For better or for worse, Tampa Bay’s dining scene took a giant leap forward in 2023.

Over the past 12 months, three local restaurants bagged the region’s first Michelin stars, a high-end members only dinner club emerged, multiple omakase spots debuted, Hollywood stars opened new concepts,  and some highly-anticipated chains finally made their big debut.

Well, I guess this means growing up. But overall Tampa Bay’s dining scene saw a vast variety of new culinary flavors and ideas. From new rooftop bars, health-focused Vietnamese spots, and even a “modern ouzeri,” it truly has never been a better time to be a diner in Tampa Bay.

What follows are the most exciting new eateries that popped up in Tampa Bay this year. 

Ebbe 1202 N Franklin St., Tampa Internationally-acclaimed, two-time Michelin star winner Chef Ebbe Vollmer’s newest restaurant Ebbe (stylized “EBBE”) opened in what used to be Mole y Abuela’s in late May. “Our menu. Our choices…a fixed menu that features all the best seasonal produce,” Ebbe’s newly-formed website reads. Currently the restaurant offers two different reservations: Chef’s Counter Small Menu featuring a five-course meal ($115 a person), and Chef’s Counter Full Tasting Menu, which offers a 14-course meal ($285 a person). Photo via Ebbe Vollmer/Instagram
Beacon 510 Water St, Tampa Situated on the 27th floor, JW Marriott Tampa Water Street’s new rooftop bar Beacon is the “tallest public rooftop bar in Tampa,” according to the company, and the second tallest in the state of Florida. The space debuted last September, and became a viral sensation almost immediately, offering guests the chance to sip on craft cocktails, snack on booze-friendly share-ables, and arguably the best view of Hillsborough Bay, the Garrison and Sedon Channels and the Ybor Turning Basin. Photo via JW Marriott

5. Sunda New Asian

3648 Midtown Dr., Tampa
“This upscale Asian fusion restaurant exceeded all my expectations! 1st impressions are everything to me. I’ll never forget my first experience. I’m now a regular! From the moment I walked in for the first time, i was greeted warmly by the management and staff, who provided exceptional service throughout my visit. The food was phenomenal–each dish beautifully presented and bursting with unique flavors that showcased the perfect blend of traditional and modern Asian cuisine.” – Katrina M. Credit: Photo via Sunda New Asian
The Pearl 823 Water St. Suite C-100, Tampa, 813-709-7776 One of the latest additions to the booming Water Street district of Tampa, The Pearl had its grand opening at the beginning of March. Its interior was inspired by vintage and urban design, and offers a variety of menu options, from weekend brunch favorites like chicken and waffles, to dinner specialities like ricotta dumplings with acorn squash. Indoor dining room seating is available, but its outdoor patio offers a view of the city and the Amalie Arena. And kids of all ages will love the deviled egg appetizer. Photo via The Pearl/Facebook

Best Asian Restaurant

Fortu
Finalists: Yummy House, Hawkers Asian Street Food Credit: Photo via Fortu/Instagram
Kosen 307 W Palm Ave.,Tampa Bento owners want to bring New York and Tokyo flavor to a new concept to Tampa Heights. Kōsen’s chef, Wei Chen is an alum of New York Japanese restaurant Masa, a three-Michelin star establishment. Last September, reps for Chen shared plans to do an 18-course reservation-only omakase, which includes 12 nigiri pieces ($250/person). Kosen’s private omakase room will be able to accommodate 10 people at the sushi counter, and a separate dining room can fit 25 people. A 10-course, $150 per person tasting menu will be available, too. Kosen has yet to announce an opening date. Photo via Omei Restaurant Group Credit: Photo via Omei Restaurant Group
Small Giant 1011 E Cumberland Ave., Tampa, 813-921-0571 Boasting a large dining room with easy to eat food and drink like Columbus-style pizza and cocktails, Small Giant has deemed itself a “little bar with a big heart” according to its Instagram. Small Giant opened in mid-February in the booming Water Street district, and is owned by Cru Hospitality, which also owns six other concepts in Tampa Bay. Some highlights of the menu include the kimchi bacon cheese burger, and its featured blush and bashful beer. Photo via Small Giant/Facebook

