Tampa’s food scene is one of the best kept secrets in the U.S., according to Thrillist

Keep piling on the praise, food experts, because we’re here for it. In a recent roundup of the 15 cities that secretly have great food scenes, Thrillist featured Tampa — and can you blame them?

While it’s not secret to us that food in this city is fantastic, the rest of the country is slowly getting privy to the news. What makes Tampa’s food scene so great?

Seminole Heights transforms into culinary destination

For starters, Seminole Heights, according to the website. “A wave of adventurous restaurants” have reinvented the cuisine the city of Tampa is known for. Ferrell Alvarez has already left his mark on the area with rotating local-focused options at Rooster + the Till, and his newest endeavor, Nebraska Mini Mart, has proven to be a bustling space for the community to gather and connect.

Later in 2018, Andrew Tambuzzo is set to open the Boozy Pig at 3255 West Cypress Street. Tambuzzo comes from a long line of butchers and plans to make use every part of the animal at his farm to table restaurant.

James Beard-winning chefs call Tampa home

“Out-of-towners are catching onto the new movement too, like James Beard-winning chef Anne Kearney,” writes Elizabeth Newman. “In the coming months, the Ohio native will open her own signature restaurant at Armature Works, a former street-car warehouse converted into a buzzing food hall.”

If you have just one meal in Tampa, Thrillist writer Elizabeth Newman recommends ropa vieja tostones and fire-water chicharrones Hemingway’s.

What’s your favorite part of the Tampa food scene?