Guidebook for Tampa
Food Scene
Oxford Exchange
420 W Kennedy Blvd Great place for breakfast or just to stop in for a coffee/tea.
Some of the best food in Tampa in one of the most unassuming locations. Do not be alarmed by how seedy this place may look, they have been producing some of the most consistently delicious food in the area for some time. Excellent beer and wine options on tap.
114 locals recommend
Mermaid Tavern
6719 N Nebraska AveSome of the best food in Tampa in one of the most unassuming locations. Do not be alarmed by how seedy this place may look, they have been producing some of the most consistently delicious food in the area for some time. Excellent beer and wine options on tap.
Large open space with stunning views of the Hillsborough River and Downtown Tampa. 10+ local restaurants serving food and drink.
845 locals recommend
Armature Works
1910 N Ola AveLarge open space with stunning views of the Hillsborough River and Downtown Tampa. 10+ local restaurants serving food and drink.
If you planning on heading to St. Pete, we suggest starting here for some coffee, renting bikes and heading east down Central Avenue. Take some time to find and enjoy all the murals (maps available online) and local breweries.
57 locals recommend
Bandit Coffee Co.
2662 Central AveIf you planning on heading to St. Pete, we suggest starting here for some coffee, renting bikes and heading east down Central Avenue. Take some time to find and enjoy all the murals (maps available online) and local breweries.
An absolute must try for pizza lovers when in St. Pete.
It's a small space and can get a little crowded, but it is well worth the wait. We suggest, if its too busy for you, to order your pizza to go and have them call you before its goes into the over. Then head over to Independent Bar for some of the best beer and wine options in the city.
19 locals recommend
Pizza Box
923 Central AveAn absolute must try for pizza lovers when in St. Pete.
It's a small space and can get a little crowded, but it is well worth the wait. We suggest, if its too busy for you, to order your pizza to go and have them call you before its goes into the over. Then head over to Independent Bar for some of the best beer and wine options in the city.
Constantly busy, consistently delicious.
Get the cuban.
Pro tip: Order a Carmen Miranda as your drink (not on the menu)
160 locals recommend
Bodega on Central
1180 Central AveConstantly busy, consistently delicious.
Get the cuban.
Pro tip: Order a Carmen Miranda as your drink (not on the menu)
Top rated chef curates a new menu every day with fresh and local ingredients.
51 locals recommend
Edison: Food+Drink Lab
912 W Kennedy BlvdTop rated chef curates a new menu every day with fresh and local ingredients.
Authentic cuban hole in the wall restaurant for super cheap eats! Obama was a patron. Don't expect fast service but the price and food are well worth the wait.
24 locals recommend
West Tampa Sandwich Shop
3904 N Armenia AveAuthentic cuban hole in the wall restaurant for super cheap eats! Obama was a patron. Don't expect fast service but the price and food are well worth the wait.
Local watering hole with an old florida feel. Live music on most days.
79 locals recommend
Rick's on the River
2305 North Willow AvenueLocal watering hole with an old florida feel. Live music on most days.
Best place for a grouper sandwich in Tampa. Old florida feel with outdoor seating. Dogs welcome.
32 locals recommend
Big Ray's Fish Camp
6116 Interbay BlvdBest place for a grouper sandwich in Tampa. Old florida feel with outdoor seating. Dogs welcome.
Best kept secret for a picnic on the beach. Grab a sandwich from Anna's and stroll over to the beach to enjoy the beautiful sunshine.
24 locals recommend
Anna's Deli
6535 Midnight Pass RdBest kept secret for a picnic on the beach. Grab a sandwich from Anna's and stroll over to the beach to enjoy the beautiful sunshine.
LOVE Pizza and Beer? This hole in the wall pizza joint has one of the widest selections of beer I've ever seen. Their self-serve coolers allow you to peruse at your leisure while you wait for your fresh pie.
52 locals recommend
Lee's Grocery
2210 N Central AveLOVE Pizza and Beer? This hole in the wall pizza joint has one of the widest selections of beer I've ever seen. Their self-serve coolers allow you to peruse at your leisure while you wait for your fresh pie.
Have you come to Tampa to check out it's Cuban influence? If so, this historic bakery is a must visit.
56 locals recommend
La Segunda Ybor
2512 N 15th StHave you come to Tampa to check out it's Cuban influence? If so, this historic bakery is a must visit.
Tampa's newest-hottest restaurants offers an upscale 1950s vibe with live music and noteworthy cocktails. Reservations recommended. Open late!
71 locals recommend
CW's Gin Joint
633 N Franklin StTampa's newest-hottest restaurants offers an upscale 1950s vibe with live music and noteworthy cocktails. Reservations recommended. Open late!
Host's favorite breakfast spot. IF the oatmeal pancakes are back on the menu, order one a la carte.
