What’s New Around Florida This Summer
From private-airplane espresso and mermaid margaritas to custom candles and Pickleball parties, we've rounded up the hottest openings in the Sunshine State this summer.
NORTH
BEACH BOWL
Jacksonville Beach
Hold on to your bowling balls because this 60-year-old North Florida landmark is rising from the ashes after a four-and-a-half-year hiatus and a $7.5 million makeover by H&H Enterprises Inc. A retro neon sign with the iconic Beach Bowl logo and a tropical mural by local artist BonoPaints punctuates this overhauled entertainment complex that combines classic 1960s kitsch with modern design. Not just about strikes and spares, this long-awaited reinvention also includes a two-story restaurant with casual rooftop dining and an over-the-top arcade. Open as of June, Beach Bowl invites guests to find their lane, play a game, savor a cocktail and soak in the sunset views in the heart of Jacksonville Beach. beachbowljax.com
THE STUDIO
St. Augustine
Step inside this boutique yoga and wellness space situated a few blocks from the sands of St. Augustine Beach, where the scent of essential oils and the calming presence of owner and instructor Amy Commander invite you to breathe deeply and set your intentions for the day (or month). Commander, a certified yoga instructor, nutrition counselor and astrologer, designed The Studio for small-group classes and private retreats, with a range of class types including introspective yin, invigorating vinyasa and powerful pilates flow that cater to all levels. Beyond the yoga mat, rejuvenate in the infrared sauna, detox in the steam shower, shock your senses with a cold plunge or discover your destiny with a personal astrology reading. facebook.com/thestudiostaugustine
BLAKE DOYLE SKATEPARK
Pensacola
Skateboarding hurts. But according to Jon Shell, founder of Upward Intuition, a nonprofit dedicated to the creation of a public skatepark, the resilience the sport of skateboarding teaches—to get up and press on after every hard fall—is exactly the kind of persistence that was needed to make this dream a reality. Fueled by Pensacola’s outdated laws prohibiting skateboarding, the city’s lack of a skatepark and Shell’s belief that kids need safe places to hangout, he envisioned a space that would connect two halves of the city previously divided by an overpass. In May 2023, after eight years of fundraising, advocating and building, the Blake Doyle Skatepark opened as a 25,000-square-foot, world-class skatepark, featuring areas for all skill levels, two skate bowls and a multilevel skate plaza. Not only serving boarders, bladers and bikers, the $2.2 million renovation also includes features that unite the entire community with playgrounds, gardens, venues for live music, food trucks and more. upwardintuition.org
BISTROLOGY
Miramar Beach
Owners Jonatan Torres and Henry Guerrero poured their hearts, livelihoods and unique flavors into Miramar Beach’s latest innovative and deliciously eclectic eatery. From their industrial lighting and exposed brick to their 16-page menu and house coffee beans, the construction company owners turned kitchen masters wanted it to be like nothing else off U.S. Highway 98. Embark on a culinary expedition through Latin cuisine with huevos rotos, a Spanish dish of potatoes, eggs, parmesan and Serrano ham, or with Peruvian ceviche, which includes avocado, shrimp, spicy peppers and fried green plantain slices. While their plates deserve all the brunch buzz, their myriad drinks take the main stage, starting with the berry bonanza, a homemade raspberry, blackberry and strawberry soda with a pink sugar fruit popsicle floating on top, and ending with the affogato tiramisu, made of Italian mascarpone cream, lady fingers, vanilla ice cream and cocoa powder. bistrology.restaurant
CENTRAL
THE RIDING ACADEMY
Ocala
Mind the horse crossings, pass under the Georgian-styled archways and go slowly along the winding road to find the World Equestrian Center’s latest lodging addition: The Riding Academy Hotel. Welcoming guests since March 2024, the 390-room family- and pet-friendly hotel boasts similar design details as its more formal sister property, The Equestrian Hotel, with saddlebag-styled pillows, horse-patterned wallpaper and whimsy, as seen by the anthropomorphic dog portraits adorning the walls. Grab a morning espresso or a late-night bite from The Tack Room, a beverage, snacks and sweets market, and read a book in one of the forest green leather armchairs next to a life-size bronze greyhound statue. Just a golf cart ride away from the horse show arenas and expo centers, The Riding Academy Hotel is for every member of the family, including the furry and hooved ones. ridingacademyhotel.com
CITRUS CLUB
Orlando
Imagine sitting at a table blindfolded and then enjoying a three-course meal with only your taste buds to guide you. Dining in the Dark is just one example of the roster of social events Orlando’s Citrus Club has up its sleeve. The Central Florida luxury social club’s innovative approach to creating bespoke events, member engagement and over-the-top experiences is why it has remained a fixture since 1971. Situated in the heart of downtown Orlando, the club recently revealed a stunning Florida-inspired refresh with chic tropical interiors for The Grove, a casual dining and bar area, and Tangerine, an upscale dining-cum-banquet-hall. While members-only, the club often opens its doors to the public to share its zest for creating community. invitedclubs.com
