Best new Florida restaurants opened in 2023? 15 favorites chosen by our USA TODAY Network

Following stories featuring the best waterfront restaurants, favorite burgers, tastiest chicken wings, top Cuban sandwiches, and more beloved handhelds, our USA TODAY Network's Florida Dining and Entertainment Team presents 15 of the best new restaurants opened in 2023.

This list represents our favorites from throughout the Sunshine State, spanning from North to South Florida and from the Suncoast to the Treasure Coast. You'll find everything from elevated sandwich shops in Sarasota and New Smyrna Beach to exceptional steakhouses in Stuart and Boynton Beach.

Presented in alphabetical order, these are the best new Florida restaurants opened in 2023, as selected by our USA TODAY Network journalists living throughout the state.

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Bar Hana

1289 N. Palm Ave., Sarasota; 941-536-9717; barhana.com

Featuring a tropical setting that creates a delightful sense of escapism even before the booze hits, Bar Hana in downtown Sarasota owes a debt to the pioneering California tiki bars of the past century while crafting its own unique identity — one that's soaked in the Sunshine State but with a pan-Asian foundation akin to Bar Hana's neighboring sister restaurant, Kojo. Unlike Kojo, though, Bar Hana allows itself to revel in the fun of being a bar with a nostalgic streak, which manifests itself from the house speakers playing Beach Boys tunes to the bathrooms decorated with mid-century travel ads for getaways to places like the Polynesian, Caribbean, and, yes, Florida.

Start your Bar Hana adventure with their Instagrammable cocktails, served in vintage tiki glassware, but be sure not to overlook the food. Bar Hana's menu contains dishes that are at once creative and deeply satisfying. Favorites include the "coconut habanero ceviche," featuring local snapper chunks and pieces of fresh avocado served with a smartly rendered version of the classic sweet-heat Peruvian marinade "tiger's milk," and presented in a newly halved coconut on a bed of ice with a side of plantain and taro chips. Paired with their Mainland Margarita, it might just be the perfect dish and drink to follow a brilliant sunset over Sarasota Bay.

10 best new restaurants of 2023 in Sarasota and Bradenton: My top favorites, ranked

— Wade Tatangelo, Florida Dining and Entertainment Editor

Bistrology

10004 U.S. 98, Miramar Beach; 850-757-7374; bistrology.restaurant

From coffee made from select beans to a big stack of fruitful Nutella pancakes, Bistrology in Miramar Beach has something for everyone for breakfast, lunch and brunch. The restaurant, which opened its doors on the Fourth of July, is owned by Jonatan Torres of Spain and Henry Guerrero of Colombia. Everything is made fresh and the portions are big.

— Tina Harbuck, The Destin Log

Check the list: Best new restaurants in Destin area that opened in 2023

City Grille & Raw Bar

1314 Prudential Drive, Jacksonville; (904) 398-8989; citygrillerawbar.com 

For nearly a half-century, the Wine Cellar was a fine-dining landmark in Jacksonville. Two years after its closing, a worthy successor opened in its renovated Southbank spot in July: City Grille & Raw Bar. From John Nagy and Karen Belloit Thomas, the couple behind Eleven South Bistro in Jacksonville Beach and the former 3 Palms Grille in Ponte Vedra Beach, the new restaurant brings caviar, prime steaks and decadent desserts to a familiar place reimagined into a series of dining vignettes — the main bar and raw bar, Velvet Room, Tuscan Room, Garden Room and two-story Treehouse Room, with a 300-year-old oak tree as its centerpiece — offering guests unique dining experiences.

Executive Chef Kevin Gaston’s menu features Prime hand-cut steaks, New Zealand rack of lamb, fresh fish as well as chilled seafood towers, filled with Maine Lobster Tail, Jumbo Shrimp, House Oysters, Romanoff Oysters and Shrimp Salad.

Looking to impress out-of-town guests? Make plans (and reservations) for the restaurant’s Sunday Brunch, with Rockefeller Benedict, Chicken and Waffle, Steak and Eggs, quiche and more.

