Tampa, FL Restaurant Guide
Whether you’re chomping on chorizo in Channelside or binging on bok choy in Ybor, there’s something in Tampa for whatever you’re craving. In fact, Tampa has always been a culinary capital – the Cuban sandwich was invented there, after all. But now, with millions of folks – and flavors – flocking to the gulf coast city, they’re cooking up something good in Cigar City.
Let’s start with the local stuff. Tampa has some of the best seafood in the Gulf Coast of Florida. Between Ocean Prime’s prawns, Catch Twenty Three’s Tilapia, and more, you’ll find five-star seafood dining anywhere you go in Tampa. Plus, with great local snow crab and Tampa’s Cuban influences, Tampa has its own local delicacy, the Deviled Crab. Similar to a crab cake, deviled crab is sprinkled with bread crumbs and baked rather than broiled or fried, for an extra crunchy twist on the classic. It’s available everywhere in the Tampa area – from great Tampa seafood restaurants to local Cuban bakeries.
Speaking of Cuban bakeries, let’s talk about the Cuban sandwich. A simple pressed ham and cheese sandwich using freshly baked Cuban bread had been a common lunchtime option going back to the homeland Cubans were emigrating from. But as Cuban laborers came to Tampa’s Ybor City cigar factories, they meshed with other immigrant communities – specifically Spanish and Italian. Taking a quick, affordable lunch option from Cuba and spicing it up with roasted pork, ham and salami – along with mustard and Swiss – lead to the Cuban sandwich everyone knows and loves today. We cover the best Cuban sandwiches in the Tampa area and the best Cuban restaurants in general, for those looking for a little more than a sandwich.
Tampa itself is divided into six areas – West Tampa, Downtown Tampa, Brooklyn Village, New Tampa, Ybor City and Channel District. We dig a little deeper, covering neighborhoods like Riverwalk, Hyde Park, South Tampa and more. Plus as the home of the 2021 Super Bowl Champs in the NFL, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and the home of the perennial playoff team the Tampa Bay Rays, there are great spots to catch when you’re in The Big Guava. We cover great spots to eat near Raymond James and Tropicana Field in our guide!
You know the saying about Florida – if you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes. Yes, there’s a lot of rain in Florida, but there’s a lot of sunshine, too. That’s why Tampa has incredible outdoor dining options, everything from big complexes like Sparkman Wharf and Armature Works to more modest establishments like Ella’s American Folk Art Cafe and Skipper’s Smokehouse. Check out our two diffferent guides for outdoor dining.
Before the Jim Crow era, black people made up 50% of Florida’s population, then moved North in the early 20th century to escape race-based persecution as part of the Great Migration. Now, as part of the second Great Migration, African Americans from the Northeast are heading back down South, and Tampa is no exception to this trend. We cover the best black-owned restaurants in the Tampa area in our guides.
7 Incredible Hidden Gems of Restaurants in Tampa, FL
Sometimes the best restaurants are hiding in plain sight. These seven hidden gems in Tampa are places you may have seen but didn’t realize they are fantastic places to snag a great meal or even a fun experience. We love them because each has something special to offer like an unexpected dish or a unique vibe. If you’re looking for a new spot to add to your list of favorite places to go in Tampa, try out one of these hidden gems.
17 Restaurants in Downtown Tampa You Definitely Need to Try
Sitting in southwestern Florida, Tampa is home to top-rated white sandy beaches and winning sports teams. Yet, it also harbors top-rated restaurants and incredibly good food for anyone who ventures here. When it comes to some of the best Tampa restaurants, head downtown. Surrounding the Riverwalk, you’ll find everything from a simple sandwich to fancy dishes, top wines, and special cocktails. Whether you prefer sitting inside or outside, you can enjoy the bay view, city view, or a restaurant’s interior artwork, here are some Tampa restaurants downtown to try the next time you visit.
7 Late Night Dining Spots in Tampa, FL
If you’re a night owl looking for a late-night treat while out in Tampa, you’re in the right place! Tampa is a haven for food lovers with a plethora of options for those craving a midnight snack (or feast.) From sizzling street food to taverns and other hidden gems, this article will explore all that Tampa has to offer after midnight. So whether you’re a local or a visitor, get your late-night appetite ready as we dig into 7 of the best late-night dining spots in Tampa!
