Gulf To Bay St. Pete Clearwater FL - Gulf To Bay St. Pete Clearwater FL 2022
DINING
2022-05-29 14:08:57
HITS THE SPOT
From casual seaside eats to fine dining bistros and everything in between you're sure to find a restaurant that ...
Looking for your next great meal? You’ve come to the right spot. Over the following pages, Tampa Bay Times food critic Helen Freund reveals her favorite local spots for a night out. From date night favorites to splashy seafood joints and waterside restaurants with spectacular views, it’s all right here in St. Pete/Clearwater.
$ Most dishes under $15
$$ Most entrees under $25
$$$ Most entrees more than $25
waterfront
CADDY’S ON THE BEACH • Treasure Island; $ • Not many places carry the same toes-in-the-sand allure as this Caddy’s location, which overlooks the Gulf of Mexico on Treasure Island’s Sunset Beach. The local mini-chain is known for its waterside beachy eats, from smoked fish spread to fried grouper nuggets, crab cake dinners and shrimp baskets. It’s also a popular party spot with frequent live music. Come sunset, the rooftop bar — which can get lively at all times of the day — has the best seats in the house.
FRENCHY’S ROCKAWAY GRILL • Clearwater Beach; $$ • The largest and liveliest of the five Frenchy’s restaurants in Clearwater and Dunedin, this is beachfront dining at its best, right on the Gulf of Mexico and the sugar white sands of Clearwater Beach. Favorites include the grouper sandwich, served on an onion roll dressed with cheese, lettuce, tomatoes and tartar sauce. If stone crabs are in season, there’s really no better way to wind down from a day on the beach than with a pound of cold claws and some sweet mustard dipping sauce.
PALM PAVILION • Clearwater Beach; $$ • A great option for sunset watching, this Clearwater Beach institution sits directly on the beach, overlooking the Gulf of Mexico. Frequent live music performances, cocktails with heavy-handed pours and a wooden wraparound deck lend the space a casual vibe that’s just as nice to pop in for a few drinks as it is to while away a lunch or dinner for several hours. The kitchen delivers a consistent spread of seafood dishes and a large selection of entrees ranging from smoked barbecue ribs to skirt steak tacos and Angus beef burgers.
RUSTY BELLIES WATERFRONT GRILL • Tarpon Springs; $$ • While checking out the historic Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks, take a stroll down busy Dodecanese Boulevard to this waterfront spot, which sports a large outdoor patio with views of Tarpon Bayou and Anclote River. A tiki bar features rum-heavy spins on Trader Vic tiki classics while the restaurant’s proximity to the docks is a nod to the owners’ focus on fresh Florida seafood. Steamed Cedar Key clams, peel-and-eat shrimp and a fresh catch selection including grouper, American snapper and fried mullet filets highlight the local seafood selection.
SALT ROCK GRILL • Indian Shores; $$ • At this iconic Indian Shores spot, the dock-to-restaurant line is literal: Peek outside to the dock below and you’ll probably catch one of the owners’ fishing boats hauling in the day’s fresh catch. The kitchen also boasts a large selection of hand-cut steaks, which are aged for several weeks before getting grilled over natural oak and citrus wood. The restaurant’s impressive wine list features an extensive collection of bottles to choose from. The outside patio deck overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway is the best spot to close out an evening.
TEAK/PIER TEAKI • St. Petersburg; $$ • Part of an expansive 26-acre entertainment district, the St. Pete Pier includes several waterside restaurants with fantastic views, but nothing beats the rooftop scene at Pier Teaki, which offers an unparalleled 360-degree vista of the downtown St. Pete skyline and Tampa Bay. While the upstairs tiki-themed lounge features bar snacks like tuna bowls and pretzel bites, more elevated options can be found one floor below, at the nautical-themed restaurant Teak, where composed plates include a pan-seared salmon with mustard-balsamic glaze and short ribs with a ginger guava sauce.
