Fresh seafood from the Gulf of Mexico, a climate perfect for produce and a multicultural environment help to make Tampa a welcoming spot for foodies. If you want to learn about the Big Guava’s food culture or uncover some well-known places to eat in Tampa, sample a few of these culinary picks recommended by professional AAA inspectors and editors.
Whether you're enjoying a smorgasbord of global flavors at a food hall, savoring authentic Cuban cuisine in the Ybor (Ee-bor) City Historic District or researching the perfect spot in Seminole Heights, Tampa is where to indulge. From the bustling Armature Works and Sparkman's Wharf to the historic Columbia Restaurant and the luxurious Epicurean Hotel in South Tampa, the city's culinary landscape is as diverse as it is delicious. Don't miss out on the gastronomic delights at the annual Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival, the Ford International Cuban Sandwich Festival or all-you-can-eat TASTE at The Straz. And for a touch of history, visit the Henry B. Plant Museum to appreciate Tampa's past while savoring its present.
Armature Works
1910 N. Ola Ave.
(813) 250-3725
Armature Works, a classic example of Tampa's industrial era, has transformed into a hub of entertainment and dining on the banks of Hillsborough River. This historic building dates back to the early 1900s when it served as a trolley barn for Tampa Electric. Today, the 22,000-square-foot warehouse buzzes with locals and visitors, who take in the trendy Tampa food scene. Heights Public Market, located inside, features more than a dozen establishments, offering everything from burgers to pizza and Italian cuisine. Then enjoy a craft cocktail at the rooftop bar or relax in the outdoor seating. Nearby is the Tampa Riverwalk, a pedestrian-friendly path along the river, which adds convenience and connects to many Tampa points of interest. These include award-winning restaurant Ulele — complete with an open kitchen and indigenous-inspired cuisine — and Water Works Park, which boasts an open lawn and kid-friendly splash pad and playground. If you’re too full to walk after dinner, a water taxi on the Hillsborough River is a charming and nostalgic mode of transportation that’s sure to add to the experience. There’s a splendid view of Tampa's skyline from the waterfront.
Bern’s Steak House
1208 S. Howard Ave.
(813) 251-2421
Locals know that landmark Bern's Steak House, opened in 1956, is one of the best restaurants in Tampa and still run by Bern and Gert Laxer's family. The aged steaks are legendary; imagine a special 14-ounce Châteaubriand or tender strip sirloin paired with homegrown vegetables from Bern’s farm. The menu also offers fresh oysters, which are said to be "bagged straight from aquaculture oyster beds and flown overnight" to the kitchen. The wine list must be seen to be believed. After the meal, consider touring the kitchen and 500,000-bottle wine cellar, and if you can handle it, eat a final course upstairs in the Harry Waugh Dessert Room. To ensure the perfect evening, call ahead for reservations, and dress to impress at this AAA Three Diamond restaurant.
Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival
3000 E. Busch Blvd.
(888) 800-5447
Spring heralds the highly anticipated annual event that blends local ingredients from favorite restaurants, exquisite wines and captivating live music. But the allure of this event extends beyond the dining options and music. Recognized as a Great Experience for Members® (GEM), Busch Gardens Tampa Bay ensures a memorable adventure. The 335-acre theme park, home to adrenaline-pumping roller coasters and more than 2,700 animals, offers a variety of entertainment avenues for the Tampa foodie in spring. On each Friday, Saturday and Sunday from early March to late May, the popular spot morphs into a place where renowned chefs can showcase their expertise through specially curated dishes, promising a feast for the senses.
Columbia Restaurant
2117 E. 7th Ave.
(813) 248-4961
One of the most fun things to do in Tampa involves visiting Florida's oldest restaurant, a AAA Inspector Pick in the Ybor City Historic District. Opened as a café by a Cuban immigrant in 1905, The Columbia Restaurant serves dishes, including ropa vieja (shredded and sautéed beef), paella a la Valenciana (rice with various meats) and Columbia’s Original 1905 Salad, are classic choices, but you can’t go wrong with tapas (like Ybor City Devil Crab Croquettes) and a glass of sangria. Reservations at the Columbia Restaurant are a must to watch the flamenco dancers, who perform every night except Sunday; for ages 12+ expect a $8 cover charge per person. Though there are other restaurants in the Florida chain, the original is where to go.
