Thousands of votes later, the results are finally in for Creative Loafing Tampa Bay’s 2021 Best of The Bay reader’s poll.
Here you’ll find the area’s best restaurants, coffee shops, bars, food trucks, chefs and more, all determined by you and your neighbors. If you don’t see your personal favorites here, maybe this will lead you to a few new places to try!
Best Burgers
Winner: Nebraska Mini-Mart
Runners-Up: Gigglewaters, American SocialBest Ramen
Winner: Buya Ramen
Runners-Up: Ichicoro Ramen, Fusion Street EateryBest Fried Chicken
Winner: King of the Coop
Runners-Up: Gangchu Chicken & Beer, Nash’s Hot ChickenBest Indian Restaurant
Winner: Flames Indian Cuisine
Runners-Up: Rasoi Indian Cuisine, Curry LeavesBest Brunch
Winner: Oxford Exchange
Runners-Up: Noble Crust, Clear SkyBest Beach Bar
Winner: Postcard Inn On The Beach
Runners-Up: Caddy’s on the Beach, Salt Shack On The BayBest Vegetarian/Vegan Restaurant
Winner: Golden Dinosaurs
Runners-Up: Fresh Kitchen, SOHO Juice Co.Best New Restaurant
Winner: Social Roost
Runners-Up: Urban Stillhouse, Casa Santo StefanoBest Chinese Restaurant
Winner: Yummy House China Bistro
Runners-Up: Hawkers Asian Street Food, China WokBest Cuban Coffee
Winner: La Segunda Central Bakery
Runners-Up: Bodega, The ColumbiaBest Seafood Restaurant
Winner: The Original Crabby Bill’s
Runners-Up: Frenchy’s, Hog Island Fish CampBest Pizza
Winner: Madison Avenue Pizza
Runners-Up: Gourmet Pizza Company, New York New YorkBest Hot Dogs
Winner: Mel’s Hot Dogs
Runners-Up: Coney Island Hot Dogs, Nah Dogs Vegan Hot Dog CartBest Tacos
Winner: Taco Bus
Runners-Up: Red Mesa Mercado, BartacoBest Steakhouse
Winner: Bern’s Steak House
Runners-Up: Council Oak Steaks & Seafood, Charley’s Steak HouseBest Tampa Restaurant
Winner: Rooster & the Till
Runners-Up: Cena, Oak & OlaBest Cuban Restaurant
Winner: The Columbia
Runners-Up: Bodega, La Teresita RestaurantBest Margarita
Winner: Red Mesa Cantina
Runners-Up: Green Lemon, Casa Tina “Fresh, Healthy, Authentic Mexican”Best Beer
Winner: Beach Blonde Ale by 3 Daughters
Runners-Up: Jai Alai at Cigar City, Postcard Pilsner at Green BenchBest Brewer
Winner: Devon Kreps at 7venth Sun
Runners-Up: Wayne Wambles at Cigar City, Adam Deimling at Dunedin BreweryBest Ybor Restaurant
Winner: Flor Fina at Hotel Haya
Runners-Up: Tampa Bay Brewing Company, The BricksBest All-Around Restaurant
Winner: Mise en Place
Runners-Up: The Library, CaracaraBest Happy Hour
Winner: Enigma St. Pete
Runners-Up: Hollander Hotel, HavenBest Vietnamese Restaurant
Winner: La V Vietnamese Fusion
Runners-Up: Pho Quyen, ?Lotus Vegan RestaurantBest Ice Cream/Gelato/Frozen Yogurt
Winner: Bo’s Ice Cream
Runners-Up: Paciugo Gelato & Caffè, Astro Craft Ice CreamBest South Tampa Restaurant (including South of Gandy)
Winner: Datz
Runners-Up: OLIVIA, AvaBest Clearwater Restaurant
Winner: Clear Sky on Cleveland
Runners-Up: Frenchy’s Original Cafe, Mana Mana Middle Eastern RestaurantBest Waterfront Dining
Winner: Fresco’s Waterfront Bistro
Runners-Up: American Social, Jackson’sBest Mexican Restaurant
Winner: Casa Tina “Fresh, Healthy, Authentic Mexican”
Runners-Up: Red Mesa Cantina, Green LemonBest Cuban Sandwich
Winner: Brocato’s Sandwich Shop
Runners-Up: La Teresita Restaurant, West Tampa Sandwich Shop8. Oak & Ola
1910 N Ola Ave., Tampa
