North

Josephine

Jacksonville 

Although this Avondale addition might feel a little more glamorous than grandma’s house, the heaping plates of hearty Italian food taste like they’re straight from nonna’s kitchen. Inspired by and named after owner Josh Floyd’s own grandmother, Josephine serves a mix of traditional and innovative takes on Italian favorites such as pinwheel lasagna, rib-eye steak pizzaiola and even pizza rolls. Whether you slide into a sleek olive-green booth in the lounge or opt for a spot opposite the arched mirrors at the bar, Josephine’s upscale interior sets the scene for a meal rivaling one you’d find in a big city. And while you may be tempted to overindulge on the entrees, the desserts are just as deserving of your attention. Since Josephine opened in November 2022, the olive oil cake, served with orange marmalade and whipped mascarpone, has left such an impression on diners that some say they wake up thinking about it the next morning. josephineavondale.com

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The Hub at Feather Oaks

Tallahassee

From a former wedding venue to a newly founded gathering spot, The Hub at Feather Oaks fosters community in the depths of nature. Katrice Howell and her husband, Scott Carruthers, who’ve owned the property for more than 30 years, decided to reimagine the space after exploring nature trails in the Northeast. Up there, pit stops on the trails for a pint and lively conversation are common, so the duo wanted to bring that same levity to Tallahassee. The revamped Hub at Feather Oaks, which opened in January 2023, includes a bike shop, farm and tap room, and gives those enjoying the nearby Miccosukee Canopy Road Greenway trail plenty of space to unwind. Relax in The Tasting Bar(n) with a local brew while your bike gets a tune-up, or refuel from one of the rotating food trucks parked on-site. Maybe you’ll head back out to the trail with a new biking buddy you met at the bar. thehubatfeatheroaks.com

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The Greenhouse Bar

Jacksonville

It’s science: Houseplants make us happier. Combine them with a glass of sangria or a cappuccino and you’ve created one happy haunt. That’s the recipe for The Greenhouse Bar, a new plant store, cafe and bar in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Jacksonville. Owners Lauren Henry and Jennifer Ness wanted to create a space that felt like walking into a friend’s house—if that friend was a serious flora fanatic. String of hearts plants dangle from above and fiddle leaf figs sprout up from behind the vintage velvet couch. When night falls, this lush wonderland takes on a whole new ambience. The neon pink sign above the bar casts a glow on the indoor jungle while experienced bartenders craft artisan cocktails such as the Petal Bomb, a floral libation featuring rosé vermouth, butterfly pea flower and Can Sumoi La Rosa. thegreenhousebar.com

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Lions and Lanterns Inn

St. Augustine

Jocelyn Fastner spent two years traversing the country in an RV, three years sailing the Bahamas and most of the pandemic tearing up dirt roads in Minnesota. It wasn’t until she stumbled across the Ancient City that putting down roots sounded better than roaming. So, with the help of her friend, and now co-owner, Adam Schouten, Fastner set out to build a boutique hotel worthy of the city that lured her to stay. Each of the six rooms at Lions and Lanterns Inn has a custom Bohemian design inspired by icons around St. Augustine. One of the most Instagram-worthy rooms is Firme, named after one of the lion statues that stands guard over the Bridge of Lions. Here, an enormous window brimming with flowers frames the king-size bed, making it the perfect spot for a photo op. lionsandlanterns.com

Central

The Tampa Edition

Tampa

Luxury knows no limits at The Tampa Edition. The 26-story, 172-room hotel situated in the Water Street Tampa neighborhood welcomes the poshest of guests with great hospitality and lavish services. Seven bars and restaurants, including a rooftop dining experience from Michelin-starred chef John Fraser, make this a foodie’s playground. With the city’s only rooftop pool, Edition brings a new level of luxe to a destination on the rise. For evening entertainment, book a table beside the stage at the Arts Club, a Radio City Music Hall-inspired space featuring an undulating ceiling of 350 mirrored balls of various sizes and theatrical ruby-red velvet drapery. For a glam night of conversation and cocktails, settle into the Punch Room, inspired by Tampa’s historic ties to swashbuckling pirates. editionhotels.com/tampa

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Rouge Beauty Lab

Ocoee

Rouge Beauty Lab proposes luxury beauty done your way. Opened in Ocoee in November 2022, the Beauty Lab lets customers create their own lipstick, lip gloss, foundation and concealer with the guidance of in-house experts. Rouge was born out of founder Niki Shah’s struggle to find foundation shades that matched her skin tone. So, she dreamed up a space where everyone can create their perfect match using only the cleanest ingredients. “Every customer teaches you new things,” Shah said. Some are searching for a seamless shade of foundation, others want a lipstick hue that doesn’t wash them out, and some just want to mix up makeup with their friends. It’s an inclusive experience that reinforces Shah’s belief that everyone belongs in the world of beauty, no matter your shade. rougebeautylab.com

