November 04, 2025

Bob’s Side Piece to open in original Dead Bob’s location in west St. Pete

November 04, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

A pair of well-known St. Pete restaurateurs are teaming up to introduce a new neighborhood eatery that will offer old school Italian sandwiches, pizza, and more.

Bob’s Side Piece will open in early 2026 at 6716 Central Avenue, the original home of Dead Bob’s.

The new restaurant is a collaboration between Ben Scherlis, owner of the beloved local hangout Dead Bob’s, and Jim Breazeale, owner of DeLosa’s Pizzeria in John’s Pass Village on Madeira Beach.

As Scherlis prepares to reopen Dead Bob’s this Thursday at 6475 Central Avenue, he saw potential in keeping the old space alive.

October 17, 2025

Luma, a waterfront Mediterranean restaurant, is set to debut in December at SkyBeach Resort in St. Pete

October 17, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

SkyBeach Resort, a newly renovated resort on the southern tip of St. Petersburg, is introducing new waterfront restaurant in December for locals and guests alike.

The newest concept, Luma, will be an elevated Mediterranean restaurant on the 18-acre property at 6800 Sunshine Skyway Lane South.

Located just off the resort’s main lobby, Luma draws its name from lumen, Latin for "light,” a nod to the radiant St. Petersburg sun and the luminous flavors of the Mediterranean.

The concept blends regional soul with global sophistication, offering a menu rooted in fresh, locally inspired ingredients and coastal influences.

Designed by SkyBeach Resort owner Ben Willner, Luma’s aesthetic is a marriage of coastal elegance and vintage charm - think art deco garden party meets a refined 1950s seaside lounge. The space overlooks the resort’s newly renovated marina.

October 15, 2025

Noble Tavern, a modern cocktail bar and restaurant from the owners of Noble Crust, opens on Central Avenue

October 15, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

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.

October 13, 2025

Mediterranean cafe and wine bar Ruya opens in Grand Central District

October 13, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

A new coffee and wine lounge in the Grand Central District offers locals a taste of Mediterranean flavors and Moroccan-inspired hospitality.

Ruya, from the Arabic word ru’yah, meaning “vision” or “dream,” opened on Saturday, October 11th, at 2200 1st Avenue South, serving coffee, aromatic mint teas, sangria, beer, wine, and pastries in a cozy, art-filled setting.

The 1,650-square-foot space was formerly home to If I Brewed the World, a microbrewery that closed earlier this year.

October 09, 2025

The Oyster Bar returns to St. Pete next week with a new home in the Grand Central District

October 09, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

After a two-year hiatus, a well-known downtown St. Pete seafood restaurant is making its return.

The Oyster Bar, a local favorite at 249 Central Avenue from 1999 until its 2023 closure, will make its return next Tuesday, October 14th, at 2245 Central Avenue in the Grand Central District.

“It’s been a long time coming,” said owner Josh Cameron, whose Craft Hospitality Group also runs The Crafty Squirrel and Where’s Jubes. “We’re so excited to be back.”

Cameron took over The Oyster Bar in 2013 and turned it into one of the most popular restaurants on the Jannus Block in downtown St. Pete. The restaurant became known for its oyster happy hours, bottomless brunches, and affordable take on fine dining cuisine.

October 09, 2025

Beloved St. Pete dive bar Dead Bob’s to debut larger west side location in coming weeks

October 09, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

Dead Bob’s, the beloved neighborhood dive bar and restaurant known for its affordable, yet delicious pub fare, is preparing to open the doors to its new location in west St. Pete.

After more than a decade at 6716 Central Avenue, the popular hangout is putting the finishing touches on its new home at 6475 Central Avenue, just a half-mile away in the former Kay’s Family Restaurant building.

The grand opening is expected by the end of October or early November.

“We’re really excited and proud of how this place turned out,” said Ben Scherlis, owner of Dead Bob’s, in a conversation with St. Pete Rising. “It’s better than I thought it would be. We’ve doubled our seating, tripled our kitchen size, and finally have our own parking lot.”

July 23, 2025

Popular chicken finger chain Raising Cane's announces opening date for its first St. Pete location

July 23, 2025/ Veronica Brezina

Louisiana-based fried chicken chain Raising Cane's is nearly ready to serve its crispy chicken tenders and beloved signature sauce to St. Pete residents.

The growing franchise is set to debut on Tuesday, August 5th at 2700 Tyrone Boulevard North, located in a new outparcel building at Tyrone Square Mall.

Festivities will kick off in the morning, with a giveaway from 8 to 9 a.m. for a chance to win free Cane’s for a year. The official ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at 9:30 a.m. Guests can also enjoy free Raising Cane’s swag, a live DJ, and chicken tender samples.

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.