“Big fan of Oak & Ola! Located in Armature Works, it never disappoints. I’ve been here for both lunch and dinner, and it’s always a fantastic experience. The outside patio is dog-friendly, which is a huge plus! Service is consistently great, and the food is even better. The vibe is top-notch and perfect for a casual meal or a special night out. Their craft cocktails are amazing, and you really can’t go wrong with any of the dishes. Highly recommend!” – Jenna L. Credit: Photo via Oak & OlaBest Grilled Cheese
Gigglewaters
Finalists: Fo’ Cheezy, Bacon Street Diner Credit: Photo via Gigglewaters/FacebookBest New Brewery, Hillsborough
Winner: Woven Water Brewing Company
Runners-Up: Magnanimous Brewing, Bay Cannon Beer CompanyBest Hot Sauce
Winner: Dunedin Brewery – Florida Heat
Runners-Up: Hattricks Tavern, The Dunedin SmokehouseBest Chicken Sandwich
Winner: PDQ
Runners-Up: King of the Coop, Better ByrdBest Ribs
Winner: Wicked Oak BBQ
Runners-Up: Dr. BBQ, 4 Rivers SmokehouseBest Seminole Heights Restaurant
Winner: Ella’s Americana Folk Art Cafe
Runners-Up: Rooster & the Till, Ichicoro RamenBest Mac ‘n’ Cheese
Winner: Datz
Runners-Up: Gigglewaters, The Dunedin SmokehouseBest Grouper Sandwich
Winner: Frenchy’s Original Cafe
Runners-Up: Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill, Dockside Dave’sBest Doughnuts
Hole In One Donuts
Finalists: Fray’s Donut House, Cosmic Donuts Credit: Photo via Hole In One DonutsBest LGBT Bar
Winner: CockTail St. Pete
Runners-Up: Enigma St. Pete, Bradley’s on 7thBest Wings
Winner: Ferg’s Sports Bar & Grill
Runners-Up: Riveter’s, Hattrick’s TavernBest Date Restaurant
Winner: Bern’s Steak House
Runners-Up: Ulele, Salt Rock GrillBest Liquor Store
Winner: Bern’s Fine Wines & Spirits
Runners-Up: Tosti’s Spirits & Fine Wine, American Spirits & Fine WinesBest Greek Restaurant
Winner: Acropolis Greek Taverna
Runners-Up: Hellas Restaurant, Athenian GardensBest Dunedin Restaurant
Winner: The Living Room
Runners-Up: Casa Tina ‘”Fresh, Healthy, Authentic Mexican,” CaracaraBest Foodie Instagram Account
Winner: @thisbabeeats
Runners-Up: @tampafoodgirl, @secretsoftampabayBest Brewery
Winner: 3 Daughters Brewery
Runners-Up: Dunedin Brewery, Cigar City BrewingBest St. Pete Restaurant
Winner: Red Mesa Restaurant
Runners-Up: Social Roost, The MillBest Fish & Chips
Winner: Hog Island Fish Camp
Runners-Up: Mad Dogs & Englishmen, Yeoman’s Cask & LionBest Mediterranean Restaurant
Acropolis Greek Taverna
Finalists:The Pearl Restaurant, Luna Lux Credit: Photo via DineGreekInTampa/FacebookBest Soup
Winner: Bern’s Steak House
Runners-Up: Stone Soup Company, Frenchy’s RockawayBest Cookies
Winner: Bake’n Babes
Runners-Up: Crumbl Cookies, Valhalla BakeryBest Desserts
Winner: Bassano Cheesecake
Runners-Up: Mazzaro’s Italian Market, Harry Waugh Dessert Room at Bern’s Steak HouseBest Italian Restaurant
Winner: Bella’s Italian Cafe
Runners-Up: Mazzaro’s Italian Market, Pia’s TrattoriaBest New Brewery, Pinellas
Winner: Gulfport Brewery + Eatery
Runners-Up: Grand Central Brewhouse, Clearwater Brewing CompanyBest Barista
Winner: Ellis Holloway at Kahwa Coffee
Runners-Up: Demi Chacon at Bandit , Ashley at White DuckBest Bargain Restaurant
Winner: Bodega
Runners-Up: La Teresita Restaurant, Fresh KitchenBest Devil Crab
Winner: Brocato’s Sandwich Shop
Runners-Up: Columbia Restaurant, Carmine’s Restaurant & BarBest Kava Bar
Winner: Bula Kafe
Runners-Up: Grassroots Kava House, Driftwood Kava & RoasteryBest Tapas/Small Plates
Winner: Bulla Gastrobar
Runners-Up: Ceviche Tapas Bar and Restaurant,
Hawkers Asian Street FoodBest Guacamole
