Avoid boring chain restaurants and support local eateries around the area! You won't regret trying any of these delicious places.
St. Pete Clearwater Restaurants
Clearwater\Sand Key • Indian Rocks Beach • Redington Shores & Madiera Beach
Clearwater/ Sand Key
Backwater’s - 1261 Gulf Blvd. # 130, Sand Key- casual, yet upscale. Expertly prepared steaks, seafood, and pasta. Waterfront dining and nightly entertainment
Beach Shanty Cafe - 397 Mandalay Ave. & 305 Coronado Dr. Home of the $2.99 breakfast.
Bobby’s Bistro & Wine Bar - 447 Mandalay Ave. - Hip spin-off of the landmark Heilman’s Beachcomber serves contemporary food and a world-class wine list in cozy style.
Brown Boxer Pub & Grille - 483 Mandalay Ave. - Great open-air sports bar! Cheap drinks for happy hour and bar food. Live music after 10pm, and it stays open late till 3AM.
Captain’s Pizza - 462 Mandalay Ave. Great place to stop for a late-night slice
Caretta on the Gulf - 500 Mandalay Ave. Sand Pearl Resort. Unbelievable views and Seasonally inspired cuisine is at the heart of Sand Pearl Resorts signature dining experience.
Cesare’s On the Beach - 794 S Gulfview Blvd. Real Italian food like mama makes!
Clear Sky Beachside Cafe - 490 Mandalay Ave. Serves great breakfasts with an upscale twist, lunch, and dinner too. Awesome happy hour and fun wino Wednesdays.
Clearwater Wine Bar & Bistro - 483 Mandalay Ave. Unique wine bar, bistro & retail wine shop serving more than 40 wines by the glass, 15 bottled beers and an eclectic menu of gourmet cheeses, pasta, tapas, sandwiches, salads, espresso drinks & homemade desserts.
Columbia Restaurant Sand Key-1241 Gulf Blvd. Enjoy the cuisine that has consistently been voted Tampa Bay’s Favorite, with radiant water views.
Cooters Raw Bar & Restaurant - 423 Poinsettia Ave. Fresh seafood, locals and tourist gather to have fun times and good eats in this no frill spot.
Crabby Bill’s Beach Walk Bar & Grill - 333 S Gulfview Blvd. Sit rooftop to watch the sunset. Enjoy happy hour daily till 7pm. Seafood, salads, pasta, sandwiches, and a kids’ menu are offered here.
Frenchy’s Cafe - 41 Baymont St. Yes, there are four! Local favorite. This is the original Frenchy’s!
Frenchy’s Rockaway - 7 Rockaway St. She-crab soup, stone crab and grouper sandwiches, and the sunsets are amazing from the deck.
Frenchy’s Saltwater Cafe - 419 Poinsettia Ave. A hole-in-the-wall favorites on Clearwater Beach serves up seafood fresh from the boat at bargain prices.
Frenchy’s South Beach Cafe - 351 S Gulfview Blvd. Sit inside and jam to the music or on the patio and people watch. But whatever you do, you must have a grouper sandwich!
Heilman’s Beachcomber - 447 Mandalay Ave. Only the freshest seafood and meats are prepared and offered to guests. Piano bar.
Island Way Grill- 20 Island Way. Named one of the top 20 by Florida Trend Magazine. This place has it all for seafood lovers, with its fresh seafood, raw bar, and sushi bar. The Sunday brunch is to-die-for!
Jimmy’s Fish House & Iguana Bar - 521 S Gulfview Blvd. A beach shack mentality melds with Key West’s Mallory Square in this spot located in a Holiday Inn Express.
Jimmy’s On The Edge Rooftop Bar - 505 S Gulfview Blvd. Located in the Edge Hotel on Clearwater beach with plenty of views, TVs to watch your sports games, and a tiki bar. Enjoy a swim while you’re there too.
Lenny’s Restaurant -21220 US Hwy 19 N, Clearwater. All day breakfast and lunch. A Jewish New York diner with an American twist on your favorites. Rated #1 on TripAdvisor. A true Clearwater legend!
Maggie Mae’s - 1261 Gulf Blvd. Country cooking at the waterfront cafe. Many manatee sightings here. Cheap eats, most plates are $6-$8.
Palm Pavilion Grill & Bar - 10 Bay Esplanade. Sits right on Clearwater Beach. “Where the Locals Hang Out” It’s laid back and casual and usually has live music!
Post Corner Pizza - 431 S Gulfview Blvd. Casual family dining on Clearwater Beach, both inside and out. Great spot for pizza, Greek and Italian food or just burgers and fries.
