What’s coming to Tampa Bay in 2023
Rumaki Food Truck — January 2023
500 N Florida Ave, Tampa
Rukumaki Instagram
If you’re looking for something sweet for the New Year, try this Greek donut and coffee food truck!
Rukumaki is another word for locomades, Greek donuts traditionally made with honey and cinnamon.
Owner Alexandra Karamitsios started Lukumaki (formerly known as Meli Gourmet Greek Donuts) in Miami during the pandemic. A former teacher, her Karamitsios always loved the food industry and wanted to start her own business.
“It’s amazing… I was surprised, you know, it was really popular,” said Calamitrios.
Now that she and her husband have moved to Tampa, Calamitrios is looking forward to rebranding her business and bringing her unique Greek donuts to Tampa.
Everything is made to order. Try the traditional honey and cinnamon flavors, or choose from options that offer sweet and salty flavor profiles such as Nutella, Dulce de Leche and Feta.
Rukmaki is aiming for a soft opening in mid-to-late January. The food truck is located across from the CW Gin Joint in Downtown St. Pete.
Lucid Zero Proof Lounge — January 2023
3102 Lithia Pinecrest Road, Valrico
Luid Zero Proof Lounge
Get ready for Tampa Bay’s first Zero Proof Lounge! This spot offers freshly crafted mocktails and mood-boosting options. Think of your favorite classics with a twist.
All beverages are crafted with a selection of non-alcoholic spirits, beers and wines. We also offer a menu of globally inspired small plates.
Lucid has no shortage of entertainment. Enjoy up-and-coming local performers with an emphasis on jazz and blues.
Reservations are recommended. The lounge is open from Thursday to Saturday.
Elevenses Opens Bakery — January/February 2023
1001 E Columbus Drive, Tampa
Eleventh Co., Ltd.
Elevens will open for the first time next year!
Owner Jade Yelvington started his career as a barista and loved making latte art. Watching her mother, the owner of her chocolate pies, work hard as a pastry chef, I never imagined she would become a baker. But five or six years ago, Yelvington was looking for another job after her mother’s previous store closed.
Elevenses started with custom cakes and expanded to macrons, brownies, cookies and pastries. The business is currently baking in Chocolate Pie’s kitchen, but Yelvington is excited to see what he can do with his space.
“I’m very excited about the new store because it gives me the opportunity to expand my desserts into something I love and want to feature more,” said Yelvington.
The bakery is located in Ybor, in an old building with plenty of natural light from the large windows. There is also plenty of free street parking available for visitors.
Yelvington grew up in the bakery industry. Her style draws inspiration from her family’s southern cooks and bakers, as well as French baking techniques. Try interesting cake and macaron combinations such as Ube Vanilla, Miso Salted Caramel, Banana Caramel Chips, and Chocolate Passion Fruit.
“I think we’re doing something different when it comes to bakery options here,” Yelvington said.
Elevenses is expected to open by Valentine’s Day at the latest. Once the shop opens, they’ll continue to custom order, but with Yelvington building the team, your options may be a little limited at first.
In addition, since we are working on a coffee program, the shop will also offer a limited coffee menu.
In the meantime, you can place an online pickup order for your treats here.
PopStroke Opens in Tampa — Early 2023
Cypress Creek Town Center at Wesley Chapel
PopStroke is Sarasota’s newest mini golf hotspot.Taste and See Tampa Bay
This mini golf and casual dining concept features two 18-hole putting courses designed by Tiger Woods and TGR Design. Enjoy an outdoor gaming area, full-service restaurant, and course drink service using the PopStroke mobile app.
Tampa is PopStoke’s fifth Florida location and one of three new courses opening nationwide in the first quarter of 2023.
PopStroke opened in Sarasota last spring to rave reviews.
“Demand has been extremely high, from corporate events and birthday parties to everyday people. Director of Public Affairs Melissa Sullivan said.
PopStroke Tampa is a single story ranch style concept. The golf course, like all his PopStrokes, will be unique to this location, so guests will experience different challenges at each location.
We have a grand opening event next year, so be sure to follow PopStoke on Instagram for the latest.
Cane & Barrel Rooftop Bar — Early 2023
110 2nd Street North, St. Petersburg
Cane & Barrel | St Pete Rising
St. Pete’s newest rooftop bar is set to open next year. Cane & Barrel sits above the brand new AC Hotel by Marriott St. Petersburg, which is set to open in January.
According to St. Pete Rising, Cane & Barrel has a 1,000-square-foot interior lounge and bar and a 1,900-square-foot roof terrace that includes a second bar. The space was designed by California-based Ellis Adams Group., who also designed Sal y Mar in Midtown Tampa.
According to AC Hotel by Marriott St. Petersburg’s website, Cane & Barrel serves Latin American cuisine and is open for lunch and dinner. Dress code will be smart casual.