9. Tori Bar

442 W Grand Central Ave. #190, Tampa
“After receiving so many recommendations to this place, I finally made it–and wow, just wow. If I could’ve ordered the entire menu, I would’ve! Seriously, everything we tried was amazing. Nothing was a miss. The standout dishes I highly recommend (and were also suggested to me) include the Hokkaido scallop and truffle paste hand roll, smashed Japanese cucumber (trust me on this one), hamachi crudo, Hokkaido scallop truffle carpaccio, fresh salmon crudo, mentaiko fries, truffle scallop rice pot, and the wagyu beef skewer. This place is a gem, serving some of the freshest fish I’ve had, and it’s now at the top of my list for sushi spots in the Tampa Bay area.” – Samantha C. Credit: Photo by Tori Bar
Boulon Brasserie 1001 Water St., Tampa, 813- 768-9988 From the same company as Union New American comes Boulon Brasserie, this French style brasserie with a modern twist that opened in Tampa’s Water Street District towards the end of January. The 7,000-square foot restaurant spared no expense in design and buildout, and features two outdoor patios and floor to ceiling windows. Its menu boasts entrees like scallop risotto, and duck confit, and was created by Chef Habteb ‘Hab’ Hamde, who previously worked as executive chef at Bern’s Steakhouse for 26 years. Don’t skip out on the blue crab croquette. Photo via Boulon Brasserie and Bakery/Facebook Credit: Photo via Boulon Brasserie
Ro 1500 W Swann Ave, Tampa Ro’s kitchen is helmed by Michelin-starred Chef Kiichi Okabe, who has worked at fine dining restaurants across the world in cities like Japan, Dubai and Las Vegas— including Singapore’s Shoukouwa, which earned two Michelin stars in 2016 under Okabe’s leadership. Patrons of the upcoming Hyde Park concept can expect a wide spread of sushi featuring fresh seafood from Tokyo’s famed Toyosu Market, table-side Peking duck (which must be ordered in advance due to its lengthy preparation process), and an A5 wagyu entree. Photo via Ro Hyde Park
Calida Kitchen & Wine 2909 Dr M.L.K. Jr .St. N, St. Petersburg Debuting last spring, Calida brings an intimate, globaly-inspired cuisine to St Petersburg’s Crescent Heights neighborhood. The eclectic menu and curated wine selection certainly make it a destination for foodies across The ‘Burg, offering popular dishes like chow noodles, loaded with ginger, garlic, fresh vegetables, tamari, sesame and lime. Calida also offers a rotating charcuterie board, empanadas, baked polenta and decadent weekend specials—like its spiced ahi tuna with sesame ponzu, radish, and garlic chips. Photo via Calidastpete/Instagram Credit: calidastpete / Instagram
Union New American 1111 N Westshore Blvd. Annex B, Tampa Union New American, the new two-story concept from Tampa-based restaurant group Next Level Brands, centers its dishes around an American white oak fire hearth, and spans 10,000-square-feet. The main floor features a huge dining area and bar, with a lounge and terrace on the second floor. The kitchen is led by Chef Adam Polisei, who led concepts like Ocean Prime and Mitchell’s Fish Market. Some menu highlights guests can expect are sushi, smoked eggplant enchiladas and yellowfin tuna tartare. Photo via Next Level Brands Credit: Union New American / Facebook
Cane & Barrel 110 2nd St. N, St. Petersburg Located on the eighth floor of the 36-story hotel and apartment complex Ascent St. Petersburg, Cane and Barrel is a Cuban-inspired bar and lounge that opened in early March. There’s an indoor bar and outdoor patio, with rum being the star of the menu, as the name itself is a homage to the spirit’s voyage from “cane” to “barrel.” Photo via Cane and Barrel/Facebook
Kura Revolving Sushi Bar 214 Westshore Plaza C-39, Tampa As the name suggests, Kura Revolving Sushi Bar centers around a two-layered conveyor belt system, which moves around the room and allows guests to choose from over 140 Japanese-style dishes as they pass by the table. Besides sushi, the menu offers various soups like ramen, udon and miso, as well as sides including dumplings, fried rice, tempura, and a fairly large dessert menu spanning items like mochi ice cream, sesame balls and cheesecake. Photo via Kura Revolving Sushi Bar Credit: Photo via Kura Revolving Sushi Bar
Coasis Brandi Gergle, Melissa Gardner 7701 N Nebraska Ave, Tampa, 813-551-0791 The new hybrid style restaurant, Coasis offers up food, hookah and a salon all in the same spot. Co-owner “Melly” Gardner heads up the kitchen and is well-known for her popular St. Pete-based food truck “Three Generations.” Look for everything from oysters, shrimp ceviche or a bone-in cowboy ribeye on the eclectic menu. Photo via Coasis/Instagram Credit: coasistampa / Instagram
Pete’s Ybor 1804 E 4th Ave., Ybor City From the minds behind Pete’s Bagels, Pete’s Ybor opened last March bringing its famous breakfast and bagels to this side of the Bay featuring five all-day bagel options, as well as yogurts and granola. Besides breakfast, fig and brie sandwiches are also up for grabs. There’s also a nice selection of local beer and wine, and a patio that offers free wifi perfect for working and social gathering. Photo via Pete’s General/Facebook
Barbouni 2701 Central Ave., St. Petersburg Barbouni is a new raw bar and “modern ouzeri” from the folks at Baba, that features conservas, which is known as canned seafood in European countries and is served with bread or crackers. There’s an intimate raw bar that allows guests to watch their fresh oysters being shucked, but the main thing here is conservas, including mackerel, sardines, smoked mussels and razor clams. Photo via Barbouni/Instagram Credit: @barbouniatbaba / Instagram
Bamboozle 7107 N Florida Ave.,Tampa After 14 years at its flagship location in downtown Tampa, health-focused Vietnamese restaurant Bamboozle will be moving to Seminole Heights. Known for its pho, spring rolls and vegetarian friendly menu, the new location will be right next to classic ice cream spot Bo’s and will offer ample parking for its patrons. Photo via @eatbamboozle/Instagram Credit: Bamboozle / Facebook
Sesh 2221 4th St. N, St. Petersburg, 727-933-0266 St. Pete’s highly-anticipated craft brewery and restaurant, Sesh, has finally opened after years of restoring its historic 4th Street building. With a history of supposed ghost sightings, Sesh embraces its past, calling its kid’s menu for ‘lil goblins.’ Sesh St. Pete is now open from 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays and 10 a.m.-3 p.m. for brunch on Sundays. Credit: Sesh St. Pete / Facebook
The Dan 905 N Florida Ave., Tampa Earlier this year, one of downtown Tampa’s most notable historic landmarks debuted its swanky new dining addition. The historic Floridan Palace Hotel—now known as Hotel Flor—opened its new restaurant The Dan last May, replacing the hotel’s former signature restaurant Sapphire Lounge. Inspired by the Roaring’20s with a New Orleans-style approach to cuisine, The Dan is a “modern take on old-school speakeasies.” Photo via TheDan/Facebook Credit: Photo via thedantampa/Facebook
Pepper’s Island 1701 E 4th Ave., Ybor City Trinidadian restaurant Pepper’s Island officially debuted last August. The official opening of Pepper’s Island marks an important chapter for owner Rodney Dhanraj, who had a long-term goal of opening a restaurant in honor of his grandparent’s 60 year-old roti shop back in Trinidad. Guests can dive into dishes like stewed chicken, curry duck, and paratha aka “Buss up Shot.” Photo by Kyla Fields Credit: Kyla Fields

