Have you heard? The Burg is buzzing with new businesses. We’re only a month into the new year and already the roster of food and entertainment spots in the Sunshine City is friggin’ booming. That’s right, we said friggin’.

We wanted to provide a quick guide to a few key spots you’d do well to watch in the upcoming year. From new BBQ joints, to a planned general store and definitely maybe the opening new restaurants at the Pier, here’s 16 concepts you need to visit when they open (if they’re not already).

Chief’s Smokehouse

The sister restaurant, Chief’s Creole Cafe, already makes some of the best damn beignets and fried okra around, so we expect big things from Smokehouse, a recently opened BBQ joint at 911 22nd Street South. Huge portions of chicken and ribs have been teased, and the promise of a delicious bread pudding dessert can be seen in their latest Facebook post.

Follow them on Facebook for details.

Alto Mare 

Beach Drive’s new seafood hub is officially open. The same minds behind the popular Annata Wine Bar and Mazzarro’s opened Alto Mare in early February. In addition to a litany of fresh seafood, the restaurant also features a classic Hawaiian shaved ice machine. Alto Mare is located at 300 Beach Drive Northeast.

Follow Alto Mare on Facebook for updates.

Baba

Do you love Bodega? Of course you do. We all do. Well, the brains behind the Cuban cuisine hotspot in the EDGE District are opening a restaurant called Baba — and this time George and Debbi Sayegh are brining authentic Greek-Lebanese food to the Burg’s downtown. Baba will be located at 2701 Central Avenue. An official opening date is TBA.

Follow Baba on Facebook for updates.

WEPA! St. Pete

A new authentic Puerto Rican Restaurant is opening in the Burg. WEPA! St. Pete is the brainchild of Jean Totti and will feature dishes inspired by his family’s hand written recipes. Totti grew up in Puerto Rico and is sure to bring a new flair to St. Pete’s bustling culinary community. More mofongo in St. Pete is good by us. The restaurant should be open by late February 2019.

Follow WEPA! St. Pete on Facebook and its website for updates. You can also read our full feature on the restaurant here.

Pineapple Espresso

A drive-thru avocado toast restaurant and coffee bar on MLK? Yes please. Pineapple Espresso is making healthy breakfast food and local roast coffee at 3045 MLK Jr. Street North. Read our full feature on the concept here. It should be open very soon. The restaurant teased a big announcement on February 7.

Follow Pineapple Espresso on Facebook and Instagram for updates.

Daddy Kool

Daddy Kool Records definitely isn’t new to the Burg. Many were saddened to learn that the music hub would officially be leaving the 600 Block this spring. Never fear! The record store is moving to the Warehouse Arts District. The new location will be 2430 Terminal Drive South. The record store’s last day on the 600 Block will be March 24. Their grand reopening will be held on April 13.

Follow Daddy Kool Records on Facebook and Instagram for updates.

Pete’s General Store 

This concept just recently popped up in our Instagram feeds. It promises to be an old school general store carrying all the essential sundries you’d need anytime day or night. The store will be located at 493 7th Avenue.

Follow Pete’s General on Instagram and its website for updates.

Black Crow Grand Central

The hip coffee shop known for hosting amazing live music and poetry nights, as well as championing local artists is expanding. Florida’s first zero waste coffee shop is set to open on February 17 at 2157 1st Avenue South.

Follow the coffee shop on Facebook and Instagram for updates.

Must Wine Loft

A new wine and charcuterie shop right next to the Old Northeast Neighborhood? It’s a match made in heaven. Must Wine Loft will feature an Appellation-driven wine program is meant to compliment the array of cheeses and charcuterie on the menu. Visitors will also be treated to meticulously crafted vermouth cocktails. Read our full feature on the concept here. Must Wine Loft’s official address is 442 2nd Street North. It should be open in early spring 2019.

Follow Must Wine Loft on Facebook and its website for updates.

3 restaurants at the new St. Pete Pier 

Ready or not, parts of the new St. Pete Pier are opening soon(ish). Three new bars/restaurants are here to whet your appetite for its debut: Pier Tiki, an upscale tiki bar; Teak St. Pete, a fun seafood restaurant; Driftwood, a cafe focused primarily on locally-sourced health food.

You can keep up with all of the Pier news by visiting NewStPetePier.com.

Sub Zero Nitrogen Ice Cream 

You can never have too many ice cream shops in St. Pete. The treat’s latest trend has arrived in the Sunshine City — we’re talking about nitrogen ice cream. The smoking treat is a feast for the eyes. Sub Zero Nitrogen Ice Cream is located at 2216 66th Street North. It’s set to open in March 2019.

Follow Sub Zero on Facebook for updates.

The Ship’s Hold

The owner’s of the popular Galley restaurant downtown are opening a new rum bar/events venue next door called The Ship’s Hold. Once open, it’s set to have the largest collection of fine rums on mainland Florida, according to the owners. The Ship’s Hold is located at 37 4th Street North and should open in March 2019. Read our full feature on the concept here.

Follow The Galley on Facebook for updates.

Capital Tacos II 

That’s right. Capital Tacos is growing. The Sunshine State born taco shop is opening a second St. Pete location 6802 22nd Avenue North. An opening date is still TBA. Read our full feature here for further details.

Follow Capital Tacos on Facebook, Instagram and its website for updates.

Casita Taqueria III

Casita is growing again! The restaurant’s third location should be open very soon. They began hiring for the new restaurant back in January. Casita’s third shop will be located at 991 66th Street North.

Follow Casita on Facebook and Instagram.

What spot are you most excited to see debut in the Sunshine City in 2019? Let us know in the comments!