Guidebook for Tampa
Food Scene
Fabulous oysters, light plates, scrumptios cocktails, and great wine list, all within walking distance. Chef Ferrell Alvarez created this James Beard nominee hot spot, continually revamping the menu with outstanding details.
144 locals recommend
Rooster & the Till
6500 N Florida AveFabulous oysters, light plates, scrumptios cocktails, and great wine list, all within walking distance. Chef Ferrell Alvarez created this James Beard nominee hot spot, continually revamping the menu with outstanding details.
A great selection of Mexican fare, Mekenita offers signature sangrias, a full bar, and everything from chips and salsa or guacamole, to full platos and yummy desserts. Again, just a four block walk to burrito heaven.
44 locals recommend
Mekenita Cantina
6707 N Florida AveA great selection of Mexican fare, Mekenita offers signature sangrias, a full bar, and everything from chips and salsa or guacamole, to full platos and yummy desserts. Again, just a four block walk to burrito heaven.
I hesitate to call this just a restaurant, but hey, chef Greg Baker got the nom from James Beard early on here for his creative southern cuisine. Great food, but the Refinery also has a well-equipped bar and brilliant tenders. Another walkable spot 8 blocks from the apartment.
73 locals recommend
The Refinery
5910 N Florida AveI hesitate to call this just a restaurant, but hey, chef Greg Baker got the nom from James Beard early on here for his creative southern cuisine. Great food, but the Refinery also has a well-equipped bar and brilliant tenders. Another walkable spot 8 blocks from the apartment.
Head to the Bodega for some delish Latin street food and something superb to wash it down with.
41 locals recommend
Bodega Seminole Heights
1180 Central AvenueHead to the Bodega for some delish Latin street food and something superb to wash it down with.
Soulful bowls of wow-factor ramen are what made this place, but the steam pork buns are fabulous, too. Great cocktails as well, this small, busy, delightful eatery deserves at least one visit while you're in town!
136 locals recommend
Ichicoro Ramen
5229 N Florida AveSoulful bowls of wow-factor ramen are what made this place, but the steam pork buns are fabulous, too. Great cocktails as well, this small, busy, delightful eatery deserves at least one visit while you're in town!
Indoors or out, live music or just conversation, great sandwiches and salads or just drinks, the Independent has been a Seminole Heights institution since it opened in 2005. To quote their mantra, "Founded on a vision to suppport non-commercial craft products, independent music, and to encourage & inspire a sense of community among our patrons, the Independent, Tampa's biergarden & indoor handmade cedarwood bar are open to all."
153 locals recommend
Independent Bar and Cafe
5016 N Florida AveIndoors or out, live music or just conversation, great sandwiches and salads or just drinks, the Independent has been a Seminole Heights institution since it opened in 2005. To quote their mantra, "Founded on a vision to suppport non-commercial craft products, independent music, and to encourage & inspire a sense of community among our patrons, the Independent, Tampa's biergarden & indoor handmade cedarwood bar are open to all."
Food, shops, outdoor activities, and lots of people get together here at the north end of downtown Tampa's Riverwalk. Special events like Saturday morning markets, live music on the lawn, or spectacular sunsets over the Hillsborough River, this place is a winner.
845 locals recommend
Armature Works
1910 N Ola AveFood, shops, outdoor activities, and lots of people get together here at the north end of downtown Tampa's Riverwalk. Special events like Saturday morning markets, live music on the lawn, or spectacular sunsets over the Hillsborough River, this place is a winner.
Choose from a fistful of great restaurants with varying menus. Everyone can order from a different counter, yet eat at the same table in the spacious dining court. Clean, modern, spacious design opens up to the sidewalk on pretty days.
64 locals recommend
The Hall on Franklin
1701 N Franklin StChoose from a fistful of great restaurants with varying menus. Everyone can order from a different counter, yet eat at the same table in the spacious dining court. Clean, modern, spacious design opens up to the sidewalk on pretty days.
Great eclectic fare with outdoor seating along the waterfront and great energy, Sparkman Wharf is a busy, happy place for unique casual dining. Plus, you can go bowling afterward. Or sometimes cheer on the Tampa Bay Lightning. Or just catch a great sunset.
359 locals recommend
Sparkman Wharf
615 Channelside DrGreat eclectic fare with outdoor seating along the waterfront and great energy, Sparkman Wharf is a busy, happy place for unique casual dining. Plus, you can go bowling afterward. Or sometimes cheer on the Tampa Bay Lightning. Or just catch a great sunset.
In a stunning location along the Hillsborough River adjacent to the Riverwalk, Ulele offers fresh seafood and handcrafted cocktails with fine presentation and expert preparation. Dive into some charcoal fired oysters, gorgeous salads, and Valrhona chocolate ice cream. There are some hefty steaks on the menu as well. Reservations are a MUST!
