As the local dining scene continues to evolve in the Sunshine State, we are inevitably thrilled to say hello to new restaurants and disheartened to say goodbye to old favorites.

Throughout the month, while some restaurants closed their doors, others serving new and unique offerings from deep-fried favorites and sauce-smothered bites to sweet treats and so much more have opened their doors here in the Daytona Beach area, keeping our stomachs full, spirits high and community thriving.

While we sadly say our goodbyes to some, we also welcome a plethora of quickly growing, go-to spots. So, if you’re looking to stop in somewhere new for breakfast, lunch or dinner, check out the latest restaurants and cafés that have opened in Volusia-Flagler during the month of December.

Volusia-Flagler restaurants that opened in December

Wild Ginger in Palm Coast

Wild Ginger opened the doors to its second location at the start of December. The popular Asian eatery replaced what was formerly the Red Crab restaurant, yet its menu maintains a plethora of the former eatery’s popular seafood boil selections — a favorite only available at its Palm Coast location — in addition to options ranging from sushi, ramen and poke to seafood, hibachi, curry dishes and fried baskets. Wild Ginger is located at 60 Garden St. S. in Palm Coast and is open 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and 11 a.m. – 9:30 p.m. Sunday. For information, call 386-585-4245 or visit wildgingerpalmcoast.com.

Neighborhood Scoop 2

This Ormond Beach ice cream staple expanded its offerings last month, opening a brand new location in downtown Daytona. According to owner Craig Frick, the new shop offers 32 rotating flavors — cycling through nearly 100 flavors per week — as well as an expanded menu that features new and existing favorites, including vegan, dairy- and sugar-free ice cream flavors, as well as sorbets, Boba tea, a conservative coffee menu and fruit smoothies. Neighborhood Scoop 2 is located at 228 S. Beach St.. For hours or information, call 386-281-0278 or visit yourneighborhoodscoop.com.

Melina’s Empanadas

This beloved Latin restaurant closed the doors to its Daytona restaurant in November before re-opening last month in a brand new Bunnell location. Owner Melina Sanchez prides herself on her Puerto Rican roots and authentic, homemade offerings. According to the owner, the deep-fried, golden-brown delights make for the perfect snack, meal or party platter, with options ranging from the hot honey chicken and beef empanadas to the popular chicken alfredo and chicken bacon ranch empanadas. Melina’s Empanadas is located at 1403 E. Moody Blvd. in Bunnell and is open 11 a.m. – 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday and closed Sunday and Monday. For information, call 386-263-8340 or visit Facebook.com.

Soraya Café

Soraya Café celebrated its official grand opening last month during a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Co-owners and long-time-friends Fay Sarshory and Ayten Hooper pride themselves on the eatery’s Persian and Turkish influence, offering customers new and returning a thoughtfully-curated menu of rotating, made-fresh-daily desserts and beverages that range from the Persian tea, Turkish coffee and homemade chai, to house-made quiche, baklava, rice pudding and more. Soraya Café is located at 156 E. Granada Blvd. in Ormond Beach and is open 8 a.m. – 4 p.m. Tuesday – Sunday and closed Monday. For information, call 386-265-0137 or visit Sorayacafe.com.

Miller’s Ale House

This popular brew pub chain opened its second Volusia County location last month in Port Orange and replaces what was formerly the Golden Corral Buffet and Grill. The frequented eatery is known for its casual atmosphere and expansive menu of steak dinners, sandwiches, seafood, pasta and wings, as well as its craft beer selections, cocktails and more. Miller’s Ale House is located at 907 Taylor Road in Port Orange and is open 11 a.m. – 1 a.m. Sunday – Thursday and 11 a.m. – 2 a.m. Friday – Saturday.  For information, call 386-309-5948 or visit millersalehouse.com.

JP’s Italian American Market

JP’s Italian American Bistro opened the doors to its next-door market in December.

Whether stopping in for a Brooklyn-imported, twisted, seeded loaf, a sweet sausage or homemade soup, one thing is for certain — what you find at the market, you won’t find anywhere else. The local shop holds something new and inimitable on every shelf, offering a range of imported Italian goods and homemade selections. JP’s Italian American Bistro and Market is located at 5 Utility Drive, Suite 19, in Palm Coast. The restaurant is open 11 a.m. – 5 p.m. Tuesday – Saturday and closed Sunday and Monday, while the market is open 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. Monday – Saturday and closed Sunday. For information, call 386-585-4339 or visit jpsitalianamericanbistro.com.

Jet's Pizza

Jet’s Pizza, a popular restaurant chain known for its made-fresh-daily Detroit-style pizza, celebrated the official grand opening of its Clyde Morris Boulevard store last month during a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the Port Orange eatery.

The popular spot has more than 400 stores nationwide, and offers an array of pizza selections, ranging in crust styles from New York and gluten-free, to thin and seasoned cauliflower, as well as signature pizza servings that range from the Aloha BBQ Chicken and Buffalo Ranch Chicken to the All Meaty, build your own, and Chicken Bacon Ranch. Jet’s Pizza is located at 3813 S. Clyde Morris Blvd., Suite 103, in Port Orange, and is open 11 a.m. – 10 p.m. Monday – Thursday, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m. Friday – Saturday and noon – 10 p.m. Sunday. For information, call 386-488-2939 or visit jetspizza.com.

Volusia-Flagler restaurants that closed in December

Millie’s North

Millie's North closed its doors in December after being open just under one year. Owner Chris Chibbaro told The News-Journal earlier this week that a lack of foot traffic, among other factors, ultimately lead to the Ormond Beach restaurant's closure. The eatery was known for its varied menu of fresh seafood, handhelds, pasta and more, and was located at 330 S. Atlantic Ave. in Ormond Beach.

600 Degrees Pizza

Chibbaro's other restaurant, 600 Degrees Pizza, closed its doors last month after having been open for less than six months. Chibbaro told The News-Journal that the eatery was ultimately undercapitalized, and the location at 116 S. Nova Road in Ormond Beach simply didn't work out.

Did we miss any? Email [email protected] to be added to the list.

Helena Perray is the restaurant and dining writer for The Daytona Beach News-Journal. A New Jersey native and passionate storyteller, she can be contacted at [email protected]. Follow her on Instagram and Facebook. Support local journalism by subscribing

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: 3 Daytona-area restaurants closed, while 7 opened in Volusia-Flagler