The 25 hottest restaurants in Tampa Bay right now

Sophia's Cucina & Enoteca

2349 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-440-7764
Sophia’s has stirred up a good deal of praise since its grand opening back in May, receiving a 4-star rating from our food critic here at CL Tampa. Sophia’s extensive menu of classic-meets-modern Italian dishes is a new favorite on the Central Avenue drag. In addition to the pastas and antipastas, this date-night-ready restaurant features a significant wine list. After all, Sophia’s is owned by the same couple behind Lolita’s Wine Market.

Photo via Jenna Rimensnyder

Salt Shack On The Bay

5415 W. Tyson Ave., Tampa, 813-444-4569
Sitting waterfront on Gandy Bridge, Salt Shack On The Bay offers seasonal seafood, as well as draft beers, frozen daiquiris and craft cocktails with freshly squeezed OJ. This latest boat-up/drive-up concept opening held its grand opening on July first with two bars on site and a "shipwrecked" boat perfect for a Facebook check-in or nautical Instagram. Must-go spot for some sunset views.

Photo via Salt Shack On The Bay/Facebook

King of the Coop

6607 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, 813-232-2667
Owner Joe Dodd received so much positive feedback from his King of the Coop sandwich at his Armature Works restaurant, Soul Food Street Kitchen, that he decided to open this joint in honor of its popular namesake. Since opening back in April, King of the Coop has been regularly selling out of its Nashville hot chicken delights, so if you want to give it a try, come early and come hungry.

Photo via King of the Coop/Facebook

Forbici Modern Italian

1633 W. Snow Ave., Tampa, 813-251-8001
Forbici Modern Itallian filled Hyde Park’s desperate need of a pizza joint with its opening in mid-June. In addition to its Roman-stye pizzas, Forbici a full menu of pasta, antipastas, salads, entree plates and gluten-free pizza and pasta options upon request. If you have time to hang, craft brews, cocktails and wines are on tap.

Photo via Forbici Modern Italian/Facebook

M. Bird

1903 Market St., Tampa, 813-296-2702
Another 4-star review from our CL critic, the popular Armature Works resident, M. Bird’s 21-and-up deco-inspired, rooftop bar features a lounge and outdoor space overlooking the riverfront and cityscape. Not entirely new, M. Bird opened its doors in March of this year, serving cocktails and Caribbean/Mediterranean-inspired dishes created by Chef Jessica Frazier.

Photo via m.bird_tampa/Instagram

3 Dot Dash Vegan Kitchen

6203 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, 813-675-4522
Located inside Jug & Bottle Dept, this all-vegan eatery hit July with a couple announcements, proving that the plant-based diet is a popular gig. 3 Dot Dash is now open 7-day-a-week, and with a brand new menu. Among the new eats is the return of 3 Dot Dash’s Mushroom Swizz Burger and a variety of popular specials that have now found their way onto the regular menu.

Photo via 3 Dot Dash/Facebook

Nitally’s

1163 Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. St., St Petersburg, 727-290-6166
After closing its doors in the Grand Central District last May, popular Thai-Mex fusion restaurant, Nitally's has found a new home in the ‘burg. The new Thai-Mex fusion location offers indoor and outdoor patio seating, with an eclectic, bright aesthetic. Offerings range from Pad Thai and wide selection of curry dishes to tacos, burritos and fusion dishes like Panang Mole.

Photo via Nitally’s/ Facebook

Coppertail Brewing Co.

2601 E. 2nd Ave., Tampa, 813-247-1500
Coppertail Brewing Co. and The Stein & Vein shared a tasting room since 2017, with Coppertail covering the bar and Stein & Vein at the Kitchen’s helm. Now, Coppertail has the reins all to themselves, bidding adieu to their partners back in June, and producing a food identity all their own. The new menu features items like buffalo cauliflower, tikka masala flatbread, chicken wings, steak sandwich, vegan sausage sandwich and charcuterie, to name a few.

Photo via Coppertail Brewing Co/Facebook

Golden Dinosaurs Vegan Deli

2930 Beach Blvd. S., Gulfport, 727-873-6901
As Golden Dinosaurs approaches its first birthday in the bay, the vegan paradise has a few gifts for its customers. The vegan deli started serving its weekend brunch from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in late June and is now offering delivery through Postmates.

Photo via Golden Dinosaurs Vegan Deli/Facebook

7th + Grove

1930 E. 7th Ave., Tampa
Debuting their dinner service in late July, 7th and Grove’s southern cuisine concept samples the home-cooked flavors of the Carolinas, Louisiana, and Georgia. In addition to their dinner menu, 7th and Grove offers a “Swing” menu of appetizers and tapas after 11 p.m. and brunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday.

