Sure you can go home with a Pub sub, but your taste buds deserve better than that. Here are the markets you need to visit, whether you’re out knocking stuff off your grocery list, or you’re in the mood for a bombass taco for the low. These local joints are taking markets to the next level by also serving up some of the best eats in town.
La Fiesta Mexican Store
1202 S 22nd St Southeast Tampa, 813-241-2477
This Port Tampa favorite was featured on the cover of the 2019 food issue and is frequented by local chefs. You can get eight tacos for around $20, now that is some shit only a local would know. Tacos and beer? What more can you need?
Photo by Meaghan HabudaMazzaro’s Italian Market
2909 22nd Ave N, St. Petersburg, 727-321-2400
It never fails that Mazzaro’s takes home a Best of the Bay award in various categories. Trust the locals, this market is a must. You can grab a fresh coffee while stocking up on bottles of wine, cheeses and deli meats. Stick around to eyeball the sandwich list which is quite substantial, featuring 26 sandwiches.
Photo via Mazzaro’s Italian Market/https://www.mazzarosmarket.com/tour-mazzaros/Kalina’s Coffee & European Food
6393 Dr M.L.K. Jr St. N. #112, St. Petersburg, FL, 727-526-8650
Gyro’s, spanakopita (greek spinach pie) and coffee are just a few of the hot menu items to order from at Kalina’s Coffee and European Food. Along with the cafe there is a wide selection of exclusive Eastern European groceries. If you’re ever in the mood to try something different, this is the place to be.
Photo via Kalina’s Coffee & European Food/Google MapsDuckweed Urban Grocery
803 N Tampa St, Downtown Tampa, 813-221-3825
A local grocery that is going to soon deliver food to your apartment in Channelside? That’s kinda dope. They also have a rewards system for frequent customers, but the hot and cold food case is where it’s at.
Photo via Duckweed Urban Grocery/InstagramLocale Market
179 2nd Ave. N., St. Petersburg, FL, 727-523-6300
The epitome of the market and restaurant combo can be found here at Locale Market. The in-house restaurant offers dishes such as sushi, steaks, burgers and much more that can be devoured on-site. Pro tip, eat first before shopping so your cart isn’t overflowing with fresh fruits and fat cuts of meat that are out of your budget (no shame in doing that anyway).
Photo via Google MapsPam’s Roti Shop & Caribbean Market
2800 38th Ave. N., St. Petersburg, FL, 727-800-5944
With a minimum 20 minute wait time, Pam’s Roti Shop and Caribbean Market is a great place to order that signature curry chicken wrap, and while you wait, run nextdoor for some West Indian ingredients (which are usually a pain in the ass to find anywhere else) and by the time you checkout, your wrap will be ready. Make sure to keep your eye on the prize after smacking that curry chicken — there are groceries that need to be bought!
Photo via Pam’s Roti Shop & Caribbean Market/FacebookRollin’ Oats
1021 North MacDill Ave. Tampa, FL 813-873-7428
Locally owned, natural food market and cafe, Rollin’ Oats not only has what you’d need but what you want. Offering groceries in bulk, an organic section, craft beer and wine department, gluten-free products and a vitamin shop. If you had to the back of the store, you can grab a fresh pasta salad or sandwich and dine on the back patio.
Photo via Rollin’ Oats/FacebookUncle Giuseppe’s Wood Fired Pizza and Market
218 E Davis Blvd, Davis Island, 813-258-0778
This Davis Island Italian stop will bake your pizza in a stone oven, stuff you with fresh mozz, salad and olives all before filling your cannoli to order. Pastas, insane selection of meat and wine make it a must.
Photo via Google MapsTindahang Pinoy Variety Store
9150 49th St N, Pinellas Park
Yes you can get your grocery needs at Tindahang, but make sure to stop in for some in-house eats as well. The eatery serves up dishes like daingsilog, kare kare, adobo and lomi.