TIKI DOCKS SKYWAY BAR & GRILL • St. Petersburg; $ • The Polynesian-themed bar and grill in St. Pete’s Skyway Marina District sits inside the Maximo Marina and sports a sprawling waterfront setting with plenty of outdoor seating. The food menu features raw oysters and smoked fish spread, peel-and-eat shrimp, sandwiches and seafood platters while a tropical-leaning drink menu includes potent margaritas, rum punch cocktails and tiki classics like mai tais and painkillers.
WOODY’S WATERFRONT CAFE AND BEACH BAR • St. Pete Beach; $$ • With views of the Gulf of Mexico, this St. Pete Beach mainstay has earned a well-deserved spot on the local's circuit. Fans come for the laid-back scene, beach bar food and potent happy hour cocktails. Fried clam strips, served with a lemon wedge, are a popular dish, as are the tangy, smoky Buffalo wings and the fried shrimp baskets with spicy fries. Most of the seating is outside, at covered picnic tables right on the seawall. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch a pod of dolphins frolicking right in front of you.
seafood
THE BIG CATCH • St. Petersburg. $$ • This hidden gem sits tucked away next to Harborage Marina in St. Pete’s Old Southeast neighborhood and features a seafood-heavy menu coupled with a tropical selection of tiki-leaning cocktails and live music on some evenings. The Floridian fish camp theme includes several great choices, including the fried seafood plates, grilled mahi sandwiches and crispy-fried grouper bites. The best seats in the house are near the back bar, overlooking the water.
HOG ISLAND FISH CAMP • Dunedin; $$ • With lots of reclaimed wood and turquoise accents, a seafood-focused menu and a breezy indoor-outdoor setup, this downtown Dunedin restaurant imbues a worn-in and welcoming atmosphere with plenty of fishing camp charm. The menu includes dishes like the Captain’s Plate, a hearty combo platter of fried grouper nuggets, shrimp and oysters with sides like grit cakes and collard greens while the fresh catch of the day is available grilled, blackened or broiled under a cheesy panko Parmesan crust.
SEA SALT • St. Petersburg; $$$ • Perched on the second floor of downtown St. Pete’s Sundial shopping complex, the upscale restaurant features eye-catching displays like a 22-foot glass-encased wine cellar and an 80-foot-long raw bar, where oysters from all over the United States are served. A large, shaded patio includes plenty of outdoor seating and come happy hour, it’s one of the area’s best-kept secrets for high-end seafood steals and discounted snacks like ahi tuna nachos, fish dip and truffled Parmesan fries.
SEA WORTHY FISH + BAR • Tierra Verde; $$ • The sophomore effort from the team behind St. Pete’s Brick & Mortar is just as delicious, with a seafaring twist. The new restaurant is inspired by a love for the open water with a menu that leans heavily on local seafood. Don’t skip out on the scallops with bucatini carbonara or the whole fried catch, which arrives plated atop coconut rice and a bright papaya slaw. The restaurant inside imbues cozy nautical vibes but the best seat in the house is on the outdoor deck, which features spectacular views of the sunset.
WATER OAK GRILL • Safety Harbor; $$ • This contemporary steak and seafood restaurant sits in the heart of downtown Safety Harbor with ample sidewalk seating right on Main Street. A raw bar and seafood section highlights local catch like grouper and hogfish, while a selection of steak dinners and shareable snacks like sliders and steamed buns round out the menu.
TIDES SEAFOOD MARKET & PROVISIONS • Safety Harbor; $ • Local and regional seafood, meat and produce are the highlight at this one-stop grocer where a daily rotating menu showcases fresh and tasty ingredients. Salads arrive topped with seared salmon or crab cakes; poke-inspired “fish bowls” feature salmon or tuna with an array of crunchy vegetables; and fried seafood platters feature a selection of cornmeal-crusted shrimp, oysters or grouper fingers. Pro-tip: Their fried oyster po-boy is among the best in town.
italian
IL RITORNO • St. Petersburg; $$$ • This fine dining Italian restaurant in downtown St. Pete has been around for several years but still feels modern and of-the-moment with a constantly evolving menu that hinges on the freshest ingredients and impressive kitchen techniques. A daily five-course chef’s tasting menu can include the optional wine and white or black truffle pairings, offering the best of what the chef has in store that day, from roasted bone marrow with uni toast to a potato-scaled roasted grouper with salt-baked beets and charred heirloom tomatoes.
