by | December 10, 2025
12 New Statewide Openings This Winter
Warm up this winter with Florida’s newest openings, including cozy bookstores, state-of-the-art aquariums, a 1,200-square-foot hammam spa treatment and more.
North
Midnight Moon Books and Boutique
St. Augustine
Once, there was Gypsy’s Book Nook, a popular corner of the Gypsy Moon gift emporium nestled in the heart of the Ancient City. That foray into the written word was so successful that owners Alison Bender and Melissa Hunt have gone all in, opening a full-blown bookstore and boutique. The space is cozy and inviting—designed with book club meetings in mind. Shoppers can find everything from hand-poured candles to handmade throws, along with a selection of wine and local snacks to enjoy while they curl up in a chair with a good book. The shelves beckon with a thoughtfully curated array of fantasy, romance and thrillers.
Marché Côtier
Fernandina Beach
European elan comes to Florida’s northern-most beach town as married entrepreneurs Jess and Greg Devaney tap into their passion for continental food markets at their sophisticated new cafe, which opened this summer just a block away from Centre Street. Marché Côtier, French for “coastal market,” offers an expansive assortment of high-quality imported cheeses, caviar and meats, as well as items from local bakers and brewers, plus other artisanal favorites. Bring a friend for lunch and build your own charcuterie. Or indulge in the caviar service and have some bubbly on the side. After all, is it really a day at the beach without a taste of Siberian sturgeon roe?
Revival House
Panama City
It’s billed as “a general store of sorts,” but the corner shop has turned into more of a community resource. Locals know to look for the colorful art deco facade and the signature logo—a flamingo flying out of a keyhole—on their storefront windows, which cover two of its exterior walls. Come for the sundries; stay for the good company. Kick back with a fancy snack and a Gulf Coast-brewed beverage—or a cup of joe—and browse the boutique for a last-minute gift or party favor. There’s a little bit of everything to enjoy in this lively shop in downtown Panama City, whether it’s the fresh produce or the special pop-up events: And don’t miss a visit by the Pie Guy.
Ria Leigh Gallery
Grayton Beach
Contemporary fine art finds a home just off 30A with the debut of this new gallery, housed in a quaint cottage among the Shops of Grayton. It’s the dream enterprise of Alexandra Hartsfield, Rebecca Elliott and investor Sharon Hathaway, the latter two who paired their middle names to create the moniker. The space reflects the team’s deep roots in the fine-art world and extensive experience working with artists, collectors, designers and art lovers in search of their perfect piece. The gallery represents about 25 regional and international artists whose styles range from cheeky pop art to delicate evocations of nature, as well as work in mixed media, ceramics and—as it’s at the beach, after all—the surfboard-as-canvas work of Paul Tamanian. Whether looking to purchase a statement piece or just refill your creative well, Ria Leigh is worth a stop.
Central
Mote Science Education Aquarium
Sarasota
Sarasota just made a serious splash. Opened in October, the 146,000-square-foot Mote Science Education Aquarium (SEA) is making waves as both a research hub and a window into what goes on in the ocean. Habitats bring guests face-to-face with a giant Pacific octopus, a sleek sandbar shark, curious manatees and dozens of other species. What began in 1955 in a one-room building in Placida has grown into a global force in marine science, education and immersive public experiences. The new facility’s three state-of-the-art STEM teaching labs and five workforce training labs will give more than 70,000 K–12 students a chance to dive into hands-on learning each year. Through large glass windows, visitors can even watch scientists at work, uncovering discoveries that may shape the future of our oceans.
Lara
Tampa
This edgy yet posh apothecary bar and bazaar is the first establishment from Suzanne Lara, a Tampa chef who’s been working her way through local kitchens. Influenced by the distinct cultures that have come together in Ybor City, the menu is divided into five sections: pintxos, hands, please, biggie, smalls and sweets, while the bar serves up creative elixirs like the Mexican fruit cup—a mix of tequila, fruit punch, chamoy and Tajín. Above the eclectic dining area sits the bazaar, offering foodie gifts like cookbooks and cocktail tool kits, along with a speakeasy-style space located behind a sliding bookshelf that welcomes private events and parties.
Hall’s On 5th
Apopka
While this is officially Apopka’s first food hall, it’s also one of the town’s newest community gathering spots. Located in the former Hall’s Feed Store, the historic building is a hub for socializing. Its weekly calendar includes everything from trivia night to a domino league to the beloved Friday night farmer’s market, which includes local vendors and live music. No matter the get-together, there’s always bonding over high-quality food. Currently, Hall’s On 5th has six Apopka-based food businesses, serving up delicious bites like empanadas, plant-based sliders and cookie-stuffed waffles, in addition to The Egret Bar, pouring beer, wine and craft cocktails.
Sparrow
Orlando
With its checkered floor, mod furniture and a disco ball named Rhonda, Sparrow feels more like an intimate lounge you’d stumble upon in one of the world’s megacities rather than somewhere in Central Florida. One of the latest ventures from Good Salt Restaurant Group, this eatery is located in downtown Orlando. The menu is designed to take your taste buds on a European vacation, jetting from Spain with the jamon Ibérico de bellota to Italy with rigatoni verde to France with sole meuniere. Drinks range from a mix of Old- and New-World wines to their house Sparrow Martini finished with housemade “bird seed” (a mix of seeds and nuts) served on the side.
South
Amrit Ocean Resort Wellness & Spa
Riviera Beach
What happens when you harness the power of ancient healing rituals into a modern four-story sanctuary of health and wellness? You get the 103,000-square-foot oceanfront spa (the state’s largest wellness center) located within the Amrit Ocean Resort on Singer Island. Amrit transforms the typical wellness experience with its take on long-standing Chinese, Indian and European traditions, including the recent introduction of a 1,200-square-foot hammam, a bathing ritual experience made popular in Turkey and North Africa. Crafted from imported stone and marble from Portugal and Italy, the hammam is staffed by expert therapists and includes guided spa rituals such as Moroccan bathing traditions designed to purify, rejuvenate and balance the body. Namaste to that.
Churchill’s Pub
Miami
For decades, tales of all-night shows at Churchill’s Pub have been the stuff of Miami legend. Since the rock music venue opened its doors in 1979, acts such as Marilyn Manson, Iggy Pop and The Mavericks have helped carve it into the cultural conscious of South Florida. When the beloved dive bar went dark, shutting its doors in 2020 during the pandemic, so did a piece of Miami’s underground spirit. Thankfully, Churchill’s reopened its doors in Little Haiti in September. Not much has changed in the five years, save for new paint, a revamped patio and a kitchen that pumps out everything from wings to croquetas. There are movie nights and regular open mic nights (no cover charge)—and the best part? Live music is pumping late into the night.
Lunara Bay
Key West
A slice of island luxury with a pinch of Conch Republic soul, Lunara Bay reimagines the classic Key West getaway. Opened this summer, the waterfront enclave blends the comfort of a private vacation home with the indulgences of a boutique hotel. Its 26 individually designed residences—ranging from four to eight bedrooms—have their own pool and ample outdoor space. Tucked just before Stock Island, the refined collection of homes comes with a personal concierge, called a Guest Experience Manager, to assist in planning excursions, arranging private chef-prepared dinners and anything else you may need to create the perfect Key West stay.
The Ben at Sea
West Palm Beach
When The Ben opened its doors in 2020, it was the area’s first waterfront hotel in nearly half a century (and remains the only in West Palm Beach.) Now, The Ben is offering a standout amenity thanks to a partnership with PorterYachts, making it the only hotel in the area offering guests direct access to these luxury cruisers. Whether it’s a celebration or corporate outing, choose between three different vessels, all of which can comfortably fit up to 13 guests. Each yacht includes a professional captain, crew, private chef and bartender. The sail is customizable, and The Ben at Sea’s team is on deck to make your yachting dreams a reality—no matter if you’d like a wellness treatment, a multicourse fine dining experience or live music under the stars.
