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New Restaurants & Bars in Tampa Bay · Tampa Bay Certified

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Tampa Bay Certified · Food & Drink

New Restaurants & Bars in Tampa Bay

Tampa Bay's newest restaurants, bars, and cafes — openings, menus, and chef moves, covered as they happen.

Updated September 9, 2026

Water Street
Pura Vida Miami Opens First Tampa Bay Location in Water Street Tampa
Sep 9, 2026
Palmetto
Buffalo Wild Wings Go and Jimmy John's open first co-branded location in Palmetto
Quality Foods Restaurant Group debuts the country's first shared BWW Go and Jimmy John's store at 5241 69th St. E on Aug. 18.

Curated by the Certified Florida Team

St. Petersburg, FL · contact@certifiedfl.com

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© 2026 Certified Florida·A Reimagine Media Group publication, operated by Pathway Connection Solutions

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Aug 13, 2026

Red Mesa shuts down Mercado West at 6001 Central, second closure in two months

St. Pete

Red Mesa shuts down Mercado West at 6001 Central, second closure in two months

The Cali-Mex concept closes Aug. 16, making it the third restaurant in a row to come up short at 6001 Central Ave.

Aug 9, 2026

Smalls Sliders opens second Tampa Bay location in Lutz on Aug. 15

Lutz

Smalls Sliders opens second Tampa Bay location in Lutz on Aug. 15

The Baton Rouge chain backed by Drew Brees soft-opens at 19081 Wingshooter Way on August 11, with a grand opening celebration on August 15.

Aug 7, 2026

Evangeline's Cafe debuts as a converted kei-truck coffee bar in St. Pete

St. Pete

Evangeline's Cafe debuts as a converted kei-truck coffee bar in St. Pete

Owner Evangeline Fox, who spent years in St. Pete's coffee scene, is launching a mobile specialty bar built inside a Japanese mini truck this summer.

Aug 5, 2026

Byte takes its halal smash burgers from Temple Terrace to Westshore

Westshore

Byte takes its halal smash burgers from Temple Terrace to Westshore

The Mansour brothers park a Byte food truck at 301 Westshore Blvd. while a permanent nearby restaurant takes shape.

Aug 4, 2026

Shay Ryan opens Clever Deli, a gluten-free cafe, on N. Lois Ave in Westshore

Westshore

Shay Ryan opens Clever Deli, a gluten-free cafe, on N. Lois Ave in Westshore

The retired ABC Action News meteorologist's celiac diagnosis led to a Westshore cafe serving all-day gluten-free fare.

Jul 31, 2026

Mita's Cocina Moderna opens at 301 W Platt in Hyde Park

Hyde Park

Mita's Cocina Moderna opens at 301 W Platt in Hyde Park

The modern Mexican kitchen debuted at 301 W Platt Street with a torta-led menu and Sunday brunch service.

Jul 30, 2026

Drip Botanical Tea & Coffee opens fifth Tampa Bay café at 4901 38th Ave. N

North St. Pete

Drip Botanical Tea & Coffee opens fifth Tampa Bay café at 4901 38th Ave. N

The botanical café's fifth Tampa Bay location brings coffee, kava, kratom, and THC products to North St. Pete.

Jul 27, 2026

Biscuit Belly converts the Maple Street on Central Ave in downtown St. Pete

Downtown St. Pete

Biscuit Belly converts the Maple Street on Central Ave in downtown St. Pete

The Louisville chain acquired roughly 35 Maple Street locations from Cracker Barrel; the St. Pete switch is planned for Q1 2027.

Jul 23, 2026

Lala Café opens on 66th Street North in Kenneth City with Vietnamese coffee

Kenneth City

Lala Café opens on 66th Street North in Kenneth City with Vietnamese coffee

The playful duck-themed café at 4416 66th Street North serves Vietnamese coffee and ceremonial-grade matcha starting July 25.

Jul 22, 2026

Tastes Pretty Good opens Rippers in Clearwater's 1914 Telephone Building

Downtown Clearwater

Tastes Pretty Good opens Rippers in Clearwater's 1914 Telephone Building

The Tampa group behind Michelin-starred Rocca will bring NJ-style ripper hot dogs to 534 Cleveland Street.

Jul 17, 2026

Malio's trades steak for seafood at Moon, opening this fall on Pass-a-Grille

Pass-a-Grille

Malio's trades steak for seafood at Moon, opening this fall on Pass-a-Grille

Derek and Jen Iavarone, the family behind Malio's Prime Steakhouse, are opening Moon, a 200-seat wild-caught seafood restaurant, at Pass-a-Grille's Berkeley Beach Club this September.

Jul 15, 2026

Drink LX trades its mobile cart for a Downtown St. Pete storefront this fall

Downtown St. Pete

Drink LX trades its mobile cart for a Downtown St. Pete storefront this fall

Natalie and Andrey Matsuk's 2024 mobile cart expands to a 21-foot bar in a shared wellness space in downtown St. Pete this fall.

Jul 15, 2026

Velvet Coupe opens in the EDGE District on a spirits-free, organic wine program

EDGE District

Velvet Coupe opens in the EDGE District on a spirits-free, organic wine program

Dina Branham opened Velvet Coupe on June 4 in the EDGE District with an all-organic wine list and no spirits bar.