MAZZARO’S ITALIAN MARKET • St. Petersburg; $ • The popular St. Pete market has achieved something akin to cult status, and both the one-of-a-kind shopping experience and gourmet grocery aisles are worth every bit of the hype. Come here and spend hours browsing the massive cheese selection, fine wine assortment, fresh seafood and sprawling butcher case. Or pop in for a lunchtime treat and peruse the deli counter, stocked high with prepared treats like lasagna, roasted pork loin, chicken piccata and homemade pastas and sauces to-go. The huge sandwiches and weekly specials are always a good bet.
NONA SLICE HOUSE • Safety Harbor; $$ • You’re not just getting pizza at this downtown Safety Harbor restaurant — you’re getting a show. At some point on most evenings, the owner (a self-proclaimed “pizzaiolo'' who has won international awards for his pie-tossing acrobatics) will come out and do a little performance, spinning and swirling the pizza dough high in the air, often to the musical styles of a live performer. Several different types of pizza are served here, but the best bet are the Detroit-style pies — thick, square pizzas baked with Wisconsin brick cheese, which oozes and gets extra crispy at the edges.
PIA’S TRATTORIA • Gulfport; $$ • With bright bougainvillea creeping up the canary yellow walls and candelabras covered in dripping wax, Pia’s in Gulfport knows how to turn up the romance factor. The spot features all the hallmark characteristics of a rustic and cozy neighborhood trattoria, with a menu featuring creative spins on Italian classics like capellini pomodoro and buttery shrimp scampi over homemade linguine, eggplant Parmesan, and plump blue crab ravioli with a brown butter sauce. The restaurant also has plenty of vegan dishes and gluten-free pastas on their evolving menu.
PIZZERIA GREGARIO • Safety Harbor; $ • Dining outside is the only option at this Safety Harbor pizza destination, but that’s okay, since you’re here for one thing and one thing only: Gregory Seymour’s wicked delicious pies. The menu features a selection of nine pizzas, all featuring that perfectly crispy, chewy crust made with stone-milled flour the spot is known for. Guests order at the counter from a chalkboard menu and grab a table on the 18-seat patio outside. Whatever you do, be sure to get the garlic schmoo — a delicious garlic and olive oil combo that’s a must for crust-dunking.
SOUL SICILIAN FUSION • Clearwater; $$ • This charming Sicilian restaurant hews closely to southern Italian classics in a downtown Clearwater setting. A selection of antipasti includes silky slices of prosciutto paired with pillow-like orbs of burrata and pan-fried octopus coupled with crispy nuggets of fried potatoes and asparagus. Don’t skip out on the excellent pasta dishes, which rely on simple, fresh ingredients that shine (the linguine all'amatriciana is fantastic). An all-Italian wine list includes a few Sicilian dessert selections, which pair nicely with the restaurant’s excellent tiramisu.
latin/caribbean
BODEGA • St. Petersburg; $ • What was once just a tiny Cuban walk-up spot in St. Pete’s EDGE District is now a fully expanded sit-down restaurant, but the popularity of the grab-and-go window hasn’t waned one bit. Around lunchtime, a line still stretches down the street with fans who come from all over for the refreshing agua frescas, fruit smoothies, hearty lechon platters toppling with juicy roasted pork and one of the best Cuban sandwiches in town.
CASA TINA • Dunedin; $$ • Dining at this downtown Dunedin Mexican restaurant is like stepping into a multi-sensory Oaxacan wonderland, outfitted with colorful artwork, dangling star lanterns and the occasional aerial performance artist. Popular dishes include the pescado a la Veracruzana, topped with a bright and juicy sauce of tomatoes, onions, capers and olives and the chiles en nogada, a traditional dish from the Puebla region in Mexico that comes draped under a creamy brandy walnut sauce and a shower of pomegranate seeds.
