Independent Bar and Cafe

Your favorites always keep changing but this place always has remained on our top list. The brews are great fun and sandwiches always good and consistent. They also vegan only section. We never had a bad meal yet and we hope long it may continue. The who atmosphere and ambience of the place where the indoors open up to the outdoors make you feel like you are in house whose front yard is just an extension of the living room.

First timer and very happy to report that this place is wonderful. Very chill vibe, clean and great staff. The food was fantastic, as were the beverages. Will definitely be a regular.

I'm not sure why, but it's been my experience that every bar named the independent is cool AF. Not quite divey, but a really chill, unpretentious bar. They had food which looked and smelled good, but we didn't partake. Only had a beer and a conversation before we walked across the street to keep the party going. They have outdoor seating, but it was too hot. Maybe on my next visit in October.

I've been coming here occasionally since 2019 and for one reason only -their ham, brie, apple croissant sandwich. Best in all of Tampa Bay. That is until they changed it... It went from being a sweet and flavorful, mouthwatering dish with different textures, to a mouthful of sponge. They replaced it with Ciabatta bread. Now that might not sound like so much of a big deal but when you consider the fact that the croissant on its own has a sweetness to it as well as some flakiness in texture, it makes all the difference. Especially the thickness. The ciabatta I believe was too big for the stuff that was inside of it. The bread is thick and kinda spongy, so you would need to have something that is either really big or really strong in flavor to offset it. But being that there was just a small slice of brie (which was absorbed by the ciabatta) and other light flavors such as the ham and apple, it seemed to overshadow the crisp contrast in taste of each. So basically, you couldn't taste anything but the spongy ciabatta. I know it sounds ridiculous that I'm devastated over a sandwich, but this was one of my fav go to pick me up meals in all of Tampa. It was there for me in the good times. It was there for me in the bad. Now it's gone forever and so is a piece of my soul. If you're here for the other stuff, yea it's pretty cool. Sometimes the staff at the register are friendly, sometimes not. But by no means are they mean or rude. I like the patio too but if you've got weak lungs like I do, maybe avoid it because there are people who smoke.

I was so satisfied with their customer service and their menu selection is so diverse. I had the pork tacos 🌮 and specialty tea !!! They even had a chocolate pastry it was all so delicious 🤤!!!! I hope to go back soon enough !!!! You won’t be disappointed at this lovely 🥰 little place!!!!

I stumbled upon Independent Bar and Cafe while searching for a spot to enjoy a relaxing lunch while reading my book. This local gem did not disappoint! The atmosphere is cozy and welcoming, making you feel right at home. There were several beer options available, and the food menu had good options, making it challenging to decide what to order. Thankfully, the bartender was incredibly helpful and made a recommendation that left me thoroughly satisfied. I opted to sit at the bar, which provided the perfect setting for me to read my book without any distractions. The restaurant has an open setup, with both indoor and outdoor seating available in what looks like a refurbished garage. For lunch, I had Pork Banh Mi with a side salad, which was fresh, flavorful, and filling. Overall, I highly recommend Independent Bar and Cafe for anyone looking for a relaxed dining experience with delicious food and drink options.

We got hungry while we were waiting to get our car fixed so we decided to walk up the street to see what restaurants we could find. Ran into this place and it didn't look like much at first, but when you walk in you can automatically feel the vibe and atmosphere. The staff were friendly and the food was excellent! I really liked their draft beer too! They had so many beers to choose from! We will definitely be coming back!

Great draft selection always two or three good German beers on the board. As much as the staff would like this to be a gay dive bar, it is not. I would describe it as a hipster bear joint where everyone is welcome, definitely a local neighborhood favorite. I would have given them five stars,but that masked mural painted on the side of their building is now dated, and even though it says peace, it gives a bad vibe of covidiot times. Don't let that stop you. go grab yourself a liter of your favorite draft and a sandwich and enjoy all the friendly people.

Always a good time here. Was one of the first bier gardens to pop off in the area. My German husband loves coming by to get laberkase sandwich and a kolsch. The beer selection is great and they have a menu to fit anyone's taste. Service is always quick and easy. With all the years coming here. They are as good as they were 12 years ago.

