Food & Drink
There are people who know everything about coffee and some who wish they did. I fall into the latter, and I presume that Eileen Ramos is closer to the former. A well-traveled barista, and former Best of the Bay winner, Ramos now runs mornings at Double Six, the daytime cafe inside Ybor City’s gem of a restaurant, La Sétima. She’s also a queen of the cortado, an oracle of the 1-to-1, who can turn my day around with the perfect balance of espresso and milk. On my best days, the drink tastes like a luxurious treat; on the bad ones, a warm hug. Thank you, Eileen, for always lifting us up. @doublesixtpa on Instagram—Ray Roa
Ryan Fouche, one part owner of La Sétima Club, is a most hospitable guide for this mainly plant-based gastronomic journey. If you don’t know much about wine, he’ll gladly pour you a little tasting and explain what regions are more likely to carry which notes. If you like a deep Cab, go for a glass of the Angelo Rivano ‘Intrigu’—a carignan from Sardinia, Italy. It’s dense in notes of wild blackberry, dried strawberry, and garrigue (a low scrubland plant that grows around the Mediterranean Basin). And to go with? “I’d go with a burger,” Fouche told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay, referring to one of their three Impossible slider options. “I’d do the Lil Big Muff,” Fouche added, suggesting a slider option featuring an olive spread, plant-based cheddar “chz”, pickles, and plant-based “mayo” on some pretty soft, fluffy buns. “The salty brine would go really well with that glass,” he said. You’ll also wanna check out the Jazz trio that busts out here on Sunday evenings, too. lasetimaclub.com—Annalise Mabe
Winner: Chef Chris Artrip - The Black Pearl
Finalists: Bryce Bonsack - Rocca, Felicia LaCalle - Quiote Tequilaria
Finalists: Bryce Bonsack - Rocca, Felicia LaCalle - Quiote Tequilaria
Winner: Bella's Italian Café
Finalists: On Swann, Council Oak Steaks & Seafood - Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa
Finalists: On Swann, Council Oak Steaks & Seafood - Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa
At Hotel Bar, Kristian Rodriguez is nixing the hackneyed espresso martini in favor of something different, offering up a bottle of Braulio, a traditional alpine amaro created in 1875 in Bormio, Valtellina. He introduces guests to the shaken amaro, which is the perfect in-between drink if you’re wanting to sip on something pleasant through the night without getting totally wasted. "Shaking the amaro transforms the aperitif, translating what's typically something dense and bitter into something more aromatic, lifted, and open." It almost looks like an espresso martini with its slight head of foam, but its color is amber, and its taste carries more range. Drop in to do a side-by-side tasting of amaro straight vs. its chilled, shaken sibling. hotelbartampa.com—Annalise Mabe
Winner: Sunda New Asian
Finalists: Pisces Sushi & Global Bistro, O-Ku
Finalists: Pisces Sushi & Global Bistro, O-Ku
Winner: Pete's Bagels
Finalists: St Pete Bagel, Bella's Bagels and Cafe
Finalists: St Pete Bagel, Bella's Bagels and Cafe
Winner: Mazzaro's Italian Market
Finalists: Wright's Gourmet House, The Enchanted Baker
Finalists: Wright's Gourmet House, The Enchanted Baker
Winner: Woof Gang Bakery - South Tampa, Clearwater, Dunedin
Finalists: 3 Dog Bakery, St PetersBARK Natural Pet Market
Finalists: 3 Dog Bakery, St PetersBARK Natural Pet Market
Winner: Bamboozle
Finalists: La Vie, Saigon Deli
Finalists: La Vie, Saigon Deli
Winner: Gigglewaters
Finalists: Flanagan's Irish Pub, COCKtail St. Pete
Finalists: Flanagan's Irish Pub, COCKtail St. Pete
Winner: The Halloween Bar Crawl - Tampa
Finalists: Gasparilla Bar Crawl, Brunch & Festival; GaYbor Easter Bonnet Crawl
Finalists: Gasparilla Bar Crawl, Brunch & Festival; GaYbor Easter Bonnet Crawl
Winner: The Honu Restaurant & Tiki Bar
Finalists: Rosie's Tavern of Dunedin, Bauser's
Finalists: Rosie's Tavern of Dunedin, Bauser's
Winner: COCKtail St. Pete
Finalists: Tampa Bay Drinkery, Slim Charmer
Finalists: Tampa Bay Drinkery, Slim Charmer
Winner: CW's Gin Joint
Finalists: The Hub, Alter Ego
Finalists: The Hub, Alter Ego
Winner: The Dunedin Smokehouse
Finalists: The Brisket Shoppe, QSouthern BBQ
Finalists: The Brisket Shoppe, QSouthern BBQ
Winner: Trip's Diner
Finalists: El Cap, LaTerasita
Finalists: El Cap, LaTerasita
Winner: Madi May - Mazzaro's Italian Market
Finalists: Emma Rocks, The Sourdough Co.; Rachael Brinson - Bonsai Beverage Co
Finalists: Emma Rocks, The Sourdough Co.; Rachael Brinson - Bonsai Beverage Co
Winner: Vernon Vaden - MR D'z Men's Emporium
Finalists: Nicole Price - Big Bamboo Bayside, Hog Island Fish Camp - Amanda White
Finalists: Nicole Price - Big Bamboo Bayside, Hog Island Fish Camp - Amanda White
Winner: Jimmy B's
Finalists: Sloppy Joes, Whiskey Joe's
Finalists: Sloppy Joes, Whiskey Joe's
Winner: 1200 Chophouse
Finalists: The Helm, Frenchy's Rockaway Grill
Finalists: The Helm, Frenchy's Rockaway Grill
Tampa is a soccer town. If you needed proof, you should’ve smelled the Guiness outside Armature Works last April when NBC’s revered “Premier League Mornings” came to the Tampa Riverwalk for two days of games, with coverage starting at the asscrack of dawn. Star commentators the Robbies, Tim Tebow and world-famous Rebecca Lowe were all there, and so where thousands of fans decked out like full-kit wankers often with soccer’s favorite stout in hand.—Ray Roa
Winner: Rosie's Tavern of New Port Richey
Finalists: Big Bamboo Bayside, Hawthorne Bottle Shopp
Finalists: Big Bamboo Bayside, Hawthorne Bottle Shopp
Walking into Blooming Floral Cafe delivers an instant hit of dopamine. It may be because of the smell of freshly ground coffee beans and freshly cut roses. Or it may be because your eyes won’t know where to look, stopping at every corner to take in little trinkets and figurines poised perfectly for your amusement. Floral installations abound in vibrant pastels, and the small space overflows with charm; you can tell the owners put thought into every inch of their shop. But Blooming Floral isn’t just for photo ops. The menu brings equal flair via handcrafted specialty lattes and delicate, freshly made pastries. It’s the ultimate spot to feel bookish and cozy. thebloomingfloralcafe.com—Annalise Mabe
Winner: Gigglewaters
Finalists: Big Bamboo Bayside, Con Amor
Finalists: Big Bamboo Bayside, Con Amor
When it comes to a proper dirty martini, the details make or break the drink, and no one does it better than Counter Culture. Chef Jeannie Pierola’s spot approaches the classic cocktail with precision. “Our house-made dirty martini starts with quality vermouth selected to complement either vodka or gin,” Counter Culture Beverage Director Alex Artishenko told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. “We hull Spanish olives by hand and stuff each one with Point Reyes Blue Cheese, giving the garnish a rich, creamy bite.” They also express fresh citrus oils over the cocktail to add a bright aromatic note that helps to keep the gin or vodka from getting lost beneath the savory olive brine. Counter Culture’s take on the cocktail is sophisticated, refined and puts them at the top. You may not want a dirty martini anywhere else after this one. cc-tampa.com—Annalise Mabe
