Pura Vida Miami in downtown Tampa. Credit: Gnazzo Group
OPENINGS/CLOSINGS
New Mexican restaurant Lolita’s Coastal Cocina opens in Clearwater Beach
It’s not quite clear if Tampa Bay currently has too many modern Mexican concepts, but nevertheless a new luchador has entered the fight. Lolita’s Coastal Cocina recently opened at Opal Sol on Clearwater Beach, located at 400 Coronado Dr. The new waterfront restaurant is open to hotel guests and non-guests and centers around a menu featuring shareable plates like customizable guacs, street tacos, meaty nachos, charred octopus and even heartier entrees such as the Grouper a la Veracruzana or the Lolita’s Carne Platter. Guests can also expect a large offering of wines and beers and of course, tequila and mescal-based cocktails.—Colin Wolf
New café Pura Vida Miami opens in downtown Tampa this week
Is Tampa the next Miami? Well, the verdict is still out, but a popular South Florida restaurant chain is about to debut in Tampa’s Water Street neighborhood. Fast-casual wellness café chain Pura Vida Miami opened this week at 1038 Water St., in the former Dwell & Company location. Pura Vida, founded by Israeli businessman and restaurateur Omer Horev, offers a MAHA-friendly seed oil-free menu, with items like avocado toast, salads, various eggs, protein plates, smoothies, açaí, coffee and matcha, as well as seasonal fare.—CW
FOOD FEATURES
Tampa Bay’s hottest new restaurants to open this summer
Tampa Bay restaurants are up against quite a bit. Despite rising rents and food costs, pesky inflation and even GLP-1 weight loss medications, local restaurants are still making it happen. And, even though summers are often the slower months for local eateries, Tampa Bay still witnessed a slew of new spots to explore. From new smash burger joints, high-end sushi spots, and elevated Spanish cuisine, what follows are some of the most popular new restaurants to debut in Tampa Bay over the last few months. READ THE WHOLE LIST HERE. —CL Staff
FOOD EVENTS
The Tampa Bay Food Fight chef battle comes to St. Pete on Tuesday
After winning the “Tampa Bay Food Fight” title in 2025, a team of chefs from St. Petersburg will try to repeat on home turf this week. Allelo’s Nick Ocando captains a side featuring some of the most creative minds in the ‘Burg including Tim Lentsch from Juno and the Peacock, plus Chris Astrip of the Black Pearl in Dunedin. Leading Team Tampa in 2026 is Taro Larrea from the new Sapphire supper club who’ll have cooks like Felicia Lacalle of Quiote Tequilaria and Noble Crust’s Fernando Sanchez at his side.—Ray Roa
Tampénos get a taste of its Spanish heritage with the Wines of Spain at Centro Asturiano de Tampa in Ybor City. Wines of Spain brings wine lovers together as the Ybor City landmark, located at 1913 N Nebraska Ave., prepares to celebrate its 125-year anniversary. Attendees will raise a glass from a selection of 50 Spanish and Mediterranean wines, including reds, whites and dessert wines. The evening’s entertainment includes flamenco dancers, live music and a silent auction. More than just wine, the event offers a cocktail bar, Spanish-inspired tapas and a cigar lounge to smoke it all down. Proceeds from Wines of Spain will go towards The Big Lift, a fundraising project that will renovate the historic gymnasium into a new communal space.—Leif Helland
Latin food, drink and music coming to Ybor City this weekend for ‘Salsa Con Ron’
Sorta Pretty Good is hosting its second Salsa con Ron Latin dance party featuring Rum & Coke, the three-person Afro-Caribbean all-vinyl DJ collective playing music from the ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s. Think of the kind of tunes that spark a core memory that makes guests say: “I haven’t heard this song since I was at my grandma’s,” in the best, nostalgic way. Kress Contemporary once again opens its beautiful doors, atriums and balconies overlooking Ybor City’s old bricks to bring people together for a day party full of music, dancing, dominoes, food by Chicken and Pig, along with plenty of margs and mojitos to go around. The DJ collective entrusted with spinning the good stuff is renowned in its world, holding one of the longest running residencies in Miami, happening monthly at Dante’s for the past five years. —Annalise Mabe
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This article appears in September 10 – 16, 2026.
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