It's in a Great location, but be mindful of the minimal parking, though there is plenty around spread out. There is amble seating outside and in, and the place provides a happy laid back vibe. All the staff were incredibly helpful, friendly and attentive that gave plenty of great recommendations for drinks and menu items. The sangria was great and the perigees were to die for, super buttery and the perfect amount of crispiness. They also had a band there planting live music which is a frequent occurrence there. Will definitely return.

4.5 stars for The Independent which came recommended to us. The potato and cheese perogis were my favorite. Came out piping hot and with generous filling. I still think about them sometimes... My partner got the TLT sandwich which came with very tasty and crispy bread. I didn't love the Leberkase Sandwich. It came with fried bologna that tasted kind of like hot dog. At least the side salad was tasty. I asked for no blue cheese but it came out with blue cheese anyway so the attention to detail is a bit lacking but perhaps to be expected from a pub. It was confusing how to order since their bartender and server was combined into 1 role. Plenty of seating all around and and indoor outdoor space. Overall would recommend checking out it you're looking for a low key pub with good food in Tampa.

Food: I recommend the pork tacos.very flavorful and delicious. Service: Staff is very polite and professional. Fast service for food. Ambiance: The outside is very nicely lighted and decorated and has some shows of music. 5/5 come to check it kut

This is a nice spot I frequent once a month, they have e a front outside seating area that is relatively quiet, and I'm going to resume my opinion about this place like this, is a German style pup/cafe with Tampa touch , best pork I had in a long time...

Stopped for lunch on the way to our hotel from the airport. Mid-afternoon and there were a few people there...2-3 with dogs as this is a very pet friendly place. Bartender provided samples so we could narrow our beer selections. Tons of beers and a reasonable wine selection. For lunch I got the Banh Mi sandwich and my wife got the house salad with chicken salad. My Banh Mi has flavorful mild pork (as advertised), but lacked any kick of flavor. A good pork sandwich, but not as flavorful as others I've had. The salad(s) were fresh and good with a nice poppyseed dressing. Food took about 10-15 minutes to come out. Staff was all very helpful and friendly.

The Basics: The Independent is a beer hall and cafe in Seminole Heights. There is rustic indoor seating as well as an outdoor patio. We visited on a Friday night and it was a fun, loud, bar environment where it can be tricky to find seating when busy. Things I like: I really liked the environment at Independent and it is great to have a beer hall in Tampa with a nice beer selection. Things I didn't like: I was not very impressed by the food. The Bavarian Soft Pretzel was hard in spots and the Brat on a Bun was not very flavorful and hard to finish. I would not order these items again. Additionally, I did not love the seating options. There were not many comfortable places to sit, leading to a desire to leave sooner than we may normally have. Overall, a nice option for beer and a good time in Tampa, but perhaps eat elsewhere before visiting.

A cool night time spot in Seminole Heights with live music on the weekends. We visited around Oktoberfest so the theme was definitely German/Bavarian. It was very busy on a Saturday night, and it was seat yourself. Definitely be prepared if coming with a large group. There was some open seating at the bar which is where my small group went. The bartender was extremely welcoming, explaining all the beer selections and letting us sample many. Food- I'm polish and am used to home cooked pierogi. I understood that ordering the pierogi wouldn't completely satiate my craving, moreso "scratch the itch". Nevertheless, the Potato and Cheese Pierogi were crisp, the filling was good, and it was served with a side of sour cream and sauerkraut. The one downfall was that the seasonings on the outside of the pierogi proved to be very salty. We also ordered the Bavarian Brat Platter which was comprised of a German bratwurst, sauerkraut, and Bavarian soft pretzel. The bratwurst had a nice flavor, however, it seemed to be boiled! This proved to be off putting to my group. If it was served grilled or with a pan sear and a slight crisp or char, this really would've elevated the taste and presentation of the dish. I heard from a customer that the Reuben is delicious so would definitely give it a try in the future. Drink- We ordered a Hefeweizen, the pineapple cider, the house sangria, and the vinho verde. The vinho verde was the least favorite drink as it was on the sweeter side which surprised us.

Stopped in here yesterday in search of new breweries and bars that I haven't tried yet. They are more a pub since they don't brew their own beer but that wasn't a problem since they have a great selection of craft and specialty beers as well as wine. The atmosphere was relaxed with several people having their dogs with them. Their staff were friendly and attentive and their beer was local and lovely. My favorite part of this location was the outdoor seating area. It faces the east so in the afternoon the sun is on the other side of the building which is nice. The day we went the temperature was great with a gentle breeze and lovely fall weather. I will absolutely come back.

