Gulf To Bay St. Pete Clearwater FL

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. From date night favorites to splashy seafood joints and waterside restaurants, it’s all right here in St. Pete/Clearwater.

➋ Clear Sky Beachside Café, Clearwater Beach
➌ Casita Taqueria, St. Pete
➍ El Cap, St. Pete
➎ Mykonos Restaurant, Tarpon Springs

➋ Red Mesa Cantina, St. Pete
➌ Wild Child, St. Pete
➍ Rusty Bellies, Tarpon Springs
➎ Casa Tina, Dunedin

➋ Ocean Hai, Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach
➌ 1200° Chophouse, St. Pete Beach
➍ Il Ritorno, St. Pete
➎ The Black Pearl, Dunedin

$ Most dishes under $15
$$ Most entrees under $25
$$$ Most entrees more than $25

CADDY’S ON THE BEACH • Treasure Island; $ • You can’t beat the toes-in-the-sand allure at this spot, 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 has the best seats in the house.

DOC FORD’S RUM BAR AND GRILLE • St. Petersburg and Jungle Terrace; $$ • With locations at the St. Pete Pier and in Jungle Terrace, this casual Caribbean-themed sports bar and restaurant from author Randy Wayne White is always a good time. Potent mojitos are paired with signature dishes like the Yucatan Shrimp, which arrives swimming in a buttery sauce heavy with garlic and a touch of heat from Colombian chiles. Grab a seat outdoors to catch the best waterside views.

FRENCHY’S ROCKAWAY GRILL • Clearwater Beach; $$ • The largest and liveliest restaurants of the Frenchy’s empire, the casual beachside spot overlooks the Gulf of Mexico and is just steps away from the sugar-white sands of Clearwater Beach. Favorites include the grouper sandwiches, served on onion rolls. 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 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 Clearwater 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.

RUSTY BELLIES WATERFRONT GRILL • Tarpon Springs; $$ • This waterfront spot sits right off busy Dodecanese Boulevard and sports a large outdoor patio with views of the Tarpon Bayou and Anclote River. A Tiki bar features rum-heavy spins on 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.

TEAK/PIER TEAKI • St. Petersburg; $$ • 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 lounge features bar snacks like tuna bowls and pretzel bites, more elevated options can be found downstairs at the restaurant Teak, where dishes include a pan-seared salmon with mustard-bal- samic glaze and short ribs with a 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 a 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 CAFÉ AND BEACH BAR • St. Pete Beach; $$ • With views of the Gulf of Mexico, this St. Pete Beach mainstay is a local favorite. 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. Most of the seating is outside, overlooking the sea wall. If you’re lucky, you’ll catch a pod of dolphins frolicking right in front of you.

➋ Palm Pavilion, Clearwater Beach
➌ Dockside Dave's, Madeira Beach
➍ RumFish Grill, St. Pete Beach
➎ Original Crabby Bill's, Indian Rocks Beach

➋ The Library, St. Pete
➌ Clear Sky Beachside Café, Clearwater Beach
➍ The Left Bank Bistro, St. Pete
➎ Crown & Bull, Dunedin

BONU' TAVERNA • St. Petersburg; $$ • This Central Avenue restaurant offers casual Italian fare in a lively setting (which gets livelier as the evening wears on). The speciality of the house is pinsas, oblong Roman-style pizzas topped with everything from mortadella with pistachios to spicy calabrese salami and mozzarella. It can also be tempting to cobble together a meal with cured meats and cheeses and tasty “piccoli piatti” — small, shared plates of snacks like marinated anchovies, mixed olives and crispy-fried artichoke hearts.

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 offers the best of what the chef has in store that day, from a hamachi crudo with yuzu and grilled pineapple to a foie gras carbonara with crispy duck skin.

MAZZARO’S ITALIAN MARKET • St. Petersburg; $ • The popular St. Pete market offers a one-of-a- kind shopping experience with gourmet grocery aisles that are every bit worth 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.

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 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 is the Detroit-style pies — thick, square pizzas baked with Wisconsin brick cheese.

PIA’S TRATTORIA • Gulfport; $$ • Pia’s features all the hallmark characteristics of a rustic and cozy neighborhood trattoria and the space just oozes romance. An evolving menu features 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.

SOUL SICILIAN FUSION • Clearwater; $$ • This charming Sicilian restaurant hews closely to southern Italian classics in a downtown Clearwa- ter 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 and nothing more (the spaghetti all'Amatriciana is fantastic).

VILLA GALLACE • Indian Rocks Beach; $$ • Italian classics shine at this elegant yet casual Indian Rocks Beach restaurant. Start with the calamari fritti and move on to one of the pastas, like the eggplant rollatini or the rigatoni bolog- nese. Heavier entrees include a veal saltimbocca, made with sage, prosciutto and provolone, and seafood lovers will fall hard for the zuppe di pesce, which features a medley of fresh seafood in a light and tangy tomato broth.

