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Food & Drink

31 of Tampa Bay’s best restaurants and pop-ups celebrating international flavors

Tampa Bay is home to dozens and dozens of tried and true places to celebrate immigrants’ contributions to the food scene. From…

By CL Staff

Wat Mongkolratanaram Temple 5306 Palm River Rd., Tampa This poorly kept Tampa secret is a bonafide waterfront rite of passage for any local. Grab friends, get to the temple’s Sunday morning market early, and bring cash. Stock up on to-go boxes of your favorite Thai meals (curries, desserts, fresh rolls, dumplings, and yes, noodle soup), then wash it all down with Thai teas and coffees. Please don’t fall asleep at your picnic table.
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Food & Drink

27 fast-food chains that aren’t in Tampa Bay, but need to be

Bonchon, Shake Shack and Raising Canes have all entered the chat, and Bojangles and Whataburger have even announced plans to return to…

By CL Staff

Chico's Tacos If you ever run into someone from El Paso, Texas, mention Chico’s Tacos. The family owned Mexican joint is a right of passage for the border city, receiving shout outs from politicians, rock stars and comedians who have fallen prey to the allure of sauce-drenched tacos and mountains of cheese. From what we hear about Chico’s addicting tradition, we’re ready for what comedian Gabriel Iglesias calls the only tacos you can drink.
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Food & Drink

27 Black-owned restaurants in Tampa Bay everyone should visit

There's plenty of praise to pass around when it comes to Tampa Bay's restaurants. But any examination of our local dining scene…

By Tyana Rodgers, Colin Wolf, Kyla Fields

Wha Gwaan / Jamaica Jamaica Restaurant and Lounge Tampa and Town ‘N’ Country With flavors as Jamaican as its name, this spot uses scotch bonnet peppers and jerk spices for island specialties like jerk chicken, escovitch fish, oxtail and curried goat. Wha Gwaan also has vegan dishes and homemade vegan ice cream.
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Food & Drink

Tampa's 20 best 'hot and trendy' restaurants right now, according to Yelp

Yelp is a controversial word around the Bay area lately, after Tampa restaurant Hales Blackbrick filed a lawsuit against a user who left…

By Marleigh Brown, Jani Burden

Sacred Pepper 15405 N Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa Sacred Pepper is my favorite restaurant in the Tampa area. They have awesome selections of wine/cocktails, shareable plates, dinner entrees, sides, after dinner drinks and delicious desserts. The chef's menu is a symphony of flavors. The restaurant itself has a pleasant ambiance and is tastefully decorated. Very comfortable chairs and a gorgeous bar area. The service staff at Scared Pepper is "Exceptional" and everyone is so friendly, attentive, efficient, knowledgeable, and very welcoming. —Ken V
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Food & Drink

Meet the Chefs 2025: Everyone we saw raising the roof at The Birchwood in St. Pete

Food lovers across the Tampa Bay area can't resist a great rooftop, and the canopy at The Birchwood is home to one…

By Ray Roa, Nick Cardello

Image: Meet the Chefs 2025: Everyone we saw raising the roof at The Birchwood in St. Pete
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Food & Drink

20 Tampa Bay cooking classes, workshops and resources to check out now

While national platforms like Sur La Table and Classpop are some of the easiest ways to find a Tampa Bay cooking class…

By Kyla Fields

St. Pete Ferments$35-$55. 326 Dr M.L.K. Jr St. N, St. PetersburgWhile St. Pete Ferments owner Sarah Arrazola is taking a break from hosting workshops for the next few months, there will be another round of fermentation classes happening in St. Pete soon, where patrons can learn how to make their own kombucha, tempeh, sodas, kimchi and more. These classes are priced on a sliding scale in an effort to be more accessible to the St. Pete community. Over the next few months, Arrazola is hosting free meetups for home fermentors as a part of her “Summer with SPF” series, which will happen every third Friday of the month at her downtown St. Pete space.
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Food & Drink

At St. Pete Ferments, Sarah Arrazola asks her students to get their hands a little dirty

Sarah Arrazola's business has been a staple in St. Petersburg for a decade now. Known for its seasonal Florida ferments like fresh tempeh,…

By Kyla Fields

Sarah Arrazola at St. Pete Ferments in St. Petersburg, Florida on May 29, 2025.
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Food & Drink

In South Tampa, Michael Brannock's masa cooking class teaches about the lifeblood of his modern Mexican restaurant

