It’s true, a lot of restaurants in Clearwater are pastel colored, old-Florida seafood joints, but that doesn’t mean their food (and the waterfront views of the Gulf) aren’t great. Here are a few Clearwater restaurants, both tourist traps and authentic eateries, worth checking out.

Caretta on the Gulf 1738, 500 Mandalay Ave. Suite 100, Clearwater Beach, FL 33767, (727) 674-4171 Not your average fried fish shack, this upscale restaurant serves up the freshest (and fanciest ) seafood around, attached to Sandpearl Resort in Clearwater. They’re known for their seasonal cuisine, wine pairings, and special all organic menu. Date night or anniversary material. Photo via Caretta on the Gulf/Facebook
Bascom’s Chop House 3665 Ulmerton Rd., Clearwater, FL 33762, (727) 573-3363 A traditional steakhouse atmosphere and menu with a fresh Florida twist. Classic steaks, lobsters, and ribeye share the menu with creative dishes like truffle burrata and ahi tuna au poivre. Bascom’s Chop House is one of Clearwater’s classiest joints, so use the lint roller. Photo via >Bascom’s Chop House/Facebook
Cafe Ponte 13505 Icot Blvd. #214, Clearwater, FL 33760, (727) 538-5768 Where you go when you’re feeling a little fancy, this place is ‘we have five different kinds of salt’ fancy. Their rooftop dining combined with elevated menu with Florida-centric cuisine and stellar service, makes Cafe Ponte the essential Clearwater spot, away from the water. Photo via Cafe Ponte/Facebook
Backwaters on Sand Key 1261 Gulf Blvd., Clearwater Beach, FL 33767, (727) 517-7383 Surprise! Another waterfront seafood-oriented restaurant. Just because this place caters to snowbirds and tourists, doesn’t mean the food isn’t great. Backwaters on Sand Key attracts out-of-towners and locals alike with its freshly caught seafood, steaks and ribs. Come thirsty to take advantage of the extensive beer and cocktail menu too, of course. Photo via Backwaters on Sand Key/Facebook
Big Storm Brewing Co. 12707 49th St N, Clearwater, FL 33762, (727) 201-4186 Once you’ve downed a couple of craft beers, there’s nothing truly better than diving into a salty bar food menu, especially at Big Storm Brewing Co. where the bar bites consist of barbecued brisket and blackened grouper. They also have a coffee and milkshake menu if booze isn’t your thing. Photo via Big Storm Brewing Co./Facebook
Columbia 1241 Gulf Blvd, Clearwater, FL 33767, (727) 596-8400 Tampa’s most classic and old-world restaurant also has a Clearwater location; and it’s a damn beautiful place to have your dinner. Sitting right on the water and decorated in all of its Spanish/Cuban inspired galore, Columbia churns out century-old recipes every night. Photo via Columbia Restaurant Group/Facebook
Clear Sky Beachside Cafe 490 Mandalay Ave, Clearwater Beach, FL 33767, (727) 442-3684 A big, ceramic dolphin greets you as you walk into Sky Beachside Cafe for possibly a hangover-curing bloody mary and breakfast. Also a prime location for some of their famed fresh fish entrees during dinnertime. This waterfront cafe offers a view of the gulf almost as prized as their food. Photo via Clear Sky Beachside Cafe/Facebook
Crabby’s Dockside 37 Causeway Blvd, Clearwater, FL 33767, (727) 210-1313 Crabby’s Dockside offers three stories where you can eat your dinner with a beautiful waterfront view. It’s your typical family-friendly restaurant, but with a Florida-centric cuisine. You’ll definitely have to fight for a table on the third floor during sunset. Photo via Crabby’s Dockside/Facebook
Deccan Spice 2325 Ulmerton Road #28 Largo Clearwater St.Petersburg Off, 275 S exit 31, Clearwater, FL 33762,(727) 623-4009 A Clearwater restaurant that’s not a seafood joint ––Deccan Spice is a traditional indian restaurant, offering a famed lunch buffet that’s only $12.99. The name of this restaurant reigns true, most of the customer reviews acclaim Deccan Spice for their particularly spicy dishes. Photo via Deccan Spice/Facebook
