Maybe its hard to find, out of the way or just looks straight up sketchy, but certain restaurants have a way of slipping under the radar. True foodies know that sometimes you've got to go out of your way to find that diamond in the rough. Here are a few restaurants in the Tampa Bay area that deserve your attention and appetites.
24 under-the-radar restaurants you must try in Tampa Bay
By CL Staff on Wed, Jul 3, 2019 at 10:00 pm
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Ciro’s
2109 Bayshore Blvd., Tampa, 813-251-0022Password please. Ciro’s classy cocktails and decadent delights aren’t available to just anyone off the street. In order to gain access to the historic Bayshore Royal Building locale, you’ve got to call ahead and request the password, not to mention the dress code. The minds behind Ciro’s swanky speakeasy environment request a collared shirt for the fellas and that the ladies “show off their ritzy threads.”
Photo via Ciro’s/Facebook
Japanese Kitchen Dosunco
3310 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, 813-605-5741Sharing a strip mall with a nail bar and an oriental rug shop, Japanese Kitchen Dosunco’s nondescript street view doesn’t do much for curb appeal. Those who happen upon this hole in the wall Japanese joint, ramen lovers in particular, know that appearances can be deceiving.
Photo via Japanese Kitchen Dosunco/Facebook
Lolis Mexican Cravings
8005 Benjamin Rd., Tampa, 813-886-7467Just of the Waters Avenue drag, down Benjamin Road, the chain restaurants and big box stores begin to fade in favor of houses and one hot pink building, Lolis Mexican Cravings. This hidden gem is serving up some of the best Mexican food in town including, sopes, tamales, tortas, quesadillas and tacos made with your choice of 11 proteins like ribeye, fish, lengua and a vegetarian option.
Photo via Google Maps
La V
441 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, (727) 820-3500La V’s muted walls feature red accents, black and white photography and feathered light fixtures that set the restaurants sleek interior apart from its unassuming St. Petersburg storefront. La V owner Thuy Le focuses on fresh ingredients for her herbaceous Vietnamese fusion cuisine.
Photo via Visit W3Schools.com
Brooklyn South
1437 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-914-4967This quaint Central Avenue deli is serving up a menu built around premium quality meats and domestic and imported cheeses. Brooklyn South’s menu focuses on the ingredients, from killer sandwiches to decadent charcuterie boards.
Photo via Google Maps
Columbia Cafe
801 Old Water St., Tampa, 813-228-0097An extension of the historic Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City, Columbia Cafe is serving up the Gonzmart family’s signature Spanish dishes from a picturesque locale within the Tampa Bay History Center. Outdoor patio seating at the Columbia Cafe overlooks the Garrison Channel and features live music on Friday and Saturday nights.
Photo via columbiarestaurant.com
James Joyce Irish Pub & Eatery
1724 E. 8th Ave., Tampa, 813-247-1896Right across the street from Centennial Park, this cozy Ybor City Irish Pub With touts its Irish fare and award winning burger menu for the hungry, while premium whiskey and scotch walls and pints on tap draw the thirsty.
Photo via href="http://www.jamesjoyceybor.com/wp-content/gallery/gallery/4596978_orig.jpg" target="_blank">Photo via jamesjoyceybor.com
Middle Grounds Grill
10925 Gulf Blvd., Treasure Island, 727-360-4253Standing in the shadow of the looming Treasure Sands Condominium is Middle Grounds, a coastal seafood joint so named for a nearly 100 miles area off the coast where commercial fishing will soon give way to oil drilling. In addition to the classics of a classy Florida seafood restaurant, Middle Ground pays homage to the building’s predecessors, Robby's Pancake House, by offering a stack of the fluffy pancakes on their dessert menu.
Photo via middlegroundsgrill.com
Mr. Dunderbak's Biergarten and Brewery
14929 Bruce B Downs Blvd., Tampa, 813977-4104Tucked in among massage parlors, vape shops and a few fast food chains, this Bavarian-inspired brewpub’s strip mall location makes it an unassuming, yet surprisingly tasty spot to grab a sausage, soft pretzel and a craft pint. Mr. Dunderbak’s is known for its extensive list of brews, with 55 beers on draft 400 in the bottle.
Photo via MEAGHAN HABUDA
Piccola Italia Bistro
2140 W. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Tampa, 813-348-4912Painted with giant green, red and white stripes, Piccola Italia Bistro shows that big things often come in small packages. Chef William de Ingeniis runs the joint from the front door to the kitchen in the back, preparing a variety of Italian favorites and specializing in a lineup of 10 pasta dishes with house-made sauces.
