Brunch - it's not just a meal. It's an experience.
Anyone can grab a hurried breakfast or a bite of lunch, but brunch is different. More casual and relaxed - you can linger with friends and loved ones - or even take a moment alone, to enjoy yourself and really savor that tempting range of food, wreathed in the warm and comforting aroma of coffee.
Tampa is the perfect town to grab a great brunch meal being home to some AMAZING brunch restaurants. There's a lot of choices...and there's also a lot of articles talking about it. And that's why we've put together a list of the absolute best brunch spots in Tampa to help you make your tasty decision.
Oxford Exchange - Hyde Park
If a contemporary 'industrial chic' bistro with artwork on the walls is your thing, then head to the Oxford Exchange! Not only can you reward yourself with a superb weekend brunch - served between 9 am and 4 pm - but you can also browse their impressive bookstore and The Shop, with all manner of goodies, from household items to beautiful jewelry. There's even a champagne bar here - who could ask for more?
All of this is set within the neighborhood of Hyde Park, close to the Hillsborough River, with a bridge making it a short hop to Downtown. Hyde Park is exquisitely historic and charming, crammed with character. It's well worth a walk around, to see the Arts & Crafts houses, the Bay, and to visit the shops and theaters.
Cask Social Kitchen - SOHO
On a Friday through Sunday, 11 am to 4 pm, you can get traditional American fare with a 'Southern Twist'. The atmosphere here is seriously relaxed but manages to buzz at the same time! The food might sound simple, but don't be fooled - this is contemporary as you can get.
SOHO (South Howard) is a vibrant area that attracts young professionals and college graduates seeking fun. This neighborhood is stuffed with bars, nightclubs, restaurants, and pubs. Brunch at the Cask might be the best way to recover and relax if you do venture out to sample the legendary nightlife! Be prepared for the busy streets, though - this is one popular neighborhood.
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Pach's Place - South Tampa
South Tampa covers several neighborhoods, from West Kennedy Boulevard right down to the MacDill Airforce Base, bordered to the east and west by Old Tampa Bay and Hillsborough Bay. Pach's Place is nestled at the top end, by the South Dale Mabry Highway where it has been a well-loved local fixture for more than forty years.
At this family-run establishment, you can be sure of a warm welcome and wholesome, healthy food when you visit for brunch, starting from 6 am through to 2:30 pm weekends. The neighborhoods of South Tampa vary greatly, spread over a wide grid system street plan. There's plenty to do and see, with a good opportunity for shopping, recreation, and entertainment, though some areas are in need of more care. One of the draws is that it is hand for nearby St. Petersburg.
Datz - Palma Ceia
Situated on the southeastern edge of Palma Ceia, close to the Bay, Datz not only offers a unique range of brunches but aims to fill you up! With the Bayshore Boulevard just a couple of blocks away, you can work up an appetite with a walk or bike ride, or even work off your brunch afterwards. Brunch is served here at weekends, 8:30 am to 3 pm Saturday, and 9 pm Sunday.
When an eatery offers such fare as 'Biscuits & Crazy' and 'Waffle of the Week', you know you're on to a winner! If the fantastic bay views are not for you, take a stroll through the brick streets, with their majestic oaks and beautiful houses. Try not to get 'house envy' though, this is clearly an area where the money is.
Oystercatchers - Rocky Point
Discretely tucked away to the side of Tampa International Airport, where Fish Creek (appropriately enough) flows into Old Tampa Bay, Oystercatchers offers an exceptional brunch experience. Set within the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay, you can be sure that this buffet brunch will be something special, with the emphasis, as the name may imply, on seafood.
Brunch is served only on a Sunday, 10:30 am to 2 pm, and is a favorite with for locals, on special occasions or simply a Sunday treat. The hotel itself sits some way below Rocky Point, a unique neighborhood characterized by the island that is joined to the mainland by the West Courtney Campbell Causeway. Aside from the airport and the water, Rocky Point is known for its golf course - one of the oldest in Florida.
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Ella's American Folk Art Cafe - Seminole Heights
Seminole Heights is regarded as 'Hipster Central' - it has all the amenities and attractions of the main street, but with a Bohemian flavor. House flipping and gentrification has made its mark here but it still attracts artists, musicians, and fun-seekers of all ages, but with a 'youthful' majority.
Ella's fits in well with the eclectic feel of the neighborhood, being quirky without pretentiousness. When you're done with your Sunday drive to view the Victorian, Arts & Crafts, and Florida Cracker/Vernacular styles of architecture, you can head to Ella's between 11 am and 8 pm for a truly unique brunch experience. You might even pick up a piece of art from the fantastic selection on display! Although meat features heavily in the Kansas City-style cuisine, they are famed for their vegetarian and vegan options.
Jacksons - Harbour Island
Between 13:30 am and 2:30 pm on Sundays, you can head to Jackson's Bistro for a buffet-style brunch. The building is modern, bright, and clean, with an atmosphere of sophistication. Enjoy your food as you look out over the water from Harbour Island.
Essentially part of Downtown, this island feels like an exclusive neighborhood of its own. Properties are pretty close together, and there are only two ways on and off the island. If you can cope with the traffic, it's handy for Downtown, with a good mix of accommodation for all budgets.
Well, we hope you enjoyed our rundown of the best brunch spots in Tampa! Let us know in the comments which ones you like the best.
And remember, if you find yourself in one of Tampa's awesome neighborhoods to eat on a Sunday morning, be sure to represent with our Tampa neighborhood apparel!
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