What to do in Tampa!
Food scene
This locally owned/operated Tampa gem has some amazing brunch/lunch options. It's only two blocks away, we recommend you check them out!
6 locals recommend
Cook's Kitchen
2902 W Gandy BlvdThis locally owned/operated Tampa gem has some amazing brunch/lunch options. It's only two blocks away, we recommend you check them out!
Hard to get into, but go when they open at 5pm and grab a seat at the bar. Some of the best Northern Italian food I’ve ever had, you might even find Rachel and I at the bar!
23 locals recommend
Rocca
323 W Palm AveHard to get into, but go when they open at 5pm and grab a seat at the bar. Some of the best Northern Italian food I’ve ever had, you might even find Rachel and I at the bar!
Chef BT Nguyen is a Vietnamese/classically trained French chef who is making some really amazing fusion food. I hate to say "fusion" but a really interesting and tasty take on Vietnamese dishes using French ingredients. You absolutely need to try the smoked duck Bahn Mi!!
BT To Go
3215 South MacDill AvenueChef BT Nguyen is a Vietnamese/classically trained French chef who is making some really amazing fusion food. I hate to say "fusion" but a really interesting and tasty take on Vietnamese dishes using French ingredients. You absolutely need to try the smoked duck Bahn Mi!!
Great wine bar and tapas restaurant. Food is really good but the wine selection is hand selected by their own group of Somms and you won't have a bad bottle. Great date spot, also great for smaller groups to have a few glasses and share small plates
16 locals recommend
Cru Cellars Palma Ceia
2506 S MacDill AveGreat wine bar and tapas restaurant. Food is really good but the wine selection is hand selected by their own group of Somms and you won't have a bad bottle. Great date spot, also great for smaller groups to have a few glasses and share small plates
A hotspot restaurant in South Tampa, busy but worth it! Great for lunch or dinner
30 locals recommend
Pane Rustica
3225 S MacDill AveA hotspot restaurant in South Tampa, busy but worth it! Great for lunch or dinner
Old school historic Italian restaurant. Think table side Caesar salads, huge veal Parmesan, waiters in tuxedos, heavy Chianti wine, the old school dining experience of years past. Grab a reservation in advance for a special date night
22 locals recommend
Donatello Italian Restaurant
232 N Dale Mabry HwyOld school historic Italian restaurant. Think table side Caesar salads, huge veal Parmesan, waiters in tuxedos, heavy Chianti wine, the old school dining experience of years past. Grab a reservation in advance for a special date night
You'll need to book MONTHS in advance for a table, but as a couple you can show up at 5pm (or earlier) and try to snag a seat at the bar where you can enjoy everything on the menu. If you love wine, they have the largest private wine collection in the world and you can try bottles from 1970 for less than $60. If you can get in, 100% worth visiting.
384 locals recommend
Bern's Steak House
1208 S Howard AveYou'll need to book MONTHS in advance for a table, but as a couple you can show up at 5pm (or earlier) and try to snag a seat at the bar where you can enjoy everything on the menu. If you love wine, they have the largest private wine collection in the world and you can try bottles from 1970 for less than $60. If you can get in, 100% worth visiting.
Total sleeper Indian restaurant! They call it "gas station curry" but has no kidding authentic Indian food and probably the best in Tampa Bay. No liquor license, don't let that stop you from having an early dinner there.
7 locals recommend
Curry Leaves Indian Cuisine
4843 W Kennedy BlvdTotal sleeper Indian restaurant! They call it "gas station curry" but has no kidding authentic Indian food and probably the best in Tampa Bay. No liquor license, don't let that stop you from having an early dinner there.
This is absolutely my go-to healthy lunch spot when I'm pressed for time!
142 locals recommend
Fresh Kitchen
1350 S Howard AveThis is absolutely my go-to healthy lunch spot when I'm pressed for time!
petra restaurant
1118 W Kennedy BlvdIf you love Mediterranean or Turkish food, worth visiting
Hands down the best tacos I’ve had outside of San Diego. Tiny trailer on the side of a road, and they taste exactly like tacos from Baja/Tijuana. It's a little bit of a drive but worth going
6 locals recommend
Ranchero Tacos
4901 North Florida AvenueHands down the best tacos I’ve had outside of San Diego. Tiny trailer on the side of a road, and they taste exactly like tacos from Baja/Tijuana. It's a little bit of a drive but worth going
Old school Tampa establishment with some of the best pizza I've had. They have both NY and Chicago style pizza, highly recommend both!
15 locals recommend
Cappys Pizzeria
3200 W Bay to Bay BlvdOld school Tampa establishment with some of the best pizza I've had. They have both NY and Chicago style pizza, highly recommend both!
Points of interest
A short walk from home, Ballast Point Park is a fantastic spot for families and young children who want to run around. Worth the short walk
86 locals recommend
Ballast Point Park
5300 Interbay BlvdA short walk from home, Ballast Point Park is a fantastic spot for families and young children who want to run around. Worth the short walk
Great for a jog/run, also really fun to stroll the bay on this 7 mile out and back walkway that has amazing views of the city. Go stretch those legs!
Bayshore Trails Drive
Bayshore Trails DriveGreat for a jog/run, also really fun to stroll the bay on this 7 mile out and back walkway that has amazing views of the city. Go stretch those legs!
Neighborhoods
There's a reason they call Tampa "Cigar City", and it's all because of Ybor. It's the only neighborhood on Florida’s west coast to be designated a National Historic Landmark District. Ybor’s 7th Avenue, the main commercial thoroughfare was recognized as one of the “10 Great Streets in America”. If you love cigars, or you just love walking a neighborhood that has a New Orleans vibe, go check out Ybor
854 locals recommend
Ybor City
There's a reason they call Tampa "Cigar City", and it's all because of Ybor. It's the only neighborhood on Florida’s west coast to be designated a National Historic Landmark District. Ybor’s 7th Avenue, the main commercial thoroughfare was recognized as one of the “10 Great Streets in America”. If you love cigars, or you just love walking a neighborhood that has a New Orleans vibe, go check out Ybor
Funky, up-and-coming, great food, local bars, Seminole Heights is the "hipster" neighborhood of Tampa and has a great energy to it. Also worth walking through the craftsman bungalow neighborhoods with live oak trees covering the streets and beautiful front porches, reminding you of the history of this area
72 locals recommend
Seminole Heights
Funky, up-and-coming, great food, local bars, Seminole Heights is the "hipster" neighborhood of Tampa and has a great energy to it. Also worth walking through the craftsman bungalow neighborhoods with live oak trees covering the streets and beautiful front porches, reminding you of the history of this area