18 New Restaurants Opening Across Florida [April 22, 2026)

Thank you for tuning into this week's roundup of upcoming businesses in Florida. We interviewed each restaurant owner to report the details below.

Alachua County

Paper Bag Deli

WALDO, FL — Paper Bag Deli is targeting a June 1 opening at 15145 NE U.S. Hwy. 301, Waldo, FL 32694, where owner Richard Sterck is opening the family-owned concept’s fifth location with his wife, Maria Sterck, in a former Hardee’s building. Sterck told Business Debut the Waldo restaurant will be the brand’s first location with a drive-through.

Read the full article here.

Brevard County

Margarita Island Kitchen & Bar

INDIAN HARBOR BEACH, FL — Margarita Island Kitchen & Bar is targeting a May 13 opening at 445 E. Eau Gallie Blvd, Indian Harbor Beach, FL 32937, with owners Elizabeth Sanchez and her husband David Gonzalez leading the concept. Sanchez told Business Debut this marks the brand’s sixth location and third in Brevard County.

Read the full article here.

Broward County

Abbott’s Frozen

COCONUT CREEK, FL — Abbott’s Frozen Custard is targeting a June 1 opening at 6562 N. State Road 7, Coconut Creek, FL 33073, owner-operator Ian Osorio told Business Debut. The shop will mark Osorio’s first location with the brand and is expected to bring Abbott’s long-running frozen custard concept to South Florida.

Read the full article here.

Gualt’s The Italian Cafe

PLANTATION, FL — Gualt’s The Italian Cafe is preparing to open a new location at 1000 South Pine Island Road, Ste 160, Plantation, FL 33324, targeting an opening in late April or early May, co-owners Genie Gualtieri and her husband Danilo Gualtieri told Business Debut. The cafe will mark the brand’s fifth location as it expands beyond its established Miami footprint.

Read the full article here.

How Ya Dough’n

CORAL SPRINGS, FL — How Ya Dough’n is set to open at 3620 N. University Drive, Coral Springs, FL 33065, with a grand opening planned for the weekend of April 24th, Garett Goodman told Business Debut. Goodman owns the concept alongside his wife Gabby Goodman and partner John Ferolito. The Coral Springs restaurant marks the brand’s fifth overall location and its first expansion outside of Palm Beach County.

Read the full article here.

Whit’s Frozen Custard

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL — Whit’s Frozen Custard is planning a new location at 4336 N Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308, with franchisee John Khoury targeting an early fall opening as permitting moves forward. Khoury told Business Debut he is aiming for a September or October timeframe for the Fort Lauderdale shop, which will be his second Whit’s location.

Read the full article here.

Duval County

Acai Boba Licious 2

JACKSONVILLE, FLORIDA — David Nouman and his fiancée, Janelle Alfakouri, are planning to open Acai Boba Licious 2 on May 1 at 2013 Jammes Rd., Jacksonville, FL 32210. Nouman told Business Debut the new shop will bring the couple’s fast-casual concept to the Westside after opening their first Acai Boba Licious location about a year earlier.

Read the full article here.

Hillsborough County

D’Rose Gastro Bar

TAMPA, FL — D’Rose Gastro Bar is targeting a mid-June opening at 2238 E 7th Ave Unit A, Tampa, FL 33605, bringing a family-driven concept to Ybor City. Chef Victor M. Lopez is opening the restaurant alongside executive chef Osyamil Milian, cousin and general manager Gustavo Lopez, beverage director Tatiana Gonzalez, and his father Edgar Lopez, who also serves as a partner and lead investor.

Read the full article here.

Miami-Dade County

Casa Vialetto

CORAL GABLES, FL — Casa Vialetto is preparing to reopen at 276 Alhambra Circle, Coral Gables, FL 33134, bringing back a restaurant that owner Marcelo Chopa said many locals already know well. Chopa told Business Debut the restaurant is the continuation of Café Vialetto, the Italian fine dining restaurant he originally opened in 1999.