25 locals recommend
Pinky's Diner
3203 W Bay to Bay BlvdHost's favorite breakfast spot. IF the oatmeal pancakes are back on the menu, order one a la carte.
Iconic local steakhouse with the nation's largest wine selection. This steakhouse is like no other. Servers train for years before becoming a waiter. They offer all their guest a tour of their kitchen and wine cellar. Desert rooms are private for each party. The salad you get with every steak is grown in their own garden. Reservations required but if you want to go on a whim, we recommend going to eat at the bar which offer the same choices as the restaurant. Simply let the bartender (Doug) know you want to eat at the bar and he will add you to the bar seating list.
384 locals recommend
Bern's Steak House
1208 S Howard AveIconic local steakhouse with the nation's largest wine selection. This steakhouse is like no other. Servers train for years before becoming a waiter. They offer all their guest a tour of their kitchen and wine cellar. Desert rooms are private for each party. The salad you get with every steak is grown in their own garden. Reservations required but if you want to go on a whim, we recommend going to eat at the bar which offer the same choices as the restaurant. Simply let the bartender (Doug) know you want to eat at the bar and he will add you to the bar seating list.
Nitro coffee on tap is out of this world. 3X the amount of caffeine as compared with regular coffee. And it's COLD, so perfect for those hot florida days.
7 locals recommend
Ginger Beard Coffee
1208 E Kennedy BlvdNitro coffee on tap is out of this world. 3X the amount of caffeine as compared with regular coffee. And it's COLD, so perfect for those hot florida days.
Iconic cuban restaurant serving the "OMG I want to make this at home", 1905 Salad.
365 locals recommend
Columbia Restaurant
2117 E 7th AveIconic cuban restaurant serving the "OMG I want to make this at home", 1905 Salad.
OPEN SUNDAY ONLY. This Thai temple opens its golden gates on Sunday for visitors to get a taste of some of Thailand's best food. Get here early (9:30/10AM) to avoid long lines. Food tends to run out later in the day. Picnic tables available for dining along the river. Entrance is FREE and food may be purchased with CASH ONLY. If you are feeling extra adventurous, you can sit in on buddhist prayer time.
49 locals recommend
Wat Mongkolrata Temple
5306 Palm River RdOPEN SUNDAY ONLY. This Thai temple opens its golden gates on Sunday for visitors to get a taste of some of Thailand's best food. Get here early (9:30/10AM) to avoid long lines. Food tends to run out later in the day. Picnic tables available for dining along the river. Entrance is FREE and food may be purchased with CASH ONLY. If you are feeling extra adventurous, you can sit in on buddhist prayer time.
Willa's
1700 West Fig StreetNeighborhood family-friendly eatery with tasty dinners.
Great local watering hole, that roasts their own coffee and brews their own beer.
37 locals recommend
King State
520 E Floribraska AveGreat local watering hole, that roasts their own coffee and brews their own beer.
Drinks & Nightlife
Independent Bar and Cafe
5016 N Florida AveHipster bar
One of my favorite beer and wine bars. Plenty of tvs if you want to watch a game. Pool and dart boards. Nice outdoor seating area. Great snacks.
23 locals recommend
c.1949
6905 N Orleans AveOne of my favorite beer and wine bars. Plenty of tvs if you want to watch a game. Pool and dart boards. Nice outdoor seating area. Great snacks.
Hidden Springs Ale Works
1631 N Franklin StGreat beer
Green Bench Brewing Company
1133 Baum Ave NGreat outdoor lawn and beer
Independent Bar St Petersburg
1049 Central AveGreat selection of beer and wine. Amazing location.
Widest variety of local brewed beers.
Stop here if you're doing your own brewery tour.
69 locals recommend
7venth Sun Brewery
6809 N Nebraska AveWidest variety of local brewed beers.
Stop here if you're doing your own brewery tour.
The famous Ybor offers plenty to see and do for all ages but my favorite spots are off 7th Ave. Florida Cane Distillery offers free tours and tastings; Cigar City Cider and Mead offers refreshments to those who aren't into beer; Coppertail Brewing Co. offers brewery tours.
854 locals recommend
Ybor City
The famous Ybor offers plenty to see and do for all ages but my favorite spots are off 7th Ave. Florida Cane Distillery offers free tours and tastings; Cigar City Cider and Mead offers refreshments to those who aren't into beer; Coppertail Brewing Co. offers brewery tours.
Angry Chair Brewing
4101 N Florida AveStop here if you're doing your own brewery tour.
Brew Bus Brewing
Stop here if you're doing your own brewery tour.
Stop here if you're doing your own brewery tour.
Ask for the "Southern Bucks" when you get your beverage; each "buck" may be used towards a purchase at the food truck on scene.
