Noble tavern has opened at 1670 central avenue on the ground floor of the tru by hilton hotel | st. pete rising

The long-awaited Noble Tavern, a modern cocktail bar and restaurant, has opened on the ground floor of the Tru by Hilton hotel at 1650 Central Avenue in the Grand Central District of St. Pete.

Spanning 3,800 square feet, the interior features brick walls, leather seating, and local artwork, creating a blend of classic tavern style and contemporary design.

The restaurant includes a marble-topped central bar and seating designed for both dining and casual drinks.

First announced in 2022, Noble Tavern is the latest concept from the team behind Noble Crust in north St. Pete and Fat Beet Farm Kitchen & Bakery in Tampa.

The interior blends rustic tavern decor with modern art and fixtures | st. pete rising

Partners Jeff Strouse, TJ Thielbar, and Chris Sweeney teamed up with developer and manager Anthony Menna of the Tru by Hilton to bring the concept to life.

Unlike Noble Crust, which focuses on Southern-Italian comfort food, Noble Tavern is built around shareable plates and seasonal ingredients.

“We select quality over quantity in curating dishes,” said Thielbar during a conversation with St. Pete Rising. “Our menu will never stay the same. We’ll be changing it based on what’s in season and customer demand.”

In the kitchen, Chef Fernando Sanchez leads a small team that has been testing and refining dishes since March.

The menu consists entirely of small plates, divided into five categories: Veg, Sushi, Chicken, Seafood, and Beef + Pork.

Guests can start with items like the house-made pretzel with warm cheese and mustard, Wagyu Beef Carpaccio with truffled arugula and lemon aioli, or Sashimi-style Tuna with citrus vinaigrette and wasabi sauce.

Heartier dishes include the Roasted Heritage Chicken with crimini mushrooms and root vegetable mash, and the Gulf Snapper with gnocchi, chorizo, and seasonal vegetables.

Many of the ingredients come from Fat Beet Farm, which supplies fresh produce to all the group’s restaurants. It also sources poultry, beef, seafood, and other items from Chef’s Warehouse, a specialty restaurant food supplier.

The restaurant has pops of quirky and vintage pieces | st. pete rising

Menu specials and main courses will rotate, including the seafood, which is based on the latest fresh catches such as yellowfin, red fish, and snapper.

The current offerings include Sweet Corn Risotto, Gochujang Pork Belly Flatbread, and an Ebi Sushi Roll, made with shrimp salad, pickled onions, tempura chips, and avocado.

Most plates are priced around $20.

The bar program features a mix of cocktails, local craft beers, and wines on tap. Beers from 3 Daughters Brewing and Green Bench Brewing Co. are among the local selections.

Noble Tavern is open Tuesday through Thursday from 4 to 10 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 4 to midnight, and Sunday from 4 to 10 p.m. The restaurant is closed on Mondays.

The restaurant plans to host live music on select evenings.

For menu updates and specials, follow Noble Tavern on Facebook and Instagram.