Coco’s In the Heights in Tampa, Florida on Sept. 29, 2026. Credit: Annalise Mabe / Creative Loafing Tampa Bay
OPENINGS/CLOSINGS
New restaurant Coco’s In the Heights plans October opening at Tampa’s old Nebraska Mini-Mart
On any given weekday morning at 4 a.m., Tampa’s working class queues up at Coco’s Sandwich Shop in Palmetto Beach, often decked out in reflective workwear, to fuel up for the day. A ten-minute drive away, more get in line around 6 a.m. at the Coco’s on 40th Street. Carlos Carrillo and Adam Hendricks think Seminole Heights could be just as devoted. Last Tuesday morning, Carrillo and Hendricks laid on a few more coats of bright blue paint at their new location, Coco’s In The Heights, located at 4815 N Nebraska Ave. The address once belonged to Nebraska Mini-Mart, which closed in March 2025. Hot chicken concept King of the Coop has a short run at the corner, and an Orlando restaurateur had plans for a food truck park that have apparently fallen through. Now the Coco’s team—operating a nearly 40-year-old Tampa food scene staple—is putting on the finishing touches, aiming to fully open by the end of October. – Annalise Mabe and Ray Roa
Here are renderings of Matilde, a new Mexican steakhouse coming to downtown Tampa
A few months ago, local restaurant group Next Level Brands announced the coming of its latest concept to downtown Tampa, “an elevated coastal Mexican steakhouse,” called Matilde. This week, the company behind popular local spots like Boulon Brasserie, Forbici Modern Italian, and Union New American, released a few renderings of what guests can expect before Matilde’s spring 2027 debut. Named after co-founder Andrew Wright’s Colombian grandmother, Matilde will be the company’s fifth concept, and is currently under construction in a 7,600 square-foot space on the ground floor of the AER luxury condo building at 300 W Tyler Street, which is adjacent to the Tampa Museum of Art and the David A. Straz Jr. Center for the Performing Arts. Built in collaboration with Atelier Zébulon Perron (AZP), the renderings a reveal a contemporary design with 25-foot ceilings, floor-to-ceiling windows, as well as seating for 195 guests indoors and 92 outdoors, along with a 40-person private dining room and a 50-seat bar. – Colin Wolf
Pete’s Bagels will move into former Good Intentions space in St. Pete
It came as a bit of a shock last summer when St. Pete vegan restaurant Good Intentions announced it was closing after four years, but the space will soon have another popular tenant. On Sunday, Pete’s Bagels said it was clearing out of its current space at 2361 1st Ave. S, and moving four blocks down the street to the old Good Intentions building at 1900 1st Ave. S. “We love our building at 2361 (and have had so many memories there over the last 6 years); however, the building itself has structural damage, and we have been straining to grow in it,” wrote the company on social media. “We need something that allows us to grow over the next decade and allows us to be the true community hub that we want to be.” Good Intentions responded to the post, writing “We are SO HAPPY that our beloved space is going to be in such good hands. Excited for new Pete’s!” – Colin Wolf
FOOD EVENTS
Taste of the Beaches, offering $10 dishes and drinks at Pinellas restaurants, returns this month
There’s now a chance to sample the beach restaurant scene, $10 at a time. Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber has announced Taste of the Beaches a nine-day event featuring more than 50 restaurants from casual staples like Indian Rocks Beach’s Coco’s Crush Bar (offering crab cake sandwich with a side and the boozy Orange Crush drink) to fancier spots like Clearwater Beach’s Shor (serving its fried conch and snapper tostada). Tickets, which are $10 each, are available at four locations: Tampa Bay Beaches Chamber office in St. Pete Beach, Wyne on Indian Rocks Beach, or and the Smith & Associates and NextHome real estate offices in St. Pete. – Ray Roa
MORE WEEKEND FOOD EVENTS
Fall Y’all Festival Saturday, Oct. 3. 11 a.m. No cover. Coachman Park, Clearwater. saucyqueen.com
Freedom Fund Dinner Saturday, Oct. 3. 6 p.m. $145. JW Marriott Tampa Water Street, Tampa. naacphillsborough.org
Piertoberfest: Oktoberfest Celebration Saturday, Oct. 3. 11 a.m. No cover. St. Pete Pier, St. Petersburg
Cars + Coffee + Donuts at Lucky Tigre w/Spaddy’s Coffee/Supernatural Donut Factory/EZ Auto FL Sunday, Oct. 4. 9 a.m. No cover ($5 per raffle entry). The Lucky Tigre, Tampa
Sips, Spirits & Sunday Football Sunday, Oct. 4. 12 p.m. $49. Renaissance Tampa International Plaza Hotel, Tampa
See the full list of food events here.
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This article appears in Oct. 01 – 07, 2026.
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