House of Vegano
Tucked in the Warehouse Arts District in St. Petersburg, House of Vegano offers a variety of “sushi,” ramen, poké, and dumplings- all made entirely from plants. When owner Thalia Tatham switched to a vegan diet, she didn’t want to leave her favorite food—sushi—behind, and was inspired to create her vegan sushi.
Her menu swaps tuna for tomatoes, eel sauce for eggplant, and caviar for seaweed-based “Cavi-art” pearls. After gaining traction from catering and pop-up events, Tatham opened up her own permanent location. Enjoy a vegan spin on sushi favorites like the volcano, spicy tuna, and California rolls in her new Frida Kahlo–inspired restaurant.
House of Vegano: 655 31st St. S., St. Petersburg; houseofvegano.com @houseofvegano on Instagram and Facebook.
Forbici Modern Italian
This Hyde Park Village eatery reminds us that memories are made with friends and family around the dining table.Their Roman-style pizzas, both round and square, and generously portioned main dishes are easily sharable. Gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options are available. Equally suitable for a quick happy hour drink or a special occasion destination, Forbici is also a hip hub for Tampa’s nightlife with live music and signature cocktails.
Forbici Modern Italian: 1633 W. Snow Ave., Tampa; eatforbici.com; @eatforbici on Instagram and Facebook.
Just 1 Taste of STL
The food truck Just 1 Taste of STL brings the signature barbecue and smoked flavors of St. Louis to Tampa Bay. After one too many cold winters, husband and wife Jerome and La Tonya Buggs decided to leave Missouri’s Gateway City for the Sunshine State.
Just 1 Taste food truck can be found in various locations throughout both Hillsborough and Pinellas counties. Try the tender smoked rib tips, fried okra, or St. Louis–style BBQ pork steaks. They make their own dry rub to ensure it has the right St. Louis tang.
For updates on food truck locations, visit @just1tasteofstl-tampa on Facebook or at the website here.
Pia’s Trattoria & Pia’s Veranda
Get a taste of Old Italy at Pia’s Trattoria, tucked away in the beachy city of Gulfport. With its romantic and rustic vibe, Pia’s is the perfect spot for date night. They create classic Italian dishes with gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options. You can also choose to sit in the airy outdoor patio or in the quaint wine room.
If you’re looking for something more casual, Pia’s Veranda is a recent expansion of the Trattoria. In what used to be restaurant Tutto Bene, the Veranda serves up fresh pizzas with a healthy dose of live music in the evenings.
Pia’s Trattoria: 3054 Beach Blvd. S., Gulfport, and Pia’s Veranda: 3038 Beach Blvd. S., Gulfport; piastrattoria.com; @piastrattoria on Instagram and Facebook.
Sweet Soul
Sometimes you need something sweet to satisfy your soul, and Sweet Soul delivers on its promise. With two locations in South Tampa and St. Petersburg, this plant-based and gluten-free powerhouse has a variety of menu items from smoothies and soft serve to bowls and ice cream sandwiches.
Sweet Soul might be best known on Instagram for their build-your-own bowls, with base choices of açaí, chia pudding, overnight oats, and more, and an endless array of fresh toppings. The building’s pink-accented exterior and artificial turf patio make it irresistible to take out your phone and snap a memorable photo.
Sweet Soul: 1101 S. Howard Ave., Tampa, and 4447 4th St. N., St. Petersburg; ilovesweetsoul.com; @ilovesweetsoul on Instagram and Facebook.
