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The Ultimate Guide to Brunch in Tampa

A nice Sunday brunch is the perfect mix of fun and relaxing. We think there’s nothing better than sleeping in late, waking up, and heading to one of the best brunch spots for some steak and eggs with a bloody Mary together alongside some friends and family, especially in Tampa Bay.

person eating in tampa brunch restaurant

Tampa is one of the best cities to find yourself in if you’re looking to go out for some delicious eats no matter what time of day it is, but brunch is really where restaurants here truly shine. We’ve put together a list of all the absolute best places to grab any kind of brunch foods you can imagine, all the way from chicken and waffles to lobster Benedict.

If you’re looking to plan out your next lazy Sunday in Tampa Bay, then you need to add any one of these unbeatable brunch restaurants on the list to your agenda. You won’t regret it!


On Swann

1501 W Swann Ave, Tampa, FL 33606
Phone: 813-251-0110

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On Swann is a gorgeous, semi formal restaurant serving up all the comfiest of home foods on a seasonal menu, brunch included.

They take pride in serving only the freshest and finest ingredients, like their locally-sourced sourdough bread from a mom and pop bread company called Jamison B. Breadhouse Bakes. 

The menu at On Swann is very diverse, but we like to stick with classics here like the steak and eggs or a smoked salmon omelette.


Maple Street Biscuit Company

13028 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33618
Phone: 813-442-5689
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Maple Street Biscuit Company is, in our opinion, the greatest hangover breakfast out there. Everything on the menu here is so comforting and filling that it will cure whatever ails you the morning after a night out. 

There’s nothing at Maple Street that isn’t delightful, but our go-to every time is the massive Five and Dime; a piece of crispy fried chicken with two strips of bacon on a fresh-baked, buttery biscuit, topped with a fried egg, and just covered in their house-made sausage gravy. 

They also offer mimosas with fresh-squeezed orange juice that will really perk up your morning, as well.


Yeoman’s Cask & Lion

202 N Morgan St, Tampa, FL 33602
Phone: 813-224-9367

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It can be hard to find a proper English breakfast sometimes, but not if you’re in Tampa Bay! All you have to do is head Downtown to Yeoman’s Cask & Lion for an incredible brunch that will take you to the foggy streets of London without ever having to leave the glorious Florida sunshine.

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Here they have something called The London Eye which is what we always go for when we stop in. It’s a gargantuan grilled cheese sandwich made with 5 different cheeses and topped with bacon and egg, and it is unbelievably delicious. 


Oak and Ola

1910 N Ola Ave, Tampa, FL 33602
Phone: 813-773-1901
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Oak and Ola is one of our favorite upscale riverside brunch eateries in Tampa that also offers fun classic brunch foods. They describe themselves as a Euro-American blend of a restaurant and this is made very clear when you begin to peruse their menu. 

What thrilled us the most about Oak and Ola’s menu is their Dutch baby pancake which is something that you don’t find often enough when out to eat for brunch, in our opinion, and they nail it here. You can even order a Dutch baby with a seasonal fruit topping for that perfect touch of sweet on top.


Shelly’s Cafe

14837 N Florida Ave, Tampa, FL 33613
Phone: 813-373-6108
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Located far up in North Tampa is a little hidden gem for incredible brunch food in a classic cozy diner atmosphere called Shelly’s Cafe. It’s completely casual and they offer both dine-in and takeout in case you want to enjoy your brunch at home. 

The omelette menu here at Shelly’s is the main reason for adding them to our list, but their pancakes are so fluffy and sweet that they’re also something you’re definitely going to want to try. 

Looking for something even sweeter than a pancake? A beignet is probably what you need, and we think Shelly’s is a strong contender for the best beignets in Tampa


The Boozy Pig

3255 W Cypress St, Tampa, FL 33607
Phone: 813-488-5333
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Just east of Midtown Tampa on West Cypress Street is The Boozy Pig, a charmingly small butcher shop and deli that serves up our favorite breakfast burger anywhere in Tampa Bay.

With giant grocery store chains dominating the meat market, locally-owned butcher shops have become a bit of a dying breed, sadly. That’s why we think it’s important to support small businesses like this one by grabbing a quick weekend brunch here whenever we can.

The Boozy Pig’s breakfast burger consists of a massive beef breakfast sausage patty topped with bacon and egg on a buttery brioche bun with a side of chorizo gravy. It’s unlike anything we’ve had before. 


Steelbach

1902 N Ola Ave, Tampa, FL 33602
Phone: 813-693-5478

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Steelbach has made our lists before for things like their steak and seafood, so we already knew the food was impressive, but their brunch menu is really something special.

Sitting right on the edge of the Hillsborough River, Steelbach provides a very unique, upscale brunch experience that will make you want to spend all day here. Everything is Southern-inspired, so they take all of the brunch foods we know and love and apply their own twist. 

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If you want something truly delectable, then you will want to order the pork belly Benedict here at Steelbach. If you’re looking to get boozy with friends, then go ahead and get the brunch punch, a giant cocktail meant to be shared between up to six people!


