Guidebook for Tampa
Drinks & Nightlife
Craft brews, diverse wines & eclectic fare served in a hip, nautical-themed setting with DJ nights.
114 locals recommend
Mermaid Tavern
6719 N Nebraska AveCraft brews, diverse wines & eclectic fare served in a hip, nautical-themed setting with DJ nights.
Small but awesome brewery and tasting room with Interior Design by my friends at LiveWork Studios. Like many places in Seminole Heights, there is virtually zero parking here, so you are best off using Uber/Lyft. The owners have a good sense of humor about it: "Angry Chair Brewing: Don't park on Fern (Street)".
105 locals recommend
Angry Chair Brewing
4101 N Florida AveSmall but awesome brewery and tasting room with Interior Design by my friends at LiveWork Studios. Like many places in Seminole Heights, there is virtually zero parking here, so you are best off using Uber/Lyft. The owners have a good sense of humor about it: "Angry Chair Brewing: Don't park on Fern (Street)".
Highly recommended for pizza, wings, TVs, craft beer, outdoor seating. Don't go _too_ hungry as there is a long wait for food.
32 locals recommend
Hampton Station Pizzeria
5921 N Nebraska AveHighly recommended for pizza, wings, TVs, craft beer, outdoor seating. Don't go _too_ hungry as there is a long wait for food.
Bar and grill, full bar, live music, TVs, karaoke, outdoor seating. The local regulars are friendly. There is a 50% possibility that you will hear Margaritaville here.
96 locals recommend
Front Porch & Bart's Tavern
5924 N Florida AveBar and grill, full bar, live music, TVs, karaoke, outdoor seating. The local regulars are friendly. There is a 50% possibility that you will hear Margaritaville here.
This recently opened (while I've been out of the country) but the owner says, "The places prior to us were fine dining but we're going in a whole different direction," Medrano said. "We're going to serve traditional British dishes and pub grub, and we'll have 12 televisions so it's really a sports bar, which Seminole Heights doesn't have."
9 locals recommend
London Heights British Pub
7701 N Nebraska AveThis recently opened (while I've been out of the country) but the owner says, "The places prior to us were fine dining but we're going in a whole different direction," Medrano said. "We're going to serve traditional British dishes and pub grub, and we'll have 12 televisions so it's really a sports bar, which Seminole Heights doesn't have."
Entertainment & Activities
Public pool. Free for kids, low cost for adults. ProTip: rules require a net in your men's bathing suit.
10 locals recommend
Sulphur Springs Pool
701 E Bird StPublic pool. Free for kids, low cost for adults. ProTip: rules require a net in your men's bathing suit.
Busch Gardens
10165 McKinley DrParking is really expensive, so you might consider Uber/Lyft.
Food Scene
Classic Greek-American diner. When I'm working from home, I walk here and have breakfast nearly every day. You can also call ahead and get take away.
ProTip: walk the long way down Patterson to 10th, then to Broad, and Broad to Nebraska rather than the short cut along Nebraska. Nebraska Ave will make you sad.
53 locals recommend
Three Coins Diner
7410 N Nebraska AveClassic Greek-American diner. When I'm working from home, I walk here and have breakfast nearly every day. You can also call ahead and get take away.
ProTip: walk the long way down Patterson to 10th, then to Broad, and Broad to Nebraska rather than the short cut along Nebraska. Nebraska Ave will make you sad.
Coffeehouse with dairy-free, gluten-free and paleo offerings. Breakfast and lunch menu. I like to work from my laptop here for a couple of hours. Parking is a problem.
33 locals recommend
Jet City Espresso Seminole Heights
5803 N Florida AveCoffeehouse with dairy-free, gluten-free and paleo offerings. Breakfast and lunch menu. I like to work from my laptop here for a couple of hours. Parking is a problem.
Gourmet sandwiches at a reasonable price and an awesome staff: friendly vibes, good food, and good people make for a great experience despite the location.
9 locals recommend
Sulphur Springs Sandwich Shop
9000A N Florida AveGourmet sandwiches at a reasonable price and an awesome staff: friendly vibes, good food, and good people make for a great experience despite the location.
Tampa tourists love this place, so you should probably check it out. I'm a local snob, so I drive way out to TacoSon Authentic Mexican Grill (which is owned by the original owners of Taco Bus).
69 locals recommend
Taco Bus
913 E Hillsborough AveTampa tourists love this place, so you should probably check it out. I'm a local snob, so I drive way out to TacoSon Authentic Mexican Grill (which is owned by the original owners of Taco Bus).
TacoSon Authentic Mexican Grill
7521 N 56th StOne of Tampa's best kept secrets.
Owned by the founders of Skate Park of Tampa: "Chill haunt with pressed-tin ceilings & brick walls serving casual, eclectic bites, even late-night." This is one of the few alternative lifestyle (skate-punk) venues left in Ybor, which has otherwise largely become...Margaritaville. There is a 0% chance that you will hear Margaritaville here.
41 locals recommend
The Bricks
1327 E 7th AveOwned by the founders of Skate Park of Tampa: "Chill haunt with pressed-tin ceilings & brick walls serving casual, eclectic bites, even late-night." This is one of the few alternative lifestyle (skate-punk) venues left in Ybor, which has otherwise largely become...Margaritaville. There is a 0% chance that you will hear Margaritaville here.