66 locals recommend
Southern Brewing & Winemaking
4500 N Nebraska AveStop here if you're doing your own brewery tour.
Ask for the "Southern Bucks" when you get your beverage; each "buck" may be used towards a purchase at the food truck on scene.
Coppertail Brewing Co.
2601 E 2nd AveOne of Tampa's best and oldest breweries.
Florida Avenue Brewing Co.
2029 Arrowgrass DrStop here if you're doing your own brewery tour.
Restaurant/Bar on the water; a favorite for locals. Garage parking is plentiful but we recommend ubering because alcohol and driving don't mix.
108 locals recommend
American Social
601 S Harbour Island BlvdRestaurant/Bar on the water; a favorite for locals. Garage parking is plentiful but we recommend ubering because alcohol and driving don't mix.
Outdoor bar on the River Walk that's great for people watching and a light refreshment while you enjoy the sunshine.
67 locals recommend
The Sail Pavilion on the Riverwalk
141 S Franklin StOutdoor bar on the River Walk that's great for people watching and a light refreshment while you enjoy the sunshine.
Sightseeing
Best beach spot for families is right around the corner at Passe Grill. Try a grouper sandwich at the Hurricane restaurant.
59 locals recommend
Don Cesar
Best beach spot for families is right around the corner at Passe Grill. Try a grouper sandwich at the Hurricane restaurant.
Greek village on the water offering amazing greek food and pastries. Fun place to walk around, take a boat ride and buy some olive oil soaps. My favorite restaurant is off the water and beaten track: Costas.
369 locals recommend
Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks
735 Dodecanese BlvdGreek village on the water offering amazing greek food and pastries. Fun place to walk around, take a boat ride and buy some olive oil soaps. My favorite restaurant is off the water and beaten track: Costas.
Parks & Nature
Walk along river walk and stop at Sail Pavillion for a refreshment.
237 locals recommend
Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park
600 N Ashley DrWalk along river walk and stop at Sail Pavillion for a refreshment.
Rent a kayak, pack a lunch and make your way through the mangrove tunnels. Amazing experience.
141 locals recommend
Weedon Island Preserve
1800 Weedon Dr NERent a kayak, pack a lunch and make your way through the mangrove tunnels. Amazing experience.
Newest park to open in Tampa (opening Mother's day weekend). Wide variety of fitness activities with a relaxing atmosphere on the hillsborough river.
54 locals recommend
Julian B Lane Riverfront Park
1001 N BlvdNewest park to open in Tampa (opening Mother's day weekend). Wide variety of fitness activities with a relaxing atmosphere on the hillsborough river.
Siesta Beach
White sandy beach. A local favorite.
Beautiful and large park close to the house with walking, biking, and running trails.
42 locals recommend
Al Lopez Park
4810 N Himes AveBeautiful and large park close to the house with walking, biking, and running trails.
Davis Island Dog Beach
864 Severn AveNeed I say more?
Arts & Culture
The Dalí (Salvador Dalí Museum)
1 Dali BlvdDavid A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts
1010 N Macinnes PlBeautiful gallery located on the water in St. Petersburg. ~30 minute drive (without traffic) from the house.
303 locals recommend
Museum of Fine Arts
255 Beach Dr NEBeautiful gallery located on the water in St. Petersburg. ~30 minute drive (without traffic) from the house.
Blown glass art in the arts district of St. Petersburg. The complimentary glass blowing demonstration is a must.
320 locals recommend
Chihuly Collection
720 Central AvenueBlown glass art in the arts district of St. Petersburg. The complimentary glass blowing demonstration is a must.
Ringling Museum station
Extensive collection of old and new art.
Tampa Museum of Art
120 W Gasparilla PlazaGorgeous views at this art gallery.
Shopping
Hyde Park Village
1602 W Snow AveGreat spot to walk around and grab a bite to eat on the way home from the sandy beaches of Sarasota.
358 locals recommend
St Armands Circle Shops
300 St Armands CirGreat spot to walk around and grab a bite to eat on the way home from the sandy beaches of Sarasota.
Outlet with some great brands, if you're into that sort of thing.
194 locals recommend
Ellenton Premium Outlets
5461 Factory Shops BlvdOutlet with some great brands, if you're into that sort of thing.
Everything Else
Of all the places to visit along the beach, this is unlike any of them. Unbelievable views of the Gulf and intercostal. Slightly more upscale feeling than the beach bars, but the prices are the same. Unless you plan on going to the beach for sunset, we recommend this is you want a quieter more low key experience.
15 locals recommend
Hotel Zamora
3701 Gulf BlvdOf all the places to visit along the beach, this is unlike any of them. Unbelievable views of the Gulf and intercostal. Slightly more upscale feeling than the beach bars, but the prices are the same. Unless you plan on going to the beach for sunset, we recommend this is you want a quieter more low key experience.