Despite all of *points to the world outside* this, plenty of new restaurants sprang up in Tampa Bay this year, and while the major metro areas of Tampa, St. Petersburg and Clearwater got a ton of new eats to cheer about, we thought it was important to highlight some of the new spots that popped off in the suburbs.

Because, honestly, the Tampa Bay ‘burbs had a real watershed moment this year. In just the past 12 months, towns like Safety Harbor, Gulfport, Wesley Chapel, and Lutz pulled in some exciting new eateries. From churros, to fish shacks, and new tiki taverns, here are a few new reasons to explore the ‘burbs.

Chuck Lager American Tavern 2001 Piazza Ave., Suite 175, Wesley Chapel, (813)-820-4500 Celebrity chef Fabio Viviani returns to the Tampa Bay food scene with his latest concept Chuck Lager American Tavern at The Shops at Wiregrass. Everything is made from scratch, including dishes like salmon risotto, Hawaiian BBQ flatbread pizza, and Fabio’s meatloaf. Diners can pair their meals with beer, wine and signature Chuck Lager cocktails. Photo via
Patti’s Kitchen 6527 Park. Blvd N, Pinellas Park, (727)-289-4153 Patti’s Kitchen is slinging street-style Thai six days a week in Pinellas Park. Menu staples include the $10.50 “Ba Mee Moo Dang,” egg noodles with BBQ pork, yu choy, fried garlic and cilantro and $13.50 pad thai, among many others. Photo via
Jake’s Coastal Cantina 500 1st St., Indian Rocks Beach, (727)-595-6777 Jake’s Coastal Cantina is the latest fast casual Mexican spot in Tampa Bay. The menu features all the staples from tamales to tacos. With gluten free and plant-based options, there’s something for everyone. Photo via
Side Piece 587 Main St., Dunedin, (727)-351-5105 From the owners of popular Dunedin restaurant The Restorative comes this casual concept, Side Piece. Standouts on the menu are paninis like the “liz lemon” with turkey, pastrami, sauerkraut, and Russian dressing or the vegetarian “fungus amungus.” The concept also offers dishes like hot dogs and pad thai popcorn. Photo via
Hungry Crab Juicy Seafood & Bar 8841 Park Blvd. Seminole, (727)-319-6661 This seafood joint in Seminole offers a wide variety of options. Choose from shrimp, catfish and more for your fried lunch basket. Or, try Hungry Crab’s take on seafood classics like hush puppies and calamari. Photo via
Datz 16264 Winthrop Town Centre Ave, Riverview, (813)-535-7952 Datz fans in Riverview no longer have to travel to Tampa or St. Pete to get their fix of the Cheesy Todd or Datz’s one-pound meatball. The Riverview location opened in May and features menu items like a Cuban breakfast sandwich and crispy bacon-jalapeño macaroni and cheese bites served with firecracker sauce. Photo via
Jack Pallino’s Napoletano Style Pizza & Sports Bar 718 Broadway, Dunedin, (727)-754-2573 Pallino’s is the home of Creative Loafing’s Best of The Bay, Best Chef, Chef Traci Bryant. Full of Dunedin charm, the restaurant serves modern Italian dishes and nine different pizzas. Photo via
The Joinery 640 E Main St., Lakeland, 863-337-4583 Not quite suburban, but still in burgeoning Lakeland, The Joinery food hall offers a wide variety of food and drink spots, including Avaโ€™s wood-fired Neapolitan pizza, ฤ€toโ€™s pokรฉ bowls, Super Duper Spotโ€™s โ€œbadassโ€ burgers, Sฤbuโ€™s ramen and The Barโ€™s craft brews and cocktails. Photo via
Mandola’s Italian Kitchen 12926 U.S. HWY 301 S, Riverview, (813)-755-3587 Mandola’s is the latest fast-casual Italian spot by Damian Mandola, co-founder of Carrabba’s Italian Grill in collaborations with Paul Avery, President and CEO of the World of Beer Bar & Kitchen chain and former President and COO of Outback Steakhouse (OSI), Inc. The spot has a wine area, dessert station and, of course, plenty of pasta. Photo via
Morgan Mae’s Oyster House 606 N Pinellas Ave., Tarpon Springs, (727)-935-7380 Joining the seaside town of Tarpon Springs is seafood restaurant Morgan Mae’s. The menu is very oyster-heavy but also includes crab cakes, shrimp and grits, as well as chicken and steak dishes for those who aren’t feeling seafood. Photo via
Zukku-San Sushi Bar & Grill 25916 Sierra Center Blvd. Lutz, (813)-419-1351 Fans of Zukku’s sushi burrito at Armature Works will be relieved to know Zukku-San will still carry them and it’s build-you-own items. The concept is a larger, more elevated version of the Armature Works location. The spot carries “masterpiece” sushi rolls, dishes “from the wok,” like hibachi noodles and more. Photo via
Crepe Factory 500 Main St., Safety Harbor, (727)-239-0901 In the mood for something sweet? Crepe Factory has got you covered. In the mood for something savory? Still covered! Crepe Factory’s menu is made up almost entirely of crepes, but with infinite ways to customize them to your liking. Try a “Christmas Carol,” crepe with apple, cinnamon and almond or “Polish Village,” a sausage crepe. Photo via
Bubbakoo’s Burritos 3940 US-301 S, Riverview, (813) 570-7100 This Mexican-fusion restaurant is a build-your-own style spot in Riverview. It has a Chipotle-like menu, but with the addition of chicken wings, loaded tater tots and curly fries. Photo via