KUBA COCINA • St. Pete Beach; $ • Maybe it’s the gorgeous mural outside the restaurant, or the way the sun hits the shaded patio tables at sunset, or the punch packed by the fruity sangrias that resemble adult-sized Capri Sun pouches — something here just clicks. The schtick at this casual St. Pete Beach takeout restaurant is contemporary Cuban cuisine with a spin. The menu is designed with the grab-and-go beachgoer in mind and features handhelds like lobster empanadas, sandwiches and other snacks — and sangria — togo.
RED MESA • St. Petersburg; $$ • The flagship location on Fourth Street opened in 1995 and the Mexican mini chain has since expanded with the more casual offshoots: Red Mesa Cantina, in downtown St. Pete, and Red Mesa Mercado, in St. Pete’s EDGE District. At the original spot, you’ll find a polished atmosphere to accompany the creative takes on regional Mexican and Southwestern cuisines. The Mercado location is where you might head on a sunny weekend afternoon for a quick lunch and the buzzy downtown Cantina is a great place to turn it up over a round of potent margaritas.
WILD CHILD • St. Petersburg; $$ • This buzzy, tropical-themed restaurant has quickly become one of the most popular hot spots in St. Pete. With a spacious — and covered — outdoor dining setup, a creative menu that touches on bright Caribbean flavors (snapper ceviche with watermelon and plantain chips; jerk octopus with Meyer lemon jam) and a cocktail menu heavy on rum and mezcal, the restaurant feels a lot like the ‘burg’s very own tropical oasis. Weekend brunch offers a nice excuse to linger over dishes like tres leches French toast and eye-openers, which include pineapple, watermelon and grapefruit mimosas.
french
CAFE LARGO • Largo; $$$ • For more than 35 years, this iconic restaurant has charmed local diners with its elegant, white tablecloth setting and classic French fare. Following a recent ownership switch some things have changed (the menu still leans heavily French with some deviations), but the restaurant still imbues an old-world European dining ambiance that’s hard to beat. Dishes like duck a l’orange, beef tartare and a perfect creme brûlée still deliver that undeniably French experience diners crave.
CASSIS • St. Petersburg; $$ • This French-American hybrid feels in many ways like the anchor of Beach Drive NE and with escargot, moules frites and a classic croque monsieur, there is plenty to satisfy any francophile. But the wide-reaching menu covers plenty of New American ground, too: burgers are topped with caramelized onions and gruyere and sea scallops are served with crispy pork belly. The upscale casual bistro vibe inside the restaurant extends to the airy outdoor patio – the best spot to be on a sunny weekend afternoon.
LEFT BANK BISTRO • St. Petersburg; $$ • This charming French restaurant inside a renovated home seeks to evoke the jazz and splendor of Paris’ left bank in the 1920s and pays homage to both the literary and artistic accomplishments of the era. The French bistro menu includes all the classics: silky chicken liver pâté, served with pickled fennel and caper berries; caramelized onion tarts; steak frites; boeuf bourguignon and a beautiful bouillabaisse, chock full of local seafood bobbing in a saffrontinged lobster broth.
PARTS OF PARIS • Safety Harbor; $$ • Set in a restored 1936 bungalow in the heart of downtown Safety Harbor, this modern French bistro imbues plenty of neighborhood charm. It’s a popular spot for date nights and the bar scene can often get lively, fueled by a creative list of cocktails, ranging from cucumber basil martinis to fizzy French 75s. Don’t skip on the daily specials, which include a classic boeuf bourguignon on Tuesdays and tasty bouillabaisse on Fridays.
asian
ANJU • St. Petersburg. $ • The St. Petersburg restaurant born out of the cheeky Korean food truck concept of the same name features an expanded menu of the truck’s greatest hits, from bulgogi- and queso-topped tater tots to boneless chicken “K-pops” and the crispy, crunchy Korean-fried chicken wings. The spot also serves wine, beer, sake and soju. There are several vegan substitutions available, including the excellent bap bowls, which can come topped with Impossible beef, seasoned Korean vegetables and pickled veggies, hot sticky rice and chili sauce.
