If you're headed to our neighbor in the north, here are a few options, from down-home diner fare to high-end cuisine.
BENEDICT'S 2676 Bayshore Blvd., Dunedin, 736-1600. A popular breakfast, lunch and brunch spot on Bayshore Blvd., tucked away in a strip mall.
BLACK PEARL 315 Main St., Dunedin, 734-3463, theblackpearlrestaurant.com. For years, Black Pearl was one of the few high-end destination restaurants in downtown Dunedin. Now there's more competition, but this restaurant is still an anchor with its elegant renditions of eclectic modern American cuisine.
BON APPETIT 150 Marina Plaza, Dunedin, 727-733-2151, bonappetitrestaurant.com. With a covered courtyard feet from the water and a dining room lined with floor-to-ceiling windows, Bon Appetit has one of the best views in all of Dunedin. Park your boat at the marina and walk the three steps for lunch or dinner.
CABANA CAFE 833 Douglas Ave, Dunedin, 727-712-2233, cabanacafeandgifts.com. This quaint spot serves a small but eclectic menu of paninis, soups, and salads, as well as coffee, espresso drinks and tea. But the biggest selling point is the front and side porch seating from which one can watch the passerby. Live music on Friday and Saturday nights. —Katie Machol
CAFE ALFRESCO 344 Main St., Dunedin, 736-4299 or cafealfrescoonline.com. Although Alfresco's menu is loaded with standard American dishes, the restaurant livens up the usual offerings with a wide selection of curries and a few Asian-influenced starters.
CAFE HONEYMOON 1 Causeway Blvd., Dunedin, 727-736-2132. Located in Honeymoon Island State Park, this casual eatery features beach fare including fish and chips, burgers and smoothies. Enjoy the gorgeous sunset views with a cold beer in hand on their patio deck. —KM
CASA TINA 369 Main St., Dunedin, 727-734-9226, casatinas.com. Most folks think of Casa Tina as the anchor for downtown Dunedin, thanks to its interesting and authentic Mexican cuisine and lively atmosphere. It helps that the owners also have two other restaurants within a few blocks.
COUNTRY BOY 1353 Main St., Dunedin, 734-9108, countryboyrestaurant.com. Grits and flapjacks for breakfast, roast beef sandwiches covered in gravy at lunch, then moussaka and spanakopita at dinner makes you wonder what country this boy is from. I want to go to there.
DELCO'S ORIGINAL STEAKS AND HOAGIES 1737 Main St., Dunedin, 727-738-4700, delcosoriginal.com. Delco serves traditional Philly cheesesteaks on Amoroso rolls shipped in from the homeland. Cheez Whiz, anyone?
DUNEDIN BREWERY 937 Douglas Ave., Dunedin, 727-736-0606, dunedinbrewery.com. Get close to the source and sit down for a pint in the brewery's quaint little "snug pub." The diner-style burgers are damn fine.
DUNEDIN SMOKEHOUSE 471 Main St., Dunedin; 727-736-2BBQ, thedunedinsmokehouse.com. The little sister of The Living Room on Main, now located next door. Serving the usual BBQ fare of chicken, ribs, fish and sausage, with five house-made sauces.
DUNEDIN HOUSE OF BEER 927 A Broadway St., Dunedin, 727-216-6318, dunedinhob.com. With 40 taps of craft and import brews and plenty of bottles to choose from, Dunedin House of Beers can please the pickiest beer snob. —KM
ELI'S BAR-B-QUE 360 Skinner Blvd., Dunedin, 727-738-4856. This little shack next to the Pinellas Trail has made quite a name for itself in the area with its Georgia-style 'cue. Open only on Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. —KM
FLANAGAN'S IRISH PUB 465 Main St., Dunedin, 727-736-4994, flanagansirishpub.net. American bar food accented with a smattering of bangers, pies, and dishes infused with Guinness. Irish balladeer Noel Cooney provides the live entertainment most weekend nights.
IRIS'S GRILL 234 Douglas Ave., Dunedin, 727-734-0779, irisfamilyrestaurant.com. Home cooking a step above a diner meal.
IVORY MANDARIN BISTRO 2192 Main St., Dunedin, 727-734-3998, ivorybistro.com. Ask for the Chinese menu at Ivory and you'll do alright.
JOLLI MON'S GRILL 941 Huntley Ave., Dunedin, 727-735-0498, jollimonsgrill.com. Seafood and kitsch served in equal measure, focused on both Floribbean flavors and vibes.
KABOB HOUSE 1425 Main St., Dunedin, 727-474-3746, kabobhouse-dunedin.com. The delicately seasoned and spiced grilled meat that you'd expect, along with a greatest hits of Middle Eastern cuisine. Make sure to try the restaurant's tasty flatbread.
KELLY'S, FOR JUST ABOUT ANYTHING 319 Main St., Dunedin, 727-736-5284, kellyschicaboom.com. Whether you're looking for damn fine bar food, elegant cuisine, a draft beer or a martini, Kelly's will serve it to you in a room that matches your personal proclivities. The Sunday Bloody Mary and mimosa specials can't be beat.
THE LIVING ROOM 487 Main St., Dunedin, 727-736-5202, thelivingroomonmain.com. Elegant and modern, this interesting spot offers mostly small plates with influences that range from Africa to Thailand. Now occupying the spot on Main that formerly housed Bellini's.
PAN Y VINO 369 Main St., Dunedin, 727-734-7700, panyvino.com. Formerly a wine bar, Pan Y Vino is now a full-scale brick-oven pizzeria, although the wine is still around.
SEA SEA RIDERS 221 Main St., Dunedin, 727-734-1445. Sea Sea serves seafood by the seashore, along with steaks and some creative entrees.
SIX TABLES 1153 Main St., Dunedin, 727-736-8821. Six tables and six courses of classic fine dining cuisine.
SPOTO'S STEAK JOINT 1280 Main St., Dunedin, 727-734-0008, spotossteakjoint2.com. Spoto's has an old-fashioned vibe that suits the restaurant's classic steakhouse cuisine to a T.
WALT'S SEASONAL CUISINE 1140 Main St., Dunedin, 727-733-1909, waltscuisine.com. The menu at Walt's changes with the seasons, but the cuisine is easily some of the best in Dunedin.
