You’d Never Guess This Little Florida House Hides a Michelin-Recognized Japanese Bar

A 1925 Craftsman bungalow with no sign and no logo just earned a spot in the MICHELIN Guide. That alone made me look twice.

Inside, records spin on two turntables through vintage 1972 Klipsch Cornwall speakers. Oil lanterns cast an amber glow over a tiny Japanese dining room. It calls itself the first Tokyo-style listening bar in Florida.

I like how the whole place feels built for slowing down. The menu shifts with the seasons and the weekly market. There’s no fixed menu to memorize, so every visit can look a little different.

You could drive past this house a dozen times and never know. I can’t imagine a better kind of secret to stumble onto. So what exactly is happening behind that quiet front door?

1. The Michelin Inspectors Found the House With No Sign

Getting noticed by the MICHELIN Guide usually takes a big dining room and a flashy entrance. In Between Days pulled it off from a house with no sign out front.

The restaurant earned a Recommended spot in the 2026 MICHELIN Guide Florida. That’s a nod to notable places worth seeking out, separate from a Star or a Bib Gourmand.

Still, think about the odds here. Inspectors comb through restaurants across the whole state, and this tiny bungalow made the list.

I believe that says plenty about the care behind it. Big budgets and splashy lobbies didn’t earn this one. The cooking, the mood, and the clear vision did the heavy lifting.

The spot opened in 2021, which makes the recognition feel even more impressive. A few short years took it from neighborhood secret to a name on a famous guide.

Co-founders Zach Ashton, a Pinellas native, and Elio Marini built the concept together. Chef Justin Shewtzer leads the kitchen and keeps the food sharp.

So yes, Michelin found it. Now it’s your turn, and luckily you don’t need a trench coat or a clipboard to get in.

2. Your Ears Get the Royal Treatment Here

Two turntables. A deep stack of vinyl. A pair of vintage 1972 Klipsch Cornwall speakers doing the talking.

That setup sits at the heart of In Between Days, which bills itself as Florida’s first Tokyo-style listening bar. In Tokyo, listening bars treat music like the main event, not background noise.

Here, the records spin slowly and the sound is built for real audio fans. You won’t find a random playlist shuffling through cheap speakers. Someone actually chose what’s on the platter.

The Klipsch Cornwalls deserve a quick shout. These big wooden speakers date back to the early 1970s and are prized for full, warm sound.

The vinyl collection covers a wide mix of styles. That variety keeps the night interesting, even if you came mostly for the food.

My advice? Put your phone face down for a bit. Let a full album side play while you share a plate or two.

It’s a small habit that changes the whole evening. Good music sounds even better when you actually stop to hear it.

3. Lantern Light Makes Everyone Look Good

Bright overhead lights? Not in this house.

Oil lanterns give the room an amber glow at In Between Days. The lighting stays low on purpose, and the space feels close and personal.

The owners describe it as a culture house. That phrase fits, because every choice seems aimed at creating a deliberate kind of evening.

The building itself helps. It’s a 1925 Craftsman bungalow, so the scale feels homey rather than grand. You’re dining inside a century-old house, after all.

Combine the lanterns, the records, and the small footprint, and the result is calm. Conversations stay at a level where you can actually hear your date.

That makes it a smart pick for anniversaries, catch-up dinners, or a first date you want to go well. Bonus: soft amber light is famously flattering.

One tip worth keeping in mind is to dress comfortably. The mood leans relaxed and stylish, not stiff.

Honestly, the room does half the work. Your only job is to show up, sit down, and let the glow handle the rest.

4. The Menu Changes Faster Than Florida Weather

Planning your order ahead of time is pretty much pointless here, and that’s the fun part.

The food menu at In Between Days is small and changes constantly. Seasons, market availability, and fresh weekly arrivals all decide what lands on the list.

The kitchen serves Japanese contemporary cooking in an izakaya-inspired style. Dishes are meant to be ordered throughout the evening, so you can add plates as you go.

Recent and past items have included gyoza, hamachi, and oysters often served in a classic French style. Korean-braised short rib dumplings and Japanese yellowfin tuna have also appeared.

A spicy beef broth with char siu pork lardons once made the list too. That’s the kind of creative twist this kitchen likes.

Quick heads-up: this is not a sushi restaurant. Come for small plates and shareable bites instead of rolls on a conveyor.

My strategy would be ordering a couple of dishes first, then reading the room. Since plates arrive across the night, you can always circle back for more.

Think of it as a tasting adventure with no fixed map.

