Food & Drink Events Archives - Creative Loafing Tampa

An emergency news photograph by Tiffany Haas showing the Tampa Fire Department works on a fire at Rene's Mexican Kitchen in Tampa, Florida on Sept. 30, 2026. Captured in a daylight shot from street level, smoke rises above the pink-and-teal wooden exterior of Rene's Mexican Kitchen as a high-pressure water stream sprays onto the roof. A red fire truck rescue vehicle, a ladder truck with a firefighter positioned high on the aerial platform, and prominent street signage including a red octagon "STOP" sign and a black "ONE WAY" arrow sign stand in the foreground.

Fundraiser for Rene’s will include free food and beer from Tampa favorites like Mise en Place, Streetlight Tacos and more

Donations to the tip jar are encouraged, of course.

by Colin Wolf October 26, 2026October 26, 2026

Last month, popular V.M. taco spot Rene’s Mexican Kitchen was heavily damaged in a fire due to issues with a circuit breaker, and since then the community has been rallying to help owner Rene Valenzuela get back to business. On Friday, Nov. 6 Spaddy’s Coffee Co. in Seminole Heights will host a massive fundraiser for […]

Tampa Bay food & drink events happening October 22-29, including WEDU visit from five-time James Beard winning author

Plus Fenway Hotel’s Halloween speakeasy, the Selby’s ‘Lunch in the Garden,’ and more.

by Ray Roa and Josh Bradley October 20, 2026October 20, 2026

A stage performance photograph by Kyriakos Caros showing GreekFest dancers at Clearwater Greekfest. Captured in a wide shot under a white outdoor event tent at night, a lineup of youth dancers performs traditional Greek folk dances on stage while holding hands. The dancers wear authentic folk costumes featuring white shirts, dark vests, red sashes, and black or red headwear, while an audience of attendees watches from the background under festival lighting.

Clearwater GreekFest offers food, church tours, dancing and more this weekend

It happens Friday-Sunday off Old Coachman Road.

by Ray Roa October 20, 2026October 20, 2026

A close-up outdoor portrait showing Jet. Captured in a direct head-on shot in a grassy yard, Jet—a dark brown and tan medium-sized dog with long, wavy golden-tan fur fringing his ears—looks straight at the camera with an open-mouthed, happy expression while wearing a glittery gold toy crown perched tilted on his head. Thick green foliage and trees fill the background under bright natural daylighting.

Food & Drink, Food & Drink Events

Tampa dive bar The Hub hosts ‘Paw-loween’ fundraiser for Mercy Full Project

There’ll be a pet costume contest, music, drink specials and more on Sunday.

by Ray Roa October 16, 2026October 16, 2026

A wide interior event photograph by Centro Asturiano de Tampa showing Wines of Spain at the Centro Asturiano de Tampa in Ybor City, Florida on Oct. 16, 2024. Captured from a wide angle across the polished hardwood floor of a grand ballroom, attendees stand raising wine glasses in a collective toast. In the foreground, guest figures stand beside high-top cocktail tables and tasting stations beneath crystal chandeliers and grand arched wall moldings under warm venue lighting.

Tampa Bay’s food & drink events happening October 15-22, including Wines of Spain and more

Plus A Taste of Tapeo at Golden Isles, Dunedin Seafood and Music Festival, and more.

by Leif Helland and Josh Bradley October 14, 2026October 14, 2026

A candid outdoor group photograph by Keir Magoulas showing Partygoers at Mighty Fine and Late Start Brewing in Tampa, Florida on Oct. 11, 2026. Captured in a medium shot at an outdoor patio table, a group of friends sit together smiling and posing, including a central figure in a black strapless top giving two thumbs up while wearing dark sunglasses. Beverages and food trays sit on the blue table, with an asphalt street and storefront sidewalk in the background under bright daylight.

Photos: In downtown Tampa, Late Start Brewing and Mighty Fine celebrate two years of beers and burgers

Crispy bois were had.

by Ray Roa and Keir Magoulas October 12, 2026October 12, 2026

A lifestyle photograph showing a person in lederhosen, holding a stein of hefeweizen in a toast position. They are in a public park, lit by the sunset from the left of the photo. They wear blue and white checkered lederhosen and dark aviator glasses.

