Food & Drink Archives - Creative Loafing Tampa https://www.cltampa.com/category/food-drink/ Mon, 29 Dec 2025 22:15:00 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://www.cltampa.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/cropped-favicon-2-32x32.png Food & Drink Archives - Creative Loafing Tampa https://www.cltampa.com/category/food-drink/ 32 32 248085573 High and Dry Festival brings dozens of THC drink brands to St. Pete this weekend https://www.cltampa.com/food-drink/high-and-dry-festival-brings-dozens-of-thc-drink-brands-to-st-pete-this-weekend/ Mon, 29 Dec 2025 18:26:44 +0000 https://www.cltampa.com/?p=349363 A vendor in a teal beanie pours a sample of a Dayzed beverage for an attendee at a crowded booth during the High & Dry Festival.

More than 60 brands will showcase their THC-infused drinks, plus adaptogens, nootropics and alcohol-free libations at St. Pete’s Coliseum this weekend.

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A vendor in a teal beanie pours a sample of a Dayzed beverage for an attendee at a crowded booth during the High & Dry Festival.
A vendor in a teal beanie pours a sample of a Dayzed beverage for an attendee at a crowded booth during the High & Dry Festival.
High and Dry Festival 2025 Credit: Courtesy of Herban Flow

Drinking your weed has become tres chic these days, and Herban Flow wants to show you a lot of ways to do so.

More than 60 brands will showcase their THC-infused drinks, plus adaptogens, nootropics and alcohol-free libations at St. Pete’s Coliseum this weekend.

The event includes unlimited tastings in a product sampling hall, a wellness village with local businesses, live music and food. Tickets run $40-$60, and DDs get in free.

High and Dry Festival happens Saturday, Jan. 3 in St. Petersburg.

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Mythos Greek Bistro opens on St. Pete’s Central Ave. https://www.cltampa.com/food-drink/mythos-greek-bistro-opens-on-st-petes-central-ave/ Fri, 12 Dec 2025 19:51:24 +0000 https://www.cltampa.com/?p=348724

Mythos Greek Bistro opened earlier this month, transforming the casual spot with upscale Mediterranean aesthetics.

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Credit: Mythos Greek Bistro / Instagram

Four months after Salty Nun closed its doors for good at 2501 Central Avenue, a new restaurant has taken over.

Mythos Greek Bistro opened earlier this month, transforming the casual spot with upscale Mediterranean aesthetics.

Yes, the outdoor swings are gone, but now you can get tableside flaming saganaki in the same spot. And the Nun’s old stage is still set for live entertainment.

Mythos’ menu includes classic spreads and small plates, kebab platters, branzino, lamb chops and Scottish salmon.

Chef Konstantinos “Dinos” Chilias, who co-owns the spot with business partner Daniel Marina, told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay that he isn’t worried about Baba being just a block away. He said he sees Mythos as being a more casual, family-friendly bistro.

“This is a little bit different,” Chilias told CL. “I’m from Greece…It’s two different things.”

Chilias also runs La Creperia Cafe in Ybor City and previously operated the Crepeway Cafe in St. Pete’s EDGE District.

Mythos Greek Bistro is open Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday 4 p.m.-10 p.m.; 4 p.m.-11 p.m. Thursday; Friday-Saturday 4 p.m.-3 a.m. It’s closed on Mondays. Visit mythosgreekbistro.com or follow @mythosgreekbistro on Instagram for updates.

The restaurant does not yet have its liquor license, but Chilias expects it to be ready in the next two weeks.


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Santoro’s Pizzeria owners open Giancarlo’s Cafe & Spirits nearby in Hyde Park https://www.cltampa.com/food-drink/giancarlos-cafe-spirits-hyde-park-tampa/ Thu, 11 Dec 2025 20:44:08 +0000 https://www.cltampa.com/?p=348727

Giancarlo's offers a fast-casual counter, cocktail bar and coffee shop serving Tampa-roasted Wuz Here Coffee, as well as full restaurant service.

