A new year means new options for dining out.
Many establishments are scheduled to open in Pinellas County in the coming months. St. Petersburg is no exception.
From Italian to barbecue, here’s a roundup of some of the restaurants that have announced plans to welcome guests soon.
Central Park St. Pete
A five-story food hall on Central Avenue is scheduled to open in the first quarter of this year.
According to its website, the 28,000-square-foot building will have 10 dining concepts, a rooftop bar, private dining, event spaces and a members-only club.
Central Park St. Pete rendering.
It will feature a modern Asian restaurant Kojo, tropic-themed Bar Hana by Kojo, Night Owl (a member’s only rooftop club) and Palm Avenue Deli. Additionally, the hall will include Mexican-themed Don Ricardo’s Taqueria, Park Pie Pizza, Speaks Pasta, the health-conscious Strawberry Fields, Constellation Burger and dessert-focused The Meadows.
Technology will play a key role in the customer experience. Guests will be able to order their food right at their tables from any of the dining concepts.
Central Park St. Pete website
Treehouse BBQ
Known for their mobile catering business, Treehouse BBQ owners Mike Leander and Tina Vierus are planning to open a brick-and-mortar restaurant at 229 62nd Avenue North this month.
Leander said that the establishment will be focused on carry-out orders. However, it will have seating for approximately 30 customers.
Opening a restaurant has been a long-term goal, he explained.
In 2019, the couple was in the process of creating a dining concept. The Covid-19 pandemic changed their plans.
Treehouse BBQ’s smoker
However, they were adamant about starting a new venture. In late 2020, they founded Treehouse BBQ. Since launching, it has been a frequent vendor at the Kenwood Sunday Market.
“We’ve just now gotten to the point where we feel comfortable and have built a following.”
Leander said that the 1,200-square-foot space is near where he lives and is adjacent to a pasture owned by a local church – where he has received permission to park the company’s smoker.
The couple signed a lease for the space in November. They plan to continue their catering business.
Treehouse BBQ website
Kitty’s House of Pizza
Bright Ice Scoop Shop owners Steve Garrahan and Kurt Drake are opening their own pizzeria within the next few months.
Kitty’s House of Pizza will be located at 4059 5th Avenue N., in the Central Oak Park neighborhood.
Garrahan and Drake opened their first ice cream shop in St. Petersburg in 2019. Eventually, they expanded, and created a second location in Pinellas Park two years later.
The duo also moved their kitchen, where their ice cream products are made, to Pinellas Park. Bright Ice has outgrown the kitchen’s capacity, Garrahan said.
This led Garrahan and Drake to look for a new building. Choosing the St. Petersburg site was an easy decision, he added. It’s only four blocks west of their first shop.
“We fell in love with the building because we know the neighborhood so well,” Garrahan said. “We really wanted to purchase it, but it was too big for what we needed.”
Kitty’s House of Pizza will be located at 4059 5th Avenue North.
Thus, a multipurpose idea was born. The duo had discussed expanding and opening a dining concept previously.
After seeing the space, Garrahan and Drake decided that pizza was the best option. While it will be focused on take-out and delivery service, the restaurant will have about 25 seats for dine-in customers.
The approximately 2,800-square-foot building was originally built in 1964 as a Shell gas station, Garrahan said.
The duo collaborated with the City of St. Petersburg to get access to the original building permitting plans. They are working on restoring the storefront so that it can look similar to how it did when it opened.
Garrahan and Drake acquired the property in June 2025.
“We just wanted to be back in the area, kind of where we started with Bright Ice and bring it full circle.”
Luma
A Mediterranean restaurant is set to open Jan. 22 at the SkyBeach Resort.
Luma, at 6800 Sunshine Skyway Lane South, is the third dining establishment to open at the resort since it was acquired by Willner Realty and Development Company in 2022.
Luma, at the SkyBeach Resort, will open Jan. 22.
It joins SkyBar + Grille and Paradeco Coffee Roasters. The SkyBeach property reopened in July 2024 after extensive renovations.
According to the restaurant’s website, it will feature “coastal flavors and locally inspired ingredients.”
Luma website
Riveters St. Petersburg
In 2021, a World War II-inspired restaurant and bar opened in Tampa. The concept, Riveters, pays homage to Rosie the Riveter – the hard-working woman who kept factories in business while American men fought overseas.
A second location in St. Petersburg, at 330 1st Avenue South, is scheduled to open this spring. The property was once home to The Avenue.
Riveters Tampa. A St. Pete location is set to open this spring.
According to the restaurant’s Facebook, it will “mirror a World War II museum” and have a blue, yellow and red color scheme to reflect the Rosie the Riveter theme. Additionally, the establishment will have a covered patio.
Riveters website
Fusillo Italian Pasta
Two native Italians, Giangiacomo Greco and Alessandro Casali, are opening a pasta-themed restaurant in the EDGE District.
Fusillo Italian Pasta, at 905 Central Avenue, is scheduled to welcome customers in February or March. The approximately 700-square-foot space was once home of Nash’s Hot Chicken.
It will be a fast-casual experience with dine-in, takeout and delivery options. According to the establishment’s website, it will offer authentic Italian recipes.
Fusillo Italian Pasta website
Dining and Cooking