We stopped here last night to try a place new to us. The weather was amazing, so we sat outside. The seating was comfortable and it was nice to see some people bring their dogs here. We enjoyed a draft beer, but they also have an amazing cooler with a lot of Belgian beers that we may have to try next time. We look forward to coming back soon.

I stumbled upon Independent Bar and Cafe while searching for a spot to enjoy a relaxing lunch while reading my book. This local gem did not disappoint! The atmosphere is cozy and welcoming, making you feel right at home. There were several beer options available, and the food menu had good options, making it challenging to decide what to order. Thankfully, the bartender was incredibly helpful and made a recommendation that left me thoroughly satisfied. I opted to sit at the bar, which provided the perfect setting for me to read my book without any distractions. The restaurant has an open setup, with both indoor and outdoor seating available in what looks like a refurbished garage. For lunch, I had Pork Banh Mi with a side salad, which was fresh, flavorful, and filling. Overall, I highly recommend Independent Bar and Cafe for anyone looking for a relaxed dining experience with delicious food and drink options.

This is our Local fav bar. Always good food, good vibe, great service. Always Independent.

The beer was perfectly chilled, the food was excellent, and the service was top-notch. Overall, it was a great experience from start to finish!

The Independent's sandwich game is strong! This menu never ceases to impress. It's been a while since I've been in, but I always have the toughest time choosing what to order. The sandwiches range from Cubans to chicken salad croissants to hot dogs (yes, I consider a hot dog a sandwich). But the best part is they offer just as many vegan/vegetarian options as they do meat. You can order the Braut On A Bun regular or with Beyond sausage, the Rueben with turkey or corned beef or the Rueben with tempeh. If you're looking for a new lunch spot with some bomb sammies, I highly recommend trying the Independent!

Super delicious food, good beer, and very friendly staff. Ian and I stopped in here twice on our trip to Tampa and sat at the bar each time. There was plenty of outdoor seating (some covered as well) and indoor seats. I got the salad with chicken salad on top. The chicken salad was so good, I had the chicken salad croissant the next time we stopped in. Their food was really, really yummy! They have a variety of beers on draft - some local stuff and even some from my hometown! It was cool to see that on the menu. We'd definitely go back next time we're in Tampa!

I love this place! The food is spot on! We had a Ruben, the Indy salad, and the hummus. All were phenomenal! The beer choices are unique and fabulous. Recommend this place 100%!

Didn't order any food was just here for drinks! The bartender was awesome was constantly checking on us and making conversation about the new year, the drinks hit the spot for me and everyone in our group

This was a solid lunch stop on my recent Tampa trip. Not only do they have an impressive tap menu for some cold beers, but their food was good too! While they give off a German brewhaus vibe, their menu features a lot of variety - including the delish mojo pork tacos I enjoyed for my feast! I was glad I only got two (though you can add more to your order if you want) - they were STUFFED full of savory, tender pork and had just the perfect spice level. I washed down the tacos with a tasty Weihanstephan Festbier. It was light, with a distinct Oktoberfest vibe, and paired well with the tacos. The service was friendly here, too. We enjoyed sitting at the bar and chatting with the server, and interacting with other customers. I'll definitely check 'em out next time I'm in town - I really want to try their Cubano. My companion ordered it and said it was fantastic!

Very friendly staff! They made some great recommendations that we loved. I asked a lot of questions about their food and they shared about it being made in house and not getting it from companies like Sysco. Everything sounded tasty! The place has a cool relaxed vibe.

Friendly staff, cozy decor with food if needed. German beers on draft. Parking in the rear.

