Gulf To Bay St. Pete Clearwater FL

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.

$ 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 beachy eats, laid-back vibes and 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.

■DOC FORD’S RUM BAR & GRILLE • St. Pete 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 arrive swimming in a buttery sauce with garlic and a touch of heat from Colombian chiles.

■ 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 grouper sandwiches, served on onion rolls with tartar sauce, and, if in season, stone crabs, which come with a sweet mustard dipping sauce.

■ PALM PAVILION • Clearwater Beach; $$ • A great option for sunset watching, this Clearwater Beach institution sits directly on the shore 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 Tarpon Bayou and the 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, including steamed Cedar Key clams, peel-and-eat shrimp and grouper sandwiches.

■ 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.

■ TEAK/PIER TEAKI • St. Pete; $$ • Nothing beats the scene from the St. Pete Pier’s 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 at the nautical-themed restaurant Teak, where dishes include seafood paella, sesame-crusted salmon and pan-roasted grouper with citrus-herb risotto.

■ WOODY’S WATERFRONT CAFE AND BEACH BAR • St. Pete Beach; $$ • Fans of the St. Pete Beach mainstay 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.

■ BARBOUNI • St. Pete; $$ • The petite neighbor to Mediterranean spot Baba has a specific focus — tinned fish and seafood. Barbouni sports the largest selection of “conserva” in the area, offering dozens of options from mussels to razor clams to mackerel, all served with toast, butter, sumac-spiced onions, lemon and flaky Maldon salt. The nine-seat bar also offers oysters, lobster and a caviar service.

■ HOG ISLAND FISH CAMP • Dunedin; $$ • Boasting reclaimed wood and turquoise accents, a seafood-focused menu and a breezy indoor-outdoor setup, this 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 of fried grouper nuggets, shrimp and oysters with sides like grit cakes and collard greens.

■ THE HELM PROVISIONS & COASTAL FARE • St. Pete Beach; $$ • Part-seafood market, part-bistro, fresh fish and seafood are the highlights 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. Rather take your meal to the beach? The market sells picnic kits and ready-to-eat treats, plus beer and wine to-go.

■ SEA SALT • St. Pete; $$$ • Located in downtown St. Pete’s Sundial shopping complex, this upscale restaurant features eye-catching displays, including a 22-foot glass-encased wine cellar and an 80-foot-long raw bar. A large, shaded patio includes plenty of outdoor seating, and the seafood-centric menu runs the gamut from a ceviche cocktail to Tuscan octopus salad and lobster ravioli, served in a sweet vermouth cream sauce.

■ SEA WORTHY FISH + BAR • Tierra Verde; $$ • Inspired by a love for the open water, this Tierra Verde restaurant leans heavily on local seafood, boasts cozy nautical vibes inside and killer views of the sunset on the outside deck. Don’t skip out on the ahi tuna ceviche, served with kimchi and candied ginger or the house-made bucatini, paired with Gulf shrimp, sherry cream and a tomato confit.

■ TROPHY FISH • St. Pete; $ • Chow down on the freshest catch and some tasty “boat drinks” at this cocktail bar and seafood hub. The alfresco spot features a daily list of local fish and a choose-your-own-adventure-style setup where diners can pick cooking styles, formats and sides. Favorites include the smoked fish spread, which arrives with 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 jalapeno poppers stuffed with short ribs and goat cheese round out the menu.

■ CASSIS • St. Pete; $$ • The menu at this Beach Drive NE restaurant includes dishes like escargot and moules frites — plenty to satisfy any Francophile. But the wide-reaching list of dishes covers plenty of New American territory, too: Burgers are topped with caramelized onions and Gruyere and a fried chicken dish is served with mac and cheese and a honey-butter biscuit.

■ THE LEFT BANK BISTRO • St. Pete; $$ • 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 bistro menu includes all the classics: French onion soup; tomato tartines; steak frites; and boeuf bourguignon.

■ PARTS OF PARIS • Safety Harbor; $$ • Set in a restored 1936 bungalow in downtown Safety Harbor, this modern French bistro imbues plenty of charm. It’s a popular spot for date nights, and the bar scene can often get lively, fueled by a creative list of cocktails. Don’t skip on the daily specials, which include half-off appetizers on Mondays and a tasty bouillabaisse on Fridays.

■ BUYA RAMEN • St. Pete; $ • 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 mushrooms.

