Dunedin, the small but incredibly fun beach town just west of Tampa, has experienced a bit of a culinary boom as of late. The walkable downtown area delivers on a wide range of concepts, like elegant five star meals, waterfront happy hours, and the freshest seafood dishes around. Here are a few must visit restaurants that give justice to Dunedin’s family-friendly, beach town reputation.

Bon Appetit 148 Marina Plaza, Dunedin, FL 34698, (727) 733-2151 Where you go when you want a great dinner with an equally great, waterfront view. Who doesn’t like to eat dinner with a view of Honeymoon and Caladesi Islands? Oh, and the outside bar is packed on the weekends. Photo via Bon Appetit/Facebook
Caracara 730 Broadway Suite 4, Dunedin, FL 34698, (727) 221-5444 A wide range of choices are offered on the Caracara menu, including Korean, Thai and Mexican tapas. Their menu says, “Our cuisine is a little bit of east and a little bit of west,” and that statement reigns true. Photo via Caracara/Facebook
Hew Parlor and ChopHouse 453 Edgewater Dr, Dunedin, FL 34698, (727) 683-5990 Located inside of the Fenway Hotel, Hew Parlor and Chophouse has a hearty, meat-focused menu. Their extensive scotch and whiskey selections reflect the Scottish heritage of Dunedin, or grab a cocktail on the Fenway’s rooftop bar, the Hi-Fi. Opt for the fat tomahawk for two. Photo via Fenway Hotel/Facebook
Cafe Alfresco 344 Main St, Dunedin, FL 34698 ,(727) 736-4299 A large, open air dining patio and friendly waiters will greet you upon arrival at Cafe Alfresco. A Dunedin gem and local favorite, this spot has go-to neighborhood haunt written all over it. Photo via Cafe Alfresco/Facebook
Coattails Kitchen 985 Douglas Ave, Dunedin, FL 34698 This little shack outside of Woodwright Brewing might look unassuming, but their menu is not to be confused with regular bar food. Their dishes change daily, always with a creative twist on classic pub fare. Photo via Coattails/Facebook
Happy Cactus 2676 Bayshore Blvd H, Dunedin, FL 34698, (727) 286-7637 Never underestimate a strip mall restaurant. Happy Cactus serves some of the freshest tacos, tortas, enchiladas and burritos in the area. Bottled brews and margaritas will certainly compliment your chips and queso. Semi-new to the area, but an instant hit. Photo via Happy Cactus/Facebook
Get Fried 325 Main St, Dunedin, FL 34698, (716) 868-5050 Where you want to go at the end of the night of drinking or the morning after when you need hangover that only greasy food will cure. Burgers, fries, chicken fingers, and sliders. All the good stuff, six days a week. Photo via Get Fried/Facebook
Hog Island Fish Camp 900 Broadway Ave, Dunedin, FL 34698, (727) 736-1179 A menu jammed pack with seafood favorites, Hog Island fish camp offers the ultimate Florida-centric casual dining experience. A Dunedin local favorite serving seafood comfort dishes, like shrimp and grits, crab dip, and fried grouper sandwiches which sell out basically every day. Photo via Hog Island Fish Camp/Facebook
Hurricane Eddie’s 300 Causeway Blvd, Dunedin, FL 34698 ,(727) 221-0001 The Hurricane Eddie’s logo is an alligator in a Hawaiian shirt drinking a cocktail,which is the exact vibe the restaurant puts out. Drinks, burgers, sports––with the perfect waterfront view. Photo via Hurricane Eddie’s/Facebook
Little Red House 434 Virginia Ln, Dunedin, FL 34698, (727) 734-0909 You can’t miss it. One of the cutest joints in town inside and out. The little French-American cafe and bakery has Sunday morning, post-hangover brunch vibes. They’re also open for dinner on Friday and Saturday nights. Perfect spot to let your kids run around while you enjoy an espresso. Photo via Little Red House/Facebook
Carver’s Fish House 911 Douglas Ave, Dunedin, FL 34698, (727) 735-0755 Serving up the freshest seafood around since 1984, Jensen Seafood Bros opened up Carver’s Fish House last year. It has a simple, but an extensive menu of scallops, clams, fish and pretty much anything that can be found in the Atlantic Ocean. Snag it to-go or dine on the patio. Photo via
Taco Baby 235 Main St, Dunedin, FL 34698, Dubbed as “Florida’s tiniest taqueria” and rightfully so, it was born from a renovated ATM stand. Taco Baby serves fresh tacos, chips, and salsa daily. They have a small menu to match their small storefront but have recently added recently popularized jackfruit taco to the selections. Photo via Taco Baby/Facebook
