Best of Tampa Bay
Nearby Eats
Our favorite nearby restaurants!
Fancy Pants · Ulele
$$$$ · 7 mi · Make reservations ASAP
Unique regional inspiration. Magical outdoor seating. Stroll the Riverwalk & Armature Works after dinner & grab a rooftop cocktail at M.Bird.
384 abantu bendawo batusa
Ulele
1810 N Highland AveFancy Pants · Ulele
$$$$ · 7 mi · Make reservations ASAP
Unique regional inspiration. Magical outdoor seating. Stroll the Riverwalk & Armature Works after dinner & grab a rooftop cocktail at M.Bird.
Sicily in a Strip Mall · Piccola
$$-$$$ · 4 mi · Make reservations ASAP · Not great for young kids
Pulling into the micro-parking lot will have you questioning our taste. Then you’ll eat the food. BYOB (no corking fees here) & plan to stay a while.
14 abantu bendawo batusa
Piccola Italia Bistro
2140 W Dr Martin Luther King Jr BlvdSicily in a Strip Mall · Piccola
$$-$$$ · 4 mi · Make reservations ASAP · Not great for young kids
Pulling into the micro-parking lot will have you questioning our taste. Then you’ll eat the food. BYOB (no corking fees here) & plan to stay a while.
Authentic Cuban · Aguila Sandwich Shop
$ · 4 mi
Tampa is infused with Cuban culture & the Cuban sandwich is a staple for any visit. This simple shop is a Tampa-wide favorite.
Aguila Sandwich Shop
3200 W Hillsborough AveAuthentic Cuban · Aguila Sandwich Shop
$ · 4 mi
Tampa is infused with Cuban culture & the Cuban sandwich is a staple for any visit. This simple shop is a Tampa-wide favorite.
Send Tacos · Mekenita Cantina
$$ · 2 mi
Unique, from-scratch tacos & margs. Deliverable via the apps, but super cute in person, plus The Revolution Ice Cream Co. is next door.
44 abantu bendawo batusa
Mekenita Cantina
6707 N Florida AveSend Tacos · Mekenita Cantina
$$ · 2 mi
Unique, from-scratch tacos & margs. Deliverable via the apps, but super cute in person, plus The Revolution Ice Cream Co. is next door.
Room to Run · Nebraska Mini-Mart
$$ · 4 mi · Only open Fri-Sun · Kid- & pup-friendly
Huge outdoor space with lots of games. Casual food & drinks.
41 abantu bendawo batusa
Nebraska Mini Mart
4815 N Nebraska AveRoom to Run · Nebraska Mini-Mart
$$ · 4 mi · Only open Fri-Sun · Kid- & pup-friendly
Huge outdoor space with lots of games. Casual food & drinks.
True Foodie · Saigon Deli
$ · 3 mi · Closes early
Not a frill in sight! But you can fill up on top-notch authentic pho, banh mi & spring rolls for next to nothing. If they’re closed, head to nearby Song Huong.
7 abantu bendawo batusa
Saigon Deli
3858 W Waters AveTrue Foodie · Saigon Deli
$ · 3 mi · Closes early
Not a frill in sight! But you can fill up on top-notch authentic pho, banh mi & spring rolls for next to nothing. If they’re closed, head to nearby Song Huong.
Bring the Kiddos · Nico’s Arepas Grill
$-$$ · 1 mi
Kid-friendly dining room & menu - can’t go wrong with melted queso! Fresh, more sophisticated dishes for the adults, too.
9 abantu bendawo batusa
Nico's Arepas Grill
8303 N Armenia AveBring the Kiddos · Nico’s Arepas Grill
$-$$ · 1 mi
Kid-friendly dining room & menu - can’t go wrong with melted queso! Fresh, more sophisticated dishes for the adults, too.
Nearby Drinks
Our favorite places to grab a drink!
Fun for All · Lowry Parcade
$ · ¼ mi · Walkable from Tuckaway Grove!
