grill on a Saturday night. We chose to eat outside under the umbrellas because the weather was perfect. We were also a little nervous about trying the place because we arrived 30 minutes from their 11 closing. We had no need to fear! Our server was too-notch, and he kept our drinks filled constantly. We ordered starters of fries and fried onion strings. Both were delicious, the onions especially so (thin, crispy and well seasoned). We tried the pineapple rum chicken (elevated by the coconut rice side), the island seafood platter (the coconut prawns were exceptional), and the seafood laffite (decadent, creamy, and chock-full of yummy seafood!). The service was impeccable from beginning to end, even though we were late. The live music was fun, and the atmosphere was island-relaxed and delightful.

    (5)
  • Fiona N.

    Nice outdoor seating area. Went July 5th, so still a little hot. Shared fries green tomatoes and coconut shrimp - both very good. Good service, pleasant staff.

    (3)
  • Jan G.

    Jan Gallant from Magic Eye Communications Shares Happy Hour at Rumba Island Grille with Catherine Duncan Upon returning from a trip to NJ, Catherine and I had a desire for sangria and a bite at Rumba Island Grille in Oldsmar, Florida. It's definitely one of my favorite places and it's so close to home. The restaurant has an inside/outside open bar with tables and umbrellas on the patio. And their menu is really fabulous. The food is French/Carribbean and there are so many dishes that I love here. But the coconut rice dishes with shrimp, and spicy meatloaf sandwiches are outstanding. The mini deep-fried onion rings are a real tasty treat. They have several fish entrees that are so delicious that I never know which one to order. I love them all. Their sangria is so sweet and fruity, and has a secret ingredient that gives it a special flavor that I just love. I do know what the secret ingredient is, but I'll never tell! Everyone gets a sampling of their wonderful miniature corn muffins that have something spicy in them, that's different every day. They're addictive...you can't just eat one. We ordered the chicken quesadilla, that's filled with different cheeses, veggies, and marinated chicken, served with a chipotle sauce. Yes, very yummy.

    (4)
  • Maren A.

    Great atmosphere! I felt like I was on vacation with the open air feel and live music. Service was a little slow and food was OK, which is the reason for only 3 stars.

    (3)
  • Tam H.

    Disappointed , got the mahi sandwich , the bun was white and doughy , took it off , the fish was tasty but not much of it . The cole slaw was ruined by the sweet crunchy bits they put on top . :( And the waitress forgot my wine until my hubby reminded her. Did get it free .

    (1)
  • Pat K.

    Years later, I still love this place. Due to travel we haven't been up here lately. We walk in and immediately the Bartender ask if we wanted or usual drink. It's been months. Very impressive!

    (5)
  • Justin R.

    Grabbed a seat at the outside bar and was immediately greeted. Great decor, especially for being in a plaza. 2 for 1 drinks and possibly the best coconut shrimp I've ever had! Crab mac and cheese and garlic mashed were good as sides. Service was attentive, both bartenders took care of my every need. Will return, without a doubt.

    (4)
  • Erik S.

    This place is not that good. I'll be a bit honest and say I was on a smaller price budget so I ordered the mussels as an appetizer splitting it on checks and the Rumba Melt for my bill. Appetizer never came. Server showed up four times at our table. First, for the complementary JIFFY muffins, second to drop off the food, third to ask and fourth to pick up the check. All of this was done in such slow fashion. We were finished with our meals and waited over 20 minutes before the server came to check on us and to give us us the check. The server did not ask whether we want to do dessert, which is usually unheard of. We had to ask for dessert. I will say the burger was good because it was grilled as oppose to it being cooked on a flat top. What restaurant does not offer a side with their burger? Rumba Island Grill! They force you to have coleslaw!! I hate coleslaw with a burger!! Slaw is excellent with barbecue!! For dessert, we ordered the rum cake. I am a huge fan of a good rum cake. Rum cake in most restaurants are hard to come by. I had to buy the cake to see how it tastes. That was one purchase I royally regret. It tasted like a grocery store cake with two cups of strong rum poured over it. It was atrocious. Also, the band outside sounded like karaoke. The building, and the ambiance is actually really pretty good. If you're going there to only get drinks, you will get a good happy hour but if you're going there to eat, I recommend anything else.

