Eileen Ramos at Double Six Café in Tampa, Florida on June 11, 2026. Credit: Ray Roa / Creative Loafing Tampa Bay

OPENINGS/CLOSINGS

Tampa’s Supernatural Food & Wine plans expansion, launches doughnut subscription service
After being immortalized by Guy Fieri on “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives,” Tampa Bay’s most famous doughnut is about to level up as far as production goes. Supernatural Food & Wine has plans for an expansion towards West Tampa, shop founder and chef Wesley Roderick told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. Roderick shared preliminary renderings of the West River “Supernatural Donut Factory” last Tuesday during his presentation at the 10×10 lecture series in downtown Tampa. Today, he told CL that Supernatural Food & Wine has signed a lease in Tampa’s West River neighborhood that will allow for more production of a the cinnamon-sugar sourdoughnut that Fieri recently described as one of the best he’s ever had. “Supernatural is making a lot of donuts. And this next chapter will allow it to continue to do that,” Roderick said. – Ray Roa

After 23 years, Pinellas Park’s Quaker Steak & Lube will close It seems Pinellas Park’s motor oil-themed restaurant Quaker Steak & Lube is out of gas. The chain restaurant’s last day will be Sunday, July 5, according to a social media post from the general manager. The announcement comes as parent company JDK Management is in the midst of closing Quaker Steak and Lube locations nationwide. JDK, which also owns Perkins, currently has a total of 27 Quaker Steak & Lubes across the country, according to its website. The Pinellas Park location was Tampa Bay’s only Quaker Steak outpost. Located at 10400 49th St. N., the Pinellas Park location debuted in 2003, and geared itself toward meat-focused offerings, spanning steaks, burgers, ribs, wings, tendies, and meaty salads. – Colin Wolf

Double Six is Tampa Heights’ new daytime café, and there’s free parking
There’s a whole ass new cafe in Tampa Heights, and there’s free parking, too Double Six opened inside La Sétima Club—located at 815 E 7th Ave. on the literal edge of Ybor City—this month From 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Thursday-Sunday, the concept serves cafe staples, a trio of specialties (go for the coquito latte), and a limited menu that includes a breakfast burrito ($12) and a hangover burger ($15). Plant based options are available. Best of the Bay-winning barista Eileen Ramos also probably makes the most balanced cortado in Tampa Bay (at Double Six, it’s served in a 4-oz. chalice, making for a little extra indulgence). Parking at the cafe—which is located on the literal border of Ybor City and Tampa Heights—is free inside the white fence on the north side of 7th Avenue facing The Commodore comedy theater. – Leif Helland

After six years, Tampa’s Rome + Fig is closing
North Hyde Park’s “globally-inspired bistro” Rome + Fig says it will permanently close later this month. The popular NoHo concept, located at 301 N Rome Ave., did not give a specific reason for the abrupt closure, but made the announcement this week on social media, citing an “industry filled with challenges.” “After six unforgettable years, we have made the difficult decision to close the doors of Rome + Fig,” says the post. “What began as a dream became so much more than a restaurant. It became a place where friendships were formed, milestones were celebrated, first dates turned into marriages, and countless memories were shared around our tables.” Rome + Fig will operate with limited hours until its last day on June 28. – Colin Wolf

New ‘food park’ opening at Tampa’s former Nebraska Mini-Mart
The site of Seminole Heights’ former Nebraska Mini-Mart is about to get its third tenant in less than a year-and-a-half. This week, a “food park” called Nebraska Roadside announced plans to open a “family friendly entertainment destination” at 4815 N Nebraska Ave. “The experience will feature an outdoor environment that blends food, beverage, entertainment, games, and social gathering into a single destination,” the concept noted, adding that it is “cooking up something hot” at the mostly outdoor location. On social media, Nebraska Roadside said that Tampa-based Pep Rally Inc. is leading design and branding, and promised a 1960s vibe. “We’re keeping the soul of the corner you love, but driving it into a whole new era, with some nostalgia mixed in,” the post added. Nebraska Roadside hopes to open by fall 2026. – Ray Roa

St. Pete’s Baba is closing, but will reopen as new concept
After seven years in St. Petersburg’s Grand Central District, popular Middle Eastern and Mediterranean restaurant Baba is saying “wada’an.” On Thursday, Baba took to Instagram to announce that the concept, as well as its attached tinned fish bar Barbouni, will permanently close on Friday, July 3, adding that “it’s not a goodbye, but the beginning of something new.” The space, located at 2701 Central Ave., will make way for Kaixo, a new dining experience inspired by the “food, wine and cultural traditions of the Iberian Peninsula,” and led by Baba’s Chef Andrew Duncan and Sommelier Danielle McCoy, says the post. The group is also bringing back the popular pintxo pop-up bar Barra Barra, as a full-time fixture in the Barbouni space. “So, yes. This summer, we’ll be closing Baba to remodel, reimagine, and make way for an entirely new chapter,” said owner George Sayegh. No exact opening date was announced for Kaixo or Barra Barra, though the team promised “more to share in the coming days.” – Colin Wolf

EVENTS

Gulfport Brewery celebrates its sixth anniversary with Brewfest this weekend
Gulfport Brewery + Eatery celebrates six years of beers this weekend with six brewery collabs premiering at its annual Brewfest, including a “Passion Tax” pale ale featuring Krush and Mosaic hops with de Bine Brewing Co., a pineapple rum cake sour with Tampa Bay Brewing Company and an Italian pilsner with Grand Central Brewhouse. There’s no cover just to hang, but ticketholders get unlimited samples of local beer from those collaborators, as well as Dade City Brew House, Southern Brewing & Winery, Motorworks Brewing and Tidal Brewing Company. Plus, a smashburger and glizzy bar. Earlier this month, Gulfport Brewery started opening at 9 a.m. with a new coffee and light breakfast menu. Tickets start at $53.55 for Gulfport Brewfest happening Saturday in Gulfport. – Selene San Felice

FOOD FEATURES

Pinellas County beachside bars and restaurants are reopening following 2024 hurricanes
After the devastation of hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024, many Pinellas beach bars have still not recovered—and some may never return. But little by little, the vibrant food and drink scene is making its comeback. Here are eight spots that reopened this year where patrons can once again enjoy draft beers, BBQ, brunch and fresh seafood by the bay. – Alisha Durosier

All aboard the floating food industry feeding Tampa Bay boaters Hot dogs, tacos, barbecue, smash burgers, exotic drinks and more can be found at the sandbars and in the surrounding waters of Pinellas County. They’re a little pricier than the same thing inland— $10 for a hot dog, $28 for three fish tacos, $12 for a smashburger—but hey, it just hits different on the water. We talked to the captains and cooks about what floats their boats. – Selene San Felice

The Tampa Bay bars and restaurants we’ve lost so far in 2026. We’re halfway through 2026, and in case you haven’t noticed, it’s been a brutal six months for Tampa Bay bars and restaurants. Citing everything from a tanking economy, rising inflation, ongoing hurricane recovery costs, changes in drinking patterns, and even GLP-1 weight loss medications, local restaurants have a lot on their plates in 2026. Here are a few of Tampa Bay’s most notable restaurants and bars that have either closed, or have announced a pending closure, so far this year. – Colin Wolf

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