From viral food joints to local breweries, Tampa Bay has a lot to look forward to this Spring. Here are a few heavily-hyped spots about to open in the coming months.
3B’s
1500 N. McMullen Booth Rd., Clearwater
Clearwater gets a new bar and grill in the coming weeks. The 3 Bs stand for bourbon, beers and burgers, as this new restaurant is set to deliver all of the American comfort classics, as well as a wide range of booze. An official grand opening date has yet to be determined.
Photo via 3B’s/FacebookSunshine Kitty Catfe
1663 1st Ave. S. St. Petersburg
Looks like St. Pete’s very first cat cafe is set to soft open! The concept is shooting for sometime in March, but hasn’t nailed down a date as of yet. Don’t worry though, the catfe has been actively updating its social media with information. Soon enough, you’ll be drinking coffee while kitties stare at you.
Photo via Sunshine Kitty Catfe/FacebookDissent Brewing
125 S. Kentucky Ave., Lakeland
More craft brews for foodies are coming. Dissent owner Chris Price is in the process of opening a second location in downtown Lakeland, less than a mile away from a new food hall The Joinery.
Photo via Dissent Brewing/FacebookGerman Knödle
1246 Central Ave., St. Petersburg
St. Pete’s German Knödle was the only local joint on Yelp’s America’s Top 100 Places to Eat in 2020 list. After less than a year of business, the concept boasts 5 out of 5 stars with 95 reviews, most of which gush over the friendliness of the owner and the excitement of their dishes ranging from the jagerschnitzel to the vegan curry “sausage” plates. A second location is opening within the forthcoming Hall on Central food hall just a five-minute walk away.
Photo via German Knödle/FacebookJotoro
615 Channelside Dr., Tampa
A new Mexican restaurant is set to take over the former Hooters space at Sparkman Wharf this spring. Expect Mexican provisions with global inspirations alongside sips like tequila flights, specialty cocktails, and margaritas.
Photo via Sparkman Wharf/Facebook Credit: Photo via Sparkman Wharf/FacebookNojaks
305 E. Polk St., Tampa
The menu at Downtown Tampa’s forthcoming upscale fast food restaurant will be about 95% vegan. Nojaks is set to open in late spring.
Photo via NojaksRome + Fig
301 N. Rome Ave., Tampa
NoHo’s newest globally-inspired bistro was initially slated to open in January, but it looks like Rome + Fig is now looking at an April debut. Weekend brunch includes plates like chicken and waffles, fish and grits, stuffed French toast and a Chinese 5 Spice burger; ranging in price from $14-$20.
Photo via Rome + Fig/InstagramWhiskey Joe’s
5315 19th St. E., Ellenton.
The Manatee River area will become home to the newest location. Set to open in March, expect the outdoor tiki bar to have all of the classic Whiskey Joe’s charm of fire pits, live entertainment, and bare feet.
Photo via Whiskey Joe’s Bar & Grill Manatee River/FacebookGrand Hacienda Mexican Cuisine
2424 Tyrone Blvd., St. Petersburg
The Mexican restaurant is expanding with a new location at Tyrone Square Mall in St. Petersburg. The latest addition makes its debut this month in between BoneFish Grill and Jos. A. Bank, near Dicks Sporting Goods and PetSmart.
Photo ? Grand Hacienda Mexican CuisineSocial Roost
150 1st Ave. N., St. Petersburg
After a setback in September, Social Roost is set to open in early 2020 at 150 1st St. N. in downtown St. Pete. The only sure-sign of progress is exactly that—the restaurant’s sign was installed on Jan. 10. Hopefully not too much longer until we get our hands on the poultry-heavy menu.
Photo via Social Roost/FacebookBeans & Barlour
1 Tropicana Dr., St. Petersburg.
The boozy dessert joint’s new Tropicana Field location has a brand spankin’ new menu only available at the stadium. Might have to slide to the season opener against the Pittsburgh Pirates on March 26 just to get a taste of the boozy peanuts and Cracker Jack milkshake.
Photo via Beans & Barlour/InstagramBetter Than Sex
1211 1st Ave. N., Unit 100, St. Petersburg
Things will be getting friskier in St. Pete once dessert shop Better Than Sex moves in and begins serving up its signature treats. No opening date has been announced, but guests can expect semi-NSFW-sweets like Between My Red Velvet Sheets Cheesecake, Blueberry Birthday Suit and the Missionary Crisp.
Photo via Better Than Sex/FacebookBook + Bottle
17 6th St. N., St. Petersburg
There’s no official grand opening date for the wine bar and literary hub, but Book + Bottle is hosting its first event on March 18, which is already sold out.
Photo via Book + Bottle/FacebookBrioche Cafe & Bakery
407 S. Dale Mabry, Tampa
The cafe bills itself as an innovative dining concept “surrounded by good food and good times,” brought to Tampa Bay by chef Badia of Le Cordon Bleu. Although little has been shared about the menu thus far, we can expect “elevated grab and go” eats, as well as dine-in options. An opening date has yet to be announced.