Pipeline: Surf Coaster at SeaWorld Orlando — Spring 2023
7007 Seaworld Dr, Orlando
Get ready for a wild ride! Launch 110 feet above and experience the rush of feeling every bank and curve as if you were actually riding a wave on Pipeline.
It’s the world’s first surf coaster, reaching 60 mph and has over 2,900 feet of track.
This thrilling ride is the seventh addition to Orlando’s Coaster Capital. Annual pass members will be the first to get unlimited rides in 2023!
Serengeti Flyer at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay — Spring 2023
10165 McKinley Drive, Tampa
The Serengeti Flyer plunges into 2023 at Busch Gardens. Every time we swing the 65-acre Serengeti Plains, the rider goes higher and higher, experiencing negative his G-moments.
This vehicle features two twin duel arms that can reach speeds of 68 mph and reach a maximum height of 135 feet at the vehicle’s peak.
10 people sit back to back in two gondolas, and 40 people can ride at once.
If you have an annual pass to Busch Gardens and have completed the Passport to Thrill program, you have the exclusive opportunity to experience the Serengeti Flyer as a VIP.
Toastique Coming to Tampa — Spring 2023
1011 E Cumberland Ave, Tampa
Tostic
Water Street Tampa offers a gourmet toast and juice bar.
Founder Brianna Keefe launched Toastique in the DC metro area, drawing inspiration from international celebrities and picturesque destinations while maintaining a neighborhood small-town feel.
Enjoy everything from early morning breakfasts on the go to company lunches to refueling after a sweaty session. The menu includes acai and fruit bowls, smoothies, juices, and of course Gourmet His Toast. This franchise uses fresh, seasonal products that are responsibly sourced.
Toastique is currently based in Orlando and plans to open a third Florida location in Sarasota in Fall 2023.
Shiso Crispy opens restaurant — May 2023
Tyrone Gardens in St Pete
shiso crispy
From food trucks to restaurants, Shiso Crispy will open its first physical store next year!
This Japanese food truck takes it to a whole new level. Enjoy sticky rice, special gyoza sauce, gochujang aioli, fried onions, bao buns made with scallions, gyoza and our popular dirty rice. All made by hand.
Shiso Crispy owner Ronika Whaley began working under the Malaysian Prime Minister and launched a 250-car food truck franchise in Kuala Lumpur before returning to St. Pete to launch Shiso Crispy in November 2019. I was. There aren’t many hand-made gyoza options in the area.
“We knew we had to come up with something very unique, because to have a food truck, people need a reason to seek you out,” says Whaley. “So I made mine as flavorful and unique as possible. It quickly started gaining so many followers.”
After building 3 Shiso Crispy food trucks over the last 3 years, we are finally ready to expand into a restaurant due to high demand.
St. Pete is the birthplace of Shiso Crispy, and a large portion of the food truck customer base lives here. The new St. Pete’s location is his 2,600 square feet, with plenty of room for the restaurant and space to pump out all the food for the trucks, eventually launching wholesale specialty sauces and dumplings.
Whaley is considering franchising Shiso Crispy in the future, but don’t worry. Food trucks aren’t going anywhere. Check out their Pinellas Park trucks, Dunedin trucks, or follow us on Facebook to see where our mobile food trucks go next!
Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast — Summer 2023
Universal Studios, Orlando
Universal Studios Orlando Resort
Minions take over Universal Studios! This interactive blaster game experience transports guests to Villain-Con, the largest criminal congress on the planet, where they can put their villainous skills to the test as they compete against each other. Do you have what it takes to be the newest member of The Vicious 6?
This is a one-of-a-kind game-based adventure where guests will encounter immersive environments, nefarious villains, and mischievous minions.
Illumination’s Villain-Con Minion Blast is located inside the new Minion Land on Illumination Ave. This new area will also include his fan-favorite Despicable Me Minion Mayhem attraction, his new Minion Café, and other surprises inspired by popular characters from the blockbuster Illumination franchise.
ZooTampa New Manatee Rescue Center — Fall 2023
1101 W Sly Ave, Tampa
Zootampa in Lowry Park
ZooTampa in Lowry Park is reinventing manatee rescue. This is just one part of his $125 million transformation, which will gradually add new immersive wildlife experiences across multiple habitats and new territories over the next 20 years.
While the new Manatee Rescue won’t officially open until January 2026, new habitat elements include the addition of acute care and nursery pools for the most distressed patients, as well as a newly envisioned interactive habitat. and Stingray Shore, which is scheduled to be completed in the fall. Guests will have the opportunity to touch and feed the stingrays while they swim carefree. It also offers a truly unforgettable opportunity for the more adventurous visitor to step underwater and have a rare up-close and personal encounter with these amazing animals!