Huge craft beer selection, throwback arcade games, food trucks & live music. Walkable* from Tuckaway Grove!
*Note there aren’t sidewalks, but it’s a residential street with plenty of lawns you can step aside onto - we’ve done it day and night!
24 abantu bendawo batusa
Lowry Parcade & Tavern
1213 W Waters AveFun for All · Lowry Parcade
$ · ¼ mi · Walkable from Tuckaway Grove!
Huge craft beer selection, throwback arcade games, food trucks & live music. Walkable* from Tuckaway Grove!
*Note there aren’t sidewalks, but it’s a residential street with plenty of lawns you can step aside onto - we’ve done it day and night!
Bougie Cocktails · Mandarin Heights
$$$ · 3 mi
Leave your vodka soda at home & let a mustached mixologist craft the fancy drink of your dreams. Don’t forget your selfie stick - this place has some serious photo ops.
57 abantu bendawo batusa
Mandarin Heights
5901 N Florida AveBougie Cocktails · Mandarin Heights
$$$ · 3 mi
Leave your vodka soda at home & let a mustached mixologist craft the fancy drink of your dreams. Don’t forget your selfie stick - this place has some serious photo ops.
Artsy Types · Ella’s Americana Folk Café
$$ · 4 mi
Quirky down-home diner with a charming outdoor space and a serious commitment to quality live music.
201 abantu bendawo batusa
Ella’s Americana Folk Art Cafe
5119 N Nebraska AveArtsy Types · Ella’s Americana Folk Café
$$ · 4 mi
Quirky down-home diner with a charming outdoor space and a serious commitment to quality live music.
Laid-Back Patio · New World Brewery
$$ · 1.5 mi
Craft beer & live music with a twinkling, charming patio. Dark & moody inside to accommodate all personalities.
27 abantu bendawo batusa
New World Brewery
810 E Skagway AveLaid-Back Patio · New World Brewery
$$ · 1.5 mi
Craft beer & live music with a twinkling, charming patio. Dark & moody inside to accommodate all personalities.
Champagne, Charcuterie, Cheesecake · The C House
$$$ · 3 mi
An upscale but rustic atmosphere with a focus on wine & cheese.
102 abantu bendawo batusa
The C House
6005 N Florida AveChampagne, Charcuterie, Cheesecake · The C House
$$$ · 3 mi
An upscale but rustic atmosphere with a focus on wine & cheese.
Beer Lovers · The Independent
$$ · 3.5 mi
Modeled on a traditional English pub with a varied beer selection on tap. Unique food with several vegan options.
153 abantu bendawo batusa
Independent Bar and Cafe
5016 N Florida AveBeer Lovers · The Independent
$$ · 3.5 mi
Modeled on a traditional English pub with a varied beer selection on tap. Unique food with several vegan options.
Rooftop with a View · M.Bird
$$$ · 6.5 mi
Fancy cocktails with a sunset view over the Hillsborough River & downtown Tampa. Stroll around Armature Works & the RiverWalk.
48 abantu bendawo batusa
M. Bird
1903 Market StRooftop with a View · M.Bird
$$$ · 6.5 mi
Fancy cocktails with a sunset view over the Hillsborough River & downtown Tampa. Stroll around Armature Works & the RiverWalk.
Hit the Courts · Shuffle
$-$$ · 5.5 mi
Play a round of shuffleboard on the indoor courts, or enjoy live music on the cute & spacious patio with its own outdoor bar housed in a camper!
30 abantu bendawo batusa
Shuffle
2612 N Tampa StHit the Courts · Shuffle
$-$$ · 5.5 mi
Play a round of shuffleboard on the indoor courts, or enjoy live music on the cute & spacious patio with its own outdoor bar housed in a camper!
Unique Local Experiences
NATURAL SPRINGS
The best water in Florida isn’t on the beaches, it’s bubbling out of our incredible fresh water springs!