The first time I saw Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band live (back in February, 2023), the thought of ever getting to drink with the Boss’s right-hand man himself was nothing short of a fever dream. Steven Van Zandt, also known as Silvio Dante in “The Sopranos,” had a major hand in the creation of a new maple mezcal, which had a soft launch going for a year or so before making its official public debut at Tampa’s Hard Rock Cafe last May. When asked why the no-cover party was held in Tampa specifically, Van Zandt told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that he just remembered being part of a show in town with the Buzzcocks (probably an Underground Garage thing). And it’s a pretty nifty bev, too. There were coffee floats being served on site with syrup made from the spirit, and they paired well with the Hard Rock’s churro bread pudding, which may have trumped every dessert I’ve ever had. stjohnsburydistillery.com—Josh Bradley
Winner: CALI
Finalists: Bare Naked Kitchen, Fresh Kitchen
Finalists: Bare Naked Kitchen, Fresh Kitchen
Winner: Acropolis Greek Taverna
Finalists: CALI Riverview, Tibby's New Orleans Cuisine
Finalists: CALI Riverview, Tibby's New Orleans Cuisine
Winner: Lenny's Restaurant
Finalists: Bacon Street Diner, Bassano Cheesecake
Finalists: Bacon Street Diner, Bassano Cheesecake
Many have already visited LARA Apothecary Bar and Bazaar, the large, yellow-bricked restaurant on famed 7th Avenue, run by the Notorious S.U.Z., prominent Tampa chef Suzanne “Suz” Lara known for her work running kitchens at Ella’s, Cass Street Deli, and Rooster & the Till. But some may not know of a Sunday evening Breakfast for Dinner lineup and Lara’s new incorporation of a classic: their Deviled Crab Eggs Benedict. “It’s served on sourdough toast with fresh, wild-caught blue crab salad spiced with lots of sofrito and picante in there, topped with a poached egg and then a whole fried soft shell crab and picante hollandaise on top,” Lara told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. At a time when Ybor City itself is in transition, Lara continues to pay homage to its roots. “It’s our job to represent the city properly,” Lara said. “Smoke a cigar, have a café con leche. It’s a great place in the early evenings, too. The sun sets right over 7th Avenue and it’s breathtaking.” tampalara.com—Annalise Mabe
Winner: Mazzaro's Italian Market
Finalists: Big Bamboo Bayside, Bacon Street Diner
Finalists: Big Bamboo Bayside, Bacon Street Diner
Winner: Coppertail - Bob Haa
Finalists: Michael Beard - Channelside Brewing; Matthew McKinnon, Sky Puppy Brewing
Finalists: Michael Beard - Channelside Brewing; Matthew McKinnon, Sky Puppy Brewing
Winner: Coppertail
Finalists: Channelside Brewing, Sky Puppy Brewing
Finalists: Channelside Brewing, Sky Puppy Brewing
Winner: BarrieHaus
Finalists: Dade City Brew House, Florida Avenue Brewing Co.
Finalists: Dade City Brew House, Florida Avenue Brewing Co.
Winner: 3 Daughters
Finalists: Golden Isles Brewing Co., Crooked Thumb Brewery
Finalists: Golden Isles Brewing Co., Crooked Thumb Brewery
Winner: The Brisket Shoppe
Finalists: QSouthern BBQ, The Dunedin Smokehouse
Finalists: QSouthern BBQ, The Dunedin Smokehouse
Winner: Mad Dogs & Englishmen
Finalists: Cricketers British Pub, The Horse & Jockey
Finalists: Cricketers British Pub, The Horse & Jockey
It’s been well over a year since Jessie Wohlers took over the shop at Jug & Bottle on N. Florida Avenue, and she stays busy, building out the new bar, applying new coats of paint, and curating something special for everyone—from sake and interesting skin contacts to new NAs, and more—in the hopes of recreating her Brooklyn living room circa 2003. With an espresso machine, a kitchen with ramen (via Ichikoroshi), sake, beer, wine, NA options, and spirits coming soon, there really is something for everyone here. Wohlers told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay earlier this year, “There is an intention behind it…we’re not really anything. Or just everything.” jugandbottledept.com—Annalise Mabe
Winner: Safety Harbor Resort & Spa
Finalists: The Living Room on Main, Noble Crust
Finalists: The Living Room on Main, Noble Crust
Winner: The Brinehouse
Finalists: Birch & Vine, Juno & The Peacock
Finalists: Birch & Vine, Juno & The Peacock
Winner: Jerk Hut
Finalists: Fresh Harvest Buffet - Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa, Oystercatchers
Finalists: Fresh Harvest Buffet - Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa, Oystercatchers
Winner: Gigglewaters
Finalists: Noble Tavern, Highland House
Finalists: Noble Tavern, Highland House
Winner: Rene's Mexican Kitchen
Finalists: Taco Bus, Red Mesa Mercado
Finalists: Taco Bus, Red Mesa Mercado
Winner: Mazzaro's Italian Market
Finalists: Southern Steer, St. Pete Meat & Provisions
Finalists: Southern Steer, St. Pete Meat & Provisions
Winner: Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux
Finalists: Tibby's New Orleans Cafe, HEW Parlor & Chophous
Finalists: Tibby's New Orleans Cafe, HEW Parlor & Chophous
Winner: The Cake Girl
Finalists: Wright's Gourmet House, The Enchanted Baker
Finalists: Wright's Gourmet House, The Enchanted Baker
Winner: Mandola's Italian Kitchen
Finalists: Noble Crust, Agave Social
Finalists: Noble Crust, Agave Social
Winner: Campbell River Cheese & Charcuterie
Finalists: Mazzaro's Italian Market, SoCuterie FL
Finalists: Mazzaro's Italian Market, SoCuterie FL
Winner: Mazzaro's Italian Market
Finalists: Birch & Vine, On Swann
Finalists: Birch & Vine, On Swann
Winner: Bassano Cheesecake
Finalists: Mazzaro's Italian Market, Allelo
Finalists: Mazzaro's Italian Market, Allelo
Winner: Chef Clayton Parrett - HEW Parlor & Chophouse
Finalists: Chef Chris Artrip - The Black Pearl, Chef Tony Bruno - The Brinehouse
Finalists: Chef Chris Artrip - The Black Pearl, Chef Tony Bruno - The Brinehouse
Winner: Chef Josh Breen - Mazzaro's Italian Market
Finalists: Chef Lee Aquino - The Birchwood, Chef Nick Ocando - Allelo
Finalists: Chef Lee Aquino - The Birchwood, Chef Nick Ocando - Allelo
Winner: Chef Gerry Sizemore - CW's Gin Joint
Finalists: Chef Marty Blitz - Mise en Place, Chef Suzanne Lara - Lara Ybor
Finalists: Chef Marty Blitz - Mise en Place, Chef Suzanne Lara - Lara Ybor
Winner: Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux
Finalists: Gigglewaters, PDQ
Finalists: Gigglewaters, PDQ
Winner: Yummy House
Finalists: Zom Hee, China Wok
Finalists: Zom Hee, China Wok
Winner: Ocean Hai
Finalists: Latitude 28 at JW Marriott Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa, Lenny's Restaurant
Finalists: Latitude 28 at JW Marriott Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa, Lenny's Restaurant
Winner: CW's Gin Joint
Finalists: The Honu Restaurant & Tiki Bar, Sonder Social House
Finalists: The Honu Restaurant & Tiki Bar, Sonder Social House
Winner: Mazzaro's Italian Market
Finalists: Pour & Decor, Bonsai Beverage Co.
Finalists: Pour & Decor, Bonsai Beverage Co.
