<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. Let's enjoy life in Tampa Bay by recapping these new restaurants that came along this past year and then we will preview new spots for 2025.
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, in fact we are in the process of a big update right now.
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 last year and early 2025 – making them prime for new date ideas.
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.
READ: Complete Guide To Water Street Tampa
Ebbe is a newer Scandinavian restaurant in downtown Tampa. The restaurant keeps it simple with just one tasting menu, inspired by Scandinavian classics, featuring seasonal dishes that are unique and beautifully presented. It’s perfect for a special night out and for those looking to experience something different.
Latitude 28’s new coastal inspired menu has arrived! Discover stunning beachfront views and indulge in the new Gulf-inspired menu at Latitude 28°. From fresh-caught Florida Black Grouper with saffron risotto to the “Clear Water” Piña Colada cocktail, the revamped menu brings the coast to your plate! Located at the JW Marriott Clearwater Beach, valet parking is also included when you dine at Latitude 28!
Open Daily for Dinner 5pm-10pm and Breakfast 7am-11am, (Website and Menus)
Fisk, a new restaurant concept from Michelin Star Ebbe is NOW OPEN. Fisk is relaxed, fresh seafood refined in the kitchen by Chef Ebbe and his team. The inspiration comes from Ebbe's travels around the globe, prepared with passion.
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 in February 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 slated to open in early 2025. Folks can expect a casual Florida fish house setting, with a seafood-leaning menu including raw East Coast oysters, fried and grilled Gulf Coast oysters, and an emphasis on Gulf and Atlantic fish, prepared mostly grilled and seared.
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, is currently in soft opening. The new spot takes over the building formerly home to Stone Soup Company, which closed earlier this year, and will include a bar and restaurant downstairs with seating for roughly 60 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, opens in February 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.
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 champagne and cocktail bar with a ‘fizz-first” menu dubbed Bouzy.
READ MORE: Speakeasies 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.
And don't miss out on the Sparrow Rooftop Bar at the Moxy Hotel. 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
Dunedin Mix 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.
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 summer 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.
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.
The team behind COCKtail St. Pete have created one of the most stunning new LGBTQ+ bars and lounges in St. Pete. The Ball is decorated with dazzling disco balls, and portraits of LGBTQ+ icons. To match its dazzling look, The Ball features a curated cocktail menu and a selection of small, shareable bites—all served under a ceiling filled with sparkling disco balls.
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).
Date-Worthy New Tampa and St. Pete Restaurants + Bars to Arrive in 2025
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.
Set to open in early 2025 at the Vinoy Resort in St. Pete, Elliot Asher promises an elevated dining experience. Created by Chef Lee Wolen, the sophisticated menu will feature 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.
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.