{"id":179602,"date":"2026-03-05T18:33:11","date_gmt":"2026-03-05T18:33:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/179602\/"},"modified":"2026-03-05T18:33:11","modified_gmt":"2026-03-05T18:33:11","slug":"where-were-eating-in-tampa-bay-lara-la-central-teak","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/179602\/","title":{"rendered":"Where we\u2019re eating in Tampa Bay: Lara, La Central, Teak"},"content":{"rendered":"

Covering the dining scene takes the Tampa Bay Times Food Hub<\/a> all over the region. We\u2019re always seeking out memorable meals to share with you, whether we\u2019re popping into a new bakery for a quick bite or having dinner with friends at one of the area\u2019s many long-running restaurants.<\/p>\n

Are you curious about the spots we\u2019ve been digging lately? Read on for recommendations that first appeared in Do & Dine, our weekly newsletter featuring dining news and things to do. Newsletter subscribers see them before anyone else. To get Do & Dine in your inbox every Thursday, sign up here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

From a funky Ybor City eatery to a tropical-themed coffee trailer, here are six places where the Food Hub ate and drank in January and February.<\/p>\n

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Jan. 29 newsletter<\/p>\n

Last weekend, I took a trip to Tallahassee and on my way back traveled the slightly longer (but more scenic) route down U.S. Highway 19. Somewhere around Fanning Springs my stomach started to grumble; by the time I made it to Crystal River I was starving.<\/p>\n

I\u2019ve written a lot about my love of fish camps<\/a>, and there are plenty to be found along this route that evokes Old Florida. But sometimes, every now and then, it\u2019s nice to take a little culinary detour.<\/p>\n

I ended up at Bayside Kraft Kitchen, a lovely waterfront spot overlooking Kings Bay. The menu is a far cry from some of the surrounding seafood spots, boasting things like Maine lobster tails with beurre blanc, short ribs and Hokkaido scallops with polenta. But on this trip, it was vegetables I was after, and I was pleasantly surprised to find two winning contenders.<\/p>\n

A burrata with beets ($14) took the staple up several notches with pistachios, thinly sliced jalapenos and a balsamic reduction. The Roots Salad ($12.50) featured a delightful jumble of arugula, shaved root vegetables (heavy on the carrots), feta cheese and pistachios, all tossed in a zingy apple cider vinaigrette. I added a light and creamy crab corn chowder ($9) and a plump crab cake appetizer ($18) \u2014 a stellar meal on a winding weekend roadtrip, and a place I\u2019d be more than happy to get back to in the future. \u2014 Helen Freund<\/p>\n

224 NW U.S. 19, Crystal River. 352-228-4319. baysidecr.com<\/a><\/p>\n

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Feb. 5 newsletter<\/p>\n

How many days have Floridians had to endure this chilly weather now? \ud83d\ude05 It\u2019s better than the oppressive heat that\u2019s to come, I know. But for those of you who are longing to be transported from frosty temps to summertime, let me put you on to BrewKini\u2019s.<\/p>\n

Founder Karma Young\u2019s tiny coffee trailer is parked outside Tampa Heights shuffleboard bar Shuffle, serving an island-inspired menu of specialty lattes and other drinks from Friday-Sunday. A few umbrella-studded tables and chairs on the sidewalk complete the adorable, beachy setup.<\/p>\n

My pick on a recent Sunday morning, an iced Golden Sunset, combines espresso, caramel, vanilla and a choice of milk for the most delightful coffee there ever was \u2014 garnished with a cocktail umbrella for peak tropical vibes. It won\u2019t take more than a couple of sips for you to wish you were lounging somewhere with your toes in the sand.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019re big on coconut, go for Palm Breeze. It\u2019s another signature BrewKini\u2019s latte \u2014 this one with espresso, coconut, white chocolate and a choice of milk \u2014 that offers a taste of paradise in the heart of the city. \u2014 Meaghan Habuda<\/p>\n

2612 N. Tampa St., Tampa. instagram.com\/brewkinisco<\/a><\/p>\n

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Feb. 12 newsletter<\/p>\n

Where I\u2019ve been eating lately is Ybor City. The reason? The Times now has an Ybor outpost from which we can work, and it\u2019s been a thrill to have a weekly reason to visit one of Tampa Bay\u2019s most historical neighborhoods. I am quite familiar with the home of the roving roosters, having gone to college in Tampa and spent much time frequenting the clubs and bars along Seventh Avenue. But it had been years since I paid regular visits, and it\u2019s been fun exploring the walkable district. A couple of great dishes I had recently left me feeling even more excited.<\/p>\n

