Food & Drink Archives - Creative Loafing Tampa

A group of friends laughing and enjoying margaritas together at Nueva Cantina's colorful outdoor patio bar.

Nueva Cantina opening fourth location in Palm Harbor

The employee-owned Mexican restaurant plans its next opening for the summer.

by Selene San Felice February 25, 2026February 25, 2026

The restaurant at 35903 US Highway 19 N is slated for the summer, making it the fourth Nueva Cantina since the brand’s relaunch.

Cropped portrait of Joe Dodd, owner of Chicken and Pig, wearing a black chef's shirt and hat at the Depot 303 food hall in Mulberry, Florida.

Tampa’s hot chicken king just wants to be Joe again

After merging two restaurant concepts and logging off, Joe Dodd has found solace in the simplicity of fried chicken and porchetta sandwiches.

by Adrian O'Farrill February 20, 2026February 20, 2026

A phpto showing a Rreal Tacos location exterior.

Rreal Tacos will open first Florida location in Tampa this fall

Yes, for rreal.

by Colin Wolf February 19, 2026February 19, 2026

The exterior of Central Park food hall

New St. Pete food hall Central Park partially opens this week

by Kailey Aiken February 18, 2026February 18, 2026

Arts & Entertainment

Cigar City Tattoo Fest tops list of Tampa Bay’s best things to do February 19-25

by Selene San Felice February 18, 2026February 19, 2026

Jewish Food Festival brings lox of fun to Clearwater this weekend

It’s back in full, and guests will be too.

by Laura Troyer February 18, 2026February 18, 2026

spectator stands at the Derby Lane dog track

Pinellas Farmers and Flea Market moves to St. Pete dog track

The Asian food paradise formerly in Largo now takes over the old Derby Lane every weekend.

by Laura Troyer February 17, 2026February 18, 2026

A gourmet seafood spread at Luma featuring a whole grilled fish surrounded by plates of fresh crudo, sashimi, and roasted vegetables.

Luma opens in St. Pete’s SkyBeach Resort

It’s the south St. Petersburg hotel’s third culinary concept since its 2024 relaunch.

by Laura Troyer February 17, 2026February 18, 2026

A large group of people gathering to cut a blue ribbon in front of the Friendly Tavern's 'Welcome Stranger' archway.

Friendly Tavern reopens in St. Pete Beach

And it brings back one of Florida’s longest running karaoke nights.

by Selene San Felice February 11, 2026February 11, 2026

The interior of a cafe designed with a unique 2D comic book style, featuring black-and-white line art on the walls and bright green furniture.

Dads’ Kitchen and Co. taking over 2D Cafe spot in St. Pete

This isn’t your mama’s comfort food. It’s your two dads’.

by Laura Troyer February 10, 2026February 10, 2026

Three smiling staff members wearing matching 'Pete's Bagels' t-shirts standing together in front of the menu board.

Pete’s Bagels opens in Tarpon springs

The Dolphin Gift Shop now has sponges with a side of schmear.

by Laura Troyer February 10, 2026February 10, 2026

Tampa Bay’s first Whataburger opens this week in Largo

Two more Tampa Bay spots are planned for this Spring.

by Laura Troyer February 10, 2026February 10, 2026

A person wearing an oversized caricature mask of the rapper Bad Bunny, complete with braided hair and sunglasses, wearing a shiny blue jacket and sunglasses holding a lit sparkler at a party.

The 6 best places in Tampa Bay to watch Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl half-time show

Puerto Rico está bien cabrón.

by Selene San Felice, Ray Roa and Laura Troyer February 2, 2026February 2, 2026

A wide-angle street view of a two-story historic red brick building on a corner, identified by a black sign as "THE BRICKS." The sidewalk in front features a yellow fire hydrant and two bright orange diamond-shaped construction signs that read "ROAD WORK AHEAD" and "ROAD CLOSED AHEAD." The scene is captured on a clear day with a blue sky and tall palm trees visible further down the street.

Property that’s home to Ybor City restaurant The Bricks has been sold

Plans for the restaurant are still unclear after the property transferred ownership in January.

by Ray Roa February 1, 2026February 9, 2026

Two hands holding a hot coffee to-go cup and an iced coffee, both with buddy brew dog logos, cheers in front of a Sprouts Farmers Market

Buddy Brew to double cafe count with Sprouts collab

They’ll be the first Buddy Brew Coffee shops in Pinellas and Pasco.

by Selene San Felice January 27, 2026January 27, 2026

Nutella being drizzled onto a crepe

Point Chaud opens second cafe in St. Pete Beach

So far, the crepes don’t fall flat.

by Selene San Felice January 27, 2026January 27, 2026

Twitch streamer Tfue buys Woody’s Waterfront in St. Pete Beach

Ask your nephew what a Twitch stream is.

by Selene San Felice January 27, 2026January 27, 2026

Jimmy’s Tacos expands to St. Pete

The shop won “Best Guacamole” and “Best Ybor City Restaurant” in CL Tampa’s Best of the Bay 2025.

by Selene San Felice January 27, 2026January 28, 2026

festive mason jar of iced tea from Tiki Tea Inc. topped with a patriotic cupcake and American flag decorations

The Florida State Fair puts a patriotic spin on its ‘food’ next week

You’ll want to know where the bathrooms are.

by Selene San Felice January 26, 2026January 26, 2026

People sit at outdoor patio tables shaded by black umbrellas in front of "DI Coffee Bar" and an adjacent business labeled "HomeWork." The sunlit scene shows individuals engaged in conversation and looking at papers, while leafy trees cast shadows across the sidewalk and the white storefronts.

DI Coffee Bar will open third location next month at Midtown Tampa

The first DI Coffee Bar opened in 2014 on E Davis Boulevard., where Perez and his wife, Marilyn, work as homebuilders.

by Kailey Aiken January 26, 2026January 26, 2026