Cheeky's is set to open in St. Petersburg, Florida, in mid-2024

Cheeky’s Set to Open in St. Petersburg, Florida in Mid-2024

Cheeky’s, a raw bar & seafood grill with classic fried chicken, will open in St. Petersburg, Florida’s Grand Central District on Central Ave. next year.

For daily lunch and dinner, plus weekend brunch and daily happy hour, Cheeky’s will serve fresh seafood, including East Coast oysters, shrimp, fish and daily specials from local waters and the Gulf, along with piping hot bowls of chowder, fried chicken, salads and more. On the beverage side, fun frozen and classic cocktails, local ice-cold beers, a tight list of approachable natural wines by the glass and bottle and refreshing spirit-free beverages will round out the menu. The restaurant is from Tampa local Nate Siegel, co-founder behind Tampa’s award-winning Willa’s and Willa’s Provisions.

Taking its cue from New England oyster bars and Southern chicken shacks, Cheeky’s will be a family- and dog-friendly space. Diners will be able to experience a welcoming setting with various styles of seating depending on their mood, whether at the spacious horseshoe-shaped bar with room for 20, surrounded by banquettes in an open and breezy space for fun and intimate dining, or the expansive outdoor patio to enjoy casual dining, all-day imbibing and great people-watching along bustling Central Avenue. Cheeky’s will be housed in a portion of the building that was home to China Finders, a local institution that served the neighborhood for more than 30 years.

Nate has a passion for hospitality with over 15 years of experience in the industry, including time spent in New York working for the Keith McNally Restaurant Group (Balthazar, Minetta Tavern), Chelsea Hotels and Danny Meyer’s Tacombi, and as the Vice President at Mise En Place in Tampa. Most recently, Nate is a partner and co-founder of Willa’s and Willa’s Provisions in Tampa, named one of Southern Living’s Best New Restaurants of 2023.

“Coming to St. Pete is a dream come true, and opening a new little place along Central Avenue like Cheeky’s is so exciting. This is already such a special community, and I am honored to become a small part of it alongside my friends at Bandit, Baba, Wild Child and more.”

Cheeky’s will be walk-in friendly and open daily for lunch, dinner, happy hour and live music. Reservations can be made for large groups.