    (2)
  • Joe T.

    My third lunch visit to Rumba Island, and I'm still very happy with the food and service. Angelina is an excellent server who made some great recommendations about the food. The shrimp rice bowl was tasty, as was the lobster bisque. One of my new favorite restaurants!

    (5)
  • Jamie G.

    I stopped in to Rumba a couple weekends ago with some girlfriends for a late night snack. From the second we walked in, I was impressed with the casual yet fun atmosphere. The service was friendly and

    (5)
  • Matthew G.

    I had never heard of Rumba before, then someone gave me a $100 gift certificate. So our family decided to get the early-bird specials and try a bunch of different things. We bought the chicken, crispy onions, Jamaican greens, and some coconut rice and was happy about every single thing we ordered. Every item on the menu is always a different flavor. Roasted, sweet, spicy, citrus, these are all different flavors you'll experience during your meal at Rumba Island Bar & Grill. I'll surely recommend to friends and family that come down to visit.

    (5)
  • Kara C.

    We decided to go here our first night in Florida ! Glad we did . The food was great. Service was a little slow but we came right at 5 which was the early bird special. But otherwise we loved the food . My boyfriend ordered chicken and rib platter with crab cakes . I ordered the Mahi Mahi trio platter with fried shrimp and coconut shrimp. Everything was great.

    (4)
  • Derek S.

    This place has cheap drink prices and a cool bar setup. We went on a Tuesday night and there was no wait. They have a great happy hour and the food prices are very reasonable. We had the salmon croquettes and the coconut crusted grouper. Both came with 2 sides and a small salad. There was plenty of food and we both had left overs for lunch. Check this place out.

    (4)
  • Nichole C.

    I love Rumba's! I've eaten here once and had the filet mignon k-bobs; they were so good. They came with your choice of two sides (the fiesta side salad and coconut rice) and mini corn muffins. The corn muffins weren't anything spectacular but the meal was amazing! I've been to their bar several times, however. They have great drink specials and prices. You can get 2 for 1 margaritas, sangria and their house "libation" cocktail (too sweet for me, personally). A mug of domestic drafts are $1.49 before 5:45pm and only $2.50 after. A great deal!

    (4)
  • Jeff E.

    Rumba's is one of my favorite new restaurants. The food is great, restaurant and bar area are awesome, and they have some pretty amazing deals. The food is probably the best part of the restaurant. The food can only be described as kind of a new wave Caribbean style. Lots of citrus flavors and mojo seasoning.Also a great selection of fish on the menu. Some of the best items to look out for is the 1/2 chicken with mojo flavoring, the ribs, and any of the fish dishes. This is one of the few restaurants that still gives out free bread, and you will love the little corn muffins they provide. One of my favorite parts of the restaurant is the great indoor/outdoor bar. The bar actually is a giant ellipse, with half of it outside and half of it in. When they have live music playing, its a great area, and really gives off a fun island style feel. One of the greatest things about Rumba is the pricing. One of the first things that will catch your eye is the two for one drink specials all day on well drinks, with two drinks running you 5 dollars normally. They also offer a special rum libation fruit drink that is two for 1 and 5 dollars, and its great. There is an early bird menu that ends at 5:45, has some of their best dishes and the pricing for that can not be beat. Even if you eat at their normal prices, the fresh tasting food is still very affordable. Service has always been good and I have never had any problems with wrong orders or slow food. Over all, its a great restaurant with amazing prices and perfect food. I highly recommend Rumbas

    (5)
  • Lauren C.

    I recently visited Rumba on a saturday night with a few friends. We sat outside where there was a man playing some live music, which was really enjoyable. I ordered the rice bowl, it was very large, probably 2 servings, so great value for the money. They also had decent drink specials on draft beer, sangria and margaritas. I enjoyed the contemporary atmosphere and the service was good. Will probably go back again.

    (3)
  • Eric P.

    To leave it simple... no complaints during my visit here. I am from out of town and was brought here by my father and it was delicious! Prompt service, friendly staff and delicious food. Did I mention The aroma of deliciousness that I encountered when I entered the door. It smelled so good that I couldn't wait to sit and look at the menu. The meatloaf that I had was so tender it just fell apart and had a wonderful flavor. The drunken shrimp appetizer was a nice start. Our waitress stayed on top of our needs which was nice to have. If you haven't been here, you should definitely check it out.

