Posted by Tampa might surprise you.
This isn’t just a city of palm trees and spring training. It’s a curated escape—one that knows how to treat its guests to great food, bold design, and moments that feel both refined and just a little bit indulgent. Which is exactly what we were after.
With no kids in tow and no itinerary beyond “let’s treat ourselves”, we set off for an adult weekend in Tampa. And from the first bite to the last sip, it was everything we didn’t know we needed.
Stay: The Epicurean Hotel – Where Culinary Chic Meets Boutique Cool
You know you’re in for something special when the hotel feels like a course in a tasting menu.
The Epicurean Hotel, part of the Autograph Collection, lives up to its name—it’s a haven for those who believe food is an experience, not just a necessity. The aesthetic is modern but warm, with culinary touches woven into every corner. Think leather-bound menus turned into décor, artfully designed wine storage, and a lobby bar that beckons.
The room? Sleek, cozy, and perfectly prepped for a weekend of doing absolutely nothing responsibly. There’s even a dedicated culinary classroom on property, if your idea of relaxing includes learning how to flambé something.
Spoiler: ours didn’t. But the option was nice.
Dinner: Bern’s Steak House – The Kind of Meal You Tell Your Grandkids About
You don’t just go to Bern’s Steak House. You commit to it.
This legendary Tampa establishment is less a restaurant and more an edible institution. From the moment you step inside, it’s old-school glamour with a wink of eccentricity. The service? Flawless. The wine list? Practically its own zip code. The steak? Arguably one of the finest we’ve ever had—aged to perfection, seasoned with science, and grilled like they’ve been waiting their whole lives to make you this one bite.
But nothing prepares you for the Dessert Room.
Yes. A Dessert. Room.
You’re escorted upstairs to what feels like a vintage speakeasy meets romantic recording booth. Private dessert “nooks” are fitted with phones to call in your selections. The menu reads like the sweet dreams of a pastry chef with no rules and no budget. And the experience? Decadent, whimsical, a little surreal.
We split a baked Alaska and a Bern’s classic macadamia nut sundae. Both were criminally good. Paired with live piano and a digestif, it felt less like dessert and more like a curtain call to a culinary opera.
Morning After: The Oxford Exchange – Breakfast with a Side of Bookstore Bliss
Refreshed (and still slightly full), we made our way to the Oxford Exchange for breakfast, and frankly, if we lived in Tampa, they’d have to drag us out of this place on a daily basis.
Part café, part bookstore, part design showroom, the Oxford Exchange is one of those rare places that feels Instagrammable and sincere at the same time. You can sip a matcha latte under a glass atrium, stroll through bookshelves, or lose yourself in the curated lifestyle section that makes you believe, briefly, that you could be the kind of person who grows herbs in handmade ceramic pots.
The breakfast? Exceptional.
From fresh-squeezed juices and artisan coffee to their famous avocado toast and cinnamon-dusted pancakes that should come with a warning label, it’s all crafted with intention and charm. Bonus points for the server who recommended the sweet potato hash. Bless that man.
A Weekend Worth Repeating
There was no roller coaster. No schedule. No chaos.
Just great design, better food, and the kind of moments that remind you grown-up travel can be just as magical—with fewer lines and more truffle oil.
Tampa may not always top the list for weekend getaways, but that’s the best part. It’s still a little secret. And we’re more than happy to let it whisper its surprises to anyone willing to slow down and listen.
Until next time, dessert room.
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