Where to get the Best Empanadas in Tampa Bay

Mr. Empanada

For a fast and casual lunch, we love to visit Mr. Empanada.  There are many locations to visit all throughout Tampa Bay, so you don’t have to go too far. With a variety of options, it will be hard to choose – so get a couple! If you love classic, their Beef & Cheese empanada is piping hot and delicious. They also have more specialized ones like a crabmeat empanada and a pizza empanada!

Pro-tip: In charge of food to bring to a party? We recommend getting a platter of their mini empanadas – it’ll be a hit and perfect to share!

Empamamas

Empamamas is a crowd favorite in Tampa Bay.  Located in Armature Works, this spot surely puts a big twist on one of Tampa’s favorite foods! They serve amazing empanadas, delicious tacos, and the best chicken tenders in town. Try out one of their perfectly fried empanadas – We recommend their Tampa Girl, with a Cuban sandwich filling. If you want a dipping sauce to up the flavor, order their Bang Bang sauce, it’s delicious!

Empanada World

Empanada World is a fantastic spot for gourmet empanadas. The highlight of their creations has to be their perfect crust. They use the freshest ingredients for their unique recipes that fuse Mediterranean recipes and Latin flavors. We recommend their Spinach and Feta Cheese empanada – perfect for anyone who is a vegetarian! For dessert, get a sweet empanada like guava and cream cheese, coconut, apple, and cherry!

El Cafetal Bakery and Restaurant Tampa

Let’s say you don’t want a twist on empanadas, and you want the real thing. There’s nothing better than a classic! Take a visit to El Cafetal, a Colombian eatery and bakery! Here you can find Colombian-style empanadas filled with beef and potatoes, wrapped in a thin corn crust, and fried to a crisp. Pair it with one of their sweets and you’ll be set for the day!

Columbia Restaurant Ybor City

For some of the best Cuban empanadas in the city, why not take a visit to one of the first restaurants in Tampa? This spot first opened in 1905! Known for their history but made popular for their amazing food and service, the Columbia is an upscale Cuban restaurant in Ybor City. Here you can find their original recipe for empanadas in Tampa Bay – we can’t get enough of their Empanadas de Picadillo, filled with savory ground beef.