Best Hotel Restaurant

Sal Rosa
Finalists:Bluefin Waterfront Grill, Casa Cami Credit: Photo by Sal Rosa

Ybor Seoul

1531 E 7th Ave., Ybor City
Sandwiched between 7-Eleven and King Corona Cigars in the heart of Ybor City is newly-opened Korean restaurant Ybor Seoul. The menu specializes in popular Korean fare—from street food-inspired bites like cheese and sausage-filled corn dogs and grilled skewers to everyday eats like kimbap (rice, veggies, protein and rice wrapped in seaweed), spicy rice cakes, dumplings, chicken wings and a variety of hearty soups. Ybor Seoul is not a typical, full-service restaurant with waiters. Instead, customers order on Wawa-style touch screens before the food is brought out by an employee. Its dining room boasts about 20 seats, a standing bar for on-the-go bar hoppers and two TVs playing non-stop K-pop music videos. Credit: Kyla Fields
Yard House 450 Channelside Dr, Tampa Popular beer bar chain Yard House is looking to open in downtown Tampa. Yard House features plenty of classic bar bites, as well as an extensive selection of vegan dishes made from plant-based brand Gardein. But most importantly, the big attraction here is the extensive beer list, which features over 100 beers on tap. The concept is owned by Darden Restaurant Group, which also owns Olive Garden, The Capital Grille, and LongHorn Steakhouse. As of now, no opening date has been determined. Photo via Yard House/Facebook Credit: Photo via Yard House/Facebook
Lepley’s Kitchen + Lounge 6310 N Florida Ave, Tampa Lepley’s Kitchen & Lounge recently opened out of Seminole Heights’ former Social House space, which quietly closed earlier this year. Complete with craft cocktails and choice bottles of champagne, a kitchen dishing out Southern-Caribbean fusion cuisine, plus a dining room and outdoor space that seats over 100 patrons, Lepley tells CL that his debut business venture is equal parts restaurant, lounge and bar. He owns the concept with friend and business partner York, local DJ and event organizer DMC Vybz, and Raffy Bautista, a Tampa-based club promoter. Photo via Lepley’s Credit: Photo c/o Lepley's

Colin Wolf has been working with weekly newspapers since 2007 and has been the Digital Editor for Creative Loafing Tampa since 2019. He is also the Director of Digital Content Strategy for CL's parent...

Kyla Fields is the food critic and former managing editor of Creative Loafing Tampa Bay who started their journey at CL as summer 2019 intern. They are the proud owner of a charming, sausage-shaped, eight-year-old...