The Honu 516 Grant St, Dunedin, FL 34698, (727) 333-7777 “A lei’d back cafe,” The Honu serves up a menu that’s traditional, island flavors meets fresh, local ingredients of the area. Their poke bowl is a local favorite, so make it sure to snag one when you swing by. Have some dietary restrictions? The Honu is down to switch up any dish to vegan or vegetarian if you just ask! Photo via The Honu/Facebook
Lucky Lobster Co. 941 Huntley Ave, Dunedin, FL 34698, (727) 228-1222 A sleek, modern seafood restaurant with a raw bar and patio with live music on the weekends, a favorite of the locals. And yes, the serve tons of lobster-based dishes. Opt for patio seating, they have fans. Photo via Lucky Lobster Co/Facebook
Sea Sea Riders 221 Main St, Dunedin, FL 34698, (727) 734-1445 Family-owned and operated since for over two decades, Sea Sea Riders is known for serving up seafood-driven lunch and dinner offerings. Nothing like eating a homey meal in a restorative, Key-West inspired 1903 Florida cracker house. Want to spice up your weekend? Order your cocktail with CBD. Photo via Sea Sea Riders/Facebook
Pan y Vino 369 Main St, Dunedin, FL 34698, (727) 734-7700 Pan Y Vino is the essential Italian restaurant in town that’s not your average order out pizza joint. It’s elegant interior matches it’s elevated menu which you can pair with a fat glass of wine. I mean, it’s in the name after all. Photo via Pan y Vino/Facebook
Pearly’s Beach Eats 2676 Bayshore Blvd H, Dunedin, FL 34698, (727) 286-7637 Pearly’s is an open and airy beach-themed casual restaurant, as if you couldn’t tell by the tiki decor on the wall and the surfboard-inspired benches. Snag the $3 tacos and $3 beer they offer daily from 3pm-6pm which is a local favorite. Photo via Pearly’s Beach Eats/Facebook
Pisces Sushi and Global Bistro 799 Highland Ave, Dunedin, FL 34698, (727) 216-6764 Pisces Sushi and Global Bistro offers Japanese appetizers, salads, traditional sushi rolls, and then some. Their specialty rolls span an entire page of the menu. Reading the description of a specialty roll will probably take longer than deciding you which one you want. Photo via Pisces Sushi and Global Bistro/Facebook
Madison Avenue Pizza 2660 Bayshore Blvd, Dunedin, FL 34698 , (727) 754-6144 Is there anything better after a long day at the beach than a huge, steaming pie? That’s what Madison Avenue Pizza is for. Not in the mood for ‘za? You can opt for one of their signature strombolis, calzones or subs. The owners come from a big Italian family, and it’s definitely reflected in the food. Photo via Madison Avenue Pizza/Facebook
HopScotch Cafe 1006 Broadway, Dunedin, FL 34698, (727) 223-5227 Family-owned sandwich and salad shop, specializing in their varying charcuterie platters. They also have a great beer and wine selection, the perfect pair to the heaps of cheese and meat that Hopscotch offers. Photo via HopScotch Cafe/Facebook
The Black Pearl 315 Main St, Dunedin, FL 34698 (727) 734-3463 The Black Pearl is date night material. Offering up an elegant five-star dining experience with only the highest quality of food and service. This is a place you wear your church clothes. Photo via The Black Pearl/Facebook

Best Hot Sauce

The Dunedin Smokehouse
Finalists: Redacted Hot Sauce, Angry Pepper Waterside Credit: Photo via Dunedin Smokehouse/Facebook
Dunedin Brewery 937 Douglas Ave, Dunedin, FL 34698, (727) 736-0606 It’s always convenient when a brewery has a drool-worthy menu and atmosphere to match the great beer offered. Also known for its live bands on weekends, Dunedin Brewery is probably the first place you’ll be taking your out-of-state visitors. Photo via Dunedin Brewery/Facebook
Flanagan’s Irish Pub 465 Main St, Dunedin, FL 34698, (727) 401-3477 Flanagan’s offers a variety of the much loved American pub food, but also some Irish and English favorites like bangers and mash, shepards pie, and an Irish sausage roll. They’re also revered for their live music every weekend. Oh, and beer, lots of beer. Photo via Flanagan’s Irish Pub/Facebook
The Rusty Lyon 923 Broadway, Dunedin, FL 34698 ,(727) 303-0750 Not your average burger and beer sports bar. The Rusty Lyon is an industrial-looking restaurant with a rooftop bar and extensive menu of elevated bar food. Slide in for happy hour from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Photo via The Rusty Lyon /Facebook