Cute little Cuban bakery in South Tampa. I wanted a cafe con leche, and a quick Yelp search resulted in Empanada World. This business has been in this location for 10 years and in Tampa in general for 20 years. I cannot believe it took me this long to find it! They offer a bunch of different baked empanadas, sandwiches, and other baked goods like cookies and cupcakes. I ordered a chicken empanada, a guava empanada, some frosted sugar cookies for my kids, and a cafe con leche. Prices are a little higher than the other empanada shops in town or other Latin bakeries, but this one is located in South Tampa, and the baked goods are so cute! The chicken empanada was really good. I liked the hint of curry that reminded me of the curry chicken empanadas my grandma makes. The guava empanada was actually cherry with walnut (whoops, must have been put in the wrong area!), but it was full of cherry flavor and excellent. The coffee was sweet and strong. I'm so happy to have found this place, and I look forward to returning. read more

While I have not been to the actual shop, I stopped by the stand at the St Pete Farmers Market last weekend and grabbed a breakfast empanada. The outside was flaky and crispy, which I loved. However, the filling was lacking in flavor and was pretty dry. I wish it had been served with a sauce on the side, I think that would have really elevated it. The man working the farmers market stand was very kind and patient and the stand was set up nicely with good signage to show all the flavors. I can't speak to the ambiance of the actual cafe though since I have not seen it. read more

Empanada World Café - Sausage, egg, and cheese empanada - Empanadas Near Me - Tampa, Florida

Tried this place at the St Petersburg Saturday Morning Market. I couldn't resist trying a sausage, egg, and cheese empanada for $8. They were hot and fresh. Served in a little brown bag. Delicious! I ended up going back and getting another one for the next day. Heated up perfectly fine! read more

Empanada World Café - Empanadas Near Me - Tampa, Florida

Come back in Tampa. Past almost 1 year Empanadas still is very good.Ordered in to good to go app. Received two empanadas and croissants. Also ordered cafe con leche. Friendly woman worker. She say coffee can be to strong. Not worry not for me Very delicious coffee. Cool atmosphere. Definitely come back read more

This place is amazing. Nobody makes empanadas like that. The owner is exceptional. You feel like you stepped back in time to when people actually really cared about making good food and taking pride in their work! I had the traditional beef and a blueberry pastry. It was amazing.! read more

We decided to give Empanada World a try when walking through the Sunday Hyde Park market. There were no prices posted but figured they couldn't be that expensive. Based on the recommendation, I went with the southwest chicken and the spinach pie. These things weren't that big. The southwest chicken was really dry, it needed a sauce or spice. For the spinach pie it was decent, more spinach flavor than cheese. What I didn't expect was the price for these two small items, $18. Kinda too pricey for the portion size. It was nice to try but I wouldn't recommend getting anything from here based on my visit. read more

I had the sausage egg and cheese empanada today at the St. Pete farmers market. The people were friend, line moved quickly and the empanada was FANTASTIC. I wish they had a location in Pinellas county. read more

I got a chicken empanada as well as a pumpkin pie one, both were fresh and flavorful. The woman behind the counter was very pleasant to talk to and she seemed very passionate about the food she created. Will definitely be coming back. read more

Empanada World Café - Chicken empanada on the right (coffee was made at home) - Empanadas Near Me - Tampa, Florida

Best empanadas in the World Wonderful housewarming feel with amazing customer service Love Love this place read more

The empanadas are wonderful! My personal favorites are the southwest & the guava and cheese. The ambiance is charming and the lady that helps us was super sweet! read more

I was hoping to grab some authentic empanadas while on vacation in Tampa and this was close to the airport and the only one open before noon. I'm sure there's better but I'm not in the know! The chicken was surprisingly curry. The beef didn't have much spice. The empanadas are large and cost about $5 each. The guy was nice but the place was tiny and not very bright. Empanadas are a day (or more) old when they opened at 11am. read more

Empanada World Café - Chicken (curry) - Empanadas Near Me - Tampa, Florida

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I was curious about this little place and decided to give it a try. I ordered the beef empanadas. The size for a empanada is smaller than the average empanadas from other establishments.its a little pricey but thats not the issue I had with it. The empanadas are not good, plain and simple. I'm sorry but I know what empanadas are and should taste like and this is not it. Maybe the closest I can say is the taste could be a Colombian empanada, not Cuban or what a empanada from Puerto Rico tastes like. I make way better ones at home. The staff were nice and helpful though. read more

