Tampa Bay restaurant news Archives - Creative Loafing Tampa

An emergency news photograph by Tiffany Haas showing the Tampa Fire Department works on a fire at Rene's Mexican Kitchen in Tampa, Florida on Sept. 30, 2026. Captured in a daylight shot from street level, smoke rises above the pink-and-teal wooden exterior of Rene's Mexican Kitchen as a high-pressure water stream sprays onto the roof. A red fire truck rescue vehicle, a ladder truck with a firefighter positioned high on the aerial platform, and prominent street signage including a red octagon "STOP" sign and a black "ONE WAY" arrow sign stand in the foreground.

‘I just need a little push’: Rene’s Mexican Kitchen raising funds after fire damages VM Ybor restaurant

Nobody was harmed in a fire last week that heavily damaged the old building.

by Valerie Smith October 6, 2026October 6, 2026

Rene Valenzuela is Tampa’s own phoenix; the 55-year-old chef has risen from the ashes before, and is asking for help to do it again. The V.M. Ybor location of Rene’s Mexican Kitchen was heavily damaged in a fire last Wednesday, Sept. 30. Valenzuela has created a GoFundMe page to support reopening efforts. Valenzuela started Rene’s […]

Food & Drink, Food News, Tampa Bay Journalism Project

Five Tampa gas station restaurants that are worth the pit stop

There’s something to be said for getting food that hits the spot while filling up the car for the next errand.

by Annalise Mabe September 16, 2026September 16, 2026

An interior photograph by Ray Roa showing the ordering counter and sign inside Lucky Tigre in Tampa, Florida on Aug. 9, 2025. Mounted above the counter, a illuminated rectangular light box sign reads "FEELIN' LUCKY?" in bold red, retro-style block lettering with stylized starbursts. Below the sign, a vibrant wall is completely covered in a collage of vintage posters, ads, and news clippings, flanked by hanging greenery on the left.

Tampa Filipino restaurant Lucky Tigre celebrates fourth anniversary with lumpia eating contest

The competition goes down Sunday in West Tampa.

by Annalise Mabe September 2, 2026September 9, 2026

A high-resolution photograph showing the "Le Cubain" sandwich at Bar Terroir. Served on a white oval plate resting in a rich, dark sauce, the pressed sandwich features visible layers of melted cheese and sliced meats between toasted bread topped with finely chopped chives, sea salt, a whole cornichon pickle on a toothpick, and a small French flag.

Sunday is National Cuban Sandwich Day, and people are bound to argue about this South Tampa French restaurant’s take on the classic

The holiday is part of this listing of the best food & drink events happening across Tampa Bay Aug. 20-27.

by Ray Roa August 20, 2026August 20, 2026

Fresh off baking for Cardi B, Tampa’s Cake Girl offers treat deals for 813 day

The four-tier Care Bares-inspired custom cake took the Cake Girl team 30 hours to create.

by Leif Helland August 12, 2026August 18, 2026

Blind Tiger opens ninth location at downtown Tampa’s Rivergate Tower

Another Blind Tiger is just a six-minute walk away.

by Ray Roa August 11, 2026August 18, 2026

A photograph by Joseph Hendrickson showing the exterior of a modern Shake Shack restaurant location in Vernon Hills, Illinois, on June 26, 2024. Captured from a wide exterior angle, the single-story dark brick and glass building features large white "SHAKE SHACK" signage with green burger logos mounted on both its front and side facades. In the foreground, green ornamental grasses, native plants, and manicured landscaping frame the building, while an asphalt parking lot with accessible spaces and yellow safety bollards sits under a clear blue sky in bright daylight.

Pinellas County’s first Shake Shack location will open in Seminole

The burger chain already two locations in Hillsborough and one in Pasco.

by Ray Roa August 7, 2026August 7, 2026

A low-angle outdoor photograph showing the storefront facade of Mercado West in St. Petersburg, Florida. High-mounted on a clean off-white building exterior, large 3D block letters spell out "MERCADO" in bright lime green, casting dark shadows onto the wall face. Below the signage, large glass windows reflect trees under a clear, bright blue sky in natural daylight, with green and yellow decorative balloons visible along the bottom edge of the frame.

