Crispy Avenue opened last week at 2040 Central Avenue in the Grand Central District | St. Pete Rising

A new European-inspired café has arrived in the Grand Central District, bringing artisan pastries, functional coffee, and a globally influenced menu to Central Avenue.

Crispy Avenue soft-opened last week at 2040 Central Avenue, across from the former Haslam’s Bookstore and next to Trophy Fish.

The 800-square-foot storefront combines a cozy café vibe with a serious culinary approach, led by co-owners Dragan and Martina Pelevic.

Inside, the space features around 12 seats and a large mural depicting European landmarks, including Rome’s Colosseum and Paris’ Eiffel Tower. A large shelf contains a variety of international snacks, truffle and brie-flavored potato chips from France and Oreos from South Korea.

Classical European music plays overhead, giving off the relaxed vibe of neighborhood cafés found throughout Europe.

Inside, the space features around 12 seats and a large mural depicting European landmarks | St. Pete Rising

At the counter, an Italian-made La San Marco espresso machine pulls shots using beans from Indiana-based Main Street Roasters.

In addition to traditional espresso drinks, Crispy Avenue’s coffee menu leans into functional ingredients, offering specialty lattes like the Calm & Focus Latte with rhodiola, lavender, and ube powder; a Mushroom Latte made with lion’s mane, cordyceps, cacao, and hazelnut; and a Brain Boost Latte featuring lion’s mane, reishi, and vanilla.

The tea offerings are designed around energy, digestion, and relaxation. Options include Wake Me Up black tea with rose and orange peel, Peace & Tranquility with lemon balm and holy basil, and Digest the Best made with fennel, ginger, and chamomile.

Ceremonial-grade matcha and chai are also available.

Under the glass display case, guests will find an array of house-made desserts and pastries, including creme brulee cheesecake, chocolate mocha mousse cake, napoleons, cannolis, eclairs, and mango mousse parfaits.

The croissant lineup ranges from classic pain au chocolat and plain croissants to ham and cheese, smoked salmon, strawberry, and.cinnamon.

Crispy Avenue’s eclairs filled with pistachio Creme diplomate, finished with kiwi coulis and white chocolate | Crispy Avenue

Pelevic, a professionally trained chef originally from Montenegro, brings an international résumé to the kitchen, having worked in hospitality settings across Europe and the United States, including Austin, Texas, and Massachusetts.

At Crispy Avenue, he makes all sauces, dressings, pastries, and baked goods from scratch in an old trolley that’s been converted into a food truck behind the restaurant.

The food menu includes salads, sandwiches, burgers, and a few small plates.

Highlights include the Chef’s Hybrid Burger, a blend of lamb and Angus beef topped with goat cheese, sundried tomatoes, caramelized onions, and harissa aioli; and the Turkey Truffle, made with grilled organic turkey breast, bacon, butter lettuce, tomato, and truffle porcini cheese.

Salads include a classic Caesar’s Avenue Salad and a more inventive Antioxidant Salad with arugula, baby spinach, quinoa, dried cranberries, cashews, Bulgarian feta, and blueberry dressing.

Crispy Avenue’s Hybrid Burger, combining lamb and Angus beef, mixed greens, sundried tomatoes, caramelized onions, goat cheese, and a tangy Harissa aiolI | Crispy Avenue

For something a little heartier, the Texas Dream Burger pairs Angus beef patties with bacon, cheddar, jalapeños, and BBQ sauce, while shareable plates include BBQ Jack Daniels pig wings and New Orleans–style chicken tenders served with fries and house slaw.

In addition to house-made pastries and cakes, Amish-made ice cream from Yoder’s Southern Creamery is available for dessert with flavors like blueberry cheesecake, praline pecan, chocolate fudge brownie, and Mom’s banana cream pie.

Martina Pelevic, a natural medicine practitioner originally from Bulgaria, said the concept was inspired by the social role cafés play in European cities.

The couple is still fine-tuning operations during the soft opening phase, including finalizing regular hours and outdoor seating plans.

For now, Crispy Avenue is open daily from 7 a.m. to approximately 6:30 p.m.

Be sure to follow Crispy Avenue on Instagram for the latest offerings.