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Credit: giancarlostpa/Instagram

For those missing Goody Goody in Hyde Park, a new diner has emerged with Italian flair.

Giancarlo’s Cafe & Spirits opened Dec. 1 at 1532 W North B St. in Tampa’s Hyde Park neighborhood. It’s literally the sibling spot to Santoro’s Pizzeria, a half-mile walk away. Both are named after the children of owner Travis Kaiser’s children, who’s an alum of the University of Tampa.

Giancarlo’s offers a fast-casual counter, cocktail bar and coffee shop serving Tampa-roasted Wuz Here Coffee, as well as full restaurant service.

The menu includes classic diner breakfasts and New Jersey-style deli sandwiches for lunch, as well as crispy, square-cut tavern-style pizzas. The Italian-American dinner menu features house-made meatballs and marinara, along with Italian rolls imported from a shop in New Jersey.

Giancarlo’s Cafe & Spirits is open Sunday-Thursday 7 a.m.-11 p.m. and Friday-Saturday
7 a.m.-midnight. Visit giancarlostpa.com or follow its Facebook and Instagram @giancarlostpa for updates.


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The Copper Kettle opens for brunch in St. Pete Beach https://www.cltampa.com/food-drink/the-copper-kettle-opens-for-brunch-in-st-pete-beach/ Thu, 11 Dec 2025 19:35:17 +0000 https://www.cltampa.com/?p=348684 The dining room of a restaurant is decorated for the holidays, featuring wooden tables and booths where patrons are seated. A server in a red shirt stands near the center attending to customers, while the room is lit by pendant lights wrapped in greenery. Festive touches include a Christmas tree with ornaments, a red "Santa MAIL" box in the foreground, and wreaths hanging on decorative wall window frames.

The Copper Kettle is owned by Alex Victorero, The Frog Pond’s manager of eleven years.

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The dining room of a restaurant is decorated for the holidays, featuring wooden tables and booths where patrons are seated. A server in a red shirt stands near the center attending to customers, while the room is lit by pendant lights wrapped in greenery. Festive touches include a Christmas tree with ornaments, a red "Santa MAIL" box in the foreground, and wreaths hanging on decorative wall window frames.
The dining room of a restaurant is decorated for the holidays, featuring wooden tables and booths where patrons are seated. A server in a red shirt stands near the center attending to customers, while the room is lit by pendant lights wrapped in greenery. Festive touches include a Christmas tree with ornaments, a red "Santa MAIL" box in the foreground, and wreaths hanging on decorative wall window frames.
Credit: The Copper Kettle, St. Pete Beach / Facebook

Fans of breakfast at The Frog Pond are bound to like its predecessor a brunch.

The Copper Kettle celebrated its grand opening on Dec. 6 at 7390 Gulf Blvd. in St. Pete Beach. The Frog Pond moved out of that spot after being destroyed by Hurricane Helene last year, but has since opened two locations in St. Pete Beach and Redington Beach.

The Copper Kettle is owned by Alex Victorero, The Frog Pond’s manager of eleven years. He and his wife and co-owner, Nikki, are keeping the comfort breakfast food tradition alive with an extensive breakfast and brunch menu including seven egg omelets, platters, waffles, bennedicts, quiche, crepes, smashburgers, sandwiches and much more.

The Copper Kettle is open from 7 a.m.-2 p.m. Monday-Saturday and 8 a.m.-2 p.m. on Sundays. Follow its Facebook and Instagram for updates.


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The Revolution Ice Cream closes in Brandon, Seminole Heights https://www.cltampa.com/food-drink/the-revolution-ice-cream-closes-in-brandon-seminole-heights/ Thu, 11 Dec 2025 19:27:56 +0000 https://www.cltampa.com/?p=348712 A close-up shot features a waffle cone filled with a large scoop of vanilla ice cream speckled with crumbs and topped with a round vanilla wafer cookie. The treat is held up against a blurred background showing the brick storefront and sign of "The Revolution Ice Cream Co".

In a social media post, owners attributed the closure to health issues and economic problems.