■ HAWKERS ASIAN STREET FOOD • St. Pete; $$ • An homage to Asian street food stalls, the menu at this EDGE District restaurant provides a fun excuse to sample from a variety of appetizer-style plates. Don’t skip the Malaysian roti canai, which gets dragged through a warm curry sauce, or the Korean fried chicken wings, coated in a garlicky gochujang sauce and topped with crushed peanuts.

■ IN BETWEEN DAYS • St. Pete; $$ • Linger over sake cocktails and good tunes at this St. Pete restaurant, bar and “listening room,” inspired by Tokyo record bars and jazz cafes. The sake list is among the most comprehensive in the Tampa Bay area and the food menu is always evolving. If oysters are on deck, they’re always a good bet.

■ DOORIBAN • St. Pete; $ • St. Pete’s best bet for traditional Korean fare sits inside a former drive-through fast food restaurant but the casual, no-frills setting belies the fantastic, firecracker flavors exiting the kitchen. Meals start with banchan, a collection of small side dishes. Don’t skip the marinated beef bulgogi or the fiery kimchi soup, which arrives bobbing with thick hunks of tofu, pork and vegetables.

■ 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.

■ WOODEN LADLE • Oldsmar; $ • Drawing on culinary influences from Japan and Vietnam, this ramen and pho spot in Oldsmar offers a selection of noodle soups, 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 pairs well with dishes like the Japanese-style karaage chicken.

■ BONU’ TAVERNA ITALIANA • St. Pete; $$ • This Central Avenue restaurant offers casual Italian fare in a lively setting (which gets livelier as the evening wears on). The specialty of the house is pinsas, Roman-style pizzas topped with everything from mortadella with pistachios to spicy calabrese salami and mozzarella. Folks can also cobble together a meal with cured meats and cheeses and tasty “piccoli piatti” — small, shared plates of snacks.

■ IL RITORNO • St. Pete; $$$ • This fine dining Italian restaurant in downtown St. Pete features 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 steamed mussels with lamb nduja and lemon to salt-baked beets with goat cheese and a foie gras lasagna.

■ MAZZARO’S ITALIAN MARKET • St. Pete; $ • The popular St. Pete market offers a one-of-a-kind shopping experience with gourmet grocery aisles every bit worth the hype. 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 with prepared treats like lasagna, roasted pork loin and homemade pastas to-go.

■ THE NONA SLICE HOUSE • Safety Harbor; $$ • You’re not just getting pizza at this Safety Harbor restaurant, you’re getting a show. Most evenings, the owner will come out for a performance, spinning and swirling the pizza dough high in the air, often to a live musical act. Several different types of pizza are served, including Detroit-style pies — thick, square pizzas baked with Wisconsin brick cheese.

■ PIA’S TRATTORIA • Gulfport; $$ • Pia’s features all the characteristics of a rustic and cozy neighborhood trattoria with a space that oozes romance. An evolving menu features creative spins on Italian classics like capellini pomodoro and buttery shrimp scampi over homemade linguine, eggplant Parmesan, and 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 Clearwater setting. A selection of antipasti includes silky slices of prosciutto paired with pillow-like orbs of burrata and a bright and lively octopus ceviche. Don’t skip out on the excellent pasta dishes, which rely on simple, fresh ingredients and nothing more.

■ TAVERNA COSTALE • St. Pete; $$ • Chef Fabio Viviani, of “Top Chef” fame, is behind this downtown St. Pete hot spot, billed loosely as a “coastal Italian tavern.” The restaurant’s proximity to the water is reflected in the overall concept, which is heavily focused on fish and seafood. Thick-cut, Roman-style pizzas are a sure bet as is the burrata with smoked pancetta, pistachios and tomato jam.

■ BODEGA • St. Pete; $ • What was once 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 for the refreshing agua frescas, hearty lechon platters 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 wonderland, outfitted with colorful artwork, dangling star lanterns and the occasional aerial artist. Popular dishes include the pescado a la Veracruzana, topped with a sauce of tomatoes, onions, capers and olives and the chiles en nogada, featuring a creamy brandy walnut sauce and a shower of pomegranate seeds.

■ CEVICHE • St. Pete; $$ • Take a trip to Spain without ever leaving the country at this popular tapas restaurant on St. Pete’s Beach Drive. The creative menu includes everything from pork ribs in a sherry glaze to crispy patatas bravas drizzled in spicy aioli and creamy manchego croquetas with quince jam.

