The 25 most anticipated Tampa Bay restaurants opening in 2021

Bacon Bitch

1124 Central Ave., St.Petersburg
Another Queens Hospitality creation, the full-service restaurant is taking over the former home of Bodega alongside The Chicken Spot. The breakfast and brunch destination is known for its over-the-top dishes. The menu has six sections: Main Bitch (loaded croissants), Side Bitch (side items) Naked Bitch (entrees), Extra Bitch (extra toppings), Cafe Bitch (espresso drinks) and fresh-squeezed juice. Naked Bitch dishes range from hangover essentials like the Cajun with melted cheddar cheese, cheddar stuffed has browns, sausage, caramelized onions and topped with a fried egg.

Unfortunately, there seems to be a dark cloud over The Chicken Spot and Bacon Bitch owner, Chris Viso. Viso who's been under fire from Miami residents over animal cruelty allegations. CL readers have been adamantly reaching out sending the change.org petition detailing Viso's alleged involvement in an incident in which a resident stray cat (which would frequent the Bacon Bitch property and surrounding areas) was violently shot with arrows from a crossbow in 2017 and had to be euthanized. Creative Loafing has sent multiple emails to Queens Hospitality and is awaiting reply.
Photo via Bacon Bitch/Instagram

The Chicken Spot

1124 Central Ave., St.Petersburg
From the minds of Queens Hospitality in Miami, The Chicken Spot will be located next to its sister concept, Bacon Bitch. Eats include loaded sandwiches, wraps, wings and sides like loaded waffle fries and mac, and an insane lineup of colorful dipping sauces. Diners can get a classic chicken sando with lettuce, tomato, onions and buttermilk mayo on a potato roll bun or opt for one of the more creative creations like the Zaddy with house-made marsala, mozzarella cheese, sauteed peppers, onions, and mushrooms.
Photo via The Chicken Spot/Facebook

Buzzed Bull

Location TBD
The new boozy liquid nitrogen creamery is set to open its first Florida location in Tampa. The new concept serves up boozy as well as non-alcoholic scoops and shakes just in case your kid tags along. Offerings can be snagged as ice cream combos or nitro shakes, with flavors like Death By Chocolate made with chocolate ice cream, brownie bites, chocolate chips, chocolate sauce on top with a suggested “buzz” of chocolate vodka.
Photo via Buzzed Bull

Job Site Burgers

2063 Central Ave., St. Petersburg
St. Pete’s first stuffed burger joint is coming to the Grand Central District. Customers can choose whatever ingredients they want stuffed into their burger so the possibilities are truly endless. If you’re not the creative type, a few, still-unknown signature stuffed burgers are on deck.
Photo via Google Maps

Mutts and Martinis

2900 Central Ave., St. Petersburg
Dog owners, rejoice! St. Pete’s Grand Central District is getting a dog waterpark and full-liquor bar. The front patio will host a zero-entry splash pool, water sprays, and fountains for dogs to escape the heat. Shade and air-conditioning are available within the indoor space which also hosts a playground for pups as well as a bar for humans to mingle.
Photo via Mutts and Martinis/Facebook

Dignitary Cafe

Location TBD
Local media celeb and former Tampa Bay Buccaneer Ian Beckles has plans for a South Tampa brick-and-mortar cafe. The space still doesn’t have an announced address or opening date, but its purpose is to extend Beckles’ “Dignitary Life” business, which connects influential individuals across Tampa Bay to local businesses. DC will feature local coffee, local bites, CBD and local products.
Photo via Dignitary Cafe/Instagram

Central Park

561 Central Ave. N., St. Petersburg
Scheduled to open in summer 2021, the 24,000-square-foot space shoots to be a "culinary hub for the local community; from health-conscious foodies to gourmet connoisseurs." The first floor of Hall on Central is set to host a bar and the flagship food hall, focusing on "healthy" European dining, as well as host a variety of international eateries. As for the second floor, locals and tourists will get a taste of the award-winning Speaks Clam Bar, with a menu comprised of fresh seafood, Italian specialties, housemade pasta, and "garden to glass" cocktails. The third floor offers up a rooftop dining concept by chef and restaurateur Natalia Levey.
Photo via Central Park Food Hall

New Corner Club

1502 E. Sligh Ave., Tampa
The neighborhood bar has a new owner—longtime Tampa hospitality veteran Jeni Armstrong. Armstrong told CL that renovations at the Corner Club will start as soon as she gets the keys. Last year, in explaining the reasoning behind the sale, longtime bartender Patty Denmark, who’s worked at Corner Club for 20 years, told CL she and Jett were simply tired. Cheers to new owners and a new spin on the legendary Corner Club.
Photo via Google Maps

Mowgli’s Tiffin

165 Dr. MLK St. N., St. Petersburg
Owner and Tampa Bay native, Amita Mukherjee, told CL that the concept is inspired by her frequent trips to India with her parents in her early years, which helped blossom a love for Indian street food. Mukherjee calls Mowgli’s Tiffin a 25-year passion project, and will base the 16 seat, 526-square-foot restaurant around a user-friendly, limited menu. As of now, the menu is still in the works, but Mukherjee says the signature item is a play on the traditional kati roll, which she calls Kolkati Roll - think roti wrapped around a kebab.
Photo via Hot_Metal_Designs

