The 20 best new St. Pete bars and restaurants that opened so far this year

Bonu’ Taverna

601 Central Ave.
Inspired by the flavors of Southern Italy and the Mediterranean, Bonu’ Taverna is a self-described “avant garde concept” with an expansive, ever-changing menu. Taking over the space long-occupied by popular vegan spot Cider-Press Cafe, Bonu’ offers small and large plates, salads, paninis, pasta and an assortment of gluten free and vegan options.
Photo via Kyla Fields

Black Radish Downtown St. Pete

246 Dr. MLK Jr. St. N
Though Black Radish Vegan Grocer opened its St. Pete location last December, its highly praised and inclusive cuisine makes it only appropriate to be featured on this list. Like its flagship Ybor location, Black Radish offers something for all types of plant-based eaters and beyond. The DTSP location also offers a deli which makes made-to-order sandwiches and specials.
Photo via @blackradishgrocerdtsp/Instagram

Jay Luigi

3201 4th St. N
Serving pastas, salads, bowls and Roman and Neapolitan-inspired pizzas, Jay Luigi’s fast-casual Italian says it offers “quality without compromise.” From the Tampa-native food conglomerate Ciccio Restaurant Group and the management behind Hyde Park’s Forbici, Jay Luigi blends traditional and modern Italian flavors for both dinner and lunch.
Photo via Jay Luigi St. Pete/Facebook

Taverna Costale

200 Central Ave. Suite 165
The newest restaurant to come from celebrity chef and restaurateur Fabio Viviani, Taverna Costale came to downtown St. Pete this January. Known for its inventive menu and wide assortment of ornate cocktails, Taverna Costale is known for its seafood dishes like its squid ink paccheri and grilled swordfish piccata.
Photo via Taverna Costale/Website

House of Vegano

655 31st St. S
One of the newer plant-based spots, House of Vegano in St. Pete’s emerging Warehouse Arts District offers vegan sushi, ramen and ngiri without any compromises of the cuisine’s classic umami flavors. With an ever growing menu of both classic and inventive rolls, House of Vegano is just getting started.
Photo via Molly Ryan

Pierogi Bar

6661 Central Ave.
Self-described as St. Pete’s “first and best” Ukrainian restaurant, Pierogi Bar, brought its specialties to the bay in May. From its Ukranian beet soup to borscht and the “more than a century-old family recipe” to potato pancakes, the Pierogi Bar, of course, specializes in its namesake. With pierogi fillings expanding beyond the traditional potato, the spot offers selections like potato and sauerkraut and dessert perogies.
Photo via Pierogi Bar/Facebook

Where’s Jubes

277 Central Ave.
In the hundred-year-old building that used to host Lucky Dill Deli in downtown, now sits the Australian brewpub Where’s Jubes. Coming from the Australian roots of restaurateur Josh Cameron (aka “Jubes”), Where’s Jubes offers brews with hops imported from Australia, a grill-centered menu, local beers and “Aussie-inspired” cocktails.
Photo via Josh Cameron

Roam Restaurant and Bar

3405 34th St. N
Offering internationally-inspired dishes with a background in American barbecue, the owners of Red’s BBQ food truck opened Roam Restaurant and Bar in St. Pete’s Lealman neighborhood. An upscale dining experience, Roam hosts a menu with a wide assortment of steak cuts, flavorful entrees, decadent sides and colorful cocktails.
Photo via Roam Restaurant/Facebook

Raising Cane’s

2639 Central Ave.
After years of food truck fame, Twisted Indian opened its brick-and-mortar location this May. Pairing the classic flavors of Indian dishes and American-style presentation, Twisted Indian’s curritos and naanwiches bring a whole new world of cuisine to St. Pete’s Grand Central District.
Photo via The Twisted Indian/Facebook

Portillo's

2302 Tyrone Blvd. N
Portillo’s is more than a chain, it’s a Chicago delicacy. With its new Tyrone Square location, St. Pete became the third Florida city to host the fast food spot. Known for dogs served in a poppy seed bun and Italian beef sandwiches with an option to dip in gravy, the chain also serves crinkle cut fries, burgers, shakes, sausages and more. The chain is practically a Chicago delicacy.
Photo via Portillo’s (St. Petersburg, FL)/Facebook

