These Tampa Bay restaurants range from cocktail bars serving elevated small plates to decadent pastries and floats, and they all have one thing in common – they're owned by women. In a male-dominated industry, these Tampa Bay women are showing what they can do in the culinary world, and they're doing the damn thing.
20 woman-owned Tampa Bay restaurants you should've tried by now
By CL Staff on Fri, Mar 8, 2019 at 7:06 pm
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Ella’s Folk Art Cafe
Melissa Deming5119 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa
Seminole Heights hotspot, make sure to download the OpenTable app to avoid a wait.
Photo via Ella’s Folk Art Cafe/Facebook
Golden Dinosaurs Vegan Deli
Audrey Dingeman2930 Beach Blvd S, Gulfport, 727-873-6901
Audrey Dingeman and husband Brian, launched the vegan deli in August 2018, offering plant-based specialties like their Tempeh Reuben with St. Pete Ferments’ kraut, cheese, thousand island dressing on pumpernickel.
Photo via Golden Dinosaurs Vegan Deli/Facebook
Bake’n Babes
Julie Curry1701 N. Franklin St., Tampa, 813-405-4008
Housed within Hall on Franklin, this bakery serves up speciality pastries, cakes and pies. Owner, Julie Curry, dreams up decadent combinations like her Sleazy Brownie made up of layers of cookie dough, Oreo and brownie batter.
Photo via Bake’n Babes/Facebook
Cassis
Lisa Wannemacher170 Beach Dr NE, St. Petersburg, 727827-2927
American classics with a French twist, this Beach Drive hotspot is prime for brunch. Make sure to swing by their bakery nextdoor as well for an after dinner espresso and pastry.
Photo via Cassis/Facebook
Foundation Coffee
1607 N. Franklin St., Tampa, 813-358-5781 Emily SmithEmily, alongside husband, Jason, have two locations of the specialty coffee house - Tampa and Riverview.
Photo via Foundation Coffee/Facebook
Oxford Exchange
Allison Casper420 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, 813-253-0222
Allison Casper Adams dreamt up the picturesque establishment with brother, Blake Casper. The two recently opened The Library, in St. Pete with James Beard semi-finalist, Rachel Bennett as the Executive Chef. Oxford Exchange is not just a restaurant, it is also home to a Buddy Brew, bookstore and a shop with decor and gifts.
Photo via Oxford Exchange/Facebook
Reading Room
Lauren Macellaro6001 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg, 727-343-0052
The chef-owner, alongside restaurateur, Richard Gonzmart, have created a gorgeous space and elevated menu to fulfill their philosophy of that uniting the community with a culture to develop a food culture.
Photo via Meaghan Habuda
Datz
Suzanne Perry2616 S MacDill Ave, Tampa, 813-813-7000
Suzanne, alongside husband, Roger, have had their hands in creating decadent restaurants across Tampa Bay - including, Datz, Dough, Roux, Datz 2(coming soon) and Dr.BBQ. Datz is a Tampa hotspot serving up food porn worthy comfort food and craft brews.
Photo via Datz/Facebook
Hotel Bar
Leslie Shirah200 N. Tampa St., Tampa, 813-533-2650
Shirah is a Tampa restaurateur that also owns Fly Bar & Restaurant which is currently looking for a new location. The Hotel Bar hosts happy hour Monday through Friday from 4 - 6 p.m. for half-priced all bites and drink specials.
Photo via Hotel Bar/Instagram
Mermaid Tavern
Becky Flanders6719 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa, 813-238-5618
Flanders and co-owner, Lux DeVoid, have an extensive craft brew list and elevated bar eats.
Photo via Mermaid Tavern/Facebook
CW Gin Joint
Carolyn Wilson633 N. Franklin St., Tampa, 813-816-1446
The intimate jazz joint offers gin-based cocktails as well as other spirits, and small plates including cheese boards and sandwiches.
Photo via CW Gin Joint/Facebook
Mise En Place
Maryann Ferenc442 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, 813-254-5373
Adventurous diners with an elevated palate, check this place out. Offerings include, sous vide lobster, veal scallopini and tandoori tofu.
Photo via Mise En Place/Facebook
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