Last year was tough for local restaurants, and Tampa Bay said goodbye to plenty of iconic spots. The good news, spring is in the air and some exciting new concepts are about to sprout. From new Indian street food, to food halls, to new pizza joints,  Tampa Bay’s food scene is about to pop off this spring. Here are a few heavily-hyped spots about to open in the coming months.

Twisted Indian 2641 Central Ave., St. Petersburg St. Pete Rising says the popular food truck is shooting for a spring opening for a brick and mortar location in St. Petersburg’s Grand Central neighborhood. The menu will include some of the Indian food truck’s popular dishes like tikka masala naanwiches in addition to new items.
Willa’s/Willa’s Provisions 1700 W. Fig St., Tampa Initially slated to open early 2020, forthcoming North Hyde Park eatery Willa’s, alongside sister coffee concept Willa’s Provisions is now scheduled to open early 2021. The duo will share the same building but operate as separate entities.
Junmai Station 325 N. Florida Ave., Tampa Junmai Station, a new concept spearheaded by the owners of Seminole Heights’ Ebisu Sushi Shack, is opening in the bottom floor retail level of the new Hyatt House-Hyatt Place. The spot will feature onigiri—aka stuffed rice balls—as its signature dish. Onigiri is a staple food in Japan, and Junmai’s versions will lean more western-style stuffings like tuna mayo or Spam.
The Corners Pizza 815 Water St., Tampa The Sparkman Wharf resident, The Corners, is launching a new location at Water Street in downtown Tampa. The 2,500 square-foot, 120-seat restaurant will include both a full bar and an extensive patio area.
Sammy + Paco’s 2735 5th Ave. N, St. Petersburg Kelly Rodriguez-Laureano alongside husband and chef Alex Rodriguez are the masterminds behind Lolita’s Wine Market as well as Sophia’s Cucina + Enoteca. Now the duo is launching a third concept as a cafe, bakery and market in Historic Kenwood. Guests can expect breakfast and lunch offerings as well as a handful of baked goods.
Wicked Pour 325 N. Florida Ave., Tampa The Odessa-based taproom—located at 12351 SR-54—just signed a lease to open a 26 wine and beer tap, self-serve downtown Tampa location at the new Hyatt House/Hyatt Place located near Sparkman Wharf. Tampa Bay Business Journal says the 1,000-square-foot taproom will include a large patio and serve charcuterie.
Poppo’s Taqueria 302 E Kennedy Blvd., Tampa The Manatee County-based, family-owned chain is quickly spreading throughout the greater Tampa Bay Area. The fast-casual build-your-own-taco and burrito joint announced that it will soon open at the address previously occupied by downtown Tampa’s Holy Hog BBQ. The menu is loaded with Mexican street food inspired by San Francisco’s Mission District.
Pop ‘N Sons 4812 N Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa Miami chef and Tampa native Richard Hales planned to reopen the ’50s and ’60s themed diner before the Super Bowl but it is still in the process of renovations. According to the restaurant’s voicemail they should be open within a couple of weeks. While he still plans on keeping the nostalgic feels, menu staples, as well as many employees, guests can expect the decorated chef to add new as well as seasonal dishes to the menu.
Mammamia Gelato Italiano 1691 Central Ave., St. Petersburg The menu at Mammamia Gelato Italiano is a lineup of handcrafted gelato and sorbets. Expect to see non-dairy and vegan sorbet options as well. There’s also a selection of waffles, pastries and decadent gelato cakes. The dessert shop’s brand originated in Naples, Italy and has franchise locations across the globe.
Canopy Road Cafe 4308 W. Gandy Blvd., Tampa Specializes in traditional breakfast and lunch fare, you can find all of the classics as well as some selections with a bit of a twist. For instance, you can opt for a plain stack of pancakes or choose from flavorful combos like the Fat Elvis made with peanut butter chips, bananas, chipped bacon with a peanut butter drizzle.
Buddy Brew 1910 N Ola Ave., Tampa Buddy Brew announced plans to move into the Armature Works with co-founder Dave Ward. The space, which PR reps said will indeed live in the former Union by Commune + Co. stall, will serve coffee products as well as “a full breakfast and lunch menu, including Buddy Brew’s signature avocado toast with poached eggs.”
Outer Banks Boil Co. 4655 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach North Carolina-based lowcountry seafood restaurant Outer Banks Boil Company said it’s opening franchise locations in St. Pete Beach (this month at the Dolphin Village Shopping Center) plus two others in Clearwater Beach and Riverview (TBD).
Island Fin Poké 12913 N. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa The Orlando-based fast-casual chain announced a plan to open 20 new locations over the next few years. One location is open currently in Wesley Chapel with new locations in Sarasota and Tampa Bay expected to open in 2021. Island Fin Poké provides guests with boat-to-bowl, locally- and responsibly-sourced ingredients to customize the perfect bowl with endless possibilities.
The Nosh Pit 4040 Park St. N, St. Petersburg Owners of St. Petersburg’s The Wheelhouse are opening The Nosh Pit with a soft opening any day now, a New York-style Jewish deli in West St. Petersburg. The menu includes classics like knishes, lox, all-beef hot dogs, egg creams, black and white cookies, latkes and matzo ball soup.
Bouzy Hyde Park Village, Tampa Cru Cellars owner Jennifer Bingham is behind the project that is scheduled to open this summer on W Snow Avenue. Pronounced “boozy,” the champagne and cocktail bar is also set to serve a selection of small plates with its sips.
The Nest at Caracara 720 Broadway, Dunedin Set to open March 12, the Nest is attached to Caracara, Nina Hospitality’s Dunedin Asian tacos and tapas spot, at 720 Broadway. “The space is super intimate, attached to Caracara through the bathroom hallway,” co-owner and Executive Chef Traci Bryant told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. “…instead of being Latin-Asian influenced fare, it will be more French focused.”
22 SouthM 642 22nd St. S, St. Petersburg The Historic Manhattan Casino is bringing a full-service food hall concept to South St. Petersburg’s Deuces neighborhood. St. Pete Rising says 22 South Food Hall will consist of seven concepts serving sushi, Cajun, Jamaican, American, and barbecue.
Fresh Kitchen 8648 Hunters Village Rd., Tampa Tampa-based chain Fresh Kitchen opens its 10th location sometime in March in New Tampa. The fast-casual restaurant serves the keto-centric public (or vegan or gluten-free) build-your-own bowls with numerous protein, base and veggie options.
King’s Pizza 4312 Cheval Blvd., Lutz According to an interview that Larry King Jr. gave to the Tampa Bay Times, local foodies can expect a Brooklyn-style pizza joint from him and his father, legendary talk show host Larry King sometime next year. The pizzas will be tossed within The Tavern at Cheval concept, owned by Larry King Jr.
The Battery 615 Channelside Dr, Tampa Owners of Seminole Heights’ C House are opening a new concept at downtown Tampa’s Sparkman Wharf. A press release says that The Battery will be a 4,000-square-foot “a refined-yet-comfortable restaurant, bar, lounge and boutique event space” that’ll focus on fancy bourbon, wine and classic bites.