We have lived in Tampa for almost a year now, and while there is still SO MUCH to see and do, we have a few favorites we’ve fallen in love with over the past 12 months. Since I was pregnant when we moved here and now have a new baby, we basically just eat out, shop around, and hang. Most of our favorite places are relaxed and low key. Here’s where we frequent the most in Tampa:
for coffee:
Buddy Brew Hyde Park – This is everyone’s favorite local spot. There are several across Tampa!
Willa’s Provisions – Very cool because it is a coffee bar during the day and a cocktail lounge at night. Really cute and instagramy on the inside. You know the vibes.
DI Coffee – We like to stop here before we visit Davis Island, which I will go into detail about later on in this post!
Capital One Cafe Hyde Park – Our personal fave because all drinks are half off if you pay with a Capital One card! My order: Large Cold Brew with 3 Pumps SF Vanilla and Half & Half
For Breakfast/brunch:
Goody Goody – This one HAS to be mentioned because it is the breakfast restaurant near my apartment where MY WATER BROKE! I will never eat an omelet the same way again. But birth aside, this is a great classic diner-style breakfast spot. It is located in Hyde Park Village, which is SO fun to walk around!
Oxford Exchange – This is the elite brunch spot in Tampa. It’s a restaurant, bar, bookstore, gift store, museum, and cocktail lounge, all in one. The vibes are absolutely immaculate. Trust me. Make a reservation and visit Oxford Exchange before you leave Tampa! Note: If you cancel your reservation they charge $25 per person in the reservation. So be sure you can make it before you book!
for casual lunch:
Bartaco – I know they have Bartaco in other places, but it is just as good here! The prices are reasonable, the drinks are deliciously fresh, and the rice bowls are a step above the rest. Simply put, Bartaco is foolproof.
Luv Child – THIS is the spot for a girly lunch! It is adorable on the inside, complete with disco balls, pink decor, string lights, the works. It is Cuban-inspired food, which is a staple in Tampa. They have lots of vegan options too, which was so nice when I had to do dairy-free for breastfeeding. Ask for a side of tots with their housemade aioli.
Fruitwood Standup Market – This is a great grab-and-go place. For a fresh salad or wrap, call it Fruitwood! They don’t have indoor seating, so don’t plan to go here with a big group.
Taco Dirty – Taco Dirty is the reason I gained 50 pounds while pregnant. I would say 35 pounds were legit pregnancy-related, and the other 15 were purely from the burrito bowls I had Hunter deliver to me on the couch every other day. I do not regret it one bit! This is hands-down our most frequented spot for a quick and easy lunch or dinner!
Fresh Kitchen – If you want a healthy but delicious meal, Fresh Kitchen is the spot. It is a build your own bowl place that features fresh veggies, hearty meats, homemade sauces, and all the fixings. I love it all.
Green Lemon – Green Lemon is owned by the same group as Taco Dirty and Fresh Kitchen, but it is more of a sit-down style restaurant. The trio dip is a 10/10!
For dinner:
Forbicci – This is the neighborhood Italian restaurant near us and we love walking to eat dinner there. They have live music 7 days a week, a really cute patio, and the inside is super vibey. We love to get a caesar salad and a pizza to split.
On Swann – My mouth is watering as I type this. On Swann is all. the. things! Fancy but not pretentious, upscale but not out of budget. This is the ideal spot for a nice date night or a classy girls night. We are actually planning to go in two weeks while my mom is here to babysit. They are famous for their kale salad, which sounds weird, but trust me. They also have a fabulous drink menu and awesome bar seating.
Timpano – Timpano’s food is good, but the experience of the Parmesan Wheel is why most people go! Basically, they make your pasta table-side inside a giant wheel of cheese. Need I say more?
Oggi Italian – This spot is on Davis Island off the beaten path. It is the most authentic Italian in town and the CUTEST! This would be a good spot for a more intimate dinner in a less flashy setting. You really do feel like you are eating on the streets of Italy!
The Battery – I just tried The Battery for the first time before the Justin Bieber concert and we loved it! We did their customizable cheese board as an appetizer and it was delicious. We loved our drinks and entrees too. It is located inside Sparkman Wharf, which makes it super easy to grab dessert at Jeni’s Ice Cream right after.
Salt Shack and Hula Bay Club – I am including these as one spot because they are so similar! They are both waterfront restaurants with cute bars, gorgeous views, and lots of seafood options. If you want to feel like you are on a tropical vacation, these are great options!
American Social – If you want to eat on the Bay within walking distance to lots of fun attractions, AMSO is for you! They have all-you-can-eat tacos on Tuesdays for like $15. We love it! You can make a reservation on Open Table. This is a great spot to watch the boats come in.
for dessert:
Chill Bros. Ice Cream – Hands down the best ice cream in Tampa. DOUBLE DOWN OREO is the move. Honorable Mention goes to Milk and Cookies. There are several locations you can check out!
Cakedrip – This is not just a place to get dessert, it is a total experience! You have to make a reservation and honestly, it is the main event, not an after thought. You’ll get 3 courses of dessert before you make your own candy bar. The decor is SO CUTE (see bathtub ball pit above!) This is ideal for girls’ nights and bachelorette parties.
TO Hangout:
Armature Works – This is an upscale food hall on the riverwalk with TONS of dining, drink, and dessert options. It is so family friendly and we love to hang here for a few hours after we eat!
Sparkman Wharf – Super similar to Armature Works but Sparkman is made of shipping container food trucks that are all outside around a courtyard on the water. This is the perfect spot to watch a game on the giant outdoor screen. It is right next to Amelie Arena, so if you are going to a concert or sporting event at Amalie, you should eat here first!
Bayshore Boulevard – If you have time to kill, walking or biking on Bayshore Boulevard is stunning, pictured above! It is the longest continuous sidewalk in the country and it spans the Bay for like 8 miles! I walk here DAILY and am going to miss it so much when we move to Memphis.
To shop:
International Mall – This mall has EVERYTHING! From Zara, to Nordstrom, to Fabletics, to Lululemon, to Gucci, to Louis Vuitton, to H&M and everything in between. I love shopping here because it has stores I can afford and stores I can admire.
Hyde Park Village – I shop here the most! Lots of popular big stores like Anthro, Lululemon, West Elm, Pottery Barn, Madwell, and more. It even has cute local shops, my fave being Canvas Boutique. It is all outside and so fun to walk around. Be sure to grab a coffee at Buddy Brew or Capital One before you browse!
To beach:
Indian Rocks Beach – Great beach nearby that is usually pretty chill!
Fort DeSoto – This is a beach in a national park area so it is super clean and never too crowded!
Davis Island Waterfront – Not a “beach” but a pretty waterfront to chill at this is IN Tampa!
I hope these faves of ours give you a few ideas of what to do in and around Tampa! If you still aren’t sure what is right for your trip, send me a message on IG or an email at payton@paytonreed.com. Did I miss something? Probably! I would love to hear your faves too! Have fun!
Xo,
Payton