Winner: Mazzaro's Italian Market
Finalists: Look Alive Coffee, Bonsai Beverage Co.
Finalists: Look Alive Coffee, Bonsai Beverage Co.
Winner: Pour & Decor
Finalists: Bonsai Beverage Co., Cafe Vino Tinto
Finalists: Bonsai Beverage Co., Cafe Vino Tinto
Maybe it’s because there’s no Wi-Fi. Maybe it’s because it’s next door to Tombolo Books and half the patrons are reading paperbacks. Maybe it’s because people are talking to each other, or silently working on some handicraft at the high-top. But there is something deliciously nostalgic about Black Crow Coffee. It feels like a coffee shop from a ‘90s movie, from the hand-lettered menu to the packed push-pin board. It’s social while still being relaxed, cool without being “Aesthetic,” and community-focused in a way that feels genuine. Break out the Walkman and sip your drink like it’s a simpler time. blackcrowcoffeeco.com—Caroline DeBruhl
Winner: Mazzaro's Italian Market
Finalists: Moonlit Macarons, Bake 'n Babes
Finalists: Moonlit Macarons, Bake 'n Babes
Winner: Safety Harbor Craft Beer Fest
Finalists: Greetings from Florida at Green Bench, Oktoberfest Tampa
Finalists: Greetings from Florida at Green Bench, Oktoberfest Tampa
Bartenders across the U.S. are ushering in a new cocktail era, and in Tampa Bay, it's pretty crushable. Defined by lower ABV drinks, these cocktails prioritize pleasure and approachability over the maximalism drinkers have seen in the past decade. In Tampa Bay, where we could always use a refresher, Alter Ego’s Daniel Bareswilt (named one of the Best New Bartenders of 2025) told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay about one of their "zeitgeist cocktails," a hybrid born of a Porn Star Martini and a Sgroppino—vodka, passionfruit, lemon and vanilla sorbet dropped into a coup of prosecco and topped with a makrut lime leaf. "We're making drinks crushable by default," Bareswilt said, noting that they are "teaching cocktails to a whole new generation." alteregotampa.com—Annalise Mabe
Winner: Pipo's Cuban Cafe
Finalists: Bonsai Beverage Co, La Segunda
Finalists: Bonsai Beverage Co, La Segunda
Winner: Pipo's Cuban Cafe
Finalists: Flan Factory, Soul de Cuba Cafe
Finalists: Flan Factory, Soul de Cuba Cafe
Winner: Pipo's Cuban Cafe
Finalists: Mr. Empanada, The Brinehouse
Finalists: Mr. Empanada, The Brinehouse
As Vice President of Marketing at the 1905 Family of Restaurants (The Columbia et al), Jeff Houck’s got plenty of stories to tell. But those aren’t the only establishments he celebrates. Take his Facebook series “Great Convenience Stores Of Tampa.” Who needs Guy Fieri’s “Diners and Dives” when we’ve got Jeff’s deep dives into places like the Manatee Avenue Market—home of Gumbozilla! He’s also a chef whisperer, getting kitchen confidentials from top local chefs in the Visit Tampa Bay series “Tampa’s Table.” A former food writer for the Tampa Tribune, he treats the culinary scene with lively curiosity and deep respect; his heartfelt eulogies for chef Chad Johnson and historian Andy Huse (with whom he co-wrote a history of the Cuban sandwich) did poignant justice to both. It’s no wonder he served as board chair last year for Tampa’s Downtown Partnership; he’s a champion and a champ.@jeffhouck on Instagram—David Warner
Winner: The Cake Girl
Finalists: Wright's Gourmet House, Bake 'n Babes
Finalists: Wright's Gourmet House, Bake 'n Babes
Winner: Bella's Italian Café
Finalists: Council Oak Steaks & Seafood - Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa, The Black Pearl
Finalists: Council Oak Steaks & Seafood - Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa, The Black Pearl
You know how it often seems that the last sip in the wine glass is somehow the best? That’s because red wine loves oxygen even more than a lineman lucking into a 90-yard pick-six. I’ve always advocated decanting even young, less expensive bottles, but it’s especially rewarding when it’s a unique wine for a wonderful occasion. Enter Tony Profeta, the lone server to make the transition as 717 South literally rose from the 2024 ashes to be reborn luxuriously as The Landon on S Howard Avenue. I watched with glee as he effortlessly performed the ritual from capsule-cutting, uncorking, and pouring the glistening garnet stream into a gorgeous crystal, wide-bottomed ship’s decanter. My longtime companion is a wine consultant, so for her milestone birthday, it was well worth paying a corkage fee and thrilling to see Tony become Fred Astaire, coaxing the wine into a seductive dance. Don’t miss the tuna tartare cannoli or the pork tenderloin. thelandonrestaurant.com—Jon Palmer Claridge
Winner: Mazzaro's Italian Market
Finalists: Gateway Subs, Wright's Gourmet House
Finalists: Gateway Subs, Wright's Gourmet House
Winner: Mazzaro's Italian Market
Finalists: Bassano's Cheesecake, Moonlit Macarons
Finalists: Bassano's Cheesecake, Moonlit Macarons
Winner: Mr. Empanada
Finalists: Pipo's Cuban Cafe, Brocato's
Finalists: Pipo's Cuban Cafe, Brocato's
Winner: Lenny's Restaurant
Finalists: Metro Diner, Mama's Kitchen
Finalists: Metro Diner, Mama's Kitchen
Winner: St. Pete Distillery
Finalists: Cotherman Distilling Company, Savaje Rum
Finalists: Cotherman Distilling Company, Savaje Rum
Winner: Bauser's
Finalists: The Hub, Mahuffer's
Finalists: The Hub, Mahuffer's
Winner: Bauser's
Finalists: The Honu Restaurant & Tiki Bar, Dog Bar
Finalists: The Honu Restaurant & Tiki Bar, Dog Bar
Winner: Supernatural
Finalists: St. Pete Bagel, SoDough Square
Finalists: St. Pete Bagel, SoDough Square
Winner: Teak
Finalists: Allelo, Sauvignon Wine Cellar
Finalists: Allelo, Sauvignon Wine Cellar
When Oriental Express shut down on Halloween 2025, downtown Tampa became a ghost town for Chinese food freaks. Turns out the restaurant was bussing itself over a quarter-mile away. Opening with a new name just a month later, and now tucked onto the block that’s home to local favorites Eddie & Sams and Bavaro’s, wife and husband Xue Yun and Chao Lin—together with two of their sons, Kenny and Danny—are giving office dwellers their fix of General Tsos, sushi, bowls, and pretty much anything you’d find at the corner Chinese spot. sunsetlotusfl.com—Ray Roa
Winner: CW's Gin Joint
Finalists: The Pearl, The Dan
Finalists: The Pearl, The Dan
The days are long, the years are short, and authentic Cuban food available at a drive-thru truly does make life better. Maybe it’s wrong to get Cuban food through a drive-thru, but that matters little when the cravings for ropa vieja or cafe con leche arrive. The modality for working families is haste, and Pipo's knows how to wrangle a proper hot plate of masitas—pork so crispy you could cry. Families can, of course, dine in, and you should. The lore is that the Hernandez family opened Pipo’s first Cuban cafe in 1979, almost 50 years ago. Owner and head chef Ramon Hernandez is at the helm today, keeping the true Cuban food hot and ready, and for that we are thankful. pipos1979.com—Arielle Stevenson
Winner: Madison Ave Pizza
Finalists: Pisces Sushi & Global Bistro, HEW Parlor & Chophouse
