Tampa Eats
What better way to get to know a city than through its food and restaurants! In addition to a variety of food available at and near the convention center, we’ve come up with a few drive-worthy spots to check out while you are in town!
Food In And Around The Convention Center
GSA has made sure to have plenty of options available for quick bites in and around the convention center, whether you need a coffee break or lunch, there are a variety of food selections close by! We will update menus and hours of operations as we get closer to November.
Convention Center Foods
Coffee Bar
Located on the third floor of the convention center, serving coffee, pastries, and grab-n-go selections. (Open during conference hours.)
Datz
Located in the first-floor rotunda area, serving hot breakfast and lunch items, then coffee and grab-n-go selections into the late-afternoon. (Open for breakfast, lunch, and into the afternoon.)
Food Truck Options
Tampa has a thriving food truck scene and, in an effort to support local businesses, GSA has invited a food truck to be available during the lunch hours on Thursday and Friday during the conference. We will post the food truck selection as soon as it is available. Food trucks will be located at the front circle. View popular food trucks in Tampa area.
Street Eats
Located in the first-floor rotunda area, serving a hot made-to-order menu with a different theme every day. (Open for lunch.)
Water Bottles (Refilling Stations)
Please be sure to bring your own reusable bottles to use during the meeting to cut down on the use of single-use plastic bottles. There will be refilling stations at the Tampa Convention Center.
Big Ray’s Fishcamp & Grille and The Sail
Located across from the front circle of the convention center, get out in the sunshine and enjoy fish sandwiches, shrimp baskets, and burgers! Located next to Big Ray’s is The Sail, hosting live music and cocktails outside. overlooking the river.
Harpoon Harry’s Crab House
Located on S. Franklin (shares space inside the convention center), this is a lively pirate-themed bar & grill offering music, steaks, and seafood.
Jackson’s Bistro, Bar & Sushi
Walk across the small Harbour Island Blvd. bridge to find Jackson’s Bistro, a beautiful waterfront spot with patio serving Tampa favorites and sushi.
Eating Out On The Town
These popular destinations are worth the drive or trolley/water taxi ride and offer beautiful landscapes, crave-worthy food, and a peak into the Tampa lifestyle!
Sparkman Wharf 
This waterfront, all outdoor venue hosts a calendar of live events, a biergarten, and a sundry of delicious restaurants! Close to the convention center, it’s a great after-conference spot to enjoy the Tampa weather and unwind from the day. (Located near the trolley route.)
Armature Works
This upscale market and food hall has beautiful outdoor space that overlooks the river and the illuminated bridges in the evening. Choose from a selection of quick eats or get a reservation at one of the hub restaurants. Visitors can also visit local artisan shops, sit outside on a picnic table, or play a round of giant chess out on the lawn! This venue is a beautiful destination accessible by the water taxi.
Columbia Restaurant 
Since 1905 this family owned restaurant has been serving Tampa it’s delicious Spanish-Cuban cuisine. Located in the heart of Ybor City, this Tampa staple is the oldest Florida restaurant and serves up family recipes from tapas to paella, and on most evenings you can reserve dinner with a Flamenco show! (Located near the trolley route.)
Be sure to support these local, minorty-owned establishments:
7th and Grove
1930 E. 7th Ave.
Tampa, FL 33605
(813) 649-8422
Al’s Finger Licking Good Bar-B-Que / Soul Food
2302 E. 7th Ave. Tampa, FL 33605 (Soul Food)
1609 Angel Olivia Sr. St. Tampa, FL 33605 (Bar-B-Que)
(813) 515-5036 (Soul Food) or (813) 956-0675 (Bar-B-Que)
Ben and Jerry’s
1106 Gramercy Lane Tampa, FL 33607 (813) 774-6244
409 Mandalay Ave. Clearwater Beach, FL 33767 (727) 335-3708
These two scoop shops are the first Black-owned Ben and Jerry’s franchises in Florida.
Blue Flame Southern Restaurant & Lounge
1524 E. Fowler Ave.
Tampa, FL 33612
(813) 280-9865
Burnz Restaurant Bar & Grill
1704 N. Howard Ave.
Tampa, FL 33607
(813) 964-6093
Chief’s Creole Cafe
901 22nd St. S.
St. Petersburg, FL 33712
(727) 498-8979
COPA
1047 Central Ave.
St. Petersburg, FL 33705
(727) 623-9199
Cheese Please
3225 S MacDill Ave, Tampa, FL 33629
Flavaz Jamaican Grille
6467 U.S. 301 S.
Riverview, FL 33578
(813) 488-5114
Flipn’ Fries Factory
5840 Grand Oro Lane, Unit #102
Wesley Chapel, FL 33544
(813) 501 8706
Heavy’s Food Truck
(727) 914-0632
Hogg Batch Coffee
2327 Central Ave.
St. Petersburg, FL 33713
(727) 210-5029
Island Crew Restaurant and Catering
2210 E. Hillsborough Ave. #2
Tampa, FL 33610
(813) 237-1968
Island Flavors and Tings
1411 49th St. S.
Gulfport, FL 33707
(727) 804-1849
The Jerk Hut
Locations in Seminole Heights, South Tampa and USF area
Kay’s Kitchen
11124 N. 30th St.
Tampa, FL 33612
(813) 368-5196
Ladies of the Sea
2705 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Tampa, FL 33610
(813) 247-2722
Love Food Central
2057 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33713
Mama’s Southern Soul Food Restaurant
3701 E. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd.
Tampa, FL 33610
(813) 769-9552
M&R Cafe
3320 E. Osborne Ave.
Tampa, FL 33603
(813) 234-2333
PattyeCakes
(813) 444-3602
Pop Goes the Waffle
@popgoesthewaffle
Food Truck
Ray’s Vegan Soul
953 Central Ave.
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
(727) 697-7685
Rush Hour Chicken & Waffles
2140 34th S.
St. Petersburg, FL 33711
(727) 440-7817
Three Generations Food Truck
(727) 254-8104
Locally owned restaurants, shops, bookstores and more around the Tampa Bay area by Tampa Magazine
Full list of Black-owned restaurants, shops, crafters and more from around the Bay area.