An array of dining options — from breakfast to post-bar crawl — are to be found in Downtown St. Pete. Here's just a small taste of what the area has to offer.

400 BEACH SEAFOOD AND TAP HOUSE 400 Beach Drive NE, 727-896-2400, 400beachseafood.com. A huge range of sea-going cookery in an inviting spot next to the Chihuly Collection.

ANGIE'S CAFE 200 First Ave N, 727-823-6437. Whether it's 2 p.m. or 2 a.m., Angie's is the spot to grab an inexpensive meal on the go.

ANNASTELLA CAJUN BISTRO 300 Beach Drive NE, 727-498-8978, annastellacajunbistro.com. You need beignets and cafe au lait but you can't make it to N'Awlins? Here's a good substitute.

A TASTE FOR WINE 241 Central Ave., 727-895-1623, tasteforwine.net. Perch above the passing throngs on Central, let the lovely staff suggest a wine by the glass, try a tasty small plate or two, and you'll see why this place is a favorite St. Pete escape.

BELLA BRAVA 204 Beach Drive NE, 727-895-5515, bellabrava.com. Slick yet unfussy Italian fare at a prime see-and-be-seen location on Beach Drive.

BURRITO BOARDER 17 Third St. N, 727-209-0202, burritoboarder.com. Fresh-Mex done well, with healthy options, large portions and a well-stocked hot sauce bar.

CAFE ALMA 260 First Ave. S, 727-502-5002, cafealma.com. A killer brunch (check out the Bloody Mary bar), late-night dining and other cool add-ons make Cafe Alma a popular destination.

CASSIS AMERICAN BRASSERIE 170 Beach Drive, 727-827-2927, cassisab.com. A lively urban French brasserie in a gorgeous dining room.

CENTRAL AVENUE OYSTER BAR 249 Central Ave., 727-897-9728, centralaveoysterbar.com. A welcoming, dependable destination for seafood and steaks, and, of course, freshly shucked oysters.

CENTRAL CAFE & ORGANICS 243 Central Ave., 727-824-0881, centralcafeandorganics.com. Offering healthy, organic, veg-friendly dishes made from scratch.

CEVICHE 10 Beach Drive, 727-209-2302, cevichetapas.com. The small plates of traditional Spanish bar food are excellent, and downstairs there's a deep red dance club and bar.

CROWLEY'S DOWNTOWN 269 Central Ave., 727-821-1111, crowleysdowntown.com. British/Irish pub and eatery with classic pub fare (and a Best of the Bay-winning veggie burger) and plenty of choice craft and import beers.

THE CUPCAKE SPOT 3225 S MacDill Ave. #103, Tampa, 813-839-7077; 405 Central Avenue, 727-825-0572, thecupcakespotinc.com. Cute mini desserts that come in a range of fun flavors like the "Chocolate Elvis."

FRESCO'S WATERFRONT BISTRO 300 2nd Ave. NE, 727-894-4429, frescosbistro.com. With its marina-side view of The Pier and the parks, this is a lovely place to rendezvous over drinks and dinner.

GRATZZI ITALIAN GRILLE 211 Second St. S, 727-623-9037, gratzzigrille.com. A lush menu of Northern Italian dishes with a New American accent.

GREEN CHILI INDIAN BISTRO 310 Central Ave., 727-894-3663, greenchilibistro.com. Curries, korma, poori and papadum served cafeteria-style at lunchtime, and a highly regarded Indian dinner menu at night.

INDIA GRILL 409 Central Ave., 727-894-1100, indiagrillinc.com. Try anything in the delicious, creamy-tomato makhani sauce, naan, biryani rice and of course, tandoori chicken.

THE KING & I THAI 445 Central Ave., 727-898-8056, thekingandithairestaurant.com. It bills itself as a Thai eatery (which it does quite well), but it's secretly one of the best sushi spots in St. Pete.

LUCKY DILL DELI 277 Central Ave., 727-895-5859, luckydillofstpete.com. The place to get your fill of Dagwood-sized sandwiches and hot pastrami on rye.

MANDARIN HIDE 231 Central Ave., 727-231-4007, mandarinhide.com. Mixology that references the past but flirts with innovation.

MARCHAND'S BAR & GRILL Renaissance Vinoy Resort & Golf Club, 501 Fifth Ave NE, 727-824-8072, marchandsbarandgrill.com. The most elegant dining room downtown, with prices to match and a glorious Sunday brunch.

THE MOON UNDER WATER 332 Beach Drive NE, 727-896-6160, themoonunderwatercom. Convivial pub with a British Colonial theme. Menu includes excellent fish & chips and a variety of curries.

PACIUGO GELATO 300 Beach Drive NE, 727-209-0298, paciugo.com. A array of delectable gelatos and sorbets that are made in-house.

PARKSHORE GRILL 300 Beach Drive NE, 727-896-3463, parkshoregrill.com. Fine steaks and seafood in a prime people-watching spot on Beach Drive.

PIPO'S CAFE 437 Central Ave, 727-823-7476, pipos1979.com. The best Cuban and pressed sandwiches on Central, plus an irresistible buffet of Cuban specialties.

PRIMI URBAN CAFE 27 Fourth St. N, 727-895-4909, primiurbancafe.com. Classic Italian, definitely worth a visit for its beautiful bolognese and curry-laced recco sauces.

RATCHADA 270 First Ave. N., 727-821-7733, ratchada-fl.com. A popular downtown staple serving Thai cuisine and sushi .

RED MESA CANTINA 128 Third St. S, 727-896-8226, redmesacantina.com. A mix of small plates and south-of-the-border-style entree in a bustling, hip environment, and a wide variety of Latin-inspired cocktails.

RUBY'S ELIXIR 15 Third St. N, 727-898-7829, rubyselixir.com. Classic cocktails backed up by a very good selection of premium liquors.

ST. PETE BRASSERIE 539 Central Ave., 727-823-3700, stpetebrasserie.com. An accomplished and affordable French brasserie.

TRYST GASTRO LOUNGE 240 Beach Drive NE, 727-821-4567, trystgastrolounge.com. The newest addition to Beach Drive's restaurant row, Tryst was hopping from the first night it opened just a few weeks ago. The seasonal menu includes dishes like vanilla infused duck breast and drunken mussels and clams.

VUE SUSHI & MARTINI BAR 200 Central Ave., 727-821-4600, vue19.com. The chic courtyard at the corner of Central and First is a fine place to meet for a drink, though the sushi gets mixed reviews.

Z GRILLE 104 Second St. S, 727-822-9600, zgrille.net. Intensely flavorful, occasionally elegant, and always interesting food — fine dining with an edge.

This article appears in Oct 13-19, 2011.