From surf-and-turf to pizza and beer, Clearwater has an extensive offering of unique restaurants. Pair your beach day with a meal at upscale eateries or corner stores that promise nothing but tasty flavors and a good time. Here are a few can’t miss stops  in Clearwater. 

Big Storm Brewing Co. 12707 49th St N, Clearwater, 727-201-4186 As one of Tampa Bay’s most prolific breweries, you will try unique and local flavors at Big Storm Brewing Co. Pair your beer with bar food, including chicken wings, tacos and handhelds. The brewery also hosts trivia nights on Mondays and live music on Fridays.
Nine Spices Hot Pot 6851 66th St N, Pinellas Park, 727-350-3772 Nine Spices will put you to work as it is your responsibility to cook your meal on the hotpots and tabletop grills. There are a wide variety of meats, vegetables, seafoods, dumplings and noodles you can cook either in your hot pot broth or on the shared tabletop grill. Proceed with caution when selecting your desired meat and seafood, as Nine Spices—like most buffet-style restaurants—charges extra if you waste food. Photo via Nine Spices Hot Pot/Website
Marina Cantina 25 Causeway Blvd, Clearwater, 727-443-1750 Located at the marina next to Pier 60, Marina Cantina promises fun in the sun for the upcoming summer days. Its restaurant offers a Mexican cuisine experience through its colorful and flavorful menu, while its rooftop lounge provides a selection of smaller sized offerings to enjoy while sipping on a drink and enjoying the view. Photo via Marina Cantina/Website
Caretta on the Gulf 1738, 500 Mandalay Ave no. 100, Clearwater, 727-674-4171 Named after the loggerhead sea turtles found off Florida’s shores, Caretta on the Gulf provides fresh, seasonally-inspired cuisine with an all-natural, organic menu. Its location at the Sandpearl Resort gives you the opportunity to enjoy unique views of the Gulf of Mexico while sipping on classic cocktails and organic wines. Photo via Sandpearl Resort Clearwater Beach/Facebook
Bait House 45 Causeway Blvd., Clearwater, 727-446-8134 Right on the water, off of the Clearwater Memorial Causeway, you can watch the sky change colors over the intercoastal during breathtaking sunsets while eating the Bait Houses’ famous Drunken Shrimp. The restaurant also offers other specialties like catch of the day, tavern fare and a wide selection of beer and drinks. If you want some hands-on action, it offers the space and materials to catch your own fish in the Mandalay Channel. Photo via The Bait House/Website
Sekushi on the Beach 524 Mandalay Ave., Clearwater Beach, 727-474-2453 A few steps away from old Clearwater Bay, you will find Sekushi on the Beach, a great place to experience sushi, fried rice, bao buns, noodles and much more served alongside wine, beer or sake. Photo via Sekushi on the Beach/Facebook
Island Way Grill 20 Island Way, Clearwater, 727-461-6617 Island Way Grill is the perfect place to enjoy a meal after learning all about marine life at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium as the restaurant is right next to the facility. Ar its waterfront location, you will be able to enjoy classic Florida dishes like coconut shrimp, grilled octopus, a seafood platter and more. Photo via Island Way Grill/Website
Crabby’s Dockside 37 Causeway Blvd, Clearwater Beach, 727-210-1313 Enjoy a little slice of paradise at Crabby’s panoramic view of Clearwater Beach while enjoying a fresh Florida grouper or sipping on a Dockside punch. Despite its recent renovation, live entertainment is still available every day, as well as monthly special events. Photo via Crabby’s Dockside/Instagram
Clear Sky Beachside Cafe 490 Mandalay Ave., Clearwater, 727-442-3684 Just half a block away from Clearwater Beach, this cafe offers a variety of international cuisines, including Mexican, Asian, Italian, French and classic American dishes. Open for every meal of the day, try its Mexican skillet breakfast, its Asian tuna lettuce wrap lunch starter or the seafood jambalaya dinner. Photo via Clear Sky Beachside Cafe/Website
Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill 7 Rockaway St., Clearwater, 727-446-4644 Live daily music fills the air along Frenchy’s two bars and ocean side location. Take in sunsets with a front row seat while enjoying one a special or signature seafood meal. A must-experience tourist (and local) favorite for any out-of-towner. Photo via Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill/Website
Cristino’s Coal Oven Pizza 1101 S Ft. Harrison Ave., Clearwater, 727-443-4900 Ranked No. 96 on Yelp’s “Top 100 Pizza Spots in the U.S.” this year, Cristino’s has a reputation to maintain. This family-owned business runs on culture and tradition, bringing coal oven cooked pizza providing a unique taste and texture in every bite. Photo via Cristino’s Coal Oven Pizza/Facebook
Salt Cracker Fish Camp 25 Causeway Blvd., Clearwater Beach, 727-442-6910 As a part of the busy surroundings of Pier 60, this waterfront restaurant offers the unique experience of taking you for a boat ride so you can catch and clean your own fish before it’s cooked by the chefs. It also has an “all day, every day” happy hour where you can get two drinks for $10. Photo via Salt Cracker Fish Camp/Facebook
Backwaters on Sand Key 1261 Gulf Blvd no. 130, Clearwater Beach, 727-517-7383 Choose between waterfront or inside dining at Backwaters Grill and Tavern. Focusing mainly on seafood, the restaurant serves fresh local hogfish, tripletail, cobia, yellowtail snapper on a seasonal basis. It also offers a selection of hand-cut steaks like its New York strip and black Angus ribeye. Photo via Backwaters on Sand Key/Website
King’s Pizza and Grill 325 Coronado Dr., Clearwater Beach, 727-216-6689 This corner restaurant next to Clearwater Bay has a cozy beachside atmosphere where it dishes thin crust New York-style pies, calzone and pastas. Just a block away from the water, grab your food to-go and enjoy a meal with spectacular views. Photo via King’s Pizza and Grill/Website
Shorty’s Sandwich Shop 1261 Gulf Blvd no. 125, Clearwater, 727-596-5100 Enjoy an all-American menu at Shorty’s Sandwich Shop. Meals include tacos, salads, chicken tenders, wraps and, of course, sandwiches. Photo via Shorty’s Sandwich Shop/Website