— Gary T. Mills, Florida Times-Union

More notable openings: Top restaurant openings in Jacksonville in 2023

El Sabor Latino

701 Ridgewood Ave., Holly Hill; 386-301-4125, elsaborlatinodaytona.com

After having opened its doors less than just two months ago, this Holly Hill eatery has already made its name known in the Latin-fusion restaurant scene. The low-key new spot boasts authenticity and originality as the key components of its menu—one crafted by chefs María Elena Menjivar Sibrian and Darling Eliett Soza Zapata, who have a combined 30 years culinary experience, specializing in Nicaraguan, Mexican, Honduran, and Salvadoran dishes.

The eatery’s vibrant menu features a variety of authentic bites, including the Mexican Tortas—a sandwich-like bite served with chicken, beef or spicy pork sausage, refried beans, cheese, Pico de Gallo and avocado— and the Tacos Honduras—six chicken tacos, layered with cabbage, Pico de Gallo, cheese and onions. Whether picking up from the eatery’s express to-go line or dining in for a Latin-fusion feast, El Sabor Latino is never short on authentic menu options.

— Helena Perray, The Daytona Beach News-Journal

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Hayward House

228 S. Adams St., Tallahassee, 850-825-7081; haywardhousetlh.com

Hayward House opened Dec. 7 located in the former home of the landmark restaurant, Andrew’s Downtown. Owner Ashley Chaney has created a refined space with a full bar and a menu with global as well as family influences. Southern fried chicken, cauliflower bites, an eggplant katsu sandwich and steak frites are some of the top picks. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner plus brunch on Saturday and Sunday. Rest assured: You can still linger over cocktails and conversation in the sprawling, umbrella shaded patio.

— Rochelle Koff, Tallahassee Table (Tallahassee Democrat)

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Kawachi Sushi & Bar

10601 U.S. 441, Suite C12., Leesburg; 352-431-3449; https://www.kawachisushi.com/ 

Don't let the strip mall location fool you. Patrons say Kawachi Sushi & Bar is the real deal. The restaurant offers a diverse menu that combines classic Japanese dishes with creative twists. Popular entrees include pork or chicken katsu, yaki udon with chicken or shrimp, unagi don (teriyaki eel), chicken or shrimp tempura, and a variety of hibachi dinners including salmon, shrimp, scallop, steak, filet mignon and lobster tail.

— Cindy Peterson, Correspondent, Leesburg Daily Commercial

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Le Colonial

457 Fifth Ave. S., Naples; 239-372-9700; naples.leconial.com

When Veranda, one of the grand dames of shelter magazines anoints your Atlanta restaurant among the world’s 20 most beautiful in 2022, what to do for an encore? In December, Le Colonial upped the ante by opening its sixth locale on Fifth Avenue South, one of Naples' most iconic destinations.

America’s first restaurant to make lounge dining the in thing to do when opening its first location in New York City 30 years ago, exotically sexy, high-style tactile touches from floor to ceiling make this Southwest Florida’s hottest see-and-be-seen spot. The same holds true no matter where you sit; throughout the space, not a square inch is ignored.

As for the food? Fabulous and designed to be shared. Classic dishes like “Shaking Beef” and market-priced red snapper for two ($95 the night we visited) ? both on the menu since 1993 ? are executed magnificently by Executive Chef Moosah Reaume. Among the city's few spots observing an official dress code, Le Colonial looks like money; a tidy sum to experience it properly is helpful. Reservations too, because it will be 2024’s toughest to score in town. On Florida's other coast? Try the Delray Beach location. — Diana Biederman, Naples Daily News

Ooh la la: New on Fifth Avenue South in Naples: Tres chic, sultry and stunning Le Colonial opens Dec. 14

Mellow Mushroom

2 SW Fort King St., Ocala; 352-421-5098; Mellowmushroom.com

The opening of this pizza restaurant at Fort King Street and South Magnolia Avenue, on the site of the former Brother’s Keeper Thrift Shop building in downtown Ocala, has been much anticipated. The Atlanta-based franchise features stone-baked classic or thin crust pizzas like the Mighty Meaty five meat pizza, as well as calzones, wings, salads, hoagies and burgers. Lew Graff was among those from Mellow Mushroom's corporate crew who were on hand for Opening Day on Dec. 4. He called the Ocala grand opening one of the “best ever.”