I was on the hunt for baked empanadas and found this little gem. The selection is impressive with about a dozen varieties each of sweet and savory pastries. Everything, including the dough, is made in their shop. The classic beef empanada was delicious and I really liked the southwest chicken (even if it's a bit Americanized). Two empanadas were filling and, since they were not fried, hopefully a bit healthier. The staff were as warm, friendly, and welcoming as can be. The seating area is pretty small and they also have a little patio outside. I will definitely be back. read more

Not bad, recommend you try this place - I just prefer more authentic empanadas and Cuban sandwiches. It seems they are more into presentation than quality. read more

I'm really not trying to be "that person" but the customer service was good. The empanada was one of the worst I had tbh. And I eat empanadas ALOT all over the country 9/10 at mom & pop shops. I think they heat it up in the microwave here, the taste was horrible, the texture was dry soft not crunchy and despicable to say the least. It was kinda flavorful but it was still just overall horrible. read more

Went today with a coworker for lunch. The food was fantastic and reasonably priced. We tried the steak w/ onions, traditional beef, spinach w/ feta. All were amazing. Guava for dessert, spectacular! The inside is very cute and quaint. Owner greeted us with open arms. Everything is made from scratch. Certainly suggest trying empanada world cafe!! read more

Love LoVe Love these....was looking for anything quick to grab while in the area and this was the first on google...OMG...THEY MAKE EVERYTHING FROM SCRATCH on the premises. The founder is still alive and has created over 100 different flavors, seasonal included. I just tasted the beef and the steak. They have fused the best of Mediterranean and Latin flavors to come up with these delicious varieties. Some sweet, some savory. I'm in town 3 days...I'm sure I'm getting a few for the road. I suggested to them that they should start shipping them frozen. They promised to look into it... read more

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Absolutely delicious empanadas and ever better customer service. They've been making these empanadas since the 1800s and my favorite is still the crab! I would recommend making a trip to come here. read more

Empanada World Café - At the St. Pete market! - Empanadas Near Me - Tampa, Florida

I'm a huge empanada lover and will screech my car to an instant halt if I see a place that sells empanadas. On my way home one day, as it was nearing dinner time and I was exhausted, I decided to stop at this little place to grab a few empanadas to share for dinner with my daughter. On a recommendation, I was advised this place is known more for their dessert empanadas, but that didn't deter me. I wanted meat empanadas and they had those, too. They also have a few salads and sandwiches. I called Jess to see what she wanted. She wanted the turkey sandwich. I chose two empanadas, one beef and one chicken, and a turkey sandwich for Jess. I waited about 10 minutes for the food to come out, as it was made fresh to order. The beef empanada was definitely my favorite. It was spiced nicely and cooked to perfection. The chicken empanada, although a little bland, was still very enjoyable. I liked both of them. If I'm ever in the area again (and I'm sure I will be), I'm going to try one or two of the dessert empanadas. After all, that is what they are known for. They also have assorted items such as chips and sodas, so if you want a little something more to go along with the empanada, you do have those choices. Nice employees who are very helpful in explaining ingredients. They appeared to be a mother and son operation, but of that I am not really certain. Family, for sure :) They were getting ready to close, and the young man was bringing in the benches that were outside as I was getting ready to leave. A nice new addition to the South Tampa area. read more

Empanada World Café - Beef and Chicken Empanadas - Empanadas Near Me - Tampa, Florida

We ventured out to the St. Petersburg Saturday market for the morning and happened upon this vendor while waiting for our lunch to finish cooking. They had a display of "cheese bread," which looked like pao de queijo from Brazil. While we were stationed in Germany, my Brazilian neighbor made these occasionally. It's a lengthy process and uses tapioca flour. I dream about pao de queijo and wish I had a neighbor connection. But alas, empanada world makes a variety of it that I can fill my craving. I had a lovely conversation with the chef's daughter, Lori, and she explained there are several varieties in South America based on the region. She even let me try one for free, which was sweet. I then bought a Gorgonzola empanada and immediately regretted not making this our lunch place for the day. It was delicious! I was also surprised to learn they make everything at the farmer's market fresh and have huge ovens on site. Chef Rosita was also present who still has a hand in creating recipes. I'm looking forward to trying the cheese loaf bread that she is working on! I was appreciative that Lori took time to talk with me during the busy market. We'll definitely be back in the future and hope to go to their location in south tampa too. read more

