Yes they’re popular, but that doesn’t mean that these Tampa Bay spots aren’t worth your time.
Whether your strolling down Tampa’s Riverwalk, going for a beach drive down the coast or just got out of Rays game in downtown St. Pete, there are plenty of great spots (within Tampa Bay’s busiest areas) to grab a bite to eat.
Here are a few local restaurants that aren’t just for hungry out-of-towners,
Best Sangria
Columbia Restaurant Finalists:Red Mesa Cantina, Ceviche Tapas Bar & RestaurantCredit: Photo via Columbia Restaurant/Facebook
7 Rockaway St., Clearwater, 727-446-4844 It’s going to be hard to spend a day at Clearwater Beach and not walk past at least one Frenchy’s. Heck, if you spent a week you could hit a different one almost every day. Frenchy’s has six different locations spread across Clearwater Beach and Dunedin Causeway, serving fan-favorite dishes like its Cajun grouper sandwich, island shrimp tacos and seafood pot pie as well as local craft beers and frozen rum runners.
Photo via Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill/WebsiteCredit:Photo via Frenchy’sPalm Pavilion
10 Bay Esplanade, Clearwater, 727-446-2642
With a waterfront location on Clearwater Beach, Palm Pavillion fun on the beach and good bites for the kiddos. For under $6, kids can enjoy fish sticks, peanut butter and jelly sandwiches or pasta.
Photo viaHarpoon Harry’s Crab House
255 S Franklin St., Tampa, 813-321-4040
While bustling around the Tampa Convention Center, swing by Harpoon Harry’s to crack open some steamed crabs, taste test a variety of sushi rolls and sink your teeth into a 14-oz. ribeye. Burn the calories off afterward and join more tourists taking a scenic stroll down the Tampa Riverwalk.
Photo via Harpoon Harry’s Crab House/FacebookSalt Rock Grill
19325 Gulf Blvd., Indian Shores, 727-593-7625
Whether you’re taking a beach drive down Indian Shores or cruising along the intercoastal waterway, you’ll want to treat yourself by booking a reservation at Salt Rock Grill. This classy waterside restaurant serves fresh-caught Florida fish like mahi-mahi, black grouper and red snapper every day, as well as some of the finest steaks and signature cuisine along the coast.
Photo via Salt Rock Grill/InstagramHogan’s Hangout
499 Mandalay Bay, Clearwater, 727-386-9933
Listen up, brother. Hulk Hogan’s Clearwater restaurant is two stories of coolness. With nearly 30 TVs and signature grub like The “499” Ribs and The Hangout Burger, this is the perfect spot for you and your friends to watch all everything sports—and best believe they go hard on WWE nights. Don’t forget to buy your very own Hulk Hogan bicep mug or bobble head in the shop before leaving.
Photo via Hogan’s Hangout/websiteWhiskey Joe’s Bar and Grill
7720 W Courtney Campbell Causeway, Tampa. 813-281-0770
This beach bar’s Tampa location offers another sandy vibes and heaps of tropical themed drinks and entrees, like “Jammin’ Jerk Chicken” and rum-filled “Gator Juice”.
Photo via Google MapsTiki Docks Skyway Bar and Grill
3769 50th Ave. S., St. Petersburg, (813) 683-8454
Opened in St. Pete’s Maximo Marina, at the former location of Getaway, Tiki Docks serves a variety of specialty sandwiches, like the Perfect 10 Dockwich and a raw bar, as well as vibrant cocktails served in colorful tiki glasses.
Photo via Tiki Docks Skyway Bar and Grill/FacebookHellas Bakery and Restaurant
785 Dodecanese Blvd., Tarpon Springs, 727-943-2400
Complete your Tarpon Springs sponge dock tour with a traditional Greek meal at Hellas, which is a must-visit for locals and tourists alike. After feasting on a meal tasty enough to satisfy Hercules himself, sweet tooths will enjoy authentic pastries like baklava, spanakopita, tiropita and more.
Photo via Google MapsTed Peters Famous Smoked Fish
What to get: Smoked Fish
1350 Pasadena Ave. S, St. Petersburg, 727-381-7931
Ted Peters Famous Smoked Fish is, well, famous for a reason. Its four to six hour process cooks and smokes fish to perfection. Its fantastic flavors have been featured in Guy Fieri’s “Diners Drive-Ins and Dives” and The New York Times’ “Taste of America.”
Photo via Ted Peters Famous Smoked Fish/Google Maps Credit:Photo via Ted Peters Famous Smoked Fish/Google MapsRocco’s Tacos and Tequila Bar
2223 N Westshore Blvd. #203, Tampa, 813-800-8226
It’s going to be hard to find a better gourmet taco spot in Tampa than Rocco’s. While sipping a margarita, experience tableside guacamole, then enjoy a variety of authentic Mexican dishes that appear on the menu, including famous house tacos, handmade tortilla enchiladas and stuffed wet burritos. Oh, and they serve more tequilas than you knew existed.