Photo via 7th and Grove/Facebook

King State

520 E. Floribraska Ave., Tampa, 813-221-2100
After a few years of roasting coffee and brewing beers under the King State moniker, co-founders Tim McTague and Nate Young opened their first brick-and-mortar locale serving beverages and bites on June 25. The pair will be pouring 16 taps (10 of which being their own), a selection of wines and one-of-a-kind coffee blends.

Photo via @k1ngst8/Instagram

Gigglewaters

737 Main St., Safety Harbor, 727-669-7077
Gigglewaters’ classic-movie-screening speakeasy has joined the local brunch crew, rolling out a new menu featuring eleven breakfast items from bourbon french toast, to the fried El Guapo breakfast burrito, with bottomless mimosas for an extra 10 bucks. In July, Gigglewaters went four-legged friendly, now offering a menu packed with deep-fried, quarter-pound, bacon-wrapped, all-beef hot dogs just for pups.

Photo via @thegigglewaters/Instagram

GenX Tavern

103 E. Jackson St., Tampa, 813-694-7001
Opened back in April, this ‘80s ‘90s themed barcade offers drinks, eats and games galore. GenX Tavern is serving up treats that tout the flavors of a bygone era.The full-liquor bar, designed to look like the game Kerplunk, serves up cocktails named for cult classics like the Breakfast Club Martini and the Pretty in Pink.

Photo via Courtesy Gen X Tavern

Nah Dogs Vegan Hot Dog Cart

Roaming pop-up
This roaming pop-up hot dog shop puts a unique spin on the American classic - it’s totally vegan. Even PETA has love for Nah Dogs, placing the cart on its “Top 10 Vegan Hot Dogs at Restaurants.” PETA’s favorite, the Yo Soy Dog, is covered in street corn salsa, cheese sauce, jalapeño and tortilla chips. If you’re not in the mood for a hot dog, vegan sausage and chili are on hand, too.

Photo via Nah Dogs/Facebook

Baba Restaurant, Bakery & Cafe

2701 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-954-3406
This bakery-restaurant mix offers an Americanized take on Greek and Lebanese cuisine. The bakery, which opened in June, carries menu items like sandwiches, kebabs, and fresh baked goods like pastries and house-made bread. The restaurant, which came a few weeks later, offers diners a mix of entrees and starters full of Greek and Lebanese goodies like baklava, kabobs, spanakopita, seafood dishes as well as house-made hummus.

Photo via Baba on Central/Facebook

Nueva Cantina

4918 S. MacDill Ave., Tampa, 813-831-1101
This is a laid back contemporary Mexican cuisine joint, just debuted a brand new menu. New entrees like the lobster enchiladas promise decadent cheesiness and the addition of brunch weaves your favorite Mexican flavors into the most important meal of the day.

Photo via Courtesy of Nuevo Cantina

Iberian Rooster

475 Central Ave. N. #100, St. Petersburg, 727-258-8753
This Portuguese fusion restaurant and speakeasy is debuting new food-conscious menu items this August, complete with gluten-free, vegetarian, and vegan options. Among these new dishes is a gluten-free Chimichurri Steak, a gluten-free Duck Fat Braised Pork Belly, and a gluten-free, vegetarian Shishito Peppers — carefully curated to reflect the diversity of colonial street fare.

Photo via Iberian Rooster/Facebook

Tiny Tap Tavern

2105 W. Morrison Ave., Tampa, 813-254-3872
Tiny Tap is by no means new. In fact, the dive bar has been a local hotspot for nearly 70 years, but after 44 years under the ownership of the Powell family, Tiny Tap sold in June of this year. Fear not Tappers, former owner Casey Powell says the bar will basically be exactly the same, hosting thirsty patrons who enjoy a few rounds of pool and don't mind tight spaces.

Photo via Google Maps

Social House

6310 N. Florida Ave., Tampa, 813-321-2329
Social House, the first beer pitcher-serving, sports fanatic-friendly bar to hit Seminole Heights, opened its doors on April 5. This elevated sports bar concept serves stepped up versions of classic American bar fare alongside a full-liquor bar of 32 taps. Social House also introduced a brunch menu in June, which now serves the popular weekend meal every Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Photo via socialhousetampa.com

Pete’s General Store

495 7th Ave. N., St. Petersburg, 727-440-6183
Since its opening in April, locals have been raving about Pete's General Store's signature bagels. The general store, which aims for waste consciousness as well as convenience, is inspired by the weekend markets in Tampa and the bodegas of New York. While the store is mainly grab-and-go, outdoor seating with string lighting and picnic tables are available if you want to kick back with a beer and stay a while.

Photo via Pete’s General/Facebook