Tiki Tavern 201 Main St Suite 101, Safety Harbor, (727)-843-8454 If you like Piña Coladas, check out Tiki Tavern in Safety Harbor. This fun, beachy spot serves up dishes like scratch smoked fish spread, made with wild caught Spanish Mackerel, fresh dill, capers, lemon, jalapeno and served with fried pita , coconut shrimp, flatbreads and Poke bowls. Photo via
Hiccups & Churroholics 13030 N. Dale Mabry Hwy. This Asian-inspired chain is now open in Carrollwood. A collaboration between Hiccups Teahouse and Churroholics, it sells dishes like popcorn chicken, pho, kimchi fried rice, garlic noodles, and of course, churros. The churros are made-to-order and come in a variety of unique flavors like matcha. Photo via
Donovan’s Meatery 11206 Sullivan St., Riverview, (813)-295-8445 From Datz restaurant group comes Donovan’s, described as a modern American meatery. The spot has elevated steakhouse classics including lobster and truffle macaroni and cheese, cast iron chopped steak and brown sugar and bourbon salmon. For the less carnivorous, Donovan’s offers vegan ceviche and butternut squash ravioli. Photo via
The Industry 119 S. Collins St., Plant City, (813) 756-6955 Opening its doors in July, The Industry is centered around community, frequently partnering with local businesses to provide a place for locals to connect over live music and good food. That food includes an assortment of sandwiches, ribs, and flatbreads, as well as desserts like caramel apple cinnamon rolls. Photo via
Gulfport Brewery + Eatery 3007 Beach Blvd., Gulfport, (727) 954-4109 After a soft opening in March, Gulfport Brewery + Eatery has been offering an eccentric lineup of flatbreads, sandwiches, and appetizers, living up to the city’s slogan of “Keep Gulfport Weird.” Take your pick from several different IPA’s, including the Unsteady Freddy, a bright profile of mango, pineapple, citrus peel, and cannabis candy. Photo via
Water Oak 201 Main St. Safety Harbor, (727) 286-6919 Water Oak in Safety Harbor offers guests a tasteful selection of upscale steak and seafood dishes. Noteworthy options include braised octopus, coconut green curry mussels, Wagyu skirt steak and Duck Confit. The location includes both indoor and outdoor seating, as well as an extensive beer, wine, and cocktail selection. Photo via
Jollibee 4057 Park Blvd. N., Pinellas Park, (904) 998-9860 Filipino fast-food restaurant Jollibee opened its second Florida location almost a year ago in January, and ever since, it’s been offering up delicious meals like Palabok Fiesta, which is a traditional Filipino noodle dish covered in garlic sauce, crushed pork rind, shrimp, and egg. For dessert, try out their Peach Mango Pie, made with real Filipino mangoes. Photo via
Whiskey Joe’s Bar & Grill 5313 19th St. E, Ellenton, (941) 263-3111 With waterfront views and a full-service bar, Whiskey Joe’s Bar and Grill offers a truly Floridian dining experience. Take your pick of grouper tacos, gator bites, and jumbo shrimp cocktail, and chow down around the fire pit. Photo via
Anani Bistro 3062 Beach Blvd S Gulfport, (727) 498-8116 Opening back in October, this Gulfport-based smoothie and juice bar vows their ingredients will always be no less than 95% organic. Try out their Mocha Ciega and Beach Blvd smoothies, or if you’re hungry, choose from their sparse, yet hearty breakfast, lunch and dinner menus. Photo via
Sea Dog Cantina 2832 Beach Blvd. S., Gulfport, (727) 914-0112 Sea Dog Cantina, owned by Sea Dog Brewing Company, opened this February, becoming the company’s first Mexican Restaurant and Tequila Bar. Take your pick from its traditional Mexican classics like burritos, chimichangas, or Chille rellenos, or try out some Beyond Tacos if meat isn’t your thing. Photo via
La Gloria Colombian Restaurant 8232 Ulmerton Rd., Largo, (727) 351-7010 Family-owned La Gloria Colombian has a plethora of Latin American and Caribbean dishes to choose from. Its lineup of specials is always changing, cycling through choices like fresh tamales, sancocho stew, arroz con pollo and tacos. The family recently opened up a location in Pinellas Park, but their original Largo location is alive and well.
Boba Lounge 3701 State Rd. 58 W. Suite D, Oldsmar, ?(813) 426-2227 Boba Lounge in Oldsmar offers up 35 unique flavors of smoothies, teas and slushies, including classic flavors like passionfruit and honeydew. This concept originated as House of Boba in St. Pete’s Tyrone Square Mall, but after being closed in 2011, Boba Lounge is owner Lo Cavan’s newest iteration of all-things boba! Photo via
PDQ in Temple Terrace 5112 E. Fowler Ave, Tampa, (813) 576- 1952 TT got a PDQ. Yes, PDQ’s 16th Tampa location opened up this September in Temple Terrace, offering up more fast-food chicken dishes than you can keep track of. Try out their Honey Butter Sandwich with a crispy chicken breast or their chicken platters with as many as 50 tenders a plate! Photo via