If you have a house full of guests, feeding everyone can be tough. However, Tampa Bay has something for everyone. So, whether you’re just visiting , or you’ve been here for generations, here are a few local staples you should get to know. 

SuperNatural Food & Wine What to get: Breakfast sandwich and sour doughnuts 305 E Polk St., Tampa, 813-758-6230 Offered from 7:30 a.m.-2:29 p.m., SuperNatural’s breakfast menu and doughnuts are its staple, along with its selection of mighty wine available any time. The breakfast sandwich, which celebrity chef Alton Brown recently called the “best I’ve ever had,” is made with fresh focaccia bread roll and egg with the option to add cheese and bacon (BEC is where it’s at). The doughnuts are made with cinnamon sugar, organic flours and single-origin spices, but most importantly, it’s all vegan! Photo via SuperNatural Food & Wine/Instagram
The Baithouse What to get: Drunken Shrimp 45 Causeway Blvd, Clearwater, 727-446-8134 Enjoy the ocean air while peeling back drunken shrimp––tender shrimp sauteed in a creamy bourbon creole reduction served with toasted ciabatta bread. The Baithouse also offers other specialties like catch of the day, tavern fare and a wide selection of beer and drinks. If you want some hands-on action, the restaurant offers the space and materials to catch your own fish in the Mandalay Channel. Photo via The Baithouse/Facebook
Big Ray’s Fish Camp What to get: The grouper sandwich Multiple locations While striding down the Riverwalk (or driving through south South Tampa) make a stop for hearty grouper sandwiches and a side of garlic parm fries at this Bay area gem. Photo via Big Ray’s Fish Camp/Facebook
Dunedin Brewery What to get: Wings 937 Douglas Ave, Dunedin, 727-736-0606 As one of Tampa Bay’s many breweries, Dunedin Brewery is the oldest microbrewery in Florida and hand-crafts their brews in 14 barrels at a time, but also offers others recognized beers everyone can enjoy, especially its wings, served with two out of nine in-house crafted dipping sauces. If you’re there late, try and catch a concert, too. Photo via Dunedin Brewery/Facebook
La Segunda Bakery What to get: Cuban and a guava pastry Multiple locations Sorry but guava pastelitos like abuela used to make and a cafe con leche to warm the soul is a necessity if you’re going to show anyone around Tampa. The mothership is in Ybor, but you’ll do fine at the Kennedy Boulevard and recently-opened St. Petersburg spot, too. Photo via La Segunda Bakery/Instagram
Ted Peters Famous Smoked Fish What to get: Smoked Fish 1350 Pasadena Ave. S, St. Petersburg, 727-381-7931 Ted Peters Famous Smoked Fish is, well, famous for a reason. Its four to six hour process cooks and smokes fish to perfection. Its fantastic flavors have been featured in Guy Fieri’s “Diners Drive-Ins and Dives” and The New York Times’ “Taste of America.” Photo via Ted Peters Famous Smoked Fish/Google Maps Credit: Photo via Ted Peters Famous Smoked Fish/Google Maps
Ulele What to get: Oysters 1810 N Highland Ave., Tampa, 813-999-4952 The view of the Hillsborough River almost beats the taste of the Native-inspired spot’s fresh oysters–heavy emphasis on almost. Seriously, the grilled oyster here are mandatory. Plus, walk it all off on the nearby Tampa Riverwalk. Photo via Ulele/Instagram
Carmine’s What to get: Carmine’s baked chicken 1802 E 7th Ave., Ybor City, 813-248-3834 A tri-cultural experience, one of Ybor City’s iconic 7th Avenue restaurants has an eclectic range of choices from bistec de palomilla to baked ziti for the cultured foodies of your group. The baked chicken is a family table staple served with black beans, rice and Spanish house salad. Photo via Carmine’s website

