Tampa offers the perfect blend of vibrant city life and coastal charm, with stunning waterfronts, world-class dining, and a thriving arts scene. Whether chasing sunshine or looking for some culture, Tampa delivers an unforgettable escape for every kind of traveler—the below covers all of that (and more).
Nestled along Florida’s Gulf Coast, Tampa is a dynamic city that offers something for everyone. Whether you’re delving into the rich history of Ybor City and its iconic cigar heritage or enjoying a leisurely walk along the picturesque Tampa Riverwalk, this destination effortlessly combines culture, adventure, and relaxation.
Ditch the snow boots and pack your sandals. Tampa Bay is calling, bringing a fusion of cultures, a thriving arts scene, and enough sunshine to power your entire Instagram feed. Here’s the official Hotels Above Par guide to the area, highlighting where to stay (Palihouse Hyde Park Village & Hotel Haya are excellent choices), eat, drink, and visit in the hip, urban heart of Florida’s Gulf Coast.
Culture Corner
A Q&A with Chef Ferrell Alvarez
by Katie Mok
Tampa’s growing culinary scene is a hot topic in and of itself. Bold, dynamic flavors work in harmony, and we had the opportunity to speak to the mastermind behind some of Tampa’s best and most innovative restaurants. Below, we chat with Chef Ferrell Alvarez of Proper House Group, the team behind Rooster & The Till, Gordito’s, Alter Ego, and more.
Tampa’s food scene has really come into its own in recent years. What do you think sets Tampa apart and makes its culinary culture so dynamic and vibrant?
"The diversity of our culinary scene is something that is special to Tampa. In the past 5-7 years, there's been an influx of amazing restaurants that have opened, from foodie focused sandwich shops to Michelin Star tasting menus!"
You’re behind multiple restaurants under the Proper House Group umbrella—how do you maintain a consistent vision while allowing each concept to have its own identity? Has Tampa’s diversity influenced that approach?
"The vision is to be true to ourselves as owners while providing what we feel adds to Tampa's scene. We put culture and product quality first, and we strongly feel that those focuses help us maintain our unique identity from concept to concept."
When you’re building a menu, what’s your starting point? Is there a dish or ingredient that’s followed you from kitchen to kitchen, or something you just love introducing to new audiences?
"I don't necessarily have an ingredient that follows me, but I do have a style that I feel is unique to me. I enjoy aggressive, bold flavors that aren't predictable and offer a sense of crave-ability. Once we develop a concept, I dive into approaching the food in our way without being pedestrian or obvious. I tend to stay away from trendy social media things and try to stay true to myself."
What’s one dish you would never fail to order at your establishments? And what makes you gravitate towards it?
"I think each one of our restaurants has "that dish," but the one that stands out the easiest is the Cobia Collar at Rooster. It's exactly like I said earlier, a testament to how I enjoy cooking and eating, bold and aggressive flavors. It's one of the only dishes that doesn't get changed at that location and it's so damn delicious. It's a great balance of hot and cold, fatty and acidic, spicy and sweet. Often imitated but never duplicated!"
What’s next in store for you, 2025 and onwards?
"We're nervous about the economic climate of our country, so we are cautiously staying optimistic. We are interested in growing our fast casual space and another Alter Ego or similar style bar/music concept, but we practice patience and wait for the right deals and locations to come along."
This coastal farm strives to be a valuable community resource—educating the public on green initiatives, serving up delicious farm-to-table food, and providing a stunning venue for private events. The guided one-hour walking tour leads visitors through vegetable gardens, composting and vermiculture systems, chickens, a biodigester, bees, micro-greens, an aquaculture system, coastal preservation areas, and more. To further entice guests, the on-site café and bakery serve mouth-watering quiches, fresh-baked goods, crisp salads, flavorful sandwiches, and other farm-fresh delights.
Check it out here.
HAP Films with Editor-in-Chief, Brandon Berkson
Want to explore Tampa via video? Look no further—in addition to this video, below are two films we captured while perusing the city.
Ybor City Pocket Guide
Ybor City is Tampa’s most historic and trendy neighborhood. So, it was only natural for us to film a pocket guide highlighting the ins and outs of its storied boutique hotels, restaurants, bars, and shops. For easy reference, we’ve put every location within the film underneath.
Where to Stay:
Hotel Haya - One of Tampa’s best boutique hotels—the pool area gives off Floridian vibes.
Where to Eat:
Cheeseology - Expect every cheese under the sun, from Brie to Roquefort.
Flor Fina - A trendy eatery with Latin American and Gulf Coast-inspired dishes.
Where to Drink:
Sterling Cigar Lounge - The debonair cigar lounge pays homage to Tampa’s robust cigar culture. Pick a cigar from the impressive humidor (we selected a Dominican breed), and head outside to the atmospheric terrace for some lounging with a libation in hand.
Where to Visit:
La France - Florida’s best vintage shop, equipped with clothes from all different decades.
Jose Martí Park - A slice of Cuba in Tampa that pays respect to the eponymous figure who led Cuba to independence from the Spanish.
JC Newman Cigar Co. - A family-run staple and grand humidor where one can learn about cigars as well as how to roll them.
Tampa’s Restaurant Scene Is Simmering Hot
Tampa’s gastronomy scene is thriving. From flavorful Mediterranean cuisine to a legendary steakhouse—complete with a decadent dessert room—the Gulf Coast city offers no shortage of culinary delights. Below, we’ve highlighted all the restaurants featured in this film.
Predalina - One of Florida’s most beautiful restaurants, this high-ceilinged, Michelin-recognized restaurant serves ambrosial Mediterranean fare. Unassumingly (and we only say this due to the cuisine type), they have a delicious grilled cheese with tomato soup dish.
Ulele - This restaurant is a Tampa Riverwalk must-try. If you want to soak up the sun, they have an amicable outdoor seating area. Any of the oyster plates here are sure to delight your taste buds.
Noble Rice - This lively restaurant serves Sushi, ramen, and yakitori aplenty. Chef Erick Fralick’s plates draw inspiration from the years he spent in Japan.
Bern’s Steak House - Bern’s Steak House is a Tampa institution. No trip to the area is complete without ordering wine on wine, escargot, caviar, and steaks here. From its rooms swathed in different themes to its unending wine cellar, you’re in for a treat.
Harry Waugh Dessert Room - On top of Bern’s Steak House, if you have a sweet tooth, the pies and cakes here will have you in raptures. Order the Butterscotch Pie, which comes with a graham cracker crust and brown sugar meringue.
Want more Tampa Bay? We encourage you to visit the tourism bureau’s website.
Today’s email is thanks to a Hotels Above Par x Visit Tampa Bay partnership.