Guidebook for The Heights & More
Food Scene
Cappys Pizzeria
4910 N Florida AveGreat pizza, but cash only! (ATM on site).
One of Tampa’s newest and hottest spots. This food hall has a dozen or so food vendors and public seating throughout. There is a craft cocktail bar in the market and an attached, high-end restaurant named Steelbach as well. This could also be in my “Things To Do” section because just walking around the market is neat.
845 locals recommend
Armature Works
1910 N Ola AveOne of Tampa’s newest and hottest spots. This food hall has a dozen or so food vendors and public seating throughout. There is a craft cocktail bar in the market and an attached, high-end restaurant named Steelbach as well. This could also be in my “Things To Do” section because just walking around the market is neat.
Where we had our first date, and many since. Great Italian food with a really good late night happy hour. Not in the hood, but just a 15min drive.
50 locals recommend
Bella's Italian Café
1413 S Howard AveWhere we had our first date, and many since. Great Italian food with a really good late night happy hour. Not in the hood, but just a 15min drive.
One of the first “new” restaurants to open in The Heights. Often has live music on the weekends. Soul Food Sunday is amazing but the Chicken and Waffles sell out quick!
201 locals recommend
Ella’s Americana Folk Art Cafe
5119 N Nebraska AveOne of the first “new” restaurants to open in The Heights. Often has live music on the weekends. Soul Food Sunday is amazing but the Chicken and Waffles sell out quick!
Our casual, weekday dinner spot with a chill, local bar (Bart’s Tavern) attached.
96 locals recommend
Front Porch & Bart's Tavern
5924 N Florida AveOur casual, weekday dinner spot with a chill, local bar (Bart’s Tavern) attached.
We’ve never tried anything but their Cuban sandwich, over and over and over again. Their beer selection is top notch and they sometimes have live music. Cool old converted gas station.
153 locals recommend
Independent Bar and Cafe
5016 N Florida AveWe’ve never tried anything but their Cuban sandwich, over and over and over again. Their beer selection is top notch and they sometimes have live music. Cool old converted gas station.
Probably our #1 choice locally. Mexican like you’ve never had before. Eric, the super nice manager, is likely going to come say hi; let him know we sent you!
44 locals recommend
Mekenita Cantina
6707 N Florida AveProbably our #1 choice locally. Mexican like you’ve never had before. Eric, the super nice manager, is likely going to come say hi; let him know we sent you!
We’ve been regulars since 1992. It’s your classic Tex-Mex style food with a killer signature margarita. Not in our ‘hood, but just a 10min drive.
50 locals recommend
Miguel's Mexican Seafood & Grill
3035 W Kennedy BlvdWe’ve been regulars since 1992. It’s your classic Tex-Mex style food with a killer signature margarita. Not in our ‘hood, but just a 10min drive.
Great bar food with seafood as well. A blue collar waterfront spot with live music that is sometimes so bad, it’s good. We suggest sitting outside
79 locals recommend
Rick's on the River
2305 North Willow AvenueGreat bar food with seafood as well. A blue collar waterfront spot with live music that is sometimes so bad, it’s good. We suggest sitting outside
We’re not big “foodies”, but if you are, GO HERE. Pricey, but worth it.
144 locals recommend
Rooster & the Till
6500 N Florida AveWe’re not big “foodies”, but if you are, GO HERE. Pricey, but worth it.
The building looks crappy but my bougie lawyer turned me onto this hidden gem. I pop in for a Saturday afternoon burger from time to time. Probably closest spot to the house.
19 locals recommend
Thee Burger Spot
3917 N Tampa StThe building looks crappy but my bougie lawyer turned me onto this hidden gem. I pop in for a Saturday afternoon burger from time to time. Probably closest spot to the house.
Clean place with great food + beer and wine (for those morning mimosas). We’ve only had breakfast here, but I understand everything they do is done well.
95 locals recommend
Trip's Diner
6416 N Florida AveClean place with great food + beer and wine (for those morning mimosas). We’ve only had breakfast here, but I understand everything they do is done well.
24hr diner that I love for everything from omelettes to spaghetti (Cindy prefers Trips because it’s “nicer”). It’s a neighborhood staple that’s been around quite a while. Good food and good portions at good prices.
53 locals recommend
Three Coins Diner
7410 N Nebraska Ave24hr diner that I love for everything from omelettes to spaghetti (Cindy prefers Trips because it’s “nicer”). It’s a neighborhood staple that’s been around quite a while. Good food and good portions at good prices.
Gorgeous waterfront restaurant with a menu that includes a lot of items I need to google. And gator tail! Enjoy a sunset at the outdoor bar and seating area before dinner.
384 locals recommend
Ulele
1810 N Highland AveGorgeous waterfront restaurant with a menu that includes a lot of items I need to google. And gator tail! Enjoy a sunset at the outdoor bar and seating area before dinner.