    (5)
  • Timothy H.

    Not our 1st time to Rumba. DEFINITELY not our last. Went there on a Friday night at 6pm...staff was on the money with EVERYTHING!!! Food awesome, Staff awesome. I would recommend!!!

    (5)
  • Nancy E.

    I was surprised how unappealing the appetizers were. We went with 8 others from work. They have 2-4-1 happy hour but the drinks are small. We ordered the mini muffins, they were tasteless, the seared tuna nachos were ok, the fried green tomatos were the best. The worst was this awful smoked crab dip - it sat untouched. Not impressed... Unless I have an incentive to go there are better places to eat.

    (2)
  • Shawna K.

    In my search for great patio's close to East Lake Stopping into Rumba was definitely not a mistake Their open air bar and patio are a beautiful spot to relax and have a drink when the weather's so hot and the smoked chicken wings are the best by far I've even dreamed about them which is a bit bizarre The caribbean themed menu is fun and inspired and the 2 for 1 happy hour Beer is greatly admired So thank you Rumba for helping in my quest I left a full, satisfied, and happy guest!

    (5)
  • Marsha W.

    Fun! Cool! Great drinks! I have been a few times. The food is very good. I've enjoyed what I ordered each time. My hubby and I love the rum cake.

    (4)
  • Darrell H.

    Excellent food! I am a very selective eater and every course was very good. From the 2 for one Rum drinks to the tasty coconut crusted Mahi! I would highly recommend this restaurant! Easily one of the better places to dine in Tampa! Ask for Alejandro!!

    (5)
  • Shauna E.

    The servers are never great here, but never awful either. Food is delicious and perfectly priced. My favorite is consistently the mojo 1/2 chicken which is always perfectly seasoned and moist. Drinks are great, especially their signature libation and it's 2-4-1 all day long. Excellent lunch specials-one can have steak kabobs with chimichurri (a huge portion too!!) for $6.99. All in all an excellent place for a good meal and to wet your whistle! The open air bar is great too, very casual but classy. Bartenders are friendly and make a strong martini! Highly recommend.

    (4)
  • Tiffany A.

    Sub par food in a tacky strip mall atmosphere. I"ve been to Rumba quite a few times for work luncheons. I would not go there by choice. The quality of food is about the same as the large scale chain restaurants and they have no consideration for dietary needs. We have 3 vegetarians, 1 gluten allergy and a low sodium dieter in our group of about 15. The four of them always have to order a bland salad because there are no other options. It seems like in this day and age, they would get with the times & have more options available or be willing to substitute dishes to accommodate diets. I'm not impressed by the food, service or atmosphere.

    (1)
  • Tammie E.

    This was the second time we've gone, and again, the food was sub par at best. Not to mention that the young waitress kept saying "awe-some". We really did not enjoy ourselves and we probably won't be back. I had the coconut shrimp and it was overdone; my husband had the smoked chicken and ribs and though the ribs were good, the chicken was overdone and tasted too smokey. Our friends were not happy with their meals either. And please, don't ask for an appetizer in place of a side-dish. You cannot substitute soup for veggies and a potato!

    (2)
  • Meredith K.

    Great food!!! I'm not rating this based on comparing it to a restaurant run by a Michelin-star chef... But I will say this the quality, taste and presentation of the food FAR exceeds the price point. We love the smoked fish spread as an appetizer and the fried green tomato tower is AWESOME... A good pairing of flavors you wouldn't expect. For dinner this time we had the coconut crusted Mahi and seafood lefite. The Mahi is the standout. The preparation was perfectly on point: coconut crust was crispy and the fish was a perfect flaky medium well. Also their sautéed cabbage is a to die for caribbean treat! Beyond that their sunset menu where most entrees are under $8-10 you can't beat. With consistently excellent service the only downside is the decor... Which is a little busy for my taste. A definite try if you love good food with a little island flavor!!!

    (5)
  • Sandy C.

    As a person allergic to gluten, I didn't see a lot on the menu so I spoke with the Manager it turns out that they do have choices, you just have to ask for the manager. I was so happy! The food was good, drinks were inexpensive and good and it's within walking distance of my house. What's better than that?