Epicurean Hotel, Autograph Collection
1207 S. Howard Ave.
(813) 999-8700
This AAA Inspector Pick, across the street from Bern’s Steak House in the Hyde Park area, has been designed to create a home away from home for foodies (if the property’s name didn’t already provide a hint). In fact, the gastronomically inclined theme promises you’ll be able to find plenty of culinary inspiration. If staying overnight isn't in the cards, go for happy hour or just look around. Within the Epicurean Hotel, you’ll discover a confectionery with sweet treats; a shop for wine and spirits; a wide selection of specialties at Haven and Elévage; and the 40-seat Epicurean Theatre, which presents tastings and classes. In the modern guest rooms, food-inspired artwork even makes an appearance.
Ford International Cuban Sandwich Festival
Centennial Park
1800 E. 8th Ave.
(813) 241-2442
Though there’s some debate, Tampa’s Ybor City welcomes its distinction as the hometown of the Cuban sandwich — aka crisp Cuban bread filled with Swiss cheese, mustard, roasted pork, ham and salami. (Miami claims its own kind sans the salami.) The district first served up its version of fast food to Spanish, Italian and Cuban immigrants who worked in neighborhood factories and were on the hunt for a quick bite. Typically, the fresh Cuban bread comes from La Segunda Bakery, established in 1915. To commemorate the history and culture, festival attendees can try local to nontraditional versions of the tasty creation from an assortment of vendors and Tampa restaurants, participate in building the “World’s Largest Cuban Sandwich,” and support feeding individuals in need. The spring event, generally in April or May, also features prizes for the best Cuban sandwiches and sandwich-inspired art.
Henry B. Plant Museum
University of Tampa
401 W. Kennedy Blvd.
(813) 254-1891
The 1891 Moorish Revival structure, which started out as transportation mogul Henry B. Plant’s Tampa Bay Hotel, remains a feast for the senses. Boasting eye-catching minarets and domes, the AAA GEM® attraction is a museum within the University of Tampa that offers a variety of exhibits, including one focused on fine dining and entertainment. In resorts such as the former Tampa Bay Hotel, dining was not only about nourishment but also about the experience itself — and could last ten courses or more depending on the occasion. See an example of a Victorian table setting on-site at the Henry B. Plant Museum, or book ahead of time to participate in a top notch event like Picnic in the Park, which harks back to simpler times with a picnic meal, live entertainment, and Victorian field and table games.
Sparkman Wharf
615 Channelside Dr.
(813) 618-5844
Sparkman Wharf is a vibrant part of Tampa Bay's downtown waterfront, located along the Garrison Channel. The location once housed the Channelside Bay Plaza retail center before being transformed into an Instagram-worthy entertainment and dining area. The Tampa Riverwalk stretches for along the water's edge, offering a place to stroll and enjoy breathtaking views of Tampa Bay. Or rent a bike to explore Downtown Tampa at your own pace. Before you go, stop by the brightly decorated shipping container restaurants and cafés to grab a burger or lobster volcano roll, enjoy a drink at a wine bar or watch a movie or live musical performance on the lawn.
TASTE at The Straz
Straz Center for the Performing Arts
1010 N. Macinnes Place
(813) 222-1275
Choosing what to do in Tampa is easy during the month of April, especially if you’re seeking something food-related. This annual food festival and fundraising event highlights the region’s most celebrated restaurants and breweries at the performing arts center on Tampa’s Riverwalk. A general admission ticket not only grants you access to an evening of vibrant live music but also allows you to indulge in tastings of local delicacies, exquisite wines and craft beers. For those seeking a more exclusive experience, VIP tickets offer early admission, access to specialty lounges and the indulgence of unlimited food and drink. High rollers may wish to reserve a table on the big night to host their nearest and dearest connoisseurs of fine cuisine. Regardless of investment, rest assured that proceeds support arts education and productions.
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