17 New Restaurants Opening in Florida [March 31, 26]
Here's a roundup of the upcoming restaurants we spoke to this past week.
![17 New Restaurants Opening in Florida [March 31, 26]](/content/images/size/w1200/2026/03/cookiehead.jpg)
Thank you for tuning into this week's roundup of upcoming businesses in Florida. Business Debut interviewed each and every business to confirm the details below.
Counties are listed alphabetically.
Broward County
Cookie Head
MIRAMAR, FL — Cookie Head is planning a new location at 3 Main St, STE 104, Miramar, FL 33025, with owner Brisma Fermin targeting an opening by late summer, or at the very least by October, she told Business Debut. The shop will bring the growing cookie concept to a walkable area near City Hall.
Duval County
Big Jake’s BBQ
JACKSONVILLE, FL — Big Jake’s BBQ to open in the former Mr. K’s BBQ Space is targeting a May 1 at 4906 Soutel Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32208, owner Robert Rukab told Business Debut. The new concept from Rukab and his partner Zee will bring a fast-casual barbecue operation with a drive-thru to a location long known for smoked meats.
Potbelly Sandwich Works
JACKSONVILLE, FL — Patrick and Leah Pendergast are targeting a June opening for a new Potbelly Sandwich Works at 13529 Beach Blvd. Ste. 101, Jacksonville, FL 32224. Patrick Pendergast told Business Debut the Beach Boulevard restaurant will be the couple’s second Potbelly in the Jacksonville market, with their first location set to debut in April at 9908 Old Baymeadows Road, Jacksonville, FL 32256.
Escambia County
Harvest Bread Company
PENSACOLA, FL — Rishy and Quint Studer are targeting a mid-May opening for Great Harvest Bread Company at 321 N. DeVilliers St., Pensacola, FL 32502, Rishy Studer told Business Debut. The bakery-cafe will open on the lower level of the Studers’ 24-unit apartment building, with a marketplace the couple also owns operating alongside it.
Lake County
Fat Cats Billiards
EUSTIS, FL — Fat Cats Billiards is targeting an early May opening at 306 W Ardice Ave, Eustis, FL 32726, owner Scott Stoltz told Business Debut. The new venue is set to bring a pool hall-focused concept to the area, with Stoltz saying the closest comparable pool hall is more than 30 minutes away.
Leon County
Hopkins' Eatery
TALLAHASSEE, FL — Hopkins' Eatery is planning to open its fourth Tallahassee location at 3431 Bannerman Rd, Suite 104, Tallahassee, FL 32312 during the week of April 20, with an opening expected by the end of April, owner Jacob Ogden told Business Debut. The locally owned sandwich and salad shop has been part of Tallahassee for more than 40 years.
Miami-Dade County
Allegro Ma Non Troppo
MIAMI, FL — Allegro Ma Non Troppo, a new full-service restaurant from Carlos Galan and his sister Mar Galan, is targeting an opening in the second week of April 2026 at 1000 S Miami Ave, Miami, FL 33130. Galan told Business Debut the concept will center on a simplified, oven-driven menu and a service style designed to balance speed and experience. Business Debut learned of this story first from What Now.
Crema Gourmet Espresso Bar
MIAMI BEACH, FL — Crema Gourmet Espresso Bar continues expanding to Miami Beach, with co-owners Efthymios Paliouras and Ioannis Sotiropoulos planning their 27th location at 6901 Collins Ave, CU1, Miami Beach, FL 33141, Sotiropoulos told Business Debut.
Kush Wynwood
MIAMI, FL — Kush Wynwood, owned by Matthew Kuscher and his wife Priscilla Kuscher, is targeting a return this summer at 2003 N Miami Ave, Miami, FL 33127 following a two-year closure due to extensive building renovations. Kuscher told Business Debut the restaurant is aiming for a June or July reopening after structural work on the nearly 100-year-old building.
