While you were in, the Tampa Bay restaurant scene made some big moves, and St. Petersburg arguably had some of the most-anticipated new restaurants debut since the beginning of the year. From new food halls and tiki bars, to gelato spots and walk-up windows, here are some of the hottest new eateries in the ‘Burg.
Bright Ice
5591 Park Blvd, Pinellas Park
The popular St. Pete Bright Ice started scooping up ice cream bowls and cones in Pinellas Park February. With 15 flavors, the shops got some interesting ones like lemon with crystalized ginger, vegan options like blueberry with cinamon and classics like warm vanilla.
Photo via Bright Ice/InstagramOuter Banks Boil Co.
4655 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach
North Carolina seafood restaurant Outer Banks Boil Co. has plans for three Tampa bay locations, and one is open in St. Pete. Check out their shrimp, lobster tails, scallops, sausage, veggies and moreof course cooked in spices.
Photo via Outer Banks Boil Co./FacebookBurnt Ends
1101 1st Ave. S, St. Petersburg
The same managers who brought you gooey and sweet monkey bread for breakfast at Datz and meatloaf at Dr. BBQ for dinner, started serving drinks at the Burnt Ends tiki bar in March. Talk about a three course meal! Spirit-directing expert Dean Hurst is running the drink program. Expect to see thatched roofs, like the tiki dream, and drinkware.
Photo via Burnt Ends/FacebookCaddys on Madeira Beach
14080 Gulf Blvd., Madeira Beach
Caddys on Madeira Beach is literally right on the beach, with a two-story bar, waterfront views and outdoor seating with picnic tables. The main restaurant is upstairs and opened in March. It’s got barside classics like wings and lots of drinks.
Photo via Caddys on Madeira Beach/FacebookDalMoros Fresh Pasta To Go
653 Central Ave., St. Petersburg
This fresh pasta express originated in Italy and is one of the first of its kind. The fast-casual environment has 100 different fresh pasta, homemade sauce and topping combinations. And yes, the pastas are homemade. DalMoros opened in May with a pasta cutting.
Photo via DalMoros Fresh Pasta To Go/InstagramEdge Urban Market
1246 Central Ave., St. Petersburg
Pop-up market Edge Urban Market opened on the 1100 block parking lot between 1st Ave. S and Central Ave in February. The St. Pete outdoor destination welcomes shops, live music, entertainment and local food.
Photo via official_pizza_bruno/InstagramFado
435 5th Ave. N, St. Petersburg
At Fado, you need reservations because its quite the fad. Fado brings Portugal to St. Pete and is the sister concept to the Lisbon restaurant in Orlando. Menu options include bife na pedra, which is steak on a stone, sardinhas, along with other fish, and serradura. It opened in May.
Photo via Fado/FacebookLingr
400 6th St., St. Petersburg
Celebrity chef Jeffrey Jew finally opened Lingr in downtown St. Pete earlier this month. The new upscale-casual eatery offers Nordic and Asian-inspired dishes like spicy chili shrimp dumplings, wok fried snapper with fermented black beans and spiced parsnip cake.
Photo via Google MapsMammamia Gelato
1691 Central Ave. St. Petersburg
The worldwide gelato spot began in Naples, Italy and in March, Mammamia Gelato opened in St. Pete. After eating lunch or dinner at all the other new St. Pete restos, enjoy some handcrafted gelato and sorberts, or a gelato cake and pastry. The website says its local franchises aim to hire disabled and under-employed people and donate to local nonprofits.
Photo via Mammamia Gelato/InstagramPin on Cafe
1100 Central Ave, St. Petersburg
Get that good good Thai and Japanese dish with a twist at Pin on Cafe. The restaurant opened in January and serves sushi stacks, hot poke salad and green taro cheesecake. If any of these items look familiar, it’s because Pin on Cafe is managed by the same owners as Pin Wok & Bowl.
Photo via Pin on Cafe/FacebookPipos Pronto
7701 Blind Pass Rd., St. Pete Beach
Come beachside and enjoy a Cuban sandwich at Pipos Pronto food truck outside St. Pete Beachs Mastrys Brewing. The menu centers around other handheld sandwiches like a skinny wrap and has a fresh mango and black bean salsa. Pipos Pronto opened earlier this month.
Photo via Pipos Pronto/FacebookThe Chelsea
2462 5th Ave. S, St. Petersburg
The Chelsea owner Teresa Vidal Chalkley said the coffee and tea shop combines the vibes of the Chelsea neighborhood in New York and the original Chelsea in London. It features BATDORF & BRONSON® Coffee, matcha, chai and local baked goods. The shop opened in May and focuses on sustainability.
Photo via The Chelsea/FacebookOrange Belt Cafe
1631 4th St. N, St. Petersburg
In February, the family-owned Orange Belt Cafe opened inside Bob Lees Tire Company. The cafe serves coffee, pastries, sandwiches and salads.
Photo via Google MapsLucky Lizard Taphouse
14963 Gulf Blvd., Madeira Beach
Lucky Lizard Taphouse is going for the beach chic vibe. With charcuterie boards, bloody marys and mac n cheese, Id say it succeeded. The taphouse opened in February and features lots of live music.
Photo via Lucky Lizard Taphouse/InstagramChicken Salad Chick
1221 4th St N, St. Petersburg
In March, Chicken Salad Chick opened its 27th location in St. Pete. The fast casual restaurant with southern nutritious food will continue serving its grape salads and fruity, spicy and classic chicken salad.
Photo via Chicken Salad Chick/Facebook