JavaCone is slated for 5537 Palmer Crossing Circle in Sarasota and promises artisan espresso, handcrafted breakfast and premium ice cream. No firm opening date has been announced.

Plan‑review documents show Lakeland Donuts LLC has filed to open at 2810 S Florida Ave, a storefront just south of the Market at Southgate.

Tampa-based Fresh Kitchen will take over the former Chicken Guy at 818 S. Orlando Ave, promising a major interior overhaul and a year-end 2026 opening. The move follows the Park Avenue location's 2025 closure.

A modern Japanese izakaya called Hanami has been announced for 635 Cleveland Street, bringing sushi, ramen and yakitori to downtown Clearwater. The spot will sit near a planned $50M entertainment anchor with a record-size screen.

A bodega‑style window called Bodega Bus is moving into downtown Tampa’s former Taco Bus storefront, promising halal chopped cheese, smashburgers and late‑night hours until 4 a.m.

Fresh Kitchen will reopen in Hyde Park on June 9 at a larger Kennedy Boulevard flagship, replacing the SoHo spot lost to a 2024 fire. Pre-opening events will benefit disaster relief.

Plan‑review paperwork shows a proposed IHOP at 37051 U.S. 27 in Haines City near Bates Road. The filing names Sunshine Restaurant Partners as the franchisee.

White Castle opened a new Kissimmee Castle and has Daytona and St. Augustine plans — but the chain hasn’t announced a Tampa Bay site yet.

Palm Harbor’s longtime pie shop JJ Gandy’s will reopen this summer under new owner Rob Marvenko, who says he secured the bakery’s recipes and will preserve the pies. The storefront and much of the interior are being kept intact.

Cousin Vinny’s, fresh from a Michelin nod, has signed a St. Pete lease and is plotting a South Tampa outpost as it aims for 10 Florida locations by 2029.

Matilde, a coastal Mexican steakhouse from Next Level Brands, will anchor AER Tampa's ground floor and target a spring 2027 opening near the Riverwalk.

Plan-review filings show Coco Coastal Coffee LLC has targeted 5400 Marina Drive, Unit A in Holmes Beach; owners haven't announced a menu or opening date.

Bern's will close Haven in late May to begin converting the Hyde Park restaurant into a seafood concept led by chef Chad Johnson. A fall 2027 opening is the target.