Fresh-caught seafood and countless craft breweries make the region between Sarasota Bay and Tampa Bay a foodie paradise. Culinary experiences range from the exotic (alligator hush puppies) to the acclaimed (Tampa boasts several Michelin-starred restaurants). You can find world-class fare from around the globe and restaurants that cater to every dietary need — vegan, Halal, kosher, gluten-free and more.
Some of our favorite food-oriented destinations include the Riverwalk’s waterfront eateries; St. Armands Circle, an elegant, coastal shopping and dining hub in Sarasota; and an array of ready-to-eat and take-home food at St. Petersburg’s Saturday Morning Market, the largest in the Southeast.
Head down to the Riverwalk for a huge spread of dining options: okra fries and charbroiled oysters; a café with American classics; an Irish pub; a classic Spanish-Cuban restaurant serving Tampa’s signature Cuban sandwiches; and more. Be sure to check out Armature Works, a converted streetcar warehouse that’s now home to Heights Public Market and a varied selection of restaurants and bars.
Check out this former industrial port of Tampa Bay, where converted shipping containers now house unique restaurants with cool murals. Come for the food — fine bourbon, fried fish, glazed donuts and superfood bowls — and stay for the live music (on the weekends) and views of the water from an inviting, spacious lawn.
Tampa’s historic Ybor City offers an array of bakeries, bistros and restaurants influenced by the Spanish, Italian and Cuban cuisine of its original residents. Enjoy the gorgeous architecture, with cobbled streets, wrought-iron balconies, Spanish tile and cigar factory buildings from the early 1900s. And bring extra cash for the unique boutique shops!
Start your weekend at St. Petersburg Saturday Morning Market, where you can snag fresh produce from local farms and enjoy artisanal food ranging from French crêpes to empanadas. Local artists sell their wares — handmade jewelry, botanical bath products, sea sponges and more. Leave with a full stomach and an arm full of fresh flowers!
This bustling, hip street in downtown St. Petersburg has everything: farm-to-table dishes, mouthwatering vegan fare, Asian street food, pizza, sushi, fresh-caught fish, gourmet popsicles, ice cream and Belgian waffles… Are you hungry yet?
After sunbathing on Lido Beach, take a short walk to St. Armands Circle, an upscale, open-air destination for restaurants, cafés, art galleries and boutique shops. Restaurants serve everything from fresh seafood to island-inspired dishes, woodfired pizza to Spanish cuisine, Irish whiskey to craft cocktails.
Stop by the Sarasota Farmers Market, held downtown every Saturday morning and featuring 70+ vendors. Whether you’re in the mood for a hot empanada or an acai bowl, barbecue or sushi, fresh-squeezed lemonade or orange juice, you’ll find it here, along with farm-fresh produce, baked goods and handcrafted gifts.
Bright seaside bars, grills and fish shacks sprout along most of our beaches. This is where you’ll find the freshest seafood and the best views of the Gulf. Charming ice cream and sweet shops also abound. If you eat on Pass-A-Grille Beach, you might get the chance to ring the “sunset bell” in front of Paradise Grill.
I love Downtown Sarasota and St. Armands Circle for food and drink. You also get beach access!
—Isabelle
I like Armature Works on the Tampa Riverwalk a lot! Plenty of great authentic food and drink choices with a gorgeous view of Tampa Bay.
—Vlady
Try the Tampa version, a length of crackling Cuban bread that’s stuffed with juicy roasted pork, ham, Swiss cheese, dill pickles, mustard and mayonnaise and a slice of salami.
This famous soup is made with hearty ingredients like garbanzo beans, spicy chorizo, smoked ham and potatoes.
Enjoy your slice of this tart, creamy pie with fresh lime and meringue topping.
You’ll find the best seafood at the beach side fish shacks serving specialties like fried grouper sandwiches.
Adventurous eaters can try gator bites, deep-fried until golden brown.
Come in October (one of our most beautiful times of year!) for this seafood festival in Madeira Beach. Not only will you be able to enjoy our freshest catches, live music and local craft vendors, but you can also join the competitive costume contest. After all, what says Halloween more than seafood and beaches?
If you’re 21+, drop by Sarasota’s multi-day culinary festival that pairs local cuisine with international wine. Get really fancy and join a “wine seminar” or taste showcased food from dozens of local restaurants in the courtyard of the Ringling Museum of Art. The event is usually held in January.
The Strawberry Festival in Plant City draws tens of thousands of visitors each year. You can enjoy 80+ rides and attractions and will have plenty of opportunities to eat farm-fresh strawberries — and treats like strawberry shortcake, strawberry jam, strawberries dipped in chocolate… you get the idea. The multi-day event is usually held from late February to early March.