Red Mesa’s ‘Mercado West’ closes this month in St. Pete, after less than a year in business

Aug. 16 is the last day open, and two other Red Mesa concepts will remain open.

by Liam Oliver August 7, 2026August 7, 2026

An exterior photograph of the storefront of Vegan International Co. Market & Cafe in a strip mall plaza in Tampa, Florida. Taken from an eye-level perspective looking toward the side of the building, the light green stucco structure features large storefront windows decorated with bright magenta vinyl decals displaying bold white lettering that reads "VEGAN" across the panes, alongside details for pickup and delivery. A tiled awning overhangs the entrance beneath a dark green overhead sign reading "VEGAN," while manicured green bushes and a oak tree border the sidewalk and parking lot in the foreground.

Food & Drink, Food News, Tampa Bay Journalism Project

Three Tampa Bay restaurants proving that vegan eateries are staying alive

Founders of Vegan International, Nah Dogs, and WeVegan Eats share secrets of success.

by Ray Roa July 23, 2026

Sandra Cason inside WeVegan Cafe in Tampa, Florida on June 25, 2026.

WeVegan Eats celebrates fifth anniversary of Tampa cafe

WeVegan Eats’ clientele do not follow a plant-based lifestyle, and simply enjoy good food and drink.

by Alisha Durosier July 23, 2026July 24, 2026

An interior photograph of the checkout counter at Vegan International Co. Market & Cafe in Tampa, Florida. Taken from a close-up angle, the counter displays a black cash register terminal alongside a clear tip jar decorated with a cartoon broccoli sticker reading "VEGAN VIBES." Below the register, the counter front features a colorful sticker with stylized purple-and-yellow lettering that reads "VEGAN INTERNATIONAL CO." In the foreground, packaged baked goods and cookies in clear plastic containers rest on the counter next to a digital payment tablet.

Tampa’s Vegan International found success by breaking rules

Nick Alami knew he had to think outside of the box.

by Alisha Durosier July 23, 2026July 23, 2026

Co-owner of St. Pete’s Nah Dogs believes meatless lifestyles will make a comeback

The pop-up is openings its first brick-and-mortar next to Tombolo Books and Black Crow Coffee Co.

by Alisha Durosier July 23, 2026July 23, 2026

An exterior photograph showing the storefront signage of Kim Bros. Korean Market in Tampa, Florida, on July 20, 2026. Captured from a low-angle perspective against a soft overcast sky, large dimensional red block letters spell out "KIM BROS." positioned directly above a rounded red sign with bold white text reading "KOREAN MARKET." Below the main signage, store windows display promotional food photos and product advertisements, while the right side of the building features decorative brown and tan stone cladding.

After nearly 35 years, Tampa’s Kim Bros. Korean market closes this weekend

Some of their food will live on inside the forthcoming H Mart food court.

by Annalise Mabe July 21, 2026July 21, 2026

An interior photograph capturing the warm, sunlit shop floor of Jug & Bottle Dept. in the Seminole Heights neighborhood of Tampa, Florida. In the foreground, wooden wine display racks hold slanted bottles of red and natural wines labeled with handwritten price tags, topped with potted green houseplants and a small table lamp. In the background, tall dark wooden shelving units stretch across the room, stacked with a vast, curated selection of craft beer cans, wine bottles, and specialty goods under bright track lighting.