Winner: Casa Tina “Fresh, Healthy, Authentic Mexican”
Runners-Up: Besito Mexican, Red Mesa CantinaBest Neighborhood Bar, Pinellas
Winner: Gigglewaters
Runners-Up: HOB Brewing Co., Dead Bob’sBest Lobster Roll
Winner: Mazzaro’s Italian Market
Runners-Up: Rockstar Lobster, Got Lobstah?Best Charcuterie
Winner: Cru Cellars
Runners-Up: Haven, Annata Wine BarBest Tequila Bar
Winner: Red Mesa Cantina
Runners-Up: Casa Tina ‘”Fresh, Healthy, Authentic Mexican,” VIP MexicanBest Sommelier
Winner: Jen Bingham at Cru Cellars
Runners-Up: Kristie Grey at Flor Fina, Andrew Harris at RoccaBest Brandon/Riverview Restaurant
Winner: Datz
Runners-Up: The Stein & Vine, Tibby’s New Orleans KitchenBest Sports Bar
Winner: Ferg’s Sports Bar
Runners-Up: Hattricks Tavern, Eddie’s Bar & GrillBest Hotel Restaurant
Winner: Flora Fina at Hotel Haya
Runners-Up: Elevage at Epicurean Hotel, SIX at JW MarriottBest Beach Restaurant
Winner: Frenchy’s
Runners-Up: Salt Rock Grill, Caddy’sBest Gourmet Popcorn
Winner: Gigglewaters
Runners-Up: Salty Sisters Gourmet Popcorn, Harley’s Gourmet Popcorn and Cider ShoppeBest Bartender
Winner: Bobby at Hard Rock Cafe
Runners-Up: Joshua Valdez at Enigma, Maddie Kaye at HavenBest Outdoor Dining
Winner: Jackson’s Bistro
Runners-Up: Salt Shack On The Bay, Sea Sea RidersBest Key Lime Pie
Winner: JJ Gandy’s
Runners-Up: Mike’s Pies, Nature’s Food PatchBest Sangria
Winner: Red Mesa Restaurant
Runners-Up: Bulla Gastrobar, Casa Tina “Fresh- Healthy- Authentic Mexican”Best Food Festival
Winner: John’s Pass Seafood Festival
Runners-Up: Taste of Dunedin, Safety Harbor Seafood and Art FestivalBest Coffee Shop
Winner: Kahwa Coffee
Runners-Up: Buddy Brew Coffee, Cafe Vino TintoBest Banh Mi
Winner: La V: Vietnamese Fusion
Runners-Up: Bamboozle Cafe, Saigon DeliBest Smoothies
Winner: Rollin’ Oats
Runners-Up: SOHO Juice Co., Sweet Soul SoHoBest Thai Restaurant
Winner: Lemon Grass Thai Kitchen
Runners-Up: Jasmine Thai, 9Bangkok Thai and Sushi RestaurantBest Wine Bar
Winner: Lolita’s Wine Market
Runners-Up: Cru Cellars, Cooper’s HawkBest Diner
Winner: Mamas Kitchen
Runners-Up: Trip’s Diner, Metro DinerBest Bakery (Bread)
Winner: Mazzaro’s Italian Market
Runners-Up: La Segunda Central Bakery, Alessi BakeryBest Salad Bar
Winner: Nature’s Food Patch
Runners-Up: Whole Foods Market, The Salad StationBest Pasco Restaurant
Winner: Noble Crust
Runners-Up: Craft Street Kitchen, Joey’s New York Pizzeria and Italian RestaurantBest Safety Harbor Restaurant
Winner: Gigglewaters
Runners-Up: The Kitchen, Whistle Stop Grill & BarBest Breakfast
Winner: Oxford Exchange
Runners-Up: Trip’s Diner, Clear Sky Draught HausBest Sushi Restaurant
Winner: Pisces Sushi & Global Bistro
Runners-Up: Zukku Sushi, SoHo SushiBest Poolside Bar
Winner: Seminole Hard Rock Pool Bar & Grill
Runners-Up: Hollander Hotel, Ozona Blue GrillBest Brunch For Boozing
Winner: Red Mesa Cantina
Runners-Up: Noble Crust, American SocialBest Coffee
Winner: Kahwa Coffee
Runners-Up: Buddy Brew Coffee, The Blind Tiger CafeBest Health Food Market
Winner: Rollin’ Oats
Runners-Up: Nature’s Food Patch, Black Radish GrocerBest Dive Bar
Winner: Skipper’s Smokehouse
Runners-Up: Dead Bob’s, The HubBest Pad Thai
Winner: Lemon Grass Thai Kitchen
Runners-Up: Nitally’s Thai Mex, Jasmine ThaiBest Frosé
Winner: Armature Works
Runners-Up: Ulele, DatzBest Waitstaff
Winner: Social Roost
Runners-Up: The Living Room, Bern’s Steak HouseBest Cold-Pressed Juice
Winner: SOHO Juice Co.
