Tampa Bay knows all about cults, but what we're talking about here are restaurants with hoards of loyal, hungry patrons.
Over the last couple years, Tampa Bay has lost a few iconic eateries with cult-like followings, including Datz's Tampa location, Munch's, Ichicoro and others, but there are still plenty for us to celebrate.
And sure, people often think of chains as having "cult-like" followings (we have plenty of those too), but here in Tampa Bay we also have some serious local spots that demand that label, as well.
So, here are a few of our favorite local spots with draw big crowds, and host an extremely loyal fan base.
25 Tampa Bay restaurants with cult-like followings
By CL Staff on Thu, Aug 24, 2023 at 9:21 am
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Bella's Italian Cafe
1413 S Howard Ave #100 , Tampa, 813-254-3355
With everything made from scratch, it's no wonder Bella's has been a local favorite in South Tampa for decades. Don't be surprised if you see a few Lightning players carb loading here on game night, or a few local politicians rubbing elbows with some some Florida big shots. Bella's is a true multi-generational melting pot for Tampenos.
Photo via Bella's Italian Cafe/Website
Koya
807 W Platt St, Tampa, (813) 284-7423It makes sense that there's a high demand to pull up to the counter at this Hyde Park eatery. Koya is an intimate eight-seat tasting-menu-only experience by the folks behind Noble Rice. At this Michelin starred concept, diners can expect seven to nine courses including raw and cooked dishes, featuring luxuries like bluefin tuna and uni that are flown in weekly from a market in Kagoshima, Japan. Plan to be there for at least two hours.
Photo via Google Maps
Skipper’s Smokehouse
910 Skipper Rd., Tampa, 813-971-0666Under a thick canopy of large oak trees called the Skipperdome, Skipper’s is the perfect place for a cold one in the shade, at the oyster bar, or during a late night blues set. This iconic 40-year-old live music venue serves an assortment of “Floribbean” dishes like its award-winning blackened grouper reuben. During happy hour on Thursdays and Fridays from 4 p.m.-8 p.m., be sure to grab a cold drink or a rum bucket if you’re feeling wild.
Photo via Photo via Skipper’s Smokehouse/Facebook
Saigon Deli
3858 W Waters Ave., Tampa, 813-887-3888
A 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.
Photo via Google Maps
Bake’n Babes
Multiple locations
Julie Curry’s salted chocolate chip cookie has been voted Best of the Bay and its other colorful baked goods don’t fall behind. Bake’n Babes also offers CBD creations such as their CBD chocolate chip cookie and CBD gummy worms at its locations in Armature Works and on Davis Islands.
Photo via Bake’n Babes/Facebook
Rocca
323 W Palm Ave., Tampa. 813-906-5445
Good luck getting a table here anytime soon. Last May, Tampa Heights restaurant Rocca and its chef Bryce Bonsack, earned a Michelin star for the concept's innovative Italian fare. The spot was already popular, but since the announcement, the waiting list has only grown. If you eventually do get a table, don't skip the mozzarella cart or a pre-dinner drink at the bar.
Photo by Google Street
Rooster & The Till
6500 N Florida Ave., Tampa, 813-374-8940Proper House Group’s Rooster & the Till, which has maintained Michelin's Bib Gourmand status since 2022, has been an innovator in the Tampa dining scene since its launch in 2013. James Beard nominated chef Ferrell Alvarez keeps it fresh with a rotating, seasonal menu in this small but thoughtful 72-seat institution that regularly books guest chef dinners featuring some of the country's brightest culinary stars.
Photo via Rooster & The Till/Facebook
The Columbia
2117 E 7th Ave, Ybor City, 813-248-4961Florida’s oldest restaurant is right here in Tampa. Covering an entire Ybor City block, the 118-year-old Columbia Restaurant spans all the bases of Spanish and Cuban-inspired dishes, like classic Cubans and massive plates of paella. Don't skip the Spanish bean soup or Columbia's main crowd pleaser, the 1905 salad.
Photo via Google Maps
La Segunda Central Bakery
2512 N 15th St, Ybor City, 813-248-1531Located in a town founded on Spanish culture lies one of Ybor City's coveted landmark buildings representing the Cuban-American community. Pretty much all of Tampa is connected to La Segunda's bread in one way or another. Customer-favorites include café con leche, Cuban toast and, of course, the Cuban sandwich. Don't be surprised to see a line coming out of the door, but do know that La Segunda now has multiple locations.
