As the temps begin to climb, so does the hype around this year’s new eateries in Tampa Bay. As of now, 2023 has witnessed a full menu of new eats, including everything from high-end dining, top notch taprooms, popular out-of-state chains, new fusions spots, and more.

So, for those of you who haven’t been paying attention, here’s a quick primer on some of the hottest new bars and restaurants to make their debut this year. 

Union New American 1111 N Westshore Blvd. Annex B, Tampa, (813) 768-9989 Union New American, the new two-story concept from Tampa-based restaurant group Next Level Brands, centers its dishes around an American white oak fire hearth, and spans 10,000-square-feet. The main floor features a huge dining area and bar, with a lounge and terrace on the second floor. The kitchen is led by Chef Adam Polisei, who led concepts like Ocean Prime and Mitchell’s Fish Market. Some menu highlights guests can expect are sushi, smoked eggplant enchiladas and yellowfin tuna tartare. Photo via Next Level Brands Credit: Photo via Next Level Brands
Pete’s Ybor 1804 E 4th Ave., Ybor City,(813) 392-1005 From the minds behind Pete’s Bagels, Pete’s Ybor is a new breakfast and bagel joint, featuring five all-day bagel options, as well as yogurts and granola. Besides breakfast, fig and brie sandwiches are also up for grabs. There’s also a nice selection of local beer and wine, and a patio that offers free wifi perfect for working and social gathering. Photo via Pete’s General/Facebook
Barbouni 2701 Central Ave., St. Petersburg Barbouni is a new raw bar and “modern ouzeri” from the folks at Baba, that features conservas, which is known as canned seafood in European countries and is served with bread or crackers. There’s an intimate raw bar that allows guests to watch their fresh oysters being shucked, but the main thing here is conservas, including mackerel, sardines, smoked mussels and razor clams. Photo via Barbouni/Instagram Credit: @barbouniatbaba / Instagram
Boulon Brasserie 1001 Water St., Tampa ,(813) 768-9988 Also from Next Level Brands, Boulon Brasserie is all about fine dining, featuring a French-style menu with a cafe and full-service bar. Guests can expect a spread of seafood and steak options whipped up by Chef Habteab “Hab” Hamde who was the executive chef at Bern’s Steak House. The layout includes two outdoor patios, a 7,000 square-foot dining room, sleek decor and floor-to-ceiling windows. Photo via Boulon Brasserie & Bakery/Facebook Credit: Photo via Boulon Brasserie
Sea Grapes Eatery & Wine Lounge 6390 Gulf Blvd., St Pete Beach, (727) 500-0052 Nestled right by the beach, Sea Grapes Eatery & Wine Lounge ditches typical beach fare for an elevated menu, featuring a fusion of Latin, Caribbean and South Florida flavors. Expect high-end dishes like beef carpaccio, paella, and guava-chipotle pork belly. The spot was transformed from a wine lounge to a full service restaurant under the guidance of Chef Alex Rodriguez. The drink menu features boozy options like margaritas, mojitos, and martinis. Photo via Sea Grapes Eatery/Facebook
Florida Avenue Brewing Co 4315 N Florida Ave., Tampa. (813) 358-2927 Florida Avenue Brewing Co makes its return to Seminole Heights with a 3000-square-foot space that features a five-barrel brewing system, 16 taps and a large shaded patio. Beer bites on the menu include chicken wings, cheese curds and cheesesteaks. Photo via Ray Roa Credit: Photo by Ray Roa
Bouzy 1640 W Snow Ave., Tampa (813) 550-2560 Bouzy, a new cocktail and champagne bar in Hyde Park, features a main dining room, bar and a champagne cellar with over 200 wine selections. The concept comes from ambitious group Cru Hospitality Group and Tampa native Chef Erich Bach runs the kitchen, whipping up small plates and tasting boards inspired by French, European and Asian influences. Photo via Bouzy/Facebook
The Rollin’ Mullet 6401 N Nebraska Ave., Tampa ,813) 245-5465 The Rollin’ Mullet bar is unique in the sense that the beer is literally poured from a 1971 Airstream trailer. The menu features gourmet hot dogs, burgers, cheesesteaks, quesadillas and more. The spot also has ample amount of outdoor seating making it perfect for kids and dogs. Photo via The Rollin’ Mullet/Facebook
Cane & Barrel 110 2nd St. N, St. Petersburg,(727) 610-5427 Soak up the views of downtown St. Pete at Cane & Barrel, a new Cuban-inspired rooftop bar located on the 8th floor of the Ascent St. Pete apartments. The spot features two bars, one on the inside and another on the terrace and will serve up Cuban-inspired cocktails with Rum as the star. Photo via Cane & Barrel/Facebook
