Briefs
Headlines and short briefs from the Tampa Bay Certified editorial desk. 99 published in section: food.
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FOOD · SOHO
Michael Disser opens Howard & Platt in the former TC Choy's at South Howard and Platt
Disser's third SoHo concept takes the 6,325-sq-ft TC Choy's corner at South Howard and Platt, slated to open this July.
Jun 25, 2026
FOOD · ST. PETE
Naked Farmer takes over former EVOS space on 4th Street North in St. Pete
The farm-to-table chain's second St. Pete location will be its 4th Tampa Bay outpost and 8th statewide, planned for summer 2026.
Jun 23, 2026
FOOD · DOWNTOWN ST. PETE
Chef Jeremy Duclut opens Marcel in the former Left Bank Bistro space in downtown St. Pete
The French-inspired Marcel takes over the former Left Bank Bistro with a roughly 25-dish menu planned for September.
Jun 19, 2026
FOOD · TAMPA HEIGHTS
Café Rialto opens inside Tampa Heights' 102-year-old Rialto Theatre
The historic movie palace's ground floor now houses a walk-in café and a reservations-only afternoon tearoom.
Jun 17, 2026
FOOD · ST. PETE
Good Intentions closes in St. Pete after four years as a vegan and community anchor
The plant-based restaurant and LGBTQ+ gathering space cited ongoing economic challenges in its closing announcement.
Jun 15, 2026
FOOD · SOUTH TAMPA
Ivry. opens on Dale Mabry with pistachio lattes and a Middle Eastern café menu
Areej and Jareer debuted the South Tampa café in May with za'atar flatbreads, crème brûlée donuts, and specialty espresso drinks.
Jun 11, 2026
FOOD · PINELLAS PARK
Sisters Kim Vo and Tammy Lien open Oou Cha on 34th Street North in Pinellas Park
Vo and Lien open Oou Cha at 6251 34th St N in Pinellas Park with overseas-sourced teas and single-cultivar Okumidori matcha.
Jun 11, 2026
FOOD · BRANDON
Better Blend opens first Florida storefront in Brandon
Franchisees Mike and Hillary Faustini debut the Kentucky protein-smoothie chain at 955 East Brandon Boulevard.
Jun 9, 2026
FOOD · WATER STREET TAMPA
Boulon Brasserie launches a daytime bakery menu in Water Street Tampa
The French-American brasserie adds a morning and lunch bakery program to its Water Street Tampa presence.
Jun 8, 2026
FOOD · SOUTH TAMPA
Beach House Coffee opens in South Tampa as café, bakery, and boutique
The pastel-pink café serves specialty coffee, fresh juices, and house-baked pastries Tuesday through Sunday in South Tampa.
Jun 8, 2026
FOOD · NORTHDALE
Mother's returns to Northdale with a new chef after nearly a year away
The Northdale staple has reopened after nearly a year, with new kitchen leadership, a revised menu, and live music restored.
Jun 6, 2026
FOOD · ST. PETE BEACH
Tuttorosso closes on Blind Pass Road, citing hurricane repair costs
The family-owned Neapolitan pizzeria on Blind Pass Road has closed after repair costs from Hurricanes Helene and Milton proved unsustainable.
Jun 5, 2026
FOOD · DOWNTOWN ST. PETE
Former Kōsen chef Alex Chamberlain opens Mei in Downtown St. Pete
Alex Chamberlain, formerly of Michelin-starred Kōsen, has opened Mei for soft-opening dinner service in downtown St. Pete.
Jun 4, 2026
FOOD · WESLEY CHAPEL
Bonchon opens sit-down flagship at The Hub at Lexington Oaks in Wesley Chapel
The global Korean fried chicken chain debuted Tampa Bay's first full-service location May 20, with 70 seats, a full bar, and an outdoor patio.
Jun 4, 2026
FOOD · GRAND CENTRAL DISTRICT
Neighborhood Wine Shop's owners open Nightwatch in St. Pete's Grand Central
Bryce Kennedy and Sydney Knowlton are bringing Nightwatch, a 250-to-300-label wine bar, to St. Pete's Grand Central District.
Jun 3, 2026
FOOD · YBOR CITY
La Sétima debuts Double Six, a coffee-and-breakfast program, on Ybor's 7th Avenue
The natural wine bar launches a daytime concept on June 6, pairing specialty coffee and breakfast burritos with its existing evening wine program.