Closest to Tampa:
-Weeki Wachee · 1-hour drive · Easy 2.8 mile paddle
-Three Sisters Springs · 1.5-hour drive · Longer paddles for the more adventurous
-Ginnie Springs · 2.5-hour drive · Tubing & scuba diving · Party spot on the weekends
-Gilchrist Blue Springs · 2.5-hour drive · Kid-friendly sandy beach entrance to springs
556 abantu bendawo batusa
Iparke yaseWeeki Wachee Springs State
6131 Commercial WayNATURAL SPRINGS
The best water in Florida isn’t on the beaches, it’s bubbling out of our incredible fresh water springs!
Closest to Tampa:
-Weeki Wachee · 1-hour drive · Easy 2.8 mile paddle
-Three Sisters Springs · 1.5-hour drive · Longer paddles for the more adventurous
-Ginnie Springs · 2.5-hour drive · Tubing & scuba diving · Party spot on the weekends
-Gilchrist Blue Springs · 2.5-hour drive · Kid-friendly sandy beach entrance to springs
CRUISE THE CITY
Rent a bike or scooter & spend your day cruising the 6-mile pedestrian path from swanky Armature Works along the downtown Riverwalk & past the mansions on Bayshore Blvd.
Highlights along the way:
-Glazer Children’s Museum
-Tampa Museum of Art
-Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park
-Sparkman Wharf · Great lunch stop!
620 abantu bendawo batusa
Tampa Riverwalk
Tampa RiverwalkCRUISE THE CITY
Rent a bike or scooter & spend your day cruising the 6-mile pedestrian path from swanky Armature Works along the downtown Riverwalk & past the mansions on Bayshore Blvd.
Highlights along the way:
-Glazer Children’s Museum
-Tampa Museum of Art
-Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park
-Sparkman Wharf · Great lunch stop!
ARTSY ST. PETE
Downtown St. Pete (30+ min drive) can provide more than a full day of fun & exploring. Start at the Warehouse Arts District, stroll (or scooter) down Central Ave & end at the newly rebuilt St. Pete Pier.
Highlights along the way:
-Fairgrounds Immersive Art Experience
-Wendy’s Closet Thrift
-Grand Central Brewhouse
-Glass-Blowing Demos @ Morean Arts Center
-Second Saturday ArtWalk
-Jannus Live Music Venue
-Dali Museum
St. Pete also has the best vegan food! Including: Valhalla Bakery, Cider Press Café & Plant Love Ice Cream.
443 abantu bendawo batusa
St. Petersburg
ARTSY ST. PETE
Downtown St. Pete (30+ min drive) can provide more than a full day of fun & exploring. Start at the Warehouse Arts District, stroll (or scooter) down Central Ave & end at the newly rebuilt St. Pete Pier.
Highlights along the way:
-Fairgrounds Immersive Art Experience
-Wendy’s Closet Thrift
-Grand Central Brewhouse
-Glass-Blowing Demos @ Morean Arts Center
-Second Saturday ArtWalk
-Jannus Live Music Venue
-Dali Museum
St. Pete also has the best vegan food! Including: Valhalla Bakery, Cider Press Café & Plant Love Ice Cream.
MOUNTAIN BIKING
Yes, you read that right - mountain biking in Florida. Some of the best trails in Florida and even the country are a short drive from Tampa:
Alafia · 1-hour drive · Green to double-black trails · Rent bikes at the park on weekends or at AJ’s Bikes · Restrooms, BBQs, picnic tables, hiking-only trails
Balm Boyette · 1-hour drive · Near Alafia · Famous black diamond Ridgeline trail
Croom · 1-hour drive · Rugged cross-country trails · Easy to get lost - download Trailforks
20 abantu bendawo batusa
I-Alafia River State Park
14326 S County Rd 39MOUNTAIN BIKING
Yes, you read that right - mountain biking in Florida. Some of the best trails in Florida and even the country are a short drive from Tampa:
Alafia · 1-hour drive · Green to double-black trails · Rent bikes at the park on weekends or at AJ’s Bikes · Restrooms, BBQs, picnic tables, hiking-only trails
Balm Boyette · 1-hour drive · Near Alafia · Famous black diamond Ridgeline trail
Croom · 1-hour drive · Rugged cross-country trails · Easy to get lost - download Trailforks
RIDE THE RIVER
The Hillsborough River runs through downtown Tampa and past some of the coolest spots in town.
