It’s been a turbulent few months for Tampa Bay’s food industry, to say the least. But through it all some new and exciting contenders have emerged. From new taco spots, food trucks, coffee shops and wine bars, here are a few recently opened spots in Tampa Bay worth checking out this weekend.
Bay Cannon Beer Company/WebsiteSea Maids Creamery
4230 N. Florida Ave., Tampa
This new creamery offers specialty ice cream and baked good creations. Their daily hours vary and can be found on their Facebook page, along with any weekly specials.
Photo via Sea Maids Creamery/FacebookDatz/WebsiteValhalla Bakery
2462 Central Ave., St. Petersburg
The vegan bakery makes its debut Sunday at 8 a.m. at the old Baum Ave. Market where it’s teamed up with Lucy’s (fka Lucy’s Vegan Corner) to sling plant-based goods at the new storefront.
Photo via Valhalla Bakery/FacebookDead Bob’s Too
3681 S. West Shore Blvd., Tampa
The iconic St. Pete dive bar expanded across the bridge. Bob’s Too is sticking with the tradition of staying open until 3 a.m. for the night owls or those who need to soak up some alcohol before they Uber home.
Photo via Dead Bob’s Too/FacebookRed Mesa Quatro
128 3rd St., St. Petersburg
Part of the Red Mesa Cantina’s line of restaurant concepts, Quatro is a ghost kitchen serving a little bit of everything. Located on the second floor of Red Mesa Cantina, Quatro is offering pickup or delivery options, but its dining room remains closed.
Photo via Red Mesa Quatro/FacebookWhiskey Joe’s Manatee River
5315 19th St. E., Ellenton
The latest location of good vibes courtesy of Whiskey Joe’s is now open with prime views of Manatee River. Guests can either dine inside or lounge outside near fire pits.
Photo via Whiskey Joe’s/WebsiteXitochl
307 W. Palm Ave., Tampa Heights
It’s pronounced “so-cheel,” and it’s now open across the street from Armature Works. The menu consists of favorites like tacos (with homemade tortillas), queso, churros and more.
Photo via Xitochl/FacebookLucy’s
2462 Central Ave., St. Petersburg
You might remember this vegan hotspot (fka Lucy’s Vegan Corner) from Baum Ave. Market, it now shares a space with Valhalla Bakery—in St. Petersburg’s Grand Central District.
Photo via Lucy’s/FacebookCellarMasters
1005 1st Ave., St. Petersburg
CellarMasters Wine Bar & Bottle Shop offers a rotating selection of wine by the glass and bottle, focusing on natural wines and beers. Equal parts wine bar and retail shop, Cellarmasters now offers curbside bottle pickup.
Photo via CellarMasters/FacebookHoots
204 1st Ave., St. Petersburg
A new concept from Hooters, Hoots is a fast casual wing spot, where men can be servers too. Specializing in bar foods, wings and 10 signature sauces, the restaurant is the chain’s first location in Florida.
Photo via Hoots/WebsiteVantage Rooftop Bar
2675 Ulmerton Road, Clearwater
The Karol Hotel’s rooftop bar is now serving craft cocktails, beer, wine, spirits, small bites—and views of downtown Tampa—out of its new climate-controlled space.
Photo via Vantage Rooftop Bar/WebsiteSteep Station
1941 W. Bay Drive, Largo
Whether you’re craving tea, kava, kratom or kombucha, Steep Station’s new location aims to meet all your thirst-quenching needs. Its official grand opening celebration on March 27 will featured a cornhole competition, live music, raffles and an all-you-can-drink tab for $20.
Photo via Steep Station/FacebookBook + Bottle
17 6th St., St. Petersburg
A mix between a book lounge and a wine bar, Book + Bottle is now open. On top of its on-site seating (and increased safety precautions), the bar is now offering to ship and deliver books, wine or both to customers.