    (4)
  • Jason L.

    Food and service was ok. Not sure if we will be back again.

    (2)
  • Billy E.

    Went on a Friday with a group of friends. The serve wasn't shabby but the food was barely average. I did enjoy the outdoor seating but not like you can't find outdoor seating with live music in every Caribbean/Beach style restaurant Tampa Bay.

    (2)
  • Matt H.

    This is the type of place you bring friends to and you have no concerns about them enjoying their experience. Great atmosphere(especially outside), great smells(you can smell the wood burning), great food, great drink specials, and great service. I've been a few times and my favorite meal is the chicken dish with the mango chutney. I know its kind of weird to get excited about mango chutney but theirs is just on point. A lot of mango chutneys at most places are syrupy or too sweet. Lastly....my favorite part is the live music! If you're in the Eastlake/Oldsmar area you gotta check this place out.

    (4)
  • Maddie W.

    My husband & I tried this place on a whim. I am so glad we did! We had fantastic service from start to finish! Excellent drink specials and drink menu. Great atmosphere. The food was excellent and not overpriced. We will definitely return!

    (5)
  • Sandra M.

    I have only been here twice for lunch, but on both occassions, I was pleasantly suprised by the excellent food and service. The early bird menu that they have for lunches and early dinner's has quite a variety to select from. Portions were on the smaller side, but plenty for a business lunch. The atmosphere is very nice and tables spaced out enough that you weren't right on top of each other. Look forward to trying it for dinner when I am in the area!

    (3)
  • D S.

    Prices are reasonable, has a nice atmosphere and mixed crowd. The food we have tried so far has been good each time we have been there.

    (4)
  • Tom W.

    This was the first time there. The bartender suggested great drinks and food. They had some live Island music playing which was fitting with the environment. Prices are great. I'll be back soon

    (5)
  • Rhonda T.

    Awesome food and a great atmosphere!!! I love this place and will definitely be going back! The mac n cheese crab is AWESOME!!! I loved everything about this place!!!

    (5)
  • Jason K.

    The atmosphere is awesome with an indoor / outdoor bar. The service was great and the food was delicious. The Mama Maria's Muffins were great. I had the filet kabos with coconut rice and my wife had the coconut encrusted grouper; both of which were amazing. The also have fantastic desserts. I highly recommend brownie and rum cake,

    (5)
  • Nikki J.

    This restaraunt does EVERYTHING well - service, atmosphere, drinks, food and all with an island flair and phenomenal prices! Let's kick this review off by stating how amazing the hand crafted cocktails were. I had a mango mojito and while I'm always a little reluctant to order mojitos out because quite often they're a terrible mix, this fresh mojito left me wanting more. It wasn't too sweet or overpowering but had just the right amount of rum and fresh pieces of mango. For dinner I had their soft shell crabs and at first I was a little annoyed that they seemed small but with 3 crabs and 2 sides I couldn't even finish my plate and I tried! Crabs had a nice seasoning and were accompanied by a tangy lime aloli which made for a wonderful dipping sauce for the crab. For my 2 sides I had the Jamaican greens (which were very flavorful and not too salty or smoky in flavor) and the coconut rice (rice was cooked perfectly but lacked a little more the coconut flavor I was hoping for). I honestly can't even remember what my other 2 dinner guests had because my meal and drink was so good that's all I wanted to eat. I can't say enough about this little hideaway in Oldsmar. Everything was fresh, great food & cocktail menu variety, and the food was so inexpensive for what you get.

    (5)
  • John S.

    Been here at least 10 times. Food usually good, service is consistently sub par and has gotten worse. If they could get the service up, i'd add 1-2 stars. Get rid of the 3 or 4 tables out front closest to the road. Removing the wall between the bar and dining area was a mistake.

    (2)
  • Steave S.

    I really like this place, it has a good ambiance and I think the one in clearwater is great.

    (3)
  • Anthony O.

    Service is good food has been hit and miss but the wings are great!! they can't cook a burger med-rare for anything but all the fish dishes have been good

    (3)
  • Suzanne O.

    We are big fans of the Salt Rock and Island Way Grill so it's a treat to have Rumba close by. We've been three times now and the food and service was great. We love the jerk wings. We'll keep going back!