Super chill outdoor coffee spot next to a fun Vintage Market.
63 locals recommend
Spaddy's Coffee Co. - Seminole Heights
5206 N Florida AveSuper chill outdoor coffee spot next to a fun Vintage Market.
The first time ever I've NOT felt ripped off by a charcuterie board. Great atmosphere, great food. Usually a live solo musician. Brunch is excellent, and the patio is a great place to eat or grab a drink.
102 locals recommend
The C House
6005 N Florida AveThe first time ever I've NOT felt ripped off by a charcuterie board. Great atmosphere, great food. Usually a live solo musician. Brunch is excellent, and the patio is a great place to eat or grab a drink.
King State
520 E Floribraska AveLove a morning coffee and breakfast sandwich here!
Drinks & Nightlife
This is the place to go to if you just want a cool “bar”. Good music paying, sometimes live. I believe they occasionally have a food truck. Open late.
53 locals recommend
Red Star Rock Bar
5210 N Florida AveThis is the place to go to if you just want a cool “bar”. Good music paying, sometimes live. I believe they occasionally have a food truck. Open late.
A brewery tour company with its own brewery/eatery “terminal” just a 7min walk from the house. On Fridays they do a “Heights” hop on/hop off loop for $15 advance / $20 day of, which is a great way to see the area hot spots and save on Ubers.
71 locals recommend
Brew Bus Brewing
A brewery tour company with its own brewery/eatery “terminal” just a 7min walk from the house. On Fridays they do a “Heights” hop on/hop off loop for $15 advance / $20 day of, which is a great way to see the area hot spots and save on Ubers.
Good beer and some old school video games that take quarters.
24 locals recommend
Lowry Parcade & Tavern
1213 W Waters AveGood beer and some old school video games that take quarters.
The leather apron and mustache say it all - the drinks will be delicious, though on the pricier side. Fun for a late night cocktail and higher-energy DJ than most other local spots.
57 locals recommend
Mandarin Heights
5901 N Florida AveThe leather apron and mustache say it all - the drinks will be delicious, though on the pricier side. Fun for a late night cocktail and higher-energy DJ than most other local spots.
This is our go-to when we're leaving some fancy party and are all dressed up and want to stay out a bit longer. Swanky downtown bar with live music to match.
71 locals recommend
CW's Gin Joint
633 N Franklin StThis is our go-to when we're leaving some fancy party and are all dressed up and want to stay out a bit longer. Swanky downtown bar with live music to match.
The strongest drink in Tampa... This bar is not for the faint of heart. Smoky, dirty, filled with homeless, layers, and everyone in-between. Cash only, with ATM on site. A Tampa staple for decades.
13 locals recommend
The Hub Bar
719 N Franklin StThe strongest drink in Tampa... This bar is not for the faint of heart. Smoky, dirty, filled with homeless, layers, and everyone in-between. Cash only, with ATM on site. A Tampa staple for decades.
Entertainment & Activities
Indoor shuffleboard with great bar food and a good beer selection. My shuffleboard team made it to the finals last season!
30 locals recommend
Shuffle
2612 N Tampa StIndoor shuffleboard with great bar food and a good beer selection. My shuffleboard team made it to the finals last season!
Fun place for a family with or without kids. But especially with.
55 locals recommend
ZooTampa at Lowry Park
1101 West Sligh AvenueFun place for a family with or without kids. But especially with.
Nebraska Mini Mart
4815 N Nebraska AveWho doesn't love outdoor game + good beer + good food!?
Sightseeing
Starting at Armature Works, this riverfront pathway leads along downtown all the way to Sparkman’s Wharf (coming soon). Stops include Ulele, Waterworks Park, Straz Center, Tampa Museum of Art (with Riverwalk Cafe - great view for lunch), Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park (with Four Green Fields Irish Bar), The Convention Center, Sail Pavilion, and Glazier Children’s Museum. Rent a bike from the city’s many self-serve rental racks, and enjoy!
620 locals recommend
Tampa Riverwalk
Tampa RiverwalkStarting at Armature Works, this riverfront pathway leads along downtown all the way to Sparkman’s Wharf (coming soon). Stops include Ulele, Waterworks Park, Straz Center, Tampa Museum of Art (with Riverwalk Cafe - great view for lunch), Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park (with Four Green Fields Irish Bar), The Convention Center, Sail Pavilion, and Glazier Children’s Museum. Rent a bike from the city’s many self-serve rental racks, and enjoy!
The world’s longest sidewalk! Rent a Coast Bike from Armature and make the ride down to this iconic walk along our waterfront.
222 locals recommend
Bayshore Boulevard
Bayshore BoulevardThe world’s longest sidewalk! Rent a Coast Bike from Armature and make the ride down to this iconic walk along our waterfront.