Tampa Bay Certified · Food & Drink
Food & Drink
Restaurants, bars, cafes, menu changes, chef moves, and food-business news.
Seminole Heights
Southern Brewing & Winemaking closes in Seminole Heights after 18 years
After 18 years as Seminole Heights' homebrew anchor, Southern Brewing & Winemaking will close in August 2026 as its owners retire.
Jul 10, 2026
Lutz
Bhimavaram Ruchulu opens its second Tampa Bay location at FL-54 in Lutz
The Temple Terrace Telugu restaurant opened at 24726 FL-54 on July 7, bringing its regional Andhra-Telangana menu north to Lutz.
Jul 8, 2026
Clearwater
Capogna's Dugout closes in Clearwater after 52 years of family ownership
The pizza-and-hoagie institution founded in March 1973 served its last customers on June 26.
Jul 7, 2026
Downtown St. Pete
The Winfield opens a 22-seat underground cocktail parlor on St. Pete's Central Avenue
The belowground bar at 551 Central Ave seats just 22 guests in a dark-wood, old-Florida-themed space.
Jul 6, 2026
Citrus Park
Shaq's Big Chicken expands to Elev8 Fun in Citrus Park
Shaquille O'Neal's chicken chain is joining Elev8 Fun in Citrus Park, adding a restaurant to the family entertainment complex.
Jul 6, 2026
South Tampa
Big Ray's Fish Camp earns its second Michelin nod on Interbay Boulevard
Chef Nick Cruz's South Tampa seafood shack has landed on Michelin's national seafood shack list for the second year running.
Jul 4, 2026
St. Pete
Zee's Barbeque soft-opens in St. Pete with Texas and Carolina wood-smoked meats
The new BBQ operation launched July 2 with a 50-percent soft-open discount and is donating all tips to Friends of Strays Animal Shelter through July 7.
Jul 2, 2026
Pinellas Park
Quaker Steak & Lube closes its Pinellas Park location July 5 after 23 years
Tampa Bay's only Quaker Steak & Lube closes July 5 as JDK Management cuts the national chain to 27 locations.
Jul 2, 2026
Downtown St. Pete
Rreal Tacos acquires the former Red Mesa Cantina building in Downtown St. Pete
The Atlanta-founded, employee-owned taco brand plans a three-level, 800-seat flagship targeting an early 2027 opening.
Jul 1, 2026
Ybor City
Laurie and Teresa Rodriguez open Bookends bookstore-wine bar in Ybor City
Tampa natives Laurie and Teresa Rodriguez soft-opened Bookends: Literature and Libations at 2208 in Ybor City on June 25.
Jul 1, 2026
University Area
Slap Burger opens near USF with halal smashburgers from the Northeast
Northeast smashburger chain Slap Burger has opened near USF with a halal menu of smashed beef, hot chicken, and banana pudding.
Jun 30, 2026
Pinellas Park
Elsewhere Records opens permanent vinyl shop inside Beerbusters Movie Bar on July 10
The Pinellas Park Blockbuster-style bar is adding a permanent vinyl retail presence through a partnership with Elsewhere Records.
Jun 29, 2026
Gulfport
Mademoiselle Paris opens inside Gulfport's Peninsula Bed & Cocktails
Myriam and Jean Dandonneau's French concept runs as a morning café and full evening bistro on Beach Boulevard South.
Jun 29, 2026
Midtown Tampa
Pura Vida Miami heads to Midtown Tampa for its third Florida location
The 50-location all-day café, founded in 2012, is joining CorePower Yoga in the Midtown Tampa development.
Jun 28, 2026
Tampa
Cousin Vinny's: From a Weekend-Only Ghost Kitchen to Guy Fieri's National Stage
The Michelin-recommended West Cass Street sandwich shop airs on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives on July 10, capping a rise from a 2023 ghost kitchen — and a second location lands in St. Pete in November.
Jun 27, 2026
Downtown Tampa
Bodega Mini Mart NYC Deli opens in the former Taco Bus on N Franklin
Khalil Mohammad brings a chopped cheese and late-night bodega concept to the former Taco Bus at 505 N Franklin Street in Downtown Tampa.
Jun 26, 2026
Seminole Heights
Kevin Zepf's Nebraska Roadside replaces Nebraska Mini Mart in Seminole Heights
Kevin Zepf of Orlando's Bandbox is opening a retro food park on Nebraska Avenue this fall, replacing the neighborhood's Mini Mart.
Jun 25, 2026
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
Brandon
Two Fold opens at The Garrison House in Brandon, pairing coffee with natural wine
Jason Smith's Two Fold pairs single-origin coffee with natural wine inside Brandon's Garrison House workspace.