Finalists: Pisces Sushi & Global Bistro, HEW Parlor & Chophouse
Winner: The Brinehouse
Finalists: Noble Crust, Lenny's Restaurant
Finalists: Noble Crust, Lenny's Restaurant
Winner: The Honu Restaurant & Tiki Bar
Finalists: Cotherman Distilling Company, Allelo
Finalists: Cotherman Distilling Company, Allelo
Winner: Mad Dogs & Englishmen
Finalists: Cricketers British Pub, Flanagan's Irish Pub
Finalists: Cricketers British Pub, Flanagan's Irish Pub
Winner: West Fortune
Finalists: Hog Island Fish Camp, Frenchy's
Finalists: Hog Island Fish Camp, Frenchy's
Owner Jillian Kitto Frers sold the beloved South St. Petersburg restaurant this spring, and her farewell letter on Facebook summed up what madeThe Chattaway special over her family’s 75-year ownership of the restaurant. Commending the musicians and artists who shared their talents there, she wrote, “They reminded us that a restaurant can be more than a place to eat—it can be a gathering place for art, music, friendship and community.” We hope the new owners (who include Mark Ferguson of Ferg’s Sports Bar fame) will realize that, too. thechattaway.com—David Warner
Winner: SAVOR St. Pete
Finalists: Tampa Bay Wine & Food Festival, Tampa Bay Food Fight
Finalists: Tampa Bay Wine & Food Festival, Tampa Bay Food Fight
Winner: ClamMasterJay
Finalists: Carupano Kitchen, The Shawarma King, Cheeky's Clam Bar
Finalists: Carupano Kitchen, The Shawarma King, Cheeky's Clam Bar
Winner: Gigglewaters
Finalists: The Shawarma King, Rene's Mexican Kitchen
Finalists: The Shawarma King, Rene's Mexican Kitchen
Winner: Dawn Stewart - The Taste Testers
Finalists: Jeff & Mark Exploring, The Honest Food Guy
Finalists: Jeff & Mark Exploring, The Honest Food Guy
Winner: Mel's Hot Dogs
Finalists: Tommy's Hideaway Pizza Pub, Gigglewaters
Finalists: Tommy's Hideaway Pizza Pub, Gigglewaters
Winner: Mise En Place
Finalists: The Black Pearl, Bar Terroir
Finalists: The Black Pearl, Bar Terroir
Winner: Noble Crust
Finalists: Gigglewaters, Lenny's Restaurant
Finalists: Gigglewaters, Lenny's Restaurant
Inside the Citgo on the corner of N Armenia and W Wilder Avenues in Tampa, Chef Sirikullaya “Layla” Martinez is making magic, or at the very least, some of the very best Thai food in the Bay area. Opened last spring, Chalawaan Thai Delish has a simple menu broken into four categories—appetizers, noodles & fried rice, stir-fries & curry, and desserts—with prices ranging from $6 to $18 (coffees and Thai teas are $5). It’s all good and prepped daily, but the curry is essential, expertly blending aromatic spices with nutty flavors, cream, and proteins, pineapples, peppers, and or potatoes depending on your choice preference. At a time when eating inside a restaurant means saving up for a week, Chalawaan, named for a folkloric crocodilian king revered in Martinez’s home province of Phichit, is a welcome luxury. chalawaanthaidelish.blizzfull.com—Ray Roa
Winner: Mazzaro's Italian Market
Finalists: Wright's Gourmet House, Joe and Son's Olive Oils
Finalists: Wright's Gourmet House, Joe and Son's Olive Oils
Winner: Acropolis Greek Taverna
Finalists: Mio's Grill & Cafe, Mama's Greek Cuisine
Finalists: Mio's Grill & Cafe, Mama's Greek Cuisine
Winner: Hog Island Fish Camp
Finalists: BLUFIN Waterfront Grill, Frenchy's Rockaway Grill
Finalists: BLUFIN Waterfront Grill, Frenchy's Rockaway Grill
Winner: Casa Tina
Finalists: Jimmy's Tacos, Red Mesa 4th Street
Finalists: Jimmy's Tacos, Red Mesa 4th Street
Winner: Tommy's Hideaway Pizza Pub
Finalists: Pia's Trattoria, Mademoiselle's
Finalists: Pia's Trattoria, Mademoiselle's
Winner: COCKtail St. Pete
Finalists: Walk On's Sports Bistreaux, Rosie's Tavern of Dunedin
Finalists: Walk On's Sports Bistreaux, Rosie's Tavern of Dunedin
Winner: Nature's Food Patch
Finalists: Rollin' Oats Market, Earth Origins
Finalists: Rollin' Oats Market, Earth Origins
Winner: Mel's Hot Dogs
Finalists: SoDough Square, Weenies N' Bikinis
Finalists: SoDough Square, Weenies N' Bikinis
Winner: KPOT Korean BBQ
Finalists: Nine Spices Hot Pot and K-BBQ, GANGCHU
Finalists: Nine Spices Hot Pot and K-BBQ, GANGCHU
Winner: The Dunedin Smokehouse
Finalists: Hot Sauce Bawse, The Honu Restaurant & Tiki Bar (Pele Sauce)
Finalists: Hot Sauce Bawse, The Honu Restaurant & Tiki Bar (Pele Sauce)
Winner: COCKtail St. Pete - The Mari Jean Hotel
Finalists: BLUFIN Waterfront Grill, L Bar - Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa
Finalists: BLUFIN Waterfront Grill, L Bar - Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa
Winner: Noble Tavern
Finalists: Elliott Aster, HEW Parlor & Chophouse, Sal Y Mar
Finalists: Elliott Aster, HEW Parlor & Chophouse, Sal Y Mar
Winner: On Swann
Finalists: The Landon, Bella's Italian Café
Finalists: The Landon, Bella's Italian Café
Winner: Paciugo Gelato & Caffe
Finalists: Mandola's Italian Kitchen, Constant Grind - Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa, Zagara Gelato
Finalists: Mandola's Italian Kitchen, Constant Grind - Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa, Zagara Gelato
In 2021, Elizabeth Barr took it upon herself to share her homemade Otter Pop-style popsicles (which she has christened as Penguin Pops) with downtown Safety Harbor. Five years later, her walkup window, nestled in the same complex as OfficeWerks and 1920s style eatery-slash-movie-theater Gigglewaters, has both virgin and spiked Penguin Pops, as well as slushies, shaved ice, and, in a more recent development, soft-serve ice cream. It’s open year-round (because face it: In Florida weather, when is it ever not suitable to have a frozen treat?), but keep your eyes open during the next watermelon season, because that time of year, Barr’s seasonal treats don’t taste like artificial Jolly Ranchers one bit. @icebarrfl on Instagram—Josh Bradley
Winner: Flames Indian Cuisine
Finalists: Twisted Indian, Curry Leaves
Finalists: Twisted Indian, Curry Leaves
As St. Petersburg licks its wounds over Michelin and James Beard snubs, foodies might forget what Tampa Bay does best: the seafood joint. And few places serve up atmosphere better than Crab Shack, a cinder-block restaurant and bar tucked off Gandy Beach, all but crowded out by construction and two years of road work. The menu is what you would expect. The patina is pure joy: dollar bills papering the ceiling and walls going back to Covid, marking wedding dates and the birth of babies; light fixtures crafted from (what else?) crab traps; a gator head at the bar, bobbing from a fishing line and pulley every time the front door swings open; hand-painted murals adorning the few unclaimed spaces. Real people eat here. The tile floor lost its finish some time ago. If you're looking for fancy, this ain't it. If you’re looking for old St. Pete, fading fast before our eyes, here’s your place. crabshack.com—Thomas Hallock
Winner: Flanagan's Irish Pub
Finalists: Mary Margaret's, The Irish Pub on 4th Street
Finalists: Mary Margaret's, The Irish Pub on 4th Street
Winner: Bella's Italian Café
Finalists: Mandola's Italian Kitchen, Il Ritorno
Finalists: Mandola's Italian Kitchen, Il Ritorno
Winner: Bonsai Beverage Co.
