Taste of the Beaches 2026 FAQ: Everything You Need to Know

Kennedy Powell

Thursday, August 13, 2026

Get ready to save your appetite and Taste the Beaches!

Taste of the Beaches returns October 3–11, 2026, bringing together some of the best restaurants throughout the Tampa Bay Beaches for nine delicious days of food, fun, and exploring local.

Whether this is your first Taste of the Beaches or you make it a yearly tradition, we’ve answered some of the most frequently asked questions to help you plan your week.

What is Taste of the Beaches?

Taste of the Beaches is a week-long celebration of the incredible restaurants and local businesses that make the Tampa Bay Beaches such a great place to eat, visit, and explore.

Participating restaurants create a special “Taste” that guests can enjoy with a Taste of the Beaches ticket. It’s the perfect excuse to visit an old favorite, discover somewhere new, or make a week out of trying as many restaurants as possible!

When is Taste of the Beaches?

Taste of the Beaches 2026 takes place October 3–11, 2026.

That means you have nine days to make your way around the Tampa Bay Beaches and enjoy your favorite Tastes.

How do the tickets work?

Taste of the Beaches tickets are $10 each, and each ticket can be redeemed at any participating Taste of the Beaches restaurant.

Simply purchase your ticket, choose which participating restaurant you’d like to visit, and bring your ticket with you during Taste of the Beaches week. Present your ticket at the restaurant to receive their featured Taste.

One ticket = one Taste at the participating restaurant of your choice!

Do I have to choose my restaurant when I buy my ticket?

No! That’s what makes Taste of the Beaches so easy to explore.

Your ticket can be used at any participating restaurant, so you don’t have to decide where you’re going when you purchase it. Browse the participating restaurants and their featured Tastes, then choose where you want to redeem your ticket.

Can I visit more than one restaurant?

Absolutely! Each ticket is good for one Taste, so if you want to visit multiple restaurants, simply purchase multiple tickets.

For example, grab five tickets and you can enjoy five different Tastes throughout the week, or use them however you’d like among participating restaurants.

Can I purchase multiple tickets?

Yes! We encourage it.

Purchase as many $10 tickets as you’d like and create your own Taste of the Beaches adventure. You can try a new restaurant each day, plan a food crawl with friends, or revisit a favorite.

The best part? You don’t have to decide where you’re using your tickets ahead of time.

Is Taste of the Beaches one big festival?

Not quite!

Unlike a traditional food festival where every restaurant gathers in one location, Taste of the Beaches takes place at participating restaurants throughout the Tampa Bay Beaches.

You get to explore the area, visit the restaurants themselves, and experience each business in its own atmosphere.

Is there a kickoff event?

Yes! Taste of the Beaches officially gets started with the Taste of the Beaches Kickoff Party on Friday, October 2, 2026 at Horan Park, St Pete beach.

Does Taste of the Beaches support a nonprofit?

Yes! We are proud to have Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside as our 2026 nonprofit partner.

Each Taste of the Beaches ticket purchased helps support Habitat for Humanity Tampa Bay Gulfside and its work helping individuals and families in our community achieve affordable homeownership.

So while you’re tasting your way around the beaches, you’re also helping support an important local cause.

Can restaurants still participate?

Yes, restaurant participation is still open!

Participating restaurants must be members of the Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce. Chamber members interested in joining Taste of the Beaches can contact tina@tampabaybeaches.com for more information.

How can my business get involved if we aren't a restaurant?

There are sponsorship opportunities available for businesses that want to be part of one of the Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber’s signature events.

Contact the Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber for information about remaining sponsorship opportunities.

Where can I find the latest Taste of the Beaches information?

Keep an eye on TampaBayBeaches.com/Taste and Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber of Commerce website and social media channels for participating restaurant announcements, Taste reveals, ticket information, event updates, and plenty of behind-the-scenes content leading up to October.

And once the restaurant lineup is ready, start making your list. Nine days may sound like plenty of time... until you see all the Tastes you want to try.

Save your appetite. Taste the Beaches.