Seaweed Steaks, Seafood & Sushi - 2819 W Bay Dr, Belleair Bluffs. A brand-new restaurant in the area, highly recommended! Lots of choices and delicious eats.
Shephard’s Waterfront Restaurant - 601 S Gulfview Blvd. Raw bar, sushi & other buffet eats in modern, oceanfront digs with an open kitchen & outdoor seats.
Indian Rocks Beach
Tropical Ice Cream & Coffee - 435 Gulf Blvd, Indian Rocks Beach. Literally hundreds of ice cream options, you will be mind blown!
Crabby Bills– 401 Gulf Blvd. The Loder family started Captain Bill’s back in 1975 and let me tell you this is the most hoppin’ place on IRB!
Guppy’s on the Beach- 1701 Gulf Blvd., Indian Rocks Beach, Fresh seafood, a laid-back vibe, moderate prices (especially at lunchtime). Another favorite among the locals!
JD’s Restaurant & Bar– 125 Gulf Blvd. JD’s has been family owned and operated since 1985. Friendly, family atmosphere as well as live entertainment.
Jimmy Guana– 401 2nd St Enjoy a sunset and fresh seafood, what’s not to love?
Keegan’s Seafood Grille– 1519 Gulf Blvd. A local favorite! American eatery dispatching a seafood-heavy menu in funky digs decorated with fishing paraphernalia.
Los Mexicanos– 301 Gulf Blvd. Thursday and Sunday Margaritas 2 x 1. Mariachis Every Saturday 6:PM to 10:00 PM.
Lulu’s Oyster Bar & Tap House - 500 1st St, Indian Rocks Beach. Quaint joint with a flamingo motif serving seafood bites & lots of craft beers in playful surrounds.
Jakes Cantina - 435 Gulf Blvd. Vibrant counter-serve serving Mexican staples such as tacos, burritos & quesadillas. Very casual for a quick bite!
Caddy’s Pub Waterfront Restaurant– 20025 Gulf Blvd. The kitchen stays open until midnight. It’s one of the few places on the beach to get a good late-night bite and a popular local’s hangout.
Red Lion Pub– 1407 Gulf Blvd. It’s an awesomely funky British pub on Gulf Boulevard in Indian Rocks Beach.
Salt Rock Grill- 19325 Gulf Blvd. This gorgeously designed collaboration between Frank Chivas and Tom Pritchard is renowned for its straight-ahead grill cookery, fresh seafood, raw bar and has an extensive wine list.
Slyce Pizza Bar– 311 Gulf Blvd. Some of the best pizza we’ve had, and so many unique choices! Part sports bar, part night club with live music daily.
Aqua Prime - 213 Gulf Blvd. Laid-back, beach-themed locale featuring steaks & seafood dishes, plus creative cocktails & a patio.
Ready Set Yo - 409 Gulf Blvd. Coffee and smoothie bar, offering a healthier alternative to all of the ice cream shops in the area.
Redington Shores & Madeira Beach
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co at Johns Pass– 185 Boardwalk Pl W. While the shrimp are tasty, and the biggest draw is the boisterous, whoop-it-up shenanigans of the staff.
Conch Republic Grill– 16699 Gulf Blvd. You can’t miss this restaurant in Redington Beach, with its orange, red and purplish colors. A local favorite!
Daquiri Deck– 14995 Gulf Blvd. Daiquiri Deck is part sports bar, part beach bar, part neon-trimmed patio. So many flavors of your favorite frozen drink!
Friendly Tavern– 18121 Gulf Blvd. Darts and one of the beach’s best karaoke nights on Tuesday.
Madeira Beach Snack Shack– 15100 Gulf Blvd. Good eats for moderate prices, directly on Madeira Beach!
Frog Pond– 16909 Gulf Blvd. This breakfast-heavy crowd pleaser is a must stop for vacationers, perhaps because they couldn’t eat frittatas, skillets, and omelets.
Sweet Sage Café– 16725 Gulf Blvd. The cutest little café, with some really great breakfast meals! There’s also an adorable boutique attached.
Slyce Pizza Bar– 662 150th Ave. Some of the best pizza we’ve had, and so many unique choices! Large patio to sit and enjoy your pizza and catch the sunset too!
Dunedin (The town of all the breweries!)
Bon Appetit & Marina Cafe - 148 Marina Plaza. A casual waterfront view restaurant featuring specialties.
Cafe Alfresco - 344 Main St. Alfresco dining “Great Food with a Fresh Attitude”.