As it celebrates 11 years in Tampa, Jug & Bottle Dept. keeps building Seminole Heights’ ultimate living room

An all-day block party happens on Saturday.

by Annalise Mabe July 21, 2026July 21, 2026

Front of Bodega Bus featuring a gratified school bus to-go window and the words "Mini Mart," "NYC Deli" and "Vape Shop"

Downtown Tampa’s Bodega Bus is open, now serving chopped cheese, smashburgers, hot dogs and more

Chicken and steak over rice is on the soft-opening menu as menu prices and hours get finalized.

by Ray Roa June 25, 2026June 25, 2026

A digital architectural rendering of the upcoming Supernatural Food & Wine expansion in Tampa's West River neighborhood. The structure features a modern, clean design with a white-painted brick facade accented by a striking teal-colored rectangular panel on the left. A walk-up window for 'Coffee & Donuts' is visible. To the right, a bright, sunny yellow awning covers an outdoor patio area enclosed by a horizontal white-slat wooden fence, with string lights and hanging plants suggesting a cozy, welcoming atmosphere. The building is situated next to a sidewalk and mature trees under a clear, bright sky, conveying a polished and airy neighborhood aesthetic.

Tampa’s Supernatural Food & Wine plans expansion, launches doughnut subscription service

Chef and founder Wesley Roderick said he’s signed a lease in Tampa’s West River district.

by Ray Roa June 19, 2026June 25, 2026

A low-angle, architectural exterior photograph of the restaurant Good Intentions in St. Petersburg, Florida. The building features a textured, white-painted brick facade, partially shaded by the large, sprawling branches of a mature oak tree in the foreground. Strands of warm-toned Edison-style string lights are draped across the front of the building. The restaurant name 'Good Intentions' is visible in a stylized, modern black font on the wall. A large, horizontal, black-framed window on the ground floor reveals the warm, glowing interior, where a person is seen sitting at a table beneath a decorative pendant light.

St. Pete vegan favorite Good Intentions to close this summer

A final day has not been set.

by Ray Roa June 12, 2026June 12, 2026

A medium-shot, indoor candid photograph of two attendees enjoying hors d'oeuvres at the 'Meet the Chefs' event at The Vault in Tampa, Florida. On the left, a person with shoulder-length dark hair is wearing a deep magenta, long-sleeved wrap dress and holding a small black plate of food; they have a silver clutch bag draped over their arm. On the right, a person with long, dark wavy hair is wearing a colorful, sleeveless, floral-print dress with a low neckline and a small, bright pink handbag over their shoulder. Behind them, in the softly focused background, another guest is visible standing near a bar-height counter, and a stylized, dark-colored wall sculpture of a climbing figure is mounted on the light-colored wall.

It’s Tampa Bay Restaurant Month, and two Meet The Chefs events are coming to both sides of the Bay

Some of the area’s best cooks, chefs and culinarians will meet you at the Birchwood and The Vault this month.

by Ray Roa June 10, 2026June 11, 2026

A medium-shot portrait of Chef Yanick Destine. They are looking directly at the camera with a calm, confident expression. They have dark hair styled in an updo, secured with a prominent pearl-headed pin, and are wearing large, thick-rimmed tortoiseshell glasses. The subject is dressed in a smooth, lavender-colored satin button-down shirt. The portrait is set against a deep, textured, dark-red background, with warm, soft lighting highlighting the subject's features and creating subtle shadows.

All the Tampa Bay food scene stars coming to Meet The Chefs on June 18 & 25

Creative Loafing Tampa Bay hosts events at The Birchwood and The Vault this month.

by Leigh Wilson June 10, 2026June 12, 2026

A medium-shot portrait of Mikey Brinkmann standing outside the Emerald Bar in St. Petersburg, Florida. Brinkmann is smiling at the camera, wearing a gray baseball cap, glasses, and a light-colored, short-sleeved button-down shirt featuring a blue octopus print. Behind them, the bar's entrance is visible, characterized by a distinctive, rough-hewn stone facade. Above the doorway, a horizontal sign with a shamrock icon reads 'EMERALD' on the left and 'COCKTAILS' on the right in black lettering.

After 18 years at St. Pete’s Emerald Bar, it’s last call for Mikey Brinkmann

The beloved bartender’s last day at the Central Avenue institution is June 17.

by Jourdan Ducat June 8, 2026June 8, 2026