22 New and Independent Restaurants Opening Across Florida (November 2026)

I interviewed every business owner on the list to confirm details. Here's the latest on Florida's independent restaurant scene.

Ordered alphabetically by county.

Brevard County

Nara Thai Sushi

NEW SMYRNA BEACH, FL – Nara Thai Sushi is preparing to open at 424 Luna Bella Ln Unit F And G New Smyrna Beach, FL 32168 around Thanksgiving, owner Craig Finney told Business Debut.

Finney said the new concept will anchor the center village area of the Venetian Bay community.

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Duval County

1926 Coffee Co

JACKSONVILLE, FL — 1926 Coffee Co is preparing to open a new coffee shop inside The Barnett building at 112 W Adams St, Jacksonville, FL 32202 around the week of Thanksgiving, Vice President of Development Nathan Walter told Business Debut in a recent interview.

The cafe is part of a broader renovation and hospitality push by Becovic Companies, the family office that owns The Barnett and several nearby properties in downtown Jacksonville.

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Highlands County

Brasa Negra

SEBRING, FL — Brasa Negra, a new Mexican brunch and steakhouse restaurant, is targeting a mid-January opening at 139 North Ridgewood Drive Suite 103 Sebring, FL 33870, co-owner Benito Martinez told Business Debut in a recent phone interview.

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Hillsborough County

Alimento

TAMPA, FL – Alimento, a fast-casual Latin fusion restaurant and meal prep concept from Jackson and his mother, Dayami Hernandez, is preparing to open a new location at 808 S Dale Mabry Hwy, Tampa, FL 33609 on December 1, Jackson Hernandez told Business Debut in a phone interview.

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Coastal Cowboy Social

RUSKIN, FL — Coastal Cowboy Social, a new restaurant and bar blending Western steakhouse dining with Florida seafood, is targeting a January opening at 102 W Shell Point Rd, Ruskin, FL 33570, owner Douglas Starz told Business Debut.

Starz said the concept pairs wild game and steaks with seafood in a setting that separates a Florida-style dining room from a Western-themed bar and an outdoor pavilion.

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Dum N Grill

LUTZ, FL — Dum N Grill plans to open its first Florida restaurant in mid-November at 17669 N Dale Mabry Hwy, Lutz, FL 33548, brand owner Bhanu Prakash Manduva told Business Debut.

The brand currently operates in other states and is expanding into the Tampa area with plans for several locations.

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La Victoria

TAMPA, FL – La Victoria opened for dinner service on Thursday, October 22, at 105 W. Tyler St Tampa, FL 33602, owner Erick Meza told Business Debut.

Meza described La Victoria as an "authentic elevated coastal Mexican concept" that centers on family recipes and a modern approach to drinks and service. The 3,700-square-foot space will seat about 150 guests and is replacing the former Melting Pot Social.

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Talkin' Tacos

BRANDON, FL — Talkin' Tacos is preparing to open a new, franchise-owned restaurant at 1916 W Brandon Blvd, Brandon, Florida 33511. The franchise group, Black Apron Hospitality, is led by Raheel Razzaq and Mohsin Husain. They are targeting early to mid-November, Husain told Business Debut in a phone interview.

The Brandon restaurant will be the second Talkin' Tacos location for the group and the fourth in the Tampa Bay area.

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Indian River County

White Pelican

VERO BEACH, FL – Vero Hospitality Group is rolling out a new concept combining membership-driven dining, a liquor store centered on wine and spirits education (aptly named Liquor Library), and a daytime cafe and juice bar.

The project, called White Pelican, will open at 4885 Jimmy Buffett Mem Hwy, Vero Beach, FL 32963, replacing Vinz Wine and Dining and utilizing the atrium of Pelicans Plaza. Managing Partner Rusty Cappelen III shared the information with Business Debut in a phone interview.

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Lake County

Pinsa Fire

LEESBURG, FL — Pinsa Fire, a Roman-style pizza concept based in Clermont, plans to open a flagship location at 404 West Main Street, Leesburg, FL 34748, owner Thomas Cerra told Business Debut in a phone interview.

Cerra said he purchased the downtown Leesburg building in September 2025 and has since led a full renovation. The space has sat vacant for over 18 years.

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Lee County

LowBrow Pizza & Beer

BONITA SPRINGS, FL — LowBrow Pizza & Beer is preparing to open a new location at 27815 Midtown Promenade Ave, Suite 100, Bonita Springs, FL 34135 by the end of December, owner Antonio Longobardo told Business Debut.

