Photo credit: Marina K. Villatoro /Gringa TravelingMom
In every city you will find a restaurant that is known to be the ‘Mover’s and Shaker’s’ go-to spot. In Tampa the Oxford Exchange is that place. Since I like to think of myself as a mover and shaker in my own right, what better place to hang than with the rest of the cool kids?
Why Oxford Exchange Tampa is a ‘Can’t-Miss-Breakfast’ Hotspot
I am so glad that I contacted Visit Tampa Bay because I didn’t know anything at all about this restaurant until they recommended it to me. That’s one of the main reasons why I always recommend contacting the local tourism offices before arriving to your destination. They always know all of the best and most unique places to visit and love sharing their knowledge about the place.
I decided to do breakfast at the Oxford Exchange. Here are some aspects of the restaurant that make it unique:
1. The layout of the restaurant – There are three dining areas: a lounge area, an outside area and the main dining room. I think that approximately 300 people can easily fit in there. That’s how large it is!
2. The food is almost all organic and locally grown.
3. It has been a long time since I’ve visited a place with a tea selection as good as theirs.
4. Few things can beat sitting in a comfy, regal chair and large windows while indulging in a delicious cup of tea.
5. You can also buy rare books at the restaurant. There is also a novelty shop.
6. I normally don’t pay attention to bathrooms but this one caught my eye. It is the largest, most decorative bathroom I have ever seen.
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Photo credit: Marina K. Villatoro /Gringa TravelingMom
Fun Facts About Oxford Exchange Restaurant
• Oxford Exchange is located on a historic building from 1891.
• It used to be a stable for the Plant Hotel.
• In the 1920s an arcade of shops ran through the center of the building. Remains of that have been included in the current design.
• Oxford Exchange is actually in two buildings: one is the original four walls of Number 420, and the other one is a newer structure that was built in place of an older building next door.
How It All Started
• Tampa businessman Blake Casper fell in love with the architecture, feel, and use of English shops and clubs during a visit to London.
• He immediately thought of how that sort of spaces could be used in his hometown. He also thought of a place where people could meet, mingle, or work in solitude.
• As soon as he got home, he put together a team of architects, engineers, designers, and craftsmen and gave them the task to transform the building into a state-of-the-art complex.
• Finally in 2011 Oxford Exchange began to take shape.
• The materials used for building Oxford Exchange came from over a dozen countries.
• Oxford Exchange first opened its doors at 6:30 a.m. on September 24, 2012.