HOG ISLAND FISH CAMP • Dunedin; $$ • Boasting reclaimed wood and turquoise accents, a seafood-focused menu and a breezy indoor- outdoor setup, this downtown Dunedin restau- rant imbues a worn-in and welcoming atmo- sphere with plenty of fishing camp charm. The menu includes dishes like the Captain’s Plate, a hearty combo of fried grouper nuggets and shrimp and oysters with sides like grit cakes and collard greens. The fresh catch of the day comes grilled, blackened or broiled under a panko Parmesan crust.

THE HELM PROVISIONS & COASTAL FARE • St. Pete Beach; $$ • Part-seafood market, part-bistro, fresh seafood is the highlight at this St. Pete Beach restaurant, whether you’re popping in for a glass of bubbly and a dozen raw oysters or picking up some grouper or mahi-mahi to cook later at home. And if you’d rather take your meal to the beach? The market sells picnic kits and a selection of ready-to-eat treats, plus beer and wine to-go.

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. 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; $$ • Inspired by a love for the open water, this Tierra Verde restaurant 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.

TROPHY FISH • St. Petersburg; $ • Chow down on the freshest catch and some tasty “boat drinks” at this St. Petersburg cocktail bar and seafood hub. The entirely al fresco spot features a daily rotating list of local fish and a choose-your-own adventure style setup where diners can pick cooking styles, formats and sides (the yucca fries are excellent). Don’t skip the smoked fish spread, which comes served with a bevy of bright and colorful pickled cauliflower, red onions, jalapenos and Fresno chiles.

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 catches like grouper and hogfish, while a selection of steak dinners and shareable snacks like sliders and steamed buns round out the menu.

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 around.

CASA TINA • Dunedin; $$ • Dining at this downtown Dunedin Mexican restaurant is like stepping into a multi-sensory Oaxacan wonder- land, outfitted with colorful artwork, dangling star lanterns and the occasional aerial performance artist. Popular dishes include the pescado a la Veracruzana, topped with a 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.

CEVICHE • St. Petersburg; $$ • Take a trip to Spain without ever leaving the country at this popular tapas restaurant. The creative menu includes everything from Spanish pork ribs in a sherry glaze to crispy patatas bravas drizzled in spicy aioli and creamy manchego croquetas served with quince jam. The swanky bar and dining room inside is lovely but it’s also great to grab a seat outside, where the patio overlooking Beach Drive Northeast offers a great view of all the nightlife in action.

COPA • St. Petersburg; $ • This popular Central Avenue cocktail bar and restaurant in St. Petersburg's EDGE District is always buzzing, playing the part of a Latin American and Caribbean tapas restaurant earlier in the evening and a lively cocktail lounge later at night. Fusion flavors highlight the menu, from the jerk tofu spring rolls to the mojo pork-topped tostones, served with a fiery Haitian pikliz. The cocktail menu is a big draw here and combines classics like Moscow mules and margaritas with creative original takes as well as a sizable beer and wine selection.

RED MESA • St. Petersburg; $$ • The flagship location on Fourth Street opened in 1995 and has expanded with several more casual offshoots: Red Mesa Cantina, in downtown St. Pete, and Red Mesa Mercado, in St. Pete’s EDGE District. At the original, you’ll find polished takes on regional Mexican cuisine. The Mercado location is great for a quick lunch or a late-night bite and the buzzy downtown Cantina is the place to turn it up over a round of margaritas.

WILD CHILD • St. Petersburg; $$ • With a spacious and covered outdoor dining setup, a creative menu that touches on bright Caribbean flavors and a cocktail menu heavy on rum and mezcal, the popular Grand Central District 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 like the Lost Weekend, a refreshing mix of watermelon, agave, mint and your spirit of choice.

CASSIS • St. Petersburg; $$ • The French-leaning menu at this Beach Drive Northeast restaurant includes dishes like escargot and moules frites — plenty to satisfy any Francophile. But the wide-reaching menu covers plenty of New American territory, too: Burgers are topped with caramelized onions and gruyere and a fried chicken dish is served with macaroni and cheese and a honey-butter biscuit. The airy outdoor patio is 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 saffron-tinged lobster broth.

PARTS OF PARIS • Safety Harbor; $$ • Set in a restored 1936 bungalow in the heart of down- town 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 half-off appetizers on Mondays and a tasty bouillabaisse on Fridays.

BUYA RAMEN • St. Petersburg; $ • This Japanese gastropub offers a short but standout selection of izakaya-style small plates, from bao stuffed with crispy pork belly to chargrilled edamame. 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 mush- rooms. An extensive Japanese whiskey selection provides the backbone for many cocktails and there’s also a decent shochu and sake collection.

