It’s safe to say today’s St. Petersburg is nearly unrecognizable from the city it was a decade ago—much of it due to an explosion of new restaurants, bars and developments. Just six months into 2022, a slew of establishments have added to the selection—here are the ones most worth your time.
Bonu’ Taverna
601 Central Ave.
Inspired by the flavors of Southern Italy and the Mediterranean, Bonu’ Taverna is a self-described “avant garde concept” with an expansive, ever-changing menu. Taking over the space long-occupied by popular vegan spot Cider-Press Cafe, Bonu’ offers small and large plates, salads, paninis, pasta and an assortment of gluten free and vegan options.
Photo via Kyla Fields Credit: Kyla FieldsBlack Radish Grocer
246 Dr M.L.K. Jr. St. N, St. Petersburg, 727-623-9877
Though this vegan grocer opened its St. Pete location last December, Black Radish has earned a spot for its expansive fare and cuisine. Like its sister location in Tampa’s Ybor City, the store offers a variety of items beyond your run-of-the-mill supermarket finds in addition to vegan staples like Impossible meats and Daiya cheeses. The new location also offers a deli, serving made-to-order sandwiches and other daily specials.
Photo via blackradishgrocerdtsp/Instagram Credit: blackradishgrocerdtsp /InstagramJay Luigi
3201 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg, 727-390-8883
Jay Luigi brings a new style of Italian-fusion to the heart of St. Pete. With dinner and lunch options, this fast-casual spot features fresh pastas, Roman-style and Neapolitan pizzas, salads and more.
Photo via Jay Luigi St. Pete/FacebookTaverna Costale
200 Central Ave. Suite 165, St. Petersburg, 727-954-3863
Situated between some of the area’s most populated bars and restaurants in Downtown St. Pete, Taverna Costale offers an upscale dining experience and unique take on Italian cuisine from celebrity chef, Fabio Vivani. From unorthodox appetizers like grilled bone marrow to decadent entrees such as squid ink paccheri, the menu presents a creative twist on classic dishes.
Photo via Taverna Costale/WebsiteHouse of Vegano
655 31st St. S, St. Petersburg
Serving a selection of Asian-inspired, plant-based cuisine, House of Vegano is the first vegan sushi spot in the ‘Burg. Located in the Body Electric compound in St. Pete’s Warehouse District, the restaurant uses locally sourced fruits and vegetables to mimic the umami flavors in classic rolls like the volcano roll and house originals like the royale roll with poached vegan scallops.
Photo viaPierogi Bar
6661 Central Ave.
Self-described as St. Pete’s “first and best” Ukrainian restaurant, Pierogi Bar, brought its specialties to the bay in May. From its Ukranian beet soup to borscht and the “more than a century-old family recipe” to potato pancakes, the Pierogi Bar, of course, specializes in its namesake. With pierogi fillings expanding beyond the traditional potato, the spot offers selections like potato and sauerkraut and dessert perogies.
Photo via Pierogi Bar/Facebook Credit: Pierogi Bar – Tampa Bay / FacebookWhere’s Jubes
277 Central Ave.
In the hundred-year-old building that used to host Lucky Dill Deli in downtown, now sits the Australian brewpub Where’s Jubes. Coming from the Australian roots of restaurateur Josh Cameron (aka “Jubes”), Where’s Jubes offers brews with hops imported from Australia, a grill-centered menu, local beers and “Aussie-inspired” cocktails.
Photo via Josh Cameron Credit: Josh CameronRoam Restaurant and Bar
3405 34th St. N, St. Petersburg, 727-346-5242
From the owners of the popular Reds BBQ food truck, Roam offers an upscale experience with a menu that takes influence from both local cuisine and flavors around the world. Located in the Lealman neighborhood of St. Petersburg, the restaurant hosts a menu with seasonal dishes and a wide assortment of cocktails.
Photo via Roam Restaurant/FacebookRaising Cane’s
2639 Central Ave.
After years of food truck fame, Twisted Indian opened its brick-and-mortar location this May. Pairing the classic flavors of Indian dishes and American-style presentation, Twisted Indian’s curritos and naanwiches bring a whole new world of cuisine to St. Pete’s Grand Central District.
Photo via The Twisted Indian/FacebookPortillo’s
2302 Tyrone Blvd. N
Portillo’s is more than a chain, it’s a Chicago delicacy. With its new Tyrone Square location, St. Pete became the third Florida city to host the fast food spot. Known for dogs served in a poppy seed bun and Italian beef sandwiches with an option to dip in gravy, the chain also serves crinkle cut fries, burgers, shakes, sausages and more.