— Andy Fillmore, correspondent, Ocala Star-Banner

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Nicholson Muir Distinguished Meats

480 E. Ocean Ave., Boynton Beach; 561-336-3977; NicholsonMuir.com

When French-trained chef James Muir opened a gourmet butcher shop in a tiny, historic Boynton Beach cottage in early 2022, customers clamored for more. Luckily, he listened. After a summer 2023 overhaul, Nicholson Muir Distinguished Meats reopened as a full-service, white-linen restaurant.

The result: a great little steakhouse that’s Palm Beach County’s best new restaurant. Inside the cozy spot, wood-fired steaks and seafood are as stellar as the service and twinkly ambiance.

Muir, who has worked with culinary stars such as Alain Ducasse, hails from Argentina, land of excellent steaks and communal cookouts. Many dishes here tell this story. Meats —  prime Angus, American wagyu and Japanese wagyu cuts, all dry-aged onsite — are cooked on a Japanese konro grill “adjusted for Argentine grilling”, says Muir, who uses all-natural Argentine charcoal and Argentine quebracho wood for steaks that are tender and lightly smoky. Appetizers are creative. Fish is freshly caught and local. Pastas are handmade. Muir’s attention to detail is outstanding.

“It’s my passion to serve people,” he says. “The biggest compliment that I’ve received here is when a customer says, ‘It doesn’t feel like a restaurant. It feels like dinner at your house.’”

— Liz Balmaseda, The Palm Beach Post

Related: Best New Restaurant in Palm Beach County? A tiny steakhouse with a world of flavors.

Oak & Ember Steakhouse

301 S. Colorado Blvd., Stuart; 772-444-6299; oakandembersteakhouse.com

Treasure Coast restaurateur and chef Kyle Greene opened Oak & Ember Steakhouse in February in the former location of LouRónzo's in downtown Stuart. It's the second location for the steakhouse, which originally opened in Port St. Lucie, and the fifth restaurant in the tri-county area for Greene. He opened his first restaurant, Kyle G’s Prime Seafood & Steaks, in 2017 in Jensen Beach. His sixth and latest restaurant, Nonna's, an Italian restaurant, opened in August in Jensen Beach.

— Laurie K. Blandford, TCPalm/Treasure Coast Newspapers

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Ori's Bakery & Cafe

945 N. Collier Blvd., Marco Island; 239-450-4062; oriscafe.com

Opened in July, Ori's is a most welcome addition to Marco Island, as there’s nothing quite like it. Think of it as first-class, from-scratch finger-friendly food in a clean, casual counter-service setting: it’s among the few restaurants near the beach where wearing swimsuits and coverups will not raise eyebrows. Italian beef with all the trimmings from a Portillo’s alum? Yes, and it’s fantastic. Oriana Reed is the café’s namesake, and she also serves as executive pastry chef. Originally from Buenos Aires, her heritage is Italian. Both destinations’ cuisines are represented on the extensive menu. One pastry showcase is entirely empanadas. Baked from scratch throughout the day, they’re priced $5.25 per with a choice of creative fillings, including crab and grouper for an extra $2. For kids of any age, there’s mac and cheese with chopped hot dog. Gluten-free and vegan savory and sweet options are available. — Diana Biederman, Naples Daily News

Hungry? Italian beef, delectable pastries: Portillo's alum opens new bakery cafe on Marco Island

Paco Submarine

515 N. Dixie Freeway, New Smyrna Beach; 386-402-7281, pacosubmarine.com

Elevated doesn’t quite scratch the surface when describing this local New Smyrna Beach treasure. Paco Submarine, known for its decadent, scratch-made handhelds, homemade cheesecake and hand-cut fries, opened for business in October, along the popular town’s North Dixie Freeway.

