Armature Works - My Foodie Favorites

One of my favorite places to visit when I lived in Florida was Armature Works: a food, drink and retail market housed in a restored industrial building right on the Hillsborough River in Tampa. The second you walk in, you’re part of the bustling crowd waiting for their pizza and ice cream and sushi–the energy is awesome and there’s so much to choose from!

Whether you’re feeling sweet or savory, boozy or not, here are my favorite foods & drinks that can be found at this little Tampa gem.

1. SoHo Juice - Acai Bowls

This yummy açaí bowl from SoHo Juice was the first treat I ever ate at Armature Works, and it did not disappoint! I’m a sucker for fruity smoothie bowls, and this one was truly unbeatable. Blended strawberries, bananas and almond butter for the base, topped with chia seed granola, bananas, cacao nibs, coconut flakes and a peanut butter drizzle. Perfection.

2. AVA - Salsiccia Pizza

Pizza is a must pretty much everywhere I go, so naturally I ended up grabbing a slice during an afternoon visit. The Salsiccia pizza from AVA is arguably one of the best pizzas I’ve tried, and was definitely the best pizza I had during my year in Florida. Creamy ricotta and mozzarella nestled in a fresh tomato sauce, topped with fennel sausage… and just look at that fluffy crust. You can literally taste the crunch just looking at the picture. I paired this pie with a nice Merlot from Bar AW next-door, and though I don’t usually choose reds, it was a really nice compliment to the brightness of the pizza. Plus, the bartender thought I was young enough to fake my ID at 23 years old back then (???), so somehow that made it taste even better.

3. Empamamas - Buffalo Soldier

Empamamas is the most fun restaurant name to say out loud, and their freshly-made empanadas are just as good. I had the “Buffalo Soldier” which was sadly a temporary flavor, but it was hot and fresh and filled with yummy buffalo chicken and cheese. You can still try out their other delicious options, though - the “Tampa Girl” is their signature flavor, and it’s a fan-favorite for a reason. Plus, you can't go wrong with chips and salsa (plus their fries and sauce options are to die for).

4. Cru Cellars - Parmesan Truffle Fries

French fries are my kryptonite, and these Parmesan Truffle Fries were no exception. They had the perfect amount of seasonings, and the truffle aioli was incredible. Also, they were smothered in parmesan cheese and that makes anything a 10/10 in my book. The serving size was pretty hefty too, so these are great to share with a friend!

5. Ulele - Frozé

If you’re looking for a cool, refreshing drink after a long day of snacking, head down the street to Ulele, grab a frosé, and hang out on the outdoor patio. There’s covered tables and chairs, space to play lawn games, and fun music playing. We checked out the Tampa Riverwalk for a bit, then headed back to grab another drink–that’s how you know they were a hit.

6. Astro Craft Ice Cream

Last but not least: you can't end a day of eating without ice cream! Astro had some amazing flavors and toppings available, but I always tend to stick with a classic - strawberry shortcake (with rainbow sprinkles, of course). You can mix and match flavors and toppings, or choose from their signature creations, too!