Food News Archives - Creative Loafing Tampa

Exterior view of the historic Coney Island Grill restaurant and adjacent barbershop storefronts on a sunny street, featuring vintage signage and stone facade detail.

St. Pete’s iconic Coney Island Sandwich Shop has been closed for years, now it’s available for lease

‘We’d love to see another locally owned restaurant that brings that same energy to the neighborhood…’

by Colin Wolf October 27, 2026October 27, 2026

After first opening in 1926, the Barlas family permanently closed Coney Island Sandwich Shop in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021. Since then, there have been a couple attempts to re-open the iconic restaurant, but now the Barlas family is ready to become landlords and give someone else a shot.

Seminole Heights BBQ spot Wicked Oak will be on Guy Fieri’s ‘Diner, Drive-ins and Dives’ next week

There’s been a lot of Guy Fieri sightings around Tampa Bay recently.

by Colin Wolf October 27, 2026October 27, 2026

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.

‘I just need a little push’: Rene’s Mexican Kitchen raising funds after fire damages VM Ybor restaurant

Nobody was harmed in a fire last week that heavily damaged the old building.

by Valerie Smith October 6, 2026October 6, 2026

Hop State Brewing reimagines craft beer in Tampa

Sponsored content by Ed Valenti, Buddy Cernan, and Ed Fitzpatrick of Hop State BrewingSeptember 25, 2026September 25, 2026

Food & Drink, Food News, Tampa Bay Journalism Project

Five Tampa gas station restaurants that are worth the pit stop

There’s something to be said for getting food that hits the spot while filling up the car for the next errand.

by Annalise Mabe September 16, 2026September 16, 2026

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Safety Harbor’s The Tides Market listed among ‘America’s Best Restaurants’ by New York Times

The Tides is no stranger to praise.

by Colin Wolf September 15, 2026September 22, 2026

An exterior photograph of the storefront of Vegan International Co. Market & Cafe in a strip mall plaza in Tampa, Florida. Taken from an eye-level perspective looking toward the side of the building, the light green stucco structure features large storefront windows decorated with bright magenta vinyl decals displaying bold white lettering that reads "VEGAN" across the panes, alongside details for pickup and delivery. A tiled awning overhangs the entrance beneath a dark green overhead sign reading "VEGAN," while manicured green bushes and a oak tree border the sidewalk and parking lot in the foreground.

Food & Drink, Food News, Tampa Bay Journalism Project

Three Tampa Bay restaurants proving that vegan eateries are staying alive

Founders of Vegan International, Nah Dogs, and WeVegan Eats share secrets of success.

by Ray Roa July 23, 2026

Sandra Cason inside WeVegan Cafe in Tampa, Florida on June 25, 2026.

WeVegan Eats celebrates fifth anniversary of Tampa cafe

WeVegan Eats’ clientele do not follow a plant-based lifestyle, and simply enjoy good food and drink.

by Alisha Durosier July 23, 2026July 24, 2026

An interior photograph of the checkout counter at Vegan International Co. Market & Cafe in Tampa, Florida. Taken from a close-up angle, the counter displays a black cash register terminal alongside a clear tip jar decorated with a cartoon broccoli sticker reading "VEGAN VIBES." Below the register, the counter front features a colorful sticker with stylized purple-and-yellow lettering that reads "VEGAN INTERNATIONAL CO." In the foreground, packaged baked goods and cookies in clear plastic containers rest on the counter next to a digital payment tablet.

Tampa’s Vegan International found success by breaking rules

Nick Alami knew he had to think outside of the box.

by Alisha Durosier July 23, 2026July 23, 2026

Co-owner of St. Pete’s Nah Dogs believes meatless lifestyles will make a comeback

The pop-up is openings its first brick-and-mortar next to Tombolo Books and Black Crow Coffee Co.

by Alisha Durosier July 23, 2026July 23, 2026

A professional portrait of Chef Chad Johnson smiling directly at the camera. The individual has short salt-and-pepper hair and a beard, and is wearing a crisp white chef's coat with the name "Johnson" embroidered on the left chest, layered under a dark grey denim apron with a metal ring on the neck strap. The background features a rustic, exposed red brick wall on the left that fades into deep, dark shadows on the right.

‘We are heartbroken’: Bern’s Steak House chef Chad Johnson has died at age 47

The South Tampa steakhouse reopened today, ‘knowing this is what Chad would have wanted.’

by Ray Roa July 10, 2026July 13, 2026

Nauti Dogs hot dog boat with feather flags reading "Hot dogs" and "ice cream"

All aboard the floating food industry feeding Tampa Bay boaters

We talked to the captains and cooks about what floats their boats.

by Selene San Felice June 18, 2026June 18, 2026

Mike McCormick points while grilling cheeseburgers on his food boat, Beachin' Bites. The waters of Shell Key can be seen in the background.

Beachin’ Bites food boat grills burgers and barbecue for Tampa Bay boaters

The McCormiks sling freshly grilled sausage, boiled peanuts and more at Pinellas sand bars.

by Selene San Felice June 18, 2026June 18, 2026

A woman in a bikini wearing black rubber gloves carves fruit at The Fruit Float as people in bathing suits watch at a sand bar.

Fruit Float brings a taste of tropical paradise to Tampa Bay boaters

It’s arguably one of the toughest food boat jobs in Pinellas waters.

by Selene San Felice June 18, 2026June 24, 2026

The Weenies N' Bikinis hot dog boat with smiling, waving girls in bikinis on each side.

Weenies ‘N Bikinis brings a ‘Bay Watch’ meets Hulk Hogan type vibe to Tampa Bay’s food boat scene

After directing seasons four and five of the “Siesta Key” reality show, she launched Weenies N’ Bikinis in March.

by Selene San Felice June 18, 2026June 23, 2026

Nauti Dogs hot dog pontoon on the water flanked with its "hot dogs" and "Ice Cream" feather signs.

Nauti Dogs pioneered Tampa Bay’s floating food industry

The hot dog pontoon that started it all now has two boats trolling Pinellas sandbars

by Selene San Felice June 18, 2026June 18, 2026

Tiki's Taco Boat featuring a thatched palm leaf roof and matching umbrellas in the water nearby

Tiki’s Taco Boat brings restaurant-quality to the waters of John’s Pass Sandbar

The Crumps now have a delivery boat to bring tacos to waters beyond John’s Pass.

by Selene San Felice June 18, 2026June 18, 2026

Popular Tampa sandwich spot Cousin Vinny’s will be on Guy Fieri’s ‘Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives’

“Secrets out. The one and only [Guy Fieri] swung by for some cutlets!” wrote Cousin Vinny’s.

by Leif Helland June 10, 2026June 10, 2026

A medium-shot portrait of Mikey Brinkmann standing outside the Emerald Bar in St. Petersburg, Florida. Brinkmann is smiling at the camera, wearing a gray baseball cap, glasses, and a light-colored, short-sleeved button-down shirt featuring a blue octopus print. Behind them, the bar's entrance is visible, characterized by a distinctive, rough-hewn stone facade. Above the doorway, a horizontal sign with a shamrock icon reads 'EMERALD' on the left and 'COCKTAILS' on the right in black lettering.

After 18 years at St. Pete’s Emerald Bar, it’s last call for Mikey Brinkmann

The beloved bartender’s last day at the Central Avenue institution is June 17.

by Jourdan Ducat June 8, 2026June 8, 2026

Red Mesa Cantina closes, downtown Tampa gets another new Mexican spot and more local food news

Plus, Brooksville Watermelon Festival starts next week, the St. Pete Beach Seafood Festival is here, and more.

by CL Staff June 5, 2026June 10, 2026