Alessi Bakery ★ 4.8
Alessi Bakery on West Cypress has run an Italian and Cuban bakery in Tampa since 1912, with famous hand-carved Cuban sandwiches, deviled crabs and cannolis.
A torpedo-shaped croquette of blue crab meat in spicy tomato sofrito, wrapped in a paste made from Cuban bread crumbs and deep-fried until golden.
Deviled crabs originated in Ybor City's Spanish-Cuban-Italian immigrant community during the 1920 cigar workers strike. Cigar workers caught blue crabs from Tampa Bay and used day-old Cuban bread to stretch the meat into a portable, deep-fried croquette they could carry on the picket line. The Spanish croquette tradition mixed with Cuban sofrito and Sicilian peppers and onions. Francisco Oscar Miranda sold devil crabs from a motorized bike across Tampa from 1920 to 1953. The torpedo shape is the signature.
5 editor picks for Deviled crab (Tampa devil crab) in Tampa, ranked by editorial score. All Tampa signature dishes · Deviled crab (Tampa devil crab) across every city.
Mauricio Faedo's Bakery ★ 4.7
Mauricio Faedo's Bakery on North Florida Avenue bakes Cuban bread, breakfast Cuban toast and deviled crabs daily, with the family running it since 1955.
Brocato's Sandwich Shop ★ 4.6
Brocato's on East Columbus Drive in Tampa has built Cuban sandwiches, deviled crabs and stuffed potatoes since 1948 from a neighborhood storefront.
OrderThe Cuban sandwich with a deviled crab on the side.
TipCash and card both work; the party finger sandwiches (mini Cubans and mini deviled crabs) are the catering pick.
Michelle Faedo's On the Go ★ 4.5
Michelle Faedo's On the Go is the Faedo daughter's deviled crab food truck plus a small Ybor City counter, with three branches running the spicy recipe.
La Teresita ★ 4.5
La Teresita on Columbus Drive in West Tampa has run a Cuban counter and dining room since 1972, owned by the Capdevila family across two generations.
OrderPalomilla steak with yellow rice and black beans, a side of yuca fries, and a cafe con leche at the counter.
TipThe counter (west door) runs 6am to midnight Friday and Saturday; the dining room next door takes reservations.
Learn to cook it, or eat it with a guide
Deviled crab (Tampa devil crab) makes more sense with someone from Tampa explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.
Book food experiences in Tampa
Guided tour · 3 hours
Tampa: Ybor City Stories and Flavors Experience
Discover the history of Ybor City on a guided walking tour in Tampa. Learn about the cigar industry, explore the lives of the workers, and enjoy food tastings that ref...
from$99 Check dates
Guided tour · 3.5 hours
Tampa: Ybor City Food Tour with 5 Local Delicacies Tastings
Discover Ybor City on our Secret Food Tour! Taste 6+ dishes including Cuban sandwiches, deviled crab, and Greek specialties while exploring Tampa’s vibrant history, cu...
from$98 Check dates
Guided tour · 2 hours
Iconic Ybor: Cuban Sandwich and History Tour
Sip cafe con leche and enjoy a 90 minute walking tour with historic landmarks, architecture, and the stories of Cigar City. End with a famous Cuban sandwich at Florida...
from$70 Check dates