The Tampa Bay destinations you need to visit to call yourself a local

El Cap

The burger is legendary, but there’s a lot more to love about this no-frills St. Pete institution. Grilled cheese with pickles? Corn dog nuggets? Get after it.
3500 4th St. N., St. Petersburg. 727-521-1314
Photo via Ray Roa

La Segunda

Bread. Bread. Bread. Bread. Bread. Bread. Bread. Bread. Bread. Bread. Bread. Bread. Bread. Bread. Bread. Bread. Bread. Bread. Bread. Bread. Bread. Bread. Bread. Bread. Bread. Bread. Bread. Bread. Bread. Bread. Bread. Bread. Bread. Bread. Bread. Bread. Bread. Bread. Bread. Bread. Bread. Bread. You’re not really gluten intolerant.
2512 N. 15th St., Ybor City. 813-248-1531
Photo via Shanna Gillette/City of Tampa

Mel’s Hot Dogs

You’ve seen the bumper stickers — “You may already be a wiener!” — but have you actually been up to Temple Terrace to have a dog? If not, you’re missing out. This Tampa institution isn’t like St. Pete’s also-iconic but more classic Coney Island Sandwich Shop; these are big freakin’ dogs in all manner of styles and toppings (Reuben dog, anyone?), served up in a fun, homey atmosphere with history on the walls.
4136 E. Busch Blvd., Tampa. 813-985-8000
Photo via Shanna Gillette

Bananas Records Vinyl Warehouse

Your music-fan cred is nothing if you haven’t been to the Bananas warehouse in St. Pete. Rumor has it a guy went in there 20 years ago and never came out, and we can believe it. Browse untold thousands of titles until your eyeballs melt out of their sockets, and you still won’t have covered half of what’s available. This is Valhalla for vinyl nerds, people.
2226 16th Ave. N., St. Petersburg. 727-327-4616
Photo via Jordan Hicks

Apollo Beach Manatee Viewing Center

OK, this one’s not really a summer thing, but you definitely need to get over to the east side of the bay at some point and see the ugliest cute marine mammals the state has to show you. Seriously, they’re freaking huge, and this is the next best thing to taking a 2-hour drive and renting a kayak just to get up close and personal.
6990 Dickman Rd., Apollo Beach. 813-228-4289
Photo via Manatee Viewing Center /Facebook

The Hub

Remember when they rolled up the sidewalks in downtown Tampa at, like, 9 p.m.? It’s become a thriving urban (ahem) hub, and The Hub has seen it all. Strong drinks, weird folks, cash only. Stop by for a cocktail before you see Jaws at the Tampa Theatre.
719 N. Franklin St., Tampa. 813-229-1553
Photo via Ray Roa

Wat Mongkolratanaram

OK, so, you’ve never been to the temple’s market? You are not Tampa. There’s really no way to describe this little bit of eastern chill nestled on the east side of Tampa (fitting!) — it’s like a trip to another world, but right around the corner. See for yourself, and you’ll want to go back again and again.
5306 Palm River Rd., Tampa. 813-621-1669
Photo via Ray Roa

Sanwa Farmer’s Market

All of our favorite backyard grillers (Hi Anson!) get their shit at Sanwa — and, no names, but a lot of local restaurants do too. Tired of getting food from Publix that sits in the fridge and then goes bad before you can cook it? You’re welcome.
2621 E. Hillsborough Ave., Tampa. 813-234-8428
Photo via Sanwa Farmer’s Market/Facebook

Fray’s Donut House

Do we even need to discuss this? Fray’s is a mom-and-pop concern that’s been doling out the doughnuts for more than a decade, and they dole ‘em out for free for public servants. This is where you should be dunkin’.
649 34th St. N., St. Petersburg. 727-235-0222
Photo via FraysDonuts/FB

Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks

Yep, here’s another one that sounds on its face like a tourist thing, but that you totally have to check off your list if you really want to call yourself a local. It’s just a good way to spend a sunny day, and there’s always something going on, be it an art show or food fest or whatever.
735 Dodecanese Blvd., Tarpon Springs. 727-938-4404
Photo via

Gram’s Place Hostel

Named after influential, doomed country-rock songwriter Gram Parsons, this bed and breakfast is on the bucket lists of music fans worldwide — which means you as a local are duty-bound to experience at least one show there. There’s live music most weekends, and if you’re lucky you can even borrow a bike to explore the neighborhood.
3109 N. Ola Ave., Tampa. 813-221-0596
Photo via Google Maps

Cafe Hey

Located in downtown Tampa in the shadow of I-275, Cafe Hey was vegan- and mural-friendly before that shit was cool. It’s also been very artist-friendly, too, hosting DIY shows, open mics and the like. Grab a VLT and suck up the free wifi to feel like a youthful local creative.
1540 N. Franklin St., Tampa. 813-221-5150
Photo via Cafe Hey/Facebook

Gulfport’s Beach Drive

There might not be a more “Florida” place in Pinellas County. Restaurants, shops, dogs — so many dogs! — and the sort of laid-back atmosphere that used to define vacationland. There might be something going on at the historic Gulfport Casino where the street dead-ends at the water, but even if there’s not, there’s plenty to see and do.
5532-5558 Shore Blvd S, Gulfport
Photo via Jenna Rimensnyder

The Brass Mug

If you’ve ever played in an original band in Tampa, you don’t even need to be reading this — you’ve been there, and likely more than once. It’s changed locations over the years, but The Brass Mug is still the death metal capital of the world. Touring bands and rookie local acts alike take to the stage here, and the beer is always flowing.
1540 Skipper Rd., Tampa. 813-972-8152
Photo via Photo via dave_brownsound/Instagram

Beer Shed

This might be the newest “Tampa institution” on this list, but it’s a welcome addition to the roster of places you absolutely need to visit in order to call yourself a Tampaeño. Cold beer and live music on the Alafia — what could be more Tampa? Get away from the crowds if you really want to call yourself a local, and feel the workday sliding off your back while you kick back with a cold one.
11222 Casa Loma Dr., Riverview. 813-671-1885
Photo via The Beer Shed/Facebook

Dunedin Brewery

The oldest microbrewery in the state is right here in Pinellas County. “Yeah,” you say, “but there are like 50 breweries within walking distance of my hip apartment,” but do they have an absolutely kick-ass slate of live music, along with killer grub? Home to the annual Ramones tribute show and uncounted killer jam-band bills, the Dunedin Brewery is not just the average craft brewery — it’s a bucket-list destination.
937 Douglas Ave., Dunedin. 727-736-0606
Photo via Scott Harrell

Haslam’s Bookstore

It’s huge, and haunted. You can spend an entire day browsing the insane selection of books here, from fiction to nonfiction to local authors to used paperbacks to history to, jeez, they’ve just got everything, OK? Get in there and get reading.
2025 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. 727-822-8616
Photo via Haslam’s/Facebook

The Undertow

We’re gonna be honest here — The Undertow can be pretty bro-y at times, and parking is a total bitch if the lot is full. The beach view is worth it, though, and the drinks are still astonishingly cheap for a place on the water. Get the full-on Florida experience — too many of us don’t spend any time doing the things that people spend a crazy amount of money to come enjoy.
3850 Gulf Blvd., St. Petersburg. 727-368-9000
Photo via Undertow/Facebook

Lassing Park

Down in Old Southeast, Lassing is hands-down the best place in Tampa Bay to catch the fireworks on Fourth of July. It’s where a great neighborhood meets the bay and is also perfect for playing hooky from work to go fishing, read a book or just soak up some rays. You can walk to Old Southeast Market for some poke or a sixer of craft beer, or hoof it over to the aforementioned Chattaway for a burger, too.
2042 Beach Dr. SE, St. Petersburg. 727-893-7441
Photo via CityOfStPete/Flickr