Lee's Guidebook to Tampa Bay
Food scene
Korean fried chicken spot with soju, beer, wine, and full bar options with karaoke and Korean films.
15 locals recommend
Gangchu Chicken & Beer
6618 North Nebraska AvenueKorean fried chicken spot with soju, beer, wine, and full bar options with karaoke and Korean films.
Tasty, unpretentious southern diner cuisine with quick turnover, always poppin, outdoor seating available!
53 locals recommend
Three Coins Diner
7410 N Nebraska AveTasty, unpretentious southern diner cuisine with quick turnover, always poppin, outdoor seating available!
Nice quality diner bites with fast paced turnover and outdoor seating! A little bit nicer quality than Three Clins Diner, but same vibe!
95 locals recommend
Trip's Diner
6416 N Florida AveNice quality diner bites with fast paced turnover and outdoor seating! A little bit nicer quality than Three Clins Diner, but same vibe!
Independent Bar and Cafe
5016 N Florida AveThis is more for adults, but welcomes families. It used to be my favorite dive old town bar with claw machines and pool tables inside but it was recently sold and renovated and now includes a beer/wine list, TVs, outdoor backyard, and stage for live performers! Doesn’t hurt that it’s literally right on the corner of our house!
7 locals recommend
Corner Club Tampa
1502 East Sligh AvenueThis is more for adults, but welcomes families. It used to be my favorite dive old town bar with claw machines and pool tables inside but it was recently sold and renovated and now includes a beer/wine list, TVs, outdoor backyard, and stage for live performers! Doesn’t hurt that it’s literally right on the corner of our house!
This is a locals favorite, historical mom and pop Cuban spot with very tasty yet inexpensive plates!
14 locals recommend
Arco Iris Cafe
4001 N Habana AveThis is a locals favorite, historical mom and pop Cuban spot with very tasty yet inexpensive plates!
Legit Cuban spot, inexpensive, tasty, unpretentious, diner Cuban food! To go available, no outdoor seating.
77 locals recommend
La Teresita Restaurant
3248 W Columbus DrLegit Cuban spot, inexpensive, tasty, unpretentious, diner Cuban food! To go available, no outdoor seating.
This is a fancy historical spot on the Ybor strip of 7th Avenue that is less casual than the mom and pop places that serve also tasty Cuban food. But if you want an experience, the restaurant is beautifully built in the historic Ybor district and the food is good for the price. This is more ideal if your family wants to slightly dress up and go out for a family sit down dinner! They also have a restaurant at the Delta gate at TPA, so if you spot them , I always recommend a deviled crab, Cuban sandwich, and a cafe con Lethe before any flight outta town!
365 locals recommend
Columbia Restaurant
2117 E 7th AveThis is a fancy historical spot on the Ybor strip of 7th Avenue that is less casual than the mom and pop places that serve also tasty Cuban food. But if you want an experience, the restaurant is beautifully built in the historic Ybor district and the food is good for the price. This is more ideal if your family wants to slightly dress up and go out for a family sit down dinner! They also have a restaurant at the Delta gate at TPA, so if you spot them , I always recommend a deviled crab, Cuban sandwich, and a cafe con Lethe before any flight outta town!
Nebraska Mini Mart
4815 N Nebraska AveAmazing taco truck that i frequent as often as possible. Amazing food and staff, highly recommend for quick cheap, quick, and the tastiest.
6 locals recommend
Ranchero Tacos
4901 North Florida AvenueAmazing taco truck that i frequent as often as possible. Amazing food and staff, highly recommend for quick cheap, quick, and the tastiest.
Tacos Las Californias LLc
7007 North Armenia AvenueThis food truck has got great birria tacos!
For a nice dinner out if you don’t mind spending on a good meal.
144 locals recommend
Rooster & the Till
6500 N Florida AveFor a nice dinner out if you don’t mind spending on a good meal.
Bar with huge outdoor seating options, love music/dj events, very friendly staff, good prices, nice location.
