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Where to Get a Classic Tampa Cuban Sandwich

If Tampa Bay is known for anything, it would be the beautiful beaches, Busch Gardens amusement park, and the beloved Cuban sandwich: three things that make it such an amazing place to live and visit. 

Cuban sandwich on a wooden board

There are a lot of places to go for a good Cuban in this gorgeous city, but if you truly want the best Cuban sandwich in Tampa, then follow this guide to help you on your way to satisfying that craving. You’ll be quick to see why this is one of Florida’s most popular sandwiches when you experience the fresh-baked Cuban bread and tender, flavorful mojo pork once it’s been toasted to perfection in a plancha. 


West Tampa Sandwich Shop

3904 N Armenia Ave, Tampa, FL 33607
Phone: 813-873-7104
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First on our list of the best Cuban sandwiches in Tampa Bay is West Tampa Sandwich Shop, a delightful cafe located on the corner of North Armenia Avenue and West Douglas Street, just east of the Raymond James Stadium. No one knows their way around a Cuban sandwich quite like they do here at West Tampa Sandwich Shop. You have the option to get an authentic, classic Cuban, or you can get one with honey on it for a little extra deliciousness. 


Cuban Breezes

13980 W Hillsborough Ave, Tampa, FL 33635
Phone: 813-814-2822
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Cuban Breezes is up next on our list and what we love most about this place is the incredible, fresh Cuban bread that they put their sandwiches on. Located off of West Hillsborough Avenue way out in West Tampa, Cuban Breeze is one of the top destinations for amazing Cuban food, especially the beloved signature sandwich of Tampa.They have all sorts of variants on the traditional Cuban sandwich here at Cuban Breeze, including a Hawaiian Cuban, Italian Cuban, and even a veggie Cuban for anyone in search of a vegetarian option, but our favorite is the standard sandwich with swiss cheese.


Pipo’s Restaurant

7233 W Hillsborough Ave, Tampa, FL 33634
Phone: 813-882-0184
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Just a few miles from the Tampa International Airport, off of West Hillsborough Avenue, Pipo’s Restaurant is serving up one of Tampa’s best sandwiches that you simply have to try for yourself. Otherwise, you can’t fully comprehend how amazing their Cuban bread is. Pipo’s Restaurant serves delicious Cuban sandwiches, but the best part is that you can actually order an entire platter of them for your next party or meeting from their incredible catering service!


La Segunda Central Bakery

2512 N 15th St, Tampa, FL 33605
Phone: 813-248-1531
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Just north of the gorgeous Ybor City Historic District off of North 15th Street and East 15th Avenue, La Segunda Bakery makes one of the best traditional Cuban sandwiches in Tampa and has done so for a long time now. Everything here is freshly-baked, and that includes the delectable Cuban bread that they use for their unbelievably delicious sandwiches, but make sure you save room for dessert, because the sweet baked goods here are just as tasty here at La Segunda bakery in Ybor City. 


La Teresita Restaurant

3248 W Columbus Dr, Tampa, FL 33607
Phone: 813-879-9704
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La Teresita Restaurant is a fun, family-run Cuban restaurant off of West Columbus Drive, just east of the Tampa International Airport, and they have one of Tampa Bay’s best traditional Cuban sandwiches, in our opinion. We absolutely love their Cuban sandwich and it comes in either a small size or a large size. The sandwiches are piled high with roasted pork, ham, swiss cheese, and toasted to perfection here at La Teresita, so come check them out!  


Havana 86

3434 W Columbus Dr, Tampa, FL 33607
Phone: 813-444-2005
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Just south of the Raymond James Stadium, in the MacFarlane Park neighborhood off of West Columbus Drive, is Havana 86, a fun authentic Cuban restaurant with one of the best Cuban sandwiches in Tampa Bay. They have a lovely bar to sit at, complete with TVs to watch the big game while you munch down on your sandwich, so it’s one of our favorite places to eat when we’re in the mood for a Cuban and some sports with a cold beer. 


La Bamba Restaurant

4815 W Laurel St, Tampa, FL 33607
Phone: 813-287-2575
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Right down the street from the massive International Plaza and Bay Street shopping mall is La Bamba Restaurant who serves one of Tampa Bay’s best Cuban sandwiches. La Bamba is authentic, delicious Cuban food in a casual setting that’s perfect for a quick Cuban sandwich for lunch or dinner whenever you’re in the mood for a hot-pressed, toasty sandwich with perfectly-melted provolone cheese.


