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

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

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.

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

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

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.”

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Sandalwood Beach Resort in North Redington Beach to be redeveloped into six-story condo-hotel

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Sandalwood Beach Resort in North Redington Beach to be redeveloped into six-story condo-hotel

The Sandalwood Beach Resort in North Redington Beach will be redeveloped into a six-story “condo-hotel” with larger waterfront rooms and amenities open to the public.

Earlier this year, Nored Beach Development, led by local real estate developer and hotelier Bill Karns in partnership with Century 21 broker Jeffery Beggins, purchased the resort at 17100 Gulf Boulevard for $6 million. The seller is a partner in the new development. 

“The Sandalwood was built in 1959 and was rundown. The foundation sank seven inches during last year’s hurricanes. The previous owners spent a lot of time and money to raise the structure and redo the guest rooms,” said Karns, noting the impacts of Hurricane Helene and Milton on the property. “Because of damage from the storms, the cost of renovating the existing structure doesn’t make sense.”

The three-story resort, closed since the hurricane, has 47 fully furnished units, a pool, and private beach access. Karns said the new plan calls for demolishing the building and replacing it with the same number units, although they will be larger units designed so each has a view of the beach.

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The Violet Stone’s new, larger location is officially open in St. Pete

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The Violet Stone’s new, larger location is officially open in St. Pete

St. Pete’s favorite Philly-style pizza joint, The Violet Stone, has officially opened in a much larger, more prominent location. So say goodbye to long lines, sold-out signs by noon, and eating pizza on the hood of your car.

The new restaurant, located at 2609 Dr. MLK Jr. Street North, debuted on Wednesday, and brings with it an expanded menu, upgraded kitchen, and seating for up to 100 guests, both indoors and out.

The Violet Stone has come a long way since it launched as a food truck in 2022. After outgrowing the truck, owner Daniel Fekete set up shop in a small 800-square-foot space in Kenwood.

That original space had no air conditioning and just a few chairs and tables. Now, the team is settling into a 2,100-square-foot spot that finally matches Fekete’s vision for the restaurant.

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A new neighborhood bar The Green Room opens next to Tchotchke in south St. Pete

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A new neighborhood bar The Green Room opens next to Tchotchke in south St. Pete

A new neighborhood bar has quietly opened in south St. Pete.

Located at 3920 6th Street South, The Green Room is a new bar from Matthew Firosz, owner of the adjacent diner Tchotchke. The diner opened last year in the former Munch’s space, which had operated for 70 years before closing.

The Green Room takes over a former Phillips Air Conditioning & Heating office, now reimagined as a laid-back, no frills hangout.

Inside, the space feels comfortable and worn in, with classic wooden wainscoting below deep green walls that are collaged with framed artwork and random knick knacks from Firosz’s personal collection.

A trio of dartboards are located in the back by the bathrooms.

At the heart of the space is a 14-seat L-shaped bar, topped with thousands of pennies and stocked with over 50 varieties of bourbon.

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A Rosie the Riveter-themed restaurant and bar to replace The Avenue in downtown St. Pete

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A Rosie the Riveter-themed restaurant and bar to replace The Avenue in downtown St. Pete

A new restaurant and bar inspired by the cultural icon Rosie the Riveter is coming to downtown St. Pete, replacing The Avenue, which closed in February after 13 years in business.

Tampa’s Riveters, a concept celebrating female empowerment and the women who worked in factories and shipyards during World War II, will bring its historical theme and made-from-scratch menu to 330 1st Avenue South later this year.

The 3,925-square-foot space will be transformed into a sports bar featuring World War II memorabilia, including Rosie the Riveter posters, veteran patches, and wings from crashed bomber jets mounted on the walls.

The female staff, called “Rosies,” wear red bandanas and denim tops inspired by the iconic poster, while the male staff wear military and tactical-style uniforms.

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Poblanos Mexican Grill and Bar to replace Village Inn in Largo

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Poblanos Mexican Grill and Bar to replace Village Inn in Largo

The family-owned and operated Poblanos Mexican Grill and Bar is expanding with a new location in Largo.

The restaurant recently secured a ten-year lease at 2659 Roosevelt Boulevard in the newly constructed, 11,500-square-foot Roosevelt Crossing retail strip, located at the southeast corner of Roosevelt Boulevard and US 19, nestled between Wawa and Walmart.

Poblanos, named after the Poblano pepper native to Puebla, Mexico, will occupy a 4,600-square-foot space previously home to the Village Inn breakfast chain, which closed earlier this year.

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Beloved Japanese-inspired Shiso Crispy food truck coming to the Jannus Block in downtown St. Pete

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Beloved Japanese-inspired Shiso Crispy food truck coming to the Jannus Block in downtown St. Pete

Known in the Sunshine City for its handmade dumplings and Asian-fusion bowls, the popular food truck Shiso Crispy is opening a restaurant on one of downtown St. Pete’s most vibrant blocks.

Founded by award-winning chef Ronicca Whaley, a six-time contestant on Guy's Grocery Games, Shiso Crispy will debut this June on the Jannus Block at 226 1st Avenue North. The space was most recently home to T’s and Tacos, and before that, Cap's Steamer Bar & Grille and MacDinton's Irish Pub.

Shiso Crispy, named after the Japanese word shiso—which means “mint”—launched its first food truck in late 2019 to rave reviews. It went on to earn a Tampa Bay Times “Best of the Best” award in both 2020 and 2021.

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Circo Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen to relocate to the Skyway Marina District

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Circo Pizzeria & Italian Kitchen to relocate to the Skyway Marina District

Circo Pizzeria Italian Kitchen will bring its fresh house-made pastas and specialty pizzas to the Skyway Marina District.

The family-owned restaurant is relocating from its current spot at 114 Pinellas Bayway South to 5035 34th Street South in the Bay Pointe Plaza.

The neighborhood pizza joint is relocating to the new location this July - one year following Portofino Italian Restaurant's closure after serving south St. Pete diners for 30 years.

Circo Pizzeria Italian Kitchen, which debuted in Tierra Verde in 2021, is known for slinging New York and Sicilian-style slices in an inviting atmosphere.

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The Vinoy's new signature restaurant Elliott Aster announces May opening date

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The Vinoy's new signature restaurant Elliott Aster announces May opening date

The Vinoy Resort and Golf Club's highly anticipated new signature restaurant, Elliott Aster, is preparing to welcome guests next week.

The restaurant, located at 501 5th Avenue Northeast inside the historic waterfront resort, is set to open on May 20th.

Elliott Aster replaces Marchand's Bar & Grill, which closed in 2020, and introduces a sophisticated Italian steak and seafood concept developed in collaboration with the Chicago-based Boka Restaurant Group. Leading the culinary team is Michelin-award-winning Chef Lee Wolen, a 2025 James Beard Award semifinalist.

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