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I tried Empanada World's food recently at the Saturday Morning Market in DTSP. I wasn't too impressed. The staff was disconnected and seemed borderline annoyed and rude. Yes, the market was busy but when you are a new business competing in city full of amazing Cuban restaurants, you had better step it up with your food and your service. Also, prices seemed a bit high compared to their competition. I tried the hot dog in a pretzel bun which wasn't too bad, just enormously greasy. I also ordered some sort of empanada with chicken. The guy helping me was no help at all, rude, and rushing me to order so I had no clue what else was in the empanada. The empanada was also greasy. I had one bite of it, and there was some strange taste I couldn't put my finger on. I ended up just throwing it away. Thanks but no thanks. Not a fan. read more

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We found this place at a fair in Dunedin. Blew us away. I've eaten countless empanadas. I've been to Puerto Rico and had home made Empanadas from my friends families as well as high end restaurants. Never had I had a light flakey baked empanada generously packed with great fresh ingredients. Just to insure it wasn't the beer I had we traveled 35 mins to their store front. Def wasn't the beer. Still thought everything we tried was amazing. From what I was told they carry many more flavors st the market in St Pete's in Saturday's. Which we will be going to solely for these awesome empanadas. Staff at the fair as well as the store couldn't have been nicer. Thank you and PLEASE keep up the great work If you haven't tried this place you're missing out. Get you some read more

Ok, so they had a little stand in USF and their empanadas are so good and with such good variety that I melted at the classic chicken, and the guava and cheese picked me back up! So good! Best empanadas I've EVER had, and I have been a food aficionado for a long while. DELICIOUS! read more

This is a small family business. Everything they have to offer is delicious! I went and got two empanadas. Both the chicken and beef ones were AMAZING. Coffee... where do I begin!? Being a Hispanic guy, I grew up drinking strong, delicious coffee. This is the place to get it. The menu has wide range of options, and the service is excellent. Advise to customers: If you do not like something you purchased, please, talk to the staff and let them know while you're in the restaurant. I'm sure they will go above and beyond to make it better. Don't go on Yelp or Facebook and discredit a perfectly good family business, just because you don't have the guts to turn the situation right there and then. I'll be going back :) ! read more

We just had the most delicious empanadas ever. There were four of us and we tried a variety of them. The deviled crab was the best I've ever tasted. We also had the chicken, the beef and the spinach feta. All Delicious! The crust was flaky and flavorful. Russell was our server and did a superb job. There were also some very yummy looking desserts so we will be coming back for those and more empanadas! read more

Quick Read: One of the most special businesses in Tampa, and truly one you NEED to visit before you leave. Tradition, quality, family owned, and food that will knock your socks straight off. Rosita learned how to cook from her Spaniard grandfather, and was one of the first (if not THE first) to offer baked empanadas in Ecuador. This is a family owned business, and you can tell they put heart into everything they do. They offer these delicious bad boys at the St. Pete Farmer's Market and Hyde Park Market, but I am so glad they finally have their own storefront. I have literally not had a single bad thing from here. Don't let the prices fool you, these things are beyond a great value for what you're getting, and they are tremendously filling. The cheese breads are killer, and so are the beef empanadas. Everything is meticulously seasoned, and they are constantly working to add different flavors in rotation. One of the most special places here. The best beef empanada I've ever had (don't tell my mom) ;) read more

Got it catered for lunch at work! So delicious and phenomenal service- was still warm when it arrived- highly recommend!

Went there today. So glad they are open again!! These are the best fresh handmade empanadas anywhere. They are not machine made, they are made by hand with love. The owner told me she can make 20 an hour. What a labor of love. Also all the awesome baked goods they have. Their dessert empanadas are so good. We had the apple empanada. Everyone brags about her guava empanadas but I'm not a guava guy. The guy who works the counter is so helpful. Always a great experience. This is a wonderful business and everyone should try them. Also they have great soup! read more