Casa Tina Mexican - 369 Main St. Dunedin. Be served by owners Javier & Tina Avila. Mole, pescados, tomatoes, cactus, papaya in a festive atmosphere.
Dunedin Brewery-937 Douglas Ave. Dunedin. Florida’s oldest microbrewery. Come by and enjoy our hand-crafted beer, food, and live music.
Dunedin House of Beer - 927 Broadway. A Smoke-Free Beer Bar with 40 Taps and Hundreds of Bottles. Featuring the country’s finest handcrafted microbrews as well as select world imports.
Flanagan’s Irish - 465 Main St. Laid-back pub serving Irish & American bar bites, plus trivia & live music some nights. Irish Music Wed-Sat.
Kelly’s - 19 Main Street, Dunedin. Colorful little place along Main St. Dunedin! Serving specialty martinis, drafts & grub.
Kelly’s-Chica-Boom-Room - 319 Main St. A colorful offshoot of Kelly’s!
Rosie’s Tavern - 730 Broadway The local hang out where friends meet. Great import and craft beer selection with a focus on good wines. Pet friendly, wireless, and non-smoking.
Sea Sea Riders Restaurant - 221 Main St. A taste of New Florida in an old Florida atmosphere.
Skip’s Bar & Grill - 371 Main St., Dunedin. Close to everything and far from expensive.
The Black Pearl - 315 Main St. Dunedin. Intimate fine dining, romantic & quiet.
The Dunedin Smokehouse - 680 Main Street. The best barbecue in Dunedin!
The Living Room - 487 Main Street. An upscale yet relaxed restaurant and lounge serving an eclectic selection of beers, wines and full liquor bar featuring sensibly priced small plates.
Pisces Sushi Bistro-799 Highland Ave, Dunedin, FL 34698 - Our personal top-rated sushi spot in the area! Live music on the weekends and lots of variety (for non-sushi loving travelers).
Ohana Café- 1452 Main St, Dunedin, Hawaiian haunt with hula dancing nights & health-conscious island fare including salads & poke.
Poke Café- 1140 Main St, Dunedin, Simple Hawaiian fast food joint serving create-your-own seafood poke bowls.
The Honu- 516 Grant St, Dunedin,Contemporary eatery with a relaxed vibe serving island-style dishes with a creative twist. Lots of vegetarian, vegan, and downright healthy options!
Olde Bay Café & Dunedin Fish Market- 51 Main St. Dunedin. Rustic fixture on the marina featuring seafood staples & draft beer, plus daily catches to go.
Clear Sky Draught Haus-680 Main St. Dunedin. Relaxed, neighborhood locale with lots of craft beer options & pub grub, plus outdoor seating & TVs.
Serendipity Café - 664 Main St. Dunedin. Cozy, family-owned cafe serving a health-conscious, gluten-free menu, including all-day breakfast.
Dunedin Coffee Company & Bakery- 730 Broadway #3, Dunedin. The cutest coffee shop and bakery in downtown Dunedin. Mostly small bites and desserts and coffees!
Good Vibes Juice Co. - 200 Main St #108, Dunedin. A health-conscious juice bar with organic acai bowls and fresh fruits. Amazing choices!
Tampa
211 Restaurant- 211 N Tampa St, Tampa. Contemporary eatery in the Hilton Tampa Downtown, featuring American cuisine & a full bar.
Bamboozle Café - 516 N Tampa St, Tampa. Downtown go-to for health-oriented Vietnamese & Asian fusion fare, plus vegan & vegetarian dishes.
Bavaro’s Pizza Napoletana & Pastaria - 514 N Franklin St #101, Tampa. Cozy, brick-walled Italian trattoria with a wood-fired oven serves Neapolitan pies & rustic pasta.
Bern’s Steak House- 1208 S Howard Ave, Tampa. Opened in 1956, this destination features dry-aged steaks, a huge wine list & flocked wallpaper. Pretty pricey.
Brio Tuscan Grille- 2223 N Westshore Blvd, Tampa. Warm, relaxed Italian eatery serving Tuscan-inspired grill fare, wine & cocktails located in International Plaza.
Charlies Steak House - 4444 W Cypress St, Tampa. Upscale, long-standing restaurant known for delivering wood-fired, aged steaks & seafood classics.
Columbia Restaurant- 2117 E 7th Ave, Tampa. Traditional Spanish restaurant in the heart of Ybor city and all of the beautiful culture there! Dates back to 1905.
Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant- 4110 W Boy Scout Blvd, Tampa. Servicing new American eats with house-label wines in a contemporary setting. The wine tasting is the BEST!
