Tampa, FL

South Tampa is one of the most vibrant and livable urban neighborhoods on Florida’s Gulf Coast. A sun-drenched blend of waterfront promenades, historic bungalow streets, acclaimed restaurants, and boutique shopping that stretches from the leafy blocks of Hyde Park to the bay-view parks of Ballast Point. Our Calico design showroom sits right in the heart of it all at 2124 S. Dale Mabry Highway Tampa’s central north-south corridor connecting the best of South Tampa in every direction.

Whether you’re stopping in to explore our 5,000+ fabrics, custom window treatments, and free design services, or making a full afternoon of it, this guide covers the best dining, boutique shopping, parks, and sightseeing South Tampa has to offer.

Where to Eat & Drink

From neighborhood delis and lively pubs to Michelin-recognized dining and Brazilian churrasco, South Tampa’s food scene is genuinely excellent with most of the best spots just a short drive from Dale Mabry.

• Graze South Tampa · South Dale Mabry · ~0.1 miles Practically next door to our showroom, Graze serves refined American fare with breakfast available all day elevated comfort food, standout burgers, and sunny patio seating. A natural choice before or after your design consultation. 2219 S Dale Mabry Hwy.
• Wright’s Gourmet House · South Dale Mabry · ~1 mile A beloved Tampa institution with a fiercely loyal local following. Wright’s has been turning out legendary deli sandwiches, fresh-baked goods, and generous lunch plates since 1963. Don’t leave without trying the sandwich of the day. 1200 S Dale Mabry Hwy.
• Izakaya Tori · South Dale Mabry · ~1 mile An intimate Japanese eatery right on Dale Mabry, known for its yakitori skewers, ramen, sushi, and small plates. A great spot for a weeknight dinner with a relaxed, neighborhood feel. 310 S Dale Mabry Hwy.
• District South Kitchen & Craft · South Dale Mabry · ~1.5 miles Elevated comfort food in a welcoming, neighborhood space. Locals swear by the prime rib melt and meatloaf. Good craft beer selection and an easy, unpretentious vibe. 3301 S Dale Mabry Hwy.
• Terra Gaucha Brazilian Steakhouse · South Dale Mabry · ~1 mile All-you-can-eat churrasco at its finest, with a parade of premium cuts carved tableside. One of the most festive group dining experiences in South Tampa. 1108 S Dale Mabry Hwy.
• On Swann · Hyde Park · ~2.5 miles South Tampa’s most celebrated dining destination, with Michelin recognition to match. Modern American cuisine with genuine culinary ambition in a stylish Hyde Park setting. Reserve well in advance for weekend dinners. 1 W Swann Ave.
• Meat Market Tampa · Hyde Park Village · ~2.5 miles A contemporary steakhouse anchored in Hyde Park Village with a glamorous, high-energy vibe. Executive Chef Sean Brasel reinvents the classic steakhouse with creative cuts, fresh seafood, and a lively atmosphere. 1619 W Swann Ave.
• Epicurean Hotel – Elevage & Edge Rooftop · SoHo · ~2.5 miles Tampa’s food-focused boutique hotel. The rooftop bar, Edge, is a spectacular spot for cocktails with sweeping South Tampa skyline views. Dinner at Elevage is a culinary event worth planning around. 1207 S Howard Ave.
• Mad Dogs & Englishmen · South MacDill · ~2 miles A charmingly kitschy British pub dedicated to London in the Sixties, serving elevated pub food, local craft beers, and wine in a lively indoor-outdoor setting. One of the freshest new openings in South Tampa. 4914 S MacDill Ave.

Boutique Shopping & Local Finds

South Tampa rewards shoppers who know where to look, from the upscale open-air boutiques of Hyde Park Village to the indie coffee shops and specialty markets along Howard and MacDill Avenues.

• Hyde Park Village · Hyde Park · ~2.5 miles Six city blocks of beloved local shops, nationally recognized boutiques, and vibrant dining in Tampa’s most charming historic neighborhood. Home to Anthropologie, Zimmermann, Rag & Bone, Lululemon, Warby Parker, Kendra Scott, and more — plus the acclaimed CinéBistro for an elevated movie experience. The Hyde Park Fresh Market on the first Sunday of each month draws 80+ vendors with live music throughout. 1602 W Swann Ave.
• SoHo (South of Howard) · Hyde Park · ~2.5 miles South Howard Avenue is one of Tampa’s most walkable and eclectic commercial strips, packed with independent restaurants, wine bars, coffee shops, boutiques, and fitness studios. Pairs naturally with a visit to Hyde Park Village.
• International Plaza & Bay Street · Westshore · ~3 miles One of the Tampa Bay area’s premier indoor shopping destinations with 200+ stores anchored by Nordstrom and Dillard’s, plus a curated lineup of national and luxury retailers. Bay Street’s covered outdoor entertainment district offers restaurants and nightlife alongside.
• Buddy Brew Coffee · Multiple South Tampa locations Tampa’s favorite independent coffee roaster, with locations in Hyde Park, SoHo, and Palma Ceia. A true Tampa institution, the perfect place to map out your design project over a well-made latte.