Nice Cream Shake Bar

Traveling trailer
The Valentin sisters, Cait and Chelsea, are launching a vegan milkshake trailer in 2021. The Nice Cream Shake Bar has plans to attend food truck rallies and markets as well as cater private parties like baby showers and weddings. The decadent shakes are topped with doughnuts, cookies and whatever vegan-friendly, imaginative bites come to mind.
Photo via Nice Cream Shake Bar

Sorrento Sweets

667 Central Ave., St. Petersburg
You may have seen this Italian sweetshop tucked away in Hyde Park Village. Soon enough, the concept will expand to St. Pete, and make a home within the former Brew D Licious space. The menu boasts espresso drinks, pastries, gelato alongside a lineup of sandos.
Photo via Sorrento Sweets/Facebook

The Chelsea

2462 5th Ave. S., St. Petersburg
The coffee shop is shooting to open in early 2021 in St. Pete’s Warehouse Arts District. The menu is set to feature coffee, tea, beer, wine, and bites. The space also plans on hosting a variety of decor, art, and home accessories for sale. When it comes to style, future guests can expect a mix of a big-city locale with a friendly, casual Florida vibes and local St. Petersburg flavor.
Photo via The Chelsea/Instagram

Lingr Restaurant

400 6th St. S. , St. Petersburg
Initially slated for a fall opening, celebrity chef Jeffrey Jew and his team have decided to hold off on opening his first solo concept until early 2021 due to COVID-19. The forthcoming elevated restaurant is set to serve up Nordic and Asian-inspired cuisine and offer indoor as well as outdoor seating. There is a major emphasis on safety, like UV lights installed in the HVAC system, HEPA filtration systems in the indoor dining room and kitchen, cashless and contactless payments, as well as offering QR code and one-time use menus.
Photo via Lingr Restaurant/Facebook

Paradeco

111 2nd Ave. NE Suite 101., St. Petersburg
A new coffee shop (stylized “ParaDeco”) is launching in February 2021 in downtown St. Pete’s Plaza Tower & Courtyard Shops (also home to The Ale & The Witch, Dracula’s Legacy wine bar, and more). The menu features espresso drinks along with baked goods sourced from local bakeries as well as overnight cold oats, avocado toast, wraps, breakfast sandos, plus vegan or gluten-free treats.
Photo via Google Maps

Pin on Cafe

1100 Central Ave., St. Petersburg
Chiang Mai Thai permanently shut its doors in St. Petersburg’s Edge District after 10 years in business, and within weeks it had a replacement on its way. Asian fusion restaurant Pin on Cafe is set to feature curry bowls, rice bowls, soups, sandos, lunch boxes as well as smoothies.
Photo via Chiang Mai Thai/Facebook

Grain and Berry

2446 4th St. N., St. Petersburg
The shop is launching its first location in St. Pete, an area that is already flourishing with smoothie and acai bowl joints. G&B is also working on getting three additional storefronts throughout the sunshine state. When it comes to menu options, G&B's team crafts acai bowls, fruit smoothies, yogurt parfaits and banana splits, avocado toast, and juices.
Photo via Grain and Berry/Facebook

Kale Me Crazy

Ybor City
The concept’s mission to support a healthy lifestyle through the use of fresh, organic, and raw foods. The menu features juices, smoothies, salads and wraps. Kale Me Crazy is scheduled to open within the first quarter of 2021 at Midtown Tampa. The mix-use project will also be home to Oronzo Honest Italian’s second location, Midtown Boba, The Hall at Midtown, Shake Shack, True Food Kitchen, Joffrey’s Coffee & Tea Company, BellaBrava: New World Trattoria, Ponte Group Restaurant, and even a Whole Foods and REI.
Photo via Kale Me Crazy/Facebook

Lucky Lizard

14953 Gulf Blvd., Madeira Beach
In the final stages of construction, Lucky Lizard is coming along on Madeira Beach. The bar’s atmosphere will be a relaxing “beach chic” vibe with outdoor and indoor seating. Hosting two large outdoor seating bars with views of the sunset, the bar also plans to offer around 30 brews on tap, wine, bites and live music.
Photo via Lucky Lizard /Facebook

Rise Koffee + Kulture

Ybor City
The Black-owned coffee shop will soon be laying roots in Ybor City. The cafe’s mission is to provide a creative hub where Black coffee, community, art, and music connect. Rise plans to focus on supplier diversity, and ensure that at least 25% of supplies and vendor companies are Black-owned.
Photo via Rise Koffee + Kulture/Instagram

Sal Y Mar

3650 Midtown Dr., Tampa
This rooftop bar is scheduled to debut in January 2021. Expect a casual and sophisticated vibe, and a menu filled with tapas, cocktails, as well as local craft beers and wine. Sal Y Mar boasts indoor and outdoor seating amid Mayan-inspired decor, and a 360-degree view of the Bay area through floor-to-ceiling windows.
Photo via Concord Hospitality