Downtown Tampa’s dining scene is getting another high-profile addition, with a new upscale Mexican steakhouse planned along the Tampa Riverwalk.

Matilde, a new concept from Tampa-based Next Level Brands, is under construction in a 7,600-square-foot space at AER Tampa, 300 W. Tyler Street. The restaurant is expected to open in spring 2027, bringing a large new dining destination to the northern end of downtown Tampa. Biz Journals

The location puts Matilde next to the Tampa Museum of Art and Straz Center for the Performing Arts, with views overlooking the Hillsborough River and Tampa Riverwalk. Biz Journals

Nearly 300 Seats Planned

New renderings provide the first detailed look inside the restaurant.

Matilde will feature dramatic 25-foot ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows, along with 195 indoor seats and 92 outdoor seats. Plans also include a 40-person private dining room and a large 50-seat bar. Creative Loafing Tampa

Montreal-based Atelier Zébulon Perron is designing the restaurant. The firm previously worked with Next Level Brands on Boulon Brasserie at Water Street Tampa and Union New American in Westshore. Biz Journals

The design draws inspiration from contemporary Mexican architecture and incorporates natural materials, greenery and elements representing fire, water and earth. Biz Journals

Live-Fire Mexican Steakhouse

Matilde will center its menu around live-fire cooking, combining a traditional steakhouse approach with Mexican ingredients and cooking techniques.

Premium steaks will be prepared over an open flame, but the restaurant also plans to feature seafood, poultry, vegetables, raw-bar selections, crudo, tacos and shareable dishes. Tampa Bay Business News

Potential dishes under development include shrimp aguachile negro, rib eye and pork al pastor tacos, lamb shank barbacoa, hearth-roasted chicken with mole negro and a heritage pork chop with pipián verde. Biz Journals

Matilde is expected to serve lunch, brunch, dinner and late-night menus, while its beverage program will emphasize tequila, mezcal and agave-focused cocktails. Biz Journals

Next Level Brands Continues Tampa Expansion

Matilde is the latest concept from Next Level Brands, the Tampa hospitality group behind Boulon Brasserie, Union New American and Forbici Modern Italian. Biz Journals

The company’s leadership team spent time in Mexico City researching restaurants, cocktail bars, markets and design concepts while developing Matilde. The restaurant itself is named after co-founder Andrew Wright’s maternal grandmother. Biz Journals

Construction costs were previously estimated at more than $5 million, highlighting the scale of the investment being made in the space. Biz Journals

Another Major Addition to Downtown Tampa

Matilde’s arrival comes as the northern end of downtown Tampa continues adding residents, restaurants and entertainment options.

AER Tampa has brought hundreds of new residences directly beside the Straz Center and Tampa Museum of Art, while ongoing development throughout downtown has increased the residential population surrounding the Riverwalk.

For commercial real estate, Matilde is another example of how Tampa’s growing downtown residential base is attracting significant investment in experiential restaurants and hospitality concepts. The combination of nearly 300 seats, Riverwalk frontage and proximity to major cultural venues could make the restaurant a destination for both downtown residents and visitors.

When Matilde opens in spring 2027, it will add another prominent restaurant to a downtown dining scene that has expanded significantly beyond its traditional business-district roots. Biz Journals