Photo via Book + Bottle/WebsiteFo’Cheezy Twisted Meltz
5 p.m.-11 p.m. Flying Boat Brewing Co., 1776 11th Ave N., St. Petersburg
Celebrity chef Robert Hesse, two-time competitor on Fox Network’s “Hell’s Kitchen” will park his new grilled cheese food truck in Flying Boat Brewing Co.’s parking lot and celebrate with giveaways and live entertainment. The chef’s full-service Fo’Cheezy brick-and-mortar (6305 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach) opens on National Grilled Cheese Day, April 12.
Photo via Fo’Cheezy Twisted Meltz/WebsiteFresh Factory
7350 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach
St. Pete Beach’s newest acai bowl spot—with a menu featuring freshly-made juices, build-your-own acai and smoothie bowls, and small bites like salads and avocado toast—is now open, but it celebrates its grand opening on March 29.
Photo via Fresh Factory/FacebookSmoke and Barrel
752 S. Gulfview Blvd., Clearwater
If you love rustic western decor and a classic salad bar spread, then you might have to visit Clearwater Beach’s newest steakhouse to enjoy various cuts of steak, house-made barbecue sauces, stacked sandwiches and all-American appetizers.
Photo via Smoke and Barrel/FacebookHot Crab
1390 34th St. N, St. Petersburg
The Cajun-style seafood spot celebrated a grand opening in February. The menu—stacked with various types of po’boys, Cajun fried rice, and seafood like octopus, calamari, catfish, shrimp, crawfish, crab cakes, lobster tails, and crab— is fairly priced, too.
Photo via Hot Crab/Website3B’s
1500 N. McMullen-Booth Road, Suite A13, Clearwater
The joint offers burgers, bourbon and beer. In the true spirit of bar and grill culture, 3B’s consistently airs different types of sports games on its many TVs.
Photo via 3B’s/FacebookBombWich
2700 34th St. N., St. Petersburg
The specialty sandwich shop offers loaded sandos plus wrap, panini and salad options. When it comes to decor, think comic book sound effects with mural pops like “SMASH!” “POW!” and “KRUNCH” above booth seating and on tabletops.
Photo via Bombwich/FacebookMcArthur’s Irish Pub
9246 4th St., St. Petersburg
The Irish-inspired restaurant and bar is now open in the space formerly occupied by the veteran eatery Babalu—just in time for St. Patrick’s Day. The menu’s loaded with Irish fare like corned beef and cabbage, curry chips, Guinness stew and Irish soda bread.
Photo via McArthur’s Irish Pub/FacebookJahVa Coffee Lounge
6800 Gulfport Blvd., South Pasadena
This reggae-inspired spot is now open and serving its specialty lattes (and caffeine-free superfood lattes) in its Rastafarian-colored South Pasadena lounge.
Photo via JahVa Coffee Lounge/FacebookButter’s Burgers
777 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa
This new burger joint located in Downtown boasts more than 10 specialty burgers named after Tampa streets, as well as crafted cocktails and a wide selection of craft beers.
Photo via Butter’s Burgers/FacebookThree Brothers New York Pizza
3436 Tampa Road, Palm Harbor
The fast-casual joint expanded to Palm Harbor where it’s serving a signature menu loaded with Italian cuisine and New York-style pizza, super-stuffed calzones, hero sandos, and pasta dishes like homemade lasagna.
Photo via Three Brothers New York Pizza/FacebookBahia Tacos
808 S. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa
Bahia boasts a unique blend of Colombian-Mexican cuisine and offers diners a variety of eats including tacos, tortas, burritos, quesadillas and bowls.
Photo via Bahia Tacos/FacebookGrand Hacienda
2424 Tyrone Blvd., St. Petersburg
The Mexican restaurant expanded with a new location at Tyrone Square Mall. Swing by to take advantage of the full bar before making boozy purchases.
Photo via Google MapsA Slice of Rome
53 Baymont St., Clearwater Beach
The ‘za purveyor offers up Roman-style pizza that guests can snag by the slice, half or full sheet.
Photo via A Slice of Rome/Facebook