For Michael Brannock, the idea of teaching educational classes has always been a vital part of his restaurant’s business model. Streetlight Taco’s…

By Kyla Fields

Streetlight Tacos' Michael Brannock
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Food & Drink

All the Tampa Bay chefs you’ll get a taste of at Meet the Chefs

Tampa Bay Restaurant Week starts with a meeting of the area’s greatest culinary minds. At Meet the Chefs on June 12, guests…

By Jaime Monzon, Creative Loafing Staff

Jack Pallino’s 718 Broadway, Dunedin Chef Traci Bryant is the President and Corporate Chef of NINA Hospitality, the force behind Tampa Bay favorites like Jack Pallino’s and The Nest. Her culinary journey began early, inspired by family meals and a self-taught vegetarian lifestyle at age 12. She rose through the ranks from dishwasher to chef, gaining key experience in Gainesville and Pittsburgh. Known for bold, globally inspired cuisine and inventive vegetarian options, Traci blends creativity with high standards. After traveling through Europe, she founded NINA Hospitality in 2016. Twice named Best Chef of Tampa Bay, she leads with grit, balance, and a passion for pushing culinary boundaries.
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Food & Drink

Photos: Look inside Slim Charmer, a new St. Pete restaurant and cocktail spot that's raising the bar on Central Avenue

Located in an unassuming building on an undeniably-booming stretch of Central Avenue, Slim Charmer offers an ultra-curated libations list and intimate menu of…

By Kyla Fields, Dave Decker

Image: Photos: Look inside Slim Charmer, a new St. Pete restaurant and cocktail spot that's raising the bar on Central Avenue
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Food & Drink

New ‘French-ish’ bistro, Bar Terroir, opens in South Tampa next month

A new restaurant group is bringing its Michelin-star experience to South Tampa. Tastes Pretty Good, which is behind two of Tampa’s Michelin-star…

By Jani Burden

Steak frites at Bar Terroir, opening this summer in Tampa, Florida.
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Food & Drink

20 Tampa Bay restaurants with rain-friendly outdoor patios

Tampa Bay residents don't like to stay inside, even when it's coming down. As Florida approaches its rain-every-single-day season, eating outside is…

By CL Staff

Rick's on the River 2305 N Willow Ave., Tampa, (813) 251-0369 There are a few tables that’ll get you some some, but for the most part, Rick’s massive outside patio is covered and shaded, with a river rat’s version of stadium seating available at and around the bar. The only thing better than watching rain come down on the water might be doing it with a cold beer and oysters nearby. Photo by Ray Roa
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Food & Drink

New St. Pete restaurant Cheeky's opens on May 7, another Aldi, and more Tampa Bay food news

Openings Cheeky’s Fish & Raw Bar opens next week in St. Pete Cheeky’s Fish & Raw Bar, the latest addition to St.…

By Sofía García Vargas, Kyla Fields, Selene San Felice

Cheeky’s Fish & Raw Bar is the latest project from Tampa native Nate Siegel, co-founder of Tampa’s Willa’s and Willa’s Provisions.
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Food & Drink

All the Tampa Bay restaurants featured in the 2025 Florida Michelin Guide

No new stars were born in Tampa Bay's section of the Michelin guide this year, but previously-starred Tampa restaurants maintained their status…

By CL Staff

Koya 807 W Platt St., Tampa. Splurge at Tampa’s eight-seat, pioneering (and still the only?) omakase, led by chefs Eric and Adriana Fralick who source fish from the auction system at Toyosu Market in Japan and stock high-end sake, premium wines, and Japanese craft beers. Look for the more casual sister concept Noble Rice to open in Sparkman Wharf and its accompanying Noble Market (next door to Koya, currently online only) to re-open soon. Photo via KoyaTampa/Facebook
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Food & Drink

Twelve Tampa Bay restaurants and bars that have closed this year

Tampa Bay has already said goodbye to a bunch of beloved eateries this year—including several vegan and vegetarian favorites. The area lost…

By CL Staff

Golden Dinosaurs 2930 Beach Blvd., Gulfport Gulfport's Golden Dinosaurs went extinct in January after owners of the beloved vegan deli announced the closure of their nearly-seven-year-old concept. The meteor that killed these dinos? Financial burden. Owners, husband and wife, Brian and Audrey Dingeman created a deli-inspired vegan menu, serving sweets and sauerkraut pastrami sandwiches, everyday except Wednesdays. The Dingemans will focus their efforts on Good Intentions, a sister-location restaurant in St. Petersburg.
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Food & Drink

