CL’s annual Best of the Bay is finally here for 2018, and it’s a big one. To celebrate, peruse this assortment of photos of winners in the Readers’ Poll Food and Drink category! And you can see all the BOTB 2018 winners here.

Best Barbecue Restaurant 4 Rivers Smokehouse RUNNERS-UP: Holy Hog Barbecue, Urban Brew and BBQ Photo courtesy of 4 Rivers Smokehouse
Best Burgers Engine No. 9 RUNNERS-UP: The Stone Soup Company, El Cap Photo by Shanna Gillette
Best Banh Mi Saigon Deli RUNNERS-UP: La V, Mazzaro’s Italian Market Photo by Julio Ramos
Best Breakfast First Watch RUNNERS-UP: Trip’s Diner, Lenny’s Restaurant Photo courtesy of First Watch
Best Charcuterie Annata RUNNERS-UP: Haven, Lolita’s Wine Market Photo by James Ostrand
Best Bagels St. Pete Bagel Co. RUNNERS-UP: Clearwater Bagels, Dunedin Bagels & Deli Photo by Shanna Gillette
Best Bloody Mary Ella’s Americana Folk Art Cafe RUNNERS-UP: Datz, Red Mesa Cantina Photo by Phil Bardi
Best Brunch Datz RUNNERS-UP: Oxford Exchange, Ella’s Americana Folk Art Cafe Photo courtesy of Datz Restaurant Group
Best All-Around Restaurant Bern’s Steak House RUNNERS-UP: Ulele, Columbia Restaurant Photo by Todd Bates
Best Bakery (Bread) Mazzaro’s Italian Market RUNNERS-UP: La Segunda Central Bakery, Publix Photo by Cathy Salustri
Best Bakery (Pastries) Mazzaro’s Italian Market RUNNERS-UP: Alessi Bakery, Publix Photo by Cathy Salustri
Best Bar Crawl Brew Bus RUNNERS-UP: Bad Santa Bar Crawl – St. Pete, Tampa Noles Pub Crawl – Ybor Photo courtesy of Brew Bus
Best Bargain Restaurant The Stone Soup Company RUNNERS-UP: La Teresita, Tijuana Flats Photo by Julie Garisto
Best Barista Dana Tate, Kahwa Coffee RUNNERS-UP: Kristen Grdgon, Mazzaro’s Italian Market; B Koslak, Black Crow Coffee Co. Photo by Todd Bates
Best Bartender Casey Collett, Crooked Thumb Brewery RUNNERS-UP: Jason Holley, Red Mesa Cantina; Matt Waskey, Dunedin Brewery Photo by Meaghan Habuda
Best Beach Bar Frenchy’s Original Cafe RUNNERS-UP: Caddy’s Pub, The Getaway Photo by David Warner
Best Beach Restaurant Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill RUNNERS-UP: Frenchy’s Original Cafe, Caddy’s on the Beach Photo by David Warner
Best Brandon Restaurant The Stein & Vine RUNNERS-UP: Ford’s Garage, Boca Kitchen Bar and Market Photo courtesy of The Stein & Vine
Best Brewer Steve Buyens, 3 Daughters Brewing RUNNERS-UP: Casey Hughes, Coppertail Brewing Co.; Wayne Wambles, Cigar City Brewing Photo by James Ostrand
Best Brunch For Boozing Ella’s Americana Folk Art Cafe RUNNERS-UP: Datz, Gaspar’s Grotto Photo by Phil Bardi
Best Cajun Restaurant Cajun Cafe on the Bayou RUNNERS-UP: Roux, Tibby’s New Orleans Kitchen Photo by Meaghan Habuda
Best Charcuterie Annata RUNNERS-UP: Haven, Lolita’s Wine Market Photo by James Ostrand
Best Chef Ferrell Alvarez, Rooster & the Till RUNNERS-UP: Chris Ponte, Cafe Ponte & On Swann; