I originally went for the Sunday market. While the food was nice (mango and sticky rice, red bean paste-filled sesame balls, fried bananas), the bigger draw is the beautiful Thai temple and the lush plants and trees surrounding it. There is outdoor seating right by the river. Easy to get to and definitely worth a visit.

What a wonderful experience! Recommend arriving by 11:00 for the best selection. Lots of picnic tables by the river. All of the food and teas were delicious! Please be respectful of the rules posted for the temple - it is a place of worship. Dogs are not allowed in the food serving lines but are okay in the picnic area if leashed and well mannered. Be aware that there are cats on the grounds, so if you dog has cat issues they probably should stay home.

This is the Wat Mongkolratanaram Thai Buddhist Temple located on the Palm River in Tampa Florida. I visited here with a couple of friends recently. It is such a peaceful place and the twin dragons were a delight. You can purchase a wide variety of Thai food every Sunday to be enjoyed on red picnic tables, as you view the Palm River gently rolling by.

Was here 2 years ago and haven't had as good of a Thai tea since or pho for that matter. Soooo worth the wait. Beautiful grounds, such a serene and friendly environment despite the crowd. People sat at communal benches and ate in peace and content. Had a great time browsing the vendors and trying different food. Hope they are still continuing the market when I return to the area.

The drive through is open Sundays 9a-1pm. Cash only. I *strongly* recommend coming at 9AM. We went at 12:00, and the drive thru line was backed up the wazoo. We were in line for about 1 hour. The pad thai $8 was alright. The mango sticky rice $5 was pretty good. The food is pretty cheap (and tax free) for the large serving sizes. Another reason to come early is because they run out of certain dishes at the end of the day. It's got a beautiful river seating and neat ceremony procession. Really liked the vibe here.

A very relaxing experience. Come hang out on a weekend to get away from everything. Food is available through drive thru. You can then park and eat at the picnic benches and soak in the atmosphere.

They are open, of course not like pre covid! You’ll have to get a paper menu to write your order down and wait in line to have your order fulfilled. Get there early otherwise a lot of the food items would be sold out. Very nice day to be able to sit by the river and picnic table to enjoy the food. Hopefully it will be back to pre covid time where all the vendors were opened and serving freshly made hot foods on the spot.

Great cultural experience and even better food. I was quite surprised by the variety of items that are hand crafted and served by volunteers. It's a little confusing but there's one line for the pad Thai and soups and another line for the curry, egg rolls, desserts, etc.. There's a cozy picnic area shaded by trees and a nice dock to wander out onto and enjoy the views. Expect to spend $10-$18 per person for a very filling brunch and drinks. They offer all good to go as well if you're not up to eating such a robust brunch.

We went here on a Sunday. The temple got a peaceful ambience and a beautiful scenery near a local canal. Every Sunday from 9am to 1pm they host this CASH ONLY Thai food market and the food was great! The beef noodle soup was riche and there’s a lot of beef. The beef strips look tough but it’s actually quite tender. The soup was also rich in flavor and I could tell they didn’t or at least only used very little amount of MSG. No thirsty aftertaste at all. Mango stick rice was fine. The mango could have been a bit more ripe but the sticky rice was good. I recommend to enjoy it as soon as you buy it and don’t leave it overnight in a fridge. The pumpkin curry (came with rice) was also pretty good. Chicken pieces were quite tender and it’s unlike the Indian or Japanese curries. It’s also not that spicy at all so anybody can give it a shot. They also sell Thai tea and Thai coffee for about $4 a cup. I wouldn’t recommend it as the taste of the drink was overshadowed by the amount of ice the ladies put in there. Overall I highly recommend this place. Please also feel free to donate to keep the buddhist temple running!

Very peaceful place , temple has a great architecture. They have Sunday drive thru market where Thai food is served. You can purchase the food from your car and eat it in the open area which have benches. food quality was good. Temple has a dress code which is mentioned in pic below 👇

Visited the Temple grounds in Tampa (we did not come dressed appropriately to enter the Temple) which were absolutely beautiful. We came for the Sunday food market which due to Covid is just a drive-thru. The selection of food was ok as was the food. The people running the drive-thru have it down to a science though, very organized and not a long wait at all. After you get your food, you can park your car and go find a table overlooking the water which was nice. Would love to go back wearing appropriate clothing so we can actually go inside the Temple.

Sunday New Year’s Eve, 2023 at the Wat proved to be popular even though it was chilly at around 50° when we arrived at 8:30. We were the first visitors there and enjoyed walking around the scenic grounds with our dog, viewing the abundant foliage and flowers by the riverside and seeing the temple and monks. By the time we finished ambling about, we noticed that there was already a significant line for the food. Keep in mind, the picnic tables are only protected by a canopy of trees, so sun and rain may be issues. Food and drinks are cash only. Many people were taking away food but there’s lots of seating for dining at the temple as well. The food was tasty and attractive, not too spicy for those of you worried about that, but there were condiment stations with different chilies to add for those who prefer spicier. We tried the beef and the pork noodle soup. I’d recommend this as the perfect spot to take the family and enjoy a beautiful and peaceful day among the gardens about another culture. We saw many multigenerational families, enjoying the food and time together. The perfect activity for the last day of the year. A peaceful and entrancing spot to celebrate 2023 and welcome in the new year 2024 with intentions for peace and harmony. Thanks go out to all of those volunteers who cook and serve the food. Everyone was smiling, kind and welcoming.