Jul 14, 2026

Rocca group opens Lumbre, a wood-fired Spanish concept, at Rome Collective

North Hyde Park

Rocca group opens Lumbre, a wood-fired Spanish concept, at Rome Collective

Executive Chef Nick Orr, who trained at three-Michelin-star Le Bernardin, leads the hearth-centered menu opening July 15.

Jul 13, 2026

Southern Brewing & Winemaking closes in Seminole Heights after 18 years

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

Bhimavaram Ruchulu opens its second Tampa Bay location at FL-54 in Lutz

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

Capogna's Dugout closes in Clearwater after 52 years of family ownership

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

The Winfield opens a 22-seat underground cocktail parlor on St. Pete's Central Avenue

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

Shaq's Big Chicken expands to Elev8 Fun in Citrus Park

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

Zee's Barbeque soft-opens in St. Pete with Texas and Carolina wood-smoked meats

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

Quaker Steak & Lube closes its Pinellas Park location July 5 after 23 years

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

Laurie and Teresa Rodriguez open Bookends bookstore-wine bar in Ybor City

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

Slap Burger opens near USF with halal smashburgers from the Northeast

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

Elsewhere Records opens permanent vinyl shop inside Beerbusters Movie Bar on July 10

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

Mademoiselle Paris opens inside Gulfport's Peninsula Bed & Cocktails

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

Pura Vida Miami and CorePower Yoga are coming to Midtown Tampa

Midtown Tampa

Pura Vida Miami and CorePower Yoga are coming to Midtown Tampa

The Miami-founded all-day cafe, now at roughly 50 locations, is the second Pura Vida announced for Tampa this year.

Jun 28, 2026

Cousin Vinny's: From a Weekend-Only Ghost Kitchen to Guy Fieri's National Stage

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

Bodega Mini Mart NYC Deli opens in the former Taco Bus on N Franklin

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

Kevin Zepf's Nebraska Roadside replaces Nebraska Mini Mart in Seminole Heights

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

Two Fold opens at The Garrison House in Brandon, pairing coffee with natural wine

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

Supernatural Food & Wine expands to West River, launches sourdoughnut subscription

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

O'Maddy's opens its long-delayed rooftop on Boca Ciega Bay in Gulfport

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

Ugly Dumpling opens its Florida debut in New Tampa's former TGI Fridays

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

Rome + Fig Global Bistro closes on S. Hyde Park Ave. after six years

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

Chef Andrew Duncan closes Baba, launches Kaixo and Barra Barra in St. Pete

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

Buddy Brew expands into Sprouts Farmers Market with 10 cafés across Tampa Bay

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

The Sourdoughist debuts on Westshore Blvd with a loaf-for-loaf donation model

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

Atomic Cat Cafe opens on Gandy with retro lounge concept and Tampa-roasted coffee

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

Mark Ferguson and John Delladonna acquire The Chattaway in St. Pete

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

Forbici Modern Italian opens June 24 at Sundial in the former Sea Salt space

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

Victor Lopez and Osyamil Milan debut D'Rose Gastrobar in Ybor City

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 Tavern returns to 7th Avenue North with its first full bar

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

Sober Bar opens in Gulfport with zero-proof cocktails and kava

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

Oou Cha Opens in Pinellas Park, Billed as Tampa Bay's First Modern Tea Latte Café

Pinellas Park

Oou Cha Opens in Pinellas Park, Billed as Tampa Bay's First Modern Tea Latte Café

Single-cultivar Okumidori matcha, a three-channel slow-sip straw, and a room two sisters built around their father's tea ritual.

Jun 11, 2026

Better Blend Opens First Florida Storefront on East Brandon Boulevard

Food & Drink

Better Blend Opens First Florida Storefront on East Brandon Boulevard

Mike and Hillary Faustini bring Better Blend's high-protein smoothies, açaí bowls, and a pair of Blendmobile food trucks to Brandon as the chain's first Florida storefront.

Jun 9, 2026

Idyll Vice opens a dirty soda bar on Central Avenue in St. Pete

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

Velvet Coupe opens in St. Pete's EDGE District with a focus on sustainable wines and bubbles