Parks, Waterfront & Outdoor Spaces

South Tampa is defined by its relationship with the water. Between the bay views of Bayshore Boulevard and the green spaces of Ballast Point and beyond, the area offers some of the finest outdoor living in Florida.

• Bayshore Boulevard · South Tampa · ~2 miles Tampa’s most iconic outdoor destination, a 4.5-mile waterfront promenade recognized as one of the world’s longest continuous sidewalks. The path runs along Hillsborough Bay from Hyde Park south to Gandy Boulevard, with breathtaking views of the downtown skyline throughout. Perfect for a morning walk, evening jog, or leisurely bike ride. A dedicated bike lane runs north along the boulevard between Rome Avenue and Gandy.
• Ballast Point Park · South Tampa · ~4 miles A beloved South Tampa waterfront park with panoramic views of Hillsborough Bay and the downtown Tampa skyline. Features a splash pad, playground, picnic shelters, a gazebo, and boat ramp access. Use it as a launch point for a Bayshore walk or simply settle in at a swinging bench to watch the bay traffic. Note: the pier and fitness center are currently under repair following hurricane damage. 5300 Interbay Blvd.
• Gadsden Park · South Tampa · ~3 miles A quieter South Tampa green space with a fishing lake, walking paths, tennis courts, a dog park, and picnic areas. One of the neighborhood’s best spots for a relaxed afternoon away from the busier parks. 6901 S MacDill Ave.
• Davis Islands · ~3 miles from Dale Mabry A pair of man-made islands just off downtown Tampa with a charming village center, a public beach and swimming area, tennis courts, a dog beach, and stunning bay views in every direction. A favorite local escape; drive the loop or park and walk the waterfront paths.

Arts, History & Sightseeing Near South Tampa

South Tampa and the surrounding neighborhoods are home to some genuinely distinctive cultural institutions, from a Gilded Age railroad baron’s mansion to the finest performing arts complex on Florida’s Gulf Coast.

• Henry B. Plant Museum · University of Tampa · ~3 miles Henry Plant’s extraordinary 1891 Tampa Bay Hotel with its silver Moorish minarets visible from across the city now houses the University of Tampa and a museum dedicated to the Gilded Age grandeur of Plant’s railroad empire. One of the most architecturally remarkable buildings in Florida. Free on Mondays. 401 W Kennedy Blvd.
• Straz Center for the Performing Arts · Downtown Tampa · ~4 miles One of the largest performing arts complexes in the Southeast, with five venues hosting Broadway touring productions, opera, ballet, and concerts year-round. Anchored by the grand Carol Morsani Hall along the Tampa Riverwalk, with excellent dining options nearby. 1010 N WC MacInnes Pl.
• Tampa Theatre · Downtown Tampa · ~4 miles A gloriously preserved 1926 atmospheric movie palace in the heart of downtown, offering independent films, classics, and live performances in one of Florida’s most beautiful historic interiors. The building itself is worth the visit. 711 N Franklin St.
• Tampa Museum of Art · Downtown Tampa Riverwalk · ~4 miles A sleek contemporary museum on the Tampa Riverwalk with a strong permanent collection of Greek and Roman antiquities alongside rotating modern and contemporary exhibitions. The building’s illuminated LED façade is a landmark at night. Combines naturally with a walk along the Riverwalk. 120 W Gasparilla Plaza.
• Gasparilla Pirate Festival · Bayshore Boulevard & Downtown · Annual – January Tampa’s most beloved annual tradition, when an armada of pirates ‘invades’ the city by sea and the massive parade winds down Bayshore Boulevard. Hundreds of thousands attend each January. Book restaurants along Bayshore well in advance if visiting during Gasparilla weekend.
• Ybor City National Historic Landmark District · ~5 miles · E 7th Ave Tampa’s most historically distinctive neighborhood — a former cigar-manufacturing capital settled by Cuban, Spanish, and Italian immigrants in the 1880s. Today Ybor’s brick-paved 7th Avenue is lined with restaurants, galleries, live music, and bars in beautifully preserved early 20th-century buildings. Visit the Columbia Restaurant, Florida’s oldest, and the Ybor City Museum State Park.

Visit Calico’s South Tampa Design Shop

Our South Tampa design shop newly relocated in April 2025 to 2124 S. Dale Mabry Highway, Suite 100 sits at the center of one of Tampa’s most active corridors, with everything South Tampa has to offer just minutes away.

We offer 5,000+ designer fabrics, trims, and wallpaper and specialize in custom window treatments, Hunter Douglas blinds and shades, custom furniture, bedding, cushions and pillows, and reupholstery services. Our fabric selection includes over 1,000 performance fabric options featuring Sunbrella, Crypton Home and Bella Dura, ideal for Florida’s indoor-outdoor lifestyle. Our designers are available for free in-store and in-home consultations for all project sizes, from a single accent pillow to a complete home redesign.

• Address: 2124 S. Dale Mabry Highway, Suite 100, Tampa, FL 33629
• Phone: (813) 801-9811
• Hours: Monday–Saturday, 10 AM – 5 PM | Sunday: Closed
• Website: calicocorners.com