Openings & Closings Archives - Creative Loafing Tampa

A Krispy Kreme doughnut shop with a green awning and drive-thru lane sits on a corner lot, with a roadside sign reading “Krispy Kreme Doughnuts” and “Drive Thru,” trees lining the street, and cars parked nearby on a sunny day.

St. Pete’s only Krispy Kreme is being replaced by Chipotle

Enjoy the glow of that ‘hot now’ light while you can.

by Ray Roa January 7, 2026January 7, 2026

Enjoy the glow of that “hot now” light while you can St. Petersburg, because the only Krispy Kreme in town is closing soon. Located at 9100 4th St. S as part of a Village Inn, Taco Bell and Culver’s quadrumvirate, the shop will soon be replaced by a Chipotle “Chipotlane” drive-thru, according to St. Pete […]

A long, low, light-blue building with a flat roof sits along a paved parking lot at dusk. A bright yellow and red sign on the facade reads "The World Famous Tiny Tap Tavern," and several small windows are visible, one featuring a neon blue palm tree sign.

Tampa’s fabled Tiny Tap Tavern has finally sold, but don’t expect much to change

Now former owner Casey Powell says its new caretaker plans to ‘keep the party going.’

by Ray Roa December 30, 2025January 6, 2026

Mythos Greek Bistro opens on St. Pete’s Central Ave.

The Greek restaurant takes over the former Salty Nun spot, a block from Baba.

by Selene San Felice December 12, 2025December 12, 2025

Santoro’s Pizzeria owners open Giancarlo’s Cafe & Spirits nearby in Hyde Park

by Selene San Felice December 11, 2025December 13, 2025

The dining room of a restaurant is decorated for the holidays, featuring wooden tables and booths where patrons are seated. A server in a red shirt stands near the center attending to customers, while the room is lit by pendant lights wrapped in greenery. Festive touches include a Christmas tree with ornaments, a red "Santa MAIL" box in the foreground, and wreaths hanging on decorative wall window frames.

The Copper Kettle opens for brunch in St. Pete Beach

The menu is stacked, from seven-egg omelets to smashburgers.

by Selene San Felice December 11, 2025December 11, 2025

A close-up shot features a waffle cone filled with a large scoop of vanilla ice cream speckled with crumbs and topped with a round vanilla wafer cookie. The treat is held up against a blurred background showing the brick storefront and sign of "The Revolution Ice Cream Co".

The Revolution Ice Cream closes in Brandon, Seminole Heights

The shop had a cult following.

by Selene San Felice December 11, 2025December 11, 2025

Ybor City’s Flan Factory expands to Armature Works

The Cuban-American business started as a pop-up nearly a decade ago.

by Selene San Felice December 10, 2025December 10, 2025

A rectangular wooden board displays several rows of sushi rolls, dramatically lit against a dark background. The front row features rolls topped with slices of pink raw fish and a yellow corn relish or garnish, while the back rows include rolls topped with avocado and herbs. A pile of pickled ginger and a dollop of wasabi sit on the board in the foreground.

Fortu’s ‘little sister,’ Isu Sushi, premieres in downtown St. Pete

Wagyu is on the menu.

by Selene San Felice December 5, 2025December 5, 2025

Category 36 Taphouse & Kitchen reopens in St. Pete Beach

The Stromboli is back after nine months, now on Corey Ave.

by Selene San Felice December 5, 2025December 5, 2025

A top-down view captures a vibrant seafood paella served in a large black pan with two handles, set on a wooden table. The dish features yellow saffron rice mixed with green peas and red peppers, topped generously with mussels, clams, shrimp, calamari rings, and two large lobster tails in the center. A silver spoon rests on the edge of the pan, which is placed on a folded light blue napkin.

Ceviche returns to Tampa next summer

The Spanish tapas spot has been absent in Tampa since 2018.

by Selene San Felice December 4, 2025December 6, 2025

Food & Drink, Openings & Closings

Latin-American restaurant Papi’s replaces White Lie in Ybor City next year

Papi’s name is already in the iconic sign on 7th.

by Alisha Durosier December 3, 2025December 3, 2025

A split image showing two distinct scenes. On the left is the wooden storefront of "Tommy's Chophouse," featuring large window decals displaying wine bottles and gourmet dishes. On the right is a close-up of a heavy, vintage safe door, distressed and grey with gold trim, a combination dial, a handle, and a large decal of the Great Seal of the United States featuring an eagle.

Tommy’s Chophouse will serve steak in a Cold-War era vault next year in Ybor City

Steak secured.

by Alisha Durosier November 25, 2025November 25, 2025

A juicy double cheeseburger served on a disposable white paper plate printed with red text like "ONION RINGS" and "CORN DOGS." The burger features two beef patties, melted yellow cheese, pickles, and lettuce on a soft, toasted bun.

Juicy’s Famous Fair Food opens in Tampa’s Armature Works

by Selene San Felice November 24, 2025November 24, 2025

Monte Pizza is now open in St. Pete

Another slice spot for St. Pete-za.

by Selene San Felice November 24, 2025November 24, 2025

Pete’s Bagels moves into Tarpon Springs in 2026

Get him to the Greek.

by Alisha Durosier November 24, 2025November 24, 2025

A split image featuring two food shots. On the left, a hand holds a toasted sandwich layered with egg, pesto, and tomatoes, set against a blurred background of a building with a "BAVARO" sign and palm trees. On the right, a clear plastic container sits on an outdoor wooden table, filled with thick French toast topped with powdered sugar, blackberries, whipped cream, and mint, accompanied by a cold drink garnished with a lemon wedge.

Bavaro’s opens Italian brunch café in Clearwater

It’s got a menu you cannoli imagine.

by Selene San Felice November 18, 2025November 18, 2025

A street-level shot of the side of a white, textured building on a sunny day. The words "BLIND TIGER" are painted in large, black, stylized letters on the wall, with orange triangular banners strung on a wire above. To the right of the text is a bright orange door, a small black-framed window, and a blue "Parking by Disabled Permit Only" sign. A parking lot is in the foreground.

Blind Tiger returns to Tampa’s Seminole Heights

All eight Blind Tiger locations are feeding kids in the SNAP gap.

by Selene San Felice November 12, 2025November 12, 2025

Cigar City Brewing moving to its namesake, Ybor City, in 2026

The brewhouse is coming too.

by Selene San Felice November 11, 2025November 11, 2025

A straight-on, eye-level shot shows the exterior of a Naked Farmer restaurant. The building has a modern, tan-tiled facade with the name 'NAKED FARMER' in large, dark, sans-serif letters. In the foreground, an outdoor patio area features large white umbrellas, a small palm tree, and green bushes.

Naked Farmer opening two St. Pete locations next year

Double the harvest in 2026.

by Alisha Durosier October 31, 2025November 7, 2025

Another Aldi converted from a Winn-Dixie opens in St. Pete next week

The chain is giving away freebies for its opening day.

by Alisha Durosier October 30, 2025October 30, 2025