5. One Noodle Bowl, More Than 30 Ingredients

Thirty ingredients. In one bowl. Let that number sink in for a second.

In Between Days keeps a single rotating noodle dish on its menu. Most often, it’s ramen, and the kitchen builds it with over 30 ingredients.

That kind of effort shows patience. Broths like this don’t happen in a quick afternoon. They take layering, tasting, and adjusting until everything clicks.

Because there’s only one noodle option at a time, it gets the kitchen’s full attention. No juggling five different bowls means sharper focus on one great one.

The rotation also keeps things exciting. The noodle you try this month might look different from the one next season.

A smart move is to share the bowl with your table. That way everyone gets a taste while still saving room for other small plates.

Got a vegetarian in your crew? Vegetarian dishes can often be prepared with advance notice, so mention it when you book.

Ramen lovers in Florida don’t always expect this level of detail from a tiny bungalow kitchen. Then again, nothing about this house follows the usual script.

6. Save Room, Because Dessert Comes With a Local Twist

Pumpkin Basque cheesecake has shown up here before. Yes, that’s as tempting as it sounds.

Desserts at In Between Days come through a partnership with Cafe Clementine. Instead of trying to do everything in a tiny kitchen, the team teamed up with another local favorite.

I love that kind of neighborly move. It keeps the main kitchen focused on savory plates while still sending you home on a sweet note.

Basque cheesecake, for the curious, is known for its deeply browned top. The style comes from Spain’s Basque Country, and it has become popular far beyond it.

Like the rest of the menu, desserts can rotate. The pumpkin version is a past example, so don’t count on the exact same slice every time.

Here’s a practical tip for your night. Pace the small plates so you’re not too full when the dessert question comes around.

Shared plates make that easy, since nobody has to finish a giant entree alone.

Ending with something sweet just feels right in a lantern-lit room. Consider it the final track on a really good record.

7. Book Ahead or Try Your Luck at the Bar

Small house, big demand. That math explains why planning matters.

In Between Days recommends reservations because the space can fill quickly. Online bookings work for parties of two to four guests.

Rolling with five or more? You’ll need to contact the restaurant directly to sort out a table. A little extra effort beats showing up and squeezing in nowhere.

Spontaneous types still have options. The bar, patio, and lounge areas run on a first-come, first-serve basis.

So if you missed the reservation window, arriving right at opening gives you a better shot. Just know you’re competing with other people who had the same clever idea.

Hours run Wednesday through Saturday from 5 PM to 11 PM. Sunday service runs from 5 PM to 10 PM.

The restaurant is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays, so plan your visit between Wednesday and Sunday.

Planning a celebration? The venue can also be booked for private events. Gift cards are available too, which makes an easy present for the music lover who already owns every record.

8. Grand Central District Makes a Fine Neighbor

Location counts for a lot in St. Pete, and this one lands in a fun corner.

You’ll find In Between Days at 2340 1st Ave S., St. Petersburg, FL 33712. The house sits in the city’s Grand Central District.

That area is known for its local, independent vibe. It’s a nice change from big chain strips, and it suits a place with no sign out front.

Since the building has no logo, watch house numbers closely as you approach. Missing the turn here is practically a rite of passage.

Getting around is friendly for many guests. The location is wheelchair accessible, covering the entrance, parking, and restrooms.

Bringing your four-legged buddy along? Pets are allowed in the outdoor dining areas, so your dog can enjoy the Florida evening too.

I’d suggest arriving a bit early to stroll the neighborhood. It’s a relaxed way to shake off the workday before dinner.

Then head inside, find your seat, and let the records take over. The district gives you a warm-up, and the house delivers the main act.

9. Why This Tiny House Earns a Spot on Your List

Some dinners fade from memory by the next morning. A night inside a sign-free 1925 bungalow with vintage speakers tends to stick.

In Between Days blends three things you rarely see together in Florida. You get a Tokyo-style listening bar, a seasonal Japanese menu, and a MICHELIN Guide nod.

The scale keeps everything personal. With a small room and a short menu, the focus stays on quality instead of quantity.

I believe that’s the real charm. Nothing here tries too hard to impress, yet so much of it does.

Here’s a simple game plan for your visit. Book early for two to four people, or aim for opening time if you prefer the bar.

Mention any vegetarian needs in advance. Then order a few plates, share the noodle bowl, and leave space for dessert from Cafe Clementine.

Above all, listen. The records are part of the meal, not filler between courses.

St. Pete has plenty of great dining, but few spots feel this intentional. Once you know the secret behind that quiet front door, you’ll probably want to share it.