With Isaias on the way, Oktoberfest Tampa’s big downtown party has been rescheduled for Halloween weekend

Because who wants waterlogged lederhosen?

by Ray Roa October 8, 2026October 8, 2026

wide-angle indoor photograph at Mighty Fine in Tampa, Florida in December 2024. Captured with a fisheye lens perspective from behind a counter, two people smile and laugh while enjoying sandwiches—one wearing a light blue sweatshirt and the other in a dark navy "HOCKEY" hoodie. In the foreground, serving trays hold grilled sandwiches and side items, while the background features wooden shelving lined with pantry goods, kitchen supplies, and a person standing near the back doorway under warm indoor venue lighting.

Tampa Bay’s best food & drink events this week, including the Mighty Fine-Late Start Brewing anniversary party

Plus a 17th birthday for the Indie, brunches, tapas at Golden Isles, and more.

by Ray Roa and Josh Bradley October 7, 2026October 8, 2026

A close-up outdoor photograph showing A Lost Coast Oyster, harvested in Terra Ceia, Florida. Captured in a first-person perspective on a boat, a hand holds a freshly shucked raw oyster in its shell, showcasing the clear brine and pale meat inside. In the background, black mesh floating aquaculture cages tied together float on the rippling open water along the edge of a white boat hull under natural daylight.

Tampa Bay’s best food & drink events happening October 1-8, including oysters and Café Clementine coming together at MFA St. Pete

Plus Savor the Bay, Cars + Coffee + Donuts at Lucky Tigre, Florida Orchestra Guild afternoon tea and more.

by Ray Roa and Josh Bradley October 1, 2026October 1, 2026

An outdoor portrait photograph showing a staff member at Coco's Crush Bar. Captured in a medium wide shot outdoors, a woman with dark hair styled in a sleek side bang smiles at the camera while making a peace sign with her right hand and balancing a metal serving tray in her left hand. The tray holds colorful plastic cups filled with bright iced crushed-cocktail drinks garnished with citrus wedges, set against a wooden railing post tied with rope and the colorful exterior facade of the venue under bright daylight.

Taste of the Beaches, offering $10 dishes and drinks at Pinellas restaurants, returns this month

The promotion runs at more than 50 locations from Oct. 3-11.

by Ray Roa October 1, 2026October 1, 2026

A stage performance photograph by Carl Beust showing Dolly Parton plays Newport Folk Festival at Fort Adams State Park in Newport, Rhode Island on July 27, 2019. Captured in a medium shot from a low angle under bright daylight, Parton stands on stage with styled, volumetric blonde hair, wearing a vibrant yellow long-sleeved jacket heavily embellished with red floral rose embroidery and rhinestones over a bright red corseted bodice. She sings into a dark microphone mounted on a stand in front of her while gesturing expressive, open-handed poses with both hands adorned with rings and red manicured nails.

Tampa Shuffle hosts Dolly Parton day on Friday

There’ll be a costume contest, DJ playing Dolly, Dolly on the TV, specials, and a Dolly open mic.

by Ray Roa September 23, 2026September 23, 2026

An indoor studio photograph showing podcast guest Noah Sain at the CL TV studio in Tampa, Florida on Sept. 17, 2026. Seated at a round wooden table, Sain wears a dark short-sleeved t-shirt and silver chain necklace while gesturing open-handed with both hands as he speaks into a studio microphone. Set in front of him on the table are several bottles of sake, a glass, and a small can. In the background, a green neon palm tree light glows on a dark shelf unit on the left, next to a illuminated tripod floor lamp on the right under warm, low studio lighting.

Sake Block festival among Tampa Bay’s best food & drink events happening September 24-October 1

The sake and ceramic festival is the first of its kind and happens at Morean Center for Clay on Oct. 1.

by Ray Roa and Annalise Mabe September 22, 2026September 24, 2026

A candid exterior photograph showing a staff member working at the Pete's General drive-thru location in St. Petersburg, Florida. Leaning forward through a white-framed service window, a smiling worker with blonde hair tied in a bandana and wearing glasses, a black t-shirt, and arm tattoos hands an order to a driver inside a vehicle. The close-up shot captures the interaction from outside the car, with the white exterior wall of the building frame on the left and the interior shop counter in the background.

Centennial celebration at Pete’s Bagels drive-thru among Tampa Bay’s best food & drink events [September 17-24]

Plus, the In Between Days anniversary, Coquito burrito pop-ups, and more.

by Ray Roa and Josh Bradley September 15, 2026September 15, 2026

A promotional group portrait of (L-R) Rum & Coke DJs Harold Fandino, James Alvarez-Bacon (DJ Kumi), and Jesus Rodriguez posing against a muted grey corner wall backdrop. On the left, Harold Fandino wears a cream Adidas t-shirt with red sleeve stripes, blue jeans, and yellow sneakers. In the center, James Alvarez-Bacon (DJ Kumi) wears a maroon beanie, a white long-sleeved quarter-zip jacket, blue jeans, and green sneakers with white stripes while facing forward with dreadlocks. On the right, Jesus Rodriguez wears a black graphic t-shirt, dark pants, and green sneakers with yellow laces, looking slightly downward with one hand near his neck.

