It’s Hispanic Heritage Month and Tampa is proud to be teeming with Hispanic/Latinx-owned restaurants. Check out this list and get inspired to dine local and try something new.
The following list is only a start. Suggested additions are welcomed at kathryn.deen@tampamagazines.com.
Arco Iris Cafe
4001 N. Habana Ave., Tampa, FL 33607
(813) 879-1357 | facebook.com/ArcoIrisRestaurant
Arco Iris specializes in Cuban and Spanish food with a twist on Cuban-style fried rice. It has been serving the Tampa Bay community for 28 years with its famous Cuban-style roast pork, cut churrasco steak with chimi-churri sauce as well as traditional carne con papas (beef stew), ropa vieja (shredded beef) and vaca frita (fried flank steak).
Caribbean Twist
3328 W. Columbus Drive, Tampa, FL 33607
(813) 350-9393 | caribbeantwist.org
Caribbean Twist offers breakfast, lunch and dinner. It brings authentic Caribbean food to Tampa and was voted one of Tampa’s favorite spots for inexpensive Latin food.
Catrinas Tacos and Tequila Bar
1611 N. Howard Ave., Tampa, FL 33607
(813) 898-8628 | catrinasgroup.com
Catrinas showcases the authentic fresh Mexican gastronomic thematic of Jalisco, Mexico. It serves award-winning guacamole, the biggest tequila selection of the Tampa Bay area, featuring 350-plus tequilas, and an extensive handcrafted margarita selection. Its bar showcases handcrafted cocktails and tequila flights with fresh, local and imported ingredients in an upscale and artsy fare.
Crazy Burrito
2506 W. Columbus Drive, Tampa, FL 33607
(813) 304-0881 | facebook.com/Crazyburritotampa
Crazy Burrito offers authentic Mexican food. It has a wide variety of burritos, tacos, tostadas, quesadillas and more.
Flan Factory
1718 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa, FL 33602
(813) 402-2400 | flanfactorytampa.com
Flan Factory is a family legacy that was passed down from a Cuban grandmother to her daughter, who sold it and it was eventually rebought by her grandson. This restaurant infuses different flavors and ingredients with their recipes to ensure new flavors.
Grand Hacienda
11955 Sheldon Road, Tampa, FL 33626
(813) 575-5610 | grandhaciendarestaurant.com
Grand Hacienda is a Mexican delicacy in the Tampa Bay community. Friends and family celebrate cooking with pre-Hispanic ingredients and methods passed down through many generations.
La Cabaña
5302 N. Armenia Ave., Tampa, FL 33603
(813) 936-0078 | lacabanatampa.com
Known for its authentic flavors, this award-winning restaurant was voted one of the best Colombian places in Tampa. La Cabaña has authentic, flavorful dishes, such as bandeja paisa, carne asada, grilled skirt steak, bean casseroles and pollo a la brasa (rotisserie chicken).
MamaJuana Cafe
9202 Anderson Road, Tampa, FL 33634
(813) 402-2281 | mamajuanacafetampa.com
Mamajuana Cafe is famous for its innovative Latino cuisine, which combines time-honored traditional recipes with new twists. Its chefs create all of its sauces from scratch, from the Dominican Republic to Colombia. Its dishes exemplify the authentic flavors of the Caribbean Hispanic and South American culinary tradition.
Nebraska Mini Mart
4815 N. Nebraska Ave., Tampa, FL 33603
(813) 231-9522 | nebraskaminimart.com
Nebraska Mini Mart is an adult playground consisting of 1.5 acres of property that offers a fresh burger menu (and chicken sandwiches), regulation-sized bocce ball and shuffleboard courts, a custom ping-pong table and indoor dining.
Nico’s Arepa Grill
8303 N. Armenia Ave., Tampa, FL 33604
(813) 932-1777 | nicosarepasgrill.com
What started off as a small food truck several years ago has become a full restaurant with multiple locations. Nico’s Arepa Grill has a variety of traditional Vanezualian and Latin dishes.
Pal Campo Restaurant Tampa
9218 Anderson Road, Tampa, FL 33634
(813) 252-9458 | palcamporestaurant.com
Pal Campo is a Puerto Rican cousins‘ restaurant located in the Tampa Bay area that promises a unique dining experience. The restaurant specializes in combining modern and traditional cuisine from its home land.
Tacos Mi Rancho
10321 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, FL 33618
(813) 952-6997 | facebook.com/TacosMiRanchoTampa
Tacos Mi Rancho is a food truck that offers authentic tacos, soups, tortillas and burritos. It also has a menu full of Mexican delicacies.
TacoSon
7521 N. 56th St., Tampa, FL 33617
(813) 989-2080 | tacosonmexicangrill.com
TacoSon, a Tampa staple, is a family-owned restaurant from Sorona, Mexico. Its recipes are passed down through generations. The staff takes pride in offering authentic, high-quality food for an affordable price for their community.
The Cake Girl
13713 N. Dale Mabry Highway, Tampa, FL 33618
(813) 360-0909 | thecakegirl.com
The Cake Girl is a full-service cake and cupcake shop. It specializes in mini cupcakes, custom birthday cakes, wedding cakes and gourmet ice cream. It serves 10 flavors of mini cupcakes that rotate every week through 62 flavors.
The Empanada King
1450 Skipper Road, Tampa, FL 33613
(813) 735-2240 | facebook.com/bigjontheempanadaking
The Empanada King is a food truck run by a husband-and-wife team. The duo serve empanadas, sauces and drinks.
Tito’s Latin Kitchen
1809 W. Waters Ave., Tampa, FL 33604
(646) 842-1762 | facebook.com/pages/category/Food-Truck/Titos-Latin-Kitchen-105466614194518
Tito’s Latin Kitchen is a veteran-owned delicacy. It specializes in Puerto Rican dishes and drinks.
Wicked Oak Barbeque
6607 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, FL 33604
(813) 304-2425 | wickedoakbbq.com
Wicked Oak Barbeque is known for its award-winning, slow-smoked meats, homestyle sides and homemade sauces. It serves its own styles of loaded mac, nachos and wings.