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. Don’t skip the Malaysian roti canai, which gets dipped and dragged through a warm curry sauce, or the Korean fried chicken wings, which come coated in a garlicky gochujang sauce and are topped with crushed peanuts and sesame seeds.

LINGR • St. Petersburg; $$$ • This 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. The flavors emblematic of both cuisines — star anise, fennel, cardamon, ginger — work remarkably well together. The dish not to miss: puffy rounds of Sami bread, topped with smoked lion’s mane mushrooms, brunost cheese and chili oil.

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. Starters like the buttery, flaky Thai curry puffs and the restaurant’s signature boat noodle dish are more than enough reason to visit.

SAP SAP LAO CAFÉ • Pinellas Park; $ • The bright and fiery flavors emblematic of Laotian cuisine come alive at this Pinellas Park restaurant, where the kitchen doesn’t shy away from spice. There are plenty of Thai dishes that will ring familiar to milder palates, like drunken noodles and tom yum soup. But some of the uniquely Lao plates are bolder in flavor and more pronounced when it comes to the combo of chiles, fresh herbs and the delightful funk of fermented seafood and pork.

TWISTED INDIAN • St. Petersburg; $ • This fast-casual Indian restaurant in St. Petersburg's Grand Central District has attracted somewhat of a cult-like following, and for good reason. Creative spins on classic Indian dishes like tikka masala and lamb korma find their way into bowls, tacos, “curritos” and “naanwiches,” all which pack a powerhouse of tangy, spicy and bright flavors. For a cooling antidote to some of the heat, the creamy mango lassis can’t be beat.

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. Ramen is the highlight, from the traditional tonkotsu-style bowls to spicy chicken and vegetarian versions. A long list of beers feel well-suited to some of the snackier items like the Japanese-style karaage

URBAN BREW & BBQ • St. Petersburg; $ • Meals here might be anchored around plates of pulled pork, brisket, St. Louis-style ribs and smoky pulled chicken, but don’t overlook the sides at this popular Grand Central District spot. The signature Urban Mac 'n' Cheese is a must and features a combination of smoked gouda, cheddar and Parmesan cheese. The large, industrial-chic design includes an expansive outdoor dining area overlooking Central Avenue — a great spot to hang on cooler summer days and warmer winter evenings.

THE OZONA PIG • Palm Harbor; $ • Right in the center of historic Ozona, this homage to Memphis-style Southern barbecue is a casual and family-friendly 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.

ALLELO • St. Petersburg; $$$ • Shared plates with a Mediterranean-leaning edge are the highlight at this upscale Beach Drive restaurant, where dishes like a tableside steak tartare with khobz bread or a fennel and ricotta agnolotti are complemented by a sizable raw bar selection. It’s also a lovely spot to just pop in for a drink: The restaurant boasts an excellent cocktail program and an ambitious wine list with 25 different selections by the glass.

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 plenty of 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.

BRICK & MORTAR • St. Petersburg; $$ • Since 2015, this restaurant has wooed locals with its charming, cozy ambience and ambitious, creative menu. 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 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. The kitchen’s upscale take on modern beach cuisine is elevated and innovative yet still deeply evocative of the seaside culture it seeks to recreate. Dishes run the gamut from a creamy smoked fish dip to Creole-style barbecue shrimp and a Durham Ranch wagyu burger.

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 pro- gram that offers creative spins on the classics. The dinner menu includes dishes like shrimp toast with spicy tomato broth and fried cauliflower with coconut caramel. Larger plates include a roasted chicken with potato gnocchi and butternut squash while bucatini is paired with Cedar Key clams and a nduja cream sauce.

THE RESTORATIVE • Dunedin; $$ • An always changing menu keeps it fresh at this charming New American restaurant in Dunedin. A husband- and-wife team run the show here and the duo has won over locals and critics alike for their ambi- tious 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.

ROAM • St. Petersburg; $$ • This globally inspired steak restaurant from brothers Christian and Joshua Jackson features a slightly more casual setup than some other steakhouses but doesn’t shy away from big and bold flavors. Start with the Louisiana-style chargrilled oysters and move on to the decadent truffle-laced lobster macaroni and cheese. For an entree, look no further than the New York strip, which comes tucked beneath a blanket of creamy Gorgonzola fondue, topped with crispy-fried onions and served with thick-cut French fries.

SAUVIGNON WINE LOCKER & AMERICAN TRATTORIA • St. Petersburg; $$ • Tucked between two bars off a busy strip of Central Avenue, this elegant restaurant offers a fresh breath of air from the bustle down below. There’s a heavy focus on 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, from a creamy burrata paired with tomato confit to the pap- pardelle with lamb sugo.