    (5)
  • Karen E.

    Rumba is a great restaurant. I love the 2 for 1 drinks. The seafood is always fresh. the only thing they need to improve on is the wait time. It is always a long wait to get your food. I still enjoy going there and would recommend it.

    (4)
  • Kaitlin E.

    I have gone to rumba several times. The staff is always very friendly and the food is outstanding. Also love the great 2-4-1 drink deals!

    (4)
  • Athena L.

    We walked in and it was packed! People waiting everywhere and we never imagined we had to call ahead, not to mention it was 7:45 and we were supposed to meat a group out in Tampa about 8:30 for drinks. We were almost ready to turn around and hit a drive through when the hostess told us there would be about an hour wait for a table. Luckily for us it was one of those FL days where the sun in the afternoon tricks everyone into thinking the evening will be nice but instead a cold front starts coming through and it is windy and a bit too chilly to sit outside in you typical FL attire. So the hostess was able to seat us immediately at a table outside on the patio near the bar. The server was awesome she was attentive but not overbearing. We told her we were in a bit of a hurry and she saved our evening for sure. We were a group of 4 and we ordered drinks (Sangria's are 2 for 1 all day everyday! and 3 domestic beer mugs are only $1.49!) and then dinner pretty quickly. Thanks to other Yelper's one of the guys ordered the meatloaf not to be disappointed, he seriously didn't speak until his plate was cleared and went as far as to say it topped the meatloaf he had at Cafe Alfresco previously (which he had claimed was the best he'd had in his life) so there's something pretty amazing in that meatloaf. The rest of us ordered seafood of some sort all very pleased. I had the coconut prawns which were perfectly crispy, not too sweet and not at all greasy. And I highly recommend ordering extra of Mama Maria's muffins, the ones that come with your dinners just aren't enough they are soooo good, little corn breads with scotch bonnet peppers in them, mmmmm! The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is because they have live music on Fri & Sat nights and at some moments it just sounded like very loud Karaoke instead of a professional band. But ultimately you can't blame the restaurant entirely for anything but the level of sound. We will be going back soon.

    (4)
  • Mitchel R.

    Few better feelings than leaving a restaurant satisfied. Came for lunch. Good lunch specials, fast friendly service, awesome bar set up, jalapeno cilantro margarita and shrimp and rice bowl was excellent! will definitely be back

    (5)
  • Marinda H.

    Not sure what is going on with this place but I brought my parents here and all of our meals, across the board, were pretty bad. My filet was cold and tough and the fish was undercooked; my dad's BBQ platter was luke-warm and smothered in way too much of their very strong sauce; my mom ordered the 1/2 chicken and it was a sloppy overcooked mess that she thought tasted like lighter fluid. Manager did come over and take the chicken off our bill because my mom complained but my father and I were too disappointed to mention how horrible our meals were. Noticed that it was not at all busy at 7 pm which is unusual for restaurants in this area - perhaps this has going downhill for a while now? No plans to revisit anytime soon and very disappointed.

    (2)
  • Bob F.

    Food was outstanding. I'm glad I don't live closer, it would be quite dangerous for me!!! We had the crab cakes and the mahi mahi ocho this. Both wee full of flavor and expertly prepared. Next time in Tampa it will be a destination stop!

    (5)
  • John L.

    Went here for dinner been here many times before. Always a great meal great drinks and good service. I love the open feel and I think it's great the managers understand what checking on tables means. Usually Dave is roaming around talking about craft beer with the guests and the nightly specials. I have to say in his absence there was a female manager that stopped by to check on us and she was definitely personable and sincere. I would definitely suggest checking it out if you're in the Oldsmar area.

    (4)
  • Joe C.

    Server was extremely friendly and personable, food was delicious, facility is immaculately clean, ambiance was "islandy" and casual. This was our first visit, but certainly not the last!

    (5)
  • Sara M.

    The mussels are fantastic, the cucumber muddled gimlet is refreshing. That being said...the service is terrible. We sat at the bar, where the server/bartender was directly in front of us. They server so close they could dip their finger in your sauce if they pleased, yet somehow they couldn't top off our drinks or bring us a glass of water. They also brought entrees before salads and forgot our side dishes entirely (which are included with the entree). It's too bad the service sucks, because the food is pretty tasty.

