Laura's Guidebook
Food scene
Great for eating or relaxing by the river. Beautiful bars as well. Paddle board rentals available at the river.
845 locals recommend
Armature Works
1910 N Ola AveGreat for eating or relaxing by the river. Beautiful bars as well. Paddle board rentals available at the river.
Lee's Grocery
2210 N Central AveHip pizza, wing, and beer joint!
Another great food hall with table service. Delicious bakery located inside with over the top sweet creations.
64 locals recommend
The Hall on Franklin
1701 N Franklin StAnother great food hall with table service. Delicious bakery located inside with over the top sweet creations.
Great coffee place in the day, bar in the evening. In a refurbished gas station. Has food options as well.
37 locals recommend
King State
520 E Floribraska AveGreat coffee place in the day, bar in the evening. In a refurbished gas station. Has food options as well.
This is a great place to sit next to the water and have a grouper sandwich. Good pitstop on a bike ride along the Riverwalk.
67 locals recommend
The Sail Pavilion on the Riverwalk
141 S Franklin StThis is a great place to sit next to the water and have a grouper sandwich. Good pitstop on a bike ride along the Riverwalk.
Great family spot. Casual diner like restaurant with super breakfast and café con leche.
59 locals recommend
Goody Goody Burgers
1601 W Swann AveGreat family spot. Casual diner like restaurant with super breakfast and café con leche.
Tampa’s most famous historic Cuban restaurant. Great decor. Unique spit!
365 locals recommend
Columbia Restaurant
2117 E 7th AveTampa’s most famous historic Cuban restaurant. Great decor. Unique spit!
If you are here on Sunday morning, take some cash and treat yourself
to great Thai food by the river in a unique temple, market, community experience.
49 locals recommend
Wat Mongkolrata Temple
5306 Palm River RdIf you are here on Sunday morning, take some cash and treat yourself
to great Thai food by the river in a unique temple, market, community experience.
Great southern Sunday brunch! Cool live music on weekends, beautiful spot.
201 locals recommend
Ella’s Americana Folk Art Cafe
5119 N Nebraska AveGreat southern Sunday brunch! Cool live music on weekends, beautiful spot.
Great lunch and coffee spot with a small book shop and selection of unique high end gifts. Amazing chicken sandwich and chopped salads! Gorgeous indoor patio.
199 locals recommend
Oxford Exchange
420 W Kennedy BlvdGreat lunch and coffee spot with a small book shop and selection of unique high end gifts. Amazing chicken sandwich and chopped salads! Gorgeous indoor patio.
Outdoor food court made from shipping containers, waterfront views, lots of events like live music, community yoga, etc.
359 locals recommend
Sparkman Wharf
615 Channelside DrOutdoor food court made from shipping containers, waterfront views, lots of events like live music, community yoga, etc.
Delicious sourdough bread spot! Family owned local business. Popular sandwich spot, or just grab a delicious loaf of bread.
16 locals recommend
Gulf Coast Sourdough Sandwich House
6703 North Florida AvenueDelicious sourdough bread spot! Family owned local business. Popular sandwich spot, or just grab a delicious loaf of bread.
Really charming hole in the wall Italian spot. We recommend reservations because it is so small.
14 locals recommend
Piccola Italia Bistro
2140 W Dr Martin Luther King Jr BlvdReally charming hole in the wall Italian spot. We recommend reservations because it is so small.
drinks
Independent Bar and Cafe
5016 N Florida AveHip bar with live music. Great beer selection.
Hidden Springs Ale Works
1631 N Franklin StLocal brewery with a good chill bar scene.
Brew Bus Brewing
One of Tampa’s more famous breweries. Now offers food.
Great place for drinks by the bay. Good Florida style! They have food but it isn’t amazing.
97 locals recommend
Salt Shack On The Bay
5415 W Tyson AveGreat place for drinks by the bay. Good Florida style! They have food but it isn’t amazing.
Cool waterside bar where many boaters dock, great view of the river, popular with locals. Has an old Florida vibe.
79 locals recommend
Rick's on the River
2305 North Willow AvenueCool waterside bar where many boaters dock, great view of the river, popular with locals. Has an old Florida vibe.
Sightseeing
Our favorite beach spot. State Park with trails, beaches, kayak rentals, pier, historic sites, and more.
7 locals recommend
Fort De Soto Park
Our favorite beach spot. State Park with trails, beaches, kayak rentals, pier, historic sites, and more.
Unique museum featuring Dali and rotating exhibits.
8 locals recommend
The Dalí (Salvador Dalí Museum)
1 Dali BoulevardUnique museum featuring Dali and rotating exhibits.
Great place to stroll, bike, skate, people watch. Lined with museums and places to grab a bite to eat or a drink.
620 locals recommend
Tampa Riverwalk
Tampa RiverwalkGreat place to stroll, bike, skate, people watch. Lined with museums and places to grab a bite to eat or a drink.
Nice walking paths with lots of shade. Cool suspension bridge feature on the rapids trail.
89 locals recommend
Hillsborough River State Park
15402 US-301Nice walking paths with lots of shade. Cool suspension bridge feature on the rapids trail.
If you want a great idea for a day trip, this is it! Mermaid show, swimming, kayaking, and more!
556 locals recommend
Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
6131 Commercial WayIf you want a great idea for a day trip, this is it! Mermaid show, swimming, kayaking, and more!
fitness
Great place to go take fitness classes. It has yoga, spin, circuit, mat pilates and more.
7 locals recommend
CAMP Tampa
3012 W Palmira AveGreat place to go take fitness classes. It has yoga, spin, circuit, mat pilates and more.
Lucky Cat Yoga and Wellness Center
2740 N Florida AveGood yoga center
SOHO CYCLING
2019 W Kennedy BlvdPopular indoor cycle studio.
Night life
Best neighborhood for a late night scene, live music, cigars, people watching, outdoor dining and dancing, clubs, and more.
854 locals recommend
Ybor City
Best neighborhood for a late night scene, live music, cigars, people watching, outdoor dining and dancing, clubs, and more.
Franklin Manor
912 N Franklin StNot my favorite place but a very popular dance club scene
Tampa is Cigar city so why not get a cigar at the cathedral of cigars! Great cigar sales staff, knowledgeable and helpful. Beautiful indoor and outdoor space. Great whiskey selection. Live music some nights!
11 locals recommend
Grand Cathedral Cigars
2201 N Florida AveTampa is Cigar city so why not get a cigar at the cathedral of cigars! Great cigar sales staff, knowledgeable and helpful. Beautiful indoor and outdoor space. Great whiskey selection. Live music some nights!
Shopping
A great used book and record shop with a coffee shop. Great place to read, browse and shop.
Mojo Books & Records
2554 E Fowler AveA great used book and record shop with a coffee shop. Great place to read, browse and shop.
Hyde Park Village
1602 W Snow AveCute outdoor shopping and eating area!
This is a great place to stroll and shop. Lots of local shops, artisans, restaurants, and more.
6 locals recommend
Central Avenue
Central AvenueThis is a great place to stroll and shop. Lots of local shops, artisans, restaurants, and more.
City advice
Don't miss
Markets
There are several markets that are worth the visit in Tampa. On the first Sunday of every month is the Hyde Park fresh market, with over 120 vendors. On the second Sunday of every month is the Seminole Heights market, and once a month is something called Indiflea.