27 locals recommend
New World Brewery
810 E Skagway AveBar with huge outdoor seating options, love music/dj events, very friendly staff, good prices, nice location.
Where to buy booze and see some local characters! This store was featured in the 2021 film Zola!
8 locals recommend
Alpine Liquors
7501 N Nebraska AveWhere to buy booze and see some local characters! This store was featured in the 2021 film Zola!
Sells vegan food and craft beer/wine selections. Friendly and helpful staff.
43 locals recommend
Jug & Bottle Dept.
6203 N Florida AveSells vegan food and craft beer/wine selections. Friendly and helpful staff.
La Segunda Ybor
2512 N 15th StIf you want Cuban pastries, bread, etc. this is a local’s go-to.
If you go to St Pete, which I recommend, on your way back from the beach, stop here and order an Alice in Pain burger!
81 locals recommend
Engine No. 9
56 Dr M.L.K. Jr St NIf you go to St Pete, which I recommend, on your way back from the beach, stop here and order an Alice in Pain burger!
My favorite Korean food in the area, so far. Also available for delivery via DoorDash.
K-chicken & Grill Korean BBQ
14380 North Dale Mabry HighwayMy favorite Korean food in the area, so far. Also available for delivery via DoorDash.
Soul of Korea
7612 N 56th StGreat Korean food in Temple Terrace. Available for delivery via Doordash.
Ulele Restaurant and Brewery serves native-inspired food and spirits from a rich variety of multicultural influences. Open seven days a week. Seafood items!
384 locals recommend
Ulele
1810 N Highland AveUlele Restaurant and Brewery serves native-inspired food and spirits from a rich variety of multicultural influences. Open seven days a week. Seafood items!
Ebisu Sushi Shack
5116 N Nebraska AveEntertainment
This is Tampa’s oldest theater. Highly recommend suiting just for the ceiling “balcony night sky” facade and the organ player that descends into the stage! This place is a must when visiting Tampa and has a great film selection and live events.
This is a must if you are visiting Tampa. The theater is very old and cherished, with a beautiful stage set facade and a faux starry night sky with balcony seating and all kinds of film/event options. Before events, an organ player performs live and descends into the stage once the show is about to begin!
163 locals recommend
Tampa Theatre
711 N Franklin StThis is a must if you are visiting Tampa. The theater is very old and cherished, with a beautiful stage set facade and a faux starry night sky with balcony seating and all kinds of film/event options. Before events, an organ player performs live and descends into the stage once the show is about to begin!
Bar/Nightlife
Dart boards, pool tables, digital jukebox, cheap drinks, outdoor seating options! This is in the old Cuban district of Tampa with cobblestone streets and beautiful old buildings and businesses. Popular for weekend nightlife crowds. Think, mini and mild Bourbon Street.
The Dirty Shame
1929 East 7th AvenueDart boards, pool tables, digital jukebox, cheap drinks, outdoor seating options! This is in the old Cuban district of Tampa with cobblestone streets and beautiful old buildings and businesses. Popular for weekend nightlife crowds. Think, mini and mild Bourbon Street.
Gaspars Liquor Shoppe
8448 N 56th StSightseeing
Tampa Bay Aquarium Society
3810 Park DrSunken Gardens
1825 4th St NTheme Park
Busch Gardens
10165 McKinley DrAdventure Island
10001 McKinley DrMovie Theaters
Movie theater in downtown St. Pete with reclining leather seats and alcohol options for purchase!
Movie theater in cute shopping village that has in-film service, dining and cocktail menu.
100 locals recommend
CinéBistro
1609 W Swann AveMovie theater in cute shopping village that has in-film service, dining and cocktail menu.
This is my favorite movie theater. Comfy seats, good screens, numerous options including big blockbusters and some independent film as well.
67 locals recommend
AMC Sundial 20
151 2nd Ave NThis is my favorite movie theater. Comfy seats, good screens, numerous options including big blockbusters and some independent film as well.
Coffee
Local Coffee truck, support small business :)
Spaddy's Coffee Co. - Seminole Heights
5206 N Florida Ave