The 7 Most Fun Restaurants in Tampa, FL
Tampa’s dining scene turns up the fun! While Tampa offers its fair share of straight-laced lounges and upscale steakhouses, it’s also easy to find the fun side of Tampa’s dining scene once you know where to look. Yes, dinner out for adults really can be all fun and games. Here’s our list of seven fun restaurants in Tampa, FL.
The Most Delicious Burgers in Tampa
If you are looking for a great burger in Tampa, Florida, this blog post is for you. We have compiled a list of our favorite nine burgers in Tampa that will make your mouth water and your taste buds sing. The restaurants on this list each have their unique take on being the best. Some are famous for their patty, while others are known for their sauce. This list should give you an idea of where to go next time you don’t know where to eat.
The Best Soul Food Restaurants Tampa, FL
Soul food is delicious cuisine that boasts a rich history and flavors that are inspired by various parts of the world. “Soul food” is the term used the describe the food that enslaved people in the U.S. prepared from the scraps left to them. The enslaved people used spices and cooking methods from their native African and Caribbean countries to make the discarded parts of food into delicious entrees and side dishes. These foods are a source of cultural pride for African-Americans, and each dish is slightly different based on a family’s country or region of origin. If you’re in the Tampa area and want to sample some delicious soul food, here are some of the best soul food restaurants in Tampa to try.
18 of the Best Italian Restaurants in Tampa, FL
If you love Italian food and you’ll be visiting Tampa soon, there are plenty of quality restaurants to choose from. After seeing some of the attractions in the city, you can enjoy a great meal at some of the best Italian restaurants Tampa has to offer. Whether you’re in the mood for a casual Italian meal or you prefer a more refined Italian dinner, here are some exquisite restaurant choices.
The Ultimate Guide to The Most Incredible Seafood Restaurants in Tampa
The next time you’re in Tampa, you can make your trip complete by checking out some of the quality seafood restaurants featuring an exciting range of seafood dishes. Florida is known for its delicious under-the-sea offerings, so if you’ve got a hankering for lobster, shrimp, or fish, these seafood restaurants in Tampa will provide a memorable meal to satisfy your cravings!
Best Ice Cream Spots in Tampa, FL
Is there ever a time when ice cream is more necessary than on a hot, Florida afternoon? Tampa is home to some amazing spots for delicious, cold sweet treats perfect to combat that infamous Florida heat and humidity. Check out this list we’ve crafted with some of the best ice cream spots in Tampa.
8 Essential Irish Pubs in Tampa, FL
The luck of the Irish shines like gold in the Sunshine State. Tampa, Florida is home to a nice collection of Irish pubs. These watering holes inspired by the Emerald Isle are great for socializing, tucking into authentic Gaelic cuisine, and knocking back a pint. You don’t need to follow a trail of four-leaf clovers to land at the best Irish pub in Tampa. Check out our picks for Tampa’s eight best Irish pubs.
Best Plantain Dishes In Tampa
Plantain is a Caribbean specialty found in eateries that serve Cuban, Haitian, and Puerto Rican food. They are filled mashed with stuffings or crispy fried. The options are green plantain or ripe sweet plantain, fried to get a delicious, flavorful accompaniment. Whatever way you would like to eat your plantains, below is a list of the best plantain dishes in Tampa.
The Ultimate Clearwater, FL Dining Guide
Clearwater’s restaurant scene has views and flavors competing in a battle to charm the senses. Known as a hub for seafood and rum, Clearwater often surprises diners with its secretly eclectic lineup of restaurants. Of course, anyone seeking a seafood basket paired with some live music on the coast won’t be disappointed. Check out our list with 8 of the best restaurants in Clearwater, FL.
Don’t let the Tampa stereotype trick you – there’s way more than retirement communities and theme parks in Tampa. With incredible local seafood, one-of-a-kind delicacies, rich Cuban history, diverse communities, wonderful neighborhoods, and great weather, Tampa is a great American city, and one of the best places to visit in Florida.