Tampa Bay Taco Week 2025: Check out some of the exclusive specials happening at the best Bay area restaurants

It's Tampa Bay Taco Week time. For 10 delicious days—April 10-20—these Bay area restaurants are offering exclusive specials. Have a look at…

By Jaime Monzon, Creative Loafing Staff

Red Mesa Mercado 1100 1st Ave N, St. Petersburg Tacos Gobernador – $11 Handcrafted Margarita featuring Blanco Casamigos – $16.50
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Food & Drink

Four Tampa restaurants were just added to Florida's Michelin Guide

This morning, Michelin announced the addition of 14 new restaurants to its 2025 Florida dining guide, and a handful of Tampa spots…

By Colin Wolf

Big Ray’s Fish Camp 6116 Interbay Blvd, Tampa "Far from the trendy neighborhoods, this seafood shack that could be mistaken for a bait and tackle shop flies slightly under the radar but is a total find. Order from the menu displayed behind the counter, then find a seat at one of a few wooden tables set with metal chairs inside, or head outdoors to a tent-covered picnic table. Owner Raymond "Nick" Cruz doles out a typical dressed-down, seafood shack-style menu with starters like smoked fish dip, peel and eat shrimp, and a basket loaded with blackened shrimp and Cuban-style yucca. Then, a smattering of sandwiches includes their house classic fried grouper alongside creative riffs like a lobster tail corn dog sided by fries or coleslaw. To finish, nothing beats a wedge of key lime pie with graham cracker crust." Photo Big Ray’s Fish Camp/Facebook
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Food & Drink

Review: St. Pete’s Eat Art Love celebrates one year of fine dining-inspired daytime service and perfect customer reviews

Riding off the momentum of its one-year anniversary, The Warehouse Arts District’s Eat Art Love has tirelessly proven itself as a must-visit…

By Kyla Fields

(Clockwise from bottom left, L-R) Matt Rembas, Mario Brugnoli, Roman Brugnoli, Jess Williams, Roy Allen at Eat Art Love in St. Petersburg, Florida
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Food & Drink

New Port Richey's Collective at Escape taproom and food hall opens on Thursday

A New Port Richey beer lovers' getaway is getting a little bigger. After more than a decade of serving up award-winning brews,…

By Sofía García Vargas

Image: New Port Richey's Collective at Escape taproom and food hall opens on Thursday
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Food & Drink

20 truly beachside bars and restaurants across Tampa Bay

After back-to-back hurricanes, Tampa Bay's beachside restaurants and bars are still recovering, and many have yet to reopen. So it goes without…

By CL Staff

Ikki Woo Woo’s Tiki Hut at the Thunderbird 10700 Gulf Blvd., Treasure Island, 800-367-2473 Grab a seat on the outdoor deck and take in the views at the Thunderbird Beach Resort’s Tiki Hut Bar. Tasty cocktails and frozen tropical concoctions of all flavors are offered for those ready to unwind and relax on the beach. Photo via Thunderbird Beach Resort/Facebook
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Food & Drink

Photos: All the party people we saw in St. Pete for the Highball cocktail competition at FloridaRama

Just stepping into FloridaRama (stylized “FloridaRAMA”) is a trippy experience, but things also got tipsy at the St. Petersburg immersive art experience…

By Ray Roa

Image: Photos: All the trippy party people we saw in St. Pete for the Highball cocktail competition at FloridaRama
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Food & Drink

The most-anticipated new restaurants coming soon to Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay has a whole new batch of restaurants on the menu. Over the the next 6 months, local diners should see…

By CL Staff

Sunshine City Tavern 4351 4th St. N, St. Petersburg Ted Dorsey wants to bring St. Petersburg back to the '90s. Last December, the local chef announced his latest concept, Sunshine City Tavern, located at 4351 4th St. N, in the former Oaks on 4th building, which closed after less than a year in 2023. Not a lot of details were provided, but the restaurant is in partnership with Teddy Skiadioti, who is the owner of Craft Kafe—an entirely gluten-free restaurant that has locations throughout the St. Petersburg and Tampa Bay area. Dorsey has been at the helm of quite a few popular local restaurants, including the Sonata Restaurant at the Mahaffey, The Mill, Ciro’s Speakeasy & Supper Club, Boca Kitchen Bar, Market Copperfish Seafood Grill & Oyster Bar, and Nash’s Hot Chicken on Central, which closed in 2023. Photo via Sunshine City Tavern/Instagram
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Food & Drink

