WalletHub names Tampa one of the best foodie cities in America

WalletHub just ranked Tampa among the best foodie cities in America, and while we know some skeptics might roll their eyes, we’re still going to celebrate it. Sure, Tampa may not have the same foodie reputation as New York or San Francisco, but after a tough weekend for the region, this recognition feels like a reminder to appreciate the local food spots that make this city shine. More than just the businesses, we want to send a special thank you to every chef, server, host, barista, manager, owner, and delivery driver who makes this city such a special place for those who call it home.

We’ll admit, we’re biased when we say “Tampa is the best.” But right now, 6 Tampa restaurants are proving why, as they’ve come together to serve free hot meals to residents displaced by Hurricane Helene. Local food trucks are stepping up too, delivering thousands of meals to hard-hit areas. This outpouring of support showcases the compassion that’s at the heart of Tampa’s food scene.

Celebrating the local restaurants across Tampa

WalletHub’s ranking is based on 28 key metrics, comparing over 180 U.S. cities. Tampa scored high in categories like restaurants per capita, affordability, accessibility, coffee shops per capita, and gourmet specialty food stores. And let’s not forget the MICHELIN Guide spotlighting our city, with stars awarded to standout spots like Lilac at the Tampa EDITION, EBBE, and Rocca.

At the end of the day, whether you agree with the ranking or not, this recognition is a chance to rally around our local food community. So, go support the restaurants you love—because if this accolade brings more attention to our culinary gems, we’re all for it.

My favorite restaurants in Tampa

If you’re wondering where this local blogger likes to eat, here’s a quick list of my favorite local spots in no particular order. Note: I’m not saying these are definitively the BEST restaurants in Tampa. This is just a collection of my personal favorites. :

• Flan Factory, 118 N Nebraska Avenue
• Supernatural Food and Wine, 305 E Polk Street
• Streetlight Tacos, 4004 Henderson Blvd
• Nana’s Rooted,  4914 E Broadway Ave
• Kiwa Asian Kitchen, 5415 Bayshore Boulevard
• Vegan International Co, 13751 N Nebraska Ave
• Xtreme Tacos, 5609 N Nebraska Ave
• Sucre Table, 4048 W Kennedy Blvd
• La Setima, 815 E 7th Ave
• Retro House Tampa, 934 E Henderson Ave
• Pure Kitchen, 3214 W Kennedy Blvd
• Florish, 2307 Dale Mabry Highway
• Rooster & The Till, 6500 N Florida Ave
• Lucky Tigre, 1713 N Albany Ave