Datz - 2616 S MacDill Ave, Tampa. Lively American gastropub providing updated comfort food & craft brews, plus gourmet groceries!
Eddie & Sam’s N.Y. Pizza - 203 E Twiggs St, Tampa. Thin-crust pizza by the pie or slice made with New York water at a casual, counter-serve spot.
Edison: Food + Drink Lab - 1934, 912 W Kennedy Blvd, Tampa. This industrial gastropub sells inventive American plates inspired by the chef's daily experiments.
Flemings Steakhouse - 4322 W Boy Scout Blvd, Tampa. High-end steakhouse with aged prime beef & classics such as lobster tails & pork chops.
Green Lemon - 915 S Howard Ave, Tampa. Modern hangout offering upbeat Mexican menu & drinks for brunch, lunch & dinner.
Hattricks- 107 S Franklin St, Tampa. Set in a historic building, this hockey-themed sports bar joins comfort food, beer & game-watching.
Holy Hog Barbecue- 302 E Kennedy Blvd, Tampa. Local counter-serve chain dishing up BBQ & comfort sides in a wood-paneled setting.
La Terrazza Restaurant - 1729 E 7th Ave, Tampa. Local mainstay serving homestyle Northern Italian cuisine & wines in a warm-hued storefront space.
Malio’s - 400 N Ashley Dr, Tampa. Elegant space by the Hillsborough River provides high-end American fare, fine wines & power lunches.
Mr. Dunderbak’s Biergarten and Brewery - 14929 Bruce B Downs Blvd, Tampa. European-style beer garden with an extensive selection of beer plus German & American eats.
Ocean Prime- 2205 N Westshore Blvd, Tampa. Upscale place known for its sophisticated décor, long wine list, and classic steak and seafood menu.
Oxford Exchange- 420 W Kennedy Blvd, Tampa. European-inspired space featuring a restaurant, bookstore, coffeehouse & shop with decor & gifts. Catch all the trendy hipsters here or brunch on the weekends.
River’s Edge - 200 N Ashley Dr, Tampa. American eatery in the Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk Hotel serves classic fare from morning till dinner.
The Sail Pavilion - 333 S Franklin St, Tampa. Waterside patio bar offering cocktails & bites in a chill, dog-friendly atmosphere.
Saigon Deli - 3858 W Waters Ave, Tampa. Counter-serve stop for classic Vietnamese meals, from pho to vermicelli, plus packaged eats to go.
Seasons 52 - 204 N Westshore Blvd, Tampa. Rotating menu of seasonal American dishes alongside international wines in an upscale setting.
Ulele- 1810 N Highland Ave, Tampa. Rustic - chic place with native Floridian fare, Delicious and unique eats including barbacoa grilling & house-brewed beers.
The Urban Cantina - 200 E Madison St, Tampa. Tacos, burritos & healthier versions of the hearty classics are available among unique decorations.
St. Petersburg
400 Beach Seafood and Taphouse- 400 Beach Dr NE, St. Petersburg. Roomy, lively restaurant dispatching a varied seafood selection, including a Sunday brunch buffet.
9 Bangkok Restaurant- 571 Central Ave, St. Petersburg. Casual eatery with wood-paneled walls serving traditional Thai fare & extensive sushi options.
Annata Wine Bar- 300 Beach Dr NE #128, St. Petersburg. Chic spot with diverse wines by the glass paired with global plates, cured meats & cheeses.
Acropolis Greek Taverna- 515 Central Avenue North, St. Petersburg. Modern bi-level taverna with outdoor dining offers Greek eats, nightly entertainers & a lively vibe.
The Avenue Eat + Drink- 330 1st Ave S, St. Petersburg. Lively joint for burgers, craft cocktails & beer in industrial digs with TVs, a bar & patio seating.
Bella Brava- 204 Beach Dr NE, St. Petersburg. Casual Italian restaurant serves up a traditional menu alongside some American options plus wine.
Birch & Vine- 340 Beach Dr NE, St. Petersburg. Choice New American kitchen featuring a seasonal menu & cocktails in a modern interior with a patio.
Brick and Mortar- 539 Central Ave, St. Petersburg. Rustic-chic nook with seasonal, New American fare, unique wines & craft beers, plus outdoor seating.
The Burg Bar & Grill- 1752 Central Ave, St. Petersburg. Pint-sized bar & grill offering burgers & sandwiches alongside many tap beers, plus outdoor seating.
