For those craving a cultural experience, expanding your culinary horizons has never been easier in Tampa. The city’s international restaurants offer recipes passed down through generations and carried across seas, alongside contemporary takes on time-honored traditions. From Latin America to the Middle East, check out some of Tampa’s finest international restaurants offering authentic flavors that transcend borders to bring communities together.
Spice Kitchen
Voted Tampa’s Best Indian Restaurant for two years running, Spice Kitchen is Tampa Bay’s premier fine-dining Indian Restaurant. “Our food showcases the rich flavors of my hometown, New Delhi,” explains Sanjay Verma, owner and executive chef. “Every dish at our restaurant is made from scratch, using fresh ingredients, herbs and house spices. When customers experience the layering of subtle flavors in our food, it leaves a lasting memory.” With a tastefully decorated setting and a full-service bar, Spice Kitchen is perfect for dinner and special celebrations with family, friends or colleagues.
11653 Countryway Blvd. | Tampa | (813) 475-4200 | spicekitchentampa.com
Koya
Koya is an intimate, exclusive tasting menu experience with only eight seats and just one seating per night. Koya’s offerings embody the Japanese concept of shun, the peak season of a particular ingredient. “The highlight of our tasting is all the fresh fish and ingredients that we fly directly from Toyosu Market in Japan,” says Adriana Fralick, co-owner at Koya. “Guests can expect artfully crafted raw and cooked courses that highlight the bounty of the market at that time.” Available by reservation only, Koya’s seasonal, ever-changing menu is a mixture of culinary tradition and contemporary technique.
807 W. Platt St. | Tampa | (813) 284-7423 | koyatampa.com
Istanbul Mediterranean Grill and Market
Istanbul Grill serves up fresh, authentic Turkish food in a casual, family-friendly atmosphere. You’ll find it inside a Mediterranean grocery store lined with walls of Turkish delights and other imported goods. “Our purpose extends beyond just serving good food,” explains Mevlana Sarac, owner of Istanbul Grill. “Our aim is to help our customers travel to the other side of the world through the delicious tastes we serve.” A large menu offers Turkish staples like kebabs, hummus and falafel. An assortment of sweets, such as baklava and kadayif, are also available to be enjoyed alongside traditional Turkish coffee or tea.
8896 N. Florida Ave. | Tampa | (813) 374-6994 | istanbulgrillfl.com
La Cabaña
La Cabaña fashions itself a place of nostalgia for those longing for Colombia’s rich culture and cuisine. Serving traditional fare, like bandeja paisa and pollo a la brasa, the family friendly eatery spreads awareness of Colombian cuisine across Tampa Bay. “We’ve always prided ourselves on providing a truly authentic experience,” says Jonathan Betancur, La Cabaña’s operator. “From my grandmother still cooking every morning to the decor and service, our goal has always been to give people a literal taste of Colombian culture.” With over 21 years in business, La Cabaña is a community mainstay for home-style meals in a casual Latin American atmosphere.
5302 N. Armenia Ave. | Tampa | (813) 936-0078 | lacabanatampa.com
Babushka’s
Family-owned and focused on traditional Russian and Ukrainian cuisine, Babushka’s serves classic dishes, like borscht and pierogies, accompanied by Russian delicacies, such as blinchikis, pirozhki and homemade honey cake. “As the only Russian restaurant in Tampa Bay, we have an important mission of breaking stereotypes about Russia and showing that the culture is very welcoming,” says Kirill Chemodanov, Babushka’s founder. “Apart from vodka, we also have great food options to offer.” Babushka’s opened up its second location in 2021 in Hyde Park, bringing a taste of Russia to South Tampa. There, guests can enjoy caviar and infused vodkas in a dacha-like interior.
Temple Terrace: 12639 N. 56th St. | (813) 515-7415
Hyde Park: 901 W. Platt St. | (813) 867-8999
babushkas.us
Still hungry? Check out our roundup of Tampa Bay’s Top Steakhouses for 2022.