The chain is practically a Chicago delicacy.
Photo via Portillo’s (St. Petersburg, FL)/FacebookKing of the Coop
6928 22nd Ave. N
As some of the best Nashville-style fried chicken in the area, St. Pete’s King of the Coop opened its highly anticipated doors in February. With St. Pete being its third location since first opening its original Seminole Heights spot in 2019—and another on the way in Wesley Chapel—King of the Coop has quickly become a Bay Area staple.
Photo via King of the Coop/FacebookThe Works
495 7th Ave. N
A project from the folks behind Squeeze Juice Works on Central, The Works in historic Uptown brought another plant-based joint to The ‘Burg at the start of 2022. With vegan items that “heal the body and fortify the soul,” The Works offers seasonal and permanent menus, with hot platters as well as cold, ready-to-eat meals available to purchase at the register.
Photo via The Works/GoogleFlip Crepes and Waffles
625 Central Ave.
On the Central Avenue block between Fifth and Sixth Street are some of the city’s most unique and popular restaurants. This year, Flip Crepes and Waffles joined the ranks. Serving an impressive array of crepes, waffles, coffee and tea, Flip offers items both sweet and savory that take influence from the best of American and European flavors — including an option to craft your own concoction.
Photo via Flip Crepes and Waffles/GoogleLALA St. Pete
2324 Central Ave.
As St. Pete’s first spot with private, uniquely themed ready-to-rent karaoke rooms, LALA brings a more upscale approach to your typical karaoke experience. As part of the Grand Central Brewhouse, LALA also hosts a dining room, garden and rooftop bar. Open day or night, the brunch, lunch and dinner menus boast an “elevated” blend of Mediterranean and American cuisine.
Photo via LALA St. Pete/FacebookTacos My Love
400 49th St. S
With an appropriate grand opening on Cinco De Mayo, Tacos My Love serves “authentic Mexican Cuisine” like tacos and fajitas as well as an array of appetizers, entrees and plant-based options. On top of grub, the spot hosts live music and a number of thoughtfully crafted cocktails, like their Takis michelada or pineapple jalapeno margarita.
Photo via @tacosmyloveofficial/Instagram2D Cafe
2105 Central Ave.
As one of many new spots to open this year in St. Pete’s Grand Central District, 2D Cafe is the only one where its patrons are invited to “be the art.” Inspired by similar concepts in Japan and Europe, 2D Cafe is an immersive experience which surrounds customers in a black and white, two-dimensional cartoon environment—its only pops of color coming from the European-style pastries and dishes, coffees, teas and patrons.
Photo via @the2dcafe/InstagramSalty Nun
2501 Central Ave.
Grand Central’s Salty Nun comes from the minds behind two of Gulfport’s finest: Stella’s and Salty’s. With brunch and dinner menus, Salty Nun keeps the good eats and live music coming until the evening, serving Stella’s classics like its famous fried green tomatoes and Salty’s assortment of morning and evening cocktails.
Photo via Salty Nun/FacebookThe Brutalist / Temple of Beer
1776 11th Ave. N
The brainchild of King State Beer’s Aric Parker and former head brewer of hidden Springs Ale Works, Vinny Giusto, The Brutalist is one of the newest concepts to come to St. Pete’s booming brewery scene. With its taproom aptly named the Temple of Beer, Brutalist offers 20 frequently rotating taps of in-house brews and an inviting space for its patrons to unwind and socialize.
Photo via The Brutalist/FacebookCap’s
226 First Ave. N
Having celebrated its grand opening just last month, Cap’s brings a new look to the space that formerly hosted First Avenue’s MacDinton’s Irish Pub. With colorful, outdoor-only seating perfect for downtown people watching, Cap’s hosts a seafood-forward menu with “tastes of Old Florida with modern Americana flare.”
Photo via Coffee Grounds/FacebookPop Goes The Waffle
5004 S Tangerine Ave., Gulfport
While this waffle-centric dessert spot is technically in Gulfport, Pop Goes the Waffle has earned a spot on this list for its far-reaching fanbase. Another tale of a food-truck-turned-storefront, Pop Goes the Waffle offers a unique twist on the classic treat with flavors like cinnamon toast and lemon poppyseed, as well as additional fillings and toppings.
Photo via Pop Goes the Waffle/Facebook