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

La Victoria takes over the former Melting Pot Social space on Tampa's Riverwalk

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

Inside Mindstate: Tampa Sparkling Water Engineered for How You Actually Feel

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

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

Briefs

20 items

FOOD · DOWNTOWN ST. PETE
Alex Chamberlain opens Mei on 3rd Street South in downtown St. Pete
The former Kōsen chef de cuisine debuts a five-course Japanese-French tasting room at $95 per person, backed by a Michelin-starred restaurant group.
Oct 4, 2026
FOOD · TAMPA
Anthony & Luca's Pizza Kitchen crosses the bay to W Waters Ave this fall
Brian Petruzzi's Pinellas Park pizza concept expands to Tampa with Brooklyn-made dough and Philadelphia-sourced rolls.
Oct 3, 2026
FOOD · TAMPA
Oystercatchers Celebrates 40 Years With a Fresh Take on Coastal Dining
Oct 1, 2026
FOOD · GRAND CENTRAL DISTRICT
Pete's Bagels takes over the former Good Intentions space on 1st Ave S
The St. Pete bagel shop trades six years in a structurally damaged building for 4,200 square feet four blocks west.
Oct 1, 2026
FOOD · DOWNTOWN TAMPA
Next Level Brands' Matilde takes the ground floor of AER on West Tyler in spring 2027
The coastal Mexican steakhouse is the operator's fifth concept, with nearly 300 seats, a live-fire hearth, and an agave bar.
Sep 30, 2026
FOOD · LAND O' LAKES
Mr. Bear opens second US location at The Hub at Bexley in Land O' Lakes
The Flushing-born Hokkaido cotton cheesecake brand has opened at 16970 Focus Loop, its second US shop since February 2025.
Sep 29, 2026
FOOD · DOWNTOWN ST. PETE
Florafête opens a Bouquet Bar in the former Savory Spice Shop at 400 Beach Drive
Floral designer Lucy Watkins debuts her first storefront at Suite 173, pairing fresh flowers with a wine lounge this fall.
Sep 28, 2026
FOOD · WESLEY CHAPEL
Tien's Sandwich opens a banh mi counter on Mansfield Blvd in Wesley Chapel
The 2,066-sq-ft counter at 2557 Mansfield Blvd is targeting a late October or early November opening.
Sep 25, 2026
FOOD · ST. PETE
Green Bench opens Upstairs at Webb's on its 13th anniversary at 1133 Baum Ave N
Green Bench adds a second floor to Webb's City Cellar on Sept. 25 with beer, wine, cider, and port-focused cocktails.
Sep 23, 2026
FOOD · ST. PETE
Apt 34 opens on 1st Ave N, built around Nico Leeper's 312 West 48th apartment
The beer-and-wine bar at 554 1st Ave N in St. Pete transplants the design and artifacts of its founder's Hell's Kitchen apartment.
Sep 22, 2026
FOOD · CHANNEL DISTRICT
Channel District's Fabrica lands No. 24 on 50 Top Pizza's 2026 US list
Fabrica, open in the Channel District since 2015, ranked No. 24 on 50 Top Pizza's 2026 US list.
Sep 21, 2026
FOOD · UNIVERSITY TOWN CENTER
Pure Green opens superfood bar at The Market at UTC
The cold-pressed juice and açaí bowl brand has opened its Bradenton-area location at The Market at UTC, daily from 7 AM to 9 PM.
Sep 21, 2026
FOOD · TAMPA
Last Train to Shibuya opens inside Saucin Wings as a Thursday-Sunday R&B lounge
The nighttime concept turns a Tampa wing counter into a dim R&B lounge after dark, with Japanese karaoke on Sundays.
Sep 17, 2026
FOOD · TAMPA
House of Biryanis & Kebabs, a 30-location halal chain, opens on Bruce B Downs
The Hyderabadi biryani chain, with more than 30 locations across six states, opened on Bruce B Downs Boulevard in July.
Sep 16, 2026
FOOD · HISTORIC UPTOWN
Jeremy Duclut opens Marcel on Dr. MLK Jr. Street in St. Pete's Historic Uptown
The Wooden Rooster operator bought the building on Dr. MLK Jr. Street to bring his Sarasota restaurant north as a second location.
Sep 15, 2026
FOOD
Tanto by Kosen Unveils New Volume 3 Cocktail Menu in Tampa Bay
Sep 14, 2026
FOOD · ST. PETE BEACH
Frankie's Pizza Parlor opens on Gulf Boulevard next to the former Postcard Inn
The Luce team debuted Frankie's as a walk-up window on July 4 before the full bar and dining room opened Aug. 28.
Sep 13, 2026
FOOD · WESLEY CHAPEL
Ukrainian dairy chain Moloko vid Fermera opens as Farmer's Milk in Wesley Chapel
The American arm of an 80-plus-shop Ukrainian dairy-cafe chain opens its second Florida location in Pasco County.
Sep 11, 2026
FOOD · ST. PETE
Storm brings its Tampa energy-drink concept to 4th Street in St. Pete
The Tampa chain, open since 2020, is planning a fourth location on 4th Street in St. Pete — no address or opening date confirmed.
Sep 7, 2026
FOOD · SOUTH TAMPA
Bern's Steakhouse and The Blind Goat run a wing collab on Henderson Boulevard
Bern's and The Blind Goat serve dry-rubbed wings with Chad Johnson's Larceny BBQ Black Truffle Ranch, September 6 through 12.
Sep 4, 2026

View all briefs →

Places in this section

Pura Vida Miami · Channel District Buffalo Wild Wings Go and Jimmy John's · Tampa Red Mesa · St. Petersburg Smalls Sliders · Lutz Clever Deli · Westshore Mita's Cocina Moderna · Hyde Park Velvet Coupe · Edge District Lumbre · Tampa Bhimavaram Ruchulu · Lutz The Winfield · Downtown St. Pete Elev8 Fun · Tampa Zee's Barbeque · Warehouse Arts District

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