A Day In Centro Ybor: Where Tampa Comes to Play
CENTRO YBOR
đź“Ť1600 E 8th Ave, Tampa, FL 33605
Featuring a diverse mix of entertainment, dining, and shopping in the heart of historic Ybor City, Centro Ybor is where Tampa comes to play. A popular location for both locals and tourists alike, Ybor City remains the heart of Tampa’s historic and cultural center.
Here are some of my favorite spots to visit in Centro Ybor:
TAMPA BAY BREWING COMPANY
According to TBBC’s website, The Doble family founded Tampa Bay Brewing Company in 1995 to satisfy Tampa Bay's thirst for craft beer and great food and still remains family-run today. While their original location was a two-story brick building formerly used to house horses on 15th St., they now have two more spacious locations, one of which is located on the plaza level of Centro Ybor, offering both indoor and open-air patio seating.
Tampa Bay Brewing Company has a line of three core beers, four seasonal beers, as well as annual and specialty-released beers. Whether it is visiting the taproom or picking up a cold Reef Donkey APA at 7-11 on the way to the beach, TBBC has always been one of my favorites. Another of my go-to selections is their Coral Head IPA, featuring notes of stone fruit, passion fruit, and papaya with a citrus twist.
I would also highly recommend trying the Ripple Effect Modern Pilsner, a newly released beer with notes of white peach and guava, created in partnership with The Florida Aquarium in efforts to restore Florida’s threatened coral population.
MAYDAY ICE CREAM
Mayday Ice Cream is one of my favorite ice cream shops in town. They have a variety of unique flavors, quality taste and both dairy and non-dairy options. The passionfruit ice cream is my favorite and is a fantastic option if you love a fresh, fruit-forward tropical taste. I also recently tried the lavender flavor and it is more floral than a bath bomb, so keep that in mind! It was tasty but very potent so be sure that you are a huge lavender fan before ordering!
GAMETIME
I always love visiting arcades when I feel like acting like a big kid again, and GameTime is one of the best in the area, with expansive selections, a large restaurant and bar area, and several game card options. If you are seeking value, check out their various promotions below:
Enjoy a $10 menu of games and select food and beverages every Tuesday!
Choose a select menu item + side of fries and your choice of:
$10 All Access Game Card for $16.99
$25 All Access Game Card for $28.99
1-Hour Timed Play Card + 500 e-tickets for $28.99
Happy Hour | Mon - Fri | 4pm – 8pm
Enjoy 50% off beer, wine, and cocktails Monday-Friday from 4pm-8pm!
Get up to 5 hours of timed play for $15 on Thursdays!
2-Hour Timed-Play Game Card for $15 per person on Saturdays and Sundays between 10am and 11am.
ASIATIC Street Food & Noodle Bar
Stop by Asiatic Street Food & Noodle Bar, a restaurant serving up fresh, flavorful favorites inspired by the streets of Southeast Asia. Enjoy fantastic noodle, curry, and rice selections as well as beer, sake and more.
Pro tip: Take the FREE streetcar around Ybor City and downtown Tampa. Or, park in the two lots on the intersection of E 8th Ave & 19th St., which are free for the first two hours (do NOT park in 717 parking next door unless you want to pay an arm and a leg).
