by The Editors | June 4, 2025
New and Noteworthy Openings Across Florida
Try decked-out hot dogs, lounge at the exclusive Harbour Club, discover a charming mom-and-pop grocery shop and more at these fresh Florida openings.
North
Saint
St. Augustine
A new endeavor from the folks behind River & Post and River & Fort, Saint brings high-end Italian cuisine to St. Augustine’s historic bayfront, opening after an extensive renovation of one of the city’s oldest buildings, situated between Harry’s Seafood and The Tini Martini Bar. The space makes the place, with rooftop dining, indoor seating and a sprawling courtyard—and views onto the Matanzas River. All in all, there’s enough room for around 400 diners. The menu is as welcoming, with indulgent dishes such as short rib bolognese, seafood bucatini and braised veal osso buco. Starters boast Old World classics like Nonno’s Meatballs and the Amalfi Coast seafood cone—a cornucopia of shrimp, calamari and scallops suitable for the mighty Neptune himself.
saintsta.com
Link Sausages & Beer
Tallahassee
Every day is a dog day afternoon at Link, the Capital City’s latest concept restaurant, launched by Seven Hills Hospitality Group at the former site of popular taco spot El Cocinero. Patio dining is still a big attraction, but the menu is brand new and, as the name suggests, all about elevated hot dogs. Among the 11 varieties the menu features are familiar variations: bratwurst, kielbasa, andouille and chorizo, all dressed with the dog-appropriate condiments. Diners also get more imaginative options like the buffalo chicken dog and the breakfast dog, which comes with a scrambled egg and cheddar cheese. The handmade, artisanal array isn’t exclusive. No one will scold you if you order a smashburger or a mac-and-cheese bowl. There’s even a dog for vegans.
linksausages.com
The Loafer’s Bench
Sopchoppy
Everything old is new again in Sopchoppy, like this mom-and-pop grocery opened by locals Mike and Kristin McMillan. The Loafer’s Bench evokes vintage Panhandle charm as it brings back the beloved small-town market theme to an evolving downtown. The shop, the only provisioner within 20 minutes, sits adjacent to Civic Brewing Co. as well as the Sopchoppy Depot Park, and offers an appealing selection of lunchtime sandwiches (caprese grilled cheese on sourdough, turkey tomato sprout with Havarti), desserts (homemade ice cream) and pantry provisions (can life ever be complete without JB’s Sopchoppy Sauce?). Kick back on an actual loafer’s bench on the porch or enjoy the clapboard simplicity inside, where walls are adorned with historical photographs.
facebook.com/the-loafers-bench
Saladita Taqueria
Santa Rosa Beach
Street tacos are the vibe at this new taqueria just off 30A. Situated in the brightly decorated former home of Nanbu Noodle Bar, its cuisine is masterminded by Nikhil Abuvala, a James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef: South for his cooking at his showcase restaurant Roux 30A. Saladita’s bywords are bold, fresh and simple, with taco classics built around carnitas, carne asada and slow-cooked birria beef, and more coastal-friendly favorites like baja shrimp. Quesadillas and street bites—which include elote ribs and loaded nachos—round out the menu. Chase it all down with a house margarita rimmed in spicy chili powder or a Jarritos soda.
saladitatacos.com
Central
Perry’s Porch
St. Petersburg
If you’re familiar with St. Petersburg’s history, then the name Perry Snell likely rings a bell—or at least the Snell Isle neighborhood does. Snell was a famed developer in the early 1900s when St. Pete grew from a quaint beach town to a sprawling waterfront destination. Perry’s Porch, a new gathering spot located on the St. Pete Pier, pays homage to Snell and the city’s rich heritage through its architectural influence and coastal style. As its name suggests, Perry’s inviting porch is one of its biggest draws. Lined with white umbrellas, al fresco dining tables and an open-air bar, this elevated outdoor space serves up relaxing waterfront views along with dishes like Trufflekopita, snapper sandwiches and lemon tiramisu.
perrysporch.com
Pink Chicken
Tampa
Even though this whimsical children’s clothing company hails from New York, its colorful patterns exude sunshine. After all, the brand was inspired by the founder’s love of summer beach days and vintage textiles. It should come as no surprise that Pink Chicken debuted its first-ever Florida boutique this spring—just in time for the warm months ahead. Located in Tampa’s Hyde Park Village, the store carries the kaleidoscope of prints they’re known for, including styles for girls, boys and their mamas. It’s also a great way to check out the company’s latest line, Coop Kids by Pink Chicken, which is a collection of extra soft, organic cotton everyday essentials designed for littles who are always on the go.