Latin food, drink and music coming to Ybor City this weekend for ‘Salsa Con Ron’

The party is among the best food & drink events happening across Tampa Bay Sept. 10-17.

by Annalise Mabe and Ray Roa September 10, 2026September 10, 2026

A wide indoor photograph of flamenco dancers performing in the center ballroom during the Wines of Spain event at the Centro Asturiano de Tampa in Ybor City, Florida on Oct. 16, 2024. Under grand crystal chandeliers suspended from high ceilings, dancers in vibrant red and white ruffled flamenco skirts twirl in the middle of a hardwood dance floor. Surrounding the performance floor, guests socialize around tall tasting tables and wine display stations stocked with glasses, bottles, and appetizers.

Wines of Spain returns to Ybor City, benefitting preservation at 125-year-old Centro Asturiano de Tampa

More than 50 Spanish and Mediterranean red, white, and dessert wines will be available.

by Leif Helland September 10, 2026September 10, 2026

A high-energy victory photograph showing Team St. Pete captain Chef Lee Aquino celebrating on stage with his team during Tampa Bay Food Fight at Amalie Arena in Tampa, Florida on Feb. 11, 2025. Center stage, Aquino wears a white chef coat and grey apron, holding the large "FOOD FIGHT" championship trophy topped with a oversized golden cleaver while cheering with his mouth open and raising his index finger. To his left, a team member wearing a white chef coat, black cap, and glasses shouts excitedly while pointing upward, alongside fellow team members and event hosts celebrating under bright arena stage lighting.

Food & Drink, Food & Drink Events, Tampa Bay Journalism Project

The Tampa Bay Food Fight chef battle comes to St. Pete on Tuesday

Proceeds from the event benefit Metropolitan Ministries.

by Ray Roa September 10, 2026September 10, 2026

An interior photograph by Ray Roa showing the ordering counter and sign inside Lucky Tigre in Tampa, Florida on Aug. 9, 2025. Mounted above the counter, a illuminated rectangular light box sign reads "FEELIN' LUCKY?" in bold red, retro-style block lettering with stylized starbursts. Below the sign, a vibrant wall is completely covered in a collage of vintage posters, ads, and news clippings, flanked by hanging greenery on the left.

Tampa Filipino restaurant Lucky Tigre celebrates fourth anniversary with lumpia eating contest

The competition goes down Sunday in West Tampa.

by Annalise Mabe September 2, 2026September 9, 2026

Tampa Bay Beer Week hosts ‘Halfway There’ fundraiser beer festival this weekend

There’s still a lot to drink to as far as the Bay area craft beer scene goes.

by Ray Roa September 1, 2026September 1, 2026

A full-length action photograph showing Tampa coffee roaster Greg Spadaccini in mid-swing at an indoor virtual golf simulator. Positioned on artificial turf before a large digital screen displaying swing analytics, Spadaccini holds a golf club at the top of his backswing above a white golf ball. He wears a black t-shirt, tan shorts, sneakers, and a black baseball cap, with visible tattoos covering his arms and legs, set within a dark simulator bay equipped with an overhead projector and black wall enclosure.

Spaddy’s marks 10-year anniversary by roasting Tampa’s favorite golfing coffee roaster

The neighborhood is gonna party in that sketchy alley behind the indoor country club.

by Ray Roa September 1, 2026September 1, 2026

A photograph showing baker Anthony Dunlap standing behind an elaborate cupcake display table at the Great St. Pete Cupcake Contest inside the Morean Center for Clay in St. Petersburg, Florida, on August 24, 2024. Captured in a medium shot, the smiling baker wears a colorful patterned tunic, glasses, and a face mask around his chin while standing behind a teal tablecloth filled with dozens of decorated cupcakes arranged on multi-tiered wooden and orange cake stands, flanked by vibrant floral arrangements and set against an exposed red brick wall.

The ‘Great St. Pete Cupcake Contest’ celebrates 15th anniversary this weekend

The cake off features 12-count cupcake boxes that sell out every year.

by Ray Roa August 26, 2026August 26, 2026