Must-see for foodies plus Interior Design by my friends at LiveWork Studios.
137 locals recommend
Ichicoro Ramen
5229 N Florida AveMust-see for foodies plus Interior Design by my friends at LiveWork Studios.
Chef Greg Baker is a five-time James Beard Award semifinalist but is soon retiring, so I recommend that you check other sources for updates before going.
73 locals recommend
The Refinery
5910 N Florida AveChef Greg Baker is a five-time James Beard Award semifinalist but is soon retiring, so I recommend that you check other sources for updates before going.
Shopping
Alpine Liquors
7501 N Nebraska AveCostco is a members-only shopping club (requires an annual membership) and is best for groups or larger families. I have thermally insulated Costco shopping bags that you can take with you.
ProTip: if get a SunPass from the WaWa and use the toll-road and this is almost all highway.
30 locals recommend
Costco Wholesale
10921 Causeway BlvdCostco is a members-only shopping club (requires an annual membership) and is best for groups or larger families. I have thermally insulated Costco shopping bags that you can take with you.
ProTip: if get a SunPass from the WaWa and use the toll-road and this is almost all highway.
Essentials
This a small and old Publix and parking here is often problematic. I usually drive a bit further for the better selection at "The Habana Publix" (Hillsborough/Habana) but this location is great when you just need something quick.
82 locals recommend
Publix Super Market
6001 N Nebraska AveThis a small and old Publix and parking here is often problematic. I usually drive a bit further for the better selection at "The Habana Publix" (Hillsborough/Habana) but this location is great when you just need something quick.
I like the ethanol-free gas, sandwiches, and coffee here but the store is close to high-crime Sulfur Springs and so can be a bit sketchy. Probably best to avoid when alone and after dark unless you are proud of your street smarts. ;)
6 locals recommend
Wawa
11510 E Fowler AveI like the ethanol-free gas, sandwiches, and coffee here but the store is close to high-crime Sulfur Springs and so can be a bit sketchy. Probably best to avoid when alone and after dark unless you are proud of your street smarts. ;)
Parks & Nature
I walk down to this park a couple of times a day. I once saw a mother manatee and her calf. I also once saw a syringe, so it is a mixed bag. If you continue to walk around the corner and along Park Circle there is a good sidewalk with no cross-streets and two more "pocket parks".
Patterson St Park
1018 E Patterson StI walk down to this park a couple of times a day. I once saw a mother manatee and her calf. I also once saw a syringe, so it is a mixed bag. If you continue to walk around the corner and along Park Circle there is a good sidewalk with no cross-streets and two more "pocket parks".
Not much here but a view of the river. I always duck in as I walk along Park Circle.
Park Circle Park
1208 E Park CirNot much here but a view of the river. I always duck in as I walk along Park Circle.
Alan Wright Park
1402 E Park CirNice view of the river under some oak trees.
There is a nice disk golf course here. I do a daily run to this park and add a circuit along its perimeter if I'm up for the extra mile but because of its remoteness, I don't recommend going there alone. (I pretty clearly have nothing of value on me when I'm running.)
22nd Street Park
7801 N 22nd StThere is a nice disk golf course here. I do a daily run to this park and add a circuit along its perimeter if I'm up for the extra mile but because of its remoteness, I don't recommend going there alone. (I pretty clearly have nothing of value on me when I'm running.)
One of Tampa's secret spots. When the weather is nice, I pack a cooler for a picnic and set up shop in one of the (non-reserved) pavilions at this park (not the zoo next door). Do be mindful of alligators if you have small children/dogs.
Lowry Park Central
One of Tampa's secret spots. When the weather is nice, I pack a cooler for a picnic and set up shop in one of the (non-reserved) pavilions at this park (not the zoo next door). Do be mindful of alligators if you have small children/dogs.
My favorite local park for Florida nature. I always bring out of town guests here to see their first alligator.
49 locals recommend
Lettuce Lake Park Boardwalk and Nature Trail Observation Tower
Lettuce Lake Park TrailMy favorite local park for Florida nature. I always bring out of town guests here to see their first alligator.
North Beach at Fort De Soto is one of my favorites because there are no condominiums in view. On the down side, there is also no alcohol allowed or any restaurants, shops, etc. You need to bring everything you need with you. St. Pete Beach is where locals (from Tampa) go to drink on the beach and eat out. If you are on Spring Breeeaaaak!, you probably want Clearwater Beach.
32 locals recommend
Fort De Soto Park Campground
3500 Pinellas Bayway SNorth Beach at Fort De Soto is one of my favorites because there are no condominiums in view. On the down side, there is also no alcohol allowed or any restaurants, shops, etc. You need to bring everything you need with you. St. Pete Beach is where locals (from Tampa) go to drink on the beach and eat out. If you are on Spring Breeeaaaak!, you probably want Clearwater Beach.
The best beach on Florida's west coast but I normally rent an AirBnB here for a long weekend rather than drive from Tampa for a day trip. You can day trip to Fort De Soto, St. Pete Beach, and Clearwater Beach.
799 locals recommend
Siesta Beach
The best beach on Florida's west coast but I normally rent an AirBnB here for a long weekend rather than drive from Tampa for a day trip. You can day trip to Fort De Soto, St. Pete Beach, and Clearwater Beach.
Arts & Culture
Tampa Museum of Art
120 W Gasparilla PlazaProTip: don't skip a walk along the Riverwalk.