Tampa Bay is a melting pot of cuisines and flavors from all around the world, but you don’t have to be a world traveller to experience all the flavor. From traditional southern food to fine dining, Hawaiian food and so much more in between, these restaurants are all worth the drive (and gas no matter how expensive it gets).

Blue Marlin Seafood 121 Historic Bridge St., Bradenton Beach, 941-896-9737 Located in one of the nation’s oldest fishing communities, Blue Marlin offers an intimate dining experience just over an hour away from Tampa. Enjoy live music, hand crafted cocktails and diverse small plates, salads and fish options. Photo via Blue Marlin Seafood/Website
Bon Appetit Restaurant and Bar 148 Marina Plaza, Dunedin, 727-733-2151 Founded four decades ago, Bon Appetit provides a near undefeated setting for delectable cuisine, craft cocktails and special moments with special people just 50 minutes away from Tampa. This restaurant is a tad more upscale than the rest, offering dishes like bouillabaisse, rack of New Zealand lamb, lobster tails and more. Photo via Bon Appetit Restaurant and Bar/Facebook
The Bridge Tender Inn & Dockside Bar 135 Bridge St., Bradenton Beach, 941-778-4849 Open seven days a week, The Bridge Tender has three settings to choose from: the Packer Bar which has 18 TVs to watch sport events, the Tiki Bar with a relaxing tropical vibe and the dining room where you can order anything on the menu at any time. Photo via The Bridge Tender Inn & Dockside Bar/Instagram
Brgr Kitchen & Bar 10800 Gulf Boulevard, Treasure Island, 727-322-7040 If you’re looking for a more sophisticated burger experience, hop in the car for an almost 50 minute drive to reach Brgr Kitchen & Bar. Here you will enjoy custom seasoned burger grinds, paired with house-made sauces and bread baked fresh by a local boutique baker. Photo via Brgr Kitchen & Bar/Website
Fred’s Market Restaurant 2120 Harden Blvd, Lakeland, 813-752-7763 This buffet offers southern comfort food in many combinations with four different menus. After a 40 minute drive, you’ll be able to enjoy homemade breakfast casseroles, golden fried chicken, Jack Black oak smoked pork ribs and more. And no one will judge you if you take a food nap in the parking lot. Photo via Fred’s Market Restaurant/Facebook
Hawaiian BBQ 17788 Aprile Dr., Land O’ Lakes, 813-575-9598 There’s poke everywhere, but Hawaiian BBQ is the closest thing to the country stores found on the Kamehameha Highway drive that dominates the road during a drivefrom Honolulu and Haleiwa. A 30-minute drive from Tampa will lead you to healthy and fresh dishes always served with white rice, soybean, vegetables and that macaroni salad plus Spam and BBQ chicken musubi. Photo via Hawaiian BBQ/Website
Hog Island Fish Camp 900 Broadway, Dunedin, 727-736-1179 Enjoy all things local with the fresh catch at Hog Island Fish Camp. Ranging from fried gulf oysters to a whole fried snapper, the Hog offers dishes fit for a perfect beach day. Photo via Hog Island Fish Camp/Facebook
Little Habana Cafe 13350 Lincoln Rd., Riverview, 813-672-5111 Experience authentic Caribbean flavors with Little Habana’s pollo asado, bistec salteado and liver with peppers and onions along with guava, mango or papaya juice. If you are still wanting more after your meal, go for the desserts, including regular flan, coconut flan or tres leches. Photo via Little Habana Cafe/Facebook
Mykonos 628 Dodecanese Blvd., Tarpon Springs, 727-934-4306 Walk into the bright blue doors of Mykonos and be immersed in Greek flavors with dishes like the restaurant’s lamb fricassee and cucumber-tomato salad, seasoned with green onions, parsley and olive oil. The late founder Andreas Salivara was considered the ‘unofficial mayor of Tarpon Springs,” and has served tourists and local for over 30 years. Photo via Mykonos/Facebook Credit: Photo via Mykonos/Facebook
Norma’s Plant City Cuban Sandwich Shop 120 N Collins St., Plant City, 813-704-6015 Chef Andy brings creative dishes to a pretty simple concept. Just 35 minutes away from Tampa, this more-than-a-sandwich-shop has Cuban sandwiches, Mojo Chicken wraps, blackened chicken tacos, Cuban style bowl and salads. Photo via Norma’s Plant City Cuban Sandwich Shop/Facebook
Pancho’s Villa Mexican Restaurant 32804 Pennsylvania Ave., San Antonio, 352-588-3037 Established in 1994 as a small family restaurant with good homestyle, authentic Mexican food, Pancho’s has become a local favorite with its fresh and tasty flavors. The restaurant serves homemade Tex-Mex dishes as well as street-style tacos and sides, and a great selection of beer, margaritas and sangria. Photo via Pancho’s Villa Mexican Restaurant/Facebook
