Whataburger

10150 Ulmerton Rd, Largo
The Whataburger hype is finally here. The Texas-born burger chain made its Tampa Bay debut last month in the former Joella’s Hot Chicken location. Eight spots are planned to open across the Bay area by the end of 2027, with additional restaurants already slated for Brandon and Lutz in spring 2026. The brand now operates 48 locations statewide. Credit: Whataburger/Website

Jimmy’s Tacos

2534 Central Ave, St. Petersburg
A longtime Ybor City taco spot opened a second location in St. Pete’s Grand Central District earlier this year. Jimmy’s opened in the former home of The Foundry vintage furniture store, and is known for its birria and shrimp tacos on handmade tortillas. The St. Pete shop shares the same menu as its Ybor predecessor, and won “Best Guacamole” and “Best Ybor City Restaurant” in Creative Loafing Tampa Bay’s 2025 Best of the Bay awards. Credit: Leigh Wilson

Trailer Daddy

217 Central Ave, St. Petersburg
Trailer Daddy brought its trailer-park-themed bar to downtown St. Petersburg this March. Designed with retro campers in a 5,000 square-foot space, Trailer Daddy was founded by Forward Hospitality Group, which also conceptualized Good Night John Boy, Tony D’s Sub Shop and more. But the group’s vision for a trailer park venue originated with car salesman Waylon “Daddy” Whitley’s dream following a $50,000 scratch-off ticket win. The bar specializes in beer, shots, cocktails and seltzers. Credit: Trailer Daddy/Facebook

Pete’s Bagels in Tarpon Springs

810 Dodecanese Blvd, Tarpon Springs
Pete’s opened its fifth location last month inside the historic Dolphin Gift Shop. The Tarpon Springs location offers the same bagels and coffee regulars know well, continuing the brand’s partnership with Look Alive Coffee, but with a new setting: two stories of seating overlooking the water. There’s also a convenient bagel and coffee kiosk located outside the shop. Credit: Pete's Bagels/Facebook

SoDough Square

6925 4th St N, St. Petersburg
Detroit-style pizza joint SoDough Square opened for biz on 4th Street in St. Petersburg earlier this year. Detroit-style za is the main attraction at this Central-Florida based chain, but diners can also get their hands on garlic breads, wings, coney dogs, salads, fried dough and more. If St. Pete is too far, a Tampa location is also in the works. Credit: Sodough Square/Facebook

Central Park St. Pete

551 Central Ave, St. Petersburg
Central Park St. Pete, the five-story food hall that has been rumored to be “coming soon” for over five years now, has finally opened, sort of. Two of the eight restaurant and bar concepts, Palm Avenue Deli and Constellation Burger, debuted on Feb. 1. The other eateries waiting to open include four bars, a taqueria, a high-end Asian restaurant with a sister street food joint, ice cream, smoothie, and pizza shops, and a pasta spot. Central Park has yet to announce a full grand opening date, and this will be the first look into a building that has been years in the making. The project was first announced in early 2020, two years after Dome Grill closed. Work began on Central Park in 2021, but extensive renovations, construction of its new basement, and delays have taken several years to finish. Credit: Central Park/Facebook

Point Chaud Coffee & Crepês

1101 4th St S., St. Pete Beach
St. Pete’s Point Chaud Coffee is known for sweet and savory crepes in dozens of variations, Lavazza coffee and lunch bites, and its newest location opened last February in the former Ice & Cream Creamery location in St. Pete Beach. The franchise is run by Mourad Kacimi, who has been running three similar cafes, Crepes-a-go-go in Maryland and the Washington D.C. area since 2005. Credit: Point Chaud/Website

Friendly Tavern

18121 Gulf Blvd, Redington Shores
After being closed following damage from the 2024 hurricanes, Friendly Tavern welcomed strangers back inside. Kenny Davis led the restaurant’s revamp, which includes a new front porch and sign reading “welcome stranger,” along with a refreshed menu including a “Friendly Clucker” chicken sandwich and weekend build-your-own Bloody Mary bar.First opening as “The Alabi Eats” in 1947, the spot at 18121 Gulf Blvd. is known as the host of one of Florida’s longest-running karaoke nights. Credit: Friendly Tavern/Facebook

Fusillo

905 Central Ave, St. Petersburg
Fast-casual concept Fusillo Italian Pasta opened its door in early March, dishing out Italian faves “just like Nonna made it.” Centered around their fresh daily pasta, the new spot centers around pasta bowls ($13.50-$15.50) with your choice of noodle, sauce or toppings (like shrimp, burrata and chicken). Credit: Fusillo/Google

J’s Asian Kitchen

5229 N. Florida Ave, Tampa
J’s Asian Kitchen opened its doors in February, adding another casual dine-in dinner spot—or late-night takeout option—along North Florida Avenue. The new spot casts a wide net across East and Southeast Asia, with a menu pulling from Japanese, Korean, Thai and Vietnamese staples. The through-line is the comfort-bowl approach: soups, noodle dishes and rice. The appetizer list is full of familiar favorites like crispy calamari with sweet chili sauce and spicy mayo, crab rangoons and kara-age in honey garlic, spicy or original styles.From there, things get steamy. The kitchen turns out pho, udon and ramen alongside noodle plates and donburi-style rice bowls. Sushi isn’t on the menu just yet, but the restaurant says it’s coming soon. Credit: J's Asian Kitchen/Website

Crispy Avenue

2040 Central Ave., St. Petersburg
Chef and owner Dragan Pelevic debuted their new darling Crispy Avenue in St. Pete’s Grand Central District last January, centering on $18-$22 subs and burgers, $8-$10 danishes, and a robust coffee program. There’s also an array of international goodies for purchase, and desserts to go like whole cakes and tiramisu. Credit: Crispy Avenue/Google