pinkchicken.com
Opal Sol
Clearwater Beach
There’s a new fixture making a splash on Clearwater Beach. Opal Sol, the sister property of Opal Sands, has recently opened its sleek doors for guests to stay—and play—on its Gulf-front property. All accommodations, from studios to three-bedroom suites, have a balcony with an oceanfront view, and some include wraparound patios with hot tubs, outdoor showers and loungers. Pop next door to Opal Sands by taking their glass sky bridge connecting the two properties to get exclusive access to two full-service spas, four pools, 10 coastal-chic dining spots and an award-winning white sand beach.
opalcollection.com
The Chapman
Winter Park
While The Chapman may be the newest restaurant on the block, everything about it is rooted in the city’s history. It’s even named after one of the city’s founders, Oliver Everett Chapman, while its connecting bar, the Chase Lounge, is a nod to the other, Loring Augustus Chase. Its interior is dripping with Old Florida ambiance as well—like the mural of a Winter Park vintage cityscape, flooring adorned with historic street maps or the chain curtain separating the dining room from the bar area that’s designed to mimic the look of rainfall. The Chapman, situated prominently on the corner of Park Avenue, serves brunch, lunch and dinner with menus featuring locally-sourced ingredients. Nearly every dish has a dash of citrus in it as an ode to the area’s once-booming agricultural industry.
thechapman.com
South
Novatore
Miami
What happens when three chefs from Michelin-starred restaurants come together to debut a modern Italian eatery? You get Novatore, Miami’s latest offering in the always-leveling-up Wynwood neighborhood. Titans in the culinary arts thanks to their lauded NUB restaurant in the Canary Islands, Novatore founders Andrea Bernardi and Fernanda Fuentes-Cárdenas built a dining experience that Bernardi’s grandfather, Novatore, would be proud of. Marrying heritage food with local Florida ingredients and masterful culinary innovation, Novatore features dishes like Gnocco—a reimagined gnocchi dish with a seafood-forward approach that features delicate potato dumplings stuffed with fish and shrimp. Rounding out the culinary team is Chef Marco Rama, formerly the head of Italy’s Andreina. Saluti and buon appetito to that.
novatorecucinaebar.com
Harbour Club
Miami beach
In Miami, it’s all about access and excess. With that baseline in mind, the newly opened Harbour Club does not disappoint. The private, members-only club at Sunset Harbour ups the ante on exclusivity within an atmosphere that merges distinguished culinary flavors with lifestyle experiences. Modeled after London’s legendary private clubs, this exclusive spot features three dining experiences overseen by Chef Michele Esposito: Palm Room, a chic speakeasy lounge; Nikai Lounge, which specializes in Japanese cuisine; and a’Riva, an Italian-Mediterranean concept that is open to the public. Harbour Club is designed to feel like an extension of the members’ private homes—if they were designed by a globally recognized, award-winning firm.
harbourclubmia.com
Salt + Ash
Duck Key
At Hawks Cay Resort in Duck Key, the eyes feast first at Salt + Ash—the latest dining concept from “Top Chef” winner Jeremy Ford. Housed in an octagonal space with a dramatic oven anchoring the room, the restaurant delivers bold, wood-fired dishes like jerk charred carrots and whole charred cauliflower, rooted in Ford’s passion for foraging and farming. Much of the produce is sourced from Ford’s own farm, a 5.5-acre eco-plot in South Miami’s Redlands. Coastal-inspired menu items like crispy local snapper and olive oil-poached swordfish highlight the bounty of fresh seafood pulled from nearby waters—fitting fare for this 60-acre tropical retreat in the heart of the Florida Keys.
hawkscay.com
The Perry Hotel Naples
Naples
Naples has long been known for luxe living, and now the new Perry Hotel adds a modern take on Old Florida to its hospitality scene. Situated along the Cocohatchee River, The Perry Hotel Naples is the region’s newest boutique property, a 160-room hotel with a host of sophisticated offerings. At the top: Tigress, a Cantonese-style restaurant from celebrity chef Dale Talde, pairs bold flavors with panoramic coastal views. Next door is cocktail lounge Easy Tiger. Led by James Beard Award-winning mixologist Lynnette Marrero, the lounge delivers inventive drinks like the Fun-tini in a chic, sky-high setting. Outdoorsy types can take advantage of the resort-style pool, set off on kayak excursions on the Cocohatchee River, relax on sunset cruises and hire private charters from the nearby nature preserve.
perryhotelnaples.com
