Grab a cocktail and stick around for the mural and ambiance at Willa’s. | Photo by @willalovestampa
Make haste: Next week is Valentine’s Day. So whether you’re planning a sweet night out for two, or don’t just want to hole up on the couch, we’ve rounded up an array of foodie options:
Editor’s note: These spots will fill up, so make those reservations ASAP.
Cozy in for a prix fixe spread at the beloved North Hyde Park spot. The neighborhood joint is serving its classics like beef tartare, spicy rigatoni, and chicken schnitzel, and specials like duck tartine, and Cupid’s Kiss bevvies.
One of the Sunshine City’s fave vegan spots is putting on a prix fixe experience. The meal is Spanish tapas-themed, with dishes like 1900 Salad, hearts of palm ceviche, washed down with pitchers of sangria or Spanish wines.
Sunset Market | 6-10 p.m. | Midtown Tampa | Free entry | Shop for trinkets and local goods from 40 vendors, pick up cocktails, and jam out to live music under the stars.
Sarah Hester Ross | 7:30-9:30 p.m. | Tampa Funny Bone | $32 | The viral comedian and cabaret headliner blends her musical, comedy, and theatrical talents into a sensational show.
Friday, Feb. 7
Café Con Tampa | 8-9 a.m. | The Portico | $15 | Start the day with some breakfast and a presentation from Walter L. Smith II about his father’s rise from sharecropper to University president and international scholar.
St. Petersburg Sax Quartet | 5-8 p.m. | Imagine Museum, St. Petersburg | $5+ | Roam the glass museum to the sound of smooth jazz and popular hits from the St. Pete Sax Quartet.
Mezzo Market | 10 a.m.-3 p.m. | Willa’s, Tampa | Free entry| The popular street market takes over Tampa with vendors selling everything from vintage goods to plants.
Bills are going up for Duke Energy and Tampa Electric customers. By how much? Customers can expect their monthly bills to cost at least $20 more per month for 1,000 kilowatt-hours. The rise is to help make up for storm costs from hurricanes in 2023 and 2024. (Tampa Bay Times)
Sports
The road to the 2026 Super Bowl starts now. The Bucs just hired Charlie Strong as their new defensive line coach. The former USF head coach spent three years with the Bulls and replaces Kacy Rodgers. (Tampa Bay Times)
Travel
Time to catch a Breeze. The low-cost airline is adding a new flight from Tampa International to Memphis, Tennessee. The new twice-a-week nonstop trip launches Wednesday, May 7. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)
Opening
Michelin-starred chef Ebbe Vollmer opened a second Tampa restaurant late last year. And it’s right next door to his second concept, Ebbe. The intimate spot serves a constantly evolving menu of fish and Scandinavian dishes. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)
Try This
We’re clawing for a good time. A new clawcade opens this weekend in Treasure Island. The Atomic Claw Arcade will boast 40 to 45 different claw machines packed with prizes. (St. Pete Rising)
Shop
St. Pete’s newest vintage shop opens today in the Historic Uptown neighborhood. Stop by from 6 to 9 p.m. to browse I Am Not So Cool’s affordable vintage threads and other gifts, snack on mac and cheese from Uptown Eats, and enjoy folky tunes and fortune telling. (I Love the Burg)
History
A new documentary tells the story of the since-flattened Gas Plant District. “Razed” features interviews with tons of former residents of the once-bustling neighborhood. The film premieres later this month at the Foundation for a Healthy St. Petersburg’s Center for Health Equity, with more screenings to come. (St. Pete Catalyst)
Sports
The Bucs are getting ready for next season. Get game coverage, analysis, insights, interviews and more from local experts of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers with Locked On’s daily podcasts.
Stat
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Health
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Finance
Tackling debt is crucial for many Americans in 2025. This trending card — “worth its weight in gold,” according to experts — offers 0% intro APR on balance transfers into 2026. (Read: More than a year of interest-free payments.) Apply.*
The Buy
The Buy
Looking for a small something to gift your loved ones on Valentine’s Day? Shop great gifts for partners, friends, and family:
If you prefer to keep it cas and save the bougie dinner for another (less busy) night, you can score a treat with your fave grilled citrus chicken bowl at Fresh Kitchen.
On Friday, Feb. 14 the eatery is giving out one Valentine’s Day Card Set per order. Best of all, you don’t need a reservation.
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