If Tampa Bay diners really cared about wild-caught shrimp, then they’d actually know about Versaggi Shrimp Co. [PHOTOS]

Tampa's Versaggi Shrimp Co. is a over-century-old family busines which originated in Fernandina Beach. It's seen a gradual decline from its heyday,…

By Adrian O'Farrill

Versaggi Shrimp Co. in Tampa, Florida on Jan. 13, 2025.
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Food & Drink

Photos: St. Pete reclaims Tampa Bay Food Fight title at Amalie Arena

Somewhere out there, cooks from Tampa are licking their wounds after a firm talking from Titus O’Neil. The WWE superstar and philanthropist…

By Ray Roa

Image: Photos: St. Pete reclaims Tampa Bay Food Fight title at Amalie Arena
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Food & Drink

15 new restaurants that opened in Tampa Bay this winter

We hope you brought your appetite into 2025, because Tampa Bay's latest menu offerings are going to make you want to lay…

By CL Staff

Mad Dogs and Englishmen 4914 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa The new Mad Dogs and Englishmen has opened in its new spot, after closing its original location last month. The relocation is the end of a 34-year-story at 4115 S MacDill Ave. The new pub, double its original space, includes a dining area, a so-called “Moroccan room,” fireplace lounge, two bars and a pet-friendly patio for your mad, or chill, dog. With weekend brunches and tea service expected, the pub will serve their British-inspired dishes including fish and chips, and bangers and mash. A press release says the menu will have some new additions, if you are tired of the good old Shepherd's Pie, including stuffed peppadews, aubergine (eggplant) bolognese, and tuna tartare. Photo via Mad Dogs/Facebook
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Sponsored

Who Makes the Best Highball in Tampa Bay? Find Out at Highball 2025!

Get ready for Tampa Bay’s ultimate craft cocktail showdown on February 21, 2025, at FloridaRAMA in St. Pete! Sample unlimited highball cocktails from top mixologists,…

By Jaime Monzon

Agave Social
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Food & Drink

The 20 most romantic restaurants in Tampa Bay, according to Yelp

Whether it's for Valentines Day, or just a special night out, Tampa Bay has plenty of dimly-lit, romantic restaurants to choose from. To…

By CL Staff

1. The Black Pearl 315 Main St., Dunedin "Amazing restaurant for a romantic dinner or important date to celebrate. It's small and cozy. Same chef, same waiters, same menu. I love their risotto. It's a high end place in Dunedin and I would get a reservation because they cook for the number of the expected guests." - Olga P.
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Food & Drink

The 25 wildest things to eat at the 2025 Florida State Fair

The Florida State Fair is back, and besides carnival rides and farm animals, a vast menu of over-the-top (often fried) gut bombs are…

By CL Staff

Potato Mozzarella Kdog Mozzarella Cheese Korean Corn Dog wrapped with potato cubes, coated with panko then deep fried. Location: GoldenKdog
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Food & Drink

Tampa Bay's 20 best new restaurants, bars and food trucks of 2024

It goes without saying that Tampa Bay's restaurant industry has absolutely gone through it over the last year, and despite all the…

By CL Staff

Retro House 934 E Henderson Ave., Ybor City Retro House made its big debut last summer, dishing out homemade dumplings and loaded noodle bowls out of a unique location in Ybor City. The fast casual spot slings dumplings and other handhelds that Heritage Dim Sum is known for—with co-owner Corrinne Liou incorporating her family’s 100 year-old recipes throughout Retro House’s menu with small bites like ube baos, shu mai, lemongrass chicken dumplings, pan-fried pork baos and mango shrimp wontons. A few entrees are offered as well, including char sui fried rice and crispy noodle bowls with customizable proteins. Photo by Paul Venghaus
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Food & Drink

Review: Mighty Fine raises the bar with refined, yet unpretentious, pub grub at Tampa’s Late Start Brewing [PHOTOS]

The recently-opened Late Start Brewing and its culinary counterpart Mighty Fine live at the quiet northeast corner of the Tampa Downtown Partnership,…

By Kyla Fields

Nathan Hardin at Mighty Fine in Tampa, Florida on Dec. 7, 2024.
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