ABANDON IZAKAYA • Seminole; $ • The menu is constantly evolving at this Seminole spot, where the Japanese izakaya theme features small, shareable snacks in a social atmosphere. The owners once ran a private chef’s table series and dining here can feel akin to an intimate dinner party setting. The menu includes a rotating cast of dishes like pork belly robatayaki, chicken yakitori and dumplings, but it’s the fiery dan dan noodles that really steal the show.
BUYA RAMEN • St. Petersburg; $ • This dimly lit Japanese gastropub offers a short but standout selection of izakaya-style small plates, from fluffy bao stuffed with crispy pork belly to char-grilled edamame and savory mushroom buns. The ramen is excellent, especially the tonkotsu versions, where a flavorful chicken and pork bone broth is paired with anything from crispy duck to braised short rib, pork belly and shiitake mushrooms. An extensive Japanese whisky selection provides the backbone for many cocktails and the shochu and sake collection offer plenty of variety for curious imbibers looking to explore something new.
SAP SAP LAO CAFE • Pinellas Park; $ • The bright and fiery flavors emblematic of Laotian cuisine come alive at this Pinellas Park newcomer, where the kitchen doesn’t shy away from dialing up the heat. There are plenty of Thai dishes (the country shares a border with Laos), from the drunken noodles to the tom yum soup, that will ring familiar to milder palates. But some of the uniquely Lao plates are bolder in flavor and more pronounced when it comes to the powerhouse combo of chiles, a bevy of fresh herbs and the delightful funk of fermented seafood and pork.
HAWKERS ASIAN STREET FOOD • St. Petersburg; $$ • An homage to Asian street food stalls, this lively restaurant in St. Pete’s EDGE District provides a fun excuse to sample and share from a variety of appetizer-style plates that draw inspiration from Bangkok to Singapore. Malaysian roticanai gets dipped and dragged through a thick and warming curry sauce. Korean fried chicken wings are coated in a garlicky gochujang elixir and topped with crushed peanuts, sesame seeds and cilantro. The restaurant’s edgy design includes a large outdoor patio and airy bar space, perfect for taking in the sights and sounds of Central Avenue.
IN BETWEEN DAYS • St. Petersburg. $ • Part Tokyo-style listening room, part sake bar and restaurant, this is a sweet spot to spend an intimate evening. A healthy sake collection forms the backbone of the drinks program, and half the fun is sampling from the many different bottles. The small but superb menu of Japanese and Asian-inspired small plates is the other draw. From the haricots verts and snap pea medley tossed in a garlic and cashew vinaigrette to a snapper crudo with whipped avocado and a truly excellent bowl of soba noodles, you can’t go wrong here.
LINGR • St. Petersburg; $$$ • This delightful modern restaurant features a unique concept that hinges on Nordic-inspired dishes with Asian influence. Some dishes skew more Scandinavian while others feature a heavier hand with Chinese ingredients and the flavors emblematic of both cuisines — star anise, fennel, cardamon, ginger — work remarkably well together. The dishes not to miss: puffy rounds of Sami bread, topped with smoked lion’s mane mushrooms, brunost cheese and chili oil; mapo ho fun noodles, swathed in a fiery sauce heavy with Sichuan peppercorns; and wedges of spiced parsnip cake layered with a sweet mandarin cream.
PATTI’S KITCHEN • Pinellas Park; $ • This off-the-beaten-path foodie destination in Pinellas Park delivers big rewards for anyone in search of some seriously spicy noodle soups and Thai specialties. The tiny, nook-of-a-restaurant serves as an homage to the street noodles of Bangkok. What might seem like a uniform genre at first delivers a unique selection of dishes, each one carrying a powerhouse of flavors. Starters like the buttery, flaky Thai curry puffs and the restaurant’s signature boat noodle dish are more than enough reason to visit.