Oystercatchers

2900 Bayport Dr, Tampa, FL 33607
Phone: 813-207-6815

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When you want brunch with a view, Oystercatchers is pretty much the best place to go. Nestled deep in the mangroves of Tampa Bay at the mouth of Fish Creek, Oystercatchers is so close to the water that they even have a boat ramp for all of their sea-going patrons. 

Once you manage to pry your eyes from the waterfront view, you’ll find an even more beautiful sight when you look at the menu to find some of the finest brunch cuisine in the city. 

They have everything you could ever want for brunch here, from braised short ribs in chipotle grits to Nutella-stuffed pancakes, so you’re bound to find whatever you want. 


Luv Child

516 S Howard Ave, Tampa, FL 33609
Phone: 813-213-0100
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Hidden away in the Courier City neighborhood of West Tampa is Luv Child, an obscure jewel of Cuban and Latino culture with a vibrant theme reminiscent of 70s and 80s Miami Beach that serves up a tasty and health-conscious brunch menu every weekend.

Brunch here is served until 3:00pm, but you’re going to want to arrive much earlier than that to have time to read through their entire menu since it is just enormous. No matter what you pick though, it’s made with love and care at Luv Child and it won’t let you down.  

We recommend going straight for some huevos rancheros, but their breakfast burrito is sure to satisfy your hunger, too. 


Graze

2219 S Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33629
Phone: 813-819-2217

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Just east of Palma Ceia Golf and Country Club on South Dale Mabry Highway in South Tampa, Graze is a refined American restaurant that offers breakfast all day long, perfect for an extra-late brunch!

Breakfast bowls, burritos, sandwiches, pancakes and more, Graze has exactly what comes to mind when we think of brunch, including chicken and waffles. There is also a kid’s menu as well to make it perfect for a family brunch. 


CALI

217 S Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33609

Phone: 813-305-2473

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CALI in South Tampa is a fantastic business that has been devoted to sustainability and preserving our beautiful planet since opening. You can always feel good about spending your money here at CALI because 5% of all their profits are donated to community organizations. 

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CALI cares just as much about good food as they do the environment, too, and their menu reflects just as much passion in that regard. What they do best for brunch are their egg bowls like the Cali, with grilled chicken, chopped bacon, and pepperjack cheese over scrambled eggs.


The Mill

2500 W Azeele St, Tampa, FL 33609
Phone: 813-603-8786
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If you want something that’s out of the ordinary in the greatest way, then you have to stop by The Mill in South Tampa for some out-of-this-world brunch.

Right on the corner of West Azeele Street and South Armenia Avenue, The Mill is a bit out of the way from the action in Tampa Bay, but it’s well worth going out of your way for every time. 

We recommend starting with a pate of their fried green tomatoes, but then diving into their amazing “brunchwich” that consists of peppered bacon, sausage, egg, and smoked onion aioli on top of an everything bagel. 


Psomi

701 N Howard Ave, Tampa, FL 33606
Phone: 813-841-5555
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Greek food is often woefully underrepresented in brunch culture, but Psomi does a great job of changing that here in Tampa Bay. 

Located in the heart of West Tampa, across the street from the National Guard base, Psomi is easy to miss, almost blending in with the surrounding suburbs, but their food is sure to stand out.

Psomi offers authentic Greek dishes that are simply delectable for brunch. Our favorite is the strapatsada, a grilled baguette topped with scrambled eggs, caramelized onion, feta cheese, and cherry tomatoes.  


Oxford Exchange

420 W Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL 33606
Phone: 813-253-0222

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Directly across the street from the Henry B. Plant Museum on West Kennedy Boulevard is the Oxford Exchange restaurant, known for its elegant european-inspired decor and menu. 

Oxford Exchange serves brunch on both Saturdays and Sundays which makes it perfect for brunch on a day other than Sunday. 

Not only do they offer mimosas here to go with your food, but they also have variants like a bellini made with muddled peach instead of orange juice and a magnolia made with cranberry juice.


The Rusty Pelican

2425 N Rocky Point Dr, Tampa, FL 33607
Phone: 813-281-1943

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The Rusty Pelican is one of Tampa’s hottest waterfront restaurants and they serve some of the most high-quality brunch that you can find. 

With dishes like lobster Benedict and hangover hash with braised prime rib, it’s easy to see why the people of Tampa Bay flock here. Not to mention, their bottomless mimosas are only $22 and come in three different flavors to mix and match from. 

The Rusty Pelican is our go-to restaurant for brunch when we feel like paying a bit more to really indulge ourselves. 

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Written by Brian Nagele

Brian attended West Virginia University, then started his career in the IT industry before following his passion for marketing and hospitality. He has over 20 years experience in the restaurant and bar industry.

As a former restaurant owner, he knows about running a food business and loves to eat and enjoy cocktails on a regular basis. He constantly travels to new cities tasting and reviewing the most popular spots.

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