DINING VisitSPC.com/Dining LOVE FOOD CENTRAL GOLDEN DINOSAURS 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 almond-based cheeses and paired with pickled veggies, BANDIT COFFEE CO. 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 90 AMERICA’S BEST BEACHES
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