Orange County
Flavors of Jamaica
ORLANDO, FL — Flavors of Jamaica is preparing to open its third location at 2610 S Ferncreek Ave, Orlando, FL 32806, marking the brand’s first full-service restaurant with sit-down dining. Owner Phillippa Myers told Business Debut the team is targeting an early April opening, pending final inspections and approvals.
Gold Crest Distillery
ORLANDO, FL — Gold Crest Distillery, a new craft distillery and tasting room concept from Mitch Patel, is targeting a June opening at 503 W Central Blvd, Orlando, FL 32801, Patel told Business Debut. Business Debut learned of this story first from What Now.
Pinellas County
Go Greek Yogurt
ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Go Greek Yogurt is planning a new location at 153 2nd Avenue North, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, targeting a summer 2026 opening. Ownership told Business Debut the shop will be part of the Sundial redevelopment near the St. Petersburg Pier. Business Debut also spoke with franchisor Tanja Subotic, who shared additional insight into the concept and brand behind the expansion. Business Debut learned of this story first from St. Pete Rising.
Polk County
Chen’s Duck and Dumplings
LAKELAND, FL — Chen’s Duck and Dumplings is targeting an end of April or early May opening at 5125 Florida Ave. S, Lakeland, FL 33813. The owner told Business Debut the restaurant will be a casual full-service concept centered on traditional Peking duck, soup dumplings and a broader menu of Chinese dishes.
Mi Tierra Restaurant
HAINES CITY, FL — Mi Tierra Restaurant is targeting a early May to mid-May opening at 8 North 4th Street, Haines City, FL 33844, pending final city inspections, owner Rene Perez told Business Debut. The restaurant is owned and operated by Perez and his wife, Brenda Reyes, who also serves as the chef.
Putnam County
Jatski’s Ice Cream
PALATKA, FLORIDA — Jatski’s Ice Cream is targeting a mid-April opening at 3701-2 Crill Ave., Palatka, FL 32177, where owners Amy and Bill Laakkonen plan to serve house-made ice cream produced on-site. Amy Laakkonen told Business Debut the shop will focus on scratch-made ice cream, grab-and-go service, and a small dine-in setup.
St. Lucie County
Swift Grill
PORT ST. LUCIE, FL — Swift Grill is preparing to open its second location at 10108 SW Discovery Way, Port St. Lucie, FL 34987, with owner Vlad Bradescu targeting a soft opening around April 1 and a grand opening around April 20, he told Business Debut. The new restaurant builds on the brand’s Fort Pierce location while introducing a different service model and a broader menu.
Volusia County
Surya Rao
DAYTONA BEACH, FL — Surya Rao, alongside his wife Mary Rao, is planning to open BBQ Chicken at 2286 W International Speedway Blvd, Daytona Beach, FL 32114, targeting a May 22 opening, he told Business Debut. The restaurant will be located across from the speedway on turn one, a well-known landmark in the area.
More openings in Florida Business News
Dominican Restaurant Mi Tierra Opening in Haines City
Traditional Dominican fare will highlight the menu when Mi Tierra Restaurant opens.
Great Harvest Bread Company Opening in Pensacola
Expect breakfast sandwiches, sandwiches, soups, salads, coffee, and more baked goods when Great Harvest Bread Company opens in Pensacola.
Fat Cats Billiards Bringing Pool Hall Concept to Eustis
Guests can expect pool tables, leagues, drinks, and casual snacks at this new Eustis entertainment venue.
Chen’s Duck and Dumplings Opening in Lakeland
Handmade soup dumplings, roasted duck, noodles, and Chinese specialties will anchor the offerings at this restaurant.
BBQ Chicken Bringing Korean Fried Chicken to Daytona Beach
Korean fried chicken, wings, rice dishes, tteokbokki, and sides like kimchi and fries will highlight the menu.
![5 New Restaurants in Sarasota County [March 30, 2026]](/content/images/size/w720/2026/03/Untitled-design--10-.jpg)
5 New Restaurants in Sarasota County [March 30, 2026]
Here’s what you may have missed in Sarasota County’s restaurant news.