Aloha Waffle Bar has opened a second Jacksonville location at 1500 Beach Blvd in Jacksonville Beach, expanding its bubble waffles, Kona coffee and boba to the Beaches.

A pickle-focused pop-up opens March 6–8 in St. Augustine’s historic San Marco bottling plant with tastings, murals and pickle merch. The event will include free samples and novelty bites.

Local favorite 1928 Cuban Bistro opened its eighth Northeast Florida location Monday at 501 Riverside Ave in Brooklyn, bringing cubanos and cafecito to the downtown riverfront.

A new taco truck called Taqueria Picazo has plan‑review paperwork for a University Boulevard West spot in Jacksonville, but the owner says the opening date is still TBD.

Kappucinos plans a mid-April opening at Dunns Creek Crossing, pairing Southern breakfasts and specialty coffees by day with a sports‑bar vibe and live events at night.

Pink Fryday is coming to One Daytona with mochi doughnuts, Korean fried chicken and selfie‑ready pink decor. Owner Debo Yang says construction and recipe testing are underway.

Coastal Farmer will be the signature oceanfront restaurant at the Dune House Hotel & Spa in Atlantic Beach, promising farm-forward fare, private dining and a dune-facing patio.

Chipotle filed a $350,000 build‑out permit for a 2,800‑sq‑ft unit at The Pavilion at Durbin Park, listing Duffey Southeast Inc. as contractor. The restaurant will be an interior location without a drive‑thru.

Soul Out Kitchen, a new food truck at 2056 Emerson St, aims to open April 1 with country-style fried chicken, ribs and classic sides on Jacksonville’s south side.

Juniper Market, the Uptown St. Augustine cafe, has filed plan-review documents listing 420 N Main St in Hastings as a proposed new outpost. The filings are in early review and no opening date is listed.

Cafe San Marco opened in the former Bistro AIX at 1440 San Marco Blvd, pairing a Cuban-style breakfast cafe with an evening tapas bar and late-night pizza.

Birdie Coffee opened a downtown walk-up at 1 Independent Drive, offering quick specialty coffee and locally sourced pastries for morning commuters.

Layla Nelson overcame personal challenges with support from her high school dean, Sherrilla Simmons, leading to her graduation and pursuit of a teaching career.