Gulfport is St. Pete's not-so-hidden gem, a tiny community overlooking sheltered waters and the historic Gulfport Casino building. Dress is distinctly linen and flip-flops along the few blocks of Gulfport's core, but the concentrated and diverse restaurants promise more than your usual casual fare.
BACKFIN BLUE CAFE 2913 Beach Blvd. S, Gulfport, 727-343-2583, backfinbluecafe.com. Casual seafood cuisine — including popular Maryland crab cakes — are served in Backfin's converted house and out on the big screened-in deck built onto the side.
GULFPORT CAFE 5808 28th Ave S., Gulfport, 727-347-5788. A small place serving breakfast and lunch, the Gulfport Cafe has a large menu with prices that won't break the bank.
HABANA CAFE 5402 Gulfport Blvd. S., Gulfport, 727-321-8855, habanacafe-usa.com. Habana is outside of Gulfport's core, but just outside. The beautiful dining room plays host to the restaurant's classic Cuban cuisine. Chef/owner Jo can always be found buzzing about the place, making sure the food is just right and the guests are happy. Check out the restaurant's award-winning cookbook with recipes for all of the dishes served here and more.
ISABELLE'S AT THE PENINSULA INN 2937 Beach Blvd. S, Gulfport, 727-346-9800, innspa.net. Upscale Southern fare served in the restaurant's casual, Old Florida-style setting. Grab a table on the large porch and watch the passersby.
ISLAND FLAVORS AND 'TINGS 1411 49th St. S, Gulfport, 727-327-6416. A taste of Jamaica and the islands in Gulfport with plenty of vegetarian options. Open until 7 p.m. on weeknights.
LA COTE BASQUE WINEHOUSE 3104 Beach Blvd. S., Gulfport, 727-321-6888, lacotebasquewinehouse.com. A longstanding temple of French and Viennese cuisine, La Cote Basque is the place to go for vichyssoise, calves' liver, schnitzel and wine-based cocktails. With its cozy atmosphere, this eatery makes for the beginning of a romantic date night.
O'MADDY'S BAR & GRILLE 5405 Shore Blvd. S., Gulfport, 727-323-8643, omaddys.com. For a waterfront community, Gulfport is surprisingly bereft of basic beach bars. Except for O'Maddy's, of course, which admirably fulfills the desire for ice cold domestic beer and pub food with a view across the water near the historic Gulfport Casino. The nightly karaoke also makes for an amusing time.
PEG'S CANTINA 3038 Beach Blvd. S, Gulfport, 727-328-2720, pegscantina.com. A true Gulfport gem, Peg's is famous for their gourmet Mexican fare served in a cozy, casual setting. The dishes are made to order, but they're worth the wait — this means you'll have time to try more of their housemade craft brews. Cash or personal checks only.
PIA'S TRATTORIA 3054 Beach Blvd. S., Gulfport, 727-327-2190, piastrattoria.com. Pia's serves simple pasta dishes topped by the restaurant's wide array of delicious sauces, with shaded outdoor seating surrounded by plants and flowers in the back yard. Besides the eclectic décor, focus is the reason why Pia's is so popular and why the place has garnered a passel of admiring reviews.
SIX TABLES AT THE PENINSULA INN 2937 Beach Blvd. S, Gulfport, 727-346-346-9800, sixtables.com. With only six tables in the restaurant, this makes for an intimate dining experience. Enjoy multiple courses of gourmet selections like Chateaubriand, roasted Canadian duck, fresh seafood creations and more. Open Thursday through Saturday with only one seating at 7:30 p.m. Reservations required.
SMOKIN' J'S BBQ 5145 Gulfport Blvd. S, Gulfport, 727-329-8624, smknjsbbq.com. Smokin' J's began as many barbecue joints do, with a mobile smoker parked by the side of the road, dishing up their Texas-style 'cue to drive-up traffic. For a real taste of Smokin' J's, you need to eat the beef — paper-thin slices, thin and tender and rich with rendered fat. It almost melts under your teeth, a cloud of smoke and subtle spices and beef. The restaurant's sides are simple and standard, from bland mac and cheese to thick potato salad reminiscent of a Midwest church potluck.
STELLA'S DELI & GELATO 3119 Beach Blvd., Gulfport, 727-498-8950, stellasdeli.com. Simple breakfast and lunch items are Stella's stock in trade, along with scoops of cold gelato on weekend nights.
TANGELO'S GRILLE 3121 Beach Blvd. S, Gulfport, 727-894-1695, tangelosgrille.com. Formerly of Downtown St. Pete, Tangelo's now serves up their Cuban and Caribbean fare for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday. Also serving a decent selection of American craft and import beers on draft and in bottle.
VILLAGE PUB 5519 Shore Blvd. S, Gulfport, 727-329-8825. A British pub and restaurant with traditional pub fare, curry dishes and plenty of UK brews on tap. The fish and chips and sherry trifle are must-try menu items.
This article appears in Jun 2-8, 2011.
