Tampa Bay has a whole new batch of restaurants on the menu.
Over the the next 6 months, local diners should see a buffet of new eats pop up including high-end dishes from a Chicago-based Michelin starred chef, a major bagel expansion, ’90-inspired grub and more.
Here’s what Tampa Bay is expected to serve up in the first half 2025. Can’t wait that long? Here’s 15 new restaurants that opened in Tampa Bay this winter.
Malios Steakhouse
4945 Gulf Blvd., St Pete BeachA Tampa staple for over 50 years is opening a second location on St. Pete Beach. Malio’s Prime Steakhouse, initially opened in 1969 by Malio Lavarone along South Dale Mabry Highway, is now located along the Tampa Riverwalk, on the ground level of Rivergate Tower (aka The Beer Can Building). The restaurant is known for its high-end steaks, seafood, wine and other dishes. In 2005, the original Malios Steakhouse on Dale Mabry Highway closed, before a Riverwalk revival two years later, helmed by Lavarone’s son, Derek Lavarone. A social media post says the new Malio’s restaurant will be located at 4945 Gulf Blvd. in St Pete Beach, taking the place of Prima Cantina, a Mexican restaurant that opened in early 2023. The Cantina has not officially posted online that they’ve closed, and is still listed on its website as being open— with users able to still place orders.
Photo via MaliosPrimeSteakhouse/Facebook Credit: Photo via MaliosPrimeSteakhouse/Facebook
Alessi Bakery
3003 W Cypress St, TampaA Tampa icon is on the move, but it’s not going very far. West Tampa deli and bakery Alessi is finally making strides in its move to a new location. Back in 2024, Alessi, a family-owned business that’s been a staple in Tampa for over a century, shared plans to move out of its current location. While records from the Hillsborough County Property Appraiser website stated that the location was purchased in 2022, construction on the new spot—in the historic Tampa Letter Carriers’ former building at 3003 W Cypress St. just 500 feet away—only recently started with an estimated mid-2025 opening date.
Photo via Alessi Bakery Credit: c/o Alessi Bakeries
The Huntsman
200 Central Ave. No. 100, St. PeterburgA new restaurant headed to one of downtown St. Pete’s most bustling blocks aims to expand the palate of diners throughout The ‘Burg. The Huntsman—a new American concept that focuses on ethically-sourced wild game and “farm & stream-to-table” fare—hopes to debut out of The Mill’s former space at 200 Central Ave. No. 100 during the third or fourth quarter of this year. With an appetizer menu of small plates like wood-fired bone marrow, grouper tartare, and fire-roasted oysters alongside entrees like boar and rabbit cacciatore, moulard duck cassoulet and seafood jambalaya, the upcoming restaurant will feature a wide spread of familiar dishes with an eclectic, wild bent.
Photo via themilldtsp/Facebook Credit: themilldtsp / Facebook
Bosphorous
1246 Central Ave., St. PetersburgBosphorous, a popular Turkish restaurant in the Orlando area, will soon open a new location in Tampa Bay. The concept has signed a lease to debut within the new mixed-use Edge Collective in St. Petersburg. While no exact opening date was given, Bosphorous will open on the ground floor in a large 5,000 square-foot space previously occupied by Furnish Me Vintage, sometime during the Phase 1 opening of the development.
Rendering via Story Studio for Architecture
Whataburger
Address Yet To Be AnnouncedIt’s been decades since a Whataburger has set foot in the Tampa Bay region, but the Texas-based burger chain is ready to give it another shot. This morning, at a food truck event in downtown Tampa, the company announced plans to open multiple locations in the area by 2026. No exact opening dates or locations were disclosed, but the company promises that the “new locations will bring the classic Whataburger menu to Florida while creating job opportunities and partnerships within the community.” The chain is known for staying open 24 hours, and features everything from its signature “Whataburger” to chicken strip sandwiches, milkshakes, breakfast items and even salads. Tampa Bay once had multiple (at least eight) Whataburger locations in the late-’90s and early-2000s, however they’ve all since closed. The chain—one of many that Tampa Bay fast-food lovers crave—currently has over 1,030 locations across 16 states, including Florida.
Photo via Whataburger Credit: Photo via Whataburger
Cook Out
5501 E Fowler Ave., Temple Terrace | 16215 North Dale Mabry Highway, TampaA Tar Heel favorite will soon make its debut in the Tampa Bay area. North Carolina-based fast food chain Cook Out will open locations in Temple Terrace and Carrollwood, according to Hillsborough County property records. The popular 35-year-old chain has over 300 locations mostly in North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and Mississippi. The two new Tampa outposts will be among Cook Out’s first locations in Florida. Last year, the company announced plans to open spots in Tallahassee and Pensacola areas. For the unfamiliar, Cook Out is known for its “trays,” or combos, which includes everything from burgers, barbecue, corn dogs, quesadillas, milkshakes, and more.
Photo via Cook Out/Facebook Credit: Photo via Cook Out/Facebook
Mountain Mike’s Pizza
No exact address announced“Mountain-sized” pizza is headed to Tampa. California-based pizza chain Mountain Mike’s Pizza has signed a 10-unit agreement to bring the concept to Tampa, Orlando, and Sarasota, with franchisees Sean Morrison, CEO of BizBox Group and Ned Algeo, Founder of Multipli Capital, according to a press release. Known for its signature 20-inch pies, the chain also serves chicken wings, garlic knots, salads, desserts, and a selection of beer and wine.Mountain Mike’s offers takeout and delivery options, but centers around a family-style dine-in experience, with most locations offering kids’ activity areas with arcade games, party rooms and big screen TVs.
Photo via Mountain Mike’s/Twitter Credit: Photo via Mountain Mike's/Twitter