Japanese ramen$
Ichi Koroshi is a tonkotsu ramen counter hidden inside the Jug and Bottle shop on North Florida Avenue in Seminole Heights, from former Ichicoro cooks.
Why locals love it: A tonkotsu ramen counter hidden inside the Jug and Bottle shop on North Florida Avenue, run by alumni of the old Ichicoro who quietly revived Seminole Heights ramen.
Tip: Seating is limited inside the bottle shop; go early in the 2pm to 9pm window before the bowls sell out.
Cafe$$
Blind Tiger Cafe Roastery is a cafe room in Tampa. Order the espresso flight; the bean-retail section in the back has fresh-roasted Ethiopian Yirgacheffe.
Why locals love it: Ybor coffee roastery that supplies four Tampa cafes, with rotating single-origin coffees and a quiet morning room behind the brick wall.
Tip: Order the espresso flight; the bean-retail section in the back has fresh-roasted Ethiopian Yirgacheffe.
Spanish$$Mon-Fri 09:00-17:00, Sat-Sun closed
Centro Asturiano de Tampa on N Nebraska Ave is the 1888 Spanish mutual-aid club building in Ybor that opens to public on club nights for sangria, tapas.
Why locals love it: Historic 1888 Spanish mutual-aid club building in Ybor that opens to the public on club nights for sangria, tapas and Spanish dance.
Tip: Check the club calendar for open-public nights; sangria de Centro is the order.
Greek$$Wed-Sun 08:00-15:00, Mon-Tue closed
Psomi Greek Bakery is daytime-only greek bakery and cafe on howard avenue with michelin bib gourmand status, closed monday and tuesday and quiet midweek.
Why locals love it: Daytime-only Greek bakery and cafe on Howard Avenue with Michelin Bib Gourmand status, closed Monday and Tuesday and quiet midweek.
Tip: Closed Monday and Tuesday; the octopus ceviche and house dolmades are the orders.
Thai$$Sun 09:00-13:00 (Sunday market)
Wat Mongkolratanaram on Palm River Rd is the Buddhist temple's Sunday Thai market under live oaks, with food cooked by temple volunteers cash-only.
Why locals love it: Buddhist temple Sunday Thai market under live oaks on Palm River, with food cooked by temple volunteers and cash-only counters.
Tip: Cash only; arrive before 11am for the pad thai line. Religious services follow at 1pm in the temple proper.
Indian$$Mon 11:00-14:30 17:00-21:30, Tue closed, Wed-Thu 11:00-14:30 17:00-21:30, Fri-Sat 11:00-14:30 17:00-22:00, Sun 09:00-14:30 17:00-22:00
Gorkhali Kitchen is strip-mall nepalese kitchen in new tampa with a michelin bib gourmand and a thali platter that the soho restaurant lists overlook.
Why locals love it: Strip-mall Nepalese kitchen in New Tampa with a Michelin Bib Gourmand and a thali platter that the SoHo restaurant lists overlook.
Tip: Bring a group and order across the thali, momo and biryani sections to taste range. Strip-mall room with no frills.