The past two years have been incredibly tough for local restaurants and bars, and while many have survived, adapted, or even completely reinvented themselves, the COVID-19 pandemic has also helped shutter some of our favorite Tampa Bay haunts.

While not all of these spots closed specifically because of coronavirus, every one of these eateries closed their doors amidst the pandemic, and we miss them all.  Here are some of our favorite local bars and restaurants that are gone but not forgotten. 

Cafe Ponte/Facebook
Ballyhoo Grill 7604 Ehrlich Rd., Citrus Park Citrus Park fish camp staple Ballyhoo Grill closed its doors on Sunday, Sept. 26. Some form of the local favorite has sat at the corner of Ehrlich Road and Gunn Highway since the 1910s.
The Bunker   1907 N. 19th St., Ybor City After online rumors began circulating, Ybor City’s The Bunker employees confirmed its closure. Nicknamed “Ybor’s living room” by many, the cafe had acted as a community hub for coffee drinkers and art show and DIY concertgoers since its opening in 2006, after a restoration of the building, which has been standing in the district since 1924. A new coffee shop, Foundation, now operates out of the space. Photo via Michael M. Sinclair
Hall on Franklin As Tampa’s first food hall with local favorites like Bake ‘N Babes and North Star, The Hall on Franklin laid the groundwork for its current and future successors. After three years of service, the Tampa Heights food hall officially shut down in December of 2020 when the business was unable to accommodate the space for COVID-safe guidelines. Photo by Colin Wolf
Nojaks 305 E Polk St., Tampa Vegan burger joint Nojaks closed in February with hopes of relocation. The same owners, but different team, brought in Supernatural Food and Wine with “mean sandwiches” and Best of the Bay-winning vegan donuts.
Locale Market  179 2nd Ave. N., St. Petersburg St. Pete’s Locale Market closed this January, stating it would be replaced by the Sundial plaza’s forthcoming food hall. The two-story Locale Market acted as a hub for those wanting to explore new eating experiences, offering grab-and-go options, dry goods and FarmTable Cucina located on its second floor. Photo via Locale Market/Facebook
Roux   4205 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa The South Tampa creole restaurant closed for good after serving cajun and creole dishes since 2014. The spot’s all-you-can-eat crawfish boil was just one of Roux’s creative New Orleans-style comfort food eats. The married couple owners also own and operate three Datz locations, Dough and Dr. BBQ.
Stack ‘n’ Sizzle/Facebook
Iberian Rooster 475 N Central Ave., St. Petersburg Iberian Rooster was a staple in downtown St. Pete since its opening a little over four years ago, thanks to its three-in-one space with a bar, restaurant, which became Avo’s Kitchen in 2020, and SubCentral, the basement event space. “I’m just really happy to give St. Pete a place that was really special,” owner Russell Andrade told CL.
Tampa Mafia Tour This one’s for all of the Scarface and Godfather fans out there. It’s no secret that Ybor City is laden with a history of corruption and vice, but this tour promises to dig even deeper into the former cigar mecca’s infamous past. The tours are either led by Manny Leto or Scott Deitche, who both bring years of expertise to this roughly two hour tour that leads you to former gambling houses, restaurants where private matters were discussed and back alleys that were used for a good shakedown, among other things. Tours happen on select dates through the rest of the year and are offered at varying times to improve accessibility. For more information on the Tampa Mafia Tours, visit tampamafia.com. Photo via Google Maps
Foundation Coffee/Facebook
Babalu   9246 4th St. N, St. Petersburg Having served classic comfort eats since 1964, family bar and restaurant Babalu closed in January 2020. Known for its classic dishes like jumbo chicken wings, Babalu served locals for more than 30 years before its closing.
Hofbräuhaus   123 Fourth St. S., St. Petersburg An iconic spot for German-inspired atmosphere and eats, St. Pete’s Hofbräuhaus closed down in early March 2020 after serving the St. Pete community since 2015. The bar was facing an eviction lawsuit over late rent since October. Photo via Google Maps
FarmTable Cucina   179 2nd Ave N., St. Petersburg St. Pete’s FarmTable Cucina went out with a bang with an extravagant New Year’s afterparty just before closing for good in April 2020. The high end dining spot offered downtown St. Pete specialty drinks and entrees on the second floor of the Locale Market.
Brew D Licious  667 Central Ave., St. Petersburg The dog-friendly and very colorful Brew D Licious coffee shop closed permanently after nine years of business. The artsy location served coffee and laid back vibes in its small Central Avenue location. Photo via Brew D Licious/Facebook
Pour Taproom/Facebook
Room 901/Instagram
Four Stacks Brewing Company/Facebook
Coney Island Sandwich Shop After speculation that the St. Petersburg spot might reopen after closing in 2020, Coney Island Sandwich Shop has yet to reveal any clear word on its next move. Known and loved for its Michigan-style hotdogs, Coney Island was the oldest family-operated business in St. Petersburg and celebrated its 90th anniversary back in 2016. Photo City of St. Pete/Flickr
Tutto Bene 3038 Beach Blvd S, Gulfport Tutto Bene announced its closure on Facebook this dall as owners Allan and Michelle Bishop decided to pack up shop and move back to Canada. Neighboring restaurant Pia’s Trattoria is taking over the spot, creating a new concept called Pia’s Veranda.
London Heights British Pub/Website
Moon Under Water 332 Beach Dr. NE, St. Petersburg St. Pete’s British pub-style restaurant closed in February with Ceviche taking its place. Caledon Concepts—which owns both spots as well as Rococo Steak—promised a new location, but nothing has been announced as of yet.
WEPA Cocina de Puerto Rico 2149 3rd Ave S, St. Petersburg St.Pete Puerto Rican spot, located in the Warehouse Arts District, serving up mofongo and whole pan fried snapper closed its doors in July.
Kojak’s House of Ribs 2808 Gandy Blvd., Tampa Staple Kojak’s House of Ribs, opened since 1978, closed it’s South Tampa doors after getting an offer from developers who will tear down the 1927-built bungalow and put up new apartments. A new location in Seffner, at 1809 S Parsons Ave., is set to open at some point.
Lucy’s Vegan Corner 2462 Central Ave., St. Petersburg Quick-service sandwich-focused spot closed its doors in March, breaking local plant-based hearts. Vegan diner Freya’s opened in the Grand Central space in June.
Side Piece 587 Main Street, Dunedin The Restorative’s literal Side Piece—a small restaurant focused on paninis inside of Caledonia Brewing—closed in April but in went Cameron Capri’s Q Southern Outpost to the 100-square-foot space.

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