Michelin-Starred Celebrity Chef to Open Restaurant at St. Petersburg’s Central Hotel

Celebrity chef Geoffrey Zakarian is bringing his cooking expertise to St. Petersburg's EDGE District. His new restaurant will be located in the Central Hotel, making it his only current restaurant. "A city brimming with energy and creativity," Zakarian told the St. Pete Catalyst.

The restaurant will seat 200 people inside the upcoming 168-room Marriott Autograph Collection hotel. This is his first restaurant opening since his popular New York restaurants, The Lambs Club and The National, first opened.

Zakarian's influence will extend throughout the building. His team will handle the menus for the rooftop pool bar, jazz club, and event spaces. Guests can also reserve a private dining room above the main restaurant or the top-floor ballroom overlooking the bay.

St. Pete's Mayor Ken Welch thinks the project is great news for local diners. He says it helps build the city's reputation as a food destination.

For CEO Casey Ellison, getting Zakarian involved was a game-changer. The mixed-use property stands out even more with its impressive Halcyon office tower and unique rooftop feature - a 76-million-year-old Gorgosaurus skeleton displayed in an open garden.

With a Michelin star earned at Country in Manhattan and 25 years of experience, the Iron Chef winner brings impressive credentials to Florida's Gulf Coast. Currently, he oversees menu development at Tampa General Hospital.

Inside the Central Hotel, the venues span multiple floors. A two-story theater, third-floor event space for 125 guests, and rooftop area fitting 150 people are just some of the features. Building starts in early 2026.

The Central joins the historic Vinoy Resort as Marriott's second Autograph Collection property in St. Petersburg. Six other Florida hotels carry this brand, including Tampa's CURRENT and Epicurean.

More than 130 businesses now occupy the EDGE District. The once-quiet neighborhood is now bustling with new residential and retail development. The area recently received Florida Main Street's monthly award for combining art with community engagement.