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A close-up shot features a waffle cone filled with a large scoop of vanilla ice cream speckled with crumbs and topped with a round vanilla wafer cookie. The treat is held up against a blurred background showing the brick storefront and sign of "The Revolution Ice Cream Co".
A close-up shot features a waffle cone filled with a large scoop of vanilla ice cream speckled with crumbs and topped with a round vanilla wafer cookie. The treat is held up against a blurred background showing the brick storefront and sign of "The Revolution Ice Cream Co".
Credit: The Revolution Ice Cream / Facebook

The Revolution Ice Cream Co. closed both its Brandon and Seminole Heights shops at the end of November.

In a social media post, owners Bill and Leslee Workman attributed the closure to health issues and economic problems.

The original shop opened in Brandon in 2013, followed by Seminole Heights in 2016 and South Tampa in 2020. The South Tampa location closed at some point last year.

Before starting the shop, Bill Workman started making ice cream at home as a hobby while working what he previously called his “square job.” His Ben and Jerry-esque flavors, like Coconut Curry and Drunken Brownie, became so popular that at one point he was making 250 pints a month before opening the shop.

In 2020 and 2022, The Revolution Ice Cream Co. won “Best Ice Cream/Gelato/Frozen Yogurt” in Creative Loafing’s Best of the Bay awards, and was a frequent runner-up in years prior. It was also a staff pick for “Best Ben-and-Jerry’s-better-watch-out ice cream shop” in its first year.

Posts about The Revolution’s closure were filled with comments from community members saying they’ll miss the shop, including the account for Bo’s Ice Cream, less than half a mile down the road.

“We always enjoyed being able to send people your way who were looking for something more creative or that better fit their diet/allergies,” Bo’s commented. “I personally loved sneaking over there and trying out the rotating flavors, they were always awesome. Y’all did great things and will be missed!”


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Ybor City’s Flan Factory expands to Armature Works https://www.cltampa.com/food-drink/flan-factory-armature-works-tampa/ Wed, 10 Dec 2025 20:32:06 +0000 https://www.cltampa.com/?p=348654

Flan Factory serves about 30 rotating flavors of flan, including original Cuban style, guava, coquito, pistachio and white chocolate raspberry.

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Flan Factory opened at Armature Works in Tampa on Dec. 10, 2025. Credit: Flan Factory Tampa / Facebook

Flan Factory is bringing the sweetness of Ybor City to Tampa’s Armature Works.

The expansion inside Armature Works’ Heights Market at 1910 N Ola Ave. opened on Dec. 10.

At its flagship location (1718 N Nebraska Ave.), Flan Factory serves about 30 rotating flavors of flan, including original Cuban style, guava, coquito, pistachio and white chocolate raspberry.

The shop is also known for its sandwiches and small bites—including the must-try Timba—and drinks like its classic cafe con leche and horchata iced latte.

Palau started the business in 2016 to honor his abuela, who died two years prior. Using her recipes, he worked as a vendor at weekend markets for four years before opening his brick-and-mortar Flan Factory in 2020.

The Heights District at Armature Works


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Angry Chair celebrates 11 years of cranky craft beer this weekend https://www.cltampa.com/food-drink/angry-chair-eleventh-anniversary/ Tue, 09 Dec 2025 17:07:48 +0000 https://www.cltampa.com/?p=348600 The exterior of the Angry Chair Brewing building features a distinctive mural above the awning, depicting abstract black sketches of chairs against a white background. Below the dark awning, the storefront has large tinted windows and glass entrance doors. Several bright green picnic tables are arranged on the pavement in front of the building.

Co-founder Ryan Dowdle leads the brewery known for its cynicism, but he’s still got a soft spot for the people who have kept it going.