Finalists: Nature's Food Patch, Lara
Finalists: Nature's Food Patch, Lara
Winner: Heights Lounge
Finalists: Bonsai Beverage Co, Spookeasy Lounge
Finalists: Bonsai Beverage Co, Spookeasy Lounge
Winner: Mike's Pies
Finalists: BLUFIN Waterfront Grill, The Enchanted Baker
Finalists: BLUFIN Waterfront Grill, The Enchanted Baker
Winner: Heights Lounge
Finalists: Bonsai Beverage Co, Mother Kombucha
Finalists: Bonsai Beverage Co, Mother Kombucha
Some of the best Mexican food in town is being made in an old wooden seafood shack on Seminole Boulevard in Largo. Casa de las Niñas took over the space a little over a year ago, filling the air with the sweet smell of housemade salsa verde and chorizo. The tacos: asada, pastor, chorizo, pollo, lengua, cabeza or tripe as it should be.The chiccarones with the fresh guacamole and green sauce, so good that even the chef and owner “mama” smiles when she serves them because she knows that fried pork belly slaps like no other. Aqua fresca in big cups, a tiny patio with twinkly lights, and old-school Mexican restaurant decor. With Mama’s tunes blasting from the outdoor kitchen every night, for a second it feels more like a taqueria in Tijuana than Largo. lacasadelasnenaslargo.com—Arielle Stevenson
Winner: Bella's Italian Café
Finalists: CJ's Backstage, BLUFIN Waterfront Grill
Finalists: CJ's Backstage, BLUFIN Waterfront Grill
Some of the best Lebanese food in town is made daily right on West Bay Drive, just a couple miles from the Gulf, thanks to the fine folks at Sahara Mediterranean Fine Wine & Food. The wood-fired oven cranks out batches of pillowy-soft homemade pita bread, which goes well with the sesame-iest baba ganoush. And the falafel is made in proper rounds like beautiful little Mediterranean scotch eggs, not to be outdone by the cheese pie with its toasted black sesame seeds in a kind of pizza because yes, please? The aroma of wood-fired meats fills the air, and take note that the kibbeh sells out quickly for good reason. As far as ambiance, the place glows with a warmth that has to do with the generous family that runs it. Sahara is so family-owned and operated that the son is often helping out front, while mom and dad fire off plates of food and grab another bottle from their eclectic wine list. cafesaharafl.com—Arielle Stevenson
Winner: COCKtail St. Pete
Finalists: The Honu Restaurant & Tiki Bar, MR D'z Men's Emporium
Finalists: The Honu Restaurant & Tiki Bar, MR D'z Men's Emporium
Winner: Grumpy Gringo Liquor
Finalists: Luekens, The Hub
Finalists: Luekens, The Hub
Winner: The Helm
Finalists: Cheeky's Fish & Raw Bar, Dj's Clam Shack
Finalists: Cheeky's Fish & Raw Bar, Dj's Clam Shack
I’ve never understood why this seafood-focused restaurant wasn’t the jewel in the crown of Bloomin’ Brands’ portfolio. The two St. Petersburg outposts, especially the one on Tyrone Boulevard, are dependable go-tos for friendly service, comfortable surroundings (whether you want to hunker down at the bar or nestle in a banquette in the white-tableclothed dining room), and the menu is varied enough, in prices and offerings, to accommodate most tastes. Maybe seafood’s a harder sell than, say, Outback’s steaks, but hey—Bang Bang Shrimp®! With a well-made martini! And maybe grilled butterfish for dinner! Why not? bonefishgrill.com—David Warner
Carrollwood. Wesley Chapel. The upper reaches of 4th Street in St. Petersburg. The locals in these neighborhoods know the glories of Noble Crust, and the rest of us are willing to travel for the fabulous fried chicken, the perfect pasta, the burgers, the brunches and the way-too-tasty cocktails that are all part of Noble Crust’s “Deep South Italian” concept. And now, after way too long a wait, downtown St. Pete has gotten its own outpost of the Noble family. But this one’s different: Noble Tavern is a hoppin’ spot in the Tru Hilton with food served tapas-style, a big, bustling bar, eclectic decor, and brisk, friendly service. Most importantly, the something-for-everyone menu is full of shareable delights —succulent pork ribs, irresistible sweet corn risotto, excellent empanadas, even sushi rolls. A Noble achievement for sure. nobletavern.com—David Warner
Over the past few years, District South has solidified itself as one of South Tampa’s most reliable neighborhood gathering spots, much thanks to a wallet-friendly, competitive happy hour that keeps high-quality food and drinks surprisingly accessible. Pair that with District South’s paloma slushie (and other thirst-quenching frozen cocktails) and you’ve got the perfect antidote for Florida’s humid heat. Drink happy hour starts at noon, food happy hour starts at 2 p.m., and you’ll wanna get there before the parking lot fills up and all the good bar seats are taken. Try the smashburger or the pimento cheese with house-made chips. District South is a laid-back, community-first atmosphere with generous pours, great prices, and friendly faces. districtsouthtampa.com—Annalise Mabe
Winner: 81Bay - Lightning Lager
Finalists: Three Daughters Blonde, Channelside - Breaking Brews
Finalists: Three Daughters Blonde, Channelside - Breaking Brews
Winner: Cotherman Distilling Company
Finalists: St. Petersburg Distillery Sunset Gin, Savaje Rum
Finalists: St. Petersburg Distillery Sunset Gin, Savaje Rum
Winner: 3 Daughters
Finalists: Pinellas Ale Works, Dunedin Brewery
Finalists: Pinellas Ale Works, Dunedin Brewery
Winner: AstroBliss
Finalists: Coppertail Brewing, Dunedin Hemp Company
Finalists: Coppertail Brewing, Dunedin Hemp Company
Winner: Mazzaro's Italian Market
Finalists: Mr. Empanada, Tommy's Hideaway - Wood Fired Pizza & Pub
Finalists: Mr. Empanada, Tommy's Hideaway - Wood Fired Pizza & Pub
Winner: Mazzaro's Italian Market
Finalists: Mel's Hot Dogs, Mandola's Italian Kitchen
Finalists: Mel's Hot Dogs, Mandola's Italian Kitchen
Winner: The Dunedin Smokehouse
Finalists: The Brinehouse, BLUFIN Waterfront Grill
Finalists: The Brinehouse, BLUFIN Waterfront Grill
Winner: Casa Tina
Finalists: Cotherman Distilling Company, Con Amor
Finalists: Cotherman Distilling Company, Con Amor
Winner: Cotherman Distilling Company
Finalists: CW's Gin Joint
Finalists: CW's Gin Joint
In a red-hued room at the Tampa Edition (stylized “EDITION”), a silver martini cart arrives with chilled glassware, rare vermouths, and olive-clad cocktail skewers. It's here where Bar Director Nihat Çam handcrafts each cocktail, telling the story of how James Bond actually got it wrong. "Shaking a martini dilutes the spirits and natural botanicals one might enjoy by melting the ice in the cocktail," Çam says, setting the record straight on Bond's preference for shaken. Arguably the most iconic cocktail, its mythology and lore precede it. At Arts Club, Çam can help you find what suits your palate best. editionhotels.com—Annalise Mabe
Winner: Acropolis Greek Taverna
Finalists: Mio's Grill & Cafe, Allelo
Finalists: Mio's Grill & Cafe, Allelo
Ask any self-respecting architect: What completes the design of a commercial space? Chances are, she or he will tell you “the bathroom.” And so it goes with The Hub, a Tampa fixture far too venerated for “Best Of” accolades, possessed of a gestalt that defies easy categorization or pat description. Words fail. And so to the men's room, or specifically, the urinal—a tin trough packed with ice, which stoically drains the evening’s collective poor decisions. The cold keeps down the scent, which clears the bathroom of the smells a joint this old would otherwise earn. The sheer simplicity reminds us how basic the elements of a truly great bar can be: we need cash, drinks, and a place to pee. The Hub Bar on Facebook—Thomas Hallock
