It’s pretty much always sunny in Tampa. And in that warmth, the city prospers. The early cigar industry brought together Cuban, Italian, and Spanish communities and cuisines. Over time, Tampeños have folded in Colombian, Puerto Rican, and Vietnamese influences. The food culture here blends these diverse influences, creating a restaurant scene that celebrates both classic establishments as well as exciting newcomers.
As a Tampa resident for over 20 years, I can tell you that this hasn’t always been seen as a destination for dining. Growing up amid strip malls and not far from the iconic spaceship that tops the 2001 Space Odyssey strip club, I didn’t feel like there was much pride to share from our home base. Comedians have elbowed us, and the city’s residents have laughed along. “Many people have a preconceived idea of what Florida is like,” says Suzanne Crouch, sous-chef of modern American restaurant Rooster & the Till. “When they arrive and actually wander off the beaten-tourist-path, they are pleasantly surprised.” Here are the restaurants in Tampa that are sure to surprise you—in the best way.
The Essentials
- **Don’t forget to pack…**sunglasses, sunscreen, lightweight clothing, and good walking shoes for strolling the Riverwalk and downtown Tampa.
- **Don’t leave town without…**local coffee from King State.
- The best place to stay is…Hotel Haya, a boutique hotel located in the heart of historic Ybor City, minutes from downtown Tampa.
For breakfast, fresh Cuban bread and Greek eggs Benedict
Start your morning off right with Tampa classics at La Segunda Bakery. Order freshly baked Cuban bread, along with a café con leche. La Segunda was established in 1915 in the largely Cuban district of Ybor City and has remained a household name in the area since its opening. The bakery is small and bustling—there’s no seating, so plan to take your food to go. Along with Cuban toast, choose from classic breakfast sandwiches, guava and cheese pastelitos, coconut turnovers, and flan cups. No visit to Tampa is complete without sinking your teeth into these baked goods.
Psomi is a newer addition to the West Tampa neighborhood, and it’s already well-known in the area for its Greek brunch. A pork gyro Benedict features herbed biscuits topped with cage-free poached eggs, all covered in a divine béchamel made with an intense kefalograviera sheep’s-milk cheese. Instead of a mimosa, try the Greek 75, which features an amber spirit called metaxa along with a honey syrup and a cava float. Before you leave, make sure to grab a piece of baklava coffee cake from the walk-up bakery—it’s always good to have a snack on hand as you explore the rest of the city.
Soak in the history or stroll the Riverwalk
In recent years, Tampa has invested in building up the Riverwalk, an aptly named 2.6-mile trail on the Hillsborough River ideal for biking, walking, or hopping on a water taxi. Start at Armature Works, a refurbished streetcar warehouse that now acts as a commercial hub. Eye the food stalls (maybe grab a cookie or some ice cream to hold you over), smell the fresh flowers, and get a to-go drink from any of the food hall’s bars.
Once you’ve gotten your fill of water views, head downtown to marvel at the Tampa Theatre. Built in 1926, it is believed to be home to a few ghosts, according to local lore. Here, you can catch a film or a historical tour. Before every show, an organist rises from the wood stage, playing a fun tune before being drawn dramatically back down.
For lunch, buttery scallops or fresh banh mi
The Columbia Restaurant is Florida’s oldest continuously operating restaurant, and the largest Spanish restaurant in the world. It boasts 15 dining rooms, 1,700 seats, and 52,000 square feet of space—sized for weddings, celebrations, or just wandering around after dinner with your date. There are flamenco performances to accompany very good sangria, and excellent tapas like scallops baked in buttery wine sauce. Waiters offer attentive service, bringing individually wrapped pieces of Cuban bread to each table with sides of sweet butter.
Across town, Saigon Deli makes the best banh mi and pho you will find for miles. Take a drive over to Waters Avenue and prepare your senses for piping hot, savory broth. The banh mi here are made with soft and flaky French bread stuffed with slightly charred beef or pork. Go for the barbecue pork—the sweet-and-savory marinade makes it their bestseller. The banh mi are only $4, while the pho ranges from $9 to $10. Top your meal off with a boba or jackfruit smoothie to keep you cool on the road.
Explore Ybor with a hand-rolled cigar or shop in Hyde Park
Before it was annexed by Tampa, Ybor City was founded by cigar-maker Vicente Martinez Ybor in the 1880s as its own town. The historic neighborhood is lovely during the daytime, and if you come back at night it’s reminiscent of New Orleans, with a distinct Bourbon Street vibe. The neighborhood’s redbrick roads, black wrought iron balconies, string lights, and buskers may call back to NOLA, but what you’ll notice immediately are the number of hand-rolled cigar shops lining Seventh Avenue, some of them showcasing employees rolling right in the front window. It’s enthralling to watch experienced makers work their magic, even if you’re not a cigar smoker.
Just four miles southwest of Ybor, Hyde Park Village, a charming neighborhood, seems to have something for everyone: shopping, ice cream, gourmet ice pops, a Champagne bar, and even a few large fountains for throwing coins and making wishes. If you have a book, post up at Buddy Brew to read and enjoy fresh local coffee. Or head over to Meat Market for some fine oysters to tide you over until dinner.
For dinner, top-notch ramen or inventive small plates
For dinner, you can’t go wrong with ramen at Ichicoro. My favorite of its offerings is the Champon, which features a rich pork broth, citrus-marinated pork belly, grilled shrimp, and pickled ginger. Add a soy sauce–marinated egg to really round it out. With just a four-top, a two-top, and eight barstools, it gets intimate here quickly. Because of Ichicoro’s very limited seating, it’s a good idea to call ahead to join the waiting list an hour before arriving.
Nestled between old auto shops on Florida Avenue, Rooster & the Till is a charmingly loud and busy modern American restaurant. The menu’s influences are global, pulling influence from Spain, Italy, Mexico, and much of Asia. Start with a cocktail—perhaps a Spare the Dead, which features pineapple-árbol tepache, a fermented drink made with pineapple peels. Order small plates in pairs, and don’t be afraid to let the bartenders and servers guide you with their input. The cobia collar is a succulent, crisp piece of fish, with a nuoc cham sauce you’ll want to drink. Or go for the white asparagus with grilled wild mushrooms, herbed crème fraîche, a duck egg yolk custard, and fondant potatoes. Whatever you do, finish your meal with the restaurant’s mochi donut holes, filled with coconut milk custard and served in a shallow bowl of miso five spice–yuzu butterscotch.
End the night with a classic cocktail
If you’re stuffed after a day of nonstop eating but still want a nightcap, consider hopping over to Hotel Bar. It’s a swanky little spot in downtown Tampa that features classic cocktails originating in some of the most famous international hotels. Grab a booth by the large oval painting of blooming flowers under a bright moon, or sneak into the enclave under its iconic neon sign to sip your drink.