Chef Star's Best of Tampa Hot Spots

Tampa is a walking, eating, and drinking city. I’ve lived in Tampa for about 2 years now and am still discovering new spots around the area! As someone in the hospitality industry, I rarely get to go out to many dinners but when I am, I'm searching for local gems or maybe some pantry staples places. I search for places with stories, character, and just a little something something I can resonate with. While sitting at the bar or a small corner table, I chat with the staff and owners to understand their passion and story behind the business. I have found a handful of my favorite places this way, connecting with the community and I'm excited to share a couple of my tried and true spots in Tampa Bay.

JB3

I need a fresh loaf of sourdough at all times. They mill their organic grains and use an old-world style of baking and it’s so much better than anything you can find at the grocery store! They have a great selection of other artisanal bread, TONS of good butter and a rotating selection of pastries every week. Try to get there early because they typically sell out.

Supernatural Food and Wine

Honestly I’m afraid of ordering eggs but Supernatural Food and Wine has changes me. Their breakfast sandwich may seem simple but I think that's what makes it quite grand; focaccia roll, delicately scrambled eggs, thick bacon, melted cheddar cheese, and “special” sauce.  All aspects are done right. Their Agua Frescas are truly so refreshing, and the Tangerine flavor is my favorite. They also make cinnamon sugar sourdough donuts fresh every morning, which are delicious! Sometimes they have special donuts and the cocoa tahini sugared donuts live in my dreams!

Sky Puppy Brewing

Whether you're a beer person or not, Sky Puppy Brewing is a delight. Danielle and Matthew, are some cool, down-to-earth, and passionate humans. Matthew reimagines flavors and has so much fun creating his beers. He is an artist at work. Their Dingle Bat Stout tastes like slow-smoked chocolate almonds in the most complex and delicious way possible. Delicious is not how I would typically describe a stout but this one changed my taste buds. The spot is located in a historic fire station with lots of brick and cool artists rotating work. 

Ash

Ash is relatively new in town giving a laid back, fun and approachable italian food concept with tons of clever twists on dishes. Whenever friends are in town, I'm bringing them to Ash. The Fried Rabbit is a genius take on buffalo wings, but what impresses me most is their ability to make vegetables shine. Their charred asparagus is a must-try. And for dessert, their Caramelia Namelaka steals the show. It's a rich, caramelized hybrid of mousse and ganache that is a perfect way to end a meal. I always feel like I have a well-rounded experience here. 

Brick Street Farms

I’ve been lucky enough to try Brick Street Farms’ lettuce greens through my work as a chef and I have to say they are impressive in every way! Located in the heart of St. Petersburg, Brick Street Farms is an urban farm using innovative hydroponic technology and sustainable practices to bring fresh greens and microgreens to the local community. They use a unique watering system and LED lights that keep them in production year-round with a low carbon footprint. The lettuce is clean, crunchy, and fresh. 

CellarMasters St. Petersburg

I love supporting places with great people. CellarMasters is a cozy wine shop with an extensive selection. Their staff are kind, knowledgeable, and always happy to answer your questions or give recommendations. Each time I visit, I realize how tight-knit their community is. It’s cool to see businesses support each other and collaborate so often. They have held pop-ups with other businesses such as Taco Wizard, known for “radical” taqueria-style dishes, and Francas, a naturally leavened pizza pop-up. It's so inspiring to see the St. Petersburg community showing up & out for each other. 

Written by Chef Star