11 New Restaurants Opening Across Florida [May 5, 2026]
Here's our weekly round up of new businesses opening across Florida.
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Thank you for tuning into this week's roundup of upcoming businesses in Florida. Business Debut interviewed each business owner to confirm the details below.
Broward County
Big Whiskey’s American Restaurant & Bar
CORAL SPRINGS, FL — Steve Swanson, alongside his sister Jacki Swanson and his wife Suzanne Swanson, is bringing Big Whiskey’s American Restaurant & Bar to 3374 North University Drive, Coral Springs, FL 33065 . Swanson told Business Debut the team is targeting a September opening, with a possibility of opening in August if construction stays on track.
Duval County
Southern Smokehouse
JACKSONVILLE, FL — Louis Joseph and Baylee Joseph, owners of South Atlantic Hospitality, are preparing to open Southern Smokehouse at 12741 Yellow Bluff Rd., Suites 1 and 2, Jacksonville, FL 32226. Louis Joseph told Business Debut the team is targeting an early to mid-August opening.
Hernando County
Brooksville Bagels
BROOKSVILLE, FL — Brooksville Bagels is targeting an August 1 opening at 330 Ponce De Leon Blvd, Brooksville, FL 34601, from co-owners Anastasia Alaimo and her husband Michael Alaimo, who will serve as the primary face of the business, Alaimo told Business Debut. The concept has been in development for over two years as the couple brings a New York-inspired, preservative-free bagel shop to the Brooksville community.
Highlands County
Cuban Sabor Cafe
LAKE PLACID, FL — Cuban Sabor Cafe, owned by Jazmin Ley and her husband Adoni Chao, is preparing to open at 9 South Main Avenue, Lake Placid, FL 33852. The grab-and-go Cuban bakery concept is targeting a May 8 opening, just ahead of Mother’s Day, Ley told Business Debut.
Liam’s Avon Park Soda Shop
AVON PARK, FL — Liam’s Avon Park Soda Shop is planning to open Friday, May 15th at 23 E Main St, Avon Park, FL 33825, with a grand opening planned around 5 p.m. or 5:30 p.m. Owner Ed “Eduardo” Giraud told Business Debut the shop will be the second location for the soda shop concept he owns with his wife, Yuneisy Del Cueto.
Okaloosa County
The GAB Spot
FORT WALTON BEACH, FL — Jason Nieves and his wife Melissa Caban are preparing to open The GAB Spot, a new family entertainment concept featuring bowling, arcade games, axe throwing, and dining, on May 4 at 913 North Beale Parkway, Fort Walton Beach, FL 32547. The name stands for Gelato, Arcade, and Bowling, and Nieves told Business Debut the space will bring multiple attractions together under one roof.
Palm Beach County
Garden Butcher
WEST PALM BEACH, FL — Garden Butcher, the prepared food market and cafe from Erin Leeds, is preparing to open at 501 S. Olive Ave., West Palm Beach, FL 33401 at the end of May. This will be the brand’s second location following its Boca Raton shop, with a third planned for Wellington that Business Debut previously reported on. While that location remains in development, this West Palm Beach opening is expected to come first, Leeds told Business Debut.
Vinny’s Cafe
JUPITER, FL — Vinny’s Cafe is planning a second location at 5440 Military Trail, Jupiter, FL 33458 in the Abacoa Plaza. Richard Bartlett and his wife, Kristena Bartlett, are targeting an August or September opening, Bartlett told Business Debut. Vinny’s Cafe is a fast-casual salad and wrap restaurant with hot sandwiches, paninis and quesadillas for customers looking beyond cold salads and wraps, Bartlett told Business Debut.
Pinellas County
The Pirate Candy Shop
ST. PETERSBURG, FL — The Pirate Candy Shop plans a St. Petersburg opening with its Swedish candy and viral treats concept, targeting a mid-June debut at 1614 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33712. Owner Adam Lillhannus, who was interviewed along with his wife Sol, told Business Debut the location will expand on their Hyde Park Village shop in Tampa, which was the brand’s first retail store.
Polk County
La Pinata
LAKELAND, FL — La Pinata is targeting a mid-August opening at 850 S Tennessee Ave, Lakeland, FL 33801, bringing a traditional Mexican concept led by Chef Jonathan Cisneros and Chef Alfredo Ortiz alongside partners Vincent Nacimos, Aiden Maher, and Cisneros. Nacimos told Business Debut the team is focused on introducing a more authentic approach to Mexican cuisine in a market largely dominated by Tex-Mex offerings.
Three J’s Ice Cream
WINTER HAVEN, FL — Three J’s Ice Cream, named after owner Jaryaca Baker’s three children, is preparing to open a new brick-and-mortar location at 1600 Dundee Rd, Winter Haven, FL 33884, targeting a mid-May debut pending final inspections and licensing approvals, Baker told Business Debut. The concept is named after her sons Jericho, Jhennie, and Jheptzyn, builds on a growing food trailer business that has already established a following across Central Florida.
More openings in Florida Business News
La Pinata Bringing Traditional Mexican Cuisine to Lakeland
A new, authentic Mexican dining and market experience is in the works for Lakeland.
Three J’s Ice Cream Opening Brick-and-Mortar in Winter Haven
Known for customizable rolled ice cream, the business is opening its first physical location this May.
Cuban Sabor Cafe Opening on Main Avenue in Lake Placid
The new spot will serve Cuban pastries, coffee, and sandwiches with limited seating and quick service.
The GAB Spot Set to Opened May 4 in Fort Walton Beach
A new family entertainment venue has opened in Fort Walton Beach.
Big Whiskey’s Expanding to Coral Springs
The restaurant will feature 200+ seats, a sports-focused layout, and a broad menu.
The Pirate Candy Shop to Open in St. Petersburg
A Swedish candy and viral treats concept will open in St. Petersburg soon.