The Bonita Springs restaurant will be the second LowBrow location and the fourth restaurant in Longobardo’s portfolio.

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Sol Tequila

FORT MYERS BEACH, FL – Sol Tequila, a new coastal Mexican restaurant from owners and couple Lorena Dorado and Ivan Plascencia, is targeting a late December or early January opening at 1661 Estero Blvd, Ste 11-14, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931.

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Crooked Cow

SANIBEL, FL — Crooked Cow plans to open a new brick-and-mortar dessert shop in November at 2330 Palm Ridge Rd Unit 9, Sanibel, FL 33957, owner Laurie Verme told Business Debut in a phone interview.

Verme said she and her daughter Alice will bring their traditional homemade ice cream (and their alcohol-infused, THC-infused flavors) to the Sanibel after have to close their previous business Sanibel’s Best Homemade Ice Cream Presents the Crooked Cow following Hurricane Ian.

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Daria's German Restaurant

CAPE CORAL, FL – Daria's German Restaurant is in construction at 3571 Del Prado Blvd N, Suite 13+14, Cape Coral, FL 33909, with owners targeting an opening within the next two to three months, CEO of Daria US Gastro Group Maximilian von Garnier told Business Debut in an interview.

Daria US Gastro Group also operates Daria's German Bakery and Bistro in Cape Coral.

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Pasco County

Detroit Coney Island

HOLIDAY, FL — Detroit Coney Island, a Detroit-style mobile concept, is opening a brick and mortar diner in Holiday at 1908 U.S. 19, Holiday, FL 34690 in early November, Dante Guarascio told Business Debut in a phone interview. Guarascio runs the business with his wife, Barbara Guarascio.

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Pinellas County

Surge St. Pete

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — Surge St. Pete, a new 1980s-themed music venue and bar, is taking over the former Siren space at 350 1st Ave N, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, owners Denise Rizzica and Jeff Curtin told Business Debut.

The concept centers on live bands, themed events, and expanded operating days as the business ramps up through the end of the year.

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Zen Buffet

LARGO, FL – Zen Buffet, an Asian all-you-can-eat buffet from Arizona restaurateur Yungan Lu, is planned for 1404-1410 Missouri Avenue North, Largo, FL 33770, in the former Largo Hibachi Buffet space, Lu told Business Debut in a phone interview.

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Polk County

Cocos Locos Mexican Restaurant

LAKELAND, FL — Cocos Locos Mexican Restaurant is preparing to open at 1313 N Combee Road, Lakeland, FL 33801, bringing a full-service Mexican restaurant and bar with a focus on seafood, owner Kris Cavazos told Business Debut.

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Sarasota County

Eggs and Burgers Diner

SARASOTA, FL – Eggs and Burgers Diner is preparing to open at the former Crager's Restaurant location at 7218 N Tamiami Trl, Sarasota, FL 34243, owner Ibrahim Tunga told Business Debut in a phone interview. Tunga is targeting a November 2 opening, pending final preparations.

The new diner replaces Crager's Restaurant, which had operated at the site since 1976 and closed this year.

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St. Lucie County

Zaika Indian Cuisine

PORT ST. LUCIE, FL — Zaika Indian Cuisine is preparing to open a new full-service restaurant at 2860 SW Port St Lucie Blvd, Port St. Lucie, FL 34953, targeting late November through December, according to owner Priyanka Gorentla.

Gorentla’s husband, Vijay, said the team is working through interior construction and inspections and is aiming for an opening between Thanksgiving and Christmas.

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Sumter County

Linx Golf Bar

WILDWOOD, FL — Linx Golf Bar plans to open in November at 101 S Main St Unit 1, Wildwood, FL 34785, offering a golf simulator bar with food, drinks and multiple activity zones, owner Bryan Caracciolo told Business Debut in a recent phone interview.

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Volusia County

Leefayes Lunchbox

DELTONA, FL – Leefayes Lunchbox, a new grab-and-go café concept from longtime caterer Leefayes Catering, is scheduled to open January 11 at 777 Deltona Blvd Suite 8, Deltona, FL 32725, owner Monica Jenkins told Business Debut in a phone interview.

Jenkins said the café will operate from the same kitchen where she currently runs her catering company and will give customers a way to order freshly prepared individual meals throughout the week.

Read the article.