Tampa Convention Center – Dining

There’s one thing you can count on when you visit Tampa Convention Center. You won’t go hungry. Between the convention center and the on-site hotel, Embassy Suites Tampa-Downtown Convention Center, there are more dining options than you’ll know what to do with. The venue caters to many dietary preferences and offers a wide array of choices. You can dig into a new dish at a new restaurant every night. Altogether, there are nine options, ranging from traditional sit-down restaurants to grab-and-go eateries.

Tampa Convention Center

Bay Bistro

When lunch time rolls around, one of the go to spots for attendees is Bay Bistro. Boasting a coastal vibe with beautiful views of the Hillsborough River, this sit-down restaurant serves breakfast and lunch food. Start your day off with one of the fresh pastries, parfaits, or breakfast sandwiches, and wash it all down with a specialty coffee drink. The best thing at Bay Bistro is the lunch menu. Cooking up delectable appetizers like Mahi smoked fish dip, sandwiches like The Cuban and the fried grouper, and two fresh salad options, Bay Bistro has several staples you can rely on when you need to grab a bite.

Cucina Rosso

You won’t need to go far for some tasty Italian food. Cucina Rosso is located right in front of the West Exhibit Hall. It’s in a very convenient spot for those who need to pop in real quick to get something to eat before returning back to their event. Some of the highlights on Cucina Rosso’s menu include meat ball subs, Italian sausage sandwiches, personal pizzas, and salads. There are plenty more to check out.

East Grill & West Grill

East Grill & West Grill are essentially the same place. Both serve standard convention center fare like hotdogs, cheeseburgers, chicken fingers, and sandwiches. They make for fast, cheap food options when you don’t have time to sit down at a restaurant. East Grill is located at the back of the East Exhibit Hall, while West Grill is located at the back of West Exhibit Hall.

The Sail

No trip to Florida is complete without sipping a Pina Colada and lounging under the sun. That’s exactly the vibe you can expect at The Sail. This outdoor pavilion cafe is one of the hotspots at the Tampa Convention Center. The menu is very similar to Bay Bistro, but the big draw here is the specialty drinks. Choose from refreshing, tasty alcoholic beverages like the Gasparilla Gulp, Sail Sunrise, or Riverwalk Runner. The Sail also serves draft and bottled beer, wine, and champagne. Happy Hour specials are offered Monday through Friday. There’s normally live music on the weekends too.

Nourish

Concentrating on healthy dining options, Nourish makes food that’s delicious and good for you. All you have to do is follow these four easy steps: choose your protein, grain, vegetables, and sauce. There’s a diverse variety to pick from. Nourish serves food you can feel good about eating.

Coffee Bar

The last thing you want to be doing is running on fumes. Tampa Convention Center ensures you won’t have to. The Coffee Bar is located between Central and West Exhibit Halls. It serves Starbuck’s coffee and specialty drinks, along with snacks and sandwiches. Whenever your eyes start getting heavy or your mind begins to drift, simply stop by the Coffee Bar to refuel.

Embassy Suites Tampa-Downtown Convention Center

The attached hotel – Embassy Suites Tampa-Downtown Convention Center – has a few dining options of its own. Guests can take advantage of the complimentary breakfast. Enjoy cooked-to-order omelets, breakfast meats, fresh fruit, and pastries. The complimentary evening reception is the perfect place to have a relaxing dinner. If you’ve had a long day and would rather eat in your room, just call hotel extension #8450. You can order sandwiches, pizza, steak, chicken, seafood, and more. Best of all, it’ll be delivered directly to your room.

Trolleys American Cafe

Trolleys American Cafe is a prime hangout spot. It’s located right inside in the hotel; you can’t get more convenient than that. Whether you’re coming to catch up with folks or want to watch the big game, Trolleys American Cafe has you covered. While you’re hanging out, your taste buds will be treated to a fantastic medley of flavors. To begin, pass around appetizers like fried raviolis and onion battered green beans. Then, for your main course, you have choices like chicken vegetable stir fry, blackened shrimp mac N cheese, and jalapeno chimichurri skirt steak. Hamburgers, pizza, sandwiches, and salads are on the menu as well. After dinner, dig into dessert. Trolleys has quite the offering: warm donut holes with dipping sauces, mango cheesecake, and tiramisu, just to name a few.

Starbucks Cafe

Not only is there a coffee place in the Tampa Convention Center, there’s one in the hotel; because one just isn’t enough sometimes. Like any Starbucks, it has fresh brewed coffee, specialty drinks, and pastries.