This is a chronological list of restaurants permanently closed in Tampa, Florida—a nostalgic look back and a helpful resource for those seeking available restaurant spaces. These are the places that we miss. This is our restaurant history, a forgotten piece of our heritage. No matter how long each of these eateries was open, they daily contributed to someone’s rent, provided sustenance for a hungry traveler, or played a vital role in the community. So please join us and remember this important part of our town.
Tampa, Florida, with a vibrant population of around 400,000, is a culinary gem nestled on the Gulf Coast. This sun-soaked city is renowned for its unique blend of flavors, heavily influenced by its diverse cultural heritage, including Cuban, Spanish, and Italian traditions. Local favorites like the iconic Cuban sandwich—a savory combination of roasted pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard—reflect the city’s rich immigrant history. A must-visit is the famed La Segunda Central Bakery, a local institution where fresh Cuban bread has been baked since 1915. Tampa’s geography of waterfront access enriches its cuisine with fresh seafood, making dishes like grouper sandwiches a popular choice. The city’s dynamic food scene showcases its historic neighborhoods and coastal charm, inviting food lovers to indulge in its many culinary delights.
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Disclaimer: The information on this website is provided as a resource, but it may not always be 100% accurate. While we strive to research and verify details, errors can occur, and businesses frequently change names, locations, or reopen after closing. Addresses, operating status, and other details may be outdated or incorrect. Use this information at your own risk. If you spot an error, please contact us here, and we will do our best to update it promptly.
Closed Down Restaurants in Tampa, Florida
A Look Back at the Places That Once Fed the Cigar City
From seafood institutions on Busch Boulevard to iconic diners in Seminole Heights, Tampa’s restaurant history is as colorful as a Cuban sandwich. Whether it’s legendary chains or neighborhood favorites, here’s a roundup of restaurants in Tampa that have since closed their doors—organized by decade for easy browsing.
2020s
Red Lobster (Multiple Locations)
Closed: May 2024
As part of a national contraction of the Red Lobster brand, two Tampa locations shut down:
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2625 E Busch Blvd
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17021 Palm Pointe Dr (Palm Pointe Plaza)
Goody Goody (Hyde Park Village)
Closed: 2024
This revived Tampa classic closed again, leaving behind a legacy of burgers, pies, and “POX” memories (pickles, onions, sauce).
Datz
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South Tampa location: Closed August 2023 (after 14 years)
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Riverview location: Closed June 2024
Known for its towering sandwiches, brunch favorites, and over-the-top eats.
Melting Pot Social (Downtown Tampa)
Closed: Late 2024
A more casual offshoot of the Melting Pot franchise, it closed after under two years in operation.
Vela (Westshore Marina District)
Closed: October 2024
This upscale Mediterranean restaurant shuttered after hurricane-related property damage.
King State (Tampa Heights)
Closed: 2024
Known for craft beer, coffee, and cool vibes, this location said goodbye in mid-2024.
Hooch and Hive (Tampa)
Closed: 2024
A music venue, bar, and restaurant hybrid loved for its artsy atmosphere.
2010s
The Refinery (Seminole Heights)
Closed: August 2019
Once nationally recognized for its farm-to-table food and changing weekly menus.
Ella’s Americana Folk Art Cafe
Closed: September 2024
Seminole Heights landmark with quirky art, soulful food, and soulful Sundays.
2000s
Spaghetti Warehouse (Ybor City)
Closed: October 2016
A family favorite located in a historic tobacco warehouse, famous for trolley car seating and old-school Italian dishes.
1990s
Chi-Chi’s (1245 E Fowler Ave)
Closed: 1990s
Now a Chinese buffet, this Mexican-themed chain was once a mainstay for chimichangas and margaritas.
1980s and Earlier
Colonnade Restaurant (3401 Bayshore Blvd)
Closed: 2016
Opened in 1935, it was one of Tampa’s oldest seafood restaurants and known for its iconic neon sign.
Howard Johnson’s Restaurant Locations (Various)
Once synonymous with family road trips and orange-roof nostalgia, Tampa was home to several HoJo restaurants. Most are now repurposed or demolished:
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1020 S Dale Mabry Hwy – Now Quality Inn, no restaurant
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720 E Fowler Ave – Now Regency Inn (roof still visible, painted pink)
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6804 E Hillsborough Ave – Now a credit union
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3688 W Gandy Blvd – Now a strip mall
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N Florida Ave & E Hillsborough Ave – Closed in the late 1960s
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Other Unspecified Sites – No reliable records or repurposing information available
Other Notable Chain Closures
Bennigan’s (2206 E Fowler Ave)
Closed: Date unspecified
Now a bank, this location was one of many across the U.S. to close during Bennigan’s nationwide shutdown wave.
Brocato’s Sandwich Shop (5021 E Columbus Dr)
Status: Filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in May 2024
Still open at the time of filing, its future remains uncertain. Known for overstuffed Cuban sandwiches since 1948.
Final Thoughts
Tampa’s culinary past is layered—like a Cuban sandwich—with stories of families, flavors, and nostalgia. Whether you remember sipping orange juice at HoJo’s or enjoying Sunday brunch at Ella’s, each of these places played a part in the city’s identity.
To explore more memories or submit your own, visit ClosedDownRestaurants.com.
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