Food & Drink Archives - Creative Loafing Tampa

A long, low, light-blue building with a flat roof sits along a paved parking lot at dusk. A bright yellow and red sign on the facade reads "The World Famous Tiny Tap Tavern," and several small windows are visible, one featuring a neon blue palm tree sign.

Tampa’s fabled Tiny Tap Tavern has finally sold, but don’t expect much to change

Now former owner Casey Powell says its new caretaker plans to ‘keep the party going.’

by Ray Roa December 30, 2025December 30, 2025

Tiny Tap Tavern, a storied Tampa dive bar that dates back almost 100 years, has new owners.

A vendor in a teal beanie pours a sample of a Dayzed beverage for an attendee at a crowded booth during the High & Dry Festival.

High and Dry Festival brings dozens of THC drink brands to St. Pete this weekend

Sip, sip, pass.

by Selene San Felice December 29, 2025December 29, 2025

Mythos Greek Bistro opens on St. Pete’s Central Ave.

The Greek restaurant takes over the former Salty Nun spot, a block from Baba.

by Selene San Felice December 12, 2025December 12, 2025

Santoro’s Pizzeria owners open Giancarlo’s Cafe & Spirits nearby in Hyde Park

by Selene San Felice December 11, 2025December 13, 2025

The dining room of a restaurant is decorated for the holidays, featuring wooden tables and booths where patrons are seated. A server in a red shirt stands near the center attending to customers, while the room is lit by pendant lights wrapped in greenery. Festive touches include a Christmas tree with ornaments, a red "Santa MAIL" box in the foreground, and wreaths hanging on decorative wall window frames.

The Copper Kettle opens for brunch in St. Pete Beach

The menu is stacked, from seven-egg omelets to smashburgers.

by Selene San Felice December 11, 2025December 11, 2025

A close-up shot features a waffle cone filled with a large scoop of vanilla ice cream speckled with crumbs and topped with a round vanilla wafer cookie. The treat is held up against a blurred background showing the brick storefront and sign of "The Revolution Ice Cream Co".

The Revolution Ice Cream closes in Brandon, Seminole Heights

The shop had a cult following.

by Selene San Felice December 11, 2025December 11, 2025

Ybor City’s Flan Factory expands to Armature Works

The Cuban-American business started as a pop-up nearly a decade ago.

by Selene San Felice December 10, 2025December 10, 2025

The exterior of the Angry Chair Brewing building features a distinctive mural above the awning, depicting abstract black sketches of chairs against a white background. Below the dark awning, the storefront has large tinted windows and glass entrance doors. Several bright green picnic tables are arranged on the pavement in front of the building.

Angry Chair celebrates 11 years of cranky craft beer this weekend

The Southeast Seminole Heights brewery is releasing a special barrel-aged bottle.

by Selene San Felice December 9, 2025December 9, 2025

A line of wooden reindeer cutouts stands on a grassy lawn at night, each decorated with a red bow and green wreath around its neck. They are connected by a string of white Christmas lights acting as reins. In the background, several Christmas trees are illuminated with colorful lights and bright orange star toppers, creating a festive park scene.

A new Christmas food fest premieres in St. Pete next weekend

‘A Taste of the North’ takes over Spa Beach at the St. Pete Pier.

by Selene San Felice December 8, 2025December 8, 2025

A rectangular wooden board displays several rows of sushi rolls, dramatically lit against a dark background. The front row features rolls topped with slices of pink raw fish and a yellow corn relish or garnish, while the back rows include rolls topped with avocado and herbs. A pile of pickled ginger and a dollop of wasabi sit on the board in the foreground.

Fortu’s ‘little sister,’ Isu Sushi, premieres in downtown St. Pete

Wagyu is on the menu.

by Selene San Felice December 5, 2025December 5, 2025

Category 36 Taphouse & Kitchen reopens in St. Pete Beach

The Stromboli is back after nine months, now on Corey Ave.

by Selene San Felice December 5, 2025December 5, 2025

A top-down view captures a vibrant seafood paella served in a large black pan with two handles, set on a wooden table. The dish features yellow saffron rice mixed with green peas and red peppers, topped generously with mussels, clams, shrimp, calamari rings, and two large lobster tails in the center. A silver spoon rests on the edge of the pan, which is placed on a folded light blue napkin.

Ceviche returns to Tampa next summer

The Spanish tapas spot has been absent in Tampa since 2018.

by Selene San Felice December 4, 2025December 6, 2025

A bearded man wearing tan overalls over a blue shirt smiles broadly while balancing three plates of food on his arm and hand. He has a pair of scissors tucked into his chest pocket and stands in front of a long dining table set for an outdoor evening event, with other guests visible in the dark background.

ArtistTree Gardens and Keel Farms host a locally sourced ‘gardinner’ next week

It’s karmically delicious.

by Selene San Felice December 3, 2025December 3, 2025

Food & Drink, Openings & Closings

Latin-American restaurant Papi’s replaces White Lie in Ybor City next year

Papi’s name is already in the iconic sign on 7th.

by Alisha Durosier December 3, 2025December 3, 2025

A split image featuring a portrait of author Jean Meltzer on the left, smiling with wavy brown hair and wearing a dark blue top. On the right is the cover of her book, The Eight Heartbreaks of Hanukkah, depicting illustrated characters on a teal background with holiday motifs like menorahs and snowflakes.

Arts & Entertainment

Author Jean Meltzer joins a Hanukkah dinner party in Tampa this weekend

Her latest book puts a Jewish twist on ‘A Christmas Carol.’

by Selene San Felice December 1, 2025December 1, 2025

Interior view of the restaurant near the window, showing multiple plates of various Laotian dishes, including salads, meats, and rice, lined up on the counter in front of the mural.

Review: Sap Sap Street Eats triumphantly returns to Pinellas Park with traditional Lao cuisine and affordable Southeast Asian fare

Chef Johnathon Phaengvisay has revived mom’s recipes with plans to add a dining room.

by Kyla Fields November 26, 2025November 26, 2025

A split image showing two distinct scenes. On the left is the wooden storefront of "Tommy's Chophouse," featuring large window decals displaying wine bottles and gourmet dishes. On the right is a close-up of a heavy, vintage safe door, distressed and grey with gold trim, a combination dial, a handle, and a large decal of the Great Seal of the United States featuring an eagle.

Tommy’s Chophouse will serve steak in a Cold-War era vault next year in Ybor City

Steak secured.

by Alisha Durosier November 25, 2025November 25, 2025

A juicy double cheeseburger served on a disposable white paper plate printed with red text like "ONION RINGS" and "CORN DOGS." The burger features two beef patties, melted yellow cheese, pickles, and lettuce on a soft, toasted bun.

Juicy’s Famous Fair Food opens in Tampa’s Armature Works

by Selene San Felice November 24, 2025November 24, 2025

Monte Pizza is now open in St. Pete

Another slice spot for St. Pete-za.

by Selene San Felice November 24, 2025November 24, 2025

Pete’s Bagels moves into Tarpon Springs in 2026

Get him to the Greek.

by Alisha Durosier November 24, 2025November 24, 2025