Photo via La Segunda Central Bakery/Facebook
La Teresita
3248 W Columbus Dr., Tampa, 813-879-9704
The two-story Cuban restaurant serves traditional dishes of the Latine family’s roots and was recently named among Food and Wine's "Best Diners in Every State." Catch the Tuesday special for the crowd favorite “ropa vieja” (shredded beef). Bonus points if you can find the spot Anthony Bourdain sat at when he visited.
Photo via Google Maps
Pia’s Trattoria
3054 Beach Blvd S, Gulfport, 727-327-2190One of the best reasons to make the hike to Gulfport, Pia’s Trattoria describes itself as “a romantic, cozy Old Italy atmosphere” with a green garden ambiance, and that's definitely the truth. This Best of The Bay winner is a local favorite for Italian fare, and offers up cakes and desserts, all made from scratch.
Photo via Pia’s Trattoria/Facebook
Mazzaro’s Italian Market
2909 22nd Ave. N, St. Petersburg, 727-321-2400One 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.
Photo via Cathy Salustri
Wright's Gourmet House
1200 S. Dale Mabry Hwy. Tampa, 813-253-3838A South Tampa institution, Wrights has been serving up their sandwiches, salads and cakes with gourmet ingredients for more than half a century. If you're in a hurry, beware, Wright's popularity might have you waiting in line.
Photo via Wright's Gourmet House/Facebook
El Cap Restaurant
3500 4th St. N, St. Petersburg, 727-521-1314
Located on busy 4th Street North in St. Pete, El Cap’s “World Champ Burger” is an institution in itself. In early 2023, the restaurant changed hands, but so far the new owners have kept the St. Pete staple intact.
Photo via El CapFacebook
Mel’s Hot Dogs
4136 E Busch Blvd., Tampa, 813-985-8000Easily, one of the best places to get a glizzy in the Bay, Mel’s has been serving up Vienna beef dogs since 1973 (that’s 50 years!), and is known for its Chicago-style hot dogs served on a steamed poppy seed bun with all the fixins’.
Photo via Google Maps
Kissin' Cuzzins
951 34th St N, St. Petersburg, 727-323-3915Kissin’ Cuzzins is known to generations of St. Pete locals as a go-to spot for breakfast and lunch serving classic, homestyle dishes and twists on diner favorites, including stacks of thick and fluffy pancakes (get the chocolate chip or sweet potato), egg benedicts and perfectly crispy and greasy hash browns. In January of 2023, the iconic resto changed hands, but is still the greasy spoon institution locals have come to love over the years.
Photo c/o Bill Tourtelot
Brocato’s Sandwich Shop
5021 E Columbus Dr., Tampa, 813-248-9977Originally opened in 1948, Brocato’s has transitioned from a grocery store to a meat market to the sandwich shop that it stands as today. The big thing here is sandwiches, but you could argue devil crabs and breakfast are a close second.
Photo via Google Maps
Mullet's Fish Camp
3901 6th St. S, St. Petersburg, 727-205-6313Built on the site of a 150-year-old fish camp, on any given day you'll find a full crowd packing this patio enjoying fish tacos, fresh cocktails and a mural of a merman with a glorious Mississippi mud skipper. Whatever you choose to order, don't skimp on the Florida Man sauce.
Photo via Photo via Mullet's Fish Camp/Facebook
King State
520 E Floribraska Ave, Tampa, 813-221-2100Beloved Tampa Heights coffee shop and brewer King State has a new outpost across the bridge, but the original location is where this place made its mark. Since its debut four years ago at the flagship location at 520 E Floribraska Ave., King State owners have been on a roll, launching The Brutalist brewery and Temple of Beer taproom at 1776 11th Ave. N in St. Pete, as well as its annual Lagerfest. In 2019, King State was named among Food & Wine's "Best Coffee Shops in America" in 2019.
Photo via Google Maps
Supernatural Food & Wine
305 E Polk St., Tampa, 813-758-6230Supernatural’s small hole-in-the-wall location offers outdoor and limited indoor seating. Its breakfast menu and cider sour doughnuts are its staple, along with its selection of wine available any time. Chef Alton Brown said the bacon, egg and cheese breakfast sandwich is the best he's had, ever, but don't sleep on meatball Monday either.
Photo via Supernatural Food & Wine/Instagram
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