Top Foodie Adventures at Black Owned Restaurants in Tampa Bay

Yuppi Wings and Yuppi Shrimp are the reason to come to Ybor City for this foodie adventure. Order wings or shrimp that are perfectly fried and drizzled with the Black Chef Eatery original Yuppi Sauce. It's tangy and sweet with a hint of lime. The macaroni cheese and greens seasoned with smoked turkey are my sides of choice. And then you must save room for the smooth creamy banana pudding with Chessmen cookies on top. It's delightful.

Get it to-go or delivered.

Tender ribs smoked and bathed in a mustard-based sauce is the specialty at Konan's BBQ. As a Texas native, I'm a BBQ snob and Konan's is the only place that has come close to reminding me of home. I'm partial to the thin ends and smoked sausage.

Rice a’ la Trigg, greens, mac n cheese, and baked beans are the best of the sides.

And whatever you order, get the pineapple sweet tea.

Thee Burger Spot foodie adventure you must try is "The Glazed One", a juicy beef patty with cheese and bacon sandwiched between 2 glazed Krispy Kreme doughnuts. This burger is so special that you can only get it on Fridays.

Personal size mini cheesecakes in imaginative unique flavors have made Augustine's Cheesecakes one of the most popular Black owned businesses in Tampa. As for which flavor to get? There's no wrong answer, but the apple pie, pineapple upside-down cake, white chocolate raspberry, and peach cobbler are top of my favorites list.

This is not your average food truck.  Follow Three Generations Food Truck so you'll know when you can get their fried lobster and shrimp Cajun smoked gouda cheese grits and vanilla brioche french toast.  

This St. Petersburg restaurant brings the flavors of New Orleans to Florida. Gumbo, crawfish etouffee, shrimp and grits, and po'boys are in no short supply. And of course, there are beignets.

Queen of Sheba is traditional Ethiopian food. If you are new to the cuisine, I recommend you choose mild spice. A platter is the best way to get a sample of everything. Yellow split peas and the carrots and potatoes are actually my favorite. There are plenty of plant-based options in Ethiopian cuisine.

Grant's Crabs offers a different seafood tray every day featuring their signature Stuttah Buttah sauce. They specialize in garlic butter crabs, both snow and blue. Thrilling Thursday is the most bang for your buck with blue crabs, sausage, corn, potatoes, shrimp, and neckbones.

The magic of 7th + Grove really lies in the ambiance. The decor is chic, modern, urban boho and totally instagrammable. The menu items are all fun plays on popular songs, putting their own unique spin on southern classics like oxtails with smoked gouda grits and turkey collard green rolls.

Oxtails, jerk chicken, and curry goat are a few of the Jamaican staples the Jerk Hut is known for. Don't forget to ask for extra Redd sauce.

Waffle pops or waffles on a stick is the food truck's claim to fame. One of the most delectable flavors is the Oreo. You can't go wrong with these sweet or savory waffle flavors.

Barrel aged coffee is a thing now thanks to twin brothers producing unique coffee blends with spirits in St. Petersburg, FL. They pair coffee with bourbon, rum, and even tequila.

You will find Moonlight's Ice Cream at the bakery pop up in South Tampa on Sundays regularly but they pop up at other markets from time to time. Wherever they are is where you should be because this ice cream is amazing. The rum cake is my absolute favorite flavor with real pieces of rum cake in it.

I know this one isn't a restaurant per se, but it is worth noting. If you are planning a picnic or have a special occasion, these custom charcuterie boxes and platters are definitely a tasty and beautiful option.

Cask Social is a South Tampa casual chill spot with a loft area and a large outdoor patio. The Gator flatbread and tin can nachos are my favorite appetizers. They are also great for brunch. You can't go wrong with the chicken and waffles or the carrot cake french toast.

Yes, it's a chain, but the South Tampa location is actually Black-owned so they made my list. If you haven't experienced Grain and Berry, then let me introduce you to the best fruit smoothie bowls in life. I recommend trying the spirulina bowl. It's a striking vibrant aquamarine base topped with fruit and toppings of your choice.

New to the Tampa scene, Rose Bar Tampa offers a globally inspired menu with items like their Celebrity crab fries, Bao, Cigar City burger, and a variety of seafood burgers.

Main Course Tampa is an upscale brunch spot in South Tampa serving up crowd favorites like red velvet chicken and waffles. On the weekends they host a Soulfood Brunch that's not to be missed.

Cake Drip is a unique dessert experience where you can create custom chocolate bars and custom cakes. They have two locations in the Bay Area , one in Hyde Park and the other in St. Petersburg Edge District. The St.Pete Location also offers a high tea experience.

Mangos is serving up West Indian favorites like jerk chicken and brown stew chicken. They are a cafe, a store, as well as a catering service.