Cuban Foodies

13855 W Hillsborough Ave, Tampa, FL 33635
Phone: 813-475-4493
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Located in the North Bay Shopping Center off of West Hillsborough Avenue is Cuban Foodies, another amazing place to go for the best Cuban sandwich in Tampa Bay. They have two versions of the Cuban sandwich here at Cuban Foodies, the traditional El Cubano and the El Cubano de Tampa, and the only difference is that the El Cubano de Tampa comes with salami in addition to the ingredients of the traditional, but they are both extremely delicious.


Brocato’s Sandwich Shop

5021 E Columbus Dr, Tampa, FL 33619
Phone: 813-248-9977
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Brocato’s Sandwich Shop is on the corner of East Columbus Drive and North 51st Street next to the Oak Park neighborhood in East Tampa, and they have one of the city’s best Cuban Sandwiches, if you ask us. It’s all made fast and fresh here at this charmingly small counter-serve Cuban joint, and the sandwiches are unbelievably tasty. $12 gets you an authentic 12-inch Cuban sandwich along with chips and a cold drink; if that’s not a great deal, then we don’t know what is!


Hemingway’s Cuban Kitchen

1910 N Ola Ave, Tampa, FL 33602
Phone: 813-599-4526
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Hemingway’s Cuban Kitchen is a modern Cuban restaurant that serves one of the best Cuban bread sandwiches in Tampa and they’re located inside the Public Heights Market at Armature Works Tampa. What’s truly special about Hemingway’s Cuban Kitchen is that they offer both a lunch and a breakfast version of the sandwich! Hemingway’s Breakfast Cuban is made with guava-glazed, crispy pork belly and two fried eggs on fresh Cuban bread with melted Swiss cheese.  


Aguila Sandwich Shop

3200 W Hillsborough Ave, Tampa, FL 33614
Phone: 813-876-4022
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You can find Aguila Sandwich Shop off of West Hillsborough Avenue in North Tampa and they have one of the best Cuban Sandwiches in Tampa Bay, by far, thanks to their fantastically soft Cuban bread. The Cuban sandwich is basically what they’re known for the best here at Aguila Sandwich Shop and you will immediately see why when you bite into their freshly-made, toasted piece of heaven full of melted Swiss cheese.


Mr. Empanada South Tampa 

3953 W Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL 33609
Phone: 813-872-6233
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Mr. Empanada is located off of West Kennedy Boulevard in the Bon Air neighborhood of South Tampa and it’s a highly recommended top destination for incredible Cuban food and the best Cuban sandwich in Tampa. Enjoy their authentic, delicious sandwich on fresh Cuban bread full of mouth-watering roasted pork and Swiss cheese for an incredible experience that will have you coming back again and again. 


El Gallo De Oro

4007 Fiesta Plaza, Tampa, FL 33607
Phone: 813-873-8008
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Come find El Gallo De Oro inside the Fiesta Plaza shopping mall off of West Tampa Boulevard and North Armenia Avenue if you’re looking for one of Tampa Bay’s best Cuban sandwiches. It’s a cozy diner-like atmosphere that’s perfect for a relaxing lunch of a freshly-made, authentic Cuban sandwich with gooey Swiss Cheese that will quickly become one of your favorite sandwich spots as well. 


Box of Cubans 

10323 Causeway Blvd, Tampa, FL 33619
Phone: 813-724-1873
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This next place, Box of Cubans, is pretty far out in Southeast Tampa off of Causeway Boulevard and South Falkenburg Road, but if you’re in the area, definitely stop in and grab one of the best Cuban sandwiches in Tampa Bay. The Cuban sandwiches are pressed to perfection and loaded high with mojo pork and delicious ham underneath some gooey, melted Swiss cheese that we simply cannot get enough of. 


Columbia Restaurant

2117 E 7th Ave, Tampa, FL 33605
Phone: 813-248-4961
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Last, but not least, is an Ybor City favorite and one of the most popular restaurants in the Tampa Bay area called Columbia Restaurant. You can find Columbia Restaurant off of East 7th Avenue in beautiful, historic Ybor City which makes the location of this amazing restaurant almost as fantastic as their honey Cuban sandwich.

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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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