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The exterior of the Angry Chair Brewing building features a distinctive mural above the awning, depicting abstract black sketches of chairs against a white background. Below the dark awning, the storefront has large tinted windows and glass entrance doors. Several bright green picnic tables are arranged on the pavement in front of the building.
The exterior of the Angry Chair Brewing building features a distinctive mural above the awning, depicting abstract black sketches of chairs against a white background. Below the dark awning, the storefront has large tinted windows and glass entrance doors. Several bright green picnic tables are arranged on the pavement in front of the building.
Credit: Ryan Dowdle / Angry Chair Brewing

The last eleven years for Angry Chair have included two moves, a handful of disgruntled neighbors, thousands of beers poured, and absolutely no Jenga.

Co-founder Ryan Dowdle has spent more than a decade leading a brewery known for its cynicism, but he’s still got a soft spot for the people who have kept it going.

“After 11 years of Angry Chair, what we’re most proud of isn’t just the beer—it’s the people behind it,” Dowdle told Creative Loafing.

“The bartenders who know your drink before you sit down, the brewers who chase ideas that shouldn’t work but somehow do, the kitchen, the cellarmen, and the folks who open, close, scrub, lift, fix, pour, and care. Our staff is the backbone of every pour and every story that’s happened here.”

He continued, “We’ve watched strangers become regulars, regulars become family, and wild concepts scribbled in the margins become beers people still talk about. We built a place that’s unapologetic, a little rough around the edges, unafraid to push hard and take risks—and we’re still here, still fighting, still proud. Eleven years later, we owe that to the people who show up: the staff and the community that never stopped choosing us.”

For its anniversary, the Southeast Seminole Heights brewery is releasing a special barrel-aged bottle.

There is no cover for Angry Chair’s anniversary, happening Saturday, Dec. 13 in Tampa.

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A new Christmas food fest premieres in St. Pete next weekend https://www.cltampa.com/food-drink/a-taste-of-the-north-christmas-food-festival-st-pete-pier-2025/ Mon, 08 Dec 2025 21:30:48 +0000 https://www.cltampa.com/?p=348568 A line of wooden reindeer cutouts stands on a grassy lawn at night, each decorated with a red bow and green wreath around its neck. They are connected by a string of white Christmas lights acting as reins. In the background, several Christmas trees are illuminated with colorful lights and bright orange star toppers, creating a festive park scene.

The two-day festival includes more than 15 local vendors serving northern comfort foods and a Christmas-themed amateur sand sculpture contest.

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A line of wooden reindeer cutouts stands on a grassy lawn at night, each decorated with a red bow and green wreath around its neck. They are connected by a string of white Christmas lights acting as reins. In the background, several Christmas trees are illuminated with colorful lights and bright orange star toppers, creating a festive park scene.
A line of wooden reindeer cutouts stands on a grassy lawn at night, each decorated with a red bow and green wreath around its neck. They are connected by a string of white Christmas lights acting as reins. In the background, several Christmas trees are illuminated with colorful lights and bright orange star toppers, creating a festive park scene.
Credit: City of St. Pete / Flickr

A new food festival is here for the holidays. Brewed Life Festivals brings “A Taste of the North” to the St. Pete Pier next weekend. 

The two-day festival includes more than 15 local vendors serving northern comfort foods, a Christmas-themed amateur sand sculpture contest, beachy photos with Santa and an inflatable kids zone. 

Brewed Life also produces the St. Pete Tacos & Tequila, Tampa Bay Empanada and Tampa Bay Barbecue festivals.

“We wanted to create an event that captures the warmth and comfort of a northern Christmas but celebrates it in true Florida style,” Brewed Life founder Patrick Green said in a press release.

Attendees can expect lobster rolls, NE clam chowder, loaded mac and cheese, Maryland crab cakes, cheese curds, smash burgers, Philly cheese steaks, chicken parm and Buffalo wings among the stick-to-your-ribs selections.

There is no cover for general admission. Tickets for the North Pole VIP experience, including a holiday cocktail competition, are $39 presale and $45 day-of.

A Taste of the North Festival happens Friday, Dec. 19, and Saturday, Dec. 20 at Spa Beach Park at the St. Pete Pier.

