Square-footage is not an issue with these Tampa Bay institutions. In fact, being small is part of the charm. Here are a few of our favorite local spots where the space may be tiny, seating is limited, the heat of the kitchen is often prevalent, and the flavors are always big.
La Segunda Central Bakery
2512 N 15th St, Ybor City, 813-248-1531
Located in a town founded on Spanish culture lies one of Ybor’s coveted landmark buildings representing the Cuban-American community. Customer-favorites include café con leche, Cuban toast and, of course, the Cuban sandwich. Don’t be surprised to see a line coming out of the door.
Photo via La Segunda Central Bakery/Facebook3 Dot Dash
6203 N Florida Ave., Tampa, 813-675-4522
Located inside of Jug & Bottle Dept., a craft beer, natural wine and specialty products shop, this Seminole Heights vegan restaurant focuses on comfort food made from scratch, including chick’n, mac n cheese, and burgers.
Photo via Palm Avenue Sandwich Shop/FacebookEbisu Sushi Shack
5116 N Nebraska Ave, Tampa, 813-252-6393
Located in a 1928 pink bungalow on Nebraska Avenue, Ebisu Sushi Shack sets the tone in a tiny living room setting, with an izakaya-style atmosphere to serve fresh and delicious dishes, like its Orange Sunrise or Volcano Rolls.
Photo via Ebisu Sushi Shack/Google MapsBig Ray’s Fish Camp
6116 Interbay Blvd, 813-605-3615
Head to the flagship South of Gandy location of this fish shack to enjoy fresh bites like the conch fritters, grouper cheeks, and shrimp. Other dishes like a grouper reuben, Ray’s signature hot chicken sandwich and even a shrimp corn dog.
Photo via Big Rays/FacebookTaco Baby
235 Main St, Dunedin
This ATM turned taqueria is simple but effective. With only five menu items, including chips and queso, chips and salsa, yucatan popsicles, nachos with your choice of chicken, jackfruit or pork and tacos with the same meat offerings, Taco Baby is perfect for a delicious meal on the go.
Photo via Taco Baby/FacebookBait House
45 Causeway Blvd., Clearwater Beach, 727-446-8134
Right on the water off Clearwater Memorial Causeway, you’ll get a front row view to breathtaking sunsets while eating the Bait House’s famous Drunken Shrimp. The restaurant also offers other specialties like catches of the day, tavern fare and a wide selection of beer and drinks. If you want some hands-on action, it offers the space and materials to catch your own fish in the Mandalay Channel.
Photo via Bait House/WebsiteBayou Bodega
241 E Davis Blvd., Tampa, 813-513-5478
In downtown Davis Islands Just a short walk from the Seddon Channel is this Caribbean-inspired cafe and natural wine bar that combines classic French cuisine with Latin-Caribbean and Creole flavors like its roast pork with rice and beans, jambalaya and French mussels.
Photo via Bayou Bodega/FacebookChicago Paulie’s
1301 N Howard Ave. Tampa, 813-494-4275
Chicago Paulie’s, a literal hole in the wall restaurant, offers Windy City style 100% Vienna beef products like hot dogs, beef sandwiches and Paulie’s specialties, including a veggie burger for the non-meat lovers. You bet he has the neon green relish, too.
Photo via Chicago Paulie’s/FacebookGolden Dinosaurs Vegan Deli
2930 Beach Blvd. S, Gulfport, 727-873-6901
Be amazed with Golden Dinosaurs’ menu as it achieves what most think impossible, turning meat based food into vegan dishes using seitan and tofu. Enjoy the pastrami reuben, buffalo tempeh or po’boi sandwich before strolling around vibrant Gulfport.
Photo via Golden Dinosaurs Vegan Deli/FacebookIkigai Sushi St. Pete
4195 54th Ave. N Unit E, St. Petersburg, 727-350-4888
Right on busy 54th Avenue N in St. Pete, you will find this hidden sushi galore gem. With over 10 classic and specialty rolls and a variety of appetizers and sashimi, Ikigai is the spot for every sushi lover.
Photo via Ikigai Sushi St. Pete/FacebookLa Creperia Cafe
1729 E 7th Ave., Ybor City, 813-248-9700
Offering an alternative to ordinary food, La Creperia Cafe on the Seventh Avenue strip serves several options of the classic French dish that will satisfy vegetarians and meat lovers alike. Try its Madame Suzette sweet crepe or the jambalaya savory crepe.
Photo via La Creperia Cafe/FacebookLa Fiesta Mexican Store
1202 S 22nd St., Tampa, 813-241-2477
Just a block away from McKay Bay in Palmetto Beach, find all of your favorite Mexican dishes at La Fiesta Mexican Store. Buy some tacos, enchiladas, chimichangas and more and walk over to the water for a meal with a view or eat in the tiny dining room.
Photo via La Fiesta Mexican Store/InstagramPalm Avenue Sandwich Shop
2002 N Nebraska Ave., Tampa, 813-223-5157
Located just outside Ybor City, right at Tampa’s malfunction junction of I-275 and I-4, Palm Avenue Sandwich Shop brings a Cuban-inspired scene to the area. Its menu is different depending on the day of the week, so make sure to check it out beforehand.
Photo via Palm Avenue Sandwich Shop/FacebookPatti’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/FacebookPinky’s Diner
3203 W Bay to Bay Blvd, Tampa, 813-831-9339
Located in an easy to miss strip mall on Bay to Bay Boulevard, Pinky’s offers an extensive breakfast menu aimed at pleasing every palate. With an updated menu that debuted over a month ago, the restaurant offers the ultimate fried egg sammy, a full English breakfast, an egg and cheese cuban and more.
Photo via Pinky’s Diner/InstagramSupernatural Food & Wine
305 E Polk St., Tampa
Supernatural’s small hole in the wall location offers outdoor and limited indoor seating. Its breakfast menu and cider sour doughnuts are its staple, along with its selection of wine available any time. Chef Alton Brown said the bacon, egg and cheese breakfast sandwich is the best he’s had, ever, but don’t sleep on meatball Monday either.
Photo via Supernatural Food & Wine/InstagramTerra Sur Cafe
5330 Ehrlich Rd no. 103, Tampa, 813-269-2694
Terra Sur offers Peruvian cuisine and a bar with over 50 bourbons, scotches and whiskeys, different cocktails and other concoctions. Enjoy its signature ceviche and lomo saltado.
Photo via Terra Sur Cafe/WebsiteThe Restorative
420 Patricia Ave., Dunedin
You won’t have the same dish twice at The Restorative since it changes its menu two to three times a week. Reservations are required as the restaurant has less than 10 dining tables, and 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/InstagramThee Burger Spot
3917 N Tampa St., Tampa, 813-993-3926
In a small building off of MLK Jr. Boulevard and Tampa Street is Thee Burger Spot with bars on its windows and doors. But down be fooled by its appearance as it offers a delicious selection of burgers served with Onion Thangs or other sides depending on your preference.
Photo via Thee Burger Spot/Google MapsStella’s
2914 Beach Blvd. S, Gulfport, 727-498-8950
The colorful and vibrant 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 Fosters 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...
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