This is a review for their empanadas only. I guess they also do sandwiches and other stuff but I have only had the empanadas. I think in order to truly appreciate this place you need to be a baker, or be able to recognize quality baked goods made with quality ingredients. You also need to be willing to spend $5 on what is a really small amount of food. Yes, one empanada costs 5 dollars. But it is a QUALITY empanada. These are not your typical greasy fried empanadas. They are baked and the pastry is very good and flaky. When you eat these empanadas, they do not sit in your stomach for 3 days. They taste scratch homemade. Which they are. The quality of the fillings are excellent, but I will caution you that some fillings are better than others. I highly recommend: Cherry Guava Guava & Cheese Chicken Coconut I did not like: Beef (bland/flavorless) I look forward to trying other flavors and will update this list. They have peach and mango empanadas when those fruits are in season, for example. The guava and guava/cheese empanada here put every other guava dessert you have ever had in your life to shame. Absolute heaven. THIS is how every guava dessert should taste! Thick, rich, sweet, guava deliciousness. I am Hispanic and there are painfully few Latin restaurants/bakeries I would dare to eat at in this area. This is one of them. read more

Super yummy food! We havent gotten the desert ones, but the beef and chicken are so good. We dont mind waiting for them to be cooked because. Theyre always delicious! And their cubans! SO GOOD! make sure to grab their punch card read more

The original beef empanada is out of this world. What an amazing find for lunch. A new favorite. read more

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Went here for the first time with with son to pick up a quick bite to eat. The empanadas were cooked fresh to order. The store takes pride in what they offer. Very hospitable and nice experience. We will be ordering a tray for a party. I enjoyed the guava quite a bit (being from miami it reminded me of home). Thank you! read more

Family owned and ran business. Ordered some mini empanadas for a party. Each order includes 25 pieces for $48, can mix and match between chicken, beef and spinach/feta. The mini empanadas are baked just before the pick up time so they're fresh. The chicken (which tasted a bit like curry chicken) and the spinach were my favorite. Everyone is really friendly and helpful. The empanadas are not cheap by any means; at $2 a piece for a mini and $6 a piece for a regular size empanada it's very pricey, but the flavors are good. read more

I'm a hairstylist and works right across the street from them so for me is convenient and I need to add that the food is really good and the costumer service is great... I always get the Cuban sandwich and yesterday I tried the guava and cheese empanadas and the Chocolate and coconut empanadas and there AMAZING!!!!! I'm so addicted to this place. Thank you guys for save my life every time that I need you read more

Took a friend here today. First time for both of us. Not only was the food amazing but we stayed and talked with the owner and staff for an hour like they were old friends! Exactly why people look for family owned businesses. read more

Run and I mean run do not walk and taste these amazing empanadas. They tasted as though my Spanish grandmother was in the kitchen and had made these herself. They are absolutely incredible. The beef, chicken, guava and cheese are OUT OF THIS WORLD. The dough is buttery and tender, the fillings each have an incredible flavor and they are baked not fried which makes a huge difference. I cannot recommend this place enough! read more

I heard about them from a friend and decided to try them out. I was in St. Petersburg and my friend told me about the farmers market there and that they have a booth there. She also said that they heat the food up for you. But when I got there they had a giant freezer and all the empanadas were frozen and put into a oven they had on site. I was expecting fresh empanadas not frozen. I wonder if there empanadas are also frozen at there store location. Also I did not see any visible permits showing that they are able to use industrial ovens outside. read more

They need to add about 15 more stars for this one and that might not even be enough!!!!! First let's talk about the owner!!! She is this delightful little lady who wants to do nothing but please you and make you feel special!!! Then her main man at the counter greeting everyone that comes in the door with his amazing personality and flashy smile....this all makes you want to buy everything they are selling!!! Then....you order their amazing selections and you have gotten a very inexpensive pass to heaven for approximately five minutes while you devour one of their many selections of empanadas!!! Oh my!!!! Run....fly....skate....do whatever means you must take to make your way to this amazing little establishment!!!! read more

First time at this amazing bakery/cafe as I was ordering 14 large chicken empanadas for a Spanish club celebration. I ordered early in the morning and when I arrived they were ready, sliced and made a beautiful presentation. The crusts were light and perfectly crispy and reviews from my daughter's class were amazing! Can't wait to sample the many other types and delicious sandwiches on their menu! Catering available which will come in handy in the future. Great find!!!! read more

I pass this place everyday on my way home from work and on Friday (6/3/16) I decided to stop and try it. If it was an option I would actually give this a 4.5 star rating but only due to the prices and the hours. I wish they stayed open a little later and that the empanadas didn't cost $5 - $7 dollars just buying 4 cost me $25. If I were buying for just me that wouldn't be an issue but I have plus three I need to feed too. Anyway, I got a beef, a crab, a spinach and artichoke and a coconut. They were all delicious and got an assortment just to try. I will definitely be back for more. Oh, and I only tried their empanadas, next time I will try the baked goods and other items. read more