Photo via Google MapsHabana Supermarket
2901 W Hillsborough Ave. Tampa, FL, 813-280-9918
Fresh meat and groceries are easy to find at any regular grocery store, but what if you want something more than that? Habana Supermarket is a nice place that offers more than just the basics. Accompanying the fat cuts of meat and fresh produce is a dine-in hispanic restaurant that’ll have you too busy stuffing your mouth with yellow rice to worrying about groceries.
Photo via Google MapsMercel’s Bake Shop
8500 49th St N, Pinellas Park
Time for some Phillipino food, groceries and cakes. But Mercel’s doesn’t stop there, the bake shop also serves up Latin and Chinese specialties as well. Make sure to grab yourself a halo-halo which is a mixture of shaved ice and evaporated milk cooked with boiled sweet rootcrops and fruit in syrup topped with ice cream, leche-flan, halayang ube and pinipig.
Photo via Mercelsbakeshop.comLa Altagracia Grocery
2805 N 12th St, Ybor City, 813-229-1109
This grocery offers fairly priced produce while also serving a recommended steak sandwich. Be warned though, an angry Yelper says they don’t take Visa, but duh, cash is always king.
Photo via Google MapsHavana Harry’s Market
14219 Walsingham Rd, Largo
This is the place to go for a hot pressed Cuban sandwich. Havana Harry’s also has a fresh deli to grab slices to make sammies at home, but you might want to get one to go for the hell of it.
Photo via Havana Harry’s Market/ FacebookTen Star Deli & Supermarket
1202 E M.L.K. Jr Blvd, East Tampa, 813-374-2138
The supermarket has a deli that features a Cuban sandwich that’s apparently worth a try. You’ll need to come back to smack the cheesesteak; or get wild and order both ensuring a serious food coma.
Photo via Ten Star Deli & Supermarket/FacebookNoble Market
226 S Boulevard, Hyde Park, 813-513-2842
A spinoff of the Hyde Park restaurant Noble Rice, the new market offers Japanese meals-to-go as well as ingredients that the restaurant uses. Beware, the market is closed Sundays and Mondays.
Photo via Noble Market/https://www.noblericeco.com/marketLa Familia Hot Food & Grocery
120 E Brandon Blvd, Brandon, 813-661-0210
This Puerto Rican grocery also can cater for special events. Their menu changes based on the day of the week, but it’s mostly focused around traditional Puerto Rican fare.
Photo via La Familia Hot Food & Grocery/https://www.lafamilia-grocery.com/index.htmlFresco y Mas
4056 N Armenia Ave Suite 101, West Tampa, 813-876-3280
This Latin supermarket features dishes such as arroz congris and mojo pork. On a budget but don’t want to miss out on the eat? The market has a buttload of coupons available on their website.
Photo via Fresco y Mas/FacebookEl Oso Blanco
3611 W. Hillsborough Ave. Tampa, FL, 813-872-6112
So you just finished up grocery shopping, now you’re dying for some good food. Well good thing El Oso Blanco is more than just a supermarket. Just on the other side of the store is an inexpensive hispanic restaurant, where you can chow down on some roasted chicken and yellow rice.
Photo via El Oso Blanco Supermarket/GoogleMapsLucky’s Market
6765 22nd Ave N, St. Petersburg, 727-302-9018
A supermarket chain out of Colorado, Lucky’s is a great place to sip ‘n’ stroll (grabbing a beer and going shopping), which is dangerous because you’ll go home with more gourmet cheese than one person can consume in a timely manner. They also have bowls of ramen, sushi rolls, and sandos ready to be consumed.
Photo via Google MapsCacciatore & Sons
3614 North Armenia Ave, Northwest Tampa, 813-872-7255
Italian food galore, which will leave your cart ready for a dinner party or a carb overload (your choice). The deli offers a selection of meats, lasagna, and several sandwiches.
Photo via Google Maps
