Tampa Food Guide | Must-Try Restaurants Around Tampa 🍽️🇺🇸

Who would’ve thought the most surprising meal I had was at a Thai spot? 😲 (For itinerary tips, check my other post!) 📍 Downtown Tampa Wandee Asian Fusion Thai Restaurant The decor is a bit confusing… but the food is AMAZING 🤩 As someone who spent a month eating through Thailand, I’ve been disappointed with most Thai food in the U.S.—especially Tom Yum soup 🍲 But this place? Legit 👌 A little less coconut milk than ideal, but still miles ahead of most American Thai restaurants. Must-order: Papaya Salad 🥗 Tom Yum Soup The salmon in the salmon curry was a bit overcooked, but the curry itself was delicious 🍛 Mango sticky rice was beautiful and tasty 🥭 Also tried butterfly pea tea—pretty blue color, but tasted like sugar water 🫗💙 📍 Ybor City Columbia Restaurant Yes, the famous one! If you don’t mind sitting at the bar, you can skip the wait ⏳ Otherwise, expect 40+ minutes. Highlights: Mussels 🐚 Crab cakes 🦀 Both very flavorful! Mains are salty—as warned on Reddit 😅 Paella was okay, chicken rice was very salty. Still worth visiting for appetizers + drinks 🍷 Walk around—each dining room has a different vibe! 📍 Clearwater Beach Another Broken Egg Cafe You can’t go wrong with brunch here 🍳🧇🥞 Solid choices all around. 📍 Sarasota Dry Dock Waterfront Grill 2nd most-reviewed in Sarasota on Yelp—lives up to the hype! Classic American seafood with gorgeous views 🌅👗 Dress cute and go early! We waited 1 hr 45 mins… but the scenery kept me patient 🥹 Highlights: Fresh oysters 🦪 Seafood linguine 🍝 So good! #TravelUSA #FoodGuide #USATravel #TampaEats #TampaFood #FoodieAdventure