This year was good, but next year is looking even more delicious. The Tampa Bay restaurant scene is about to serve up some exciting new eats in 2020, including new all-you-can-eat hot pot joints, a shiny new food hall, dessert shops, breweries and not mention yet another cat cafe, and a dog bar. Woof.

Jollibee 4045 Park Blvd. N. #101, Pinellas Park. The popular Filipino fast-food chain is coming to Pinellas Park in the near future. Construction is wrapping up, and we’re more than ready for Chickenjoy to be in Tampa Bay. Photo via Jollibee/Facebook
Catrinas Tacos and Tequila Bar 1611 N. Howard Ave., Tampa. The women-owned eatery will incorporate an open-kitchen concept with fresh tamales made daily. With an emphasis on serving the freshest products, all meals will be first come, first served and will be available until they sell out for the day. Photo via Jenna Rimensynyder
La Pergola 200 Central Ave., St. Petersburg Nocturnal Hospitality Group — made up of partners Lanfranco Pescante, David Anderson, and Lou Dommer — is once again teaming up with celebrity chef Fabio Viviani to bring a new high-end Italian cuisine concept to Tampa Bay with the opening of La Pergola in downtown St. Petersburg. La Pergola is set to open in spring 2020. Photo via La Pergola/Facebook
Grand Central Brewhouse 2324 Central Ave, St. Petersburg Earlier this year we announced the forthcoming microbrewery, Grand Central Brewhouse, was set to take over the space that formerly housed Taco Bus at 2324 Central Ave. Construction for the concept has just begun on the two-story, 10,270-square-foot building. Grand Central is planning to produce around 5,000 barrels of booze annually, and host a restaurant with an open-air courtyard and a beer garden. Photo via Grand Central/Facebook
Better than Sex No Address Although the address nor the opening date for the dessert bar have been announced, Tampa Bay is ready and willing to welcome the concept. The menu items themselves are even semi-NSFW; like the Between My Red Velvet Sheets Cheesecake, Blueberry Birthday Suit and the Missionary Crisp. Photo via Better than sex/Facebook
Social Roost 150 1st Street N., St. Petersburg The new full-service poultry-forward concept is set to nest this fall. Social Roost’s menu will be constructed of globally-inspired chicken dishes, so we can imagine things will be getting pretty creative in the kitchen. The concept will also host a full bar pouring up craft cocktails. Photo via Social Roost/Facebook
Chick’nCone 425 Central Ave, St. Petersburg The fast-casual concept serves fork-free chicken and waffles on-the-go. Get ready for fried nuggets of chicken tossed in sauces of your choice including sweet, mild and spicy. Signature menu options include Cinna-Maple which is a cone of fried chicken tossed in maple syrup, Kick’n Ranch, Buffalo Blue, and Peri Peri (and African chili) then drenched in chili sauce. Photo via Chick’nCone/Facebook
Must Wine Loft 442 2nd St. N., St. St. Petersburg. Founders of Must Wine have decided to launch a brick-and-mortar inside of a former laundromat. The European-inspired wine and cheese loft plans on hosting classes; it’ll also serve sandwiches, paninis, boards and a selection of pintxos and tapas. Photo via Google Maps
Sauvignon 241 Central Ave., St. Petersburg The wine locker and American trattoria is moving into the former A Taste for Wine space, so be careful going up and down the stairs after having a few glasses of vino. Photo via Google Maps
Club 201 201 Central Ave, Saint Petersburg The ‘Burg is getting a speakeasy! Club 201 is coming is taking over the former Detroit Liquors space, stationed on a hot corner in the bustling downtown St. Pete area. The bar’s social media explains that the forthcoming concept is set to pour up cocktails, CBD-infused drinks and craft brews. Photo via Club 201/Facebook
King of the Coop 27835 Wesley Chapel Blvd. Unit 100B Joe Dodd—owner of King of the Coop—recently signed the lease on a space at The Grove in Wesley Chapel. King of the Coop’s Wesley Chapel. The new KOTC location will offer the same hot chicken sandwiches it’s known for, plus the Seminole Heights location’s new menu additions, including banana pudding, wings and catfish. Photo via King of the Coop/Facebook
Yum Yum Hot Pot 11301 N. 56th St., Unit #6, Tampa Temple Terrace is quietly coming along as a foodie hotspot thanks to spots like TacoSon, Kay’s Kitchen and Pho Quyen. And now a new all-you-can-eat restaurant, Yum Yum Hot Pot, is adding to the mix. If you’ve never dined at a hot pot restaurant, diners sit at a table outfitted with a metal pot filled with simmering broth and surrounded with plates of raw ingredients like meats, seafood, fresh noodles and vegetables. Photo via Adobe Images
Hogan’s Hangout 499 Mandalay Ave., Clearwater. Maniacs! WWE Hall of Famer, Hulk Hogan is opening a beach bar. A date has yet to be announced, but you can prepare for bar bites like burgers, soups, salads, and draft beers. Photo via Colin Wolf
Lingr on 6th St. 400 6th St., St. Petersburg Jeffrey Jew — who is no stranger to the TV screen after competing on Bravo’s “Top Chef” series and taking the Flavortown crown on Food Network’s “Guy’s Grocery Games” — has officially announced the name of his forthcoming downtown St. Petersburg restaurant set to open this spring. Lingr’s menu features Nordic and Asian-inspired dishes with a contemporary flair. Photo via Jeffery Jew/Facebook
