Blooming Floral Cafe — Restaurant in Tampa

I’ve always loved the atmosphere at Blooming Floral Café and try to support small businesses whenever I can. Since I don’t live in Tampa, whenever I’m in town I make it a point to grab a coffee somewhere local, and this spot has been one of my go-tos.

Unfortunately, I’ve had several disappointing experiences that make it hard to keep coming back. On one visit, I ordered a hot coffee and a brownie pastry. It took a long time because the first one was dropped, and when I finally got the second one there was a dark hair baked into it. The staff was apologetic and refunded me, but it still left me uneasy. On another occasion, I ordered an iced matcha and it came out extremely watery, lacking the flavor and quality I would expect from a specialty café.

What really pushed me away, though, has been the inconsistency with closing times. Their hours used to be listed as closing at 6 PM, so I would rush over after work in Tampa. More than once, I arrived well before 6 only to find the café already closed. Another time, the door was unlocked, the “open” sign was still on, and there were people inside talking—but when I stepped in, I was told they had closed an hour earlier. On top of that, the looks I got when I walked in didn’t feel welcoming at all; I felt like I was intruding or bothering them. If the posted hours say 6 PM, the door is open, and the sign says “open,” it’s confusing and uncomfortable for customers to be turned away like that.

I see they’ve since updated the hours to 5 PM on Google, but when I experienced this it definitely said 6 PM. I know mistakes happen, and I can tell the café puts thought into its space, but between the food mishap, the watery drink, the confusing hours, and the unwelcoming energy, I’ve decided this will be my last visit. It’s unfortunate, because I really wanted to love this place and continue...

I visited Blooming Floral Café today in Tampa, Florida. This establishment is a beautifully curated Instagram-worthy spot, with food that truly exceeds the photos. The owner is exceptionally kind and was a florist before opening this charming coffee shop. Everything in this cozy shop appears to be carefully handpicked and lovingly vintage. The food actually tastes as wonderful as it looks. I enjoyed the lavender sage citrus iced tea, which had a prominent lavender flavor balanced beautifully with bright citrus, lightly sweetened with honey. My husband ordered a caramel iced latte, which he described as full-bodied, not overly sweet, and excellently prepared. He also had a ham and cheese sandwich, freshly toasted and warmed. I chose the chicken salad sandwich, which was beautifully assembled and well balanced, without any strange foreign notes sometimes found in chicken salad. It was served on a lovely sweet bread. Although both sandwiches are usually offered on croissants, they were out of them for the day, but that didn’t hinder our experience — we adapted happily. We also shared a guava and cheese pastry, which was one of the best I’ve had in Florida. It was beautifully tart from the guava, savory from the cheese, and the pastry was wonderfully flaky. The owner’s warmth and passion are evident, making this place truly special. I look forward to returning and enjoying this lovely spot again. They also do have new hours and close at 3 PM for private parties on the weekend. Tuesday-Friday they are open from 7 am-5 pm....

Promising Atmosphere, But Cleanliness Concerns Hold Us Back

We recently visited this cafe over the weekend, drawn in by its inviting atmosphere and vibrant vibe. The decor was charming, and the ambiance was just right for a relaxed outing. Our lattes and food were enjoyable, fulfilling our expectations in terms of taste and presentation.

However, our experience was marred by a couple of hygiene concerns. The staff member who took our order was noticeably preoccupied with her facial piercing and nose, which was off-putting. Although she wasn't involved in preparing our drinks or food, this left us feeling uneasy from the start.

While waiting for our order, we noticed a commotion behind the counter—a dog barking and whining. Surprisingly, the dog was in the food preparation area. The owner, who was chatting with nearby patrons, eventually carried the dog out into the seating area. This raised serious concerns about cleanliness and potential health code violations.

We had high hopes for this cafe as a new favorite spot due to its appealing atmosphere and decent fare. However, the hygiene issues we encountered were significant enough to deter us from returning. We hope the management addresses these concerns, as the place certainly has potential with a bit more attention to...