Tampa is a beautiful waterfront city that is growing rapidly. It was once the home to Cuban, Italian, and Spanish immigrants in the “cigar city” of Ybor City.
Tampa is where the Cuban Sandwich was founded and hosts the annual International Cuban Sandwich Festival. The Cuban Sandwich has been served in restaurants in Tampa since at least 1905.
Many restaurant chains are located or founded in Tampa and it was once a bastion of these businesses, but is now taking a local turn. Some examples of this are Bonefish Grill, Burger 21, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Checkers/Rally’s, GrillSmith, The Melting Pot, Outback Steakhouse, and PDQ.
One of the most popular events that happens every year in Tampa is Gasparilla, a celebration of the legend of pirates that founded Tampa. This is similar to Mardi Gras in New Orleans and features floats, publicly-allowed drinking, and parties all around the city.
Tampa also has a vibrant craft beer scene that really started with Cigar City Brewing in 2007 and has now grown into over 100 breweries over the bay area. It is also home to small but growing startup community that is gaining some traction thanks to lots of local support.
Restaurants:
- Rooster & the Till
- Due Amici
- Bella’s Italian Cafe
- Saigon Deli
- Psomi
- Thinh Anh
- Sa Ri One Korean
- K-Chicken & Grill Korean BBQ
- One Family Korean Restaurant
- Iaverone’s
- Bernini Ybor
- Oggi Italian
- Sally O’ Neals
- Columbia Cafe
- Taste of Berlin
- Allegria Italiana
- Cuenelli’s Peruvian-style Rotisserie Chicken
- La Cubanita Cafe
- Bern’s Steak House
- Gino’s
- Oxford Exchange
- Haven Tampa
- Rice & Beans
- Naked Farmer
Bars:
- Ciro’s Speakeasy & Supper Club
- Fly Bar
- Hooch & Hive
- The Gin Joint
- Rock Brother Brewing Co.
- Copper Shaker
- Mandarin Heights
- The Patio at Winthrop Liquors
- Luna Lounge at Bulla Gastrobar
- WTR Grill
- Sal y Mar at Midtown Tampa
Breweries:
- Coppertail Brewing
- Leaven Brewing
- Cigar City Brewing
- Cigar City Cider/Mead
- Angry Chair Brewing Co.
- Hidden Springs Ale Works
Cafes/Bakeries:
- The Lab Coffee Tampa
- King State
- La Segunda Bakery (Ybor)
- Buddy Brew Coffee (Hyde Park Village)
- Spaddy’s Coffee Co.
- Ginger Beard Co.
- The Attic Cafe
- Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea (Midtown)
Hotels:
- Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa
- Marriott Water Street
- Epicurean Hotel
- Hotel Haya
- The Godfrey
- Roost Tampa
Attractions:
- Busch Gardens Tampa Bay
- Howl-O-Scream
- Christmas Town
- Adventure Island
- International Plaza
- Tampa Premium Outlets
- TopGolf
- Tampa Riverwalk
- Midtown Tampa
- Sparkman Wharf
- Armature Works
- Tampa Bay History Center
- Keel & Curley Winery
Guides:
Dining Guide: Where to eat in Tampa’s Uptown (University Area)
Dining Guide: Great local restaurants to eat at in Brandon
10 Great Local Craft Breweries in Tampa Bay
10 restaurants to enjoy a Cuban Sandwich in Tampa
Top 7 Local Pizza Spots in Tampa
Top 8 Local Coffee Shops in Tampa
10 Places to Eat and Drink in Seminole Heights
Guide: Top 8 Local Bars in Tampa
Articles:
Tampa ranked #12 in foodie cities by WalletHub
City of Tampa celebrates 130th Birthday – 13 reasons I love Tampa
Tampa’s first food truck rally
In Memory of Lisa Tian, Joy of Tokyo in New Tampa restaurant owner
Estimate Population: 385,430
Local Newspapers: Creative Loafing Tampa, Tampa Bay Times
Current Mayor: Jane Castor
Local Reddit page: r/tampa
Tourism Bureau: Visit Tampa Bay
Local Sports Teams: Tampa Bay Lightning, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Tampa Bay Rays, Tampa Bay Rowdies
Local Universities: University of South Florida, University of Tampa
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