Seminole Heights guide: Favorite hidden gems in this hip Tampa neighborhood

Gabrielle Calise, Helen Freund, Tampa Bay Times
·5 min read

Note: This guide first appeared in our email newsletter series, One Day in Tampa Bay. Subscribe to that newsletter and check out our other offerings at tampabay.com/newsletters.

Somewhere in the last decade or so, Tampa’s Seminole Heights neighborhood crossed the threshold into Officially Cool status. The craft breweries moved in, interesting dining concepts popped up and the area’s charming old bungalows suddenly became hot commodities.

While there’s a lot to do here, the neighborhood is broken up by busy roads like Florida, Hillsborough and Nebraska avenues and you’ll most likely want a car to get around. Being stuck behind the wheel can make it harder than it is in other locales to stumble onto hidden gems, but don’t worry: We’ve written a guide to help you build your perfect day.

Times tip: Be sure to book a rideshare like Uber or Lyft if you intend to bar hop.

Plan your meals

One of the biggest draws to Seminole Heights is the many places to grab a bite to eat. Want vegan comfort food? Soul food brunch? What about deep-dish pizza?

Take your pick — it’s all here.

We recommend coming in the morning to pop into cute coffee shops and bakeries, or swinging by in the evening for dinner and drinks. Save midafternoon for shopping and exploring.

Cappy’s Pizza: The nostalgic pizza parlor decorated with funky Old Florida memorabilia is known for Chicago- and New York-style pies and massive salads.

Ella’s Americana Folk Art Cafe: This artsy neighborhood staple is filled with all kinds of kooky wall art, sculptures and other eclectic pieces. Save room on the weekends for the Soul Food Sunday brunch.

Gangchu: The casual indoor-outdoor restaurant from chef Noel Cruz specializes in Korean fried chicken and other drinking snacks, like loaded fries, dumplings and spicy rice cakes.

Gulf Coast Sourdough Sandwich House: A great spot for sandwich fans, the shop’s mix-and-match format allows guests to choose from more than 10 bread types (we’re partial to the turmeric and black pepper loaves) before selecting from several toppings or signature creations.

Jug & Bottle Dept.: This bottle shop has all kinds of hip craft beers, plus interesting merch (Nicolas Cage T-shirt, anyone?) and sweet treats for sale. There’s a 3 Dot Dash walk-up window nestled in the back, offering vegan comfort food from chick’n sandwiches to Impossible burgers.

Nebraska Mini Mart: A more casual spot from the team behind Rooster and the Till, the draws here are the tasty burgers and jovial outdoor vibes, with games like shuffleboard, pingpong and bocce.

Rooster and the Till: One of Tampa’s most lauded restaurants, this Seminole Heights favorite excels with envelope-pushing menus that burst with creativity. It’s on the pricier side, but trust us: An evening here is so worth it.

Times tip: For more food and drinks that reflect the hip neighborhood vibe, visit King State a short drive away in Tampa Heights. You can grab both kinds of brew at this spot, which is a coffee shop and eatery by day and a bar by night. FYI, afternoon caffeine lovers: The place closes for a few hours after the lunch rush to transition into bar mode.

Map

Click here to see the full map.

Plan your activities

Shop

Browse vintage clothing at Valhalla Resale. Looking for a great consignment store or antique furniture? Check out Vintage Post Marketplace, D&D Antiques and Retro Mania.

For new and used records, swing by Microgroove, a locally owned record store that also stocks cassettes, CDs and more.

Pet lovers can find supplies and cute treats for their fur babies at Health Mutt.

Then pick up dinner at Heights Seafood Co., where owner Howie Adelman always has something fresh and delicious in the case. Stone crabs, we’re looking at you.

Move

Take a stroll: According to local historian Rodney Kite-Powell, Seminole Heights has the most bungalows out of any Tampa neighborhood. Pull off any of the larger thoroughfares onto the residential streets to admire the gorgeous porches and funky gardens. You can even make a game out of counting the double-headed gator flags. The creature became a symbol of the area after a hoax photograph made the rounds in both local and national media in 2014.

Don’t forget the zoo! One neighborhood over, ZooTampa at Lowry Park is home to everything from manatees to orangutans, and the attraction frequently hosts seasonal events.

Paddle it out: Some locals like to bring canoes and kayaks to spend a little time on the Hillsborough River. If you have your own, Rivercrest Park in south Seminole Heights is a great place to launch. Just keep an eye out for gators.

Get tipsy

Seminole Heights has a great selection of bars and breweries. Here are a few of our faves.

82° West Distilling: Do you like rum? Then you’ll love this craft distiller and taproom, which specializes in rum but also dabbles in other spirits.

Angry Chair Brewing: A new, much larger location sports the same industrial aesthetic and stellar selection of stouts that put this award-winning brewery on the map.

The Independent Bar and Cafe: Since 2009, this neighborhood staple has garnered a solid following for its international selection of craft beers, wine and laid-back atmosphere.

Mandarin Heights: An offshoot of downtown St. Petersburg’s Mandarin Hide, the trendy spot serves creative cocktails in a tropical, mid-century modern setting.

Ology Brewing Co.: This is the first Tampa location for the Tallahassee-based brewery. Popular brews include a fruited Berliner Weisse and several New England-style hazy IPAs.

Check out our other local guides

Contact Gabrielle Calise at gcalise@tampabay.com. Follow @gabriellecalise. Contact Helen Freund at hfreund@tampabay.com. Follow @helenfreund.