The Canopy- 340 Beach Dr NE, St. Petersburg. Cocktails & light bites in a swanky rooftop setting at the Birchwood Hotel with cabanas & bay views. Highly recommended!
Central Melt- 685 Central Ave, St. Petersburg. A gourmet grilled cheese sandwich shop with fresh ingredients and awesome twists on your favorites.
Ceviche Tapas St. Pete- 10 Beach Dr NE, St. Petersburg. Spanish outpost in the Ponce de Leon Hotel with small plates & flamenco shows some nights.
The Cider Press Café- 601 Central Ave, St. Petersburg. Asian-inspired vegetarian cuisine offered in a chic eatery with wood-paneled, art-lined walls.
Datz - 180 Central Ave, St. Petersburg. An incredibly popular elevated comfort food menu items, beer offerings, and craft cocktails. Lots of unique twists on your favorites, in an awesome setting.
Del Mar Gastro Lounge- 243 Central Avenue North, St. Petersburg. A fun & casual bar and grill with some really cool local artwork, indoor and outdoor seating, and fun nightlife hang out! Dog friendly on the patio!
Engine No. 9- 56 Dr M.L.K. Jr St N, St. Petersburg. Chill American haunt featuring creative burgers, hot dogs & lots of craft beer, plus sports on TV.
Ferg’s Sports Bar & Grill- 1320 Central Ave, St. Petersburg. Neighborhood, wood-paneled sports bar/grill serving pub grub & drinks in a room packed with 70+ TVs. The perfect place to go before or after the Ray’s game.
Five Buck Drinkery- 247 Central Avenue North, St. Petersburg. Haunt with 32-oz draft beers, cocktails & discount bar food in an antique oak & neon-sign setting. Cheap and delicious eats! Highly recommended.
The Hangar- Albert Whitted Airport, 540 1st St S, St. Petersburg. Such a cool restaurant! Relaxed eatery & bar with comfort food, drinks, an outdoor patio & views of planes taking off.
Hyppo- 627 Central Ave, St. Petersburg. A gourmet ice pop shop to beat the heat! You haven’t lived until you try one of their spicy or unique ice pops!
Gratzzi Italian Grille- 4308, 211 2nd St S, St. Petersburg. Family owned white-tablecloth bar/restaurant offering classic Italian entrees plus pizza bar selections.
La V- 441 Central Ave, St. Petersburg. Vietnamese-fusion fare & numerous bubble teas are served in a modern space with sidewalk seats.
Leafy Greens Café- 1626 Central Ave, St. Petersburg. Bistro serving organic, raw, vegan fare in a relaxing interior or at sidewalk tables.
Lemon Grass Tapas- 310 Central Ave, St. Petersburg. Japanese & Thai specialties like sushi rolls, curries & noodles are served in low-key environment.
Locale Market & FarmTable Cucina- 179 2nd Ave N, St. Petersburg. Market on the bottom, restaurant on the top serving cal - Italian dishes & wood-fired steaks. Super fresh ingredients!
The Lucky Dill- 277 Central Ave, St. Petersburg. Bustling New York-style deli with a large sandwich menu, plus soups, and salads.
The Lure- 661 Central Avenue North, St. Petersburg. Sushi, tapas & cocktails combine at this hip spot with pool tables & colorfully painted brick walls.
The Mill Restaurant- 200 Central Ave #100, St. Petersburg. Inventive New American food with a Southern spin joins craft cocktails in farmstead-chic surrounds.
The Oyster Bar- 249 Central Avenue North, St. Petersburg. This exposed-brick eatery offers oysters & elegant seafood mains, plus a buffet-style Sunday brunch.
Parkshore Grill- 300 Beach Dr NE #104, St. Petersburg. Refined space for steaks & seafood paired with fine wines served inside or on the sprawling patio.
Rawk Star- 740 Central Ave, St. Petersburg. Vegan, gluten free, raw café foods. So many organic and delicious dishes everyone will love!
Red Mesa Cantina- 128 3rd St S, St. Petersburg. Modernized Mexican eats & hand-crafted cocktails are served in a festive setting with outdoor patio.
Rollbotto Sushi- 221 1st St N, St. Petersburg. Chill, counter-serve spot with a retro theme & made-to-order sushi rolls, plus imported beer & sake.
Sea Salt- 183 2nd Ave N, St. Petersburg. Highlighting a 22-foot tall wine cellar, an 80-foot long raw bar & serving innovative seafood mains.
Stillwaters Tavern- 224 Beach Dr NE, St. Petersburg. Attractive space for hearty yet elevated American fare, plus a strong beer & cocktail list.