Bascom’s Chop House


3665 Ulmerton Rd. Clearwater 727-573-3363
A little less exclusive than its competition, Bern’s, Bascom’s is ideal for a spontaneous upscale evening. Its pecan-crusted grouper and 38 oz tomahawk ribeye is just the tip of the iceberg for its eclectic menu. Photo via Bascom’s Chop House/Facebook Credit: Photo via Bascom’s Chop House/Facebook
Lenny’s Restaurant 21220 U.S.-Hwy 19 N, Clearwater, 727-799-0402 Established in the 1950s and inspired by a New York Jewish diner, Lenny’s is home of the “almighty” Danish basket––one of the best breakfasts in Clearwater. Photo via Lenny’s Restaurant/Website
OCC Road House & Museum 10575 49th St. N, Clearwater, 727-231-1510 Put your leather jacket on and hop on your two-wheeler to head to this restaurant, concert venue and museum that brings Orange County Choppers to life. The southern-inspired cuisine includes tater tot poutine, fried gator tails and frog legs as well as other “more traditional” dishes like burgers and pizza. Photo via OCC Road House & Museum/Facebook
Deccan Spice 2325 Ulmerton Rd. no. 28 Largo, 727-623-4009 This authentic Indian cuisine restaurant has an overwhelming menu list, offering a wide selection of tandooris, biryanis, rice specials and protein entrees. Also enjoy its Spice Rack grocery store where fresh vegetables and fruits, sosa batters and masala, chicken pickle and snacks are sold at affordable prices. Photo via Deccan Spice/Website
Ocean Hai 100 Coronado Dr., Clearwater, 727-281-9544 Sous Chef Nana Darkwah combines locally-sourced ingredients and fresh, seasonal fare to create unique Asian-fusion dishes. Open daily for all meals, Ocean Hai serves staple Wagyu beef pho, a large selection of sushi, surf and turf plates and more. Photo via Ocean Hai/Website Credit: Photo via Ocean Hai/Website
Sea-Guini 430 S Gulfview Blvd., Clearwater, 727-450-6236 Sea-Guini is inspired by the distinctive flavors of the Mediterranean and Italy while offering breathtaking views of the Gulf of Mexico. Its dishes are made with locally-caught seafood, local farm produce, aged all-natural steaks and signature house-made pastas from scratch. Photo via Sea-Guini/Website
Pierogi Grill 1535 Gulf to Bay Blvd., Clearwater, 727-216-3055 Bringing Polish cuisine to the Tampa Bay area, Pierogi serves classic kielbasa grilled smoked sausage, kopytka potato dumplings and ogorkowa dill pickle soup. If you go on your birthday, you will get a pierogi dinner for free! Photo via Pierogi Grill/Facebook
Sea Dog Cantina 26200 U.S.-Hwy 19 N, Clearwater, 727-726-6800 In its Dia de los Muertos inspired atmosphere, chef Greg Picard serves Mexican staples like nachos, enchiladas and chicken chicharrones along with special cocktails like its spicy mango or passion fruit margaritas, a barrel aged agave old fashioned and a season white or red sangria. Photo via Sea Dog Cantina/Facebook
Wildflower Cafe 1465 S Ft. Harrison Ave. no. 105, Clearwater, 727-447-4497 This woman-owned and operated cafe and market provides an engaging neighborhood destination located along the Pinellas Trail. The market sells grab-n-go items such as soup, salad, sandwiches and quiche, while the cafe serves breakfast specials, hand-crafted sandwiches and Sunday brunch. Photo via Wildflower Cafe/Facebook
Coco’s Crush Bar and Grill 423 Poinsettia Ave., Clearwater Beach, 727-462-2668 Enjoy beach day classics at Coco’s Crush Bar and Grill, ranging from seafood specialties and wings to handhelds and steak, ribs and chicken entrees. Don’t forget to pair them up with alcohol-free or boozed up thirst quencher drinks. Photo via Coco’s Crush Bar and Grill/Facebook

Sofía García Vargas, born in Colombia, South America and raised in Costa Rica, Central America, is a journalism student at the University of South Florida and Editor-in-Chief of The Crow’s Nest, USF...