SEA LOVE
Dunedin
When Heather Feus walked into a small candle shop in Kennebunkport, Maine, she fell in love with its line of soy-based, vegan candles free of carcinogens. Feus was aware of the harmful chemicals in everyday objects that worsened health conditions, like her mother’s cancer. In December 2023, Sea Love opened in downtown Dunedin. Feus now leads candle-making classes and sells a line of custom scents—Honeymoon Island is one of the most popular, with notes of citrus, coconut and rum to denote the dreamy allure of its state park namesake—but candle lovers can always come up with their own signature smell, like a s’mores reed diffuser with notes of marshmallow, chocolate and graham cracker. sealovedunedin.com
TAMPA PICKLEBALL CREW
Ybor City
Dink your way to domination at Tampa Pickleball Crew. This woman-owned business has given new meaning to “Friday night lights” with its 12 regulation indoor courts located inside a repurposed, open-air, steel manufacturing plant in Ybor City. Crew offers courts for all occasions, including pickleball 101 for beginners, power hours, live DJ open plays, leagues and more. Looking for some friendly competition? Sign up for a summer series tournament or register with the Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating system to see how you stack up. With Crew’s social atmosphere and roster of events, such as pickleball-and-pilates Wednesdays, your racquet game isn’t the only thing that will improve. tampapickleballcrew.com
SOUTH
JONES ROAD
Palm Beach
Over two decades ago, legendary makeup mogul Bobbi Brown’s name became synonymous with cosmetics, culminating with a globally recognized brand. These days, the entrepreneur and author is reintroducing herself to today’s modern audience with her latest makeup collection, Jones Road, a no-makeup makeup line filled with clean ingredients. In four short years, Jones Road (named after a road in the Hamptons) has built an impressive following thanks to its high-performing products, including the revolutionary What the Foundation and Miracle Balm. In February, she opened her fourth retail location and first Florida outpost in Palm Beach, a city where she has spent much of her days since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. “The aesthetics of Jones Road is real, and it’s meant for real women,” Brown says. Stop by the Royal Poinciana Way location for a refreshing celebration of natural beauty. jonesroadbeauty.com
SKY COFFEE BUENOS AIRES
Miami
Typically, airplane travelers do their best to avoid staying grounded, but perhaps this is the one exception. Sky Coffee Buenos Aires recently landed in Miami’s trendy Brickell neighborhood, and unveiled an airplane-themed coffee shop tucked inside the front fuselage of a retired McDonnell Douglas MD-88 aircraft. Guests walk through a metal detector and then up the grand stairs to the luxury liner, where hand-brewed cortaditos, cappuccinos and dulce de leches are enjoyed along with artisanal baked goods and sweet treats, including Kamm vegan and CBD-infused chocolates. Owner Rosana Bentos has even introduced a passport-esque card for frequent fliers—er, customers—of her shop to rack up points with each visit. skycoffeebuenosaires.com
NOLITA
Naples
Change is good, as the Ritz-Carlton, Naples’s latest addition, indicates. The recently renovated seaside hotel welcomes Nolita, an indoor-outdoor Italian-American restaurant that is an homage to New York’s famed culinary district (aka NoLita or North of Little Italy). Familiar Italian favorites dot the menu, including a robust cioppino and a refreshing panzanella salad. When thinking of the food, executive chef Satish Yerramilli recommends the pizza. “Everyone has an opinion about the perfect crust, but the pizza at Nolita is a must,” he says. Manning the pizza kitchen is Chef Gabriele Candela, a third-generation culinarian who honed his talent inside his grandfather’s Palermo, Italy-based pizzeria and continued sharpening his skills at the Michelin Guide-recognized L’Antica Pizzeria da Michele. Nolita also features Candela’s signature “light as air” focaccia, something that hasn’t changed and is a cherished family recipe. Che bonta. nolitanaples.com
Sereia
Miami
It’s been said that if you linger outside Sereia long enough, the wafting scents of its bacalhau a Brás, a salted cod dish, will likely lure you in. Portuguese for “mermaid,” Sereia is a culinary serenade newly opened within the Coconut Grove neighborhood. Helmed by Portugal’s celebrated chef Henrique Sá Pessoa, owner of the two-Michelin-starred Alma, Sereia is an amalgamation of Iberian classics with Pessoa’s fine techniques honed across the world. Known for its depth of flavors, as tasted in the cataplana fish stew, Sereia also features an omakase-style crudo bar. “I wanted to bring something different to Miami, considering there aren’t many Portuguese restaurants,” Pessoa says. “People will relate to some of our recipes, like salted cod, which Brazilians love.” Bring your appetite and your chicest crew to experience the sophisticated flavors and vibe of this bold new spot. sereia.miami
