When you are visiting Tampa don’t skip out on eating at a few of the best restaurants in Tampa Bay. My husband and I moved to Tampa two years ago and have spent that time eating out at some of Tampa’s best food stops. This is the list of our absolute favorites and where we take guests when they come to visit.
Of course there is no way we have tried every place in Tampa, especially with new spots popping up all the time. However these are the places we have loved the most so far. As I try more places I will update this post or write a second one!
The restaurants are in no particular order.
This post may contain some affiliate links. This means I make a small profit from your purchase but at no increased cost to you. I only recommend products that I love and would purchase myself! Full disclaimer here.
Craft Street Kitchen
First up is Craft Street, a great restaurant that serves southern american fare. The food is packed full of flavor and there is a variety of options for everyone to choose from. Start off with a delicious starter to share like the GIANT pretzel and beer cheese dip. The mains are just as amazing from cheesy pastas, yummy flatbreads and the best chicken sandwich around. If you want to try one of their premium sides I recommend the sweet potato tots.
If you have any room left to eat more, you can’t go wrong with one of their pizookie specials that comes to you hot from the oven.
Favorites: Beer, Cheese, Everything Please Soft Pretzel and Cheese Dip, Chicken Cordon Who Sandwich, Graze on This Steak Mac & Cheese, Snickerdoodle Cookie Skillet
Address: Two Locations
Burger Culture
If you like burgers then grab your keys now and head to Burger Culture. These aren’t just any burgers though, they are burgers covered in unique and delicious combinations of ingredients and sauces. The original location is a food truck that stays in a permanent installation, however they also recently opened up a storefront! Either location is going to serve great food.
Favorites: Avo Burger and Sweet Potato Fries
Address: 6920 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33614
Rusty Bellies
Located in Tarpon Springs, Rusty Bellies is a staple of this small Greek town. It is located on the water with beautiful views of the evening sunset. We have never been and not had to wait at least 20 minutes but it is worth it. Once you get seated you can snack on endless hushpuppies as you wait for your food.
The majority of the menu is seafood which my husband tells me is all delicious. For non seafood eaters that normally means mediocre chicken fingers but not at Rusty Bellies. Probably my favorite dish to date in Tampa is Rusty Bellies Chicken Dakota. A chicken dish with creamy sauce served over yellow rice. I liked it so much I developed a copycat recipe to make at home so I can have it more often.
Favorites: Chicken Dakota
Address: 937 Dodecanese Blvd, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
More Great Food in Tampa:
- Best Healthy Restaurants in Tampa that Serve Delicious Food
- 10 Desserts in Tampa to Try Before You Die (coming soon)
- Amazing Waterfront Restaurants in Tampa with a View (coming soon)
Grain and Berry
When my friend suggested Grain and Berry as a fun place to grab lunch while we were out shopping I didn’t have high expectations. I had never heard of it so I assumed it was nothing special. I was very wrong.
They have delicious smoothies, acai bowls and flatbreads. Filled with flavor you’ll be sad when the food is gone. My son certainly was lol.
Favorites: Avo Got the Crunch Flatbread and Purple Rain Smoothie
Address: Multiple Locations
Jimmy Hula’s
When you head over to Clearwater for a beach day there are lots of good options for food after several hours in the sun. Jimmy Hulas is my go to. They have delicious tacos with unique combinations of ingredients. Definitely more of a tex-mex style than true Mexican food.
The tacos are the perfect size and purchased individually so you can try multiple different flavors on each visit. Many, if not most, of the tacos come with fish but if you ask to switch the meat to chicken they will!
Favorites: Wipeout Taco and the Epic Taco
Address: 454 Mandalay Ave, Clearwater Beach, FL 33767
Tampa Bay Brewing Co
Cuban Sandwiches are very popular in Tampa and there are some good options out there. So far my favorite though can be found at Tampa Bay Brewing Co. in Downtown Ybor. My parents and I took a Cuban sandwich food tour in Ybor and that was how I discovered them!
