25 new and exciting Tampa Bay restaurants that have opened this year

Five Branches Brewing

531 Athens St., Tarpon Springs
Tarpon Springs' newest brewery has been serving craft beers out of its doors since its grand-opening in November 2019. It's located in the heart of the historic Sponge Docks area, and has a clear view of the Tarpon Bayou.

Photo via Five Branches/Website

Counter Culture

2909 W. Bay to Bay Blvd., Tampa
At the beginning of January, five-time James Beard Award Semifinalist Jeannie Pierola opened her latest concept Counter Culture in South Tampa, serving up elevated plates in a 3,700-square-foot space. The site features a 14-foot wood-fired grill customized with a wood-fired oven and cast-iron plancha stations, a roll-up garage door for views of the Bay, and an indoor-outdoor full-liquor bar.

Photo via Counter Culture/ Facebook

The Floribbean

2410 Central Ave., St. Petersburg
The new Florida-Caribbean concept slings fusion bowls, tropical juices and craft brews in St. Pete's Grand Central District. Floribbean cuisine is a mix of Caribbean and Floridian cooking techniques with an emphasis on fresh, locally-sourced ingredients.

Photo by Jenna Rimensnyder

This Momma Cooks & Co

12081 Seminole Blvd., Largo
This brick-and-mortar storefront opened in January, but owner Anastasia Thompson was slinging custom cakes, brownies, and cupcakes for months beforehand. Guests can find those baked goodies here, and also a light lunch menu during the week.

Photo via This Momma Cooks & Co/Facebook

La Gloria Colombian Restaurant

4505 Park Blvd. N., Pinellas Park
This family-owned joint features stacked menus chock full of traditional Latin American and Caribbean dishes—seriously, it’s the type of menu where you have to squint because there are so many options. Specials change constantly, so keep an eye on its Facebook for updates.

Photo via La Gloria Colombian Restaurant/Facebook

Sea Dog Cantina

2832 Beach Blvd. S., Gulfport
The Mexican restaurant and tequila bar concept offers favorites like burritos, tacos, chimichangas, and chiles rellenos.

Photo via Sea Dog Cantina/Facebook

Yum Yum Hot Pot

11301 N 56th St., Tampa
An all-you-can-eat spot, but make sure you read the fine print. There is a two-hour limit to eating and its employees are allowed to charge you up to $14.99 a pound for any wasted food— so eat wisely.

Photo via Yum Yum Hot Pot AYCE/Google Maps

The Tiki Tavern

201 Main St., Suite 101, Safety Harbor
Enjoy Tiki Tavern’s American comfort food-driven menu and variety of craft cocktails in its welcoming, beachy atmosphere and outdoor patio seating. Don’t let its tropical decor fool you—The Tiki Tavern is still a diehard sports bar at heart, with several HD TV screens for viewing any game you desire.

Photo via The Tiki Tavern/Website

Jinju Korean Grill & Sushi

2700 34th St. N., St. Petersburg
Jinju is impressing St. Pete foodies with its stacked menu of both Japanese and Korean favorites, including bibimbap, seafood pancakes, miso soup, pork kimchi dumplings, and grill-your-own KBBQ-style dinners.

Photo via Jinju Korean Gill & Sushi/Facebook

Hibachi Express

2104 East Bay Dr., Largo
Despite its name, Hibachi Express has a lot more to offer besides made-to-order stir fry and grilled meats—it provides many traditional Japanese entrees and appetizers, as well. From fresh sushi rolls, fried rice, and pan-fried noodles.

Photo via Hibachi Express Largo/Facebook

Jollibee

4057 Park Blvd. N., Largo
Pinellas Park now has drive-thru access to the chain’s signature fat dishes Chickenjoy, Jolly Spaghetti, and sandwiches constructed of Spam and corned beef. Guests might even run into the guy who waited in line for 16-plus hours and won a year’s supply of Chickenjoy.

Photo via Jollibee/Facebook

La Bahía

214 E. Bearss Ave., Tampa
The Puerto Rican bakery operates as a nonprofit organization, La Bahía’s website states that 100% of the profits go toward local and international missions.

Photo via La Bahía/Facebook

La Dolce Vita Restaurant

3310 S. Dale Mabry Hwy., Tampa
South Tampa welcomed its newest Italian eatery when La Dolce Vita opened in the space formerly occupied by Le Boudoir restaurant. Its lunch menu includes light pasta dishes, pizza and pressed paninis while the dinner menu offers comforting pasta dishes like lasagna, lobster ravioli, penne pomodoro, carbonara and Bolognese.

Photo via La Dolce Vita/Facebook

The Crepe Factory

500 Main St. Suite C, Safety Harbor
The Crepe Factory only has one thing on the menu: crepes. Some are signature dishes and the modifiable versions can be modified an infinite number of ways. Prices start at $5.99.

Photo via The Crepe Factory/Facebook

Top 10

1701 N. Franklin St., Tampa
The new concept is under the purvey of former 7th + Grove executive chef, Rudy Clark. Jamal Wilson, who owns Hall on Franklin, told CL that Clark's menu is comprised of what Clark considers to be the top 10 dishes of his culinary career.

Photo via The Hall on Franklin/Facebook

Water Oak

201 Main St., Suite 100, Safety Harbor
Its steak and seafood-focused menu provides a variety of options from a raw bar with oysters and ceviche to comfort dishes like its Fish Camp shrimp, scallops, and grits— as well as more casual bites like salads and burgers.

Photo via Water Oak/Facebook

Cigar City Brewing

375 Channelside Drive, Tampa
Cigar City Brewing, the official beer of the Tampa Bay Lightning, opened a new taproom across Amalie Arena on Jan. 7. Now Lightning fans can sip signature brews like Jai Alai, Guayabera and Florida Cracker in the arena, or at the taproom which is located under the Pam Iorio Parking Garage. The taproom also serves specialty and seasonal beers.

Photo via Cigar City Brewing/Website

Havana Creamery & Subs

859 Lithia Pinecrest Rd., Brandon
Combining cafe, restaurant, and ice cream parlor, Havana Creamery & Subs is East Tampa’s newest one-stop eatery for both savory and sweet bites. Its menu focuses on Cuban sandwiches (the Medianoche, ham croquettes, traditional steak sandwich.) and features a list of ice cream long enough to make you squint.

Photo via Havana Creamery & Subs/Facebook

Elevation Coffee Roasters

4952 Northdale Blvd., Tampa
Elevation has multiple locations around Tampa, but its Carrollwood location just opened in January. Its menu features brewed coffee like drip, cold brew and nitro, various espresso drinks, as well as hot or iced green, black and herbal blended teas.

Photo via Elevation Coffee Roasters/Facebook

Karima’s Cuisine

2709 University Square Dr., Tampa
Karima’s Cuisine offers soups, salads, and appetizers like falafel, pita and hummus and grilled eggplant. The restaurant also serves an extensive panini selection containing many American-style sandwiches like a typical steak and cheese, but with a Morrocan twist.

Photo via Adobe Images