Poke Burri 4038 W Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. Atlanta sushi chain is weeks away from debuting its Tampa location. The restaurant will give Tampa a taste of its signature bowls like Tangy Crab & Shrimp or Spicy Tuna Kimchee, burrito rolls, and finger foods. Build-your-own bowls, salads, dumplings, and jalapeño poppers are also up for grabs. Photo via Poke Burri
Pink Pineapple 5137 N. Florida Ave., Seminole Heights. The full bar to mix up classic rum-based tiki cocktails like Mai Tais and Zombies. Boozy punch bowls will be offered for parties up to six people. As far as tropical bar bites go, they turned to a professional to curate the menu — Noel Cruz, of Ichicoro and former Armature Works resident Chismis & Co. Cruz plans on serving up traditional Filipino cuisine. Photo via Becky Rudolf
Dead Bob’s Too 3681 South West Shore Blvd., Tampa. The popular St. Petersburg dive bar and burger spot, is planning on launching a new location across the Bay. Get ready for late night bites and drinks, this location will also be open until 3a.m. Photo via Dead Bob’s Too
Tasting Room at Bayboro Brewing 2390 5th Ave. S., St. Petersburg Won’t be much longer until pop-up brewery, Bayboro debuts its brick-and-mortar in the ‘Burg. Bayboro Brewing’s founder and brewer, James Coleman, told CL that he is shooting for a late December/early January opening for the coming tasting room. The 2,500-square-foot space is set to host 20 taps with various bottled brews at the ready. Photo via Bayboro Brewing/Facebook
Hoots 201 1st Ave. N., St. Petersburg After over three decades of business, the founders of Hooters decided to launch Hoots; according to Hoots’ website, “It’s a little bit Hooters, a little bit its own thing.” That means no servers in pantyhose (that’s right, we’re talking khaki pants and orange shirts), but all of the classic Hooters eats. By the way, men can also apply to be servers. Photo via Hoots
Swah-rey No address announced St. Pete dessert bar, Swah-rey, which is stylized as “(swah-rey),” is staying busy with two new locations in the works. The third location at St. Pete College, Gibbs Campus will debut March and fourth location in St. Pete projected for April/May. Photo via Swah-rey/Facebook
Two Shepherds 4813 N. Grady Ave., Tampa Tampa’s first indoor and outdoor dog bar will open late this year. There will be 16 taps on draft and wine at the ready. Two Shepherds will also regularly host food trucks. You can already sign yourself up for a membership before the dog park launches to ensure your pup has a spot on the list. Photo via Two Shepherds/Facebook
CellarMasters Wine Bar & Bottle Shop 1005 1st Ave. N., St. Petersburg Wine bars are popping up all over the ‘Burg before the year is up — Book + Bottle, Must Wine Loft and now CellarMasters Wine Bar & Bottle Shop which is coming soon to St. Pete’s EDGE District. Locals Ryan Rugg and Kory Lynn are combining their passions, and certifications in the wine industry, to bring the ‘Burg an escape from the typical bar and brewery experience. Photo via CellarMasters/Facebook
Rome + Fig 301 N. Rome Ave., Tampa Scheduled for a January 2020 opening, the concept’s design elements are inspired by rustic Napa Valley bistros and Coastal Florida chic. Although the restaurant’s website has some stock information, the seasonal menu is loaded with dishes crafted with locally sourced ingredients and globally-inspired flavors. Appetizers range from seafood bites like tuna tartare and octopus fritters to Asian wings and brisket poutine. Entrees include beef, poultry and seafood favorites like a fat filet mignon, roast chicken or duck breast and pan-seared scallops. You can expect to drop anywhere from $25-$40 on entrees alone. Photo via Rome + Fig/Facebook
Graze 2217 S. Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa Popular Armature Works’ resident, Graze 1910 will have a second location in the heart of South Tampa by the first quarter of 2020. The second location will have a slight name change, too — Graze. We can expect the Graze menu to be loaded with Graze 1910 classics like chicken and waffles, breakfast dishes, burgers with all diets in mind. More details to come as construction begins and the opening date approaches. Photo via Graze/Facebook
Semolina 615 Channelside Dr, Tampa David and Erica Benstock, owners of St. Petersburg hotspot Il Ritorno and Greenstock, have announced their next venture — and this time it’s over the bridge. The duo is launching a 1,600-square-foot Italian pasta concept, Semolina, at Tampa’s Sparkman Wharf, and it’s opening in spring 2020. Photo via Chris Fasick
Black Radish Grocer No address announced. Big news for Seminole Heights vegan joint 3 Dot Dash — members of the food stand’s family are venturing into the grocery biz. Black Radish Grocery will be a 100% vegan grocery store offering up “humane & affordable options we feel our city needs” located in the VM Ybor neighborhood. More details to come as construction begins and the official opening date is announced. Photo via 3 Dot Dash/Instagram
Shibui 912 N Franklin St, Tampa Courtesy of The Nocturnal Hospitality Group and celebrity chef Fabio Viviani who have also brought us Osteria and Mole Y Abuela, fine-dining concept Shibui will incorporate Asian fusion dishes, and the restaurant is already teasing its menu on Instagram. Photo via Shibui/Facebook