Tampa and Ybor City
Columbia Restaurant
Florida's oldest restaurant, founded in 1905. Flamenco shows most nights.
Bern's Steak House
Dry-aged steaks, a famous wine cellar and the Harry Waugh Dessert Room upstairs.
La Segunda Bakery
Baking Cuban bread since 1915. Much of Tampa's Cuban bread comes from here.
Ulele
Native Florida ingredients in a restored water works building, with its own brewery.
The Tampa Cuban sandwich adds Genoa salami, a nod to the city's Italian immigrants. More Tampa Bay at Best in Tampa Bay and 101 Things to Do in Tampa Bay.
St. Petersburg and the beaches
Ted Peters Famous Smoked Fish
Fish smoked over red oak, served with German potato salad. Cash only for decades.
Frenchy's Original Cafe
Clearwater's grouper sandwich specialist. Frenchy's has several spots near the beach.
Columbia Restaurant St. Armands
The Columbia family's Sarasota location.
Orlando
Orlando dining goes far beyond the theme parks. See our full sister site, Orlando Dining Guide, for International Drive, Disney Springs, Universal CityWalk, Winter Park and Mills 50.
Beefy King
Roast beef sandwiches since 1968.
Hawkers Asian Street Food
Started in Orlando in 2011, now nationwide.
4 Rivers Smokehouse
Texas-style brisket from an Orlando-born chain.
Restaurants open, close, move and change hours often. Check the restaurant's own website or call before you go. No restaurant paid to be listed.
Tampa food tours
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ViatorTours and tickets from our partner Viator. Prices are from-prices in USD and can change. We may earn a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you.
Staying in Central Florida?
Hotel deals in Tampa, Clearwater, Sarasota and Orlando at Rooms Cheap. Things to do at 101 Things to Do in Tampa Bay and 101 Things to Do in Orlando.
Frequently asked questions
What makes a Tampa Cuban sandwich different?
Tampa's version adds Genoa salami to the ham, roast pork, Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard on Cuban bread, reflecting the Italian immigrants who lived alongside Cubans and Spaniards in Ybor City.
What is the Bern's Steak House dessert room?
The Harry Waugh Dessert Room upstairs at Bern's, with private booths built from wine casks. You can go just for dessert.