I am a craft beer fan so of course this is a great place for me to go. My friends and I like to go to different places for lunch every couple months so when one of my friends recommended The Independent, I was on board. I had been to the original spot in downtown St. Pete years ago when it just served beer so I was looking forward to going. I previewed the beers on tap list and found that they had a Michigan favorite of mine, Bells' Two Hearted Ale on tap so I knew I was going to get one of those. I honestly had never had it on tap, only in a bottle. Everything is better on tap. I also found a couple others I intended to try. They were out of the alcoholic kombucha but they did have the Hefeweizen. Yum! Don't be scared away from it saying there is a hit of banana in it. This is also a place your friends who drink wine can join you. They have full bottles of bubbly, as well as reds and whites. One of my friends ordered the pretzels, so we all had a sample of that. You can't go wrong with a pretzel. I had the Indy Grilled Cheese, which was amazing. I love how they cut the pear up small so it was easier to eat in the grilled cheese. Two friends had the turkey croissant, which was a solid choice as well. Another person had the avocado toast with a fried egg. It looked really good. I don't think you could go wrong with anything here because everyone was satisfied. Our server was great too. He was there when we needed him and left us alone when we were just hanging out. There is a little bit of inside seating but most of it is outside (some of it is covered) so it is a great place to enjoy the nice weather. There is plenty of parking out back and also across the street (look for the signs.) I would recommend going here.

Good service, great beer, Cuban sandwich was just average. Open air seating on a busy street was a slightly negative experience. Staff was attentive and friendly.

Great food and service. Nice selection of bears and wines. Occasionally have live music too.

Vegetarian HEAVEN! This place has so many non-meat options that are seasoned and cooked to perfection. Their tempeh is so flavorful with sweet and spicy elements. The vegan brat is delicious and if I were blindfolded, I would not be able to tell it wasn't real meat. This is one of the only places that I would choose a non-meat option over a meat one. The parking situation is pretty limited, but there are a decent amount of spots across the street available. The workers are all so diligent in checking up on you and give great recommendations. The outdoor seating is what we prefer, with a covering and fans for the unpredictable Florida weather! Very cute place with great food and drinks.

The Independent comprises a great laid-spot for beers for the afternoon and evening, especially on a late Sunday morning and afternoon if you want some chill vibes. The latter point is what drew us to The Independent, where I could knock back a couple of beers, including noshing on an egg & cheese croissant sandwich with bacon that was quite satisfying and tantalizing on the senses. Originally a gas station per the structural exterior, The Independent works very well as a Biergarten, with its cedar wood bar and walls on the inside and chill outdoor seating. They have a pervasive selection of craft beer on tap and in a bottle and can. Many of the beers come from Tampa-St. Pete breweries, but others come from all over the country and the globe. The highlight beer I had was the Oude Geuze Boon by Brouwerij Boon that was a delicious lambic that definitely had lovely citrus and sour palate. Between the beer and the breakfast, I was pleased with my experience at The Independent. And the beertenders were chill and affable, which was a plus as we hung out at the bar on a Sunday late morning.

This place is pretty great. I came here to have a few beers. I've been on the hunt for New City Moscow mule ever since! The are practicing social distancing dining in and on patio. Big shout out to the server named McKay you can tell she really is passionate about the food here! Convinced me to get the Mojo Pork tacos and I didn't regret one bite - no exaggeration. Thanks McKay! When I'm back in town I will make this a frequent stop!

The atmosphere is great the staff is great and the food is great. It doesn't look like a wine place but it has a very well curated wine list and I've never been disappointed with the selection. The live music is always very enjoyable and the vibe is generally laid back and comfortable.

Small Neighborhood beer/wine bar with limited menu kitchen. it's a great unpretentious place for relaxing with friends or family. Located on Florida Ave in Seminole Heights, just north of the transition from one to two way traffic. More seating outdoors then indoor, dog friendly on the patio and has a Biergarten vibe. Beer selection is better than average if you include the cans and bottles but the dozen or so taps and they do rotate frequently. Selection leans toward European with emphasis on Belgian and German beers. They have larger bottles of red, blue and white Chimay and other Trappist ales. So if you ever want to do a comparison of Belgian Dubbel, Trippel and strong dark styles you could do that here -bring a friend and have a DD or Uber. Great service, friendly, knowledgeable, even the owner was helping out today (New Years Eve lunch) Food here is pretty straightforward, pretzels and beer cheese, a nice cheese board, Cubans, avocado toast, and some really good mojo pork tacos. Want to avoid the boring chains for a weekend lunch, try the Independent. Sunday nights they have live music and a wine tasting evening during the week.

Good food, good vibes and friendly staff! German feeling with solid food alongside their drinks. Potato and cheese pierogi were super tasty! Definitely want to come back to try some of their vegan options. Drinks were solid too - definitely recommend!