Pho Hoang 3827 U.S.-Hwy-301 S Unit C3, Riverview, 813-280-9944 Perfect to warm you up on the rainy days to come, Pho Hoang offers countless combinations of toppings for pho, rice noodles and rice platters in just a short 15 minute drive. Photo via Pho Hoang/Facebook
Pizzeria Gregario 400 2nd St. N, Safety Harbor, 727-386-4107 Pizzeria Gregario is open from Thursday to Saturday, from 5:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m or until the dough runs out. Its mission is to serve the most nutrient dense food, free from chemical inputs. Try staples like The Bestia, Not Roni or its spicy four cheese pizza. And never skip the salt garlic, lemon and olive oil “schmoo.” Photo via Pizzeria Gregario/Facebook
The Restorative 420 Patricia Ave., Dunedin The almost 40-minute drive is worth it every time as you will experience a different menu every time you visit. The team including husband and wife chef owners Jason & Erin “Cricket” Borajkiewicz changes its menu two to three times a week and reservations are required as the restaurant has less than 10 dining tables (please don’t no-call no-show if you score a seat). Its kitchen bar—where you can watch your food being made in front of your eyes—is open for a limited number of walk-ins each night. Photo via The Restorative/Instagram
Seaworthy Fish + Bar 1110 Pinellas Bayway S, Tierra Verde, 727-623-0468 Enjoy fresh bites, sips and views in a cozy nautical setting while trying Seaworthy staple dishes like seared scallops with bucatini carbonara and a whole fried fresh catch plated atop coconut rice or a snappy green papaya slaw. Photo via Seaworthy Fish + Bar/Website
Star Fish Company 12306 46th Ave. W, Cortez, 941-794-1243 Star Fish serves everything seafood either fried, grilled, blackened or sauteed and its location on Sarasota Bay provides the Florida waterfront views that many travel far to see, in this case over an hour drive. No starfish on the menu though (that’s illegal, brother). Photo via Star Fish Company/Website
The Joinery 640 E Main St., Lakeland, 863-337-4583 This modern food hall offers a wide selection of cuisines through its different vendors, including poke, pizza, tacos, ice cream, ramen and Japanese street food. Additionally, it provides different drinking options with beer, wine, cocktails and flights. Photo via The Joinery/Facebook
The Limani 776 Dodecanese Blvd., Tarpon Springs, 727-945-8100 Located in the center of Greek culture in the Tampa Bay area, The Limani offers authentic, casual fare dining with outdoor seating and a walk-up window. Photo via The Limani/Facebook
Ukulele Brands 4805 Land O’ Lakes Blvd., Land O’ Lake, 813-995-0608 Enjoy classic southern dishes like gator tails, frog legs, cajun fried chicken sandwich and more just 35 minutes away from Tampa in a casual “old Florida” setting. Photo via Ukulele Brands/Website
Water Oak Grill 201 Main St .Suite 100, Safety Harbor, 727-286-6919 This neighborhood seafood and steak bar just 25 minutes away from Tampa focuses on fresh ingredients to create dishes like its seared ahi tuna nachos, braised octopus, fresh caught Florida grouper and hogfish. Its bar offers craft cocktails and beers, and ready-to-pour wine. Photo via Water Oak Grill/Facebook
Yum Yum Hot Pot 11301 N 56th St. Suite 6, Temple Terrace, 813-986-9863 Cook your own food with Yum Yum’s hot pot Chinese cooking process. The pot is set in the center of the table containing boiling hot broth with a heating element underneath. Various ready-to-cook ingredients are served around the pot, such as thinly sliced meat, seafood, vegetables, tofu, meatballs and noodles. Guests are able to choose their own toppings and dipping sauces. Photo via Yum Yum Hot Pot/Website
Patti’s Kitchen 6527 Park Blvd. N, Pinellas Park, 727-289-4153 Bringing Thai street noodles to Pinellas Park, Patti’s Kitchen serves appetizers like its Thai Curry Puffs, dishes like the Ka Prow and a wide variety of add-ons. Photo via Patti’s Kitchen/Facebook
Stella’s What to get: Brunch, especially the bananas Foster pancake 2914 Beach Blvd. S, Gulfport, 727-498-8950 Stella’s is a place for guests to feel “like family, and the food would remind them of home.” Get together with your loved ones to enjoy brunch specials such as its banana Foster pancakes and the veggie stack. Photo via Stella’s/Facebook

Sofía García Vargas, born in Colombia, South America and raised in Costa Rica, Central America, is a journalism student at the University of South Florida and Editor-in-Chief of The Crow’s Nest, USF...