Photo via Brioche Bakery/InstagramChick’nCone
425 Central Ave, St. Petersburg
Get ready for fried nuggets of chicken tossed in sauces of your choice including sweet, mild and spicy. Food porn sensation Chick’nCone is opening a franchise location on the 400 block in St. Petersburg. On a phone call with CL, franchisee Kyle Blanchard said despite setbacks, the restaurant is set to open in late March or early April.
Photo via Chick’nCone/InstagramDeVito’s Italian Specialties
200 N. Tampa St., Tampa.
Utilizing his 12 years of experience in the bar and restaurant industry, James DeVito has created DeVito’s Italian Specialties, stationed at a former Nathan’s Famous Hot Dogs space in downtown Tampa. The menu will be full of Italian classics like pastas, Roman-style pizzas, and bread.
Photo ? Devito’s Italian SpecialtiesDoc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille
800 2nd Ave. N.E., St. Petersburg
The seafood-forward concept is opening on the St. Pete Pier in March (the pier finally opens May 30.) Waterfront views while dining is a great way to welcome the new, long-awaited debut of the pier.
Photo via Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille/FacebookGulfport Brewery + Eatery
3007 Beach Blvd., Gulfport
Right in time for Tampa Bay Beer Week, Gulfport Brewery + Eatery is hosting a March 10 soft opening. Anyone willing to pay $20 for admission gets their first beer free.
Photo via Gulfport Brewery + Eatery/FacebookHeavy’s Food Truck
911 22nd St. S., St. Petersburg
Heavy’s Food Truck has been slinging its prized Southern comfort food throughout Tampa Bay for five years now—and it’s finally opening a brick and mortar location in southside St. Petersburg. A date has yet to be announced.
Photo via Heavy’s Food Truck/WebsiteHiccups & Churroholic
13030 N. Dale Mabry Hwy.,Tampa
Hiccups & Churroholic is coming to Tampa and set to offer both over-the-top desserts and asian-fusion cuisine under one roof. Hiccups serves eclectic Asian-influenced dishes and a variety of specialty drinks, while Churroholic is a Spanish-inspired dessert line with a menu loaded with churros flavors, ice cream, milkshakes, specialty coffee drinks, milk teas, and fruit slushies.
Photo via Hiccups & Churroholic/FacebookLa Pergola
3007 Beach Blvd., Gulfport
Downtown St. Petersburg’s new high-end Italian joint is set to open in Spring 2020. La Pergola posted a teaser of Cacio e Pepe in December, but guests can also expect a lounge area and full bar where top-shelf cocktails are intended to be served. Locals can also expect café sidewalk seating, which is already prevalent in the ‘Burg’s dining culture.
Photo via La Pergola/FacebookLa Pergola
3007 Beach Blvd., Gulfport
Downtown St. Petersburg’s new high-end Italian joint is set to open in Spring 2020. La Pergola posted a teaser of Cacio e Pepe in December, but guests can also expect a lounge area and full bar where top-shelf cocktails are intended to be served. Locals can also expect café sidewalk seating, which is already prevalent in the ‘Burg’s dining culture.
Photo via La Pergola/FacebookStrandhill Public
309 W. Palm Ave., Tampa
In the next few weeks the second location of the Irish pub is set to make its debut. Locals can expect a menu that celebrates modern-day Irish culture while paying homage to traditional cuisine.
Photo via Strandhill Public/FacebookOronzo Honest Italian
18027 Highwood Preserve Pkwy., Tampa
Another Italian joint is hitting the streets this spring called Oronzo Honest Italian. Bavaro’s Pizza Napoletana & Pastaria founder Dan Bavaro and Front Burner Brands restaurant group (Melting Pot) are joining forces to bring Oronzo to life—which means made-from-scratch Italian soups and salads, pasta (of course), and fat dishes featuring steak, chicken, and hand-rolled meatballs. The duo is shooting for a late April opening.
Photo ? Oronzo Honest ItalianLucy’s
2462 Central Ave., St. Petersburg
Set to open in late March, Lucy’s upcoming menu will be much more extensive than its Baum Ave offerings; stand-out dishes include sandwiches like the Reuben, banh mi, falafel and gyro, alongside tacos and quesadillas.
Photo via Epic Eats/BradentonJeni’s Splendid Ice Creams
Multiple locations
The scoop shop with the cult following is opening two locations—one within The Pearl (across from Armature Works) in Tampa Heights scheduled to open this summer and another at Sparkman Wharf with an undisclosed debut date.
? Jeni’s Splendid Ice CreamsLucy’s
2462 Central Ave., St. Petersburg
Set to open in late March, Lucy’s upcoming menu will be much more extensive than its Baum Ave offerings; stand-out dishes include sandwiches like the Reuben, banh mi, falafel and gyro, alongside tacos and quesadillas.
Photo via Lucy’s/Facebook