Read the full article here.

Tropical Smoothie Cafe

DORAL, FL — A new Tropical Smoothie Cafe is targeting an August opening at 8173 Northwest 107th Avenue Suite 103, Doral, FL 33178, owned by Faustino Lopez and his wife Maria Lopez. The couple, who also operate a location in Hialeah, are expanding with their second cafe as part of their growing footprint with the brand, Lopez told Business Debut.

Read the full article here.

Orange County

Mecatos Bakery and Cafe

WINTER PARK, FL — Mecatos Bakery and Cafe is targeting an early June opening at 610 W Morse Blvd, Winter Park, FL 32789 in the former Coop space. Ana Rosabal told Business Debut she is opening the cafe with her parents, Juan and Linda Rosabal, and partner Barbara Moreno. Rosabal said Winter Park will be the group’s third Mecatos location, while the overall franchise system now stands at 10 locations under franchisor Edwin Lourduy.

Read the full article here.

Noodle Shawty

ORLANDO, FL — Noodle Shawty, from owner Brandon King and his partner Galow Tenario, is targeting a May 15 opening at 28 S Orange Ave, Orlando, FL 32801, in the former Dapper Duck space. King told Business Debut the concept will focus on fast-casual Asian-inspired stir fry with an emphasis on late-night dining.

Read the full article here.

Pinellas County

Cafe Riviera

ST. PETE BEACH, FL — Cafe Riviera is targeting an opening in the first week of May at 116 8th Ave., St. Pete Beach, FL 33706, pending final health inspection approval, Veronica Afonzo told Business Debut. Afonzo is opening the café with her sister, Rosa Dennis, as the pair launch what Afonzo described as their first restaurant together and a family business.

Read the full article here.

DalMoros Fresh Pasta To Go

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — DalMoros Fresh Pasta To Go is set to reopen on May 1 at 204 1st Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, with Chandler Caruso leading the St. Petersburg location alongside his brother and co-owner David Caruso, father David Caruso, mother Michelene Caruso, sister Kayla Caruso, sister-in-law Rachel Caruso, and fiancée Keila Goulding. Caruso told Business Debut the reopening marks a new chapter for the family-run brand, which now has seven locations.

Read the full article here.

Dua Cafe

CLEARWATER BEACH, FL — Dua Cafe is targeting a May 1 opening at 22 Bay Esplanade, Clearwater Beach, FL 33767-1603, where owner John Shehu told Business Debut that he is bringing a takeaway cafe and all-day brunch concept to a long-vacant beachside space. Shehu and his father and business partner, Elvin Shehu, are behind the new concept, while Sabina Shehu will manage day-to-day operations at the cafe.

Read the full article here.

Sarasota County

Agave Bandido

VENICE, FL — Agave Bandido to Open Fifth Location in Venice with Indoor-Outdoor Design and Event-Driven Experience, targeting a September 1, 2026 opening at 19830 West Villages Parkway, Venice, FL 34293, with owner Matthew Baum and partner Matthew Faul, chief operating officer, leading the concept, Baum told Business Debut.

Read the full article here.

St. Johns County

Maison Louis Cafe

ST. AUGUSTINE, FLORIDA — Maison Louis Cafe is now in a soft-opening phase at 2401 N. Ponce de Leon Blvd., Unit B, St. Augustine, FL 32084, where owner Jerome Bensimon is welcoming guests while final city and health approvals are finalized. Bensimon told Business Debut he expects the cafe to be ready within about two weeks and said the team is already serving customers daily as it works through final adjustments.

Read the full article here.

17 King American Bistro

ST. AUGUSTINE, FL — 17 King American Bistro is planning its grand opening celebration on May 1 at 17 King Street in downtown St. Augustine, FL 32084, after first opening in mid-December under the name Harvest. Owner Gary McGeddy told Business Debut the restaurant is now being rebranded as 17 King American Bistro as he refines the concept around wine, dining, and live music.

Read the full article here.