Owner Nate Siegel is opening his latest concept, Cheeky’s, a seafood restaurant and raw bar, at 2823 central avenue | photo provided

Tampa native Nate Siegel, the co-founder behind Tampa’s award-winning Willa’s and Willa’s Provisions, has announced an opening date for his new neighborhood seafood restaurant and raw bar in St. Pete.

Cheeky's, Siegel's latest concept inspired by New England oyster bars and Southern fish shacks, will open on Wednesday, May 7th at 2823 Central Avenue in the Grand Central District.

First announced in 2023, the restaurant will occupy a portion of the building previously home to China Finders, a specialty china shop that closed in 2023 after more than 30 years in business.

Inside cheeky’s that will carry a nautical theme in a casual dinning atmosphere | photo provided

“Coming to St. Pete is a dream come true, and opening a new place like Cheeky’s along Central Avenue is so exciting,” Siegel said in a prepared statement. “This is already such a special community, and I’m honored to become a part of it alongside my friends and neighbors at Bandit, Baba, Wild Child, and more.”

The menu’s centerpiece will be the oyster program, offering raw, grilled, and fried oysters sourced from Long Island’s Blue Point, Massachusetts’ Katama Bay, and local Florida oyster farms like Indian River Oyster Company in New Smyrna Beach and Lost Coast Oysters in Tampa Bay.

Other menu highlights will include Maine lobster rolls, po'boys with bread from New Orleans’ Leidenheimer Bakery, smoked fish dip, chowder, burgers, salads, daily specials, and more.

The restaurant menu will include po-boys, smoked fish dip, fried fish, and more | photo provided

Executive Chef Philip Cleary will lead the kitchen. Cleary, who most recently worked at Willa’s and On Swann, has over two decades of professional cooking experience, including fine dining stints at restaurants in Omaha such as Plank Seafood Provisions, Market House, Butterfish, and Stirnella.

Bar consultant Jacob Ceciro is overseeing the beverage program, which will feature classic cocktails like ice-cold martinis, local beers, Guinness on tap, and a curated selection of approachable natural wines by the glass and bottle, along with spirit-free drinks.

Fun frozen cocktails will include banana daiquiris, transfusions, margaritas, and espresso martinis made with coffee from local roaster Look Alive. Draft cocktails will include mojitos, palomas, and strawberry negronis.

The menu’s centerpiece will be the oyster program, offering raw, grilled, and fried oysters | photo provided

The family- and dog-friendly dining destination will offer ample seating, including 20 bar stools at a horseshoe-shaped bar and a spacious dining room. There will also be an expansive outdoor patio for casual dining, all-day drinks, and prime people-watching along bustling Central Avenue.

Initially, the restaurant will offer dinner service only. In the coming months, Cheeky’s will introduce weekday lunch, weekend brunch, happy hour specials, and live music programming.

Founder Nate Siegel has over 15 years of experience in the restaurant industry, including time spent in New York with the Keith McNally Restaurant Group (Balthazar, Minetta Tavern), Chelsea Hotels, and Danny Meyer’s Tacombi, as well as serving as Vice President at Mise En Place in Tampa.

Cheeky’s will welcome walk-ins, and reservations can be made on Resy.

Follow Cheeky’s on Instagram and Facebook for grand opening details and the latest menu updates.