Jun 24, 2026
West River
Supernatural Food & Wine expands to West River, launches sourdoughnut subscription
The Tampa shop is opening a West River production facility and a sourdoughnut subscription with home delivery at $15.
Jun 23, 2026
Gulfport
O'Maddy's opens its long-delayed rooftop on Boca Ciega Bay in Gulfport
The Gulfport waterfront bar debuted its second-story deck the weekend of June 22, completing a project stalled by the 2024 hurricane season.
Jun 23, 2026
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
New Tampa
Ugly Dumpling opens its Florida debut in New Tampa's former TGI Fridays
The East Coast soup dumpling chain, with 12 locations and 8 more on the way, claims the shuttered TGI Fridays in New Tampa.
Jun 22, 2026
Hyde Park
Rome + Fig Global Bistro closes on S. Hyde Park Ave. after six years
Eric and Kristine Zostant's globally-inspired bistro will end cocktail service June 28, closing out a six-year run on Hyde Park Ave.
Jun 22, 2026
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
St. Pete
Chef Andrew Duncan closes Baba, launches Kaixo and Barra Barra in St. Pete
The seven-year Mediterranean standout is being replaced by two Iberian concepts from the same ownership team under the same roof.
Jun 19, 2026
Food & Drink
Buddy Brew expands into Sprouts Farmers Market with 10 cafés across Tampa Bay
Tampa's Buddy Brew will open 10 in-store cafés inside Sprouts Farmers Markets, starting in Westchase.
Jun 18, 2026
Westshore
The Sourdoughist debuts on Westshore Blvd with a loaf-for-loaf donation model
The German-inspired small-batch bakery donates one loaf for every loaf sold from its Westshore Boulevard location.
Jun 18, 2026
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
St. Petersburg
Atomic Cat Cafe opens on Gandy with retro lounge concept and Tampa-roasted coffee
The St. Pete-owned cafe serves Wuz Here coffee and cat-themed lattes across two vintage-styled rooms on Gandy Boulevard.
Jun 16, 2026
St. Pete
Mark Ferguson and John Delladonna acquire The Chattaway in St. Pete
The founders of Ferg's and Shrimpy's have purchased the 75-year-old St. Pete restaurant after an uncertain period for its future.
Jun 16, 2026
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
Downtown St. Pete
Forbici Modern Italian opens June 24 at Sundial in the former Sea Salt space
The Tampa Italian concept debuts in a 12,000-square-foot, 350-seat room with daily live music in downtown St. Pete.
Jun 15, 2026
Ybor City
Victor Lopez and Osyamil Milan debut D'Rose Gastrobar in Ybor City
The Colombian-Cuban gastrobar from chefs Victor Lopez and Osyamil Milan is planned for July in Ybor City.
Jun 15, 2026
Old Northeast
Old Northeast Tavern returns to 7th Avenue North with its first full bar
Wareham and Brindle plan to reopen the St. Pete neighborhood tavern later in 2026 with a full liquor bar and Old Northeast Pizza merged in.
Jun 13, 2026
Gulfport
Sober Bar opens in Gulfport with zero-proof cocktails and kava
The alcohol-free concept debuts June 16 with a menu of non-alcoholic cocktails, kava, coffee, and shareable bites.
Jun 11, 2026
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
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
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
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
St. Pete
Idyll Vice opens a dirty soda bar on Central Avenue in St. Pete
Idyll Vice brings customizable soft drinks, coffee, baked goods, and a rotating wine program to Central Avenue in St. Pete this June.
Jun 8, 2026
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
EDGE District
Velvet Coupe opens in St. Pete's EDGE District with a focus on sustainable wines and bubbles
Dina Branham brings her wine-bar background to a 30-seat champagne lounge at 25 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Street South — sustainable pours, build-your-own charcuterie, and a Wednesday-through-Saturday late-night run.
Jun 7, 2026
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
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
Downtown Tampa
La Victoria takes over the former Melting Pot Social space on Tampa's Riverwalk
The 3,800-square-foot coastal Mexican restaurant is targeting a September opening at Ave Tampa Riverwalk.
Jun 5, 2026
St. Petersburg
Inside Mindstate: Tampa Sparkling Water Engineered for How You Actually Feel
Trish McGowan and Greg Odom have been building brands for other people for over 18 years. This spring, they launched their own — and they're making a specific argument about what the functional-beverage category was missing.
Jun 5, 2026
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Largo
Bogey's Tavern opens on East Bay Drive in Largo with speakeasy cocktails and New England comfort food
Pamela Dufour and Michael D'Ottavio are opening the husband-and-wife concept at 300 E Bay Drive, targeting late June.
Jun 1, 2026
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
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
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
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
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
Briefs
1 item