<div id="c3be0912bb716eee4ca644c1dfc4ecde4"></div>Impressing your date can be as simple as knowing what’s new in town. Luckily there are plenty of new restaurants, experiences and attractions on the way, and many are already open. 2024 is looking like a bright year for Tampa Bay.
Read on for the scoop on the best new date night experiences for couples in the year ahead. Check back often as we update this page with new info!
More date ideas: There are always Things to Do in Tampa Bay with monthly events added regularly.
New Restaurants in Tampa Bay for Date Night
Fancy Date Night Restaurants
Quite a few date night spots opened up in Tampa Bay in late 2023 and early 2024 – making them prime for new date ideas.
The minds behind Tampa favorites Rooster & the Till and Nebraska Mini Mart brings an Italian-inspired concept named Ash into their expanding repertoire of restaurants. Located in The Asher building at Water Street Tampa, it has a delectable tasting menu and extensive bar menu.
Ro Hyde Park, a modern Asian and sushi concept is now open in Hyde Park. At the new hot spot, with a menu by Chef Kiichi Okabe, a multi-Michelin-starred Japanese chef, guests can enjoy unique, immersive tableside presentations. You and your date can grill your own Wagyu steaks, splurge on caviar service, or indulge in their signature sushi dishes made with ingredients like Maine lobster and king crab. If you’re a fan of Peking duck, plan ahead since this dish is so meticulously prepared, it must be ordered three days in advance.
Ponte is one of the latest additions to midtown Tampa and is the perfect choice if you’re on the hunt for a new special occasion date night location. Ponte is led by Chef Chris Ponte, the man behind other beloved Tampa Bay restaurants Cafe Ponte and On Swann.
Over at Water Street Tampa, the Tampa EDITION opened in late 2022 with multiple restaurants and bars to choose from for many date nights to come, including Michelin Star winner, Lilac. But that was just the beginning for new Water Street restaurants. This year alone, Water Street has welcomed a ton of new date night spots including Predalina.
Predalina serves up seafood-driven Mediterranean cuisine for lunch, brunch, and dinner in their dining room or two outdoor patios. As a unique touch, they also have an in-house retail store where you can purchase any of the tableside wares, oils, and seasonings used in the dining room.
READ: Complete Guide To Water Street Tampa
The bar is a stage at Koya, another Michelin Star winner offering the ultimate, exclusive tasting experience for diners. With only 8 seats at the tasting bar (yes – 8 total seats for the whole restaurant), no children under the age of 12 permitted (and only if they’re well-behaved), and extremely limited dietary restrictions that can be accommodated (let them know at booking), guests are encouraged to adopt the mindset of Omakase, or “I Leave it Up to You, Chef”.
Another Omakase experience, Kosen, is now open. From executive chef Wei Chen, a 3-star Michelin-star winner, this 10-seat restaurant provides a unique reservation-only experience.
Focusing on the highest quality fish and freshest ingredients flown in from Japan, guests experience the Japanese concept of shun, where particular ingredients are selected only during their peak harvest season and each shun is passionately anticipated every year.
Among them is The Pearl from Cameron Mitchell Restaurants. Menu highlights include seasonal oysters, craft cocktails, scratch-made entrees, a curated wine list and more.
New Wine and Cocktails
Beacon is Tampa’s highest (and second highest in Florida) public rooftop cocktail and dining destination, offering breathtaking panoramic views of the city skyline and Tampa’s waterfront. This midcentury-meets-modern bar serves up signature drinks and delectable tastes. We recently had the chance to check it out and are some of our favorite things about one of downtown’s hottest spots.
The folks behind Cru Cellars have also opened two new concepts on Water Street — Wine on Water and Small Giant. The first is a wine and liquor shop with an outdoor wine garden to enjoy select wines by the glass. Small Giant describes itself as a little bar with a big heart and that’s not to mention the excellent food menu.
The same restaurant group has another new concept bubbling in Hyde Park Village — a new champagne and cocktail bar with a ‘fizz-first” menu dubbed Bouzy.
Recently opened, Union New American is a two-story restaurant and lounge with a focus on modern American eats located in the Westshore area.
Casa Cami is now open on the 10th floor of The Current Hotel on Rocky Point. This new rooftop restaurant and bar offers Mexican-inspired cuisine and breathtaking panoramic views of Tampa, St. Pete, and Clearwater.
READ MORE: Speakeasies in Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay’s first zero proof lounge opened earlier this year. Lucid Zero Proof Lounge in Valrico intends to make date night great, no alcohol necessary. If this piques your interest, check out our list of alcohol-free date ideas in Tampa Bay.
Over in St. Pete, we’ve added a new rooftop bar to our must-visit list. Located on the roof of the AC Hotel St. Pete, you’ll find Cane & Barrel in the heart of downtown. The rooftop bar/cocktail lounge features Cuban-inspired cocktails and bites.
