March 31, 2025

Downtown favorite Paradeco Coffee Roasters opens stunning new waterfront location in south St. Pete

March 31, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

Downtown St. Petersburg’s beloved Paradeco Coffee Roasters is bringing its signature blend of specialty coffee and Art Deco charm to the waterfront with a second location in the Skyway Marina District.

The specialty coffee shop and cafe, which currently operates in the Plaza Tower & Courtyard Shops in downtown St. Pete, has quietly debuted at the newly revamped SkyBeach Resort, located at 6800 Sunshine Skyway Lane South.

The new poolside coffee spot, which features an impressive 3D-printed bar made from renewable and recyclable materials, is one of the latest additions to the 18-acre property, formerly known as the Magnuson Hotel Marina Cove, which recently underwent a significant rebrand and renovation after being purchased.

Impressed by the waterfront setting and extensive renovations at SkyBeach, husband-and-wife duo Thomas Maloney and Sonya Sarkar hope to replicate their downtown success in the resort’s more relaxed, coastal environment.

February 25, 2025

Forbici Modern Italian to take over Sea Salt space at Sundial in downtown St. Pete

February 25, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

Forbici Modern Italian, one of Tampa’s most celebrated Italian restaurants, is set to open a new location in downtown St. Pete’s Sundial shopping complex.

Initially, Forbici was expected to occupy the ground-floor space previously home to Locale Market. However, the restaurant will now take over the 12,000-square-foot second-floor space formerly occupied by Sea Salt, which closed on December 31st, at 183 2nd Avenue North.

An official opening date has not yet been announced. Before welcoming guests, Forbici will renovate the space, though specific improvements are unknown.

February 22, 2025

Chipotle sets opening date for first drive-thru 'Chipotlane' in St. Pete

February 22, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

St. Petersburg’s newest Chipotle Mexican Grill officially has an opening date.

The popular fast-casual chain, known for its burritos and bowls, is set to welcome customers at 3901 34th Street South in the Skyway Marina District starting at 10:45 a.m. on Monday February 24th.

The restaurant will feature something new for St. Pete — the Chipotlane, a drive-thru pickup lane allowing guests to grab digital orders without leaving their cars.

The Chipotlane concept launched in the U.S. in 2018 to increase digital orders and provide a faster, more convenient experience for guests ordering in advance.

February 21, 2025

Drew Brees-backed cheeseburger concept Smalls Sliders coming to St. Pete

February 21, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

Louisiana-based cheeseburger sliders concept, backed by former NFL legend Drew Brees, is set to debut one of its first Tampa Bay restaurants in St. Pete.

Smalls Sliders will open its first local location at 8624 Fourth Street North in north St. Pete, near the 92-unit townhome community Terraces at 87th, according to plans submitted by franchisee Purple Square Management.

Smalls Sliders refers to its restaurants as "cans" because they typically consist of a 750-square-foot shipping container converted into a bright orange drive-thru, serving made-to-order all-beef cheeseburger sliders, seasoned waffle fries, and shakes.

The “cans” are constructed offsite in a climate-controlled factory and later “dropped” at various restaurant locations. They feature a double-lane drive-thru, a walk-up window, and outdoor patio seating.e

February 18, 2025

Downtown St. Pete sports bar The Avenue to close after 13 years

February 18, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

Beloved downtown St. Pete restaurant and bar The Avenue will permanently close its doors this weekend after 13 years in business.

In a conversation with St. Pete Rising, owner Stephen Schrutt says his lease at 330 1st Avenue South is ending soon and he was not able to come to terms on a new lease with his landlord. The Avenue will not relocate.

The downtown neighborhood burger joint and sports bar will host a “Last Call” party on Saturday, February 22nd, for customers to raise a glass one last time before the final goodbye.

February 13, 2025

Parisian-style bistro Cognac opens in downtown St. Pete, serving classic French fare

February 13, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

The owners behind the upscale Bacchus Wine Bistro near Beach Drive, Christophe Guillot and Philippe Challeau, have debuted their newest dining destination in downtown St. Pete — Cognac.

The Parisian-style bistro opened earlier this month at 201 2nd Avenue North, occupying the space formerly home to Dirty Shirley, which closed less than a year after opening in 2023.

Cognac offers a menu inspired by traditional French cuisine, featuring dishes such as caviar and Croque Madame, along with a bar specializing in craft cocktails.

“Cognac will be like walking into a bistro in Paris. People can enjoy traditional dishes such as steak frites, escargot, and different cognac selections,” Guillot said in a previous conversation with St. Pete Rising.

February 11, 2025

Construction begins on 39-acre Waterways Apartments and Marina off Gandy Boulevard

February 11, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

Shovels will soon hit the ground to start vertical construction on a new 470-unit multi-family development encompassing 39 acres of waterfront property overlooking Tampa Bay.

This spring, Miami-based Key International will break ground on the Waterways Apartments and Marina project at 12000 Gandy Boulevard North, located near the intersection with Snug Harbor Road. The development was approved in 2022.

Waterways Apartments and Marina, a project formerly referred to as Snug Harbor, will boast over 3,000 linear feet of prime water frontage and will feature 324 bayfront apartments and 52 rental townhomes facing a large retention pond.

Additionally, an 8,000-square-foot yet-to-be-revealed waterfront restaurant will sit adjacent to a marina with 130 wet slips and 20 dry stack slips. The marina will be primarily used by residents and feature a small bait shop.

February 07, 2025

New rooftop restaurants and retail to be built near Largo's Horizon West Bay development

February 07, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

As new transformative projects are underway in Largo, a vacant property near the city's future Horizon West Bay mixed-use development will be redeveloped into a new retail and restaurant destination.

Atlanta, Georgia-based commercial real estate and investment firm The Ardent Companies plans to develop the 11,075-square-foot building on the grassy vacant field on the corner of 4th Street Southwest and West Bay Drive. Ardent manages a commercial real estate portfolio of 5.6 million square feet with $1.5 billion in assets under management.

The company acquired the Largo property in a $1.85 million deal last year from the church directly across the street, The Liberty Worship Center Inc.

February 06, 2025

New coastal cafe Perry's Porch opens this weekend on the St. Pete Pier

February 06, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

A long-awaited coastal cafe paying homage to the Sunshine City's history will debut at the St. Pete Pier this weekend.

Perry’s Porch will have a soft opening on Saturday, February 8th at 335 2nd Avenue NE near the entrance of the Pier and adjacent to the St. Petersburg Museum of History. The new cafe is replacing the craft beer bar Hops and Props which closed in 2021.

An official grand opening will be held on Wednesday, February 12th.

Perry’s Porch is being brought to life by Seed & Feed Hospitality, which also owns the popular Mandarin Hide cocktail bar, Trophy Fish seafood restaurant, and the 60-year-old El Cap burger joint.

February 04, 2025

Michelin Guide coming to St. Pete-Clearwater, recognizing region's evolving culinary scene

February 04, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

For the first time, the prestigious Michelin Guide, the most well-known and respected authority on restaurants in the world, will recognize dining establishments in the St. Pete-Clearwater region.

Michelin and Visit St. Pete-Clearwater announced on Tuesday that the guide will be expanding to Pinellas County in 2025.

“We are ecstatic to have been sought out and invited to be a part of the Florida MICHELIN Guide for the caliber of restaurants and culinary experiences you can find in St. Pete-Clearwater,” Visit St. Pete-Clearwater CEO and President Brian Lowack said in a statement.