Tampa Bay is home to dozens and dozens of tried and true places to celebrate immigrants’ contributions to the food scene. From new spots to concepts helmed by second and third-generation cooks, here are 31 ways to take a trip around the world without leaving Tampa Bay.
Bamboozle
7107 N Florida Ave., TampaAfter 14 years at its now-demolished flagship location in downtown Tampa, health-focused Vietnamese restaurant Bamboozle recently moved to Seminole Heights. Loyal customers of Bamboozle will recognize the menu, however, which includes a variety of fresh spring rolls, piping hot bowls of pho, bánh mis, curries and traditional Vietnamese salads. Since wellness is at the forefront of Bamboozle’s mission, its menu caters to a variety of gluten-free and vegan diets as well. Credit: Photo via Bamboozle Living/Facebook
Barbouni
2701 Central Ave., St. PetersburgAmericans aren’t unacquainted with fish in a can, but let’s face it: Europeans do it so much better. Barbouni, St. Pete’s “modern ouzeri” lives at Baba and features conservas, which are known as canned seafood in European countries served with bread or crackers. There’s also an intimate raw bar that allows guests to watch their fresh oysters being shucked, but the main thing here is conservas, including mackerel, sardines, smoked mussels and razor clams. Credit: Photo via barbouniatbaba/Instagram
El Puerto Restaurant & Grill
1623 E 5th Ave., Ybor CityBe prepared… to wait. Ybor City’s Argentinian-Pueruvian staple from Chef Nelson Umana has never been famous for fast service, but the anticipation is worth it thanks to juicy slabs of churrasco (get an extra egg) ready to be served alongside tabletop chimichurri and rolls that’ll tempt you to fill up before the main event. Credit: Photo via ElPuertoYbor/Facebook
Esther’s Cafe
3001 E Hillsborough Ave., TampaA few steps away from street corner produce markets, this truly hole-in-the-wall spot would be easily lost if it wasn’t already a hometown favorite. Esther’s is consistently one of the highest rated taco joints in Tampa, and for good reason, they make their own tortillas and the tacos are some of the best in town. There’s now a more normy brick-and-mortar down the street at 2115 Hillsborough Ave., too. Credit: Photo by Chelsea Wolf
Gorkhali Kitchen
10044 Cross Creek Blvd., TampaWith a Bib Gourmand from Michelin inspectors, Gorkhali Kitchen has a Nepalese focus along with some Indian elements, and serves seared, pan-fried and soup dumplings along with dishes like chicken chilli momo in fiery sauce. Credit: c/o Gorkhali Kitchen
Istanbul Mediterranean Grill & Market
8896 N Florida Ave., TampaClean bright flavors, generous portions, and a cozy, bust atmosphere make this market and restaurant near the corner of Busch Boulevard and Florida Avenue and easy meal for everyone to agree on. Throw down on grilled meats, go for classic gyros, and definitely don’t skip out on the fresh hummus, babaganoush and tabbouleh. And the meal always wraps with a real deal Turkish tea.
Jam Dish
A son of Jamaica, Mugabe Tenn, brings his Jam Dish food truck to events across the Bay area and is a regular at downtown Tampa’s Rock the Park free concert series on the first Thursday of every month. Tenn, who also plays bass in long-running Tampa roots reggae outfit Tribal Style, is also married to a Filipina, Lisa Tenn, and brings her influence to the truck which now features jerk chicken lumpia alongside staple dishes from the Caribbean island. Credit: Photo via Photo via JamDishCatering/Facebook
La Fiesta Mexican Store
1202 S 22nd St., TampaTucked deep within the working class, waterfront Palmetto Beach neighborhood, this convenience store and restaurant hybrid’s tiny dining room offers big plates and inexpensive helpings of street tacos while you shop for your Latin goods. Ask for a beer out of the fridge, and order up a full plate of build-your-own tacos by the pound. And definitely come on Saturday for the perfectly spicy seafood soup. Credit: Photo by Ray Roa
La Teresita
3248 W Columbus Dr., TampaThe two-story Cuban restaurant—and its adjacent cantina where Anthony Bourdain once dined—serves traditional dishes of the Latin family’s roots and was recently named among Food and Wine’s “Best Diners in Every State.” Don’t skip a local favorite, “ropa vieja” (shredded beef), and get all the sides, too. Credit: Photo via Google Maps
La Pequena Colombia
6312 N Armenia Ave, TampaIt’s no secret that West Tampa is a haven for flavors of the Spanish, but there’s a block and a half that straight up celebrates Colombia. Next to each other at 6204 and 6212 Armenia Ave., L.P.C.X. Cafe and La Pequena Colombia aren’t the only Colombian spots on the strip, but they’re the most legendary. The restaurant serves generous portions of tostones, arroz con camarones, all kinds of parrillada, entraña marinera, and more while the cafe and bakery has become a cult-favorite and surefire for a new generation of coffee and pastry lovers looking to plant new flags in Tampa. Credit: Photo via LPCTampa/Facebook
The Lucky Tigre
1713 N Albany Ave., TampaThis sari sari-inspired walk-up concept occupied a little SoHo parcel but moved recently and is now Tampa’s go-to spot for Filipino-American dumplings, bao buns, milk tea and lumpia. It’s also probably the only place in all of Tampa Bay where you’ll be able to find vegan and dairy-free halo halo, complete with homemade ube ice cream. This is not your lola’s food—and we love that. Credit: Photo via theluckytigre/Instagram