Saigon Deli

What to get: Bahn Mi and a Vietnamese coffee
3858 W Waters Ave., Tampa, 813-887-3888
This extremely busy deli is nothing short of a haven for Vietnamese cuisine. The Banh Mi is packed perfectly inside the French baguette and affordable enough to have three.
Photo via Google Maps Credit: Photo via Google Street
Mel’s Hot Dogs What to get: Mighty Mel 4136 E Busch Blvd., Tampa, 813-985-8000 Arguably one of Tampa Bay’s most famous hot dog spots, Mel’s is a classic go-to staple for Chicago dogs and reuben glizzies. Photo via Google Maps
The Getaway What to get: View and a cocktail 13090 Gandy Blvd. N, St. Petersburg, 727-317-5751 With a sandy beach for the kiddos and a tiki hut to match, there’s big time tropical vibes at St. Pete’s The Getaway. Grab a cocktail and lookout for dolphins. Photo via Google Maps
La Teresita What to get: Anything off the daily special 3248 W Columbus Dr., Tampa, 813-879-9704 The two-story Cuban restaurant serves traditional dishes of the latine family’s roots, which carry a rich background of resilience through a time of turmoil for their home country. Catch the Tuesday special for the crowd favorite “ropa vieja” (shredded beef). Bonus points if you can find the spot Bourdain sat at when he was there. Photo via Google Maps
Florida Bakery What to get: Colada, one of the most Florida coffees you can drink 3320 W Columbus Dr., Tampa, 813-870-0756 Share a round of colada (Cuban espresso) at this homegrown bakery. A caffeine buzz and a sugar rush from 5 for $1 churros is all you need before taking on the Bay (pack a Cuban for lunch is you’ve got a long day ahead). Photo via Google Maps
The Columbia What to get: Paella, deviled crab croquet Multiple locations Dive into the history of Ybor with food that commemorates the Cuban culture the city was built upon. Get an authentic experience, and don’t forget the paella at the oldest restaurant in the U.S. (Ybor City location), then scoot over to the Columbia Cafe at the Tampa Bay History Center where the devil crab croquettes are a must-get. Photo via The Columbia website
Al’s Finger Lickin’ Good BBQ What to get: Doesn’t matter, as long as it’s a collard green day 1609 Angel Oliva Senior St, Ybor City, 813-956-0675 From concession stand to sit-in staple, the people of Ybor hold nothing but high praise for the Tennessee-style BBQ joint. From ribs, and pulled pork, you really can’t go wrong here, but a safe bet is always the daily specials. Photo via Google Maps
El Cap What to get: World Champ Burger 3500 4th St. N, St. Petersburg, 727-521-1314 Located on busy 4th Street North in St. Pete, El Cap’s “World Champ Burger” has been voted as the Bay area’s no. 1 hamburger. Photo via El CapFacebook
Wat Mongkolratanaram Temple What to get: beef soup 5306 Palm River Rd., Tampa, 813-621-1669 The temple’s Sunday morning market is a drive-thru experience with a great selection of Thai meals, especially the soups. Pair your broth with a Thai tea and shrimp fresh rolls. Photo via Wat Mongkolratanaram of Florida/Facebook
Southern Fresh What to get: Pan-fried chicken 122 3rd Ave. N, Safety Harbor, 727-216-6341 Shrouded by mossy trees in a Safety Harbor bungalow, the mom-and-pop holds quintessential southern charm in its warm interior. A simple menu leaves the choice-fatigue to a minimum—but your senses will naturally be drawn to the pan-fried chicken from the moment you enter. Photo via Southern Fresh/Facebook
Brocato’s What to get: The gargantuan devil crab 5021 E Columbus Dr., Tampa, 813-248-9977 Family-owned and unmoved since 1948, the eatery (which saw a Dodge Neon crash though it in 2006) specializes in bold-in-size sandwiches and bolder crustaceans. Really, everything here is a great, but arguably its signature dish is the Big Crab. Photo via Brocato’s website
Wild Child What to get: jerk octopus 2710 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-954-7425 Some menu items at Wild Child might seem like odd combinations, but trust us, they work out. For example, take the Jerk Octopus, seasoned with lemon jam, fennel, citrus, olives and mint. Pair this with the restaurant’s colorful and vibrant atmosphere, and you have a good night out. Photo via Wild Child/Instagram
Antojitos Latin Cravings What to get: Buñuelos 2302 W Columbus Dr., Tampa, 813-251-9688 Antojitos features classic Colombian dishes and treats like a breakfast “calentado,” a main course “bandeja paisa” and baked goods impossible to resist, like its “buñuelos.” Break the little cheese balls apart and dip them in your coffee or hot chocolate to have them the true Colombian way. Photo via Antojitos Latin Cravings/Facebook
Credit: Cathy Salustri
JO-EL’s Kosher Deli What to get: JO-EL’s Reuben 2619 23rd Ave. N, St. Petersburg, 727-321-3847 This family-owned, authentic Jewish deli focuses on kosher food and drinks, including its main deli sandwich, the JO-EL’s Reuben, made of thin sliced corned beef with sauerkraut and Russian dressing on freshly baked rye. Photo via JO-EL’s Kosher Deli/Facebook
Bandit St. Pete What to get: Chorizo breakfast burrito 2662 Central Ave., St. Petersburg Pack your bag and get work done at Bandit St. Pete while enjoying one of their seven signature coffees, beer, natural wines and a mouth watering selection of meals and baked goods. Photo via Bandit St. Pete/Facebook Credit: Photo via Bandit Coffee
Red Mesa Cantina What to get: Ahi Tuna Tacos 128 3rd St. S, St. Petersburg, 727-896-8226 With an enclosed courtyard dining area showcasing mostly Mexican culture, Red Mesa serves classic dishes with a twist, just like its Ahi Tuna Tacos––seared tuna, soy orange coulis, wasabi aioli, pico de gallo and mixed greens. If dinner wasn’t enough, you can relocate to its rooftop bar overlooking downtown St. Pete to enjoy the rest of the day. Photo via Red Mesa Cantina/Facebook
Si-Am Thai American Restaurant What to get: Basil Chicken 713 N Franklin St., Tampa, 813-229-9710 Mixing the best flavors of both Thai and American cuisine, a Si-Am dinner is arguably a great pairing to a night out at Tampa Theater or a bender at The Hub. Create your own specialty meal with stir fries, curries, fried rice or noodles, but the basil chicken is a star. Photo via Si-Am Thai American Restaurant/Facebook
Tampa Bay Brewing Company What to get: Greek Salad and Wings 1600 E 8th Ave., Ybor City, 813-247-1422 With its flagship is located in the heart of Ybor City, Tampa Bay Brewing Company not only creates flavorful and hop-centric IPAs, APAs, expressive sours, and juicy, fruit-forward Florida-weisse, but also amazing dishes to complement the drinks, such as their Tarpon Springs Greek salad and red eye cider wings. Credit: TBBC/ FACEBOOK

Magazine journalism student with an affinity for music writing. Brandalynn has previously written for Glitter Magazine and was the editor-in-chief/contributor of USF's Her Campus chapter.

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...