<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.
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. Now that we are already halfway through 2025 (time flies!), we're cranking out some major updates!
More date ideas: There are always Things to Do in Tampa Bay with monthly events added regularly.
Restaurants in Tampa Bay for Date Night
Fancy Date Night Restaurants
Quite a few date night spots opened up in Tampa Bay—making them prime for new date ideas.
Perk at JW Marriott Tampa Water Street and Riverwalk Terrace at Tampa Marriott Water Street are also two new dining options downtown. Perk is a market-style spot featuring fresh, made-to-order and grab-and-go selections. Riverwalk Terrace features breakfast and brunch that is inspired by the Mediterranean. Don't worry traditional breakfast-lovers, they also serve breakfast classics and French-Italian-inspired dishes!
Rumors of several new restaurants coming from the team behind Rocca and Streetlight Taco are true! The team has a lot of exciting stuff up their sleeves. First up is Bar Terroir, a French bistro and wine bar opening June 12 inside the former Little Leon building at 3636 Henderson Blvd. in Tampa. Bar Terroir is a French bistro with an expansive wine list, iconic cocktail offerings and classic Parisian fare in an intimate setting.
White Wolf Specialties, A multi-faceted culinary destination featuring a neighborhood pizzeria with a new American menu, bakery, cafe, market and rooftop bar, and slated to open in 2025 as well. The Carnivore Club, a 28-seat chef's counter centered around a wood fired grill, utilizing an array of meats from its own dry aged chamber, will open in the space above White Wolf.
Cheeky’s, a new raw bar and seafood-focused spot from the folks behind Willa’s in Tampa, is serving up a seafood-leaning menu including raw East Coast oysters, fried and grilled Gulf Coast oysters, and an emphasis on Gulf and Atlantic fish. Folks can expect a casual Florida fish house setting, with most menu options prepared grilled and seared.
Another great spot is situated at the entrance of The St. Pete Pier and adjacent to the St. Petersburg Museum of History. Perry’s Porch, a newer restaurant on the Pier, is a tribute to the vision of C. Perry Snell, whose influence helped shape the heart of St. Petersburg.
Inspired by his passion for timeless design and community gathering spaces, Perry’s Porch blends history, hospitality and an elevated dining experience in a way that feels both classic and fresh. Designed with an airy, inviting feel, the space will feature both indoor and outdoor seating, allowing guests to take in city skyline and waterfront views while enjoying a beautifully curated coastal menu.
Another restaurant now open, Elliot Asher, at the Vinoy Resort in St. Pete, promises an elevated dining experience. Created by Chef Lee Wolen, the sophisticated menu features exquisite steak and seafood dishes, including standout items like King Crab Tagliatelle. Guests can begin their evening with cocktails and aperitifs on the scenic waterfront patio before indulging in a memorable meal within the stunning dining room.
The James Museum in St. Pete has rebranded their café, Catering By The Family, to feature a bold Western-style menu created by Chef Zakari Davila, a Chopped Champion. The café offers an elevated menu with casual bites, coffee's and a vibrant atmosphere. Signature dishes include Deviled Crab, a Southwest Salad, a Bison Burger, and more.
Over in Wesley Chapel, Rodizio Grill, a Brazilian steakhouse, just opened its doors, serving up delicious meats carved table-side by servers dressed in traditional Gaucho garb. There is also a gourmet salad bar and delicious Brazillian desserts to top off the perfect date night!
Also located in Wesley Chapel, Tallo Restaurant is bringing years of experience centered around the flavorful traditions of Caribbean cooking. Both food and cocktails provide an elevated experience to delight your palate!
New Wine and Cocktails
Escape to Spain without leaving the Bay, Barcelona Wine Bar opened in South Tampa with Chef Victor at the helm. Bringing deep roots and a menu that’s an ode to the local—snapper pulled fresh from the waters, seasonal produce sourced from farmers he knows, and Spanish recipes revitalized with vibrant, local ingredients. Chef Victor crafts a menu culminating in his journey, Florida’s rapidly expanding culinary landscape, and his passion for letting ingredients speak for themselves.
Lara, an apothecary-themed bar and restaurant in Ybor, takes over the building formerly home to Stone Soup Company. It includes a bar and restaurant downstairs with seating for roughly 52 people and a hospitality-themed market in the upstairs loft, along with a speakeasy-style bar with seating for another 25 people.
Slim Charmer, a new cocktail bar and small plates restaurant from the team behind Wild Child, is open in St. Petersburg's Grand Central District! The petite, roughly 800-square-foot space is described as stylish and contemporary, with an edgy atmosphere “inspired by New York City’s metropolitan energy.” The intimate space will seat just 26 people and feature a martini-focused cocktail program and a selection of seafood-heavy small plates.
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 had the chance to check it out when it first opened and these are some of our favorite things about one of downtown's hottest spots.
READ: Complete Guide To Water Street Tampa
READ MORE: Speakeasies in Tampa Bay
And don't miss out on the Sparrow Rooftop Bar at the Moxy Hotel, opened in December 2024. Chic but chill. Perfect for sunset sips, intimate dinners, or celebrations with friends. This is the spot to see and be seen in the EDGE District, with amazing views of the St. Pete skyline.
Quirky and Fun
From the owners of Good Night John Boy and Welcome to the Farm, Glamper brings a fun and laid-back vibe to St. Pete. Opened in winter 2024, this outdoor-themed bar is inspired by camping, backyard cookouts, and the Midwest’s chill midsummer vibes. Glamper offers a full drink menu of craft cocktails, beers, and seltzers, along with grilled favorites like burgers and hot dogs.
Rabbit Rabbit is the perfect spot for those looking to enjoy a night out without alcohol. This vegan and gluten-free café and mocktail bar serves up creative mocktails and bites, with a menu inspired by the owner’s love for horror movies, Halloween, and old country music. It’s a great space to unwind, enjoy some tasty, healthy food, and sip on flavorful, alcohol-free drinks.
Mad Dogs and Englishmen is a pub dedicated to London in the 60’s—Great food, fun, and friends. Mad Dogs and Englishmen was founded in 1991, but is now a part of Oxford Commons Hospitality Company and has a new location at 4914 South MacDill Avenue that opened January 2025.
New to Seminole Heights is Heights Drive Thru, a unique and fun drive-thru convenience store that focuses on local goods. They offer everything from fresh-brewed coffee with local milk, trending candies, perfect on-the-go snacks, sodas, basic convenience store items, and more. Running late for work?
Order ahead and pick up your goodies right at the drive-thru window! As they say, “Getting out of your car is overrated.”
Date-Worthy New Tampa and St. Pete Restaurants + Bars to Arrive in 2025
Summer Camp St. Pete will be a unique experience where guests can feel like they're back at their childhood summer camp. This new concept will combine modern-day with nostalgia with indoor and outdoor seating, including custom tents.
Spitz Wine Bar is building its beginning out in the Grand Central District of St. Pete. The upcoming spot will feature wines and small bites, and while the bar undergoes construction, the owners have opened up smallbar, as a little taste test of the real deal to come!
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.