St. Pete’s iconic Grand Central District is home to the Central Avenue drag. This happy-go-lucky stretch is jam-packed with cute shops and some killer restaurants that you have to try. So, if you find yourself in the ‘Burg, check out some of our top 25 essential restaurants on Central Ave.
Alesia Restaurant
7204 Central Ave. N., St. Petersburg, 727-345-9701
The eclectic mix of flavors served up at Alesia reflect influences from the restaurants three partners. Each bring their respective French, Vietnamese, and Chinese heritages to the table, literally. From egg rolls to lobster bisque, Alesia’s greenery-rich, haven-like environment has you covered.
Photo via Alesia/FacebookBaum Ave Market
1113 Baum Ave. N., St. Petersburg, 727-485-8755
Poised between Baum and Central in the Edge District, Baum Ave Market’s multi-concept space offers the chance to experience a number of local vendors, that range from vegan baked goods to Indian cuisine, and sushi to snow cones.
Photo via baumavemarket.comBrick and Mortar
539 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-822-6540
Brick and Mortar’s sleek and inviting eatery opened back in 2015 as the first official restaurant from In Bloom Catering. Here, co-owners Jason Ruhe and Hope Montgomery cultivated their love of fine dining through decades of catering, and that culinary dexterity is reflected in Brick and Mortar’s complex menu.
Photo via Brick & Mortar – Kitchen & Wine Bar/FacebookCasita Taqueria
2663 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-498-8749
Casita Taqueria is a St. Petersburg favorite for tacos with big flavor. Not to mention, the Mexican inspired taco joint has happy hour from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. every week Monday through Thursday.
Photo via Casita Taqueria/FacebookCentral Melt
685 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-346-5338
Comfort food, but make it classy. Central Melt is dedicated to the art of the grilled cheese, relying on fresh bread and gourmet cheese to push this no-frills sandwich to maximize flavor, but not price. Ed Allen, owner of Central Melt, opened the this graffiti-laden destination back in July 2016.
Photo via Central Melt/FacebookCity’s Bistro is exactly what you hope for when popping into a quaint little spot for a daytime meal. Fresh ingredients like house-made corned beef serve as the building blocks for a hearty breakfast and lunch menu. City’s Bistro also serves Saturday brunch with waffles, benedicts and omelettes galore from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Photo via City’s. Bistro/FacebookDr. BBQ
1101 1st Ave. S., St. Petersburg, 727-443-7227
With Dr. BBQ himself, Ray Lampe, at the restaurant’s helm and pitmaster Lee Jasper supporting from the kitchen, Dr. BBQ is utilizing years of slow-cooked experience to create its “new American BBQ.” Dr. BBQ’s rustic yet refined atmosphere is amplified by its blown glass pendant lighting with Edison bulbs and lofty bar made from reclaimed wood.
Photo via Dr. BBQ The Restaurant/FacebookFerg’s Sports Bar & Grill
1320 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-822-4562
Ferg’s is St. Pete’s OG sports bar, opening its original doors before Tropicana Stadium was even built. Over the years, this iconic venue has expanded to cover nearly two full city blocks and entertain crowds as large as 30,000. In addition to food, drinks, sports and live music, Ferg’s started axe-throwing rentals back in 2019. This simultaneously ridiculous and awesome activity is available to those 18 and up on Sunday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday from 1-10 p.m.
Photo via Ferg’s Sports Bar & Grill/FacebookIl Ritorno
449 Central Ave. N. #101, St. Petersburg, 727-897-5900
You know the saying, ‘dress for the job you want?’ Well, at Il Ritorno, you need to dress for the meal you want. This high-falutin Italian eatery has a business casual dress code. Il Ritorno Owner and Executive Chef, David Benstock takes a modern and refined approach to traditional Italian cuisine, appealing to discerning palates from Il Ritorno’s chic space.
Photo via @ilritornodowntown/InstagramLa V
441 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-820-3500
La V owner Thuy Le focuses on fresh ingredients for her herbaceous Vietnamese fusion cuisine which includes dishes like refreshing vermicelli bowls and “hungover cure” pho. La V’s interior is accented with black and white photography and feathered light fixtures that set the restaurants sleek interior apart from its unassuming Central Avenue storefront.
