Top Local Dishes & Where to Try Them in Tampa, Florida, United States
1. Cuban Sandwich at Columbia Restaurant
A classic Tampa delicacy made with ham, roast pork, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard on Cuban bread. Experience the authentic taste of Ybor City at this historic restaurant.
- Authenticity: Established in 1905, Columbia is one of the oldest eateries in Florida.
- Ybor City Experience: Located in the heart of Ybor City, a historic district with vibrant Cuban culture.
- Fresh Ingredients: Cuban sandwiches are made using freshly baked bread and high-quality ingredients daily.
2. Gulf Shrimp at Ulele
Fresh gulf shrimp prepared in various ways, such as boiled, fried, or grilled. Savor the flavors of Tampa's local seafood at this riverfront restaurant.
- Riverfront Dining: Enjoy stunning views of the Hillsborough River while dining on fresh shrimp.
- Farm-to-Table: Ulele sources ingredients from local farms and fisheries for a true Tampa Bay experience.
- Craft Cocktails: Indulge in creative craft cocktails made with locally sourced spirits.
3. Crab-Stuffed Gator at Tampa Joe's
A unique twist on Florida cuisine, where alligator meat is stuffed with crab and deep-fried. Get ready for a delicious adventure!
- Florida Gator Experience: Alligator meat is sustainably sourced from Florida waters.
- Creative Cuisine: Crab-stuffed gator is a fun and tasty way to experience local flavors.
- Seafood Variety: Tampa Joe's offers a wide selection of fresh seafood options.
4. St. Petersburg White Marble Grouper at Crabby Bill's
This mild-flavored fish is caught fresh daily and served with a signature lemon butter sauce. Enjoy the beautiful waterfront views while savoring this Tampa Bay favorite.
- Fresh Daily Catch: St. Petersburg White Marble Grouper is caught fresh daily.
- Waterfront Dining: Crabby Bill's offers stunning views of the Gulf of Mexico.
- Lemon Butter Sauce: The signature lemon butter sauce perfectly complements the flavorful grouper.
5. Tampa-Style Beef Rib at Big Daddy's BBQ
Slow-cooked beef ribs smothered in a tangy barbecue sauce, served with classic Southern sides. Satisfy your craving for Tampa's best BBQ.
- Slow-Cooked: The beef ribs are slow-cooked for hours to ensure tender, juicy perfection.
- Southern Comfort Food: Big Daddy's BBQ offers a variety of Southern comfort foods alongside their famous beef ribs.
- Barbecue Tradition: Tampa-style barbecue is a local tradition, with a distinctive flavor profile and cooking techniques.
6. Stuffed Mussels at Ava's Tapas & Wine Bar
Mussels filled with a flavorful mix of seafood and served with garlic aioli. Enjoy this Spanish-inspired dish in the charming Hyde Park neighborhood.
- Spanish Inspiration: Ava's Tapas & Wine Bar offers a variety of Spanish-style dishes.
- Hyde Park Charm: Experience the historic Hyde Park neighborhood while dining at Ava's.
- Fresh Seafood: Stuffed mussels are made with fresh, locally sourced seafood.
7. Bang Bang Shrimp at Bonefish Grill
Crispy shrimp tossed in a creamy, spicy sauce. This signature dish is a must-try at this popular seafood chain.
- Signature Dish: Bang Bang Shrimp is Bonefish Grill's most famous dish.
- Seafood Variety: Bonefish Grill offers a wide selection of fresh seafood options.
- Spicy Flavor Profile: The creamy, spicy sauce gives Bang Bang Shrimp a unique and delicious flavor.
8. Tampa-Style Pizza at New York Pizza Pub
Thin-crust pizza topped with a tangy tomato sauce and plenty of cheese. Experience the unique twist on classic NY-style pizza.
- Tangy Tomato Sauce: Tampa-style pizza uses a tangier tomato sauce compared to traditional New York-style pizza.
- Thin Crust: The thin crust allows for a perfect balance of sauce, cheese, and toppings.
- Traditional with a Twist: New York Pizza Pub offers a classic NY-style pizza experience with a Tampa twist.
9. Clam Chowder at Bern's Steak House
A rich and creamy clam chowder made with fresh clams and potatoes. Start your meal off right at this iconic Tampa restaurant.
- Iconic Restaurant: Bern's Steak House has been a Tampa institution since 1956.
- Rich Flavor: The creamy, hearty chowder is the perfect start to your steakhouse meal.
- Fresh Clams: Bern's Steak House uses fresh clams in their award-winning chowder.
10. House-Smoked Fish Dip at Fresco's Italian Restaurant
A delicious dip made from house-smoked fish served with crackers. Indulge in this Tampa Bay classic while enjoying the stunning waterfront views.
- House-Smoked Fish: Fresco's smokes their fish in-house for a truly unique flavor.
- Waterfront Dining: Fresco's offers stunning views of the Tampa Bay waterfront.
- Traditional Italian Restaurant: In addition to their famous fish dip, Fresco's offers a variety of traditional Italian dishes.
11. Key Lime Pie at The Columbia Cafe
A classic Florida dessert made with key limes, graham cracker crust, and whipped cream. Cap off your meal at this historic Ybor City café.
- Historic Café: The Columbia Cafe is one of the oldest restaurants in Florida.
- Florida Classic: Key Lime Pie is a classic Florida dessert, with Tampa being its birthplace.
- Graham Cracker Crust: The graham cracker crust adds a delightful texture to this refreshing pie.
12. St. Petersburg Oysters at The Mill Bar & Table
Fresh St. Petersburg oysters shucked to order and served with a variety of sauces. Enjoy this seafood delight at this stylish gastropub.
- Stylish Gastropub: The Mill Bar & Table offers a modern, upscale dining experience.
- Freshly Shucked: Oysters are shucked to order for maximum freshness and flavor.
- Variety of Sauces: The Mill Bar & Table offers a variety of sauces to complement the oysters.
13. Beignets at The Bake'house on Davis Island
Light and fluffy fried dough squares dusted with powdered sugar. Satisfy your sweet tooth with this New Orleans-style treat.
- New Orleans-Style Treat: Beignets are a popular dessert in New Orleans, and The Bake'house brings the taste to Tampa.
- Light and Fluffy: The beignets are light, airy, and delicious.
- Powdered Sugar Dusting: A generous dusting of powdered sugar gives the beignets a delightful sweetness.
14. Guava Pastelitos at La Segunda Central Bakery
A traditional Cuban pastry filled with sweet guava paste and folded into a flaky, buttery crust. Try this tasty treat in the heart of Ybor City.
- Traditional Cuban Pastry: Pastelitos are a traditional Cuban pastry, and La Segunda Central Bakery is known for its authentic flavors.
- Flaky Butter Crust: The flaky, buttery crust provides the perfect balance to the sweet guava paste filling.
- Authentic Ybor City Bakery: La Segunda Central Bakery is one of the oldest bakeries in Ybor City, dating back to 1915.
15. Ceviche at Ceviche Tapas & Bar
Fresh seafood marinated in citrus juices and served with crispy plantain chips. Experience the flavors of Latin America at this lively tapas bar.
- Latin American Flavors: Ceviche Tapas & Bar offers a variety of traditional Latin American dishes.
- Fresh Seafood: The seafood in the ceviche is always fresh and sourced from local waters.
- Crispy Plantain Chips: The crispy plantain chips provide a delightful crunch to complement the refreshing ceviche.