Now that you’re fully-vaxxed, eating at restaurants is back, and a lot less scary. But Tampa Bay’s dining scene has changed considerably since you’ve hunkered down. From new Korean-fried chicken spots, beach eats, brisket, BBQ, and vegan options, plenty of new and exciting restaurants are now on the menu. So, to get you all caught up, here are the best new local eats to open their doors so far this year.

Kuba Cocina 7525 Blind Pass Rd., St. Pete Beach, (813) 599-4526 St. Pete Beach restaurant serving modern Cuban cuisine with a soul food spin from Chef chef and owner Felicia “Phe” Lacalle. Menu items include lobster empanadas, salchipapa, Cuban fried rice, plantain-crusted snapper sandwich and, of course, Cuban sandwiches. A second location in Seminole Heights is under construction.
Caddy’s on Madeira Beach 14050 Gulf Blvd., Madeira Beach, (727) 308-7888 Popular beach bar’s newest location on Madeira Beach. Expect Florida fare like smoked fish spread, grouper nuggets, and, of course, frozen fruity drinks.
Santoro’s Pizzeria 1329 W Cass St., Tampa, (813) 687-7100 West Riverfront Jersey Shore-style pizzeria that serves slices and whole pies–round and square. There’s also sandwiches, salads, and desserts like Italian ice and Nutella pizza.
UberEats.
22 South Food Hall 642 22nd St S, St. Petersburg, (727) 592-1267 The latest food hall concept to open in the Tampa Bay area is inside the Manhattan Casino in St. Pete’s historic Deuces neighborhood. Betterway BBQ, Irie Mon Jamaican Grill, Shokkan Sushi, and VJs are among the first restaurant tenants.
Brisket Shoppe 4004 Henderson Blvd., Tampa, (813) 605-4005 Dining options for this barbeque shop are drive-thru, pick-up, or sitting outside at a few tables. Located in the second location of retail shop Grill & Provisions, the Shoppe is only open three days a week, Thurs.-Sat., and closes when they sell out–so go early.
Sammy + Paco’s 2735 5th Ave N, St. Petersburg (727) 329-9783 Owners of Lolita’s Wine Market opened this Kenwood breakfast and lunch stop named after a couple of cats. Unique offerings include carrot cake oatmeal, tres leche french toast and not your average avocado toast.
Salty’s Sandwich Bar 3121 Beach Blvd. S, Gulfport, (727) 239-7072 Salty’s serves up a lineup of deli and specialty sandwiches. Diners can snag indoor seating to escape the heat, or opt for outdoor dining on the front patio or side courtyard which are both pet friendly.
Bayou Bodega 241 E Davis Blvd., Tampa, (813) 513-5478 Natural wine bar and tapas restaurant on Davis Island serving small plates like garlic shrimp with manzanilla, crawfish mac, roasted sirloin with house-made chimichurri, and bread pudding with Caribbean fruit. Plus international wines from France, Italy, Portugal, Spain, and Czech Republic.
Corner Club 1502 E Sligh Ave., Tampa, (813) 232-1482 Former dive bar now coffee, cafe, and beer and wine bar. Chef Suzanne Crouch cooks up buffalo chicken yakitori, papas bravas and a lemon curd, blueberry Dutch baby on during weekend brunch. Plus, it’s still got boiled peanuts, cheese ballz, and a foosball machine.
Burnt Ends 1101 1st Ave. S, St. Petersburg, (727) 443-7227 Tiki bar connected to the Datz Company’s Dr. BBQ restaurant with Polynesian-influenced food menu featuring Spam sliders, a pupu platter with fresh grilled fruit, fried shrimp, burnt-end bao buns, Hawaiian pork ribs, chili garlic edamame and pork belly satay. Cocktail program ran by tiki-expert Dean Hurst formerly of Bern’s Steak House.
Red Star Live Bar and Grill 9847 E Adamo Dr., (813) 898-8506 Part of the Brandon Harley Davidson shop, this roadhouse style restaurant, bar and music venue serves classic American fare like burgers and wings. It has three stages, two bars, a giant outdoor patio and a full service restaurant open seven days a week.
Main Course 4205 S MacDill Ave. Tampa, 813-898-2106 A U.S. Armed Forces veteran-owned spot in South Tampa. Brunch is available six days a week, and the menu includes seafood grits, crazy drinks like the City Girl mimosa featuring champagne, sherbet and rock candy. It turns into a hookah lounge on the weekend nights.
Fado 435 5th Ave. N., St. Petersburg, (727) 346-5389 Portugeuse spot by Chef Rui Borges, sister restaurant Lisbon in Orlando. Tons of meat and seafood focus, including Bacalhau (salted cod).
Credit: Photo via Gangchu Chicken & Beer
Ybor City Vegan Deli 1903 N 19th St., Tampa, (813) 930-5968 Ybor City is the fourth location of local vegan franchise that serves up sandwiches, pizzas, and a whole lot of plant-based noshs. The deli makes its own lunch meat to boot.
Willa’s/Willa’s Provisions 1700 W Fig St., 310 N Rome Ave., Tampa, (813) 519-4552 North Hyde Park American restaurant and it’s baby sibling coffee shop opened within months of each other. In-house made everything, except for the coffee which comes from King State. Rotisserie chicken is Willa’s signature dish though over half of the menu is vegetarian.
K-Chicken & Bowl 14380 N Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa, (813) 373-5842 The Carrollwood restaurant’s fried chicken—available as tenders, wings, or in half and whole portions—can be dressed up in a slew of sauce options like peanut, white onion and honey garlic. The menu also has other Korean staples like bulgogi, bibimbap, and kimchi fried rice.