Jun 3, 2026
FOOD · DOWNTOWN ST. PETE
Red Mesa Cantina closes on 3rd Street South as Veytia Ventures files for Chapter 11
The 16-year downtown St. Pete fixture shut abruptly June 3, one day after parent Veytia Ventures filed for Chapter 11 with up to $10M in liabilities.
Jun 2, 2026
FOOD · DOWNTOWN ST. PETE
Forbici Modern Italian takes over the former Sea Salt space at Sundial
Jeff Gigante's Hyde Park Italian brand brings Roman-style pizza and its signature happy hour to downtown St. Pete this month.
Jun 2, 2026
FOOD · DUNEDIN
Chopped champion Jordan Arcuri opens Origen in the former Señor Rita's on Broadway
The Food Network winner's Dunedin debut blends upscale steakhouse with Tulum-inspired design and a rooftop bar.
Jun 1, 2026
FOOD · HYDE PARK
Good Luck Chuck's takes over the former SoHo Saloon space on South Howard
The retro-themed dance bar, now open at 410 S Howard Ave, adds two bars and a late-night kitchen to the SoHo corridor.
May 29, 2026
FOOD · DOWNTOWN TAMPA
Nagi takes over Gen X Tavern's Jackson Street space this October
Dave Burton's former Gen X Tavern becomes a Japanese sushi and izakaya concept from the Soho Sushi team.
May 29, 2026
FOOD · WESTSHORE MARINA DISTRICT
Rio Izakaya opens in Westshore Marina with dry-aged sushi and Japanese oak yakitori
The Marina Landings izakaya is dry-aging fish in-house and milling rice daily, per the operator.
May 29, 2026
FOOD · DOWNTOWN TAMPA
Green Bench Brewing opens its first Tampa location at 200 N Tampa St
The St. Pete lager staple crosses the bay with rare taproom pours and limited releases for downtown Tampa.
May 28, 2026
FOOD · DOWNTOWN TAMPA
Gen X Tavern closes its doors on East Jackson Street after seven years in downtown Tampa
Owner Dave Burton confirms a July 2026 closing for the retro-themed bar at 103 E Jackson St, with a new concept already planned for the space.
May 28, 2026
FOOD · DREW PARK
Two Shepherds closes in Drew Park as Gambit Games takes over the dog bar's Grady Ave space
The Drew Park dog bar closes May 29 and hands its 4813 N Grady Ave lease to an all-ages board game and trading card café.
May 28, 2026
FOOD · ST. PETE BEACH
The Luce opens June 11 at the former Postcard Inn on Gulf Boulevard
The rebranded St. Pete Beach resort debuts the Sundrop coastal restaurant with Gulf seafood, Wagyu, and weekly rum tastings.
May 27, 2026
FOOD · SPARKMAN WHARF
Cru Hospitality Group opens Smith's Provisions and The Back Bar at Sparkman Wharf
The Tampa group behind Wine on Water and Bouzy brings a burger counter and cocktail bar to Water Street's waterfront market.
May 26, 2026
FOOD · GRAND CENTRAL DISTRICT
Buttermilk Eatery takes over Urban Brew & BBQ's Central Ave address in St. Pete
The Pinellas County brunch chain brings robot servers and a full bar to the Grand Central District this summer.
May 26, 2026
FOOD · SOHO
Daily Eats closes this June; Meeting House takes over 901 South Howard
The longtime SoHo brunch spot ends its run and reopens under a new concept adding cocktails and dinner service to the address.
May 24, 2026
FOOD · SOUTH TAMPA
Indigo Road's O-Ku opens its first Tampa Bay location at Bayshore Gardens on Bay to Bay
The Indigo Road Hospitality Group brings its Japanese chain to 2907 W Bay to Bay Blvd with a two-story riverfront space and rooftop lounge.
May 23, 2026
FOOD · SOUTH TAMPA
Indigo Road's O-Ku opens at Bayshore Gardens on Bay to Bay in South Tampa
Indigo Road Hospitality Group's O-Ku debuts in Tampa Bay with a two-story riverfront space, rooftop bar, and omakase program.
May 22, 2026
FOOD · BRUCE B DOWNS
Yumsem Eats reopens on Bruce B Downs after Fletcher Ave closure
Yumsem Eats is reopening near USF at 11802 Bruce B Downs Blvd after its Fletcher Avenue location closed earlier this year.
