While Tampa’s five upcoming Gasparilla festivals revolve around music, art, innovation and more, it’s still all about the eats, baby. Whether you plan on scoring items from on-site chow-slingers or seek to venture into the city for your own foodie finds, here’s a breakdown of where to grab the greatest grub.
VENDORS
Gasparilla Festival of the Arts (Feb. 28 to March 1). Around 20 food and beverage purveyors — including Renny’s Oki Doki, Tasty Stacy, Island Noodles, Twisted Willy’s, Shadrach’s Fiery Furnace Traveling Pizza Company, Mangia Gourmet, Southern Hospitality Kettle Corn and Maui Wowi — will dazzle taste buds with their cuisine. The 5 Buck Truck serves mixed drinks such as mimosas and Bloody Marys, and classic concessionaire foods like corn dogs, fish sandwiches and funnel cakes will also be available. Two J.J. Taylor-led beer booths will pour offerings from area breweries, too.
Gasparilla Music Festival (March 7 and 8). The artist lineup at GMF is grand, but serial attendees know the same is true about the food. Gorge on tasty fare from local food havens like The Independent Bar and Cafe (grilled cheese), Ella’s (chicken and waffle cones you need in your mouth, stat), Kona Ice (shaved ice and ice cream), The Refinery and Fodder & Shine (pork and tofu bánh mì-styled tacos), Malio’s Prime Steakhouse (prime rib sandwiches) and the Hot Donut Cart (coffee and doughnuts).
GASP! (March 27). The culinary masterminds behind Mise en Place and Sono Café will have their thinking toques on for CL’s multidisciplinary performance festival at the Tampa Museum of Art.
DOWNTOWN RESTAURANTS (GFA, GMF, GASP)
Anise Global Gastrobar Pop in for a craft cocktail, but stay for the signature stinky bunz. 777 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa, 813-225-4272, aniseglobal.com.
Bamboozle Cafe Rolls stuffed with fresh ingredients; curries; pho short ribs and more. 516 N. Tampa St., Tampa, 813-223-7320, bamboozlecafe.com.
Bavaro's Tasty authentic Italian eats. 514 N. Franklin St. #101, Tampa, 813-868-4440, bavarostampa.com.
Bizou Brasserie French-inspired seafood, beef and pastries in Tampa’s Le Meridien hotel. 601 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, 813-221-9555, bizoutampa.com.
Duckweed Urban Grocery The one-stop neighborhood shop for all your festival needs. 803 N. Tampa St., Tampa, 813-221-3825, duckweedurbanmarket.com.
Eddie & Sam's Pizza A hotspot pizzeria with classic New York-style fare. 203 E. Twiggs St., Tampa, 813-229-8500, eddieandsamspizza.com.
First Watch A something-for-everyone menu for breakfast and lunch. 520 Tampa St., Tampa, 813-307-9006, firstwatch.com.
Fly Bar & Restaurant Epicurean small plates and desserts accompany a snazzy cocktail lineup. 1202 N. Franklin St., Tampa, 813-275-5000, flybarandrestaurant.com.
Fresh Twenty salads, 12 panini and eight smoothie flavors like the Swisserland (chocolate ice cream, banana, peanut butter). 509 N. Franklin St., Tampa, 813-229-5500, eatfreshdaily.com.
Fusion Bowl Soul-warming Vietnamese cuisine. 504 E. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, 813-222-0102.
Hattricks Tavern Fish and chips, Reubens and other pub-style fare. 107 S. Franklin St., Tampa, 813-225-4288, hattrickstavern.com.
Holy Hog Barbecue Killer jalapeño mac and cheese, St. Louis ribs, burnt ends and lots more. 302 E. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, 813-223-4464, holyhogbbq.com.
Jerk Hut Jamaica Tropicale This venerable Jamaican eatery’s new downtown location is slated to open Feb. 24. 513 N. Franklin St., Tampa, jerkhut.com.