Photo via Rocco’s Tacos and Tequila Bar/InstagramUlele
1810 N Highland Ave., Tampa, 813-999-4952
Located on Tampa’s Riverwalk and in prime sunset-watching territory, Ulele is a Native American-inspired eatery that celebrates the vibrant fusion of Florida flavors. Offering both lunch and dinner options, Ulele serves unique favorites like okra fries, native chili, alligator hush puppies, jalapeño corn beer muffins and pan-seared pompano, as well as Tim Shackton’s Tampa-famous lagers and IPAs.
Photo via Ulele/InstagramCredit: Cathy SalustriSpa Beach Bistro
501 2nd Ave. NE, St. Petersburg, 727-623-9877
Located on the St. Pete Pier, Spa Beach Bistro offers plenty of spaced-out, shaded tables, a nearby beach and view of downtown’s skyline. The menu features an assortment of specialty and customizable pizzas, sides and salads with vegan and kids options and, of course, alcoholic beverages as well as fresh-squeezed lemonade. A perfect summer spot for kids and pets, Spa Beach Bistro is adjacent to a playground and water pad.
Photo via Photo via Spa Beach Bistro/WebsiteDatz
180 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 727-202-1182
After viewing the melting clocks at the Dalí Museum, book a table at Datz for a bite to eat in the heart of downtown St. Pete. Enjoy classics like monkey bread, Yum Yum wings, biscuits and gravy and peanut butter pie. Datz also has locations in Tampa and Riverview.
Photo via Google MapsTampa Bay Brewing Company
1600 E 8th Ave., Ybor City, 813-247-1422
Located in the heart of Ybor City, Tampa Bay Brewing Company is one of the oldest and most loved brewpubs in the area. Inside the full service restaurant, you’ll find 24 constantly rotating taps and local crafts like Reef Donkey, Old Elephant Foot and Last Days of Summer. On Fridays, enjoy live music on the patio while biting into some delicious, beer-infused food.Photo via Google MapsBait 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/WebsiteCaddy’s Madeira Beach
14080 Gulf Blvd., Madeira Beach, 727-308-7888
Jaw-dropping sunset views, jamming live music, cabana rentals and award-winning beach food can all be found at Caddy’s on Madeira Beach. Enjoy fan favorites like grouper nuggets, crab cake BLTs, buffalo chicken wraps, sunshine shrimp tacos, chocolate mudslides and cucumber mojitos.
Photo via Caddy’s Madeira Beach/WebsiteDunedin Brewery
937 Douglas Ave., Dunedin, 727-736-0606
Shopping all day in downtown Dunedin is hard work and deserves a celebratory beer. Stop by Florida’s oldest microbrewery for a vibrant atmosphere, live music and well-crafted cold ones. You’ll also want to order some deep-fried cheese curds and a brisket mac ‘n cheese burrito before you leave.
Photo via Cathy Salustri Credit: Cathy SalustriSea Sea Riders
221 Main St., Dunedin, 727-734-1445
Downtown Dunedin is also home to 30-year-old Sea Sea Riders, a family-owned restaurant with styles of an Old Florida cracker house. Some popular items off the menu include the scallop ceviche, jambalaya, pulled pork sandwich and gulf shrimp.
Photo via Sea Sea Riders/GoogleThe Battery
615 Channelside Dr. Suite 116, Tampa, 813-498-0008
After hanging with the sharks at the Florida Aquarium, walk over to The Battery at Sparkman Wharf to enjoy some drinks and lounge by the waterfront. The modern-industrial bar serves fine bourbon, signature wines and dishes like lobster mac and cheese, house-made pasta, steak omelets and Chilean sea bass.
Photo via The Battery TPA/InstagramSpinners
5250 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach. 727-360-1811
No obstructed views at this iconic revolving restaurant. Patrons can enjoy locally-sourced seafood that makes the ceviche and cedar key clams with a literal 360-view of Gulf Boulevard.
Photo via Spinners WebsiteOxford Exchange
420 W Kennedy Blvd., Tampa, 813-253-0222
Oxford Exchange offers more than just food––it is divided into a restaurant, bookstore and home and lifestyle shop. Enjoy a weekend brunch in an art-filled dining room or sunlit conservatory. Be delighted by the restaurant’s specialty cinnamon rolls, blueberry buttermilk pancakes and breakfast tacos.
Photo via Oxford Exchange/FacebookRumFish Grill
6000 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach, 727-392-1428
Featuring a 33,500 gallon aquarium with dozens of vibrantly-colored fish, RumFish is the ultimate aquatic dining experience. The beachside grill is fun for the whole family and offers menu specials like fresh shucked oysters, chilled shellfish, charred octopus, blue crab dip and steamed mussels and clams. You’ll also find some happy hour specials like $3 drafts and $5 wines.
Photo via RumFish/FacebookCigar City Brewing
3294 W Spruce St., Tampa, 813-348-6363
Whether you’re about to catch a flight at TPA, watching the Bolts play at Amalie or looking to visit the original brewery, there’s a Cigar City Brewing spot in Tampa Bay for you. The original taproom on Spruce Street offers tours of the active brewery along with its exclusive draft beers and full-service kitchen.
Photo via Cigar City Brewing/Website