Con Amor

5240 N Florida Ave., Tampa
Seminole Heights scored a new Mexican spot last February, when Con Amor made its home on the ground level at Avenue Lofts. Guests can expect traditional favorites, like queso, tacos, and quesadillas. But the space also sports heartier entrees like oaxacan marinated steak, tetalas, grilled fish and chicken mole to name a few. Draft beers, cocktails and wines are also up for grabs. Credit: Con Amor/Website

Bosphorous

1246 Central Ave., St. Petersburg
Bosphorous, a Florida chain known for its Mediterranean cuisine and elaborate, old-world decor, has arrived in downtown St. Petersburg. The restaurant, first opened by a Turkish couple in Orlando in 2004, expanded to Tampa last year with a location on South Howard Ave. A Wesley Chapel location is also in the works. Prices for entrees like meat kebaps and patties cost around $23-$35, with specialties like mixed grilled kebaps for two going for $54. Classic Turkish appetizers, soups, salads, and Turkish pastries are also available.The new location on the first floor of EDGE Collective at 1246 Central Avenue soft-opened on Feb. 20. Credit: Bospherus/Facebook

Bosc Modern Bar + Kitchen

201 W Platt St., Tampa
Bosc Modern Bar + Kitchen opened alongside Parker Street Bakery this February in the same building that used to house Zudar’s Bourbon St. Bar and Grill. Both of the new restaurants are from Main Street Entertainment Group, which was founded by Kevin Enderle. While Parker Street Bakery focuses on pastries and breakfast selections, Bosc takes over from 3 p.m. to late night hours with its dinner menu of flatbreads, pasta and specialty meat entrees, including its house-cut steaks. It also offers raw appetizers, small plates and a sushi bar. Credit: Bosc Modern Bar + Kitchen/Facebook

Dads’ Kitchen and Co.

2105 Central Ave., St. Petersburg
Dads’ Kitchen and Co. opened last month in the Grand Central District in the former home of 2D Cafe, which closed in early 2025 after three years in business. Expect American and Southern-leaning comfort fare, including chicken and waffles, biscuits and gravy, country-fried steak, eggs Benedict and omelets. Lunch options lean into classic diner staples like club sandwiches, patty melts, mini corn dog and chicken tender baskets, along with a signature Reuben and buttermilk breakfast tacos. Plus, there’s a beer and wine menu. Credit: Dad's Kitchen/Facebook

Crumb Factory

1689 Main St., Dunedin
Five years after Crumb Factory brought fresh sourdough and cruffins to St. Pete, a second location is now open in Dunedin. Crumb Factory owners Katie and Pablo Mardones soft-launched the bakery last month at 1689 Main St., which previously housed Southern Bay Bakery.The menu for both locations includes freshly baked pastries and breads, as well as a breakfast, lunch and coffee bar menu. Pablo Mardones started the concept with former co-owner Felipe Zavala at the start of the coronavirus lockdown in April 2020, taking orders via Instagram DM before opening at 5701 Central Ave. in St. Pete. Credit: Crumb Factory/Facebook

Luma

6800 Sunshine Skyway Ln. S, St. Petersburg
Swanky Mediterranean is now on the menu at SkyBeach Resort. Last January saw the opening of Luma at the south St. Petersburg hotel, and is now the third culinary concept since its 2024 relaunch. Luma’s menu centers on shareable Mediterranean fare with Gulf Coast influences. Offerings include house-made breads and spreads as part of a mezze program, Florida Gulf ceviche, gambas al ajillo, watermelon and feta, whole roasted fish and fire-grilled skewers, positioning the restaurant for both casual and full-service dining. The kitchen is led by Executive Chef Ryan VanDusen, who has held leadership roles at Soho House Chicago and the Don CeSar. Credit: Chris Molina

Mise en Place

1229 E 8th Ave., Ybor City
Mise en Place was founded 40 years ago on Platt Street, but said goodbye to its last address on Halloween, and reopened a much-anticipated Ybor City location late last year serving up its popular innovative cuisine, craft cocktails, and hidden gem wines in a new sleek space. Credit: Ray Roa

Eleven80 Cafe

2109 S Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa
New Latin breakfast spot Eleven80 Cafe opened in early March, packing a full spread of breakfast and lunch eats. Guests can get their hands on beef tallow empanadas, traditional breakfast platters, breakfast sammies and more. There’s also house-made lemonade, desserts and a large spread of coffees Credit: Eleven80/Google

Sunset Lotus

514 N Franklin St., Tampa
For 18 years, Oriental Express was downtown Tampa’s go-to for quick Chinese food and sushi. That was until the shop, located at 510 E Jackson St. near the county building, shuttered last Halloween. Wife and husband owners Xue Yun and Chao Lin, from Fujian in southeastern China, quickly found a new home and are back in business a quarter-mile away under the Sunset Lotus moniker, serving their fix of classic dishes (General Tso, Happy Family, Mongolian beef, etc., starting at $10.95 with steamed rice), as well as dry fried ramen ($15.75-$19.75), wok dishes ($14.95-$16.95), sushi rolls ($6.95-17.95), nigiri ($7.50-$8) and poke bowls ($15-$18). Credit: Ray Roa

La Central

4410 N Florida Ave., Tampa
La Central opened its doors earlier this year along the N. Florida stretch of Seminole Heights in the former Wu spot. Sandwiched between Blooming Floral Cafe and Gabby Bakes, the new family-owned Mexican spot focuses on fire-grilled tacos, fajitas and more and is the brainchild of the same people who own and operate Central Coffee & Sandwiches in downtown Tampa. Credit: Shutterstock