384 locals recommend
Ulele
1810 N Highland AveIn a stunning location along the Hillsborough River adjacent to the Riverwalk, Ulele offers fresh seafood and handcrafted cocktails with fine presentation and expert preparation. Dive into some charcoal fired oysters, gorgeous salads, and Valrhona chocolate ice cream. There are some hefty steaks on the menu as well. Reservations are a MUST!
Drinks & Nightlife
Often features live music on weekends, this iconic neighborhood rock bar is low key and great fun.
53 locals recommend
Red Star Rock Bar
5210 N Florida AveOften features live music on weekends, this iconic neighborhood rock bar is low key and great fun.
New releases from this Tampa favorite find lines wrapping around the block, but normal days are fun and easy, with a dozen or so options on the board.
105 locals recommend
Angry Chair Brewing
4101 N Florida AveNew releases from this Tampa favorite find lines wrapping around the block, but normal days are fun and easy, with a dozen or so options on the board.
The Seminole Heights City Wine Bar is stocked to the ceiling with a wide selection of great wines and VERY knowledgeable waitstaff, ready to suggest something to please your palate. Just let them know what you like, and like magic, they pull the perfect bottle from an obscure shelf. Plus, yummy noshes from small plates to delicious desserts.
Society Wine Bar Franchise
6703 N Florida AveThe Seminole Heights City Wine Bar is stocked to the ceiling with a wide selection of great wines and VERY knowledgeable waitstaff, ready to suggest something to please your palate. Just let them know what you like, and like magic, they pull the perfect bottle from an obscure shelf. Plus, yummy noshes from small plates to delicious desserts.
Mandarin Heights
5901 N Florida AveGreat drinks spot tucked in behind Bodega on Florida Ave.
Shopping
A divine bottleshop featuring craft brews and local delicacies to take home and enjoy, this clever little store is just a few walkable blocks away.
43 locals recommend
Jug & Bottle Dept.
6203 N Florida AveA divine bottleshop featuring craft brews and local delicacies to take home and enjoy, this clever little store is just a few walkable blocks away.
Again, this place ticks a number of boxes, from a lovely dining menu to a tea bar, coffee bar, pastry bar, bookstore, Oliver Peeples eyeglass boutique, and short term rental office space. Plus, it is one of Tampa's most impressive renovations, right across the street from the University of Tampa.
10 locals recommend
Health Mutt
5023 N Central AveAgain, this place ticks a number of boxes, from a lovely dining menu to a tea bar, coffee bar, pastry bar, bookstore, Oliver Peeples eyeglass boutique, and short term rental office space. Plus, it is one of Tampa's most impressive renovations, right across the street from the University of Tampa.
Tampa's biggest mall, with all the right stores, including Nordstrom, Dillard's, Apple, Tiffany, Neiman Marcus, Tommy Bahama, Armani Exchange, Burberry, Hugo Boss, Lilly Pulitzer, Gucci, Coach, Johnny Was, and many more: https://www.shopinternationalplaza.com/?utm_source=GoogleMyBusiness&utm_medium=Organic&utm_campaign=GMB
615 locals recommend
International Plaza and Bay Street
2223 N Westshore BlvdTampa's biggest mall, with all the right stores, including Nordstrom, Dillard's, Apple, Tiffany, Neiman Marcus, Tommy Bahama, Armani Exchange, Burberry, Hugo Boss, Lilly Pulitzer, Gucci, Coach, Johnny Was, and many more: https://www.shopinternationalplaza.com/?utm_source=GoogleMyBusiness&utm_medium=Organic&utm_campaign=GMB
Essentials
I. Love. This. Store. It has just about everything I have ever needed in a hurry: soap for the guest room, a thermos to use as a coffee decanter, funky housewares, and quirky cards. They also serve up a life-saving brew at the coffee bar, complete with glossy pastries and muffins. Walkable, and in the same building as Rooster & the Till restaurant and Cleanse Apothecary.
18 locals recommend
Urban Bungalow / Bungalow Coffee
I. Love. This. Store. It has just about everything I have ever needed in a hurry: soap for the guest room, a thermos to use as a coffee decanter, funky housewares, and quirky cards. They also serve up a life-saving brew at the coffee bar, complete with glossy pastries and muffins. Walkable, and in the same building as Rooster & the Till restaurant and Cleanse Apothecary.
Need some shampoo? A handmade French-milled bar of soap? A silk bathrobe? An extraordinary fragrance? Shaving stuff? Cleanse is a walkable, friendly, extraordinarily well-stocked shop featuring Fekkai, Art of Shaving, Korres, Malin + Goetz, Philosophy, Lipstick Queen, Jack Black , Thymes, Beekman 1802 with Niche Clean beauty brands - Ursa Major, Ren Skin Care, Indie Lee, Antonym Cosmetics and more.