Unique ways to get out on the water:
-Urban Kai Paddleboarding · 6 mi · Fitness classes & tours departing from Armature Works
-Cruisin Tikis · 7 mi · A private floating tiki hut for your small group
-Lost Pearl Pirate Ship · 8 mi · For better or worse, it wouldn’t be Tampa without some pirates
7 abantu bendawo batusa
Hillsborough River
RIDE THE RIVER
The Hillsborough River runs through downtown Tampa and past some of the coolest spots in town.
Unique ways to get out on the water:
-Urban Kai Paddleboarding · 6 mi · Fitness classes & tours departing from Armature Works
-Cruisin Tikis · 7 mi · A private floating tiki hut for your small group
-Lost Pearl Pirate Ship · 8 mi · For better or worse, it wouldn’t be Tampa without some pirates
SECOND-HAND SHOPPING
Hunt for treasures you’ll only find right here in Tampa at these thrift, antique & consignment shops:
-Vintage Post Marketplace · 3 mi · Quality furniture & home décor at fair prices
-Frolic Exchange · 5 mi · Trendy vintage clothing
-Wendy’s Closet · 28 mi · Everything from 90s windbreakers to fur coats to 70s jumpsuits to cowboy boots
-Downtown Plant City · 1-hour drive · Cute downtown with a cluster of classic antique shops
15 abantu bendawo batusa
Vintage Post Market Place
5206 N Florida AveSECOND-HAND SHOPPING
Hunt for treasures you’ll only find right here in Tampa at these thrift, antique & consignment shops:
-Vintage Post Marketplace · 3 mi · Quality furniture & home décor at fair prices
-Frolic Exchange · 5 mi · Trendy vintage clothing
-Wendy’s Closet · 28 mi · Everything from 90s windbreakers to fur coats to 70s jumpsuits to cowboy boots
-Downtown Plant City · 1-hour drive · Cute downtown with a cluster of classic antique shops
SWIM ON HORSEBACK
Yes, ride a horse… while it’s swimming… into the sunset. And get some envy-inducing shots for your ‘gram while you’re at it.
C Ponies · 45 min-1 hour drive · Swimming horses, beach rides & trail rides around Tampa Bay
24 abantu bendawo batusa
Cponies Beach Horseback Rides
8400 Manatee Ave WSWIM ON HORSEBACK
Yes, ride a horse… while it’s swimming… into the sunset. And get some envy-inducing shots for your ‘gram while you’re at it.
C Ponies · 45 min-1 hour drive · Swimming horses, beach rides & trail rides around Tampa Bay
22 mi
Farm, winery, brewery, dining & events in Plant City. Pet animals, wonder through the blueberry fields, taste wine, grab a bite to eat. They have special events throughout the year. Great for the kids or a fun date!
43 abantu bendawo batusa
Winery yeKeel kanye neCurley
5202 Thonotosassa Rd22 mi
Farm, winery, brewery, dining & events in Plant City. Pet animals, wonder through the blueberry fields, taste wine, grab a bite to eat. They have special events throughout the year. Great for the kids or a fun date!
Mornin' Fare & Sweets
Coffee Cart · Spaddy's Coffee Company
$ · 3 mi
Grab coffee & Cuban snacks from a vintage food truck in a spacious patio. Check out Vintage Post for antiques & La Segunda family bakery next door!
63 abantu bendawo batusa
Spaddy's Coffee Co. - Seminole Heights
5206 N Florida AveCoffee Cart · Spaddy's Coffee Company
$ · 3 mi
Grab coffee & Cuban snacks from a vintage food truck in a spacious patio. Check out Vintage Post for antiques & La Segunda family bakery next door!