King of the Coop

6928 22nd Ave. N
As some of the best Nashville-style fried chicken in the area, St. Pete’s King of the Coop opened its highly anticipated doors in February. With St. Pete being its third location since first opening its original Seminole Heights spot in 2019—and another on the way in Wesley Chapel—King of the Coop has quickly become a Bay Area staple.
Photo via King of the Coop/Facebook

The Works

495 7th Ave. N
A project from the folks behind Squeeze Juice Works on Central, The Works in historic Uptown brought another plant-based joint to The ‘Burg at the start of 2022. With vegan items that “heal the body and fortify the soul,” The Works offers seasonal and permanent menus, with hot platters as well as cold, ready-to-eat meals available to purchase at the register.
Photo via The Works/Google

Flip Crepes and Waffles

625 Central Ave.
On the Central Avenue block between Fifth and Sixth Street are some of the city’s most unique and popular restaurants. This year, Flip Crepes and Waffles joined the ranks. Serving an impressive array of crepes, waffles, coffee and tea, Flip offers items both sweet and savory that take influence from the best of American and European flavors — including an option to craft your own concoction.
Photo via Flip Crepes and Waffles/Google

LALA St. Pete

2324 Central Ave.
As St. Pete’s first spot with private, uniquely themed ready-to-rent karaoke rooms, LALA brings a more upscale approach to your typical karaoke experience. As part of the Grand Central Brewhouse, LALA also hosts a dining room, garden and rooftop bar. Open day or night, the brunch, lunch and dinner menus boast an “elevated” blend of Mediterranean and American cuisine.
Photo via LALA St. Pete/Facebook

Tacos My Love

400 49th St. S
With an appropriate grand opening on Cinco De Mayo, Tacos My Love serves “authentic Mexican Cuisine” like tacos and fajitas as well as an array of appetizers, entrees and plant-based options. On top of grub, the spot hosts live music and a number of thoughtfully crafted cocktails, like their Takis michelada or pineapple jalapeno margarita.
Photo via @tacosmyloveofficial/Instagram

2D Cafe

2105 Central Ave.
As one of many new spots to open this year in St. Pete’s Grand Central District, 2D Cafe is the only one where its patrons are invited to “be the art.” Inspired by similar concepts in Japan and Europe, 2D Cafe is an immersive experience which surrounds customers in a black and white, two-dimensional cartoon environment—its only pops of color coming from the European-style pastries and dishes, coffees, teas and patrons.
Photo via @the2dcafe/Instagram

Salty Nun

2501 Central Ave.
Grand Central’s Salty Nun comes from the minds behind two of Gulfport’s finest: Stella’s and Salty’s. With brunch and dinner menus, Salty Nun keeps the good eats and live music coming until the evening, serving Stella’s classics like its famous fried green tomatoes and Salty’s assortment of morning and evening cocktails.
Photo via Salty Nun/Facebook

The Brutalist / Temple of Beer

1776 11th Ave. N
The brainchild of King State Beer’s Aric Parker and former head brewer of hidden Springs Ale Works, Vinny Giusto, The Brutalist is one of the newest concepts to come to St. Pete’s booming brewery scene. With its taproom aptly named the Temple of Beer, Brutalist offers 20 frequently rotating taps of in-house brews and an inviting space for its patrons to unwind and socialize.
Photo via The Brutalist/Facebook

Cap’s

226 First Ave. N
Having celebrated its grand opening just last month, Cap’s brings a new look to the space that formerly hosted First Avenue’s MacDinton’s Irish Pub. With colorful, outdoor-only seating perfect for downtown people watching, Cap’s hosts a seafood-forward menu with “tastes of Old Florida with modern Americana flare.”
Photo via Coffee Grounds/Facebook

Pop Goes The Waffle

5004 S Tangerine Ave., Gulfport
While this waffle-centric dessert spot is technically in Gulfport, Pop Goes the Waffle has earned a spot on this list for its far-reaching fanbase. Another tale of a food-truck-turned-storefront, Pop Goes the Waffle offers a unique twist on the classic treat with flavors like cinnamon toast and lemon poppyseed, as well as additional fillings and toppings.
Photo via Pop Goes the Waffle/Facebook