Quirky and Fun
Ten Rooms Ybor City is a creative food and retail hub offering a thoughtful mix of art, dining, shopping, small bites, and more located in the heart of Ybor City. It provides locals and visitors alike with a vibrant and warm experience cloaked in culture. Walk into the space and your gaze will immediately be drawn to a sleekly designed venue with an open-concept kitchen, beautiful, tiled floors, and relaxed dining areas.
Dunedin Mix recently opened in February 2024. This new food hall calls itself “a fresh take on the old food hall concept.” It currently features four restaurants, two retail boutiques, and a rotating craft cocktail bar and is the perfect space for a relaxing day or night date – especially when the weather is picture-perfect.
A new sushi concept is now open in St. Pete. Nomi Nori Handroll and Sake Bar brings several unique concepts to the neighborhood – a full-service dinner experience showcasing high-end ingredient, a cocktail bar with sake and soju, and regular live performances and music. They also have a walk-up counter that offers roll sushi and poke dishes to go.
A new concept from country star Chase Rice has opened up at the former St. Pete MacDinton’s location next to Jannus Live. Welcome to the Farm has live music and lots of country fun for everyone.
For sweet treats, make it a breakfast date at the Lukamaki Greek donut food truck. The donuts are made to order and completely and look amazing.
Sesh St. Pete is a must visit for those into quirky new restaurants. Located inside a historic building in St. Pete, just down the road from Sunken Gardens, this restaurant blends modern with historic. Above all Sesh St. Pete takes the rumors that it is haunted (by friendly spirits only) quite seriously.
The decor is equal parts modern and equal parts spooky fun. Famous ghosts like Beetlejuice, Slimer, and more adorn the walls. And if spookiness is not really your thing, then the outdoor bar and front porch seating area will do the trick.
The craft beer list is impressive and the menu presents lots of variety like fresh fish, custom rice bowls, massive salads, and hearty burgers. Be sure to walk around and check out all the art and spooky decor.
The Yard Milkshake Bar opened last year in St. Pete and Carrollwood. This over-the-top ice cream shop serves up insane milkshakes topped with everything from cupcakes to brownies, cookies, and cake slices. They also have loaded ice cream cones, edible cookie dough, and sundaes.
Date-Worthy New Tampa and St. Pete Restaurants + Bars to Arrive in 2024
Cheeky’s will open in St. Petersburg’s Grand Central District on Central Ave. next year. The new spot, which will be a raw bar and seafood grill with classic fried chicken. Cheeky’s will serve fresh seafood, including East Coast oysters, shrimp, fish and daily specials from local waters and the Gulf, along with piping hot bowls of chowder, fried chicken, salads and more. They’ll have a full bar with fun frozen and classic cocktails, local ice-cold beers, wines by the glass and bottle, and refreshing spirit-free beverages will round out the menu. This family-friendly and dog-friendly new restaurant is from Tampa local Nate Siegel, co-founder behind Tampa’s award-winning Willa’s and Willa’s Provisions.
Over in St. Pete, locals can look forward to several new restaurants and an exciting new food hall. The much-anticipated, multi-story Central Park Food Hall is also underway. Although the opening was originally anticipated for late 2022, it’s now looking to be more like late 2024. The food hall will include several concepts, including a St. Pete location of Speaks Clam Bar.
Summer Camp St. Pete will also be a unique experience where guests can feel like they’re back at their childhood summer camp. This new concept will combine a modern day with nostalgia with indoor and outdoor seating, including custom tents.
New Experiences and Upgrades at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay for 2024
Big things are happening at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay this year. Their kangaroo and wallaby area, Kangaloom, was completely renovated so now, visitors have an even more interactive experience. The Sky Ride opened back up early this year and this summer, they’ll introduce their latest family-friendly coaster, Phoenix Rising.
New shows include Busch Gardens Animal Tales – a live animal presentation at Pantopia Theater and a new ice-skating show, Rhythm of Nature. You can also take advantage of new upgrades and features to their 2024 Annual Passes.
Related: Thrill Seekers Date Night At Busch Gardens Tampa
PopStroke Now Open in Wesley Chapel
Two 18-hole experiential putting courses designed by THE Tiger Woods are now open in Tampa Bay. PopStroke combines putt courses and food and drink for the ultimate date spot. Keep score on the course via PopStroke’s in-app scorecard and see top scores on the leaderboard. This is PopStroke’s 6th location.
Get an idea of what to expect with our review of Date Night at PopStroke Orlando from OrlandoDateNightGuide.com (one of our other publications).
More Fun New Places for Date Night In Tampa Bay
Elevenses is set to open its first storefront in Ybor soon. This bakery is already making gorgeous treats with amazing flavors and colors so we can’t wait to see what they do!
Spend the day (or night) at JW Marriott Clearwater Beach
The JW Marriott Clearwater Beach is a perfect way to spend a day date or staycation. Situated along the crystal-clear waters of Clearwater, it’s the perfect way to spend the day relaxing in the sand. Reserve one of their beachfront rooms with a balcony overlooking Clearwater Beach, unwind at their resort spa, or take in panoramic views in their rooftop restaurant, Nikki-Peruvian.
Want even more date night ideas for 2024?