Bern's to Launch New Seafood Concept
The Bern's Steak House Group announced it will replace its Hyde Park restaurant, Haven, with a new seafood concept. Haven is slated to close to make way for the new venture, which is projected to open in 2027.
- The new, yet-unnamed seafood concept is being developed by Executive Chef Chad Johnson, who also heads the kitchen at Bern's Steak House and was the executive chef at Haven. - Haven first opened in March 2015, replacing a previous Bern's Group concept called SideBern's, which originally opened in 1996. - The name Haven was a tribute to the "Beer Haven" bar that founders Bern and Gert Laxer purchased in 1956, which they transformed into the original Bern's Steak House. - Haven was known for its extensive cheese and charcuterie program, offering over 100 cheeses, and a beverage program that included over 300 bourbons and 40 wines by the glass. - The parent company, run by the founder's son David Laxer, has expanded its Hyde Park presence significantly over the years, opening the 137-room Epicurean Hotel across the street in 2013. - The 2208 W. Morrison Ave. address anchors the restaurant group's presence in the Hyde Park neighborhood, which is considered a major culinary destination in Tampa. - Haven will remain open through the summer of 2026, with the new seafood restaurant projected to open in the fall of 2027; the company has stated it will support Haven employees through the transition.