Runners-Up: Squeeze Juice Works, Swami JuiceBest Cocktails
Winner: Sonder Social Club
Runners-Up: Ciro’s Tampa, CW’s Gin JointBest Bagels
Winner: St. Pete Bagel Co.
Runners-Up: 18 Bagels, Bella’s Bakes Cakes and BagelsBest Gourmet Market
Winner: Nature’s Food Patch
Runners-Up: Rollin’ Oats, Mazzaro’s Italian MarketBest Distillery
Winner: St. Petersburg Distillery
Runners-Up: Urban Stillhouse by Horse Soldier, Dark Door SpiritsBest Late Night Restaurant
Winner: Taco Bus
Runners-Up: New York New York, Red Mesa CantinaBest Tea Shop
Winner: TeBella Tea Company
Runners-Up: The Spice and Tea Exchange, Blush Tea and CoffeeBest Splurge Restaurant
Winner: The Black Pearl
Runners-Up: Council Oak Steaks & Seafood, Salt Rock GrillBest Bakery (Pastries)
Winner: Mazzaro’s Italian Market
Runners-Up: Alessi Bakery, Valhalla BakeryBest Dog-Friendly Bar
Winner: The Dog Bar
Runners-Up: Two Shepherds Taproom, Pups PubBest Barbecue Restaurant
Winner: The Dunedin Smokehouse
Runners-Up: Dr. BBQ, Wicked Oak BarbequeBest Palm Harbor Restaurant
Winner: The Lucky Dill Deli
Runners-Up: Mystic Fish, Ozona Blue GrillBest Southern Cooking
Winner: The Mill
Runners-Up: Ella’s Americana Folk Art Cafe, Noble CrustBest Whiskey Bar
Urban Stillhouse
Finalists: Whiskey Exchange, Flanagan’s Irish Pub Credit: Photo via theurbanstillhousestpete/FacebookBest Hotel Bar
Winner: The Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg
Runners-Up: Fenway Hotel, HiFi Rooftop Bar, Elevage at Epicurean HotelBest Chef
Winner: Traci Bryant
Runners-Up: Ferrell Alvarez, Chris PonteBest Acai Bowl
Winner: SOHO Juice Co.
Runners-Up: Grain and Berry, Karma Juice BarBest Food Truck/Vendor
Winner: Taco Bus
Runners-Up: Tacos Las Californias, Fo’Cheezy Twisted MeltzBest Seltzer
Winner: 3 Daughter Hard Seltzer
Runners-Up: Funky Buddha Premium Seltzer, Cigar City SeltzerBest Draft Selection
Winner: World of Beer
Runners-Up: Tampa Bay Brewing Company, Stillwaters TavernBest Bar Crawl
Winner: Downtown Dunedin
Runners-Up: Central Ave St. Pete, Sip City TourBest Eggs Benedict
Winner: Daydreamers Cafe and Grill
Runners-Up: Metro Diner, Noble CrustBest Poke Restaurant
Winner: Zukku Sushi
Runners-Up: Pacific Counter, Poke BowlBest Farm
Winner: Keel and Curley Winery
Runners-Up: Brick Street Farms, Old McMickey’s FarmBest Craft Beer Event
Winner: Dunedin Craft Beer & Food Festival
Runners-Up: Tampa Bay Beer Week, Dunedin Brewery Oktobeerfest
