From vegan sushi to pierogis, the cuisine across Tampa Bay has never been more expansive. We’re already halfway through 2022, and the area has seen an unprecedented outburst of new restaurants, bars and venues. Here are a few of the must-try new spots around Tampa Bay. Don’t know where to start? We’ve got you covered. 

Dang Dude 615 Channelside Dr., Tampa, 813-582-1770 Located in the Sparkman Wharf plaza, the Asian food-container restaurant serves gluten-friendly dumplings, rou jia mo, noodles, boba tea, sake and beer. The fast-casual restaurant opened in early March. Photo via Dang Dude/Facebook
Black 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 /Instagram
Naked Farmer 1001 Water St., Tampa, 813-608-0329 This build-your-own-bowl eatery offers locally-sourced items and boasts being in “direct conversation” with the regional farmers. Its menu is dependent on what’s in season, Naked Farmer’s spring selection currently features strawberries and fennel, lemon-basil summer squash, and heirloom cherry tomatoes. Photo via Naked Farmer/Facebook
Noble Rice 615 Channelside Dr. no. 112, Tampa, 813-542-2021 Sparkman Wharf’s new modern Japanese restaurant serves a variety of high-end dishes, including wagyu beef, sashimi platters, caviar and sake. The restaurant held its grand opening on April 5 and online reservations are required. Photo via Noble Rice/website
Jay 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/Facebook
True Food Kitchen 3645 Midtown Dr., Tampa, 813-327-4455 Located in the heart of Tampa-hotspot Midtown, True Food Kitchen is a place where foodies and health junkies meet. Serving brunch, lunch and dinner, the menu offers seasonal selections with an emphasis on sustainability and wellness including burgers, bowls, house-made juices and more. Photo via True Food Kitchen/Google
Twisted Indian 2639 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-954-3872 Grand Central District’s recent addition serves its signature “naanwhiches,” street tacos, Bollywood bowls, yogi fries, curritos and more. The food-truck-turned-restaurant opened on May 3 and plans to continue to add to its menu and expand hours of operation. Photo via Kyla Fields
Taverna 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/Website
LALA St. Pete 2324 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-329-9455 As St. Pete’s first dual restaurant and karaoke bar, Lala (stylized “LALA”) offers private, ready-to-rent karaoke rooms. Located next to the happening Grand Central Brewhouse, the spot serves a variety of Mediterranean-inspired dishes and has a rooftop bar. Photo via LALA St. Pete/Facebook
Portillo’s 2302 Tyrone Blvd N, St. Petersburg, 727-390-6625 Located on the east end of Tyrone Square Mall, the Chicago-based chain serves traditional hot dogs, beef, sausage and chicken sandwiches, cheeseburgers, french fries, milkshakes and “world famous” chocolate cake. The popular ‘50s-inspired diner first opened on April 5 and is the chain’s fourth location in Florida. Photo via Portillo’s/Facebook
FLocale 5910 N Florida Ave., Tampa, 813-232-2667 Seminole Heights’ new dine-in eatery hosts Westshore Pizza, King of the Coop and Rock Brothers Brewing and serves za’, chicken tendies and an assortment of craft beers. The multi-concept restaurant opened on March 19 and features a 40-foot bar with nearly 200 seats. Photo via FLocale/Facebook
Tacos My Love 400 49th St. S, St. Petersburg, 727-498-6646 St. Pete’s new fine dining Mexican spot serves—you guessed it—tacos, fajitas, vegan nachos, signature cocktails, margaritas and more. The restaurant opened on Cinco de Mayo and accepts online reservations. Photo via Tacos My Love/Facebook
2D Cafe 2105 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-329-9008 Downtown St. Pete’s innovative two-dimensional cafe serves breakfast bites, sandwiches, pastries, coffee, tea and alcoholic beverages. The cartoon-inspired spot opened on April 8 and is the first of its kind in the area. Photo via 2D Cafe/Instagram
Salty Nun 2501 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-329-9994 Central Avenue’s newest restaurant serves plates full of double-stuffed French toast, chorizo biscuits and gravy and Cuban eggs Benedict for breakfast and pork sliders, jalapeno poppers and nachos for lunch. The restaurant opened on March 3 and hosts live music on its outdoor patio. Photo via Salty Nun/Facebook
The Brutalist / Temple of Beer 1776 11th Ave. N., St. Petersburg, 727-350-3055 St. Pete’s new minimalist-inspired brewing facility features a taproom with 20 constantly rotating taps of “Florida’s best.” The brewery opened on March 10 and serves its own branded beer. Photo via The Brutalist/Facebook
Olde Florida Brewing Company 1158 7th St. NW, Largo, 727-229-8010 Largo’s newly-opened brewery offers house brews, blonde and brown ales, IPAs, stouts and more. The bar opened in early March and offers extensive outdoor seating with beach chairs and Florida decor. Photo via Olde Florida Brewing Company/Facebook
House 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 via
Pierogi Bar 6661 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-487-2903, Having opened its doors this month, Pierogi Bar calls itself the “first and best” Ukrainian restaurant in St. Pete. While the menu is simple, it hits classic flavors and fillings like potato and cheese. To showcase the “regional diversity” and of the historical and cultural foods of Ukraine, owner Daryna Voloshyn hopes to open more locations in the future. Photo via Pierogi Bar/Facebook
Roam 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/Facebook
Green Pagoda 7900 4th St. N, St. Petersburg, 239-877-0152 This Asian American spot is a fusion restaurant in every sense of the word, and serves a mixture of sushi, pad thai, fried rice, dumplings, ribeye steak, baked chicken and lobster risotto. Photo via Green Pagoda/Facebook
The Pretzel Haus 14351 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, 813-644-7978 With pretzel nugget platters, pretzel pizzas and stuffed pretzel sandwiches, The Pretzel Haus in Tampa is perfect when you’re left wanting more from Auntie Anne’s. Since opening in January, the spot has expanded its menu and now hosts a wider variety of savory and sweet pretzel dishes as well as cold beer to pair them with. According to the restaurant website, a Palm Harbor location is also in the works. Photo via Preyzel Haus Carrollwood/Facebook

