What’s new in New Smyrna Beach, Florida

New Smyrna Beach, the eclectic beach town on Florida’s Atlantic coast, just an hour from Orlando, is known for its colorful streets, white sand beach, vibrant arts and laid-back coastal vibe.

The relaxed pace of life and small-town feel is New Smyrna Beach’s main attraction, and big developments are rare, but there’s always a busy calendar of local events, new dining options and something new to discover.

Dining updates

New Smyrna Beach’s two distinct downtown districts, Flagler Avenue and Canal Street, as well as the hub of East 3rd Avenue and the route to Canaveral National Seashore, are home to many independent restaurants, seafood joints, bakeries, quirky cafés, buzzy breweries and local distilleries. Still, there are a host of new and upcoming options to sample:

The Yardery – Following a successful launch in Sanford, FL, The Yardery is set to open a second location on Canal Street in 2025. The Yardery will offer laid-back outdoor dining and outdoor games that are perfect for entertaining guests of all ages. The venue will feature a large turf lawn, fun games like cornhole and foosball, a pet-friendly vibe and a bar serving local craft beers and cocktails.

LUMA NSB  – In July 2024 it opened its doors on Flagler Avenue, offering a family-oriented, predominantly outdoor space, with a laid-back and bohemian charm. The restaurant offers casual dining, coffees, juices, wine, beer, cocktails and charcuterie boards.

Bar Leona – New for 2025, Bar Leona has opened close to Canal Street, in the historic arts and business district. The sister-venue to family-owned Prima, Bar Leona continues the tradition of serving fresh fish, tender meats, pasta creations and vegetarian dishes. Each sauce is crafted in-house daily. Bar Leona also has a focus on sourced wines and artisan spirits from local distilleries.

Shebeen Suspiciously Sweet – This new eatery has a 1920’s speakeasy vibe, harking back to the US’s prohibition era. Opened in late December 2024, Shebeen Suspiciously Sweet is the hot new place offering the coolest sweet treats – ice cream, coffee, artisan chocolates, plus waffles, baked goods and sandwiches.

Events worth travelling for

The New Smyrna Beach area has a packed calendar of events, from daily live music at bars and restaurants, to monthly rituals like the sip-&-stroll, wine walk and vintage car show. The local community is always dreaming up ways to gather a crowd, whether that’s for a festival, cook-off, beach run or cultural event.

Atlantic Center for the Arts: Residency with Dani Ferreira Amaro

The Atlantic Center for the Arts (ACA) continues to shape the global arts landscape with its innovative residency programs. ACA Soundscape Field Station, in partnership with Canaveral National Seashore, welcomes transdisciplinary sound artist Dani Ferreira Amaro as the 2025 artist-in-residence. This residency coincides with the 50th anniversary of the National Park Service’s designation of Canaveral National Seashore as a protected area. Amaro will spend her residency at ACA creating a site-specific tactile sound sculpture made from Sargassum seaweed and cultural materials representing Florida’s heritage. The public is invited to view Amaro’s sound sculpture from 17 – 30 March 2025, at Canaveral National Seashore, where entry is free with park admission.

NSB Coastal Catch Restaurant Month

Launched in 2024 and set to return for 2025, New Smyrna Beach welcomes back the NSB Coastal Catch Restaurant Month. From 1 – 31 October 2025, visitors and locals can experience culinary delights in celebrating NSB’s coastal heritage and diverse dining offerings. Restaurants across NSB will curate special prix-fixe menus, priced at $39 and $59 for three-courses, highlighting their signature dishes.

Participating restaurant details to be announced, but with exciting chef collaborations and special tasting menus in the works.

The latest NSB Trails

Discovering the area has never been easier thanks to the  ‘NSB Trails’, 25 online guides that offer visitors different ways to explore the destination. Some trails can be completed in a day, whilst others should be split over a few days. Tailored to a variety of themes and activities, travelers can discover the great outdoors, journey into the past, plunge into watersports, or sample local culinary delights and craft beers.

One of the newest Trails added to the collection include the ‘NSB Keep it Like New Trail, which includes attractions, accommodations, restaurants and businesses that are committed to developing sustainable tourism.

The ‘Retreat to Romance Trail’ takes visitors on a journey that includes tranquil garden strolls, intimate dining venues, relaxing spa sessions and beachside chill, perfect for couples seeking quality time together.

For more information on New Smyrna Beach, visit www.visitnsbfl.com

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