Waterfront Mediterranean Restaurant Opening At Renovated St. Pete Hotel

ST. PETERSBURG, FL — A Mediterranean-inspired waterfront restaurant opens Thursday at SkyBeach Resort, a newly renovated hotel on the southern tip of St. Petersburg.

LUMA, which overlooks the 113-room resort’s marina, blends Mediterranean flavors with local Gulf Coast ingredients, according to a news release

The restaurant is the third culinary concept to open at SkyBeach since the resort’s 2024 relaunch. It’s open to both guests and the community. Other concepts include SkyBar + Grille, a two-story open-air restaurant and bar, and Paradeco Coffee Roasters, the second location of a downtown St. Pete cafe.

“This concept [LUMA] completes our food and beverage vision in a meaningful way — one that resonates with both our guests and the local community. LUMA is meant to be a place you return to, where the food leaves a lasting impression, the service feels personal, and the setting makes every visit feel a little extraordinary,” Allie Singer, vice president of commercial strategy and asset management at Willner Realty & Development Co., the resort’s ownership group, said.

The menu focuses on shareable mezze, fire-driven entrées and a produce-forward approach paired with a creative craft cocktail program inspired by Mediterranean herbs and spices.

LUMA is helmed by executive chef Ryan VanDusen, a Michigan native with more than two decades of culinary experience in top markets, including Chicago and Florida. His resumé includes leadership roles at acclaimed properties such as Soho House Chicago and the Don CeSar hotel.

“This concept reflects a deep commitment to craft and place,” VanDusen said. “The menu honors Mediterranean classics while embracing Gulf Coast influences, resulting in a seasonal approach that captures the flavors and energy of Florida.”

For those arriving by water, LUMA offers a dock-and-dine experience; visitors are welcome to dock their boats at the SkyBeach Marina while they eat.

Originally built in the 1950s, the historic 18-acre property was purchased by Willner Realty in 2022.

The property underwent a major renovation before reopening as SkyBeach Resort in July 2024.

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