From Heavy’s Food Truck finally opening a brick-and-mortar storefront, to Florida-native chain Fuzzy’s Taco shop quickly expanding throughout Tampa, here are some of the new restaurants, and newer happenings in Tampa Bay’s ever-changing food scene.
OPENINGS
Cephas Hot Shop Ybor City can once again get its aloe shake fix now that Cephas Hot Shop is reopened in historic Ybor City. Head to the courtyard of Tequilas to get smoothies, shakes, juices and teas. 1613 E. 7th Ave.,Ybor City. INFO
Chocolate Pi Vintage Confectioneries Seminole Heights is now home to this artisan bakery and confectionery across the street from Spaddy’s Coffee. Its menu is chock full of all things sweet including desserts, cakes, confections, and coffee. 5207 N. Florida Ave., Tampa. sweetchocolatepi.com
Grumpy Gringo Burrito Border’s old space in downtown St. Pete has finally made its transition into Grumpy Gringo’s second location, and it’s sticking to the popular theme of staying open late to accommodate the crowds. The new fast-casual Mexican spot offers a variety of tacos ($2 on Tuesdays), burritos, tortas, quesadillas and nachos stuffed with your choice of protein. 17 3rd St. N., St. Petersburg. grumpy-gringo.com
Jinju Korean Grill & Sushi Jinju is impressing St. Pete foodies with its stacked menu of both Japanese and Korean favorites, including bibimbap, seafood pancakes, miso soup, pork kimchi dumplings, and grill-your-own KBBQ-style dinners. 2700 34th St. N., St. Petersburg. jinjukoreangrill.com
Sea Dog Cantina Gulfport’s newest Mexican joint, Sea Dog Cantina, is now open at the downtown space formerly occupied by The Artisan food hall. The new Mexican restaurant and tequila bar concept offers favorites like burritos, tacos, chimichangas and chiles rellenos. 2832 Beach Blvd. S., Gulfport. seadogtreasureisland.com
COMING SOON
BellaBrava Downtown St. Petersburg Italian eatery Bellabrava is moving into a new phase by expanding to the other side of the bridge, with a second location in Midtown Tampa. The new 4,500-square-foot location is slated to open in early 2021—right before the Super Bowl takes over Tampa. 3725 W. Grace St., Tampa. bellabrava.com
Central Park Food Hall A brand new, multifaceted eatery, is taking over the space formerly occupied by Dome Grill. Upscale food court concept Central Park Food Hall has plans to open a three-story joint self-described as “a gastronomic journey the likes of which Tampa Bay has never experienced.” 561 Central Ave. N., St. Petersburg. centralparkfoodhall.com
Epic Eats Cafe Palmetto’s new spot is organizing a massive block party full of raffles and games for its official grand opening on March 1. Don’t look for a big Epic Eats Cafe storefront, however, because this new restaurant is opening inside of North Manatee’s American Legion, where it will sling pizzas, burgers and other comfort food classics. 2419 Bayshore Rd.,Palmetto. epiceatscafe.com
Fuzzy’s Taco Shop Tampa Bay natives and brothers Adam and Ian Lieberman are quickly expanding their casual Mexican concept, Fuzzy’s Taco Shop, throughout Florida—and they’re finally opening a location in their hometown of Riverview on Feb. 24. 10240 Big Bend Rd., Riverview. fuzzystacoshop.com
Gulfport Brewery + Eatery One of the more exciting events on the Tampa Bay Beer Week agenda is this March 10 soft opening where anyone willing to pay $20 for admission gets their first beer free and a taste of its hoppy golden wheat ale and an Irish red ale. 3007 Beach Blvd., Gulfport. gulfport-brewing.com
Heavy’s Food Truck 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. 911 22nd St. S., St. Petersburg. heavysfoodtruck.com
Publix Tampa's Westshore district is just a couple of weeks from opening the doors to the latest Publix location. The official opening date is Thursday, Feb. 27. The more Pub subs, the merrier. 4900 W. Kennedy Blvd., Tampa. publix.com
Strandhill Public 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. 309 W. Palm Ave., Tampa. strandhillpublic.com
The Local Draught House The fifth location of Local Draught House is coming along quietly within the space that formerly housed St. Pete’s McAuley’s Pub. An official opening date has yet to be announced. 1584 Central Ave., St. Petersburg. thelocaldh.com
EVENTS
Columbia Anniversary Dinner To celebrate another insane milestone—it's 115th anniversary—Columbia goes mega-classy with a Tuesday, Feb. 18 five-course dinner featuring seven different wines. $175 per person. To make a reservation, email [email protected] or call 813-248-4961. 2117 E. 7th Ave., Ybor City.
Los Vinos de Dalí Local breweries, restaurants, musicians and artists come together for this trippy event featuring exhibitions, food and booze and entertainment. Sun. March 29. 10 a.m.- 5:30 p.m. Tickets start at $80 for Dalí Museum members. thedali.org
'Mean Girls’ Bar Menu Datz rolled out a "Mean Girls"-inspired drink menu, otherwise known as the "Bar Book" for the month of February. Grab one of five specialty cocktails that pay homage to a movie cult classic. Available at Datz Tampa (2616 S. MacDill Ave.) or the St. Petersburg (180 Central Ave.) datztampa.com
Take the Throne Challenge Contestants have to put down five tenders doused in the Coop's Nashville hot sauce with habanero and Carolina Reaper powder and chug a pour of Angry Chair Brewing’s ghost pepper-infused stout under 12 minutes. Sat. Feb. 29. 1 p.m.-4 p.m. Angry Chair Brewing, 6401 N. Florida Ave., Tampa. INFO
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