Embarrassed that I waited so long to try The Independent. My husband and I rarely find ourselves in Seminole Heights, but last year we bought an annual zoo pass so we would stop by The Independent on our way home. The beer selection is excellent and the food is pretty good too. I'm more of a wine drinker, but so far I have really enjoyed every beer I have tried. The bartenders are super friendly and always have great suggestions. My husband loves unique or hard to find beers and always manages to find a new beer to try. We usually split a few appetizers. The charcuterie and soft pretzel are our go-to dishes. We have also ordered the brats and sauerkraut which are great. Need to try one of the sandwiches, but we always seem to visit between meal times when I am not that hungry. My favorite thing about The Independent is that it is kid friendly. We usually visit during the afternoon when the bar is quiet. It is so nice to be able to grab some food and an adult beverage without paying a babysitter. Our toddler loves the food and enjoys sitting at the picnic tables instead of his usual high chair.

This little joint surprised me. I'm not typically in this area but happened to be visiting a friend and stopped for lunch. The food was very very good. Could not have been happier with my choice of the Bahn Mi and salad with poppyseed dressing. The flavor of their pork is phenomenal! I would recommend anything on their menu with the pulled pork. The prices were ok and the environment was more of a small dark pub vibe. However, there is ample outside eating if you can stand the Florida heat. WHERE it went downhill...,..They lose a star and probably should lose more stars for Service but I'm feeling generous today. The service was basically non existent. Waited forever for food and drinks, nobody came by to check how things were, to check on drink refills or anything at all. Drinks were forgotten and I had to go to the bar just to ask again for water. I wondered if we would ever get our check. No telling how many more drinks I might have had if I had the chance but it wasn't worth the hassle or the long wait. Order all you can when you have the chance because you may never see a server again! The time I could talk to somebody it wasn't a very welcoming encounter either. Did I mention how small this place is? So why is the service so bad? You can see every customer anywhere you stand. I mean really really bad service. This should really be a 2 or 3 star review but the food was great. I don't know the situation with staff but if this can be fixed. It should be. In the end, I definitely recommend the food if you aren't in any hurry and have a lot of patience

I've stopped there in numerous occasions for a pint found the service and beer above average. Located in a former gas station on Florida avenue it has that feel if the people back in the day could talked to you they share some great stories it has the homey vibe to it . But been there twice in two weeks to check out the menu and the beer again after a brief hiatus. Found the beer to be crisp and fresh the service a little more attentive and the food great for any of the beers. Pretzels were bang on with the mustard and the beer cheese . Had" The Rob " roast beef on weck and the horseradish sauce was fire. I'll be back to explore the rest of the menu if I leave the beers alone for room to taste the rest of the culinary bites.

Another posts - outstanding venue - incredible frosty selection and foods. Expect eclectic look which is that much funnier to watch and sit in beautiful Tampa February weather and enjoy

Had a delicious and quiet breakfast date with a girlfriend. Our food came out fresh and it was delicious! Our favorite seating is outside, exposed to the elements with some light shade.

Really relaxed atmosphere with a good beer selection. They are right across the street from common dialect.... But with a better beer selection.

A nice little spot for beer and smaller bites. The outdoor patio is nothing special, but a good option for a nice evening. The staff is friendly but it occasionally took us a while to hear back from our server. The drinks selection is massive, with plenty of local/rotating beer and cider options. The food is fine, nothing special - and the menu is more limited if you have picky eaters in the group. I'd recommend keeping it simple with the apps (cheese plate, soft pretzels), as these items paired well with the large beer selection.

Awesome staff, great food, and an excellent beer selection. The perfect neighborhood beer garden.

Just a cute place w great beer and fun food! Wonderful variety of beer and I'd that is not your thing- had wine and ciders- and the food- esp the pretzels- is tasty. It rained shortly after we got there- but all was well in the covered outdoor seating and they did have indoor seating as well. Just a nice place to go in Seminole Heights for a nice time and good brew!

Great food and beer selection located in the heart of Central Ave in St. Pete, I found to be a mostly straight crowd when I was there.