The Pearl 823 Water St., C100, Tampa,(813) 709-7776 The Pearl, a new high end gastropub from the owners of well-known chain Ocean Prime, includes a tavern and oyster room with a menu revolving around shareable plates and seasonal oysters. The drink menu consists of handcrafted cocktails, wine and a variety of ales, lagers and stouts. In addition to the lunch and dinner menu, brunch is also offered on the weekends with menu items like pork cheek hash, and chicken and waffles. Guests can dine inside or outside on the patio that faces Amalie Arena. Photo via The Pearl Water Street/Facebook
Small Giant and Bouzy Jennifer Bingham Bouzy 1640 W Snow Ave, Tampa 813-550-2560 Small Giant 1051 Water St, Tampa 813- 921-0571 Small Giant and Bouzy are both concepts from the well-known restaurant group Cru Hospitality Group, which is co-owned by Jennifer Bingham. Bouzy is a cocktail and champagne bar with over 200 wines to choose from. Led by executive chef Erich Batch, expect entrees with French, European and Asian influences. Meanwhile, Small Giant offers Columbus-style pizza, mushroom burgers, and a full bar that includes cocktails and craft beers. Photo via PRESS PR + Marketing Credit: c/o PRESS PR + Marketing
Coasis 7701 N Nebraska Ave., Tampa Coasis is a hybrid restaurant from popular Tampa chef Melissa Gardner. Hence the name, the dining concept shares a building with a salon, and as you can see, the decor is an entire vibe. But besides the Instagramable space, Coasis features crafted cocktails from the bar and a diverse menu with everything from oysters, lamb chops, and shrimp ceviche. Photo via Coasis/Instagram
Torchy’s Tacos 2314 Tyrone Blvd. N, St. Petersburg ,(727) 308-3332 Austin-based Torchy’s Tacos boasts “damn good tacos” by serving up five different proteins, as well as Beyond meat options for the vegetarians. Because booze and taco go hand in hand, the Tex-Mex chain also offers to-go margaritas, sangrias, beer and more. Photo via Kyla Fields Credit: Kyla Fields
Detroit Wing Co. 5006 E Fowler Ave., Tampa, (813) 738-6550 Michigan-based wing chain Detroit Wing Co. made its way to the Bay last February, with 20 different sauces and six variations of dry rub. Apart from the wings the spot has various types of mac ‘n cheese, cornbread bites, and poutine. Guests can wait for their wings in a small room with a giant TV monitor and no tables, or order in advance for quick a pick-up. Photo via Detroit Wing Co./Facebook
Raising Cane’s 2525 Gulf to Bay Blvd., Clearwater,(727) 431-1408 Popular Louisiana-based chicken tender chain, Raising Canes made its Bay debut this year serving up crinkle fries, chicken sandwiches, and of course, tenders. The spot also has coleslaw and Texas toast for sides and don’t forget the Cane’s dipping sauce for your tenders. Photo via Raising Caines/Facebook
511 Franklin 513 N Franklin St, Tampa (813) 374-1241 511 Franklin is not for college bros, the new downtown cocktail bar and lounge is strictly 23 and up, and features a wide variety of beer, wine and crafted cocktails. Look out for the quirky drink names like “Assless Chaps & Bathroom Zaps” and mezcal-focused “Tattooed Hot Moms.” The bar also has light bites, like charcuterie boards, and a $7 bag of peanuts. Photo via 511 Franklin/Instagram
Slice of Gulfport 1414 58th St. S, Gulfport, (727) 329-8697 Grab a 10, 12, or 14-inch pie at Slice of Gulfport, a new family-run casual pizzeria. Besides pizza, guests can expect salads, calzones, pizza bagels and meatball subs on the menu. All the sauce and dough is made and tossed in house and the cheese is imported from Wisconsin. Photo via Slice of Gulfport/Facebook
Trophy Fish 5901 N Florida Ave., Tampa,(813) 402-2203 Popular St. Pete seafood hotspot Trophy Fish recently debuted a new 2,000 square-foot location in Seminole Heights, adjacent to Mandarin Heights.The menu is centered around fresh seafood, and includes highlights like a seafood boil for two, grouper sandwiches and smoked shrimp. There’s also an award-winning cocktail menu, as well beer and wine. Photo via Trophy Fish/Facebook
Wagamama 1050 Water St., Tampa(813) 429-9242 Wagamama is a Japanese ramen bar with an Asian fusion focus. The U.K.-based chain boasts a “wok to table” atmosphere with a variety of ramen, noodle and rice bowl dishes like shrimp yaki soba noodles, chicken teriyaki rice bowls, and duck massaman curry. The drink menu is loaded with fresh-squeezed juices, sake and a Thai chili margarita. The 4,200-square-foot spot has an outdoor patio, and large dining room where guests can choose to sit at intimate booths or communal tables. Photo via Wagamama/Facebook
Peach Cobbler Factory 5003 E Fowler Ave., Suite A, Tampa, (813) 442-4314 The TikTok viral sensation Peach Cobbler Factory landed in Tampa earlier this year with a menu full of sweet treats. As you can guess, highlights include a dozen different cobbler flavors, cookies, milkshakes, cinnamon rolls and 12 different banana puddings. If the options are too hard to choose from, the spot offers a dessert flight, where guests can choose four different cobs. Photo via Peach Cobbler Factory Tampa/Facebook