Here Are The Best Dining and Shopping Options at Tampa Airport

Best Places for Food & Shopping at Tampa Airport

Quick Bites

Potbelly Sandwich Shop

A counter-style sandwich shop where you can get your sub made to order, Potbelly is a popular pit stop for hungry passengers in a hurry to get to their gates. They also open early and specialise in serving mildly to wildly sleepy passengers. We recommend their toasted ‘A Wreck’ sandwich. Although the name doesn’t inspire confidence, rave Yelp reviews say otherwise. They also do salads, soups, shakes, and desserts.

Location – Airside E, Gate E69

Panda Express

Located right next to Potbelly is Panda Express, an American Chinese fast-food favourite among those who like MSG so much they would have it with their coffees if they could. The best-selling Chinese-inspired dishes on their menu include: orange chicken, Kung Pao chicken, and Beijing beef. They also do a mean spring roll.

Location – Airside E, Gate E69

Goody Goody

If you’re catching an early morning domestic flight, swing by Goody Goody’s and they’ll fix you up a breakfast sandwich so good you may forget about said flight. They also serve burgers that have wooed Tampans since 1925 as well as pies, fries, and shakes.

Location – Airside C, Gate C34

Pei Wei

For a fast and casual Asian affair, Pei Wei serves grab-and-go meals and as well as cocktails-to-go. Consider getting the Pei Wei chicken along with some crispy egg rolls.

Location – Airside A, Gate A14

Sit Down Dining

Columbia Restaurant

If you didn’t get to try this hugely popular and historic Tampan flagship while you were in downtown Ybor, the airport branch gives you an opportunity to try one of the best restaurants in the country, nay, the world! Serving primarily Cuban and Spanish fare, the iconic Columbia Restaurant is on its fifth year of running as a family establishment. Make sure to try the Cuban sandwich, the 1905 salad (a nod to the year they were established), and key lime pie.

Location – Airside E, Gate E68

The Café by Mise en Place

Featuring both bar seating with high-top tables as well as cozy booths for a sit-down meal, they serve hearty breakfasts along with ‘Morning Libations’ such as Tea Bramble (blackberry tea with handmade vodka) and Mexican Coffee (espresso with Italian liquor). When tea and coffee looking like this, we can assure you of a good morning indeed. They also have a lunch and dinner menu.

Location – Airside F, Gate F85

Four Green Fields

With a title as one of the world’s best Irish pubs, Four Green Fields is a must-visit if you’re in the mood for a good ol’ pint or two of Guinness beers with friends as you reminisce over the highlights of your trip to The Big Guava. Keep an ear out for airport announcements because you might not notice the time passing. They also serve authentic Irish cuisine.

Location – Airside E, Gate E62

Ulele Restaurant and Brewery

An ode to Princess Ulele, a First Nations princess, Ulele (pronounced You-lay-le) serves artfully spiced Native American cuisine. We recommend the Alligator Hush Puppies followed by the Ulele Burger (lunch menu) or Florida Pompano (dinner menu).

Location – Airside C, Gate C34

Cigar City Brewing

Tampa is known as ‘Cigar City’ because it hand rolls nearly half a billion cigars each year. This enterprising brewery took that concept and elevated it to a cigar-and-craft beer experience with their flagship on Spruce Street. The airport branch serves hand-crafted ales and lagers along with tapas-style Latin-inspired bites. They have 3 large barrels on-site as well as a full-service dining room for leisurely sit-down meals.

Location – Airside C, Gate C43 and Airside F, Gate F88

Shopping

Terminal Gateway Spa

Sore back from sitting on the hard seats? Get chair massage services well as travel-sized beauty products at the Terminal Gateway Spa. The massages start at 10 minutes. We think that’s 10 minutes well-spent if that means you’ll show up for your flight with a smile on your face.

Location – Airside A, Gate A11

BookLink

Christened ‘the cutest little airport bookstore around’, BookLink makes those airport wait times go a little faster with their wide array of books. They are also a gift shop. Pick up some high-quality local tea to remember Tampa by.

Location – Airside E, Gate E69

Air Essentials

As the name suggests, they’ve got everything you may need for a comfortable trip – from replacement chargers to earplugs that tune out the groaning of the engine to grab-and-go food to fuel you through another red-eye flight, they’ve got you covered.

Location – Airside E, Gate E69

Word Duty Free of Tampa

Selling only to international passengers, this duty-free offers premium fragrances, alcohol and tobacco products, and confections.

Location – Airside E, Gate E74

Mindworks

If you’ve got a kid waiting to see you when you land, you may want to pick up a gift for them at Mindworks. From toys to gadgets and clothing, you’re bound to find something that will make the littlun’s eyes light up.

Location – Main Terminal, Level 3