22 locals recommend
Cleanse Apothecary
6500 N Florida AveNeed some shampoo? A handmade French-milled bar of soap? A silk bathrobe? An extraordinary fragrance? Shaving stuff? Cleanse is a walkable, friendly, extraordinarily well-stocked shop featuring Fekkai, Art of Shaving, Korres, Malin + Goetz, Philosophy, Lipstick Queen, Jack Black , Thymes, Beekman 1802 with Niche Clean beauty brands - Ursa Major, Ren Skin Care, Indie Lee, Antonym Cosmetics and more.
Arts & Culture
Broadway shows, classic concerts, modern and classical dance, and special touring exhibits, the Straz has a schedule that is varied and affordable. Right along the downtown Riverwalk, it is a pleasant stroll from some dynamite dining, like Ulele, Fly Bar, Anise Global Gastrobar, and dozens more places to round out the evening.
198 locals recommend
David A. Straz, Jr. Center for the Performing Arts
1010 N Macinnes PlBroadway shows, classic concerts, modern and classical dance, and special touring exhibits, the Straz has a schedule that is varied and affordable. Right along the downtown Riverwalk, it is a pleasant stroll from some dynamite dining, like Ulele, Fly Bar, Anise Global Gastrobar, and dozens more places to round out the evening.
A private university, the UT campus is anchored by the main building, Plant Hall, adorned with 13 minarets. Originally built in the Moorish style in the early 20th century, the building poses artfully amid the Tampa skyline. A trip through the museum is pretty cool as well, with some history and culture thrown in.
77 locals recommend
University Of Tampa
A private university, the UT campus is anchored by the main building, Plant Hall, adorned with 13 minarets. Originally built in the Moorish style in the early 20th century, the building poses artfully amid the Tampa skyline. A trip through the museum is pretty cool as well, with some history and culture thrown in.
Great option for a rainy day, this is one amazing collection of Dali's work, usually with additional exhibits: https://thedali.org/
1381 locals recommend
The Dalí (Salvador Dalí Museum)
1 Dali BlvdGreat option for a rainy day, this is one amazing collection of Dali's work, usually with additional exhibits: https://thedali.org/
Entertainment & Activities
Rent a paddleboard, kayak, two-seat motorboat, electric riverboat, or just sit a while with a nice little cocktail and watch the waterfront at the Sail Pavilion. Other options include American Social and Jackson's Bistro, across the bridge on Harbour Island.
67 locals recommend
The Sail Pavilion on the Riverwalk
141 S Franklin StRent a paddleboard, kayak, two-seat motorboat, electric riverboat, or just sit a while with a nice little cocktail and watch the waterfront at the Sail Pavilion. Other options include American Social and Jackson's Bistro, across the bridge on Harbour Island.
Home to the Tampa Bay Lightning NHL team, Amalie Arena also features concerts, performances like Cirque du Soliel, and lots of great food from some of Tampa's most respected chefs.
442 locals recommend
Amalie Arena
401 Channelside DrHome to the Tampa Bay Lightning NHL team, Amalie Arena also features concerts, performances like Cirque du Soliel, and lots of great food from some of Tampa's most respected chefs.
Not sure whether to call this a restaurant or a movie theater, but it does both of those things well, with big, cushy chairs and clean, high tech movie screens. They bring meals to you at your seats if you arrive 1/2 hour before show time, and serve some very nice drinks as well.
100 locals recommend
CinéBistro
1609 W Swann AveNot sure whether to call this a restaurant or a movie theater, but it does both of those things well, with big, cushy chairs and clean, high tech movie screens. They bring meals to you at your seats if you arrive 1/2 hour before show time, and serve some very nice drinks as well.
Home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, RayJay is a pretty easy drive from the apartment. Superbowl 2020 is coming right up. Get your tickets and plan your weekend!
555 locals recommend
Raymond James Stadium
4201 N Dale Mabry HwyHome of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, RayJay is a pretty easy drive from the apartment. Superbowl 2020 is coming right up. Get your tickets and plan your weekend!
Getting Around
Take the water taxi for a cruise along the Hillsborough River to see the sights from a great perspective. You can also use it to get from one spot to another without getting behind the wheel.
77 locals recommend
Pirate Water Taxi
333 S Franklin StTake the water taxi for a cruise along the Hillsborough River to see the sights from a great perspective. You can also use it to get from one spot to another without getting behind the wheel.
With 236 departures a day via 20 carriers, TPA is the 29th largest airport in the US. Biggest carriers are Southwest, Delta, American, and United. What are you waiting for ... book a flight already!
247 locals recommend
Tampa International Airport
4100 George J Bean PkwyWith 236 departures a day via 20 carriers, TPA is the 29th largest airport in the US. Biggest carriers are Southwest, Delta, American, and United. What are you waiting for ... book a flight already!