And the bracket winner is… Spaddy’s Coffee Co., voted best coffee shop in the Tampa Bay area by our readers and social media followers in our TBAYtoday coffee shop bracket.
The funky spot serves handcrafted java + Cuban bread and pasteries straight out of an Airstream in Seminole Heights — and boasts a beautiful outdoor patio right in the heart of the area.
We want to extend a major “thank you” to all of you for participating in our bracket challenge the past few weeks. We’ve had a blast seeing how the votes shook out, and we hope you did too. Looking for more coffee shops around town? Check out our guide.
Championship Round
Welcome back to our TBAYtoday coffee shop bracket, where we’re asking you to determine the best coffee shop in the Tampa Bay area.
After our initial round of votes, we’re down to two “teams” left:
- Black Crow Coffee Co. and Spaddy’s Coffee Co. | The Burg’s Black Crow is known for its yummy array of craft drinks and cozy vibes, while Spaddy’s is the perfect spot to meet for a jolt of espresso from the Airstream beanery.
Ready to decide who moves on to the final two in our bracket? Cast your vote below.
Round 2
Welcome back to our TBAYtoday coffee shop bracket, where we’re asking you to determine the best coffee shop in Tampa + the Burg.
After our initial round of votes, we’re down to four “teams” left:
- Black Crow Coffee Co. and Armetta’s Gelato and Caffè | Black Crow’s Burg-based locations are popular for their cozy vibe and craft coffees, while Armetta’s is loved for its gelato + coffee pairings.
- Bandit Coffee Co. and Spaddy’s Coffee Co. | Locals love Bandit for its yummy breakfast sammies and in-house roasted java, and folks flock to Spaddy’s for extra strong brews on the funky Seminole Heights patio.
Ready to decide who moves on to the final two in our bracket? Cast your vote below.
Round 1
With the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments just around the corner, we’re joining the fun of bracket competitions with a faceoff of our own.
Last week, we asked you to share your favorite coffee shops in the Tampa Bay area. Now — thanks to you and the help of a random generator — we have the official lineup for our bracket.
Who’s in the running?
Going head-to-head in the first round are:
- Black Crow Coffee Co. and S.O.G. Cafe | Black Crow is known for its laid back digs and artisan craft coffee, while S.O.G. Cafe is popular for its plethora of solid coffee, and menu items ranging from acai bowls to Cuban sandwiches.
- Buddy Brew Coffee and Bandit Coffee Co. | Buddy Brew is beloved for its vanilla lattes, cookies, and eye-catching aesthetics, while Bandit is frequented for its in-house roasted coffee and full-kitchen menu.
- Armetta’s Gelato and Caffè and GulfPerk Coffee Bar | Folks head to Armetta’s for its latte and pastry options, and GulfPerk for its beachy vibes and seasonal drinks.
- Provisions Coffee and Kitchen and Spaddy’s Coffee Co. | Provisions is a hot spot for its fresh, locally roasted beans and cozy interiors, while Spaddy’s is popular for its funky Airstream courtyard vibes and strong brews.
How it works
Beginning today, we will host several voting rounds within our newsletters and social channels to determine TBAY’s best coffee shop. Who moves on is up to you. Vote for your favorites, and the java joint with more votes moves on. Simple as that. We’ll go until we have a champion, which will be announced in our Monday, March 25 newsletter. You will be able to vote once per round.
How to participate
Vote for the coffee shop you’d like to see advance to round two using this poll. You can vote for all four spots or as little as one. Once we count all the votes, we’ll share an updated bracket and new poll in an upcoming newsletter.
Want to fill out a bracket to see if you can guess who will win? Download and print the image above to take the competition up a notch. If your bracket is correct, send us a photo for a shoutout + bragging rights.
Nominations
With the NCAA Men’s and Women’s Basketball Tournaments just around the corner, we’re joining the fun of bracket competitions with a face-off of our own with our TBAYtoday coffee shop bracket.
But first, we need your help nominating the spots you think should be in the bracket.
Using the nomination form, submit the local spot that has your favorite cup of joe, and we’ll use your nominations to create a bracket and battle it out in our newsletter and on socials.
Need help brainstorming? Check out our coffee shops guide to get started.