■ COPA • St. Pete; $ • This popular Central Avenue cocktail bar and restaurant 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.

■ RED MESA • St. Pete; $$ • The flagship location offers polished takes on regional Mexican cuisine while Red Mesa’s buzzy Cantina in downtown St. Pete is the place to turn it up over a round of margaritas. For a quick lunch or a late-night bite, grab a burrito or tacos at the Mercado location, in St. Pete’s EDGE District.

■ 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 jumbo shrimp cocktail. The place is beloved for its fresh seafood, quality steaks and Back to the Farm fried chicken.

■ THE CHATTAWAY • St. Pete; $ • 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, where 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. Pete; $ • The smell of smoked fish, suntan oil and saltwater has become synonymous with this beloved Pasadena Avenue restaurant. 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.

■ THE BRINE HOUSE • Safety Harbor; $$ • This cozy, casual gastropub in downtown Safety Harbor specializes in brined meats and elevated comfort food favorites. Fried pickle baskets are topped with pickled jalapenos and served with chipotle lime dressing while a veggie-forward flatbread features wild mushrooms, brocollini, fresh mozzarella and gorgonzola fondue. Entrees like the Dijon-crusted corned beef come with two sides, including herb-roasted potato salad and smoked Gouda cheese grits.

■ CALIDA KITCHEN & WINE • St. Pete; $$ • International flavors and eclectic wines are the highlight at this globally focused restaurant and wine bar in St. Pete’s Crescent Heights neighborhood. This tiny space is cozy and gets packed — fast — so reservations are practically a must. Be sure to get the chow noodles, packed with veggies, garlic, tamari and ginger.

■ LOLITA’S WINE MARKET • St. Pete; $$ • At their new location inside the Morean Center for Clay, diners can choose between an airy outdoor garden space or the cozy inside dining room. Fine wines, cheese and charcuterie spreads are what put this restaurant on the map, but don’t overlook the rest of the menu, including the excellent beef short rib, served with Gorgonzola and cracked pepper gnocchi fondue.

■ THE OZONA PIG • Palm Harbor; $ • In the center of historic Ozona, this homage to Memphis-style 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 banana pudding is a favorite for dessert, as are the coconut creme and peanut butter pies.

■ UPTOWN EATS • St. Pete; $ • One of the best places to grab a coffee and casual breakfast in the 'Burg, Uptown Eats is always busy, and for good reason. Grab-and-go breakfast items include the can't-miss “everything” scones filled with cream cheese and a truly killer breakfast sandwich. For lunch, the grilled veggie and goat cheese sandwich and daily frittata option are always a solid bet.

■ UNCLE FUNZ • St. Pete Beach; $$ • Chef Zack Gross and his wife Jennifer run this mostly to-go concept in St. Pete Beach that doubles as a gift shop and general store. The menu is constantly changing, but pretty much anything on the sandwich board is a great bet, from a brie, apple and hot honey combo to the smoky jerk chicken sandwich, paired with pineapple pico and pepper jack.

■ WILD CHILD • St. Pete; $$ • With its outdoor dining setup, a creative menu that touches on bright Caribbean flavors and one of the best cocktail menus in town, the popular Grand Central District restaurant is always a sure bet. Brunch offers a nice excuse to linger over dishes like tres leches French toast and eye-openers like the Lost Weekend, a mix of watermelon, agave, mint and your spirit of choice.

■ ALLELO • St. Pete; $$$ • Shared plates with a Mediterranean-leaning edge are the highlight at this upscale Beach Drive NE restaurant, where dishes like a table-side steak tartare with khobz bread or branzino with preserved lemon and salsa verde are complemented by a sizable raw bar selection. The restaurant boasts an excellent cocktail program and an ambitious wine list with 25 different selections by the glass.

■ BIN 6 SOUTH • St. Pete; $$$ • Get cozy at this intimate St. Pete restaurant, which has just six seats at a communal table and a six-top bar. It’s all part of the charm, where elevated kitchen technique is paired with an international wine and sake program. Lunch is a more casual affair, with a menu that includes one of the best banh mi sandwiches in town.

■ 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.

■ BRICK & MORTAR • St. Pete; $$ • Since 2015, this restaurant has wooed locals with its cozy ambience and ambitious menu. Don’t skip 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’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 Kentucky fried grouper cheeks with blue corn waffles.