Winner: Noble Tavern
Finalists: Quiote, Ocho Trece
Finalists: Quiote, Ocho Trece
Caroline Lease said that La Sétima Club’s new “Carajillo” martini is not a knock on the espresso martini, but the new cocktail menu is an embrace of rum, and the drink features a house blend of the spirit featuring two Jamaican rums, a Puerto Rican rum, a Trinidad rum and a rum from Guyana. The spirits, Lease said, stand up to the espresso and bridges the gap between Sétima and the address's new Double Six morning café. And since D6 changes espresso periodically, the drink will be a living, changing thing, just like the rum blend. "It's more about the character of the product itself and how it comes out that time versus just consistently every time,” Lease—who is a veritable Bay area bar scene lifer behind some of the best bar programs in town—added. lasetimaclub.com—Ray Roa
Whether on a slow Wednesday or a chaotic weekend, Long Ash Cigars in Ybor City always feels like just the right level of full. And if you want a drink with what you pulled from the humidor, but do not need the alcohol, you might be lucky enough to have Judi behind the bar, who can mix you a custom, one-of-a-kind mocktail. You might have to ask nicely, I'm not sure, but she's been known to pull together a rum-less mojito, served in a pint glass (not the $15 Collins glass of fruit juice), with a long sprig of mint plunged to the sweet, crushed-ice bottom. Those of us who are trying to lay off alcohol, and we're out there, appreciate this show of extra kindness. When you quit drinking, you miss the culture of drinking, but Long Ash is a place where you can still go, shoot the shit, watch a ballgame you only half care about, and kick back with a hand-rolled cigar from the heart of Cigar City. thelongashcigars.com—Thomas Hallock
Winner: QSouthern BBQ
Finalists: Mandola's Italian Kitchen, Foody's
Finalists: Mandola's Italian Kitchen, Foody's
Winner: Oak & Ola
Finalists: Acropolis Greek Taverna, The Dunedin Smokehouse
Finalists: Acropolis Greek Taverna, The Dunedin Smokehouse
Winner: The Living Room Wesley Chapel
Finalists: Noble Crust, Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux Wesley Chapel
Finalists: Noble Crust, Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux Wesley Chapel
Winner: Chef Johnathan Rodriguez - FOMO Chefs
Finalists: Chef Anthony Santos, Chef Kristi - Avocado
Finalists: Chef Anthony Santos, Chef Kristi - Avocado
Winner: Madison Ave Pizza
Finalists: Mikeeo's Cheesesteak, Big Bamboo Bayside
Finalists: Mikeeo's Cheesesteak, Big Bamboo Bayside
Winner: Lotus Vegan
Finalists: Cajun Cafe On the Bayou, Café Bich Nga
Finalists: Cajun Cafe On the Bayou, Café Bich Nga
Winner: Madison Ave Pizza
Finalists: Tommy's Hideaway Pizza Pub, Eddie & Sam
Finalists: Tommy's Hideaway Pizza Pub, Eddie & Sam
Winner: Hog Island Fish Camp
Finalists: Teak, The Helm
Finalists: Teak, The Helm
Winner: Walk On's Sports Bistreaux
Finalists: Big Bamboo Bayside, The Dunedin Smokehouse
Finalists: Big Bamboo Bayside, The Dunedin Smokehouse
Winner: The Honu Restaurant & Tiki Bar
Finalists: Poke Falls, Pacific Counter
Finalists: Poke Falls, Pacific Counter
Winner: Pool Bar & Grill - Seminole Hard Rock Casino & Hotel Tampa
Finalists: BLUFIN Waterfront Grill, Big Bamboo Bayside, Sal Y Mar
Finalists: BLUFIN Waterfront Grill, Big Bamboo Bayside, Sal Y Mar
It’s hard to stay active over Thanksgiving break. Salty Soul Island Kitchen can help. On the weekend after the feast, as you battle the urge to eat another leftover turkey-mashed potato-stuffing sandwich, the downtown Dunedin restaurant invites anyone to get up early, pop off an out-and-back 5K on the Pinellas Trail. Recovery on the front deck looks like a loaded bloody mary bar (pepper syrup bacon?), mimosas, bagels, coffee and laid back hang with the best weather of the year. saltysouldunedin.com—Ray Roa
The only thing better than a full day at Honeymoon Island is ending it with boudin balls in your mouth. Happy’s has that covered and then some. On an upgraded stretch of Skinner Boulevard on the north edge of downtown Dunedin, the fat shack was founded in 2015 by Mark and Happy Jordan, then taken over in 2024 by Alex and Kimberly Eairaktaris who’ve not compromised on a touch of the Louisiana charm and flavor. Them balls come mixed with alligator if you like, and always perfectly breaded then fried, alongside two sauces (go for the creamy remoulade). Toss in Po’boys, boiled peanuts, and the hearty catfish étouffée (fried, please), and your post-beach meal is set. happysbayoubites.com—Ray Roa
There’s no better way to say goodbye to your interns than with a taco bar and a torta. Inside the Mexican convenience store is a small but mighty restaurant where you can indulge in plates of Asada para, barbacoa, and even lengua (beef tongue) by the pound or half-pound for your tacos. And if you’re not feeling tortillas, the Torta Fiesta Mexicana, which is served with fries, is filled with oaxaca cheese, slow-cooked pork, and veggies. And on weekdays until 2:30 p.m., you can’t forget the chimichanga lunch special, which you can have with the meat of your choice, pico de gallo, rice and fried beans, for $10. la-fiesta-mexican-store.foodyvo.com—Josh Bradley
Sorry Tom Brady, but you’re not the only world class athlete to ever call the Bay area home. Walking amongst us mortals are wife and husband combo Miki Sudo & Nick Wehry. Sudo is the No. 1 ranked female (and No. 7 overall) according to the worldwide Major League Eating, which has Wehry ranked at No. 5. They both hold ridiculous individual accolades, too; Sudo a reigning Nathan's Famous International Hot Dog Eating Contest who has won the competition 12 times in a row (last year she ate 38.75 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes), Wehry the world record holder for eating hard-boiled eggs (he downed 50 in three minutes and four seconds). Incredibly normal—except for Wehry’s massive muscles—they also appear regularly at contests locally, often competing and fund raising for charity. – Ray Roa
When Chris Arreola set out to build a refined neighborhood anchor, he wanted to reflect the roots of the city and the Hyde Park area which used to be a fishing village in the 1800s. And that he did, complete with uniquely sourced antique silverware and a zinc bar meant to patina over time like a European bistro. And now after ten years, he’s seeing that vision to the next level, bringing on Tyler Kovalik who spent eight years rising through the ranks at Virginia’s triple Michelin-starred The Inn at Little Washington. Together, with Executive Chef Thomas Parker, they’ve struck a rare balance: high-caliber, detail-obsessed service that touches every table without the white tablecloth pretension. One might want to check out the vibe for themselves (and snag a saffron arancini or an ahi tuna deviled egg). onswann.com—Annalise Mabe
Winner: Sunset Lotus - Chinese & Sushi
Finalists: Ichikorishi, Glass Noodle
Finalists: Ichikorishi, Glass Noodle
Winner: Lenny's Restaurant
