Best new Bradenton restaurants for perfect date nights

Bradenton’s dining scene has a variety of new date night spots to sample, each with its own unique flavor and style.

Enjoy homemade pizzas and pasta at Godson’s Pizzeria or try traditional Japanese hibachi and teriyaki at Little Jo-To. For upscale Italian cuisine in a chic setting, Bar Italia promises classic dishes like chicken parmesan and spicy vodka rigatoni.

For a different view, the Oyster River Restaurant at Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa offers rooftop dining with nautical themes and elegant seafood selections. Sofra Kitchen Bar & Bistro highlights European flavors such as seafood risotto and branzino in a cozy atmosphere. Dozens of sushi and hibachi options await at Yummy Sushi, and Florence and the Spice Boys puts a modern twist on Middle Eastern cuisine.

With these and several more new options to try, there’s a fresh spot for every couple.

Van and Krits Tran recently opened Little Jo-To, 5911 53rd Ave. E., Bradenton, serving Japanese cuisine.

NO. 1: LITTLE JO-TO OPENS WITH CONNECTION TO RECENTLY CLOSED BRADENTON JAPANESE RESTAURANT

The new restaurant carries on a 40-year tradition. | Published February 22, 2024 | Read Full Story by James A. Jones Jr.

Arielle Cummings shakes up Agave Bandido’s version of a pina colado. The new restaurant at 1550 Lakefront Drive in Lakewood Ranch’s Waterside Place opens Monday, March 11. By James A. Jones Jr.

NO. 2: NEW MEXICAN RESTAURANT AND TEQUILA BAR IS COMING TO LAKEWOOD RANCH. TAKE A LOOK INSIDE

“We feel like what separates us is our smoked margaritas, our table-side guacamole, our flaming shots and over-the-top celebrations of birthdays, anniversaries and more,” one owner said. | Published March 8, 2024 | Read Full Story by James A. Jones Jr.

The indoor bar at Taverna Toscana at 1301 Sixth Ave. W. on Friday, May 10, 2024. By Tiffany Tompkins

NO. 3: TOP CHEF ‘FAN FAVORITE’ FABIO VIVIANI OPENS BRADENTON RESTAURANT. TAKE A LOOK INSIDE

What’s it like inside Bradenton’s latest culinary attraction? Take a peek. | Published May 13, 2024 | Read Full Story by James A. Jones Jr.

Scarpino’s Restaurant in Bradenton is reopening after remodeling and with a new owner. The restaurant features authentic Italian recipes. By Tiffany Tompkins

NO. 4: CLASSIC ITALIAN RESTAURANT IN BRADENTON HAS A NEW LOOK AND OWNER. TAKE A PEEK INSIDE

The new owner said he plans to continue serving guests in “an inviting environment for enjoying high-quality and authentic Italian dishes.” | Published May 31, 2024 | Read Full Story by James A. Jones Jr.

The Bar Italia restaurant is forecast to open July 15 at 6588 University Parkway in Lakewood Ranch’s Center Point development. By James A. Jones Jr.

NO. 5: BAR ITALIA RESTAURANT COMING TO LAKEWOOD RANCH WITH DISHES ‘ELEVATED TO A NEW LEVEL’

The restaurant has other locations in Ohio and Winter Park. | Published July 6, 2024 | Read Full Story by James A. Jones Jr.

Marina Garafola is the owner of Cafe di Lorenzo, an Italian restaurant, which opened in June at 608 14th St., W., Bradenton. By James A. Jones Jr.

NO. 6: CAFE DI LORENZO BRINGS A FRESH HELPING OF ITALIAN CUISINE WITH NEW BRADENTON RESTAURANT

A new Italian restaurant has entered the Manatee County dining scene. | Published July 5, 2024 | Read Full Story by James A. Jones Jr.

The Oyster River Rooftop Restaurant at the Palmetto Marriott Resort & Spa on July 3, 2023. By Tiffany Tompkins

NO. 7: PALMETTO’S MARRIOTT HOTEL FEATURES A ROOFTOP RESTAURANT. TAKE A LOOK AT THE VIEWS INSIDE

It is the largest hotel in Manatee County. | Published July 8, 2024 | Read Full Story by James A. Jones Jr.

Godson’s Pizzeria at 3306 Manatee Ave. West serves pizza, wings, subs and more. By Tiffany Tompkins

NO. 8: POPULAR BRADENTON PIZZERIA REOPENS IN NEW LOCATION. ‘EVERYTHING IS HOMEMADE.’

The pizza sauce and dough are made by hand. | Published November 22, 2024 | Read Full Story by Jason Dill

Yummy Sushi & Hibachi Grill By Tiffany Tompkins

NO. 9: NEW SUSHI AND HIBACHI RESTAURANT OPENS IN MANATEE COUNTY WITH LOTS OF ‘YUMMY’ OPTIONS

The restaurant replaces Oak & Stone’s Fastfire. | Published February 6, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jason Dill

Island tacos with pulled pork, cole slaw, bbq sauce, southwest sauce, pineapple salsa on either corn or flour tortillas at Pork Belly’s, 9515 Cortez Road West. By Tiffany Tompkins

NO. 10: FROM UTAH TO BRADENTON, NEW RESTAURANT BRINGS HOMESTYLE BREAKFAST, BARBECUE AND MORE

Take a look inside this new Bradenton eatery that’s not your typical barbecue. | Published March 11, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jason Dill

Several of the drinks served at Good Liquid Brewing Co. including the Vibe Check, Sorority Girl, On Vaca IPA, an Orange wheat, milk stout, House cabernet and prosecco in downtown Bradenton on March 12. By Tiffany Tompkins

NO. 11: GOOD LIQUID BREWING’S RETURN TO BRADENTON HAS A NEW FEATURE. HERE’S A LOOK INSIDE

The combination brewery, distillery and restaurant opened this year downtown Bradenton. | Published March 17, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jason Dill

at Sofra in downtown Bradenton. By Tiffany Tompkins

NO. 12: NEW RESTAURANT BRINGS FINE EUROPEAN FLAVORS TO DOWNTOWN BRADENTON. TAKE A LOOK INSIDE

The executive chef comes from an award-winning Michigan restaurant. | Published April 1, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jason Dill

The harissa shrimp bowl at Florence and the Spice Boys in the UTC Mall on April 25, 2025. By Tiffany Tompkins

NO. 13: NEW BRADENTON-AREA RESTAURANT SERVES UP MIDDLE EASTERN CUISINE. LOOK INSIDE

It all started with a food truck. | Published April 29, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jason Dill

The summary above was drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All stories listed were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.