Tampa Bay food & drink events Archives - Creative Loafing Tampa

A Mother's Day Brunch spread at Ocean Prime, featuring mimosa, Bloody Mary's, steak, eggs Benedict, french toast, caviar and coffee

New coastal Mexican spot coming to Tampa, Mother’s Day brunch events and more local food news

Plus, new Vietnamese cafe Say Coffee House comes to St. Pete, Tampa is getting a seafood spot from Bern’s and more.

by CL Staff May 7, 2026May 8, 2026

Ebisu Life Store, a wildly popular Japanese lifestyle shop filled with viral snacks, blind boxes and obscure collectibles, will soon open its largest location in Tampa Bay.

Four competetors in the J.C. Newman Cuban Sandwich Eating Challenge outside the historic Cuesta-Rey Cigars building.

Dalmoros moves, Cuban sandwich eating competition and more Tampa Bay food news

Plus, the best food and drink events happening April 23-29.

by CL Staff April 23, 2026April 23, 2026

A promotional studio portrait of country music artist Thomas Rhett. They have dark curly hair and a full beard, looking directly at the camera with a calm expression. They are wearing a shiny dark red satin bomber jacket with white striped ribbing at the collar and a white undershirt with a silver pendant necklace. The background is a simple, neutral-toned fabric, and the lighting is bright and warm, creating soft shadows.

Music

Tampa Pig Jig, a big ass concert and BBQ to fight rare kidney disease, announces Thomas Rhett as 2026 headliner

The announcement comes a week after the FDA approved the first-ever treatment for FSGS.

by Ray Roa April 20, 2026April 20, 2026

A bartender reaching for a bottle of liquor from a brightly lit, retro-style bar shelf glowing with warm orange light at Easy Tiger in St. Petersburg.

St. Pete’s hot new listening bar, Alessi’s bigger bakery and more Tampa Bay food news

Plus, South Tampa steakhouse Renzo is on the move, Tampa Bay Wine and Food Festival is underway, and more.

by CL Staff April 7, 2026April 10, 2026

Nate Siegel, founder of Cheeky’s, and Chef Julie Sainte Michelle Feliciano, founder of Lucky Tigre, sitting at a wooden outdoor table during a pop-up event. Nate wears a "Cheeky’s St. Pete" hat, while Julie is seated next to a spread of Filipino cuisine, including lumpia and colorful tropical cocktails.

West Tampa and the beach collide when Cheeky’s and Lucky Tigre collab this month

There are two seatings for a kamayan seafood boil.

by Ray Roa March 31, 2026April 1, 2026

Three women smiling and holding themed green drink containers at the Taco, Tequila, and Tiki Takedown at Hotel Flor in Tampa. They are standing in a crowded event space with a "Top Shelf" branded banner in the background.

Photos: Everyone we saw getting tipsy for Tequila & Tiki Takedown at Tampa’s Hotel Flor

The event formerly known as Margarite Wars happened last Friday.

by Ray Roa and Nick Cardello March 30, 2026March 30, 2026

The exterior of The Chattaway, a historic restaurant in St. Petersburg, Florida. The pink wooden building features a mural of pink flamingos and green palm fronds. A white sign reading 'Chattaway Drive-In' sits atop a gabled roof, surrounded by lush tropical plants, succulents, and a large oak tree under a clear sky.

Nah Dogs gets a dog house, the Chattaway closing and more Tampa Bay food news

Plus, the best food and drink events happening March 19-25

by CL Staff March 19, 2026March 19, 2026

A close-up view of a fresh, colorful Southwest-style grilled chicken salad bowl from Greenlane outdoors in bright sunlight.

Greenlane grows, Pi day and more Tampa Bay food news

Plus, Shuffle celebrates 8 years, Cinnaholic debuted in St. Pete, Safety Harbor Craft Beer Festival is coming and more.

by CL Staff March 11, 2026March 13, 2026

Nueva Cantina's outdoor patio filled with people dining and drinking under a ceiling of lush hanging plants and woven basket lights.

Bosphorous opens in St. Pete, Tater Tot Union heads to New World, and more Tampa Bay food news

Plus, Florida Strawberry Festival continues, Nueva Cantina debuts in Palm Harbor and more.

by Selene San Felice March 5, 2026March 6, 2026

10 Reasons You Need to Be at Brunched 2025 This Saturday

It goes down Saturday, April 26 in downtown Tampa.

by Leigh Wilson April 21, 2025July 26, 2025