/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/KXCYB62PDVHVPBC4GND3PQRCYM.jpg "Cabbage and chive dumplings are served at CORE, a vegan bistro and market in Safety Harbor.")
There was a time when eating vegan at a Tampa Bay restaurant meant cobbling together a meal of vegetables and sides. Thankfully, the days of ordering french fries and an iceberg lettuce salad for dinner are over. Over the last couple of years, the local vegan scene has undergone a tremendous renaissance.
This isn’t an all-encompassing list, and doesn’t include restaurants that aren’t exclusively vegan (so while places like Fresh Kitchen, Nitally’s and Tampa’s Gourmet Pizza Company are great spots to find vegan options, they’re not included here). What you’ll find is a selection of 15 local spots that specialize in vegan and plant-based fare. From comfort food favorites to upscale bistros and internationally inspired eats, there’s a little something for everyone here.
3 Dot Dash
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/7R57LBBGUJD3NON57T73UNGKXA.JPG "A side of \"No animal\"-style fries are served at 3 Dot Dash, a vegan takeout restaurant inside Tampa's Jug & Bottle Dept. in Seminole Heights.")
Comfort food favorites like chicken sandwiches and burgers are the star at this popular Seminole Heights takeout restaurant inside Jug & Bottle Dept. in Tampa.
On the menu: Tampaville Hot Chick’n sandwich, Mushroom Whiz Impossible burger, Italian Hoagie with grilled seitan.
6203 N Florida Ave., Tampa. 813-675-4522. 3dotdashvegan.com.
Black Radish Grocer
This Ybor City grocery store specializes in all things vegan, including locally made meat alternatives and vegan treats. An online shopping component includes options for store or curbside pickup.
What’s in the store: Uncle Mince’s World Famous Seitan, Cactus Hat white oyster mushrooms, Wendy’s Nutty Cheeses spiced cheddar.
2923 N 12th St., Tampa. 813-467-6496. blackradishgrocer.com.
Cider Press Cafe
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/T522FURVAZAAHFHCE2MOSDACWI.JPG "St. Petersburg's Cider Press Cafe serves a selection of vegan comfort food-inspired dishes on Central Avenue.")
One of downtown St. Petersburg’s vegan pioneers, the constantly evolving menu features hearty vegan comfort fare and ample sidewalk seating on Central Avenue.
On the menu: Buffalo chick’n mac-n-cheeze, General Tsos schrimp, grilled seitan banh mi sandwich.
601 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. 727-914-7222. ciderpresscafe.com.
CORE
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/J4Q5KTNMXNDVVJREVDNWEITCJ4.jpg "Vegan wonton tacos are served at CORE, a vegan bistro and market in Safety Harbor.")
This Safety Harbor vegan market and bistro specializes in more upscale and gourmet vegan dishes, several of which feature international influences.
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Explore all your optionsOn the menu: Bacon tempeh sliders, cabbage and chive dumplings, herbed mushroom grits.
500 Main St., Safety Harbor. 727-400-6366. facebook.com/vegan2core.
Dharma Fine Vittles
Inside the Heights Public Market at Tampa’s Armature Works, the plant-based Southern-inspired menu features stick-to-your-ribs comfort fare including burgers, combos and bowls.
On the menu: Nashville Hawt chick’n sandwich with bread and butter pickles, DFC bowl (topped with fried chick’n) over garlic-rosemary mashed potatoes, sweet corn and mac’n’cheese.
1910 N Ola Ave., Suite 113, Tampa. dharmafinevittles.com.
Dunedin Vegan Deli
This quickly expanding vegan concept (there are also locations in Ybor City and Brandon) features vegan deli items including breakfast sandwiches, wraps, sandwiches, pizzas and a selection of gluten-free dishes.
On the menu: Gluten-free Chikken Salad Sandwich, BBQ Pourk Pizza, BYO Impossible burger.