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Good Intentions

St. Petersburg

At Good Intentions, vegans don’t have to stick to sides in order to cobble together a meal. The fully vegan owned and operated bar and restaurant, which opened in September 2022, offers a wide variety of plant-based dishes and craft cocktails. Wednesday through Sunday this health-conscious hotspot offers a diverse dinner menu ranging from chimichurri tempeh to grits and greens. On the weekends, indulge in all your brunch favorites like French toast stuffed with cream cheese and, of course, avocado toast. Affectionately called Goodies by the locals, this bright and airy eatery lends its space to more than just good eats. From pop-up vendor events to holiday-themed parties, this addition to the St. Pete scene is all about amplifying the good vibrations of its customers. Whether you stop in for a quick espresso martini or you linger for hours with your loved ones over a grazing board, Good Intentions is beloved by vegans and voracious carnivores alike. goodintentionsfl.com

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The Alibi Cocktails & Bites

Cocoa Beach

The prohibition era might be over, but The Alibi Cocktails & Bites keeps the speakeasy spirit alive through its intimate and exquisite ambience. The cocktail bar and restaurant offers an elevated selection of craft drinks and bites reminiscent of a trendy lounge you might find in Manhattan. With its dark walls, classic leather booths, wood tabletops and Moroccan lamps, the space feels like the perfect cozy spot to kick off a date night, but The Alibi is just as welcoming to laid-back beachgoers who stumble across it after a long day on the sand just across the street. Today’s Alibi is actually a reinvention of the original, which opened back in the 1950s and was a popular hangout spot for astronauts. While you don’t need an engineering degree to snag a seat at the bar nowadays, the mixology happening here looks like chemistry. Of course you’ll find classics like a smoked old fashioned, but we recommend getting a little adventurous with your aperitif. Try one of their specialty cocktails like the Waste Management, a fruity vodka beverage served in a little trash can, or The Sting, a bright blue gin drink crowned with smoke. thealibicocktailsandbites.com

South

Klaw 

Miami

Housed in the historic Miami Woman’s Club, Klaw offers a five-star surf-and-turf experience in a storied setting. This culinary adventure unfolds over three levels inside a Spanish Renaissance-style building with panoramic city views. Ascend to Edgewater’s only rooftop bar to begin with an aperitif or two overlooking the port of Miami. Don’t let too many Manhattans make you miss your reservation downstairs, though. One of the most celebrated items on the menu is Klaw’s Norwegian king crab, which is flown in from the Arctic Ocean, prepared tableside and served with a lemon butter garlic sauce. Although the seafood hails from faraway places, the beef is cultivated in Florida, thanks to partnerships with local Cracker cattle ranchers. klawrestaurant.com

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Coldwater Oyster Market

Fort Myers 

At Coldwater Oyster Market in Fort Myers, owners Adam and Erin Nardis bring a different breed of bivalve to the table. Salty Southern oysters grown in warm waters are plentiful on plates around the Sunshine State, so the Nardis’ wanted to offer something unusual. Drawing from their years of experience running the National Hotel in Rhode Island, the Nardis’ know that oysters grown in the Atlantic Northeast’s frigid waters have a distinct flavor—crisper and sweeter than their Southern siblings. The menu showcases oysters from both the East and West Coast. Order them raw, and let the sweet meat speak for itself or have them dressed up with vodka-smoked gouda cream, spinach, bacon and truffle crumbs. Venture beyond the bivalves though, because the Maine lobster roll earns rave reviews, perhaps for the sheer volume of buttery meat that overflows from the toasted brioche bun. coldwateroystermarket.com

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Carousel Club

Hallandale Beach

Sometimes, you just want to feel like a kid again, and the Carousel Club in Gulfstream Park gives you permission to do just that. With 14,000 square feet of open-air gathering space reminiscent of an upscale carnival, this new entertainment venue is the perfect place for girl’s nights, bachelor parties and happy-hour hangouts. Cast off your adult cares beneath the sparkling lights of a merry-go-round, the club’s crown jewel, or find a quiet spot among the lush, tropical greenery on the lawn. This pastel-themed party spot overlooks Gulfstream Park’s racetrack, so guests can bet on their choice horse. At night, the Carousel Club comes alive with carnival-themed aerial acrobatic performances, stilt walkers and euphoric EDM shows. Here, whimsy and nostalgia reign, so if a few mojitos have you not acting your age, you’re not alone. carouselclub.com

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Arlo Wynwood

Miami

Arlo Wynwood brings a fresh edge to Miami’s hospitality landscape. What began as a stark white property became a canvas for local creators, from the massive swirling mural on the exterior wall by Miami artist Hoxxoh to the kaleidoscopic staircase painted by Felici Asteinza and Joey Fillastre of Milagros Collective. The area’s artistic sensibilities carry over into the culinary offering. Helmed by award-winning chef Brad Kilgore, MaryGold’s is a Florida spin on a traditional brasserie, meaning you’ll find savory beignets filled with jerk oxtail and layered brioche topped with orange blossom honey on the menu. Higher Ground, a cocktail bar on the third-floor terrace, is the perfect perch for happy hour, while the 76-foot-long heated rooftop pool tempts visitors year-round. The hotel’s team describes the experience as “where relaxation meets inspiration—and good vibes are guaranteed.”
arlohotels.com/wynwood