Tampa Bay's best restaurants, food and drink of 2023, according to our readers

There's a lot to love about Tampa Bay's dining scene, but not everything can be "the best."

After weeks of polling and nearly a million votes, Creative Loafing readers let us know what they love most about Tampa Bay eats, and now, the results are finally in.

What follows are the best Tampa Bay restaurants, bars, chefs, bartenders, and more of 2023, according to you and your neighbors.
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Best Acai Bowl	
SOHO Juice Co.
Finalists:	Grain and Berry, Raining Berries
Photo via SOHO Juice Co.

Best Acai Bowl

SOHO Juice Co.
Finalists: Grain and Berry, Raining Berries
Best All-Around Restaurant
Red Mesa Restaurant
Finalists: Olivia, Rocca
Photo via Red Mesa

Best All-Around Restaurant

Red Mesa Restaurant
Finalists: Olivia, Rocca
Best Asian Restaurant
Yummy House China Bistro
Finalists: Hawkers Asian Street Food, Lemon Grass Thai Kitchen
Photo via Yummy House China Bistro

Best Asian Restaurant

Yummy House China Bistro
Finalists: Hawkers Asian Street Food, Lemon Grass Thai Kitchen
Best Bagels
St. Pete Bagel Co.
Finalists: Pete’s Bagels and General Store, Clearwater Bagels
Photo via St. Pete Bagel Co.

Best Bagels

St. Pete Bagel Co.
Finalists: Pete’s Bagels and General Store, Clearwater Bagels
Best Bakery (Bread)
Mazzaro's Italian Market
Finalists: La Segunda Bakery, Alessi Bakery
Photo via Mazzaro's Italian Market/Yelp

Best Bakery (Bread)

Mazzaro's Italian Market
Finalists: La Segunda Bakery, Alessi Bakery
Best Bakery (Pastries)
Mazzaro's Italian Market
Finalists: Alessi Bakery, Valhalla Bakery
Photo via Mazzaro's Italian Market

Best Bakery (Pastries)

Mazzaro's Italian Market
Finalists: Alessi Bakery, Valhalla Bakery
Best Banh Mi
La V - Vietnamese Fusion
Finalists: Saigon Deli, Bamboozle
Photo via La V - Vietnamese Fusion

Best Banh Mi

La V - Vietnamese Fusion
Finalists: Saigon Deli, Bamboozle
Best Bar
The Saint
Finalists: Cocktail St Pete, Sonder Social Club
Photo via The Saint

Best Bar

The Saint
Finalists: Cocktail St Pete, Sonder Social Club
Best Barbecue Restaurant
The Dunedin Smokehouse
Finalists: Mighty Quinn’s BBQ, Big John's Alabama BBQ
Photo via The Dunedin Smokehouse

Best Barbecue Restaurant

The Dunedin Smokehouse
Finalists: Mighty Quinn’s BBQ, Big John's Alabama BBQ
Best Bar Crawl	
Dunedin Brewer's Crawl
Finalists: Jolly Trolley Brewery Tour, Christy's Thirsty Beer Rides
Photo via Adobe

Best Bar Crawl

Dunedin Brewer's Crawl
Finalists: Jolly Trolley Brewery Tour, Christy's Thirsty Beer Rides
Best Bargain Restaurant
Trip's Diner
Finalists: La Teresita Restaurant, The Joint
Photo via Trip's Diner

Best Bargain Restaurant

Trip's Diner
Finalists: La Teresita Restaurant, The Joint
Best Barista
Luis Espel (Willa's)
Finalists: Katie Senkovich (Kahwa), Dominic Howarth (Mazarro's)
Photo via Willa's

Best Barista

Luis Espel (Willa's)
Finalists: Katie Senkovich (Kahwa), Dominic Howarth (Mazarro's)
Best Bartender
Jacqui Bouthot
Finalists: Steve Brown, Kayli Redburn
Photo via Adobe

Best Bartender

Jacqui Bouthot
Finalists: Steve Brown, Kayli Redburn
Best Beach Bar
Caddy's Treasure Island
Finalists: Frenchy's Rockaway Grill, Salt Shack On The Bay
Photo via Caddy’s Treasure Island

Best Beach Bar

Caddy's Treasure Island
Finalists: Frenchy's Rockaway Grill, Salt Shack On The Bay
Best Beach Restaurant
Frenchy’s
Finalists: Salt Rock Grill, Salt Shack on the Bay
Photo via Frenchy’s

Best Beach Restaurant

Frenchy’s
Finalists: Salt Rock Grill, Salt Shack on the Bay
Best Beer Selection
3 Daughters Brewing
Finalists: World of Beer (WOB Bar & Kitchen), Florida Avenue Brewing Co.
Photo via City of St. Petersburg

Best Beer Selection

3 Daughters Brewing
Finalists: World of Beer (WOB Bar & Kitchen), Florida Avenue Brewing Co.
Best Bottle Shoppe
Jug & Bottle Dept.
Finalists: CellarMasters Wine Bar and Bottle Shop, Hawthorne Bottle Shoppe
Photo via Jug & Bottle Dept.

Best Bottle Shoppe

Jug & Bottle Dept.
Finalists: CellarMasters Wine Bar and Bottle Shop, Hawthorne Bottle Shoppe
Best Brandon Restaurant
The Stein & Vine
Finalists: 	Vine Vegan, Bootleggers Brewing Co
Photo by Chris Fasick

Best Brandon Restaurant

The Stein & Vine
Finalists: Vine Vegan, Bootleggers Brewing Co
Best Breakfast
Bacon Street Diner
Finalists: The Corner Skillet, Cafe & Grill
Photo via Bacon Street Diner

Best Breakfast

Bacon Street Diner
Finalists: The Corner Skillet, Cafe & Grill
Best Breakfast Sandwich
Bacon Street Diner
Finalists: Ubuntu Food Truck, Pete's Bagels and General Store
Photo via Bacon Street Diner

Best Breakfast Sandwich

Bacon Street Diner
Finalists: Ubuntu Food Truck, Pete's Bagels and General Store
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