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Restaurant Recap: Bradenton Herald’s latest local food news

Welcome to the Bradenton Herald's Restaurant Recap.

Explore what's new and coming soon in Manatee County's dining scene with our latest stories below.

San Antonio, Texas-based Whataburger is planning its first Bradenton-area franchise, selling food 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

NO. 1: WHAT’S COMING TO THIS NEW BRADENTON SHOPPING CENTER? A PUBLIX STORE AND MORE

One of Bradenton’s newest neighborhoods has several dining and shopping options minutes away from its residential community. | Published August 31, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jason Dill

McDonald’s golden arches sign at 4711 14th Street West in Bradenton on August 12, 2025. By Tiffany Tompkins

NO. 2: NEW MCDONALD’S PLANNED FOR PALMETTO, RECORDS SAY. WHAT TO KNOW

McDonald’s is planning a new restaurant in a growing Manatee County area. | Published August 15, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jason Dill

Ventura’s owner Debra Murphy holds a signature pizza at the new restaurant in Bradenton. They are having their grand opening on August 15, shown here on August 13, 2025. By Tiffany Tompkins

NO. 3: ITALIAN LONGBOAT KEY RESTAURANT WITH ‘QUALITY INGREDIENTS’ EXPANDS INTO BRADENTON

A location between a movie theater and a gym created an opportunity for Debra Murphy. | Published August 21, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jason Dill

Potbelly Sandwich Works is opening a new location in Raleigh. By Renee Umsted

NO. 4: BRADENTON IS GETTING A NEW SANDWICH SPOT. THE RESTAURANT HAS CHICAGO ROOTS

A popular fast-casual sandwich shop is coming to Bradenton. | Published August 19, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jason Dill

A welcome sign at Playa Bowls located in Athens, GA, on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. The shop offers up tropical fruit bowls, fresh squeezed juice and smoothies inspired from its creators travels in the Caribbean, Central America and Hawaii. By Joshua L. Jones

NO. 5: POPULAR ACAI BOWL RESTAURANT PLANS FIRST BRADENTON STORE IN THIS SHOPPING CENTER

A national acai bowl shop is bringing its brand to Manatee County for the first time. | Published August 23, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jason Dill

Swig has launched a soft opening on Cortez Road serving “dirty sodas” shown on August 25, 2025. By Tiffany Tompkins

NO. 6: WHAT IS A DIRTY SODA? NEW BRADENTON SHOP OPENS SELLING THIS POPULAR SOFT DRINK

Cars are lining up for Swig, a drive-thru drink shop, which recently opened its first Bradenton location. | Published August 25, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jason Dill

Sweet treats line the shelves at Pecan Jacks in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. The business has a thriving online component and will be offering a special deal to digital customers on Cyber Monday. By Jim Thompson/Daily News

NO. 7: FLORIDA-BASED ICE CREAM AND CANDY SHOP IS COMING TO NEW MANATEE SHOPPING CENTER

A Southern-inspired ice cream and candy store with North Florida roots is expanding to Manatee County. | Published August 27, 2025 | Read Full Story by Jason Dill

Rita’s Italian Ice is planned for Shoppes at University Town Center in Manatee County. This is the shop at the Lakewood Ranch Gateway Shopping Center on Feb. 24, 2025. By Tiffany Tompkins

NO. 8: RITA’S ITALIAN ICE OPENS ANOTHER SHOP SELLING FROZEN TREATS IN MANATEE COUNTY

Rita’s Italian Ice recently opened its Shoppes at University Town Center store. | Published September 2, 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.