Sunday Food Market at Tampa's Thai Temple

I recently had the pleasure of visiting Tampa's Wat Mongkolratanaram Temple, more commonly referred to as the Thai Temple (especially by those who can't pronounce Wat Mongkolratanaram!). The temple itself is beautiful; it's like a golden sun-kissed building on the banks of Tampa's Palm river. The Wat Mongkolratanaram Temple is a sight to behold but it's not the temple that draws large crowds each Sunday, it's the food.You see, each Sunday morning from 10:30 until 1:30 (or until the food runs out), the Wat Mongkolratanaram Temple hosts a Thai food market. Authentic Thai food is cooked up and served to hundreds of eager folks who make there way to this beautiful place. From authentic noodle soups to curries and more, if you love Thai food, this is the place to be in Tampa on a Sunday. And making the experience even more appealing is the fact that the food is offered for just a donation of a few dollars per plate. For only $7 I enjoyed basil chicken, fried rice, and egg rolls... and they were all delicious!

After you get your food, head down to the temple's meditation garden which, on Sundays, also serves as a picnic ground with picnic tables set up along the river banks. It is a truly spectacular setting in which to enjoy a spectacular Thai meal.

After you eat, you can browse the small Thai farmer's market on-site. I was warned beforehand, however, that most of what's on offer would be vegetables unrecognizable to me... someone who does not cook Thai food. And that warning was correct, but it was still fun to look. There were also a plants for sale, too.

Overall, the trip to the Wat Mongkolratanaram Temple near Tampa was a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon. Not only did I get to try some of the best Thai food I've ever had, but I didn't have to spend a lot of money to do so.

The Sunday Food Market at Wat Mongkolratanaram Temple runs each Sunday from 10:30 to 1:30 (or until the food runs out which is common because of the popularity of the market). If you are going to go, you should plan on arriving no later than 11:30 to ensure there is still a good selection of food available.

The Wat Mongkolratanaram Temple is located at 5306 Palm River Rd, Tampa, Florida. For more information, visit the Temple's website at www.wattampa.com or call them at (813) 621-1669