Manila Eats
1601 S 22nd St., TampaThe former food trailer has long settled into its full-service restaurant just south of Palmetto Beach. While there are so many Filipino places to put on your try-list, this one is in one of Tampa’s most undersung working class neighborhoods. In addition to making its wide spread of popular Pinoy dishes like chicken inasal, crispy pata, Filipino spaghetti, and pork sinigang, owner and chef Veronica Meneses—who was born and raised in the Pampanga province right outside of Manila—also hosts karaoke on the weekends. Make sure to check Manila Eats’ Facebook page for its menu of the day. Credit: Photo via Manila Eats/Facebook
Mazzaro’s Italian Market
2909 22nd Ave. N, St. PetersburgItalians do it better. One of Tampa Bay’s most popular markets, Mazzaro’s has won a slew of Best of the Bay awards over the years, and is known for its dramatic unveilings of comically-sized foods—including a 40-foot loaf of bread it donated to the Dalí Museum in 2021 and its 854-pound hunk of provolone it sliced into in 2022. Be prepared for crowds. Credit: Photo by Ray Roa
Mowgli’s Tiffin
165 Dr. MLK St. N, St. PetersburgNearly four years after it was first announced, new Indian street food concept Mowgli’s Tiffin has finally debuted in St. Petersburg. Located in the former Chi-Town Beefs location at 165 Dr. MLK St. N, just on the edge of the Edge District, Mowgli’s quietly opened on Dec. 31. In a previous interview with Creative Loafing Tampa Bay, owner and Tampa Bay native, Amita Mukherjee, said Mowgli’s is inspired by her frequent trips to India with her parents in her early years, which helped blossom a love for Indian street food. “I would crave that street food,” said Mukherjee. “But when I went to Indian places around here I noticed that you don’t get those options. Most Indian places seem to center around curries.” The 16-seat, 526-square-foot restaurant centers around Indian fusion dishes like kaati rolls, pani puri, and its signature Kolkati Roll, which is essentially a roti wrapped around a kebab. There’s also butter chicken rice bowls, grilled cheese naan, potato bhaji, paneer curds, and more.
Photo via hot_metal_designs Credit: Photo via hot_metal_designs
Pepper’s Island
1701 E 4th Ave., Ybor CityTrinidadian restaurant Pepper’s Island is all settled into its corner of Ybor City where owner Rodney Dhanraj’s life is making good on his long-term goal of opening a restaurant in honor of his grandparent’s 60 year-old roti shop back in Trinidad. Guests can dive into dishes like stewed chicken, curry duck, and paratha aka “Buss up Shot.” Credit: Kyla Fields
Saigon Deli
3858 W Waters Ave., Tampa, 813-887-3888A local favorite with a cult-like following, Saigon Deli is the place to go for classic Vietnamese meals like pho and vermicelli. The no-frills spot also offers four varieties of Banh Mi including meatballs, roast beef, pate and head cheese and roast pork. The Banh Mi is packed perfectly inside the French baguette and affordable enough to have three. Leave with a Vietnamese coffee to keep you from falling asleep on the way home—just don’t show up on Thursday, the only day Saigon Deli is closed. Credit: Julio Ramos
Si-am Thaimerican
713 N Franklin St., Tampa
Arguably the best place to grab a plate of basil chicken before a screening at the Tampa Theatre (or a long bender at The Hub), Si Am Thai has been an iconic downtown Tampa staple for years. Chinda Chomburi and Stephen Dohack serve up classic Thai-American dishes, like panang curry and drunken noodles, and even deliver microwavable takeaway lunches to nearby Duckweed Urban Market. Credit: siamthaitampa/Facebook
5. Sunda New Asian
3648 Midtown Dr., Tampa“This upscale Asian fusion restaurant exceeded all my expectations! 1st impressions are everything to me. I’ll never forget my first experience. I’m now a regular! From the moment I walked in for the first time, i was greeted warmly by the management and staff, who provided exceptional service throughout my visit. The food was phenomenal–each dish beautifully presented and bursting with unique flavors that showcased the perfect blend of traditional and modern Asian cuisine.” – Katrina M. Credit: Photo via Sunda New Asian
Wat Mongkolratanaram Temple
5306 Palm River Rd., TampaThis poorly kept Tampa secret is a bonafide waterfront rite of passage for any local. Grab friends, get to the temple’s Sunday morning market early, and bring cash. Stock up on to-go boxes of your favorite Thai meals (curries, desserts, fresh rolls, dumplings, and yes, noodle soup), then wash it all down with Thai teas and coffees. Please don’t fall asleep at your picnic table. Credit: Photo by Andy Huse
Ybor Seoul
1531 E 7th Ave., Ybor CitySandwiched between 7-Eleven and King Corona Cigars in the heart of Ybor City is newly-opened Korean restaurant Ybor Seoul. The menu specializes in popular Korean fare—from street food-inspired bites like cheese and sausage-filled corn dogs and grilled skewers to everyday eats like kimbap (rice, veggies, protein and rice wrapped in seaweed), spicy rice cakes, dumplings, chicken wings and a variety of hearty soups. Ybor Seoul is not a typical, full-service restaurant with waiters. Instead, customers order on Wawa-style touch screens before the food is brought out by an employee. Its dining room boasts about 20 seats, a standing bar for on-the-go bar hoppers and two TVs playing non-stop K-pop music videos. Credit: Kyla Fields