Hipster Hangout · King State
$$$ · 5 mi
Located just off I-275 on your way downtown, this former gas station has fancy lattes & a fresh breakfast menu.
37 abantu bendawo batusa
King State
520 E Floribraska AveHipster Hangout · King State
$$$ · 5 mi
Located just off I-275 on your way downtown, this former gas station has fancy lattes & a fresh breakfast menu.
Pure Yum · Marlene's Original Breakfast Sandwich
$ · 3 mi
This parking lot food truck focuses their attention on one thing - the breakfast sandwich - and they do it oh-so-well.
Marlene's Original Breakfast Sandwich
Pure Yum · Marlene's Original Breakfast Sandwich
$ · 3 mi
This parking lot food truck focuses their attention on one thing - the breakfast sandwich - and they do it oh-so-well.
Greasy Spoon · Trip's Diner
$ · 2.5 mi
This is the classic local diner. If you love giant pancakes, oversized omelettes, and drip coffee in a ceramic cup, this is your spot.
95 abantu bendawo batusa
Trip's Diner
6416 N Florida AveGreasy Spoon · Trip's Diner
$ · 2.5 mi
This is the classic local diner. If you love giant pancakes, oversized omelettes, and drip coffee in a ceramic cup, this is your spot.
Retro Vibes · Pickford's Sundries
$$ · 3.5 mi
A retro breakfast café with a gift store full of throwback & handmade gifts. Think Cracker Barrel, but in a bungalow & totally local.
Pickford's Sundries
Retro Vibes · Pickford's Sundries
$$ · 3.5 mi
A retro breakfast café with a gift store full of throwback & handmade gifts. Think Cracker Barrel, but in a bungalow & totally local.
Classic Soft Serve · Bo's Ice Cream
$ · 2 mi
A Tampa staple! Classic ice cream stand with creamy soft serve.
44 abantu bendawo batusa
Bo's Ice Cream
7101 N Florida AveClassic Soft Serve · Bo's Ice Cream
$ · 2 mi
A Tampa staple! Classic ice cream stand with creamy soft serve.
Dessert Parlor for Mermaids · Sea Maids Creamery
$$ · 4.5 mi
A fun & colorful Latina-owned dessert parlor with one-of-a-kind ice cream flavors plus churros, brownies, waffles & more. Vegan options!
6 abantu bendawo batusa
Sea Maid's Creamery
4230 N Florida AveDessert Parlor for Mermaids · Sea Maids Creamery
$$ · 4.5 mi
A fun & colorful Latina-owned dessert parlor with one-of-a-kind ice cream flavors plus churros, brownies, waffles & more. Vegan options!
Rainy Day Activities
Amalie Arena
401 Channelside Dr7.3 mi
Catch a Tampa Bay Lightning game or a concert!
The Florida Aquarium - 7.8 mi
Clearwater Marine Aquarium - 26 mi
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Clearwater Marine Aquarium
249 Windward PassageThe Florida Aquarium - 7.8 mi
Clearwater Marine Aquarium - 26 mi
7 mi
This world-class art museum hosts fabulous exhibitions of international, regional, contemporary, modern, and ancient art.
265 abantu bendawo batusa
Tampa Museum of Art
120 W Gasparilla Plaza7 mi
This world-class art museum hosts fabulous exhibitions of international, regional, contemporary, modern, and ancient art.
7 mi
The perfect spot for the kids to escape the heat, plus the public water fountain they can play in outside!
224 abantu bendawo batusa
I-Glazer Children's Museum
110 W Gasparilla Plaza7 mi
The perfect spot for the kids to escape the heat, plus the public water fountain they can play in outside!
6.3 mi
Indoor food court, plus a great outdoor space if the rain subsides.
845 abantu bendawo batusa
Armature Works
1910 N Ola Ave6.3 mi
Indoor food court, plus a great outdoor space if the rain subsides.
7.5 mi
Bougie indoor mall and food court.
615 abantu bendawo batusa
International Plaza and Bay Street
2223 N Westshore Blvd7.5 mi
Bougie indoor mall and food court.