■ THE LIBRARY • St. Pete; $$ • With wood paneling, bookshelves that stretch almost as high as the tall ceilings and royal blue banquettes to cozy up in, it’s easy to see where the place gets its name. The spot gets lively during brunch, when light fills the sprawling dining room space and guests linger over plates of crispy-fried Brussels sprouts and maple snickerdoodle pancakes.

■ THE LITTLE LAMB • Clearwater; $$ • This unassuming Clearwater gastropub delivers big flavors with an ambitious, globe-trotting menu and an elevated cocktail program 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 roasted chicken with potato gnocchi and a lamb carbonara with zucchini and preserved lemon.

■ THE RESTORATIVE • Dunedin; $$ • An always changing menu keeps it fresh at this charming restaurant in Dunedin. A husband-and-wife team runs the show out of a microscopic kitchen, and the duo has won over locals and critics alike for their ambitious menu and welcoming atmosphere. Their creativity never ceases to impress with dishes like French onion creme brulee and scallop ceviche with kohlrabi.

■ ROAM • St. Pete; $$ • This steak-forward restaurant features a slightly more casual setup than 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 mac and cheese. For an entree, look no further than the New York strip, which comes tucked beneath a blanket of creamy Gorgonzola fondue.

■ SAUVIGNON WINE LOCKER & AMERICAN TRATTORIA • St. Pete; $$$ • 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, but the rest of the menu is equally exciting, from a creamy burrata paired with tomato confit to the pappardelle with lamb sugo.

■ THE URBAN STILLHOUSE • St. Pete; $$$ • 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 a sleek modern decor. Guests can sip cocktails at the lounge while diners nosh on plates of calamari with tomato aioli and Spanish octopus with romesco sauce.

■ STRACHAN'S ICE CREAM & 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 flavor, and for good reason.

■ VALHALLA BAKERY AND VALKYRIE DOUGHNUTS • St. Pete; $ • 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. The peach and strawberry lemon bars are like lemon squares crossed with a peach crisp, while cake slices all feature dreamy buttercream frosting.

■ WILLIAM DEAN CHOCOLATES • Belleair Bluffs; $ • This Belleair Bluffs chocolatier has racked up international acclaim, garnering accolades and multiple awards. The proof isn’t in the pudding — it’s in the 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.

■ CRAFT KAFE • St. Pete; $ • A favorite with the gluten-free crowd, the menu at this St. Pete spot sports a large selection of 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 program includes a daily vegan soup, several sandwiches and a build-your-own omelet deal.

■ GOLDEN DINOSAURS • Gulfport; $ • This cafe’s eclectic and laid-back vibe has made it a Gulfport neighborhood hit. 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 locally fermented sauerkraut, to the local kombucha on draught.

■ GOOD INTENTIONS • St. Pete; $$ • 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 charcuterie 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.

■ LOVE FOOD CENTRAL • St. Pete; $ • You’ll find quality vegan 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. 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.

■ BANDIT COFFEE CO. • St. Pete; $ • People clutching iced lattes chat with friends while those in the know line up early for this Central Avenue cafe’s popular breakfast fare. Their single-origin coffees are sourced from all over the world and roasted locally. Don’t skip out on the breakfast sandwich, one of the 'Burg's best contenders in the genre.

■ THE MILL & COMPANY • Largo; $ • This cozy Largo coffee shop features a large variety of coffees and teas, as well as daily assortments of blended shakes, pastries, toasts and waffles. While you’re waiting for your coffee, browse the gift selection, which features an array of edible goodies like chocolates, seasonings, cookies and jams, as well as a collection of candles and greeting cards.

■ INDIAN SHORES COFFEE CO. • 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. 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. Pete; $ • A craft coffee shop by day and a swanky cocktail lounge by night, this Central Avenue spot was inspired by the European cafes of the 1950s and ‘60s, with minimalist decor and plenty of natural light. 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.

■ JOSEPH’S TEA ROOM • Clearwater; $ • Sweet and savory snacks are paired with an impressive selection of classic green, black, white and herbal teas at this charming Clearwater teahouse. It’s a popular choice for private bridal showers and small get-togethers, but walk-ins are just as welcome and the afternoon tea experiences are customizable based on group size.

■ SWEET BREWNETTE • Madeira Beach; $ • This laid-back cafe right off Madeira Beach oozes casual seaside charm. Whimsical coffee creations include 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 mimosas made with freshly squeezed orange juice.

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