They also serve a variety of other foods and of course home brewed beer.
Favorites: The Cuban Sandwich and Plantains
Address: 1600 E 8th Ave, Tampa, FL 33605
Milkin’ it Cafe (Closed in 2023)
Unfortunately this cute shop is now closed. A cute, very unique cafe in Channelside, Tampa is Milkin’ it Cafe. The entire restaurant is cereal themed from the instagramable cereal wall to the cereal milk in the lattes. You can even get bagels topped in cream cheese and cereal or a cereal milkshake. What was your favorite cereal growing up? They probably have it!
Favorites: Sausage, Egg and Cheese Bagel and the Trix Milkshake
Address: 1000 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL 33602
Armature Works
Technically Armature Works is not one restaurant but several in a large food hall style location. There are many delicious options to choose from offering foods like pizza, greek food, desserts, sushi burritos and so much more. You could visit half a dozen times and not even try every restaurant.
Not only is Armature Works a great place to come and eat, it is also a great place to be outside, watch the water and play lawn games with some friends.
Favorites: Graze 1910 has great waffles if you come for breakfast, Bake’n Babes has fun over the top desserts and Zukku Sushi has the best sushi burritos.
Address: 1910 N Ola Ave, Tampa, FL 33602
More to Do in Tampa:
- Best Fun Things to Do in Tampa, FL
- Tampa Beaches: The Ultimate Guide to Beaches in and Around Tampa Bay
- 14 Fun Day Trips from Tampa, Florida
Mr and Mrs Crab
I can’t lie, this is not my favorite restaurant but it is my husband’s! If you love seafood then head to Mr and Mrs Crab for a cajun style seafood boil. You pick the meats you want included by the ½ lb. You can get sausage, crab, shrimp, crawfish, etc. and it also includes potatoes and corn. The entire thing is seasoned to your liking and boiled in an individual bag. Come prepared to eat a very messy meal!
Unfortunately their food selection for non-seafood eaters is lacking. However, they do have appetizers that are good like the fried pickles!
Favorites: Sausage, Shrimp and Crawfish Boil and Fried Pickles
Address: Several Locations
Little Leon
If you are looking for a healthy meal that still tastes absolutely delicious then head over to Little Leon. The atmosphere is very fun with murals and bright colors throughout. The healthy bowls come in a variety of flavors all made with healthy ingredients packed full of flavor. I must admit, my favorite part of visiting Little Leon though is getting a large glass of guava lemonade. Mmmm, so good!
Favorites: Guava Lemonade and Golden Hour Bowl
Address: 3636 Henderson Blvd, Tampa, FL 33609
Oxford Exchange
Oxford Exchange is so cute and classy plus it is the perfect brunch spot. In fact I would say it is the number one brunch spot in all of Tampa. The lemon poppyseed pancakes are enormous and super delicious. I also highly recommend the feta cheese dip, sweet potato fries and flatbread. It is all so good!Â
Located in downtown Tampa near Hyde Park the whole area is very trendy and cute. Two shops share the space with Oxford exchange. There is a bookshop and a small eclectic shop that carries everything from home decor to accessories. If you don’t have time to eat a sit-down meal there is also a coffee bar and a champagne bar you can try out!
Favorites: Lemon Poppyseed Pancakes and Feta Cheese Dip and Flatbread
Address: 420 W Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL 33606
Practical Information for Tampa, FL
Find accommodation, sign up for a local tour, or buy the Tampa CityPASS for 54% off Tampa’s top attractions.
Best Tampa Bay Restaurants
It is hard to pick the best of anything and that stands true when faced with the many amazing restaurants in Tampa Bay. These are the best Tampa Bay restaurants I have tried so far and I highly recommend to anyone visiting the area. I will continue to try new places and will update you as I find other drool worthy stops.
What restaurants in Tampa should I add to my list of places to visit?