Finalists: Mazzaro's Italian Market, Tommy's Hideaway
Finalists: Mazzaro's Italian Market, Tommy's Hideaway
Winner: The Dunedin Smokehouse
Finalists: QSouthern BBQ, The Brisket Shoppe
Finalists: QSouthern BBQ, The Brisket Shoppe
It’s almost criminal how long it took for loaded waffle fries to hit the food scene. They’ve exploded enough for local catering company Inside The Box to serve up a few variations of them at Gasparilla Music Festival last April. But the Ybor City watering hole right next door to The Commodore really hits the nail on the head with its own, plant-based variation. Its fries are topped with a pickled trinity (onions, bell peppers, and celery), parsley chimichurri, and a drizzle of a tangy, housemade “Setima sauce.” And they go even harder during a slightly-spontaneous “Rocky Horror Picture Show” screening whipped together in honor of the recently deceased Tim Curry. There’s just something healing about yelling “asshole!” with a mouthful of veggies and starch less than a week after your favorite Transylvanian went home. lasetimaclub.com—Josh Bradley
Winner: Birchwood Canopy
Finalists: Hi-Fi at the Fenway Hotel, Casa Cami
Finalists: Hi-Fi at the Fenway Hotel, Casa Cami
Winner: Gigglewaters
Finalists: The Brinehouse, Water Oak Grill
Finalists: The Brinehouse, Water Oak Grill
Winner: Nature's Food Patch
Finalists: Secret Garden, Fred's
Finalists: Secret Garden, Fred's
Andrea and Florin Adrian Turcu’s vision came to life in a small Oldsmar neighborhood in late 2024 when their European-inspired coffee shop opened its doors with almost 50 different flavors to choose from and blended drinks for the grind haters. The shop—which recently moved to a larger location on Tampa Road—has a food menu pretty much entirely composed of sandwiches found in your standard bodega or deli. Oldsmar has no shortage of coffee shops (there’s a Kahwa drive-thru, a Starbucks, and Charlie Coffee all within less than three miles of each other), but be real: When was the last time you craved the pairing of an iced latte with cookie butter and an Italian club sammy served on rye bread? It’s a few dollars more than your normal corporate cups of joe, sure, but when it comes to working publicly (or quietly participating in Whatnot auctions), Starbies has nothing on UCC. unitedcoffeeclub.com—Josh Bradley
Winner: Mazzaro's Italian Market
Finalists: Wright's Gourmet House, Gateway Subs
Finalists: Wright's Gourmet House, Gateway Subs
It’s a bit uncanny how rarely people consider how amazing a chicken cordon bleu would be on a sandwich. This 44-year-old counterservice Italian deli, tucked away behind the DMV—and the seemingly eternal construction around it—on U.S. Highway 19, already hits the spot for when you’re craving fresh mozzarella, gelato, or even just Italian imports. But a solid meal to end on while you’re there is the Napoleone sandwich, loaded with a fried chicken cutlet, ham, and Swiss cheese in either a toasted hoagie roll, or Italian bread. And if that’s a little too non-kosher for your liking, there are still 31 other sandwiches, plus a fistful of other hot meals, to choose from. felicedeli.com—Josh Bradley
Winner: The Honu Restaurant & Tiki Bar
Finalists: Gigglewaters, The Brinehouse
Finalists: Gigglewaters, The Brinehouse
Winner: Rusty Pelican
Finalists: Hog Island Fish Camp, BLUFIN Waterfront Grill
Finalists: Hog Island Fish Camp, BLUFIN Waterfront Grill
Winner: Rooster & The Till
Finalists: Duffy's, Con Amor
Finalists: Duffy's, Con Amor
Winner: Richee Diaz - Gigglewaters
Finalists: Toni Leal - CJ's Backstage, Kalby Tsao - The Brinehouse
Finalists: Toni Leal - CJ's Backstage, Kalby Tsao - The Brinehouse
There really was nothing like a pre-Jannus Live bowl of French onion soup and Cheesy Todd burger at Datz. Though it was pretty quiet there the last few times we popped in, the last remaining location of the legendary Tampa Bay gastropub minichain quietly closed its doors in downtown St. Pete last October. “It’s been a great and memorable journey throughout the years. Unfortunately, we have finished our final chapter in our Datz story,” a sign in the door read. As of now, the corner space it once occupied, right next to the James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art, remains vacant, and continues to mock local showgoers who have resorted to Ford’s Garage or Oak & Stone, remembering a happier time. datztampa.com—Josh Bradley
Winner: Nature's Food Patch
Finalists: Grain and Berry, Pure Green St. Petersburg
Finalists: Grain and Berry, Pure Green St. Petersburg
Winner: Jayme Kosar
Finalists: Thom Talone - The Black Pearl, Brad Dixon - Bern's Steak House
Finalists: Thom Talone - The Black Pearl, Brad Dixon - Bern's Steak House
Winner: Roam
Finalists: Mama's Soul Food Restaurant, 7th and Grove
Finalists: Mama's Soul Food Restaurant, 7th and Grove
Winner: Mazzaro's Italian Market
Finalists: The Brinehouse, Brisket Chilli- The Wine House
Finalists: The Brinehouse, Brisket Chilli- The Wine House
Winner: Bella's Italian Café
Finalists: Bern's Steakhouse, On Swann
Finalists: Bern's Steakhouse, On Swann
Winner: Bern's Steakhouse
Finalists: Elliott Aster, Mise en Place
Finalists: Elliott Aster, Mise en Place
Winner: Ferg's
Finalists: Walk On's Sports Bistreaux, CJ's Backstage
Finalists: Walk On's Sports Bistreaux, CJ's Backstage
Have you ever visited a spot that so effortlessly bridges modern cafe aesthetics with comforting Chinese street food? Enter: Retro House, from the talented folks who brought you Felicitous Coffee & Tea. One standout? Their Vietnamese cold brew made with oat condensed milk so it’s completely vegan-friendly. “We introduced it right before summer,” Owner Corrinne Liou told CL Tampa Bay. “It quickly became one of our best sellers and it’s still going strong!” Other instant hits include their red bean mochi bao, crab rangoon egg rolls, dan dan siu mai, lemongrass chicken dumplings, and more. retrohousetampa.com—Annalise Mabe
Winner: Noble Tavern
Finalists: Elliott Aster, The Library
Finalists: Elliott Aster, The Library
Winner: Bern's Steakhouse
Finalists: Council Oak Steaks & Seafood - Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa, 1200 Chophouse
Finalists: Council Oak Steaks & Seafood - Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa, 1200 Chophouse
Winner: Pisces Sushi & Global Bistro
Finalists: Rock 'N Raw Sushi Joint - Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa, Sunda New Asian
Finalists: Rock 'N Raw Sushi Joint - Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa, Sunda New Asian
Winner: BODA Authentic Mexican Restaurant
Finalists: Rene's Mexican Kitchen, Streetlight Tacos
Finalists: Rene's Mexican Kitchen, Streetlight Tacos
Winner: Oak & Ola
Finalists: Rocca, Ulele
Finalists: Rocca, Ulele
Winner: Council Oak Steaks & Seafood - Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa
Finalists: Oak & Ola, Bella's Italian Café
Finalists: Oak & Ola, Bella's Italian Café
Winner: The Spice and Tea Exchange of Dunedin
Finalists: Naga Tea, Heights Lounge
Finalists: Naga Tea, Heights Lounge
Winner: Gaspar's Patio Bar & Grille
Finalists: Babushka's Temple Terrace, Stefano's
Finalists: Babushka's Temple Terrace, Stefano's
Winner: Quiote Tequilaria
Finalists: The Honu Restaurant & Tiki Bar, Casa Tina's
Finalists: The Honu Restaurant & Tiki Bar, Casa Tina's