Photo via Chip Weiner
Pom Pom's Teahouse & Sandwicheria
2950 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-873-6992St. Petersburg is home to the second branch of this quirky, taste bud-bending sandwich shop, a compact space built out of a repurposed filling station. Pom Pom’s Teahouse & Sandwicheria is the brainchild of Pom Moongauklang, a Thai-American chef who, before setting up shop in Orlando, worked in New York’s Michelin-star restaurant Nobu.
Photo via Chip Weiner
Rick's on the River
2305 N. Willow Ave., Tampa, 813-251-0369Featuring a marina right on the Hillsborough River, this beachy oyster shack is accessible by both car and boat. In addition to oysters, Rick’s is serving up sandwiches, fried baskets, beer and wine. Come out on the weekend to catch some live music.
Photo via ricksontheriver.com
Saigon Deli
3858 W. Waters Ave., Tampa, 813-887-3888Saigon Deli’s shelves upon shelves of spices, noodles and condiments have everything you could ever need to prepare Vietnamese cuisine at draw. But those who know, know that the real draw of this strip mall spot is the cafe that sits off to the side, serving up dishes like pho, stir fry, spring rolls and an oft’ raved about variety of bahn mi.
Photo via Chip Weiner
Smokin' J's BBQ
5145 Gulfport Blvd. S., Gulfport, 727-329-8624One look at Smokin’ J’s and you know exactly what you’re in for - some real Texas BBQ. American and Texan flags jut out toward the street from the corral-like fence that surrounds a few picnic tables and the red and white restaurant. Inside the frills free dining room, owner John Riesebeck is serving up his competition-honed Texas BBQ staples like staples like pulled pork, brisket and baby back ribs.
Photo via Google Maps
Spaddy's Coffee Co.
5206 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, 954-829-2111Tucked into the alley between Faedo Family Bakery and Vintage Post is a small, picnic table laden courtyard and Spaddy’s Coffee truck. This caffeine laden and wifi enabled oasis offers a slice of backyard style relaxation in the heart of Seminole Heights.
Photo via Jenna Rimensnyder
Wat Mongkolratanaram
5306 Palm River Rd., Tampa,, 813-626-8850Have you made your pilgrimage to the temple? Wat Mongkolratanaram, or The Thai Temple as it is commonly known, is one of those across the river and through the woods type spots, rising like red and gold mirage from across the railroad tracks. Every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m, volunteers from the temple prepare mounds of authentic Thai cuisine for the devout foodie and devout bhudist alike.
Photo via USF Global Disaster Management, Humanitarian Relief & Homeland Security/Facebook
WEPA Cocina de Puerto Rico
2149 3rd Ave. S. Unit #6, St. Petersburg, 727-420-7832Wepa set up shop in the up-and-coming Warehouse Arts District of Downtown St. Petersburg early in 2019, serving up traditional Puerto Rican cuisine prepared according to owner Jean Totti’s three generation-old, handwritten family recipes. The cinder block restaurant is painted bright yellow, conveying the same jubilant sentiment as its name, Wepa, which roughly translates to “All right!”
Photo via WEPA Cafe/ Facebook
Chicago Paulie's
1301 N. Howard Ave., Tampa, 813-494-4275Hooked to the side of Perfect gas station on Howard Avenue, Chicago Paulie’s brick front food window is serving up its Windy City dogs and sandwiches with all the fixings. From the Chicago Dog, served one a poppy seed bun topped with mustard, relish, onion, pickle, tomato, sport peppers and celery salt, to the Italian Beef on a french roll, topped with spicy giardinara or grilled peppers and onions.
Photo via Chicago Paulie’s/ Facebook
Trophy Fish
2060 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-258-7883This small “bait shop chic” seafood joint prides itself on keeping things casual and keeping things fresh. Located in the St. Pete Grand Central District, Trophy Fish’s menu availability is dependent on the catch of the day; what the fishermen pull in during the day is what you get to choose from that night. For this reason, Trophy Fish’s menu is also first-come-first-serve. They serve what was caught until the catch is gone, so you know it’s fresh.
Photo via Scott Harrell
Old Key West Bar & Grill
2451 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-623-0969Covered in wall-to-wall kitschy Florida memorabilia, Old Key West Bar & Grill lives up to the reputation of our South Florida cousins, just quite a bit further inland. This slice of the beach is plopped down right in the middle of St. Petersburg, serving up easy-going favorites ranging from burgers and hot dogs to fried green tomatoes and taco salad. Weekends mean brunch specials at Old Key West, with a bottomless bloody mary bar from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. and a bottomless mimosa bar from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Photo via Old Key West Bar & Grill/Facebook
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