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. 2023 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.
Just Opened for Date Night in Tampa Bay
Quite a few date night spots opened up in Tampa Bay at the end of 2022 and early 2023 – making them prime for new date ideas for 2023.
Ponte is the latest addition 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. 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.
READ: Complete Guide To Water Street Tampa
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. Another high-end spot, Boulon Brasserie, has also opened its doors on Water Street. Former Bern’s head chef Hab Hamde brings an innovative French dining experience to Tampa Bay.
The folks behind Cru Cellars have also opened two new concepts on Water Street — Wine on Water and Small Giant. The first being 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.
Another newly opened spot to add to your date night repertoire is Madame Fortune’s Speakeasy. You’ve got to be in the know for this one. By day the space is a grab-and-go sandwich spot called Roast, but at night (and Sunday brunch), behind a secret passage, it transforms into a cozy restaurant with West Indian food and classic cocktails. The name is an homage to former slave Fortune Taylor who became a successful business woman in 1800s Tampa.
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.
Date-Worthy New Tampa Restaurants + Bars to Arrive in 2023
Looking for new places to do date night with your partner later this new Tampa Bay year? Loads of noteworthy new restaurants are set to open in 2023.
Despite all the places that have already opened this year, Water Street is nowhere near being done growing. The minds behind Tampa favorites Rooster & the Till and Nebraska Mini Mart are set to be bringing an Italian-inspired concept named Ash into their expanding repertoire of restaurants. Ash will be located in The Asher building at Water Street Tampa.
We’re also eagerly anticipating the opening of Oxford Exchange’s latest concept — Predalina. A Mediterranean restaurant with Oxford’s signature impeccable design, Predalina will be located on the ground floor of the Cora building and offer retail items as well.
Another unique concept to look forward to, Union New American will be a two-story restaurant and lounge with a focus on modern American eats located in the Westshore area.
Sometime this summer we expect the opening of Bar Koya. Italian cuisine with Japanese sensibilities, this is the latest from the minds behind Koya and Noble Rice. Expect an excellent drink menu and live jazz. We can’t wait.
Toward the end of the year, Tampa locals can look forward to LALA St. Pete heading to their side of the bay. The ultra popular karaoke bar will be opening a new outpost in the SoHo district by year’s end.
Date-Worthy New St. Pete Restaurants + Bars to Arrive in 2023
Over in St. Pete, locals can look forward to several new restaurants and an exciting new food hall. Steak, seafood and cocktails will be the focus at The Crane. 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 2023. The food hall will include several concepts, including a St. Pete location of Speaks Clam Bar.
We are big fans of the Shiso Crispy food truck, and luckily for all of us, they will be opening a permanent location in St. Pete in 2023.
Soak in the gorgeous Tampa Bay weather at La Cabana — an outdoor cigar, bourbon and dessert bar that opened this year. Located on the water just over the Gandy Bridge from Tampa, we love this for a new and unique date night for bourbon-loving couples.
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 promises live music and lots of country fun for everyone.
Serengeti Flyer Opens at Busch Gardens NOW OPEN
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is always aiming to be bigger and better when it comes to its rides and attractions. Serengeti Flyer, the new ride at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is not only be the world’s tallest, but it is also the world’s fastest of its kind.
While you’re checking out what’s new at Busch Gardens, they also just opened the Springs Taproom at the end of 2022, a new casual and laidback lounge that serves cocktails and frozen beverages. It is located in the Bird Gardens area of the park.
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! Also on the sweet treat horizon, make it a breakfast date at the Lukamaki Greek donut food truck. The donuts are made to order and completely and look amazing. They’re set to open some time in January in downtown Tampa.
Want even more date night ideas for 2023?
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