Winner: The Honu Restaurant & Tiki Bar
Finalists: BLUFIN Waterfront Grill, Pier Teaki
Finalists: BLUFIN Waterfront Grill, Pier Teaki
Tucked inside a quaint South Tampa bungalow, this teahouse offers a space for a digital detox where connection and community reign supreme. “We offer a new way to experience tea by returning to its traditions: whole leaves, multiple steeps, an intimate experience with the tea from leaf to cup,” owner KC Cavanaugh told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. “We share tea much like you would wine through regions, cultivars, processing styles, seasons, and, most importantly, taste.” Cavanaugh carefully curates highly prized loose-leaf teas, ceremonial-grade matcha, and ritual as routine in a neighborhood that’s been better known for its college-town nightlife. If you seek some grounded refuge and a spot that celebrates patience, mindfulness, and intention, you’ll wanna stop here for a steeped cup of something special. noisycranetea.com—Annalise Mabe
Ah, the rewards of not reading a menu closely enough! I liked the sound of the ingredients in this breakfast item at St. Petersburg favorite Tchotchke (winner of last year’s BOTB winner for Best All Purpose Impossible to Pronounce Restaurant). But when the dish (named for a Beastie Boys classic) arrived at the table, I was surprised to discover that all those ingredients—scrambled eggs, bacon, ham, American cheese, roasted garlic aioli, brioche—arrived not as a platter but as a sandwich. And what a sandwich! Might just be my favorite breakfast sandwich ever, and as someone who once fell asleep on a NYC subway headed to Harlem, not Brooklyn, I feel like this sandwich would have kept me awake no matter what direction I’d been headed—and would have served as a pretty good hangover preventative, too. tchotchkecafe.com—David Warner
So much of what ends up in front of Tampa Bay restaurant goers these days is mid, overpriced, and undersized. Fluctuating food costs and rising overhead can be blamed, but there’s one place where early birds aren’t getting shortchanged. “People ask about the burrito,” Nate Hardin told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. “I have to remind them it’s a taco.” With his team working inside the similarly powerful Late Start Brewing, Hardin, chef and founder of Mighty Fine, feeds locals the biggest brekkie tacos in downtown Tampa. For the “Migas,” what feels like half an avocado is folded into a six-inch, housemade flour tortilla pressed to crispy perfection together with fluffy-firmish scrambled eggs, crumbled Totopos, Chihuahua cheese and pico. Other variations (bacon, chorizo) sub taters for Totopos, and work with Cotija or poblano crema, but each is just $6, and there’s always filling left on the tray. One is plenty, and two is gluttonous; either way, you’ll never break the bank. @mightyfinetpa on Instagram—Ray Roa
Winner: CALI
Finalists: House of Vegano, Nature's Food Patch
Finalists: House of Vegano, Nature's Food Patch
Winner: La V, St. Pete
Finalists: Cafe Bich Nga, Pho Kien Giang
Finalists: Cafe Bich Nga, Pho Kien Giang
Winner: Nature's Food Patch
Finalists: Rollin' Oats Market, Earth Origins
Finalists: Rollin' Oats Market, Earth Origins
Winner: Acropolis Greek Taverna
Finalists: Bella's Italian Café, Tanto
Finalists: Bella's Italian Café, Tanto
Winner: Fresco's Waterfront Bistro
Finalists: BLUFIN Waterfront Grill, Teak
Finalists: BLUFIN Waterfront Grill, Teak
On my way home after a whole day thinking about a Wawa chicken parmesan sandwich, I’m reminded on the drive down Gulf To Bay that there’s a trifecta of chicken joints on the way there: Dave’s Hot Chicken, Raising Cane’s, and PDQ. Soon, my beloved truck stop becomes an afterthought. At the Wawa by Countryside Mall, thanks to the Chick-fil-A next door, parking lot traffic is all day, every day. You’re gonna get cut off by a Ram pickup truck and you’re gonna like it. And I haven’t been to the one on 34th Street in Pinellas Park since they just ran out of ice one day and kept it that way for a minute. But days after I started my year living in Oldsmar, a brand new Wawa opened five minutes down the road from my new pad. The subs are uber fresh and come up quickly 24-7, there’s never a shortage of iced coffee or sweet tea in the dispensers, and if you want a Waffle Sizzli a few minutes after 11 a.m., then damn it, of course you can have the last one. And it’s totally stand-alone too, so if you want fried chicken elsewhere, you’ll have to drive another two-or-so miles down Hillsborough Avenue to get to Zaxby’s. wawa.com—Josh Bradley
Winner: Noble Crust
Finalists: Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux, The Living Room Wesley Chapel
Finalists: Walk-On's Sports Bistreaux, The Living Room Wesley Chapel
Winner: Gigglewaters
Finalists: Flanagan's Irish Pub, 1st Ave Bourbon Clubhouse St. Pete
Finalists: Flanagan's Irish Pub, 1st Ave Bourbon Clubhouse St. Pete
Winner: 86 Wine Bar
Finalists: Lolita's Wine Market, Sauvignon Wine Locker & American Trattoria
Finalists: Lolita's Wine Market, Sauvignon Wine Locker & American Trattoria
Winner: The Dunedin Smokehouse
Finalists: Tommy's Hideaway Pizza Pub, Madison Ave Pizza
Finalists: Tommy's Hideaway Pizza Pub, Madison Ave Pizza
Winner: Acropolis Greek Taverna
Finalists: Jimmy's Tacos, Mise En Place
Finalists: Jimmy's Tacos, Mise En Place
Winner: Casa Tina
Finalists: BODA Authentic Mexican Restaurant, Quiote Tequilaria
Finalists: BODA Authentic Mexican Restaurant, Quiote Tequilaria
Winner: Turkish Flame Mediterranean Restaurant
Finalists: The Shawarma King, The Pearl Gulfport
Finalists: The Shawarma King, The Pearl Gulfport
Winner: Gigglewaters
Finalists: Pippy's Pop-Up Tonics, Con Amor
Finalists: Pippy's Pop-Up Tonics, Con Amor
Nothing keeps you supporting local spots like an on-again-off-again menu item. The downtown Tampa-based literal hole-in-the-wall has had yet another epic year, most notably including a “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives” segment that saw Guy Fieri try an Italian Stallion sandwich and one of Supernatural’s famously scarce cinnamon-sugar donuts. And since the spot’s debut in early 2021, a new month hasn’t only meant another rent payment to worry about. One Tuesday a month, a limited amount of A16 Meatball Sandos—a Bianca bun filled with provolone cheese, herbed ricotta, and a freakishly hefty meatball braised in San Marzano tomatoes, inspired by California’s A16 Italian restaurants—are made available for purchase. You can order it spicy if your Tuesday lunch requires some kick, and if you can’t make it to Polk Street between 10:30 a.m. and Supernatural’s 2:30 p.m. closing time, if you’re lucky there’ll be a few balls left and Meatball Wednesday will become a thing. supernaturaltpa.com—Josh Bradley
Winner: Big Bamboo Bayside
Finalists: Mandarin Heights, The Independent Bar & Cafe
Finalists: Mandarin Heights, The Independent Bar & Cafe
Winner: Rosie's Tavern of New Port Richey
Finalists: Fitzgerald's Irish Tavern, Steamworks
Finalists: Fitzgerald's Irish Tavern, Steamworks
Winner: CJ's Backstage
Finalists: Rosie's Tavern of Dunedin, Bauser's
Finalists: Rosie's Tavern of Dunedin, Bauser's
Winner: Mel's Hot Dogs
Finalists: Weenies N' Bikinis, Offset Sandwich Exchange
Finalists: Weenies N' Bikinis, Offset Sandwich Exchange