The Bricks
At pretty much any point throughout the day, you can find a Creative Loafing staffer lounging at The Bricks — which conveniently happens to be right down the street from the CL offices. Whether we’re picking up takeout, enjoying a quick lunch, or a post-work beer, The Bricks welcomes our staff with open arms and always keeps us coming back for more. thebricksybor.com
See all winners from Best of the Bay 2019.
Best of the Bay 2019 Food & Drink: Our critics and readers pick all the best things that made their mouths water in 2019.
Critics' Picks
Best Local Nutrition Counseling
Best Expensive Gourmet Food Located On The Surface Of The Sun
Best Drink That Comes With A Show
Best Highly-Anticipated Opening
Best Surprise Secret Ingredient
Best Whiskey Playground Weekend
Best Budget Tour Of Asian Cuisine
Best Place To Eat With Your Hands
Best Date Night You Probably Forgot About
Best Guiltless Guilty Pleasure
Best Unofficial CL Staff Breakroom
Best Sunset Views With Drink In Hand
Readers' Picks
CLICK HERE TO VIEW THE READER'S PICK IN A SLIDESHOW
Best All-Around Restaurant
Best Bagels
Best Greek Restaurant
Best Grilled Cheese
Best Ice Cream/Gelato/Frozen Yogurt
Best Local Foodie Instagram Account
Best Middle Eastern Restaurant
Best Neighborhood Bar, Hillsborough
Best Neighborhood Bar, Pinellas
Best New Brewery, Hillsborough
Best Seminole Heights Restaurant
Best Vegetarian/Vegan Restaurant
See all winners from Best of the Bay 2019.
Winner: Grain and Berry, grainandberry.com
Second Place: Nékter Juice Bar, nekterjuicebar.com
Runner Up: Escape Root Juicery, facebook.com/escaperootjuicery
See all winners from Best of the Bay 2019.
M. Bird At Armature Works
The quartet of vaca frita tostones uses crisp plantains as the base for a pile of rich, shredded short ribs that are garnished with a touch of mojo, pico, and some spicy mango crema on the side. There’re so many scrumptious flavors and textures that your rooftop table will be speechless, except for a few enraptured moans. mbirdtampa.com
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Second Place: Gigglewaters, gigglewaters.com
Runner Up: Deviled Pig, deviledpig.com/
See all winners from Best of the Bay 2019.
Tiny Tap Tavern
We may have messed our pants when we heard the Tiny Tap Tavern was going to have new ownership. The dive bar has been a local hotspot for nearly 70 years, so when news of the sale came out, the internet was buzzing. Former owner, Casey Powell has had the joint in his family for decades. Let us not forget that TTT originated as a gas station office in 1934, and began selling beer and wine in 1951. Thankfully, the new owners are fans of the dive’s vibes and have kept it virtually exactly the same.
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El Cap
Spill a drink anywhere else in Tampa Bay and you may be met with a side-eye, but not at El Cap. When shit goes flying thanks to a messy kid or an innocent (drunk) accident, Johnny pops out from the back area with a mop and a smile. Locals can slide by for a pitcher of beer and a daily double to catch the game and be guaranteed to get a word of inspiration from our man. When Johnny is working, it’s always a beautiful day.
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Winner: St. Pete Bagel Co., www.stpetebagelco.com
Second Place: Bella’s Bakes Cakes and Bagels, bellasbakescakesandbagels.com
Runner Up: Clearwater Bagels, facebook.com/clearwaterbagels
See all winners from Best of the Bay 2019.
Winner: Mazzaro’s Italian Market, mazzarosmarket.com
Second Place: La Segunda Ybor, lasegundabakery.com
Runner Up: Alessi Bakery, alessibakery.com
See all winners from Best of the Bay 2019.
Winner: Mazzaro’s Italian Market, mazzarosmarket.com
Second Place: Alessi Bakery, alessibakery.com
Runner Up: The Scone Age Bakery, sconeagecafe.com
See all winners from Best of the Bay 2019.
Winner: La V, lavfusion.com
Second Place: Saigon Deli, facebook.com/Saigondeli
Runner Up: Alesia Restaurant, alesiarestaurant.com>
See all winners from Best of the Bay 2019.