The food here is quite good and the atmosphere is amazing, the outdoor seating facing the lake is really nice. The prices are really good and they get very busy so it is recommended to go early. It gets very lively and there is so much scenery, definitely should be checked out

I want to start by saying I appreciate the invite into this beautiful space. The entire property is so peaceful and beautiful. I went on a day where they have different types of food that you can order and eat at the picnic tables facing the water. The food was delicious, I definitely ordered more than I could eat, but then ate it anyways. Such a unique experience. Thank you for opening your doors to the public.

An experience for the soul. They also have food with many picnic tables to sit and enjoy. The view of the temple and river is great. Line for food was long and they ran out of food towards the end so get there early. Clean bathroom facility.

How many we lived in Thailand for several years and every time we are in Tampa we make sure to visit this place on the weekends. The Thai food is incredible and everyone is always so welcoming and friendly. I highly recommend visiting and experiencing a little Thai culture while you were there.

We had wanted to visit Wat Mongkolratanaram for a while, so when we had the chance on Saturday, we decided to go to the temple. The Buddhist temple has a beautiful and peaceful atmosphere throughout the entire property. As we went on Saturday, no food was available during our visit. However, if you plan on going to the temple on Sunday, you'll find delicious Thai food stalls around the area.

If you have a busy, chaotic life this is the place to unplug. With a peaceful, graceful and elegant look Wat Mongkolratanaram temple offers the opportunity to let go of the mundane things that brings you down. Open every day of the week for those looking for enlightenment and on Sundays a group of highly motivated vendors with superb hospitality skills bring the Thai flavors to the bay with delicious foods and desserts for everyone to enjoy. I highly recommend this place, bring your friends and family to take part of a moment of peace accompanied with your favorites Thai cuisine.

GO EARLY! CASH ONLY! BRING A REUSABLE SHOPPING BAG! Brunch is done on SUNDAY ONLY. Please understand that they will run out of made-to-order noodle soups and pad thai as the day goes on. Now, the Thai food here is legit great tasting Thai street food style, limited to the temple/wat members who brought food to sell. I was told that each week, the offerings change. When I went, sweet thai desserts were lacking, but they had mango sticky rice! The beef noodle soup was on point and allowed me to relive my Grandmother's cooking. Chicken and beef larb taste just like my Grandma's...the cook wasn't shy to bring the spice. My wife loved the veggie pad thai, it was simple and to the point with noodles, bean sprouts, green onions and tofu. The few bites I had made me smile at the right amount of sweetness. The set-up is simple, there are three main tents/stations. In the front under the tents are prepared foods in containers. In the back is the open kitchen area where the cooks are prepping the made-to-order noodle soup dishes as well as pad thai. In the back picnic area by the river area is the thai iced coffee/tea station. I offer you my STRATEGY: if you come with more than one person, send someone to stand in the made-to-order line (hot noodle soup/pad thai). Start by picking/grabbing/paying for the packaged food dishes under the tent. Mango sticky rice IS POPULAR so if you have a sweet tooth and want this, get it first. They make more as the day goes on, but it takes time to peel/cut mangos. Also, the pork/chicken/beef satay (on a stick) goes quick and is constantly being replenished, so grab those early too. Skip the fried rice, nothing special about it. Now if you have someone standing in the hot line, use your phone and send pics to your friend and see if they want any of these delicious options. The food under the tent area keeps getting replenished throughout the morning. Now, go wait in line with your friend. I got in line at 9:15AM, and the kitchen wasn't 100% ready. Once they opened, noodle soup station is first and pad thai is 2nd, you can skip the noodle soup station and just walk over to the paid thai station and grab a container! We took our food to one off the many picnic tables in the back next to the river. That's where the drink vendor is, so if you are in need of caffeine, send someone to get some inexpensive $2 (as of Jan '24) drinks! All in all, a great find for a Sunday morning activity. Check out my photos.

Beautiful area! Clean and right by the river. Great way to relax and have no worries. Looking forward to a visit on a Sunday to enjoy the food! Love that there are ducks and cats at the temple, too❤️

A Sunday morning visit to the Wat’s market was a nice change of pace. The food was good (cash only) and my walk along the river with a cup of Thai tea was peaceful. The only minus was that the rice part of the mango sticky rice was too sweet. Highly recommend.

Absolutely loved the peacefulness of the temple! Everyone was very friendly and inviting to my family. Also, I gotta mentioned that the buddhist cat was an awesome experience. Great time overall.