The charming roadside spot came to be as a result of the longtime dream of owners Brian Cieslak and his wife, Sommer Walker. With a background in fine-dining and combined 20-plus years' experience in the industry, the quirky culinary pair provides unmatched flavors and quality cuisine in a friendly, home-like ambiance to all who walk through the eatery’s doors. With menu options like the Clayton, a personal favorite and rich, tangy layering of buttered rye, griddled pastrami, Swiss cheese, sauerkraut and creamy mustard, the pair was certainly right about one thing: you may have some trouble deciding on just one.

— Helena Perray, The Daytona Beach News-Journal

More: A host of new restaurants opened in Daytona, Flagler in 2023. Here are my favorites.

PigFish

5377 McIntosh Road, Sarasota; 941-777-5220; pig.fish

PigFish takes its name from the same sobriquet as its signature sandwich featuring the fish kanpachi topped by braised pork. Yes, it's a clever play on words, but not nearly as ingenious as the deftly crafted sandwich itself and all the other foods you will find at chef, owner, and two-time James Beard Award semifinalist Steve Phelps' new counter-service restaurant, which is located inside the vast and beautiful new Calusa Brewing taproom in south Sarasota.

Another must-try handheld at this restaurant that opened in November is the Cobia Hot Dawg, which, if memory serves, debuted years ago at Indigenous, Phelps' renowned downtown Sarasota restaurant open since 2011 and visited in 2023 by celebrity chef Bobby Flay. Like Indigenous, PigFish's primary focus is serving sustainable seafood, with the élan one would only expect from a next-level chef such as Phelps.

— Wade Tatangelo, Florida Dining and Entertainment Editor

10 best new restaurants of 2023 in Sarasota and Bradenton: My top favorites, ranked

Sage on 47th

1015 SE 47th Terrace, Cape Coral; 239-542-0200; sageon47th.com

Southwest Florida culinary legend Ralph Centalonza’s latest (and possibly best) effort is nothing sort of magical. The chef/owner, who previously partnered on three highly popular restaurants, went solo on this South Cape gem in April. Sage’s trendy, sleek and modern look is anchored by a beautifully inviting 68-foot bar, serving up some of the most impressive craft cocktails around.

Equally impressive is the chef-driven, locally curated menu that’s as fun as it is creative with a handful each of starters, sharables and mains. It’s difficult to pick a favorite — from duck fat fries with lingonberry ketchup to precisely grilled lamb chops with pistachio pesto and a seafood risotto we can’t stop thinking about. Don’t even get us started about the weekend brunch.

All of this combined, plus an attentive and knowledgeable staff that assures you’re in very good hands, helps Sage dazzle time and time again.

— Robyn George, The News-Press

Let's eat: 78 new restaurants that opened (or reopened) in 2023 from Cape Coral to Bonita to Captiva

Urban Prime Restaurant + Marketplace

2435 Metfield Drive, Viera. Call 321-499-1188 or visit urbanprimefoods.com

A project by longtime Brevard chef Ercan Ekinci, Urban Prime Marketplace + Restaurant opened in October, bringing a gourmet marketplace, elegant restaurant and stylish bar to the heart of Viera. There's also an expansive patio, part of which overlooks Chipper's Walk, a nine-hole Par 3 golf course that's part of Duran Golf Club.

In addition to groceries, the market includes a bakery, sushi bar, deli and a selection of grab-and-go meals.

In the restaurant, try the Burrata Caprese, the Blue Crab Artichoke Dip, the Roquefort Wedge salad and the Red Wine Braised Short Ribs. From the bar, the Spicy Mama, with house-infused habanero and watermelon tequila, lime and basil with a Tijin rim, was just the right amount of heat and sweet.

Only a couple of months old, Urban Prime is still getting its footing, but it's on the way to becoming a destination restaurant in Brevard County.

— Suzy Fleming Leonard, FLORIDA TODAY

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This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Best new Florida restaurants opened in 2023