12.04.2025

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81º | 10% chance of precipitation

Sunrise 7:06 a.m. | Sunset 5:33 p.m.

Tides | Old Tampa Bay | Low: 8:37 p.m.

Clearwater Beach | High: 10:04 p.m. | Low: 4:14 p.m.

Full Weather Report | Traffic Report

City Guide

You know what sounds great?

Pop-Up Bagels is always on Editor Bailey’s mind. | Photo by TBAYtoday

Not cooking dinner.

How about sliding up to — or ordering takeout from — one of the newest restaurants on Tampa Bay’s food scene? Check out these buzzy places to eat and drink in Tampa + St. Pete — plus, some spots coming soon.

Keep tabs on this list to stay ahead of the cuisine curve. And don’t forget to bookmark it.

Newly open

PopUp Bagels, Multiple locations | Bagels | Reservations: No
You don’t slice these famed bagels, they’re the tearing kind. The “not famous, but known” chain Pop-Up Bagels serves plain, poppy, salt, and sesame bagels, tubs of schmear, and the fishy works.

Fisk, Tampa | Scandinavian bistro | Reservations: Yes
Michelin-starred chef Ebbe Vollmer opened a second Tampa restaurant late last year. And it’s right next door to his second concept, Ebbe. The intimate spot serves a constantly evolving menu of fish and Scandinavian dishes.

Elliot Aster, St. Pete | Upscale eats | Reservations: Yes
A Michelin-starred chef recently opened a new fine dining location at the Pink Lady. Elliott Aster — dedicated to the Florida wildflower + developer that named the Vinoy —offers steaks, an antipasti bar, and an outdoor seating area with those primo waterfront views.

City Guides are presented by Water Street Tampa

10+ more spots to impress the inlaws

Events

Thursday, Dec. 4

Friday, Dec. 5

Saturday, Dec. 6

Visits with Santa & Mrs. Claus | 1-4 p.m. | Armature Works | Free

Holiday Pilates and Lattes | 1:30-3:30 p.m. | BODYBAR Pilates, Downtown Tampa | $7+

What about concerts?

Feature your event here, or make a bigger splash

News Notes

Sports

USF just selected Brian Hartline as its next football head coach. USF CEO of Athletics Rob Higgins lauded the Ohio State offensive coordinator as a “relentless recruiter, outstanding developer of talent, and a gritty competitor” who will lead the program “to the next level.” (Tampa Bay Times)

Development

We spilled the beans on TBAY’s newest Whole Foods, but what’s going in beside it? The new Wesley Chapel shopping center will feature huge brands like LifeTime Fitness, Naked Farmer, CAVA, PopUp Bagels, and Petfolk. What’s the timeline? (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Coming Soon

Port Richey is getting a new 40,011-sqft pickleball center appropriately named Pickleball Kingdom. The facility, which opens in early 2026, will boast 14 indoor courts. Plus, it will host coaching and clinics, leagues and tournaments, and kiddie clinics. (Tampa Bay Business Journal)

Eat

Tommy’s Chophouse starts slinging steaks in Ybor City next year. Where at? The team behind Barterhouse is opening the restaurant on the ground floor of the Kress Contemporary building. Design-wise, you can expect Charleston-esque flair. (That’s So Tampa)

Try This

Grab tickets to Farm Aid this weekend — no, not the one founded by Neil Young and friends. Tow everyone over to Town ‘n’ Country’s Sweetwater Organic Community Farm this Saturday, Dec. 6, for a day-long show featuring artists like Kristopher James + Katara. You can camp this year too. (Creative Loafing Tampa Bay)

Show

Billy Strings is keepin’ bluegrass alive. Now watch him bring his Grammy Award-winning twang to TBAY on April 8, 2026. Tickets to the Benchmark International Arena show go on sale tomorrow, Dec. 5. Editor Bailey is adding this to her 2026 concert setlist. (That’s So Tampa)

Outdoors

Look up. The December supermoon will appear today, Dec. 4, at 6:14 p.m., according to the Almanac. This occurs when the moon’s orbit gets closer to Earth, making the moon appear brighter than usual. This will be your last chance to see the cold moon before the year ends.

Announced

Discord Addams, the Sunshine City’s punk rock drag star, is competing in the next season of “RuPaul’s Drag Race.” They’re bringing “Lady Gaga and Mick Jagger”-infused style to the $200,000 competition. Tune in to the show on MTV on Friday, Jan. 2. (Tampa Bay Times)

Eat

Who doesn’t love a giant wheel of cheese? Mazzaro’s Italian Market sliced into an 866-pound wheel of Auricchio provolone aged cheese that spent 22 months preparing for this moment. Buy a block for holiday feasting or check out these TBAY-themed gifts. (I Love the Burg)

Listen

What do the Bucs need to do to keep the streak alive? Bailey doesn’t know, but these Tampa Bay Buccaneers experts do.

Shop

If you’re a Costco shopper, you know about the $1.50 hot dog. But are you in on these other 10 lesser-known hacks all Costco shoppers should know about? Wait until you see number six.*

Finance

This just in: 6% is the new 2%. This card is every reward-seeker’s dream, offering up to 6% cash back in categories you’ll actually use. Bonus: You can get 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers into 2027. Learn more and apply.*

The Buy

Discover clever, useful tech that solves everyday problems in this guide to 2025’s coolest gadgets. We’re talking a small but mighty home security upgrade, a power bank the size of a credit card, and more.

Find your new favorite tech upgrade

Answered

Earlier this week, we asked “How much do you spend on groceries every week?”

A green Publix shopping basket filled with Florida's Natural orange juice, a loaf of Pepperidge Farm Swirl bread, and Goldfish crackers. — You can shop local right from your favorite grocery store.

53% of readers spend under $200 per week
26% of people average more than $200
19% of folks spend under $100
2% of readers spend less than $50 a week

Did we miss you?

The Wrap

Have you heard? Spotify Wrapped is officially out. My top song of 2025 was “Back to Me” by The Marias. I listened to it 99 times — so close. What topped your playlist this year? Let us know. And stick around for tomorrow’s newsletter for our special take on Spotify Wrapped.

Send us a scoop, question, or feedback

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