A Taste of the North Festival


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Fortu’s ‘little sister,’ Isu Sushi, premieres in downtown St. Pete https://www.cltampa.com/food-drink/fortus-little-sister-isu-sushi-premieres-in-downtown-st-pete/ Sat, 06 Dec 2025 00:49:16 +0000 https://www.cltampa.com/?p=348473 A rectangular wooden board displays several rows of sushi rolls, dramatically lit against a dark background. The front row features rolls topped with slices of pink raw fish and a yellow corn relish or garnish, while the back rows include rolls topped with avocado and herbs. A pile of pickled ginger and a dollop of wasabi sit on the board in the foreground.

Its izakaya-style (Japanese small plates) menu also features Peruvian flavors, with items like steak and egg maki and wagyu gyozas served with sweet plantain.

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A rectangular wooden board displays several rows of sushi rolls, dramatically lit against a dark background. The front row features rolls topped with slices of pink raw fish and a yellow corn relish or garnish, while the back rows include rolls topped with avocado and herbs. A pile of pickled ginger and a dollop of wasabi sit on the board in the foreground.
A rectangular wooden board displays several rows of sushi rolls, dramatically lit against a dark background. The front row features rolls topped with slices of pink raw fish and a yellow corn relish or garnish, while the back rows include rolls topped with avocado and herbs. A pile of pickled ginger and a dollop of wasabi sit on the board in the foreground.
Credit: Isu Sushi

Japanese-Peruvian restaurant Fortu welcomed its “little sister,” sushi spot Isu (stylized all caps) in the space below its 97 Central Ave. location last month.

Its izakaya-style (Japanese small plates) menu also features Peruvian flavors, with items like steak and egg maki and wagyu gyozas served with sweet plantain.

Isu is offering a 10-item New Year’s Eve dinner including osetra, king crab, A5 Wagyu, fresh sashimi and Basque cheesecake for $155 per person, with a saki pairing for an extra $80.

Reservations are available on OpenTable. For updates and more information, follow @isu.downtown on Instagram or visit isurestaurants.com


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Category 36 Taphouse & Kitchen reopens in St. Pete Beach https://www.cltampa.com/food-drink/category-36-taphouse-kitchen-reopens-in-st-pete-beach/ Fri, 05 Dec 2025 23:39:23 +0000 https://www.cltampa.com/?p=348456 The exterior of "Category 36 Taphouse" features a row of wooden picnic tables arranged on a green painted patio under a covered walkway. Large storefront windows display neon beer signs, such as Blue Point and Pacifico, next to a glass door labeled with the address "7430" and the business logo. Wooden planters with greenery border the left side, while red poinsettias add festive color to the foreground.

The Stromboli is back after nine months, now on Corey Ave.

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The exterior of "Category 36 Taphouse" features a row of wooden picnic tables arranged on a green painted patio under a covered walkway. Large storefront windows display neon beer signs, such as Blue Point and Pacifico, next to a glass door labeled with the address "7430" and the business logo. Wooden planters with greenery border the left side, while red poinsettias add festive color to the foreground.
The exterior of "Category 36 Taphouse" features a row of wooden picnic tables arranged on a green painted patio under a covered walkway. Large storefront windows display neon beer signs, such as Blue Point and Pacifico, next to a glass door labeled with the address "7430" and the business logo. Wooden planters with greenery border the left side, while red poinsettias add festive color to the foreground.
The old Category 36 storefront. Credit: category36/Facebook

After eight years on Gulf Blvd., Category 36 Taphouse & Kitchen has a new location.

The pizza and bar food spot was closed for nine months after damage from last year’s hurricanes, per ILoveTheBurg.

Last month marked its debut at 348 Corey Ave., including its first Thanksgiving open in the new spot. Category 36 is known for its massive sausage strombolis, along with pizza and other bar fare like wings and sandwiches. It’s also open for breakfast and coffee starting at 10 a.m. on Sundays, including a breakfast Stromboli.

Its grand opening celebration is Dec. 13, from 11 a.m.-5 p.m., with live music and food specials.


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