Food News | Creative Loafing Tampa Bay

Margarita Wars is coming – Get your tickets here!

After code complaints temporarily closed doors, Nana’s fights for survival in Ybor City

Owner Anisa Mejia has been hosting plant-based pop-ups in the meantime.

By Kyla Fields and Suzanne Townsend

May 1, 2024

Last summer, the team at Nana’s Restaurant & Juice Bar was all smiles celebrating the plant-based concept’s first birthday. Seven months later, the once-bustling little green building on Ybor City’s Fourth Avenue is temporarily shuttered and no longer slinging popular Caribbean-inspired fare...

Nana's owner Anisa Mejia poses outside of her restaurant and smoothie spot at 1601 E 4th Ave.

Five Tampa restaurants earn Michelin stars in 2024 guide

Ebbe and Kōsen joined Koya, Lilac, and Rocca.

By Kyla Fields
Apr 18, 2024
South Tampa’s Streetlight Taco earns Bib Gourmand in 2024 Michelin Guide

Tampa hosts the Florida Michelin Guide ceremony on April 18.

By Ray Roa
Apr 11, 2024
Florida can’t enforce pronoun law against Tampa-area teacher, federal judge rules

The challenge alleged the law violates the teachers’ First Amendment rights and runs afoul of a federal civil-rights law.

By Dara Kam and News Service of Florida
Apr 10, 2024
While Tampa hosts its first Michelin star ceremony this month, the local food scene wonders: what's next?

Tampa, Miami, and Orlando were just the jumping off point.

By Kyla Fields
Apr 9, 2024
Cigar City Brewing parent company reportedly lays off at least 12 Tampa employees

The Tampa facility will transition into ‘an R&D hub for beer, flavored malt beverages (FMB) and spirits.’

By Ray Roa
Mar 15, 2024
‘Southern Living’ names Columbia Restaurant’s Cuban sandwich best in Florida

The restaurant was one of two Bay area concepts on the 'Best of the South' rankings.

By Ray Roa
Mar 15, 2024
Tampa's Big John's Alabama BBQ named best barbecue in Florida by 'Southern Living'

The 56 year-old restaurant is known for its open pit-style barbequing techniques.

By Kyla Fields
Mar 15, 2024
Barstool’s Dave Portnoy was in Tampa Bay doing ‘One Bite Pizza Reviews’

He went to more than a dozen local shops.

By Ray Roa and Kyla Fields
Mar 8, 2024
Khris Johnson talks James Beard nod, Green Bench's future and more ahead of Tampa Bay Beer Week

Webb’s City Cellars is the first Bay area brewery to be named a James Beard Awards semifinalist.

By Kyla Fields
Feb 28, 2024
Feeding Tampa Bay is taking applications for the next class of ‘Epic Chef’ competitors

The winner gets a $5,000 prize and more.

By Ray Roa
Feb 22, 2024
Supernatural, The Pearl and Ebbe among six new Tampa restaurants added to Michelin Guide

Predalina, Streetlight Taco, and Kosen made the cut, too.

By Ray Roa
Feb 14, 2024
Bassano Cheesecake will leave Safety Harbor space next year, hopes to find nearby location for new cafe

Its owners say they cannot renew their current lease due to a sharp rent increase.

By Kyla Fields
Feb 9, 2024
Tampa's King State files for bankruptcy reorganization as it deals with surrounding construction

The cafe will continue to operate as normal.

By Ray Roa
Feb 7, 2024
Here's how to make the JW Marriott's take on Tampa's famous deviled crab

The recipe comes from Visit Tampa Bay's new book, 'Tampa’s Table: A Culinary Evolution.'

By Suzanne Townsend
Jan 29, 2024
Tampa Bay brewery among 2024 James Beard award semifinalists

Many restaurants in Orlando and Miami made the cut though.

By Kyla Fields
Jan 24, 2024
Three Tampa Bay restaurants listed among Yelp's 2024 'Top 100 Places to Eat' in the U.S.

Florida had 13 restaurants make the Top 100. Only California had more restaurants included on the list, with 18.

By Colin Wolf
Jan 23, 2024
Tampa gets another hot chicken joint, Mahaffey Theater's new restaurant opens, and more local food news

Plus, more grand openings and food festivals happening this weekend.

By Kyla Fields
Dec 1, 2023
Downtown St. Petersburg’s ‘First Friday’ block party is canceled indefinitely

With more business sponsorships, the event may continue to happen.

By Kyla Fields
Nov 28, 2023
‘Feels like home’: Actor Tyler Lepley on his new Seminole Heights restaurant and what brought him to Tampa

“People are moving to Florida and I think celebrities are no different."

By Kyla Fields
Nov 28, 2023
Two Tampa eateries make OpenTable’s annual ‘Top 100 Restaurants’ list

Both high-end concepts were recently recognized by the Michelin guide, too.

By Kyla Fields
Nov 20, 2023

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Food & Drink Slideshows

The 25 most popular Tampa Bay restaurants right now, according to Yelp

Everybody's got an opinion about Tampa Bay restaurants. As of late, our local eateries have been getting some serious shine. In April,…

By CL Staff

May 2, 2024

13. Hellas Restaurant & Bakery
785 Dodecanese Blvd, Tarpon Springs
"One of my ultimate fav spots in Tarpon Springs Florida! The cocktails are so tasty and perfect, I always get the white sangria! The authentic taste of Greece with their chicken souvlaki and Greek salad. The chicken souvlaki is perfectly seasoned and grilled to perfection, while the Greek salad bursts with freshness and flavor from crisp vegetables and tangy feta cheese. Overall, a delightful culinary experience that transports you to the Mediterranean with every bite." - Christina B.
Photo via Hellas Restaurant & Bakery/Website

20 under-the-radar Tampa Bay taco spots everyone needs to try

Tampa Bay's taco scene recently got some major praise, when Michelin gave local newbie Streetlight Taco a coveted Bib Gourmand distinction. And…

By CL Staff

Apr 26, 2024

Ranchero Tacos
4901 N Florida Ave., Tampa
This joint was CL's Best of the Bay's 2021 "Best Seminole Heights Restaurant," and for good reason – tortillas are fresh and pressed to order and carnitas are juicy and crispy. Also, don’t sleep on the weekend-only tamales.
Photo via Ranchero Tacos/website

The 20 hottest new Tampa Bay restaurants and bars to open so far in 2024

When it comes to new local eats, there's a lot to be excited about in 2024, and so far this year is…

By CL Staff

Apr 19, 2024

Dunedin Mix
990 Broadway, Dunedin
Mixed-use food hall and retail space Dunedin Mix opened its doors in February, with a number of concepts calling it home including Polynesian eatery Huli Bowl and Rotisserie, Italian spot Al Dente and a globally-inspired tapas restaurant called Spoons. The centerpiece of the food hall's shared dining room is certainly its rotating bar called Circle 1852. The 360-degree circular bar is decorated like a traditional carousel and slowly rotates around while patrons sip on craft cocktails, beer and wine.
Photo via DunedinMix/Facebook

Tampa Bay Taco Week 2024: Here are some of the exclusive specials happening at the best Bay area restaurants

Tampa Bay Taco Week is here. For 10 delicious days—April 18-28—close to two dozen Bay area restaurants are offering exclusive specials. Have…

By Leigh Wilson

Apr 16, 2024

Red Mesa Restaurant
4912 4th St. N, St. Petersburg

Street Tacos: Chicken, Brisket or Sirloin. Chile guajillo, encurtido, pickled red onion, cilantro, corn tortillas. $16

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