While my international travels wrapped up in May, I’ve spent a lot of this summer exploring the Tampa Bay area – and finding plenty of great local restaurants along the way. Since the season “officially” wraps up today, in honor of Labor Day, here are my top 10 must-eats from the season:
Coffee & Breakfast
The Salty Donut (5808 N Florida Ave, Tampa, FL 33604)
I’ve written about The Salty Donut before, but when they opened up a new location in Seminole Heights, I knew I had to scope it out. We brought the whole fam for what turned out to be quite the event. While I would have appreciated some indoor seating, the donuts were delectable, as always.
Foxtail Coffee Co. (10907 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33618)
Founded in Winter Park, this Florida-based chain has quickly become a favorite of ours. They have a really nice selection of coffee- and tea-based drinks, as well as a fantastic bakery case. The kids are always happy when we pop in for a visit!
Eclipse Cafe (6118 Gunn Hwy, Tampa, FL 33625)
Per their website, Eclipse is “Florida’s first coffee shop merging fresh brews with functional mushrooms.” While I haven’t tested out any of the mushroom drinks, I can attest to their selection of treats. We’ve already found ourselves here a couple of times this summer.
Lunch & Dinner
Kelp Sushi Joint (6507 W Waters Ave Ste 9, Tampa, FL 33634)
You can also find Kelp in South Tampa, but their Town N Country location has become one of my go-to elevated spots for fabulous sushi – it’s just as great for a date night as it is for a family dinner. I’ve had several different dishes, and everything has always been 10/10.
Mad Dogs & Englishmen (4914 S MacDill Ave, Tampa, FL 33611)
Our good friend Megan suggested that she and I meet up here for dinner, and she was spot on with her recommendation. The drinks and the dessert were both great, but it’s honestly the salad that I’m still thinking about. It was huge and crispy with so much flavor – I’m getting hungry just writing about it.
Shaker & Peel (3159 Curlew Rd, Oldsmar, FL 34677)
This is the place to take your taco Tuesday to a whole new level! Megan and I also met up here for a bite, and it did not disappoint. We both enjoyed some perfectly salted margaritas, and after a shared app and two tacos (highly recommend getting the grouper), I was totally full.
Tampa Burger Co. (500 S Howard Ave, Tampa, FL 33606)
While I didn’t get the chance to eat this burger on-site – we actually got them when their food truck was in the neighborhood – I was still very impressed with the quality. They have a nice selection of hamburgers, ranging from classic to eclectic, so there’s something for every carnivore.
Main Munchery (5346 Main St #101, New Port Richey, FL 34652)
It’s a bit of a trek from Tampa proper, but I was happy to make the ~40 minute drive to grab lunch with Sara at the newest “go-to spot” in NPR. We had a smorgasbord of dishes, but for me, the macaroni and cheese was the highlight of our meal – and the pumpkin cheesecake was delightful to-go.
Brews
Coppertail Brewing (2601 E 2nd Ave, Tampa, FL 33605)
Every time I pop into Coppertail, I remember how much I like it. Not only do they have a great selection of local beers and ciders, but their food menu is also really strong. This is a great spot by Ybor to go out with friends or family and just hang out for a few hours – with a drink in hand, of course.
Hop State Brewing (7052 Benjamin Rd, Tampa, FL 33634)
We were thrilled when we learned there was a new brewery opening up in our neck of the woods, so we visited with friends shortly after opening. This place may be off the beaten path, but it’s not one to miss! Their array of craft seltzers really sold it for me; I’m sure I’ll be back soon.
And as a bonus, here are some food finds outside of Tampa Bay that I really enjoyed this summer:
- In Cape Coral, the highlight of our long weekend might have been STUFF-A-BAGEL.
- In Naples, our visit to Great Wolf Lodge included two great restaurants, which I highlighted in that post.
- In Ocala, my mom and I grabbed a quick lunch at Smalls Sliders, which absolutely hit the spot.