The city’s vibrant culinary scene is one of the best parts of Tampa. From local fresh seafood to the ethnic cuisines of Tampa’s historic immigrant communities, The following dishes are the must try local specialities most associated with Tampa; the Cuban Sandwich, Spanish Bean Soup, Deviled Crab, Guava and Grouper. Here are some places to sample Tampa’s great food and its large entertainment venues:
1. Restaurant Colombia
2. Bern’s Steak House
3. Armature Work
4. Sparkman Wharf
5. Hard Rock Casino Seminole
6. Straz Center for Performing Arts
Restaurant Columbia
This is a must do experience in Tampa. Restaurant Columbia is both the oldest restaurant in Florida and largest Spanish restaurant in the U.S. It was founded in 1905 and is still family owned which shows in. the care they take in preserving both the place and experience. Restaurant Columbia serves award-winning Spanish/Cuban cuisine in a beautiful hacienda style mansion with hand-painted tiles and a Spanish fountains. The service is impeccable and they boast a huge wine selection.
Bern's Steak House
Bern’s Steak House is the best steak house in Tampa and I would put it against the best steak houses in New York City.
This award-winning restaurant is more than 60 years and besides the great food, it is the ambiance which creates a great experience. It likes stepping into back to an era of old school luxury; plush velvet, antique paintings, gold-painted and smaller rooms separate rooms instead of one large dining room make the restaurant a unique experience.
Surprisingly the steaks here are not as expensive as most top steak houses; 10 oz Filet Mignon $62, 10oz Dry Aged Strip $53, 14 oz Dry Aged Delmonico $68.
And what makes this a better value is that the sides (which can run up the bill in most steak houses) are include so each steak comes with five sides; a house salad, french onion soup, a baked potato, onion rings and a vegetable.
Also for a nicer dining experience the desert is served upstairs in smaller more intimate rooms with a piano player.
Armature Works
Armature Works is a great food court in a historic industrial building with a number of innovative eateries and a cocktail bar with craft beers. Its right off the Tampa River walk on the Hillsborough River so the lawn in front is a nice place to relax with good views.
Sparkman Wharf
Sparkman Wharf is one of the best places for dining and outdoor recreation. It has a a number of restaurants, bars and food carts. It also has an event lawn to relax at with a large screen TV and stage which hosts live music from time to time.
Hard Rock Casino Seminole
This luxury hotel features one of the largest casinos in the United States with world-class entertainment and award-winning restaurants.
It, of course has a Hard Rock Cafe, which has live free music most nights and reasonably priced good comfort food.
Straz Center
The Straz Center is one of the largest performing arts complexes in the country, boasts one of the nation’s leading Broadway series and is nationally respected for producing grand opera, as well as presenting a wide variety of concerts, performances and events.
For information see: Straz Center
Sports Venues
For sports enthusiast the city hosts professional sports teams like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (American Football), Tampa Bay Lightning (Hockey), and Tampa Bay Rays (Baseball).
Conclusion
Tampa is deservedly becoming known a major culinary location with a variety of styles to offer. There are also a number of venues from art to sports to casinos to enjoy with world class entertainment.
And if nightlife is your thing see this guide to Ybor nightlife: Ybor Nightlife.
I hope this guide better helps you enjoy and find what you are looking for! Cheers.
Feel free to let me know if you have any questions or comments