This is a pretty nice, chill establishment. This is my first time here, and I enjoyed myself! For drinks, I ordered the Williams sorry pear cider, and a rose. The cider was nice and crisp. The rose was a nice semi sweet blend! As for food, I ordered the mojo pork tacos, and beyond burger! Both were phenomenal! The staff is also friendly and understanding. They accommodated our party of 7 with ease! Theres plenty of indoor, and outdoor seating that meets the covid requirements. I reccomend this spot!

I enjoy going to this local bar! We most recently went on Halloween with friends and had fun! We reserved a table in advance and had fun! We thought the beer selection was okay. I ordered a hefeweizen and my partner had a sour. The food was good but the menu is a bit limited and all over the place. There are German food options on the menu and most of our group ordered German dishes. We got the pretzel with beer cheese, two bratwurst sandwiches, and the mojo pork tacos. The beer cheese was good and went well with the pretzel. The brat was enjoyed as well. We will be back to the Independent! It is a nice local place! If you are in the area then check them out!

Great local (German inspired) bar. Outdoor seating, you can bring you pups along with you and they offer water bowls for them. I am a vegetarian and they had great options for me. They offer a good beer selection. They also have wine and cider.I am definitely coming back here.

So my 4-stars come with a limited perspective, but my friend and I ordered a couple of cold brews and the bavarian platter to-go. I haven't previously had very good experiences with Grub Hub and this experience worked out, but I did have to call the restaurant after waiting for 15 minutes for the Yelp app not refreshing. When I called, one server said they didn't get the order. After about 5 minutes I called back and it was very confusing, but the server actually saw the order coming through. Even after waiting past the window of when the food would be ready, it still wasn't ready when we got there. However, the food itself was good. The cold brews were amazing and the Bavarian Platter was pretty good. I loved the pretzel and the Bratwurst was cooked really well. I am not generally a big sauerkraut fan, but their sauerkraut was great. I imagine this restaurant is more enjoyable when sitting at the restaurant.

I've been here a couple times and am very pleased with their vegan options. The food is German, and I've heard the beer is good too (I'm not much of a drinker) but others I've been with have enjoyed their beverages and other food options. I had the best Reuben (vegan, with tempeh) I've ever had in my life. It's a cute little place with nice outdoor seating too. Huge fan of their food, I'll definitely be back!

The Independent, in addition to having a wide variety of foreign and domestic beers on tap and bottled, creates highly original plates which turn out to be customer favorites. One of these dishes is The Independent's own takeoff on grilled cheese. Called simply The Independent Grilled Cheese Sandwich it's a very savory combination of Gouda cheese, pears and honey. It goes down extremely easily so if you order this you may want to restrain yourself enough to savor the delicious flavors your tongue will love. Gouda is a very mild almost creamy cheese that harmonizes very well with the mild flavor of a Bosc or Bartlett and a touch of honey seals the deal. It's served on rye toast with the mellow flavor of the grain complementing the other tastes. This isn't the first time I've had it. Then I dived in, hardly tasting past the first bite due to my sudden fixation on the texture and flavor. Now I take my time savoring the experience.

Great beer, food menu, and vibe! Friendly staff and lots of outdoor seating. A local fav

If you haven't try their Cuban-YOU MUST! This is a hidden Gem , very clean and beautiful ambiance, great people work here. The Beer have many choices of it and all are great!! Don't miss out on their Reuben sandwich as well .

I was invited here as part of a business meeting/lunch. So, unfortunately, beer was off my list but I was impressed by the beer menu. My host ordered two sharable items the Hummus and Veggie Plate with Pita ($7.50) and the Artisanal Cheese Plate ($14.00) with Salami (+$4.00). Both were a good size and plenty for three of us to share, they had a nice variety of items and the hummus well made. We all dove in too fast to get a picture... For my lunch, I went with the Pork Bahn Mi ($8.00) with a side salad. The sandwich was nice size, the bread was great and the pork was moist with good flavoring. The slaw and garnishes were crisp and fresh - it just needed a little more ZING. Good but not great. The side salad actually stole the show - mixed greens, walnuts, blue cheese and grapes with a poppy seed dressing is NOT your average side salad. I can't wait to be back in the area to try more of the menu.

Very cool. Very chill. Patio in the shade. It doesn't hurt that I was in the mood for some German food, and they delivered. Nothing fancy at all, a bratwurst plate that was perfection. Five out of five stars. Don't get me wrong, they have plenty of other food and drink options other than German food. Craft beers. Good apps. Enjoy.