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

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

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.

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Three-story waterfront restaurant and bar proposed for downtown Gulfport

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Three-story waterfront restaurant and bar proposed for downtown Gulfport

A vacant quarter-acre lot along Gulfport’s downtown waterfront is slated to be redeveloped into a new restaurant.

Clearwater-based Prometheus Partners has proposed to construct a three-story, 5,700-square-foot restaurant and bar called Surf Shack at 5427 Shore Boulevard South, just steps from popular spots like O’Maddy’s Bar & Grille and Stormrunners Tavern.

Designed by St. Pete-based Fraze Design renderings show a fresh, modern coastal aesthetic with white siding with blue accents and striped awnings.

Plans call for multiple bars, a covered balcony, and ample seating designed to take advantage of Gulfport’s waterfront views.

While Prometheus has not yet released details about the menu, the concept is expected to feature casual coastal fare and drinks in line with its beach-inspired theme.

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Mythos Greek Bistro to open in former Salty Nun space in the Grand Central District

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Mythos Greek Bistro to open in former Salty Nun space in the Grand Central District

A taste of Greece is coming to the Grand Central District this November as a bold new Mediterranean concept will open in the space formerly occupied by the Salty Nun.

With a vision rooted in Greek heritage and hospitality, Konstantinos “Dinos” Chilias, alongside business partner Daniel Marina, is transforming the former LGBTQ+ bar and restaurant at 2501 Central Avenue into Mythos Greek Bistro, a restaurant that they hope will capture the flavor and vibrancy of the Aegean Sea.

“St. Pete is missing an authentic Greek restaurant,” Chef Dinos, a native of Greece and long-time Tampa Bay restaurateur, said in a conversation with St. Pete Rising. “I’ve waited many years for the right opportunity for me, and this is it, right on Central Avenue.”

Chef Dinos brings over two decades of culinary experience to the project. He is best known for La Creperia Cafe in Ybor City and previously operated the Crepeway Caffe in the EDGE District of St. Pete.

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

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

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.

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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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