Greek Islands Restaurant 1501 Clearwater Largo Rd N, Largo, FL 33770 , (727) 581-1767 Clearwater is close to Tarpon Springs, and that means there has to be at least one good Greek spot in town. It’s a little restaurant with a lot of flavor, that makes almost everything in house. Their customers also rave about their great service, as well as the food. Photo via Google Maps
Lenny’s Restaurant 21220 US Hwy 19 N, Clearwater, FL 33765,(727) 799-0402 Lenny’s Restuarant’s reigning motto is ‘The best breakfast in Clearwater,’ and we have no reason to believe otherwise. A traditional diner serving up traditional American dishes. Customers have been loyally eating at Lenny’s for over thirty years, the closest thing Tampa Bay has to an old school New York diner. Photo via Lenny’s Restaurant/Facebook
Cousins Maine Lobster 309 Coronado Dr Suite B, Clearwater Beach, FL 33767, (727) 275-2345 Although the Clearwater location is newly opened, Cousins Maine Lobster has been serving up the freshest seafood around since 2011. It now have locations all over the country dishing up lobster in countless ways. You can even grab a pound of fresh lobster meat to go if you don’t get your fix at dinner. Photo via Cousins Maine Lobster/Facebook
Jimmy Hula’s. 454 Mandalay Ave., Clearwater Beach, FL 33767, (727) 314-4253 Although it might be a tourist trap, Jimmy Hula’s still has a great menu and friendly atmosphere. The joint serves up American favorites like burgers, salads, and nachos. This brightly colored, casual beachside restaurant is also known for their massive portions. Get your doggybags ready. Photo via Jimmy Hula’s/Facebook
Ocean Hai 100 Coronado Dr, Clearwater Beach, FL 33767, (727) 281-9544 Blending American techniques with classic Asian dishes, Ocean Hai offers a complete raw bar, handcrafted sushi, and sustainable seafood dishes. Attached to the famed Wyndham Grand Hotel right on the water, Ocean Hai’s menu is some of the most creative and flavor-forward Asian fusion cuisine Tampa Bay has to offer. Photo via oceanhaiclearwater.com
Sekushi on the Beach 524 Mandalay Ave, Clearwater, FL 33767, (727) 474-2453 No fried grouper sandwiches here, Sekushi on the Beach is finally the modern Japanese restaurant that Clearwater needed. Ramen, fresh sushi, steamed buns and an extensive raw bar lead Sekushi on the Beach’s menu. Their sleek, Japanese art decor make this restaurant stand out in a sea of old-Florida fish shacks. Photo via Sekushi on the Beach/Facebook
Sea-Guini 430 S Gulfview Blvd #100, Clearwater Beach, FL 33767, (727) 450-6236 Sea-Guini is a top shelf, elegant Clearwater restaurant with an expansive Mediterranean-Italian inspired menu. Perched on the edge of the Gulf of Mexico, Sea-Guini offers a waterfront view almost as impressive as their acclaimed menu. Photo via Sea-Guini/Facebook
Thai Coconut 1280 S Missouri Ave, Clearwater, FL 33756 , (727) 441-1650 In a sea of fried grouper sandwiches and ray oysters it’s refreshing to see a traditional Thai restaurant in Clearwater, especially one as charming as Thai Coconut. They have all of the classic curries, noodle dishes, rice bowls, stir fries, and spicy Thai soups you could desire. Photo via Thai Coconut/Facebook
Island Way Grill 20 Island Way, Clearwater, FL 33767, (727) 461-6617 Island Way Grill just sounds like a classy seafood restaurant…and that’s exactly what it is. Perched on the Gulf, this essential Clearwater joint has a large menu filled with fresh seafood, (both raw and cooked), steaks, and over a page of beers and cocktails. Skip the overpriced hotel dinner and opt for a classic waterfront dining. Photo via Island Way Grill/Facebook
Wildflower Cafe 1465 S Ft Harrison Ave #105, Clearwater, FL 33751,(727) 447-4497 Not so much a sit down dinner type of place, Wildflower Cafe is a daytime coffee shop and wine bar. Here’s where you can snag small bites like soups, sandwiches, wraps, salads, and quiches. It’s also a market that sells regionally made foodstuffs and baked goods, like their popular locally brewed kombucha. And yes, there’s tons of exotic flowers and fauna outside. Photo via wildflowercafe.net