While I am geographically closer to Orlando, it’s the slightly-further-away city of Tampa that is closer to my heart. Maybe the hip and carefree vibe is a result of being located by the water, or maybe its allure lies in the fact I don’t live there. Either way, numerous visits have confirmed one thing: Tampa is an effortlessly cool city with many beautiful places to discover.
Case in point: a recent day trip with my friend Hannah in which we visited Armature Works, several breweries and Oxford Exchange (long on my bucket list).
A restaurant, store, coffee/tea shop and bookstore in one, Oxford Exchange will speak to your soul if you love any or all of the aforementioned things. It’s the kind of place you’d expect to find in New York City or a sizable European city, so we’re extra lucky to have such a cool space here in Central Florida.
But…despite being a diligent planner and researcher, there are several things I wish I would have known before my visit. Here are a few tips for your first visit to Oxford Exchange.
1. Know where to park.
I assumed Oxford Exchange would have a parking lot. I was wrong. Recent developments have made parking difficult and it’s something OE is working to fix. Circling around the block, you’ll find a parking lot marked for Oxford Exchange parking. But beware, it belongs to a church and they charge $10 (parking is free during certain times of the day; check this parking map for details).
Street parking is a better and more affordable alternative. Before you go, download the Parkmobile app. There’s a two hour time limit on all of the spots, but once your time is up you can add more directly from the app instead of having to return to the nearest pay station. The cost is $1.50/hour. I wish I would have known about this before arriving, as you can reserve parking spaces from the app.
If you are visiting after 3:00 p.m. OR on the weekend, check out the parking map on Oxford Exchange’s website for details on FREE parking spots.
2. Make a restaurant reservation in advance.
Mistake #2: not making a reservation. Even on a Friday morning, Oxford Exchange was quite busy and we had a 50 minute wait for 2 people. Forgo waiting by making a reservation online in advance via OpenTable if you’re planning to dine at the restaurant.
The weekend brunch (Saturdays and Sundays) is the busiest time of the week, so reservations are a must. If you don’t have a reservation, come as early as possible for your best shot at getting in.
If you don’t feel like making a reservation, know that 10am and lunchtime are peak dining times. Arrive bright and early for breakfast, or mid-afternoon when the lunchtime rush has quieted.
Here’s a cheat sheet for the various menus and what time they’re served:
• Breakfast is served weekdays from 7:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
• Brunch is served Saturdays and Sundays from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
• Lunch is served weekdays from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
• Treat yourself to a light snack from the afternoon menu on weekdays, or afternoon tea Friday – Sunday from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.
• There is no dinner service; Oxford Exchange closes at 5:30pm daily.
3. You can order beverages from the coffee and tea shops from the restaurant.
Craving coffee or tea to go with your meal? You can order beverages from the Buddy Brew Coffee shop and TeBella Tea Company (the lavender matcha latte is amazing) from within the restaurant. This is especially helpful if you’re short on time and the restaurant is the main focus of your visit.
FYI: As convenient as it is to order coffee and tea from the restaurant, you aren’t able to order food off the restaurant’s menu from the coffee or tea shops.
4. Allow yourself ample time to explore.
Beauty is everywhere you look. From floor to ceiling windows and a fountain from Rome to Italian floors and wood from a Kentucky distillery, the beauty is in the details. A neon sign illuminated with the phrase “dreamers and doers” greets you outside the restroom, and bibliophiles will want to dedicate time to scan the available titles at the bookstore.
The front of the building is a store featuring everything from coffee table books to Rifle Paper Co. goods and more. There’s also a mini Warby Parker store across from the bookstore. And coffee and tea shops, too. There’s even a shoe shine station.
If you do end up having to wait for a table at the restaurant, wandering the rest of the building is an enjoyable way to kill time.
Although the space isn’t as large as it appears in pictures, there are plenty of interesting details and spaces to keep you busy.
5. Know before you go…
Plan to spend at least 2-3 hours at Oxford Exchange, especially if you’re arriving without a dining reservation. Take your time and savor the experience!
Here’s a list of vendors and shops you’ll find inside:
• The Bookstore: a mini bookstore complete with bestsellers and classics alike
• The Shop: various goods including coffee table books, globally-inspired decor, Rifle Paper Co. paper goods, candles, and more.
• The Restaurant: a bright and airy space serving seasonal American cuisine
• Buddy Brew Coffee: Tampa-based craft coffee roaster
• TeBella Tea Company: Local tea room offering loose-leaf tea and drinks
• Warby Parker: eyeglasses and sunglasses
• Aesop: skin, hair, and body products
Oxford Exchange hours:
Monday – Friday 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Saturday – Sunday 9:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Restaurant hours vary
Address:
420 W Kennedy Blvd
Tampa, FL 33602
oxfordexchange.com
