Find out where to eat well in Tampa, a surefire post to help you plan a gastronomic trip to one of the most fun destinations in Florida.
Tampa is a cultural melting pot that is home to people from all corners of the world. From Cuban, Spanish and Italian immigrants brought to work in the cigar factories of Ybor City, to the indigenous people of the Seminole Tribe who fought hard to stay in the region. From Southeast Asian immigrants who serve delicate and aromatic dishes to Americans who call Tampa Bay home. The result of all this mix is a diverse cuisine, recognized by the Michelin Guide and that will surprise you.
Where to eat in Tampa
Here is our list of 20+ restaurants and eateries to eat well in Tampa, tips that will please both those traveling on a more limited budget and those looking for a delicious meal full of personality.
To make things easier, I’ve divided our list of restaurants in Tampa into breakfast, casual dining, and dinner. Before I start detailing the restaurants, I’d like to point out that the portions in Tampa are large, even by American standards, and it’s worth considering sharing your dishes.
Let’s discover some of the best restaurants in Tampa, Florida?
RESTAURANT TIPS IN TAMPA
Breakfast
- Goody Goody
- Driftlight (at JW Marriott)
- Julian Restaurant (The Current Hotel)
- Oxford Exchange
- La Segunda Bakery
- Cafe QuiQuiRiQui
For a relaxed meal
- Colony Grill
- Small Giant
Where to have breakfast in Tampa
Goody Goody
A hearty breakfast in one of the coolest areas of Tampa. Goody Goody is a super traditional diner in Hyde Park Village, a recently redeveloped area that has become home to several cool shops and good restaurants. The diner boasts the title of best breakfast in Florida, so we went there to check it out.
The experience begins with a very cool atmosphere, a charming combination of modern and retro. The breakfast menu includes eggs, French toast and breakfast sandwiches (a hearty sandwich that is very popular with Americans).
I followed the chef’s suggestion and ordered French toast served with sliced banana for the kids and an omelet with toast and cheese grits (a savory version of cornmeal that is very typical in the southern states). It was the perfect breakfast and a great filling meal to face a fun day at Busch Gardens.
Plan your visit
- Address: 1601 W. Swann Ave., Tampa
- Opening hours: every day from 7am to 9pm.
Driftlight (at JW Marriott)
Driftlight is one of the restaurants at the JW Marriott Tampa Water Street and has a decor inspired by Tampa’s illuminated bridges. It’s a great option for breakfast, lunch or dinner. We chose the buffet, which was very complete and had a variety of breads, fruits, eggs cooked to order, and some hot items like bacon and sausages. You know that full buffet? We loved it.
For lunch and dinner, the restaurant has a delicious menu with different cuts of meat, salads and great drinks.
Plan your visit
- Address: 510 Water Street, Tampa
- Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 6:30am to 11am and from 5pm to 10pm / Saturday from 6:30am to 12pm and from 5pm to 10pm / Sunday from 6:30am to 12pm
Julian Restaurant (The Current Hotel)
Julian Restaurant is located in The Current Hotel and offers breakfast, lunch and dinner in a modern setting surrounded by works of art.
The restaurant has an international menu and offers appetizers, burgers, vegetarian dishes, seafood, salads and delicious drinks. They provide a menu for each meal.
Plan your visit
- Address: 2545 N Rocky Point Dr, Tampa
- Opening hours: every day from 7am to 10pm
Oxford Exchange
The Oxford Exchange is a great place to have breakfast, brunch, or even afternoon tea. The atmosphere is very beautiful and Instagrammable since the hotel was once the barn of the hotel that now functions as the University of Tampa, which is a very nice place to go with breakfast.
The breakfast is delicious, the service is impeccable.
Plan your visit:
- Address: 420 W Kennedy Blvd, Tampa
- Opening hours: open every day from 7:30am to 5pm.
- Brunch: Saturday and Sunday from 9am to 5pm
- Afternoon Tea: Sunday from 3pm to 5pm
La Segunda Bakery
Founded in 1915, La Segunda Bakery is a historic purveyor of Cuban breads, pastries and other baked goods in the Ybor City neighborhood. A must-try is the Cuban sandwich, which is made with ham, roast pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, mustard and salami on Cuban bread.
The bakery is known for having the best Cuban sandwiches in the area. There is no seating, it is a grab and go style.
Plan your visit:
- Address: 2512 N 15th St, Ybor City, Tampa
- Opening hours: open every day from 6:30am to 3pm.
Cafe QuiQuiRiQui
Cafe QuiQuiRiQui is a Cuban-inspired cafe located in the Haya Hotel. It’s a great place to grab a Cuban coffee or a juice. They serve salads, sandwiches, empanadas, and soups for lunch (starting at 11am). For breakfast, they have burritos, empanadas, avocado toast, and sandwiches.
Plan your visit:
- Address: 1402 E 7th Ave, Tampa
- Opening hours: every day from 7am to 4pm
Tips for casual restaurants in Tampa
Colony Grill
Colony Grill is a pizzeria that has been around since 1935 and is now a chain spread across several American cities. The menu is small, the atmosphere has the feel of an Irish pub (and is super relaxed for family dining) and the pizzas surprised me with their crispiness and flavor. A pizza that is very different from the Brazilian standard, but undeniably delicious.
I ordered three pizzas because I thought they were individual, but when they arrived I realized they were huge. Who hasn’t ordered one?
My choices were a cheese pizza, a mushroom pizza and a salad pizza. The latter is very different because it comes with a mix of greens, tomatoes, carrots and cucumbers on top – it really does look like a salad. The pizzas were super tasty. The dough is very different from the Brazilian one, thin and super crispy. The place also offers the option of seasoning the pizzas with a special olive oil, but I ended up passing on the experience.
Plan your visit
- Address: 3640 Midtown Drive, Tampa
- Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday from 11:30 am to 11 pm / Friday and Saturday from 11:30 am to 12:30 am
Small Giant
On the last day, our lunch in Tampa was at Small Giant, a relaxed place to eat pizza and burgers, watch sports games and celebrate life with friends.
The menu offers soups, salads and dishes to share. Drinks include mixed drinks, wines, regular beers and craft beers.
I ordered a burger with mushrooms and truffle oil and swapped the fries for Brussels sprouts (what a swap! It was delicious!), and for the boys I chose their favorite food: pizza (which I thought was average, but the boys liked it).
Plan your visit
- Address: 1051 Water St, Tampa
- Opening hours: Monday to Thursday from 11am to 11pm / Friday from 11am to midnight / Saturday from 10am to midnight / Sunday from 10am to 9pm.
Hello! My name is Felipe Surgek, and I am passionate about the United States. I have traveled extensively throughout this incredible country for over 20 years, and during this time, I have developed a deep love and knowledge about everything it has to offer.
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