WOODEN LADLE • Oldsmar; $ • Drawing on culinary influences from Japan and Vietnam, this ramen and pho spot in Oldsmar offers a selection of noodle soups and izakaya-style snacks and small plates in a modern setting. For a fast-casual spin, guests order from touch-screen iPads before seating themselves in the dining room, outfitted with tall wooden tables and walls papered with black-and-white anime prints. Ramen is the highlight, from the traditional tonkotsu-style bowls to spicy chicken and vegetarian versions. A long list of beers feels well-suited to some of the snackier items like the Japanese-style karaage chicken.
american upscale
THE URBAN STILLHOUSE • St. Petersburg; $$$ • St. Pete’s Warehouse Arts District is home to this sprawling cocktail bar, restaurant and bourbon lounge. Designed with distilleries in Scotland and Kentucky in mind, the 16,000-square-foot, bilevel building features industrial touches and a sleek modern decor. Guests can sip cocktails in the downstairs lounge or sample whiskey flights inside the private tasting room. Meanwhile, diners can nosh on shareable plates of chicken liver crostini with cranberries and rosemary and entrees like pappardelle with fresh Maine lobster and lemon mascarpone cream.
THE DEWEY AT BERKELEY BEACH CLUB • Pass-a-Grille; $$ • Part of the boutique Berkeley Beach Club, the restaurant is a joint effort from a pair of seasoned Tampa restaurateurs and the kitchen’s upscale take on modern beach cuisine is spot-on — elevated and innovative yet still deeply evocative of the seaside culture it seeks to re-create. A few blocks from Pass-a-Grille beach, this isn’t a toes-in-the-sand kind of joint, though many of the dishes feel light enough for a swimsuit-wearing snack, from the creamy smoked mahi dip to the barbecue-grilled shrimp and a grilled stone fruit salad.
SAUVIGNON WINE LOCKER & AMERICAN TRATTORIA • St. Petersburg; $$ • Tucked between two bars off a busy strip of Central Avenue, this elegant, upscale restaurant offers a fresh breath of air from the bustle outside. There’s a heavy focus on decadent charcuterie boards and fine wines and the spot has garnered a strong following of local oenophiles and curious imbibers looking to expand their palates. The rest of the menu is equally exciting: Creamy burrata gets paired with tomato confit and the homemade pasta collection features pappardelle swaddled in a thick and flavorful lamb sugo, studded with oyster mushrooms and caramelized tropea onions.
BRICK & MORTAR • St. Petersburg; $$ • Since 2015 this restaurant has wooed locals with its charming, cozy ambiance and ambitious, always creative menu. A popular spot for date nights, the small restaurant can fill up quickly, so reservations are always a good idea. Don’t skip out on the braised short ribs with homemade noodles, the tuna tartare served with crispy shrimp chips or the B&M burger, a strong contender in the genre, served on a pretzel bun and topped with bacon jam, sharp white cheddar, arugula and aioli.
THE LIBRARY • St. Petersburg; $$ • With gorgeous wood paneling, bookshelves that stretch almost as high as the tall ceilings and plush royal blue banquettes to cozy up in, it’s easy to see where the place gets its name. But The Library is also home to an excellent restaurant sporting a creative New American menu. The spot gets lively during brunch, when light fills the sprawling dining room space and guests linger over plates of crispy-fried Brussels sprouts with ricotta salata, pork belly Benedicts and the not-to-be-missed fried green tomato BLTs.
THE BLACK PEARL • Dunedin; $$$ • Always a strong contender when it comes to celebrating special occasions, this elegant and upscale restaurant sits tucked away on downtown Dunedin’s Main Street. The elevated New American and French menu features decadent dishes, from a white truffle-laced lobster risotto to a crispy-seared duck breast served with duck confit ravioli. Food this good doesn’t come cheap, but for anniversaries and special dates, this is the place to splurge.
THE LITTLE LAMB • Clearwater; $$ • This unassuming Clearwater gastropub off McMullen Booth Road delivers big flavors with an ambitious, globe-trotting menu and an elevated cocktail program that offers creative spins on the classics. A dinner menu designed with snacking and sharing in mind starts with dishes like shrimp toast with spicy tomato broth and fried cauliflower with coconut caramel before moving on to larger plates like a roasted chicken with cheddar grits and local greens and a pork porterhouse served with fried green tomatoes, dirty rice and a pickled apple salad.
