Embark on a foodie adventure in Tampa, Florida, where you can indulge in vibrant international cuisines, all-American classics and sumptuous sweet treats
WORDS: ALICE PENWILL PHOTOS: ALAMY, GETTY, SEAMUS PAYNE, ZODEE MEDIA
Great food is a major part of any holiday and, inspired by celebrity farmer Jimmy Doherty’s travels around the Sunshine State in his new ITV1 show, Jimmy’s Taste Of Florida, OK! followed in his footsteps, focusing on the Tampa Bay area in the hope of finding some foodie gems.
New restaurants are popping up all over Tampa, and even cultivating their own agriculture thanks to Meacham – an urban farm that grows more than 30 varieties of fresh organic fruits and vegetables.
Top tip: The heritage streetcars offer a fun, free ride around Ybor City and downtown Tampa, but the best way to explore is by hiring a car, or taking an Uber – our preferred mode of transport since there was plenty of amazing wine to sample, too.
WHERE TO STAY
The Epicurean is a sleek hotel with luxurious, spacious rooms situated in the sought-after SoHo (South Howard Avenue) district of Tampa. It’s just a short walk from the river, as well as a host of bustling bars. The hotel has a pool, rooftop cocktail lounge and spa and fitness centre, so there’s plenty to occupy you on your downtime.
The on-site restaurants include Élevage SoHo Kitchen & Bar, where the chefs create renditions of American classics and take advantage of being near the water with dishes such as baked oysters and grilled octopus. There’s also Chill Bros. Scoop Shop – run by a local family, it’s renowned for its gorgeous ice creams. Treat yourself to a scoop of Guava or Double Down Oreo – delish.
WHAT TO DO
Ybor City, once the cigar capital of the world, is where Tampa’s cultural roots lie, so a tour is a must (it’s also where more than 200 chickens roam the streets!). We learned why Vincente Martinez Ybor moving his cigar operation from Cuba to Florida led to the invention of the famous Cuban sandwich – never has a ham and cheese sarnie tasted so good. Make sure you try one at Columbia restaurant, which has been open since 1905.
Tampa Bay is Florida’s largest open-water estuary, so we also enjoyed taking the Riverwalk. Buy a pass to see attractions such as the aquarium, art museum and history centre, th