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 space features industrial touches and sleek modern decor. Guests can sip cocktails at the lounge or sample whiskey flights inside the private tasting room. Meanwhile, diners can nosh on shareable plates of deviled eggs with white sturgeon caviar or smoked venison tartare, topped with a quail egg.

CRAFT KAFÉ • St. Petersburg; $ • A favorite with the gluten-free crowd, the menu at this St. Petersburg spot sports a large selection of gluten-free pastries including muffins, turnovers and cookies (they also have a great espresso program). For those looking to linger a little longer, a solid breakfast and lunch offering includes a daily vegan soup, several sandwiches and a build-your-own omelet deal that comes with home fries and toast.

GOLDEN DINOSAURS • Gulfport; $ • This casual café’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 with ingredients 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 locally fermented sauerkraut, to the local beer and kombucha on draught.

GOOD INTENTIONS • St. Petersburg; $$ • This cozy, mid-century modern restaurant presents something upscale for the vegan set, but the creative menu will appeal to all types of diners. The fantastic grazing board gives other charcute- rie programs a run for their money, while creative spins on classic crowd-pleasers include fried “crab” balls nestled in kimchi fried rice and a killer lemon garlic gnocchi. Don’t skip the creative all-vegan cocktail list, which is reason enough to visit.

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 café. Start with the kale Caesar salad and move on to something heartier, like the Buffalo tempeh sandwich. Better yet, hang out a while and linger over the impressive (and huge) cheese board, made with a selection of macadamia- and almond-based cheeses that are paired with pickled veggies, jams and flaxseed crackers.

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 and move on to Clams Casino, escargot in a buttery Madeira sauce, and a jumbo shrimp cocktail. The place is beloved for their 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 THE CHATTAWAY • St. Petersburg; $ • A high tea service features a proper English setup in the back dining room, decorated with intricate chinaware, replicas of London telephone booths and photographs of the Queen. Step out onto the shaded patio, and you’re right back in Florida: A collection of picnic tables sits surrounded by a lush canopy of tropical plants and pink bathtubs double as flower beds. Regulars come for the hefty 7-ounce cheeseburgers and the crispy- battered fish and chips.

TED PETERS FAMOUS SMOKED FISH • St. Petersburg; $ • The smell of smoked fish, suntan oil and saltwater has become 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. 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.

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 while those in the know line up early for the popular spot’s breakfast fare. Their single-origin coffees are sourced from all over the world and roasted locally. 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.

THE COFFEE MILL • Largo; $ • This quaint and cozy Largo coffee shop and roaster features more than 60 different types of coffees and a dozen different teas, as well as daily assortments of blended shakes, pastries, toasts and waffles. While you’re waiting for your coffee, browse the gift and kitchen gadget selection, which features an array of edible goodies like chocolates, seasonings, cookies, jams and fudge as well as a collection of candles, tea towels and greeting cards.

INDIAN SHORES COFFEE CO. • Indian Shores; $ • The owners of this Indian Shores café also run St. Pete’s Black Crow Coffee Co., and the two spots carry a similarly cozy and funky aesthetic. The café 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 gluten-free and vegan options available.

INTERMEZZO • St. Petersburg; $ • During the daytime, people cozy up over lattes and laptops but as soon as the sun sets, the coffee drinks are swapped out for something stronger. That’s because Intermezzo is really two different businesses: a craft coffee shop by day and a swanky cocktail lounge by night. Inspired by the European cafés of the 1950s and ‘60s, the minimalist decor includes tall ceilings, plenty of natural light and several tables for smaller groups or solo visitors.

JOSEPH’S TEA ROOM • Clearwater; $ • Sweet and savory snacks are paired with an impressive selection of green, black, white and herbal teas at this charming Clearwater teahouse, owned by a husband-and-wife duo (pictured at bottom left). While Joseph's Tea Room is a popular choice for private bridal showers and birthday parties, smaller groups and walk-ins are just as welcome, and the Afternoon Tea Experience is customizable based on group size. The deluxe version of the package features champagne and strawberries in addition to tea, croissants and tea sandwiches, scones and biscuits served with clotted cream, jam and assorted desserts.

SWEET BREWNETTE • Madeira Beach; $ • This laid-back café 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, with whimsical creations like the Funky Munky, a blend of espresso with peanut butter, banana and chocolate flavors. A lively breakfast scene draws locals and beachgoers in for the Belgian waffles, veggie-packed frittatas and — for the grown-ups— mimosas made with freshly squeezed orange juice.

➋ Sweet Brewnette, Madeira Beach
➌ Café Vino Tinto, Safety Harbor
➍ Paradeco Coffee Roasters, St. Pete
➎ Grove Surf + Grove, St. Pete Beach

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 piña 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) 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 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). 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.

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