May 22, 2026
FOOD · WAREHOUSE ARTS DISTRICT
31 South debuts above St. Petersburg Distillery in the Warehouse Arts District
The 45-seat lounge occupies a redesigned upstairs space at 800 31st St S and opened May 1, Thursday through Saturday evenings.
May 21, 2026
FOOD · LARGO
Parlor Doughnuts brings its layered doughnut format to Largo's West Bay Drive
The Indiana-born chain opens at 430 West Bay Drive on May 23, marking its entry into the Tampa Bay market.
May 19, 2026
FOOD · ST. PETE BEACH
Playa Taco Cocina y Tequilería debuts at TradeWinds Resort on St. Pete Beach
Playa Taco Cocina y Tequilería opens at TradeWinds Resort on Gulf Boulevard with a Gulf-front tequila bar and Mexican menu.
May 18, 2026
FOOD · BON AIR
The Violet Stone targets W Kennedy Blvd for a South Tampa debut in September
The Philly-style pizza and cheesesteak brand that grew from a St. Pete food truck in 2022 targets a September opening in Bon Air.
May 18, 2026
FOOD · DOWNTOWN CLEARWATER
Hanami Japanese Izakaya lands at 635 Cleveland Street in Downtown Clearwater
A Japanese restaurant group with 30 years in the business is bringing an izakaya to 635 Cleveland Street in Downtown Clearwater.
May 14, 2026
FOOD · WESTSHORE
Sapphire Lounge and Supper Club soft-opens in Westshore with a 1950s supper club revival
The 1950s-inspired Westshore venue debuted this week with rare prime cuts, nightly live entertainment, and a strictly enforced formal dress code.
May 13, 2026
FOOD · DALE MABRY
SoDough Square brings Detroit-style pizza to Dale Mabry this summer
The brand — three Orlando locations strong and recently opened in St. Pete — is targeting Dale Mabry as its South Tampa debut this summer.
May 11, 2026
FOOD · DOWNTOWN TAMPA
Exciting New Addition: Matilde Set to Enrich Downtown Tampa's Culinary Scene
A coastal Mexican steakhouse is on the horizon for Tampa's Riverwalk area.
May 8, 2026
FOOD · WATER STREET
Flour Hustler Takes Over Spark Square: A Month of Irresistible Baked Goods
Tampa’s beloved scratch bakery is now serving its signature treats at Water Street, and you won’t want to miss it.
May 8, 2026
FOOD · GRAND CENTRAL DISTRICT
Cousin Vinny’s Sandwich Co. Expands to St. Pete: A Culinary Delight for Central Avenue
The beloved sandwich shop brings authentic Italian-American flavors to the Grand Central District.
May 7, 2026
FOOD · TEMPLE TERRACE
Sufrat Ramallah: Tampa's Newest Culinary Gem Celebrates Palestinian Heritage
Experience authentic Palestinian cuisine at Temple Terrace's first dedicated café.
May 6, 2026
FOOD · SOUTH TAMPA
A Fond Farewell to Haven: South Tampa's Culinary Gem Transitions to a New Era
Haven bids adieu as Peddler + Potter Oyster House prepares to take its place in South Tampa.
May 5, 2026
FOOD · NORTH HYDE PARK
A New Flame in Tampa's Culinary Scene: Lumbre Set to Ignite Taste Buds
Get ready for an exciting Spanish dining experience in North Hyde Park.
May 4, 2026
FOOD · GRAND CENTRAL DISTRICT
Say Coffee House Opens Its Doors in St. Pete, Bringing Authentic Vietnamese Brews to Central Ave
A new destination for coffee enthusiasts in the Grand Central District has arrived.
Apr 30, 2026
FOOD · YBOR CITY
Unveiling Tommy's Chophouse: The New Steakhouse Making Waves in Ybor City
A unique dining experience awaits at the historic Kress Contemporary building.
Apr 30, 2026
FOOD · ST. PETERSBURG
Unwind in Style: Experience L’Apéro Evenings at Café Clementine
Discover the perfect way to kick back on Thursday nights in St. Petersburg.
Apr 29, 2026
FOOD · ST. PETERSBURG
Introducing Mei: St. Pete's Innovative Culinary Destination
A bold fusion of flavors and techniques is set to elevate the dining scene in St. Petersburg.
Apr 28, 2026