One was at Lara, the multi-concept spot<\/a> that just celebrated its one-year anniversary. A colleague and I split a couple of things for lunch (definitely the way to do it here), and our favorite by far were the Longanisa Hot Dogs, two smoky pork sausages that come sandwiched between brioche bread and topped with a wondrous array of tangy goodies, especially the yellow mustard and Filipino-inspired atchara. \u2014 Michelle Stark<\/p>\n

1919 E. Seventh Ave., Tampa. tampalara.com<\/a><\/p>\n

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Feb. 19 newsletter<\/p>\n

I like to walk to my destination, if I can get away with it, and my neighborhood of Seminole Heights is fairly walkable. North Florida Avenue, which cuts through the neighborhood, seems to welcome a new restaurant every few weeks. Since I moved here last summer, there have been at least five restaurants that have either opened or relocated on the busy thoroughfare, and that\u2019s just south of Hillsborough Avenue. Through some exploration on North Florida Avenue, my partner and I have befriended a motley gang of stray cats living behind the Dollar Tree, been entranced by the smell of baking bread from La Segunda Bakery after a late night at Velvet Gypsy and discovered more than one new spot to eat.<\/p>\n

One of the latest spots is La Central<\/a>, which offers fire-grilled tacos. They had a soft opening Tuesday, and I walked over to see what it was all about. The chips and salsa hit the spot, with freshly fried tortilla chips and a wonderful salsa fresca that reminded me of Mexican restaurants in Texas. The charcoal-grilled skirt steak taco, Northern Mexico-style, was divine with chunks of nicely grilled steak nestled in chihuahua-style melted cheese and topped with grilled onions inside a well-blistered and hot flour tortilla. Don\u2019t skip the squirt of fresh lime, and plenty of the salsa roja. \u2014 Evan Rodriguez<\/p>\n

4410 N. Florida Ave., Tampa. 813-608-9219. lacentraltacos.com<\/a><\/p>\n

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Feb. 26 newsletter<\/p>\n

Last week, with family visiting and staying near the beach, I popped into Middle Grounds Grill, one of Treasure Island\u2019s best bets for a seafood dinner.<\/p>\n

I love this restaurant, though rarely dine here. Why? Because unless you\u2019re planning ahead, getting a table isn\u2019t exactly easy \u2014 reservations go fast and walk-in business is almost always accompanied by a lengthy wait. Even the bar has a waitlist. This place is just that popular. And for good reason, really \u2014 the food at Middle Grounds is solid.<\/p>\n

This night, having for once planned ahead, reservation in-hand, we had another great meal. The best part of the evening was the dessert, a spin on key lime pie that had me coming back for more, bite after bite. The restaurant\u2019s signature Key Lime Tower featured a creamy key lime-scented custard sandwiched between two buttery pecan tuile cookies, topped with a dollop of whipped cream. A die-hard for a good pie crust, I thought for sure I\u2019d miss it here \u2014 but no, each bite was light, zingy, perfect. \u2014 Helen Freund<\/p>\n

10925 Gulf Blvd., Treasure Island. 727-360-4253. middlegroundsgrill.com<\/a><\/p>\n

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March 5 newsletter<\/p>\n

I\u2019m a pancake for the table kind of person. When I\u2019m in the mood for classic breakfast fare, it doesn\u2019t get much better than a plate of over-easy eggs, crispy home fries and butter-streaked toast with a little treat on the side to share with my diningmate(s).<\/p>\n

If you, too, can\u2019t resist ordering something sweet from the griddle, you have to try the Bananas Foster French Toast at St. Petersburg restaurant Teak.<\/p>\n

On the fourth floor of the building at the end of the St. Pete Pier, the nautical spot tops four thick, golden-brown slices of brioche bread with cinnamon and candied nuts, plus a healthy drizzle of caramelized banana syrup. My partner and I split this during Saturday brunch after doing some exploring downtown, but, hey, if you wanted to keep all of the deliciousness for yourself, I wouldn\u2019t blame you. It was a decadent, comforting pick-me-up that came with great waterfront views. \u2014 Meaghan Habuda<\/p>\n

800 Second Ave. NE, St. Petersburg. 727-513-8325. teakstpete.com<\/a><\/p>\n