    (3)
  • Robbie C.

    Only thing missing from this Rumba island bar is a water view. It is located in a strip mall in Oldsmar, next to Salt Rock Tavern with a Tijuana flats on other side on Tampa rd. There is a nice outdoor patio and bar if you can stand the heat. The major flaw here is an open wall that brings the heat and flies indoors. Despite the flaws, the drink specials are all day and that is awesome! I had the 2-4 1 rum drink and it was yummy. Corn muffins served were small but a welcome change from the usual bread. Lunch specials are available until 5:45 daily. I ordered the salmon croquette that comes with asparagus and a hollandaise sauce on top. This comes with two sides. The garlic sweet potatoes were good and the veggie medley came with broccoli, onions, peppers, zucchini and carrots. More than enough food at decent price. Lots of interesting food offerings will lead me here again!

    (4)
  • Eric C.

    I liked the place, but had to knock off a star because of flies coming in from the open air bar close to the dining room. It's a great concept, but real bad idea and was wondering how many of the flies might have ended up in the kitchen and in the food. I had the ribs and the were very good, but a bit too fatty and really greasy. The veggies and potatoes were both real good. They also gave six complementary muffins that were very yummy, but you have to pay another $1 for an additional six of them...real bummer!!! My grandson got a bacon cheeseburger that had some real bad tasting bacon on it and was mostly fat and the burger wasn't cooked to medium, it was more like med rare or almost rare and he chose not to finish it. My wife really liked her salmon, veggies and sweet potatoes and had nothing bad to say about the food. Out server was pretty good and attentive, but not sure if I'd go back, unless the bar and fly area were taken care of.

    (3)
  • Kyle S.

    Allow me to start with a caveat: I was with a large group of people when I dined here, so I'm working off of a limited menu and an expected tip. Your mileage may vary. I was happy with the food, but not overly impressed with anything except the mahi mahi which was light, flaky, and delicious! We had a couple of different appetizers including the quesadillas (meh), coconut shrimp (not bad, but a little bland) and something else that was so memorable that I can't remember it. Service was spotty at times, but overall not bad. I rarely had to wait for a drink refill, but placing the order was a little more difficult. Conclusion: Not bad, but not exceptional.

    (3)
  • Minna S.

    I think it's nice that they bring out complimentary muffins; however, I felt as if they tasted a little stale. We ordered the mussels, chicken wings, and the coconut shrimp to start off. The mussels were definitely over cooked to the point where I was not able to chew it any longer. The chicken wings had a distinct taste to them, which were not that great. The coconut shrimp on the other hand were tasty but not fantastic. As an entree, I had the onion crusted salmon with the mashed potatoes and fries. The salmon was cooked to my liking but could have been seasoned a tad bit better. The mashed potatoes were your typical mashed potatoes. The fried were the worst! Not only were they soggy but they were extremely greasy as well. I recommend this place to those who like bar style foods. If you're coming for drinks then I think this place best suits you. If you're coming to dine with friends or family, I don't recommend this place. Will I return? Most likely not, unless I get invited to come here.

    (2)
  • Steve E.

