If you ask me where we should eat lunch, I’m going to tell you to find an aesthetically pleasing place with a lot of natural light. (I never claimed to be an easy date, okay?) There’s so much debate about whether visiting a place solely for Instagram is a vapid thing to do, but I’m firmly in the “live and let live” camp. Even if you visit a restaurant or store because it looks great on the ‘gram, you’ll likely find something you love about it — which is one of my favorite things about blogging. There are plenty of places in town that I love that aren’t exactly Instagram worthy, like Busch Gardens and Adventure Island, the Manatee Viewing Center in Apollo Beach, and
Given my love for being facey and leaving my house solely to take pictures, I felt it was time to rank my favorite Insta spots in the area. Whether you’re in Seminole Heights, Tampa Heights, St. Pete, Wesley Chapel, downtown Tampa or anywhere else in the Bay area, I’ve got you covered when it comes to the most Instagrammed spots in Tampa. For all my people who want to explore and spice up their feeds at the same time, I’ve got the places for you. Read on to learn more about my favorite places to take an Instagram picture in Tampa Bay, one of the most beautiful cities in the United States.
1. OXFORD EXCHANGE // 420 W Kennedy Blvd, Tampa
Yes, it lives up to the hype. Oxford Exchange is almost aggressively Instagram-friendly — there are photo opportunities at every turn — but I find myself discovering something new every time I visit, given that there’s a wide variety of shops and a gorgeous restaurant. Make a brunch reservation — or show up on your own. Either way, it’s worth the wait. Bonus: it’s directly across the street from the gorgeous Henry B. Plant museum.
Tampa Tourist Attractions
2. CICCIO RESTAURANT GROUP // Everywhere
Ciccio has always provided good food — Fresh Kitchen, Sweet Soul, Daily Eats, Green Lemon and Ciccio Cali are top-notch — but in recent years, the restaurant group has also given us some fire Instagram backdrops. They’ve created a trend of healthy, delicious food in Tampa, and I’m a fan.
3. BUTTERMILK PROVISIONS // 2653 Bruce B Downs Blvd, Wesley Chapel
Tampa, St. Pete and Clearwater are great, but I’m always partial to Pasco because it’s home. Buttermilk is famous for their donuts, but the chalk wall fits pretty much every Instagram aesthetic. Tell Dylan and CJ that I sent you — and then order the lavender latte with almond milk.
4. INTERMEZZO // 1111 Central Ave, St. Petersburg
Arguably one of the coolest spots in downtown St. Pete, Intermezzo finds a way to do it all. You can grab a cup of coffee or a cocktail in a minimalist space that makes me want to sell all of my stuff. (Me? Dramatic? Never.)
5. HYDE PARK VILLAGE // 744 S Village Cir, Tampa
I go to Hyde Park Village for the food and shopping and stay for the atmosphere! It has that perfect balance of quaintness and sophistication. Among my favorite spots is bartaco, which has a cute outside area that leads into an adorable courtyard with some of the best boutiques in town. You’re also surrounded by the Hyde Park Historic District, which is listed in the National Register of Historic Places.
6. POSIE’S FLOWER TRUCK // Everywhere
If you follow anyone from Tampa, you’ve likely seen a post or two about Posie’s. Not only is it a super cool concept — I say it’s like Chipotle, but for flowers — but owner Stephanie Newton is one of the kindest people I’ve ever met.
7. ARMATURE WORKS // 1910 N Ola Ave, Tampa
This place is an Insta aficionado’s dream! Amazing views everywhere, from the historic facade to the bustling interior halls full of foodie spots and local vendors. Pick a spot and snap a shot. You have plenty of outdoor activities to choose from, as well.
8. REVOLUTION ICE CREAM // 6701 N Florida Ave, Tampa
I’m usually not an ice cream person — give me cake any day of the week, please — but Revolution Ice Cream is a game-changer. The ice cream is ridiculously good, and the space is smack-dab in the middle of Seminole Heights. It’s a perfect treat after a day of exploring.
9. STATION HOUSE // 260 1st Ave S, St. Petersburg
Food, coffee, rooftop views, and a co-working space? It sounds too good to be true, but it’s all an option at Station House. After you take a picture on the roof, look for the “I Woke Up Like This” room.
10. MANDARIN HEIGHTS // 5901 N Florida Ave, Tampa
Sure, you could drink a cocktail in your bathtub at home, but where’s the fun in that? Mandarin Heights is a new bar in Seminole Heights serving eclectic, tasty cocktails, and the vibe is cooler than cool.
11. DEGAJE // 6027 Wesley Grove Blvd #101, Wesley Chapel
Zoom out on your map of Tampa and if you look real hard you’ll find Wesley Chapel. Nestled in this little town is the most darling daytime locale: Degaje. Equal parts coffee shop and trinket boutique, Degaje has been my secret weapon for many an Insta post.