Pop Goes the Waffle

5004 Tangerine Ave., Gulfport
Tampa lost another go-to breakfast spot this summer with the closure of Pop Goes the Waffle. Owner Sara Fludd started the business in 2017 as a food truck with the same name, and announced her debut storefront in 2021. The closure is a result of rising market prices, Fludd said, but all hope is not lost for waffle lovers, as Blossom the food truck will remain open.
Photo via Pop Goes the Waffle/Instagram Credit: Pop Goes the Waffle/Facebook
3 Daughters Brewing 381 Mandalay Ave. 3rd Floor, Clearwater Beach, 727-371-1153 Clearwater Beach’s new taproom hosts a wide variety of craft beers, “beach bites,” live music and waterfront views. The brewery opened on April 7 and is now the second location in Tampa Bay. Photo via 3 Daughters Brewing/website
Bare Naked Kitchen 3915 Henderson Blvd., Tampa, 813-694-7291 From the Tampa founders of Outback and local chef Chris Ponte, Bare Naked Kitchen invites patrons to “eat adventurously” with its fast-casual dining approach. Serving an assortment of bowls, flatbreads and salads, the chain opened its South Tampa location in January after success at its original store in Tallahassee. Photo via Bare Naked Kitchen/Facebook
PopStroke 195 University Town Center Dr., Sarasota, 941-500-9495 Tiger Woods’ creation features a 18-hole mini-golf course, table and lawn games, outdoor dining and a rooftop bar. The Sarasota location opened on April 28 and gives a glimpse of the Tampa location set to open later this year in Wesley Chapel. Photo via Popstroke/Google