    *starts humming* "Aruba, Jamaica, ooh I want to take ya To Bermuda, Bahama, come on pretty mama...." That's pretty much the theme as you walk through the doors of Rumba Island Bar & Grill in Oldsmar. Somehow the owners have managed to mask the sounds of the vehicles along the highway and hide the fact that you're sitting in the middle of a strip mall along Tampa Road, and not some sandy-floored Caribbean beach bar. We were there on Friday night for a 7pm dinner, and stopped at the outdoor tiki hut bar for a couple of frosty Kailks while we waited for our table. The crowd was a mix of young professionals enjoying a stop on their way home from work, and folks like us who were grabbing an early dinner before other plans. Thankfully the cougars must have been at home watching Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy, so we missed that whole comedy show! The interior décor of the restaurant was filled with thatched huts, bamboo poles and photos of the islands, and it was easy to transport your thoughts to the islands as you enjoyed your meal. We shared a cup of shrimp bisque to start, along with the Ahi tuna Negril. The bisque was tasty with a little fiery kick from some peppers, and the Ahi tuna slices were served with a citrusy soy dipping sauce and drizzled with some jerk aioli. We thought both appetizers were quite good. Our waiter brought over a basket of fresh-from-the-oven Mama Maria's muffins which were filled with yummy cheddar cheese and had a nice bite of Scotch Bonnet peppers. These muffins were just as addictive as the cheddar biscuits from that other famous place for seafood. Brittany had the Rumba salad topped with grilled Mahi Mahi. The lettuce salad included slices of avocado, roasted corn, bacon bits, diced tomatoes and red onions, and was served with a filet of grilled Mahi Mahi. The salad came with their house honey-poppy seed dressing. She gave it two thumbs up. I had the Seafood Lafitte which was a casserole made with chunks of Mahi Mahi, shrimp and crab meat over a bed of rice, topped with a creamy Bienville sauce, Parmesan cheese, and slices of red peppers. That was baked and served piping hot with a side of Jamaican greens and black beans. Very flavorful and highly recommended. We passed on dessert since we had other plans, but noted that the restaurant offers coconut cream cake, Bacardi rum cake, Key Lime Pie, and Captain Jack's Smores Brownie for those with a sweet tooth. The menu has lots of different seafood appetizers, shrimp & rice bowls, salads, burgers, meatloaf sandwiches, pulled pork sammies, and grilled, fried, blackened, or jerk seafood sandwiches. There are lots of fresh fish and shellfish entrées, and a host of steak, pork, and chicken options. They do have an early menu with smaller-sized offerings served up until 5:45pm each day. Rumba Island is owned by the same folks as the Salt Rock, Island Way, and Marlin Darlin area restaurants, and all of them specialize in high quality seafood served in a relaxed island atmosphere. There's a second Rumba Island location along Gulf-to-Bay in Clearwater. Well worth checking out if you're in the vicinity!

    (4)
  • Denny G.

    Really good Caribbean food. Cream cakes are great made with blue crab.

    (4)
  • Natalie M.

    We came to Florida a few months ago and tried this place and it was SO good! We've been thinking about it ever since! We're back visiting again and will definitely stop by there for dinner! It's affordable and the food is different and delicious! Try the ribs!

    (5)
  • Lu F.

    Best service, great food! Holli, the server was very attentive to our needs. We had great food. We stayed 4 hours just talking and enjoying ourselves. Best hogfish! Been here before, will be back again! Thanks!

    (5)
  • Andrew G.

    I just tried Rumba's for the first time and it was absolutely delicious. The atmosphere was very tropical and soothing. I was taken care of by Kelly the bartender who gave all sorts of great recommendations. I started healthy with the mahi mahi. Kebob over rice with veggies and collard greens. Nice and healthy. Then I got bad and ordered the jerk chicken wings which we're stupendous. I can't wait to come back and try some other killer dishes here

    (5)
  • Peter P.

    This is such a neat restaurant. From the outside it seems really corporate and kitschy, but once you're inside, you get it. The bar area is killer. You can sit inside or outside. The drinks come out fast and furious. There are drink specials every day. The muffins are delicious. Be careful as they have a habanero kick. The seafood was Caribbean-themed and also amazing. I will definitely be returning the next time I'm in Oldsmar.

    (4)
  • David R.

    I wanted to like this place, it's close to my house, clean, and the atmosphere is nice, but the food and service were not good. The food we had was all prepackaged frozen food with very little seasoning. The coconut shrimp were what you could by frozen at the grocery store. The breading was mushy on the inside. The jerk wings were a little freezer burnt and tasted nothing like jerk. The were covered in the mango bbq sauce, which was sweet, but not really flavorful. The Barbados ribs were similar. No flavor, just covered in sweet bbq sauce. The jerk burger, again, tasted nothing like jerk. It was overcooked and other than being a little spicey, was bland. The seafood lafitte was the best thing we had. However, there was not much seafood, mainly cheese. The margaritas were served in a pint glass but had very little tequila. After 2 pints I felt nothing. Our server was inattentive. We had to flag him down to get a second round of drinks. He came by about a minute after our food was served to see if everything was ok, but then he didn't come back until long after we were done eating. Our drinks were empty for a good 10-15 minutes. They also brought out a wrong side with one of the meals and charged us a $1 to bring the right one. It's only $1, but who does that? It was their mistake. Overall, the food and service were bad. The atmosphere is ok if you want to sit at the bar and have a beer, but I would skip the food.

