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25 new restaurants coming to Tampa Bay this spring and summer

By CL Staff on Fri, Mar 8, 2024 at 3:15 pm

We're only a few months into 2024, and Tampa Bay's restaurant scene is starting to heat up.

So far this year, six Tampa restaurants were added to the 2024 Michelin Guide, Dunedin and Clearwater both got new food halls, there's new dim sum spots, a fancy taco vendor has emerged, and more. But we're about to get a few more surprises.

Here are a few of the hottest new eats coming to Tampa Bay this spring and summer.

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Olivia

225 1st Ave. N, St. Petersburg
Riding off the success of his new Tampa restaurant Ponte Modern American, a renowned local chef is ready to tackle his next culinary endeavor. James Beard semifinalist Chef Chris Ponte will soon open a downtown St. Pete location of popular Italian restaurant Olivia (stylized "OLIVIA"), which currently resides in South Tampa. His very first restaurant and only concept in Pinellas County, Clearwater's Cafe Ponte, closed in spring of 2020 after Ponte was unable to reach a lease renewal agreement with his landlord.
Photo via Olivia

Forbici

153 2nd Ave. N, St. Petersburg
Forbici’s second location is slated to open sometime in 2024 within downtown St. Pete’s Sundial mall, marking the beginning of the local brand’s possible nationwide expansion. Co-owner Jeff Gigante—who operates Forbici with partner Joseph Guggino under the Next Level Brands umbrella—estimates that 30-40 locations of the Italian restaurant could eventually open throughout the country. St. Pete’s upcoming Forbici will take up 7,000 square-feet, and will include an indoor-outdoor bar, as well as a 3,000 square-foot shaded patio. The concept will open out of Locale Market’s former parcel, which closed in early 2020 after now-defunct plans for Sundial’s food hall were announced.
Photo via eatforbici/Facebook

Noble Tavern / Facebook

Noble Tavern

1650 Central Ave., St. Petersburg
Noble Tavern, which is a collaborative effort between Noble Crust and Fat Beet Farm Kitchen & Bakery, is hoping to debut sometime soon. The restaurant will be located in the newly built Tru by Hilton St. Petersburg. The spot promises locally-sourced farm fresh flavors from Fat Beet Farm, and the menu will feature classic and craft cocktails, local beer and barrel fresh wines.
Photo via Noble Tavern/Facebook

Fat Boy's Pizza

Address Yet To Be Announced
New Orleans-based pizza chain Fat Boy's is making its way to the Bay, and the company claims to have the "World’s Biggest Pizza Slices." The pizza chain has locations in Louisiana and Mississippi, and now plans to open 10 restaurants across the Tampa Bay region in the next few years. Fat Boy's serves up its pizza in either a half-slice, a 10 and 16-inch pie, or a "whopping 30-inch pie." The chain also boast wings, waffle fries, salads, meatballs, daiquiris and a full liquor bar.
Photo via Fat Boy's Pizza/Facebook

Big Chicken

Locations TBA
Big Chicken, the Shaquille O’Neal-owned fast casual poultry concept, is heading to Florida in a massive way. The company recently signed a 45-unit franchising deal with Florida-based commercial hospitality development company DMD Ventures, which means we can expect Big Chicken locations in Orlando, West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Miami in addition to Tampa Bay. There's currently no timeline for when Tampa Bay's debut Big Chicken franchise will open, a representative for the company told Creative Loafing Tampa Bay. The casual chicken spot's menu is a combination of Shaq's home-cooked childhood favorites and the hottest trending flavors, chock full of chicken sandwiches, tendies and more.
Photo via Photo c/o All Points PR