Photo via La V – Vietnamese Fusion/FacebookLucky Dill
277 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-895-5859
Who says New Yorkers aren’t friendly? St. Pete’s Lucky Dill is a New York-style deli that strives for friendly service and hefty portions. In addition to the restaurant’s regular dining menu, Lucky Dill offers a Sunday Jazz Brunch menu which includes a free glass of champagne with an entree purchase.
Photo via Lucky Dill of St Pete/FacebookPacific Counter
660 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-440-7008
Pacific Counter is putting the flavors of the Far East directly into your hand. This trendy, fresh fusion joint is rolling up sushi burritos and scooping out sushi bowls on the daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Photo via Pacific Counter/FacebookPom Pom’s Teahouse & Sandwicheria
2950 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-873-6992
Central Avenue is home to the second branch of this quirky, taste bud-bending sandwich shop. Built out of a repurposed filling station, Pom Pom’s Teahouse & Sandwicheria is the brainchild of Pom Moongauklang, a Thai-American chef who, before setting up shop in Orlando, worked in New York’s Michelin-star restaurant Nobu.
Photo via Pom Pom’s Teahouse and Sandwicheria, St. Pete/FacebookRed Mesa Mercado
1100 1st Ave. N., St. Petersburg, 727-954-7430
Okay, so technically not on Central, but Red Mesa Mercado is located about a block over. Mercado utilizes Aztec-inspired ingredients to add depth to its Cal-Mex menu, and claims the Aztec god of mischief, HueHueCóyotl, as the fun-loving restaurant’s unofficial mascot.
Photo via redmesamercado.comThe Burg Bar & Grill
1752 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-894-2874
This homey spot is dedicated to its name sakes, BURGers and St. PertersBURG, and when it comes to the burgers, The Burg goes all out. The Burg’s grilled cheese bacon burger is the delightful epitome of American indulgence, a hefty patty with American cheese, smashed between two grilled bacon and cheese sandwiches. Not to mention, daily food and drink specials help keep an eye on your wallet.
Photo via The Burg Bar & Grill/FacebookThe Cider Press Cafe
601 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-914-7222
Apparently, this place has some star power, recently serving Guardians of the Galaxy actor Dave Bautista. The Cider Press Cafe takes a health-conscious spin on the fine dining experience with their all-vegan menu. From the cafe’s “Schrimp” & Grits to its Beach Burger, The Cider Press Cafe offers a variety of plant-based, Florida-inspired dishes. Apparently, this place has some star power, recently serving Guardians of the Galaxy actor Dave Bautista.
Photo via The Cider Press Cafe/FacebookThe Lure
661 Central Ave. N., St. Petersburg, 727-914-8000
The Lure’s nationality-bending menu offers a wide array of sushi options in addition to Italian inspired pasta dishes, tacos and tiki cocktails. Aside from The Lure’s distinctly international menu, the restaurant offers billiards and a variety of local microbrews.
Photo via The Lure St Pete/FacebookThe Mill Restaurant
200 Central Ave. #100, St. Petersburg, 727-317-3930
Owned by restaurateur Jason Griffin and powered by Chef Ted Dorsey, The Mill’s rustic Americana atmosphere sounds off with a menu jam-packed with top-notch comfort food and cocktails.
Photo via The Mill Restaurant/FacebookThe Queens Head
2501 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-498-8584
The Queen’s Head operates out of a refurbished gas station in the Grand Central District, transformed to provide indoor and outdoor seating with a fun, eclectic atmosphere. This English Eurobar and restaurant hails the Queen with British classics like shepherd’s pie, fish and chips and steak and ale pie, as well as a variety of decadent starters and entrees.
Photo via The Queens Head/FacebookThe Wheelhouse
7220 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-623-0589
Looking for a chill spot to grab a craft beer and some grub? The Wheelhouse’s happy hour is from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. This modern American Pub features a fat list of both local and national craft beers, as well as a menu of French bread pizzas, wings, sandwiches and other stellar bar eats.
Photo via The Wheelhouse/FacebookUrban Brew and BBQ
2601 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-623-9823
Urban Brew and BBQ’s fast-casual joint is slow-cooking BBQ dishes big and small to fit your appetite. Aside from the succulent eats, Urban Brew and BBQ doesn’t mess around with the drinks, putting a heavy emphasis on bourbon and craft beer.
Photo via Urban Brew and BBQ/Facebook