    (2)
  • Ingrid R.

    I am obsessed with steak so I was told I should try it here. I loved it!!!!! Cooked and seasoned to perfection. Had the veggies and cabbage some jerk wings ( I've had better) and their passion drink I was very pleased.

    (5)
  • Cari P.

    Had a late lunch/early dinner here on a Saturday recently for the first time and I was not disappointed. Great deals with the "early bird" menu, I had coconut shrimp with fries and cole slaw for less than 10 bucks. The little muffins they bring out at the beginning of the meal are delightful! My husband had the ribs with cranberry stuffing -- this is a showstopper. I'm admittedly a little bit of a snob about holiday meals and having everything homemade, but after having a bite I immediately asked if they would sell the stuffing in a family portion, because I didn't think I'd be able to make stuffing that could even come close. It's THAT good. Seriously, try the stuffing. Trust me. We sat outside because it was a nice day, and it was a nice atmosphere with the plants, comfy seats, etc. Our server Jeff was super nice and helpful. We'll be back in the near future!

    (4)
  • Ashley M.

    We were really impressed with this restaurant! The only complaint I would have is when you enter the restaurant there isn't really a hostess stand so we looked pretty awkward looking around. Also the sautéed veggies were not sautéed at all. No big deal! And the other food definitely made up for the minor issue we had. Our server was young and new but she did a good job. We really liked the fresh cut fries and our meals were overall good.

    (4)
  • Caitie O.

    You must try the crab Mac and cheese! It is creamy, rich, and all types of yummy! I was surprised by the amount of crab and no fishy taste at all!!! The steak skewers were good, but rather pricey for a shish-kabob. We also had the coconut shrimp. For not being a fan of things covered in flakey coconut, I found them to be delicious! The coconut rice is a nice try, but I found it lacking in flavor or pizzaz. Happy hour is a fantastic deal and well worth a trip. It's a restaurant for the locals with a slightly touristy feel.

    (4)
  • Pepper T.

    Flew in and was starving. I Yelped a place near me and this came up so I stopped and headed in for a bite. The place was clean, the weather was nice and the patio was busy for lunch. I ordered their fried green tomato appetizers. I must admit, those were fantastic and I am rather snobby about my fried green tomatoes. They could use a little more salt and pepper, but I added it at the table. Fried coconut grouper was.. meh... too much breading and the fish was rather bland. Coleslaw was nothing to write home about. It was okay. The waitress was friendly and very attentive. The decor was bright and festive. Prices were a bit high, all in all I felt like I ate at a very touristy place and growing up in Clearwater I wanted to kick myself for being so hungry and not waiting to hit a local spot.

    (3)
  • Lindsey S.

    I'll get straight to the point: Drink here. I am not lush, or a connoisseur of spirits, but I know a good drink when I taste it... ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~­~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ I have never eaten any food at this establishment, but I plan to. In the meantime, I highly recommend the 2-4-1 margaritas. They make'em with Margaritaville tequila and after only one I was already feeling it. Not a full on buzz, but enough to know my drink was made right. I've had a handful of other drinks here and loved those as well. If their food is anything as good as their beverages are, you'll definitely see a sweet update from me as well.

    (4)

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Map

Opening Hours

  • Mon :11:30 am - 10

Specialities

  • Takes Reservations : Yes
    Delivery : No
    Take-out : Yes
    Accepts Credit Cards : Yes
    Good For : Lunch, Dinner
    Parking : Private Lot
    Bike Parking : Yes
    Wheelchair Accessible : Yes
    Good for Kids : Yes
    Good for Groups : Yes
    Attire : Casual
    Ambience : Casual
    Noise Level : Average
    Good For Dancing : No
    Alcohol : Full Bar
    Happy Hour : Yes
    Best Nights : Thu, Fri, Sat
    Coat Check : No
    Smoking : Outdoor Area/ Patio Only
    Outdoor Seating : Yes
    Wi-Fi : Free
    Has TV : Yes
    Waiter Service : Yes
    Caters : Yes

Rumba Island Bar & Grill

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