THE RESTORATIVE • Dunedin; $$ • An alwayschanging menu keeps it fresh at this charming New American restaurant in Dunedin. Reservations for the petite dining room can be made through Tock, an online ticketing system, but there’s usually some room for walk-ins at the bar. A husband-and-wife team run the show here and the duo has won over locals and critics alike for their ambitious menu and welcoming, cozy atmosphere. The kitchen’s creativity never ceases to impress with dishes like halibut rillettes with wonder toast, a soft egg and dill and for dessert, blue cheese panna cotta with pickled strawberries and pistachio.
bbq
DR. BBQ • St. Petersburg; $ • Barbecue pitmaster and television personality Ray Lampe is a partowner of this operation, a sprawling bi-level restaurant in St. Pete’s EDGE District. The menu is billed as “new American barbecue,” which includes a wide-reaching menu of smoked meat and seafood, from brisket and pastrami to pork belly and salmon. This is not carnivore-exclusive territory: The kitchen churns out a large number of vegetarian and vegan dishes that have spent time over fire, from the harissa-grilled carrots to roasted pineapples in a brown sugar and rum glaze.
THE OZONA PIG • Palm Harbor; $ • Right in the center of historic Ozona, this homage to Memphisstyle southern barbecue is a casual and familyfriendly spot with a robust local following. Folks come for the low-and-slow pulled pork and brisket plates toppling with stick-to-your-ribs sides like baked beans, slaw and deviled eggs. The house special banana pudding (or, as they call it here, the “southern creme brulee”) is a favorite for dessert, as are the coconut creme and peanut butter pies.
local classics
BOB HEILMAN’S BEACHCOMBER • Clearwater Beach; $$$ • Take a step back in time at this Clearwater Beach mainstay, which offers a taste of a glamorous and bygone era. Start with a Beachcomber Classic martini or a Harvey Wallbanger and move on to Clams Casino, escargot in a buttery Madeira sauce and jumbo shrimp cocktail. The restaurant features several different dining areas, including the intimate main room, which often features live piano performances. Diners come for the fresh seafood, quality steaks and the “Back to the Farm” fried chicken — served with whipped potatoes, a vegetable side, pan gravy and old-fashioned cream slaw.
TED PETERS FAMOUS SMOKED FISH • St. Petersburg; $ • For nearly 70 years, the smell of smoked fish, suntan oil and saltwater has been synonymous with this beloved Pasadena Avenue restaurant. The mostly outdoor spot sports a sun-kissed crowd: weekend beach trippers, families with kids in tow and longtime regulars, many of whom have been frequenting the restaurant for several decades. Everyone comes for the smoked fish — mahi, salmon, mackerel and mullet. But they’re also here for the German-style potato salad, vinegary and studded with bacon; frosty mugs filled with light beer; and one of the area’s best cheeseburgers.
vegetarian/vegan/gluten free
CRAFT KAFE • St. Petersburg; $ • The trendy cafe has built a name for itself as one of the most beloved local spots catering to the gluten-free crowd. A large selection of gluten-free pastries includes muffins, turnovers and cookies, while the breakfast and lunch menus include a daily vegan soup, several sandwiches and a build-your-own omelet deal that comes with homefries and toast. A large awning provides plenty of shaded space at the downtown St. Pete location, while the 66th Street N spot is a great place to grab an iced coffee to-go on your way to the beach.
GOLDEN DINOSAURS • Gulfport; $ • This casual cafe’s eclectic, funky and laid-back vibe on Beach Boulevard have made it a Gulfport neighborhood mainstay. The all-vegan menu hinges on quality meat alternatives all made in-house, from sausages to cutlets and seitan. If it’s not made from scratch, there’s a good chance it’s sourced locally, from the pastrami reubens, piled high with St. Pete Ferments sauerkraut to the local beer and kombucha on draught.
