Well, 2021 was a great year for new eats in Tampa Bay, and it looks like 2022 might top it.  From more hot chicken spots, new food halls, a Tiger Wood’s concept, big Cali-based Tex-Mex chains, and more, here are a handful of new restaurants on the verge of popping off.

PopStroke 195 University Town Center Dr., Sarasota, 941-500-9495 Tiger Woods’ creation features a 18-hole mini-golf course, table and lawn games, outdoor dining and a rooftop bar. The Sarasota location opened on April 28 and gives a glimpse of the Tampa location set to open later this year in Wesley Chapel. Photo via Popstroke/Google
Dave’s Hot Chicken Various locations National chain Dave’s Hot Chicken is currently searching for eight spots around the Tampa Bay area to open, including in Pasco and Polk counties. The founders of the hot chicken joint will be assisted by the owners of Tampa Bay’s Fuzzy’s Tacos franchises, Tampa natives Ian and Adam Lieberman.
Mochinut 11401 N 56th St., Temple Terrace Mochi + Donut=Mochinut. The hybrid desert franchise already has 20 nationwide locations and is set to open its first Tampa store in Temple Terrace. Pinellas Park, Bradenton, and two Orlando stores are also on the way. combines the Japanese rice cake mochi, with a traditional American donut. Alongside the dessert mashup—which will come in a wide variety of flavors like mango, black sesame, matcha and Nutella—there will also be Korean rice-flour hot dogs (aka corn dogs) and boba on the menu.
Sweetgreen Hyde Park Village, Tampa Popular Los Angeles salad chain Sweetgreen is set to open at some point next year in Hyde Park Village. The chain has an ambitious mission, which includes becoming carbon neutral by 2027, and Sweetgreen’s menu includes bowls for days (curry cauliflower, elote, “shroomami”), salads, a hot honey chicken plate, plus sides like buffalo cauliflower and focaccia bread.
Portillo’s St. Petersburg Chicagoland favorite Portillo’s is opening its third Tampa Bay location near Tyrone Square Mall in St. Petersburg in the first half of next year. The Chicago-style weiner and steak sandwich slinging, fast casual concept already has locations in Tampa (2102 E Fowler Ave.) and Brandon (1748 Brandon Blvd.), but this is the restaurant’s first foray into the ‘Burg.
The Pearl Water Street, Tampa The Pearl, a tavern and oyster room from Ocean Prime’s Cameron Mitchell Restaurants, will debut next to the Publix GreenWise Market at the development’s luxury tower, The Heron. The concept, which has two locations in Ohio, features an “expansive menu of chef-inspired cuisine featuring made-from-scratch entrees, shareable plates and seasonal oysters.”
Boulon Brasserie 1001 Water St., Tampa Want French food without the flight? Look no further than Boulon Brasserie. This French bistro-style restaurant boasts an upscale experience for breakfast, lunch and dinner with a bar, cafe and dining space brought to you by Next Level Brands, the minds behind Hyde Park’s Forbici. Photo via @wulfavenbrewing/Instagram
The Crane 575 Central Ave., St. Petersburg Steak and seafood concept The Crane hopes to open in January, with a wide selection of craft cocktails to match its upscale, elegant decor. Owner, Sean Thongsiri, recently opened Asian-inspired Mangosteen plus Savannah, Ga.’s Chive Sea Bar + Lounge and Tangerine Fusion and Sushi Bar
Good Intentions 1900 1st Ave. S, St. Petersburg In the past, it’s been difficult to find upscale, evening dining options for plant-based eaters. Good Intentions is the next spot to prove this notion wrong. In collaboration with other Bay Area vegan spots like Black Radish Grocer, Golden Dinosaurs Deli and Nah Dogs, Good Intentions plans to open this summer in St. Pete’s Grand Central District. Photo via Good Intentions/Instagram
Big Shake’s Hot Chicken and Fish 800 W Kennedy Blvd.,Tampa Big Shake’s Hot Chicken & Fish is coming in hot with a new South Tampa restaurant opening soon near the University of Tampa. Started by Chef Shawn Davis—aka former “Shark Tank” contestant “Big Shake”—the fast casual restaurant focuses on Nashville-style fare plus the item that almost got Mark Cuban to invest: the shrimp burger.
Union New American 1111 N Westshore Blvd., Tampa Another one from the Forbici and Boulon Brasserie crew, Union New American is a two-story event and dining space coming to Westshore City Center. The nearly 10,000 square-foot space will host lunch, dinner and weekend brunch with dishes inspired from cuisines all over the world and is expected to open later this year. Photo Franklin Street
The Works 495 7th Ave. N, St. Petersburg Technically, The Works—a vegan cafe from the folks behind Squeeze Juice Works—might be open before 2022. Located at the former Historic Uptown location of Pete’s General, the spot is already hiring and plans to be an extension of the beloved juice bar but with more specialty drinks and food options.
Peach Cobbler Factory Tampa Alongside different types of cobbler, the Peach Cobbler Factory—set to open until spring of 2022—will also offer other sweet treats like banana pudding, cinnamon rolls and ice cream. The first Florida location doesn’t have an addressyet, but its Instagram page states that lease negotiations are underway, and that it will update its future patrons with any further details.
Central Park Food Hall 551 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, FL Kojo (stylized “KOJO”), a modern Asian restaurant, and Speaks Clam Bar, a seafood-forward concept are the first of many eateries that will occupy the 24,000 square-foot, multi-story food hall that just started construction. Both of these restaurants are brought to St. Petersburg by Hi Hospitality—a group founded by food hall owner Natalia Levey.
Hampton Chocolate Factory Sparkman Wharf, Tampa Chocolate and dessert shop out of New York brings its gourmet goodies to Tampa. The concoctions are the product of French pastry chef Jean-François Bonnet.
Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux 140 Gramercy Lane,Tampa Sports bar co-owned by former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, featuring Louisiana fare like Cajundillas, voodoo shrimp & Grits, po’ boy sandwiches, salads, and burgers. Opening in Midtown Tampa TBD.
Jay & Luigi 3201 4th St. N, St. Petersburg Another concept taking a little longer than planned, the Italian trattoria-style pizzeria will offer modern and traditional fare with pastas, salads, small plates, cauliflower rice bowls, and two types of pizza–New York and Roman-style aka pizza al taglio.
Small Giant Bar & Restaurant The Cora at Water Street, Tampa Ohio-style pizza spot Small Giant Bar & Restaurant is one of many new concepts opening soon at the mixed-used development Water Street Tampa. FYI, Ohio pizza is super thin-crust, square-cut, and toppings all the way to the edge.
Cephas Gilbert’s herbal shop and smoothie stand Cephas Gilbert—who served Jamaican food, aloe shakes, and holistic health advice (whether you wanted it or not) in Ybor City for almost 40 years—will open yet another Tampa business sometime in 2022. Gilbert will combine his passion for farming with his love for sharing health advice with customers face-to-face. Not much information is set about when and where, only that it is happening which is exciting on its own.
Del Taco Various Locations A taste of the West Coast is making its way down South with the fast-food joint specializing in Mexican cuisine with some American foods like burgers, shakes, and fries. A recent earnings announcement said locations are slated for the Sarasota-Bradenton area although Del Taco Senior Vice President of Development Jeff Little said the franchisee is looking all over the area. Still patiently waiting, but getting antsy.

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Freelance contributor Stephanie Powers started her media career as an Editorial Assistant long ago when the Tampa Bay Times was still called the St. Petersburg Times. After stints in Chicago and Los Angeles,...