12. SWEETFIELDS // 17250 Benes Roush Rd, Masaryktown
No matter how creative you claim to be on the ‘gram, you know you love a good flower shot. I haven’t had a chance to visit Sweetfields, but the sunflower pictures are unreal — and you get to experience small-town charm while you visit.
13. BUDDY BREW COFFEE // 1605 W Snow Ave, Tampa / 420 W Kennedy Blvd, Tampa
Buddy Brew has the quintessential metropolitan coffee shop vibe, and the all-white aesthetic is something I can’t get enough of these days. They don’t just serve coffee, either — their pastries are out of this world!
14. ST. PETE MURALS // Everywhere
St. Pete is known for a lot of things, but its art scene is vibrant and very much alive. Not only are the murals fantastic photo backdrops — they tell stories about the city and the people who live there.
15. SPARKMAN WHARF // 369 South 12th Street, Tampa
If you’re after an outdoorsy location that also provides good food and drink, you’ve got it all at Sparkman Wharf. With fare from Tampa’s most popular restaurants, bars and coffeeshops, you’ll be impressed by the wide selection of options. It’s also close to the Tampa Bay History Center for all the history buffs and Florida Aquarium for anyone who loves sea life — you can head over after enjoying the Wharf.
16. THE DON CESAR // 3400 Gulf Blvd, St. Pete Beach
Who can say no to a hotel that’s almost entirely pink? It’s right on the beach and seriously luxurious — even if you aren’t spending the night, walking around the Don’s lobby is an adventure in itself. It’s a beautiful, family-friendly resort that’s well worth the splurge.
17. THE HYPPO // 627 Central Ave, St. Petersburg / 1600 E 8th Ave, Suite E100, Tampa / 702 S Village Cir, Tampa
How they manage to fit so much charm into one little shop is beyond me, but I’m glad The Hyppo exists. I first discovered them in Gainesville, but the Hyde Park location is my favorite so far. There’s a lovely little nook that faces out towards the plaza, and you just haven’t done Hyde Park Village until you’ve topped off the night with one of their pops. Try the Blueberry Lavender and thank me later.
18. ICEBURG // 449 Central Ave Suite 102, St. Petersburg
I may not be the world’s biggest ice cream fan, but I am a fan of drama and being extra. IceBurg’s cones are basically me personified, and they also photograph well. You can’t beat it.
19. TAMPA THEATRE // 711 N Franklin St., Tampa
I’m a huge fan of cool murals and aesthetically pleasing restaurants, but my heart lies with culturally rich venues that also provide an awesome photo backdrop. The Tampa Theatre opened in 1926, and it still offers movies and plays, although live theater is on hold due to COVID-19.
20. TAMPA RIVERWALK // Downtown Tampa
If you want to see downtown Tampa, you’ve gotta do the Riverwalk. Look at our skyscrapers, the University of Tampa and the Hillsborough River at the same time. It’s perfect for a date night with that special someone. It’s also adjacent to Curtis Hixon Waterfront Park, if you want to indulge in some outdoor activities.
21. J.C. NEWMAN CIGAR COMPANY // 2701 N 16th St, Tampa
If you know me well, you know that I’m not a smoker, but I still appreciate the look of J.C. Newman Cigar Company, a place with a long, rich history in Tampa’s historic Ybor City. The brick background on the building’s exterior makes for a fantastic backdrop, and you’ll also get a chance to tour a museum if you buy tickets to the cigar factory.
22. LS ORGANICS // 219 S Packwood Ave, Tampa
Talk about off-the-beaten-path — I only heard about this sweet little shop because one of my friends visited and shared it on social media. LS stands for “life simplified,” and this health-food cafe is pretty much the definition of slow living.
23. BODEGA // 1120 Central Ave, St. Petersburg
I’ve only visited Bodega once, but the food was so good that I stuffed my face before I could take any pictures. Luckily, my friend Jeannine snapped a fire shot that lets you see just how good it is.
24. BANDIT COFFEE CO. // 2662 Central Ave, St. Petersburg
If you’re looking for a good cup of joe in St. Pete, Bandit is a must. Bonus: Posie’s Flower Truck is often parked outside of Bandit, so you can kill two birds with one stone. (Or get two posts in one day — whatever works.)
25. HALL ON FRANKLIN // 1701 N Franklin St, Tampa
Located within walking distance of Armature Works, Tampa’s other food hall shouldn’t be overlooked. While Armature is more spacious, the dishes at the Hall on Franklin can’t be beat — and the aesthetic is perfect for your Instagram story.
This is by no means an exhaustive list, so feel free to drop places I missed in the comments! One of my favorite spots that didn’t make the list: Bayshore Boulevard. We love it so much we got engaged there! As always, may the Instagram algorithm be ever in your favor. 😉
Thank you to all of the Instagrammers who gave me permission to embed their photos. Throw them a follow — you’re missing out if you aren’t already engaging with their content!