LOVE FOOD CENTRAL • St. Petersburg; $ • You’ll find quality vegan and gluten-free cooking that extends beyond your basic veggie joint at this breezy Central Avenue cafe. Start with the kale Caesar salad and move on to something heartier, like the buffalo tempeh sandwich. Or instead, why not linger over the impressive cheese board, which is made with a selection of macadamia and almondbased cheeses and paired with pickled veggies, jams and flaxseed crackers. Whatever you do, don’t skip the Carmelita dessert bars, which are a salty and sweet caramel coconut treat.
sweets
BEANS & BARLOUR • St. Petersburg; $ • Part ice cream parlor and part craft coffee bar, this unique St. Pete hybrid features sweet treats and boozy concoctions like pina colada Dole whip floats and White Claw mangonadas. If you’re looking to take your ice cream on the road, the spot also serves a number of their most popular flavors (Whiskey Bacon Pecan, anyone?) in pint-size containers to-go.
STRACHAN'S ICE CREAM AND DESSERTS • Dunedin; $ • With locations in Dunedin, Clearwater and Palm Harbor, this ice cream parlor and dessert hub has become a must-go for locals looking for a sweet fix. With flavors like Birthday Cake Batter, Almond Joy and Red Velvet Cake, there is no shortage of creativity. People rave about the carrot cake, and for good reason: Chock-full of pecans, shredded carrots and thick cream cheese frosting, it’s the buttery “special sauce” that keeps the layers so incredibly moist and delicious.
VALHALLA BAKERY • St. Petersburg; $ • It’s hard to believe everything in this gem of a bakery is vegan (but trust us, it is). The Central Avenue shop shares a storefront with Freya’s, a vegan lunch spot, so it’s easy to get both your sweet and savory fix in one stop. It’s impossible to go wrong with the nanaimo bars, made with a base of dark chocolate coconut crust filled with custard. The peach and strawberry lemon bars are like lemon squares crossed with a peach crisp while cake slices all feature a dreamy vegan buttercream frosting.
WILLIAM DEAN CHOCOLATES • Belleair; $ • Since 2007, this Belleair Bluffs chocolatier has racked up international acclaim, garnering widespread accolades and multiple awards along the way. The proof isn’t in the pudding — it’s in the tiny, intricately hand-painted and airbrushed chocolate truffles. From the white chocolate key lime ganache-filled treats to the rum-tinged bananas Foster versions shaped like a little fleur-de-lis, these aren’t your everyday chocolates — these are miniature works of art.
coffee bars & cafes
BANDIT COFFEE CO. • St. Petersburg; $ • A bright black-and-white mural reading, “Hello, Saint Petersburg,” beckons to passersby on Central Avenue. Outside, people clutching iced lattes chat with friends. Those in-the-know will show up extra early on certain weekend mornings to take advantage of pop-up specials, which often sell out in minutes. Their single-origin coffees are sourced from all over the world and roasted locally and the shop also stocks a decent selection of natural wines by the bottle. Don’t skip out on the breakfast sandwich, one of the ‘burg’s best contenders in the genre.
INDIAN SHORES COFFEE • Indian Shores; $ • The owners of this Indian Shores cafe also run St. Pete’s Black Crow Coffee Co., and the two spots carry a similarly cozy and funky aesthetic, with guitars and artwork adorning the walls and a piano tucked away in one of the corners. The cafe inside is dark and intimate while the outdoor, shady patio is surrounded by lush plants and feels downright tropical. Baked goodies include homemade chocolate and banana walnut muffins, coffee cake and donuts, and there are usually several glutenfree and vegan options available.
SWEET BREWNETTE • Madeira Beach; $ • This laidback cafe right off Madeira Beach oozes casual seaside charm. The focus is on organic and fair-trade coffees and the menu breathes some excitement into the standard espresso drink setup. Some of the more whimsical creations include the Funky Monkey, a blend of espresso with peanut butter, banana and chocolate flavors and the Bunny Love, which combines espresso with raspberry and white chocolate. A lively breakfast scene draws locals and beachgoers in for the Belgian waffles, veggie-packed frittatas and — for the grownups — mimosas made with freshly squeezed orange juice.
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DINING
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