COPA — Restaurant in Saint Petersburg

This place hit the spot for me...not only to settle my hunger, but to bring me back to earth after a very emotionally challenging day.

The food felt like a warm hug. The staff felt like a loving family, finally together over the holidays. And the atmosphere felt like a mixture of the jungle, the islands and a music lounge.

I needed it.

Everyone has a stressful story about the airport...and mine was complete with everything, from delays, to cancellations, to lost luggage.

Instead of going home, I decided to take the Uber straight to Copa. I needed some feel good energy.

I hear about Copa all the time, had been once a year ago, but haven't visited in a while. The set up was different this time, however the ambience had me immediately.

The vibe was set perfect. A very decent crowd, though not too loud. There was a dj playing that night, but also a sign nearby that was advertising some "Live Music". I quickly found out that a Jazz band was scheduled to perform in a few days!

I was greeted so many times as I walked through. I had to tour around to see the new additions, as there seemed to be three different areas now. Outdoor seating, high top seating with a bar, and another bar, with dining tables. Very cool set up.

The bartender, Sean, started me off with a welcome and beverage. I trusted his passion in his craft and ordered an Old Fashioned, my classic and favorite. This paired perfectly for what I thought was one of the best meals I have had in St Petersburg.

I kept it simple. Again, followed Sean's recommendations. I paired the shrimp tacos with the Jerk chicken entree. He nailed it again, absolutely incredible.

I could of easily had 3 more orders of the tacos. And the jerk chicken, so tender and loaded with flavor, but not overwhelming in any way. Funny thing is, Sean himself told me he eats the Jerk chicken meal just about every day - I get it 1000%

I'll even point out the rice and slaw alongside. Perfectly cooked and slaw that was quite a refreshing opposite to the meal.

The music was great, the energy of the guests fantastic. Kudos to the staff for that effort and making the guest experience great!

Now this food - this food is by far the #1 reason you should come here. I even had to introduce myself to the Head Chef, Jose. I had to thank him for taking his time away from doing anything else in the world and making this incredible food. I also have to tell him his cooking set the bar high for my future wife!

He had no idea that afternoon/evening I had experienced, and naturally, just by putting his passion into every single meal he makes, he helped me realign and enjoy my evening again.

Some people simply eat to live. I get that. But Jose and Copa are a perfect example of living to eat. Helping us broaden our food palate, trying new, delicious foods from a different culture.

Afrolatin Caribbean Fusion - you could try making that at home, or keep it simple, let go and let Copa handle the experience.

You'll be...

Writing this review really hurts. But Yelp is not just for writing about good experiences - but for growth and constructive criticism where it's needed.

Let me start by saying that I have been coming to COPA for YEARS: Ever since they opened, through COVID hard times, through several price increases/inflation, etc. As a business owner myself, I understand certain unwelcomed changes are sometimes needed out of sheer necessity. But my experience when I brought a new client on his birthday last week was UNACCEPTABLE.

COPA now has two completely different sections and if you're having hookah and drinks in one section, you cannot order from food menu at all. I thought that was bizarre, but we went with the flow (maybe it's due to zoning issues/ differences of the two segments?).

But what really upset us was 1) The hookah took SO LONG to be served we asked for them to cancel it, but then all of a sudden "it is being prepared now, can't cancel" and 2) How the server just completely DISAPPEARED after saying that if we wanted water we could just serve ourselves from the tap at the end of that hookah room (and just came to check maybe twice if we wanted more hookah after it was FINALLY served or cocktails over more than an hour) -- then they had the AUDACITY to still charge us 20% gratuity for being Offline members!? The majority of Offline member restaurants do not charge required gratuity btw, and even the few occasions they do, you BET it is the most amazing service we have ever had and they really are deserving of the 20%. That 20% should have been given back to us as cashback for serving ourselves, for waiting so long for hookah and then being DENIED canceling it.

Again: I've been going to COPA for YEARS (even during COVID) and have never been treated with such DISRESPECT. Now I don't even know if I want to go back, ever, after this terrible experience. I will also tell all my clients and colleagues I know to AVOID COPA and never give them any business. This was not only a disrespectful experience to a LOYAL COPA customer, but even worse: This was an EMBARRASSMENT for me in front of a business...

April 2024: I visited Copa on a vibrant Sunday afternoon and found the restaurant buzzing with energy. Opted for outdoor seating with three friends, where we enjoyed music and Hookah. The service was top-notch, with our server Christopher going above and beyond to make our experience delightful.

I tried the Rhum Sun cocktail and was impressed by its rich flavor. If you're a fan of rum cocktails, I highly recommend giving this one a shot. The Croquetas De Yuca were also a highlight - fried yuca balls with a light coating that were delicious. The Jerk Tofu Spring Rolls were a standout dish, filled with small pieces of crispy tofu, cabbage and carrots and fried to a crisp perfection. The Golden Churros were a heavenly way to end my meal at Copa. Crunchy and served with tasty sauces and a creamy filling, they were a perfect indulgence.

Copa has become a favorite spot for me whenever I'm in St. Pete, thanks to its fantastic music, food, drinks, and overall vibe. Highly recommended for a memorable experience.

November 2023: Spending a Saturday afternoon at Copa in Saint Pete is a great choice! I was impressed by the atmosphere of the outdoor seating area; the upbeat music was a perfect backdrop for a laid-back afternoon. The selection of adult beverages was great, and everything I tasted was top-notch. For those looking for a relaxed yet lively experience, Copa is definitely worth a visit. The service I received was exemplary--the server was attentive and had a great attitude. I'll certainly be back, and l'd happily recommend this place to anyone who wants delicious drinks and a...