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35 Tampa Bay restaurants to take an-out-of-towner, and what to get

By Brandalynn Nuñez Cepeda and Sofía García Vargas

It's spring break, and with a house full of guests, feeding everyone can be tough. However, Tampa Bay has something for everyone. So, whether you're just visiting , or you've been here for generations, here are a few local staples you should get to know.

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Al’s Finger Lickin’ Good BBQ

What to get: Doesn’t matter, as long as it’s a collard green day
1609 Angel Oliva Senior St, Ybor City, 813-956-0675
From concession stand to sit-in staple, the people of Ybor hold nothing but high praise for the Tennessee-style BBQ joint. From ribs, and pulled pork, you really can't go wrong here, but a safe bet is always the daily specials.
Photo via Google Maps

SuperNatural Food & Wine

What to get: Breakfast sandwich and sour doughnuts
305 E Polk St., Tampa, 813-758-6230
Offered from 7:30 a.m.-2:29 p.m., SuperNatural's breakfast menu and doughnuts are its staple, along with its selection of mighty wine available any time. The breakfast sandwich, which celebrity chef Alton Brown recently called the "best I’ve ever had," is made with fresh focaccia bread roll and egg with the option to add cheese and bacon (BEC is where it's at). The doughnuts are made with cinnamon sugar, organic flours and single-origin spices, but most importantly, it’s all vegan!
Photo via SuperNatural Food & Wine/Instagram

The Baithouse

What to get: Drunken Shrimp
45 Causeway Blvd, Clearwater, 727-446-8134
Enjoy the ocean air while peeling back drunken shrimp––tender shrimp sauteed in a creamy bourbon creole reduction served with toasted ciabatta bread. The Baithouse also offers other specialties like catch of the day, tavern fare and a wide selection of beer and drinks. If you want some hands-on action, the restaurant offers the space and materials to catch your own fish in the Mandalay Channel.
Photo via The Baithouse/Facebook

Big Ray’s Fish Camp

What to get: The grouper sandwich
Multiple locations
While striding down the Riverwalk (or driving through south South Tampa) make a stop for hearty grouper sandwiches and a side of garlic parm fries at this Bay area gem.
Photo via Big Ray’s Fish Camp/Facebook

Dunedin Brewery

What to get: Wings
937 Douglas Ave, Dunedin, 727-736-0606
As one of Tampa Bay’s many breweries, Dunedin Brewery is the oldest microbrewery in Florida and hand-crafts their brews in 14 barrels at a time, but also offers others recognized beers everyone can enjoy, especially its wings, served with two out of nine in-house crafted dipping sauces. If you're there late, try and catch a concert, too.
Photo via Dunedin Brewery/Facebook

La Segunda Bakery

What to get: Cuban and a guava pastry
Multiple locations
Sorry but guava pastelitos like abuela used to make and a cafe con leche to warm the soul is a necessity if you're going to show anyone around Tampa. The mothership is in Ybor, but you'll do fine at the Kennedy Boulevard and recently-opened St. Petersburg spot, too.
Photo via La Segunda Bakery/Instagram