This Thai Temple is AMAZING! The Temple is very ornate, decorated with gold and other vibrant colors. We enjoyed sitting by the Palm River, hearing the train whistle in the background and watching the school of catfish swimming in the shallow waters near the shore. There was a very friendly kitty, too. Walking into the Temple is an amazing experience that helps you to understand a different culture. It was a great experience. Overall, we had a great time, even though there weren't any food or beverages being sold here as in the past.

This was my first time visiting and loved every minute of it. The outdoor area and temple are beautiful. The entire visit felt like a mini vacation but still in Tampa. I had the beef noodle soup that was very good, and the Thai tea and iced coffee are both delicious. I could have stayed for several more hours.

Glad to have a new favorite place to go around here. We went there on Thai’s New Year day (Songkran) and it was pretty crowded. The line for ordering Thai food was incredibly long. Atmosphere was super nice, peaceful, and beautiful.

Enjoyed the food and market at this destination. Wish the didn't run out of some dishes so soon though. Get here early!

Thai Temple is such a breath of fresh air to visit on a relaxing Sunday. The Thai food is delicious! But to add to your visit, is the atmosphere. Set outside right on the Hillsborough River. They have tons of picnic tables, grab your Thai food and enjoy sitting on the water with fresh air. The temple is gorgeous 🇹🇭🧘🏻You can feel the peacefulness. Well worth a drive and a relaxing day to walk around. The Thai women are so sweet!

I've been going here for years. Arrive early to make sure everything is still available and the lines aren't too long. The pumpkin curry chicken is my favorite; however, the soups and Pad Thai are the next in line. Bring cash as it's the only form of payment accepted. Bring a reusable bag to haul away your leftovers easily. LoL

Fun adventure with @eriqbre. Thai Brunch at Wat Mongkolratanaram, the Buddhist Temple in Tampa. Fantastic selection of homestyle/made with love Thai food. We went hungry so we could try a lot of the dishes being offered. Started with the beef noodle soup with traditional noodles (angel hair pasta is an option as well). Savory with a hint of sweetness yum 😋 Then a cornucopia of Shrimp Spring Rolls, Dumplings, Pot Stickers and Krapow (flavorful chicken stir fry with rice)/ so good! Oh and Thai coffee with Fried Bananas for dessert. Yes, it was a lot but I've meaning to come visit for the last 20 years so we went a little over board but had lots of great leftovers to take home for dinner. The people cooking and serving were so nice and helpful and the prices are very reasonable. Bring cash and check the hours @yelptampabay as it's during the Temple's Sunday market only. #APerfectDay #ilovetravel #DogMom #Ilovecreating #foodie #tampabayrealtor #GratefulandBlessed #bridget_breland_realtor #Bridgie_Breland_Foodie #yelptampabay

Really lovely Sunday morning food market. There are dress code rules to enter the temple, so we were unable to go inside as we were not prepared. However, the grounds were beautiful and relaxing, and the food was delicious. Too many things to try in just one visit!

Food and Temple are ok. It has gone downhill from the last time I visited 3 years ago. Nice people all around though. ❤️

I really enjoyed this most lovely place the food was delicious and the grounds are incredibly beautiful The Temple was most remarkable I never been to one before so I was respectful and awe by it

Nice place to visit and unwind. Family friendly. It was our first time and they had the Songkran festival, it was fun,the procession was fun field with singing and dancing. Wasn't able to try there food as they are done serving when we arrived. Didn't go inside the temple, to many people inside.

If you want to do something different and to eat street food, Wat Wongkolratanaram is an option on a Sunday Morning. The temple is small and beautiful. There are several vendors on Sundays offering a variety of delicious street food at good prices. The gardens are beautiful. They offer a moment of relaxation (zen) while you are seeing the views of the garden and the river. Highly recommend.

Absolutely breathtaking! The people were helpful and there was so much to see. The Monks were having a private service at a specific time, therefore the inside of the temple was beautifully decorated.

Such a beautiful place, such delicious food, just a wonderful experience all around.

This is a Buddhist temple nestled on the shores of Palm River. I came here for the Sunday market, and the temple grounds are beautiful. The temple itself had impressive architecture as well as the dragons. The river also had things to see; including catfish and a few stingrays. However, the service wasn’t neatly organized. We were confused on what line to pick; as they all served different things. Wish I went here earlier because they ran out of the things we were hoping of getting. The food here can be a hit or miss. The pork on a stick was great, and I liked the iced tea. However, the chicken was bland, and the sesame balls weren’t any better. Left the place disappointed for the things they had to offer. I don’t recommend coming here for the Sunday market.

Beautiful buddhist temple and meditation center. It used to get very busy on Sundays before Covid. Not sure if it's the same now. We went on a Wednesday afternoon and the place was completely empty and it felt wonderful to enjoy the beauty and serenity of the place all by ourself.