2340 State Road 580, Suite B, Clearwater. 727-754-6002.
Farmacy Vegan Kitchen & Bakery
The vegan bakery and counter-service restaurant inside downtown Tampa’s Duckweed Urban Grocery features a selection of comfort food staples and grab-and-go options including cheesesteaks, burgers, acai bowls and smoothies.
On the menu: Avocado BLT wrap, classic Philly cheesesteak (made with Impossible meat), cashew mac and cheese.
803 N Tampa St. Tampa. 786-681-1644. farmacyvegankitchen.com.
Green Culture
The casual cafe and juice bar in Trinity features cold-pressed juices, prepackaged meal prep kits and a vegan grocery, in addition to a full plant-based menu.
On the menu: Ultimate Bakon burger, Shrymp salad sub with chipotle crema, tempeh walnut tacos.
1420 Seven Springs Blvd., Trinity. 727-375-2233. eatgreenculture.com.
The Green Table
This popular Palm Harbor cafe features vegan versions of brunch and lunch staples, including scrambles, sandwiches, burgers and soft-serve ice cream.
On the menu: Patty melt with Impossible meat, seitan bacon BLT, seitan shawarma sandwich on Lebanese pita.
3398 Tampa Road, Palm Harbor. 727-789-1931. thegreentablerestaurant.com.
Ground Foods Cafe
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/EDDSNZR4JNFJFH2OWNTEYYHKVY.jpg "The Salsiccia pie at Ground Foods Cafe in Tampa's Seminole Heights neighborhood features almond ricotta, seitan and basil.")
This charming vegan Italian quick-service restaurant in Seminole Heights in Tampa features a small outdoor patio, Italian wines to-go and an impressive selection of salads, pastas and square pies.
On the menu: Buffalo Caesar salad, Salsiccia pie with seitan and almond ricotta, farfalle with walnut basil pesto.
6428 N Florida Ave., Tampa. 813-515-7562. groundfoodscafe.com.
Golden Dinosaurs
The popular Gulfport vegan deli features reimagined vegan comfort food dishes, an online ordering portal (or, alternately a walkup window) and outdoor patio seating.
On the menu: Pastrami Reuben, dill chickpea salad sandwich, Tarpon-style Greek salad.
2930 Beach Blvd. S, Gulfport. 727-873-6901. goldendinosaurs.com.
Love Food Central
The long-running Central Avenue restaurant in St. Petersburg features a vegan and gluten-free menu of salads, soups, sandwiches and desserts.
On the menu: Buffalo tempeh sandwich, kale Caesar salad, Cheeze plate.
2057 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. 727-317-2034. lovefoodcentral.com.
Valhalla Bakery
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/tbt/RBCKEI2M6VCRRBOW2X6SRWVCHY.jpg "Valhalla Bakery in St. Petersburg sells a variety of vegan baked goods, pastries and cakes.")
Though neighboring vegan spot Lucy’s is temporarily closed, this dessert, pastry and baked goods spot on St. Petersburg’s Central Avenue is open and as popular as ever.
On the menu: S’mores bars, coconut cream pies, pineapple upside-down sticky buns.
2462 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. 727-954-4792. valhallabakery.com.
Vegan International Co.
Part grocery store, part internationally inspired vegan restaurant, the small Tampa spot features mix-and-match soul plates with protein options like vegan drumsticks and gyro boxes, plus a selection of sides, smoothies and pastries.
On the menu: Jerk empanadas, Impossible Chopped Cheeze sandwich, collard greens and candied yams.
13751 N Nebraska Ave., Tampa. 813-252-3147. veganinternationalco.com.
Veggie Thai Cafe
The Thai restaurant in Largo specializing in vegetarian and vegan dishes is still doing to-go only, and features veganized versions of Thai favorites, including soups, stir-frys and noodle dishes.
On the menu: Crispy eggplant and tofu green curry, pad Thai, Volcano Chicken (soy protein) with chili sauce.
3690 East Bay Drive, Largo. 727-724-4969.
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