Kurdi's Fresh Mediterranean Grill Mediterranean delicacies like grilled Moroccan lamb, stuffed grape leaves and a mixed grill kebab dinner. 777 N. Ashley Drive #B, Tampa, 813-223-5800, kurdisgrill.com.
L’Eden At this hidden gem you'll find Mediterranean-inflected French food, including croissants, quiche, soups and more. 500 N. Tampa St., Tampa, 813-221-4795.
Malio's Prime Steakhouse Pasta, seafood and, of course, steak. 400 N. Ashley Drive #310, Tampa, 813-223-7746, maliosprime.com.
Mise en Place Buzzy cuisine including lobster poutine and a fried green tomato BLT. 442 W. Kennedy Blvd. #110, Tampa, 813-254-5373, miseonline.com.
Oxford Exchange A beautiful destination for lunch, coffee and afternoon tea. 420 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, 813-253-0222, oxfordexchange.com.
Paninoteca This cozy Mediterranean restaurant cooks up affordable appetizers, pitas and panini. 519 N. Franklin St., Tampa, 813-341-2525, paninotecacafe.com.
Tampa Pizza Company Formerly Pizza Fusion, this place crafts pies that will satisfy an array of eaters, from vegans to gluten-free folks. 777 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa, 813-463-1600, tampapizzacompany.com.
Si-am Yummy "Thaimerican" eats in a comfortable spot right next door to Tampa Theatre. 713 N. Franklin St., Tampa, 813-229-9710, si-am-thairestaurant.com.
Sono Café Mise en Place’s younger sibling lets you nosh inside or outside the Tampa Museum of Art. 120 W. Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa, 813-421-8379, tampamuseum.org/sono-cafe.
Spain The Castro family’s Spanish eatery features Galicia-influenced tapas such as house-rolled croquettes in a contemporary setting. 513 N. Tampa St., Tampa, 813-223-2831, tomaspain.com.
Taco Bus Tortas, tostadas, burritos and more at this Mexican staple. 505 N. Franklin St., Tampa, 813-397-2800, taco-bus.com.
Taps Restaurant Bar & Lounge This modern lounge has a food lineup anchored by beer and wine. 777 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa, 813-463-1968, tampswineandbeer.com.
Urban Cantina An array of Mexican cuisine in a feel-good atmosphere. 200 E. Madison St., Tampa, 813-221-8226, urbancantina.com.
CHANNELSIDE AND VICINITY (GIFF, Interactive)
Bamboozle Tea Lounge Bamboozle Cafe's sibling eatery with noodle salads, bánh mì and boba tea in a laid-back locale. 109 N. 12th St., Tampa, 813-228-7500, bamboozletealounge.com.
Cafe Dufrain A seasonal menu highlighting American regional cuisine. 707 Harbour Post Drive, Tampa, 813-275-9701, cafedufrain.com.
Cena A chic Italian spot with award-winning contemporary dishes. 1208 E. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, 813-374-8840, cena-channelside.com.
Columbia Café The Columbia Restaurant's younger sibling at the Tampa Bay History Center. 801 Old Water St. #1905, Tampa, 813-229-5511, columbiarestaurant.com.
Flambé South America meets East Asia meets Mediterranean cuisine. 615 Channelside Drive #123, Tampa, 813-512-8999, flambetampa.com.
Hablo Taco A new Channel District taco and tequila joint. 615 Channelside Drive, #127, Tampa, 813-405-8226, hablotaco.com.
Oishi A Japanese eatery specializing in sushi and hibachi. 615 Channelside Drive #204A, Tampa, 813-228-9202, restaurantoishi.com.
Precinct Pizza Inventive pizzas, plus wings and burgers. 615 Channelside Drive, Tampa, 813-228-6973, precinctpizza.com.
Sail Pavilion A popular waterside hangout with food and drink. 333 S. Franklin St., Tampa, 813-373-1193, tampaconventioncenter.com.
This article appears in Feb 12-18, 2015.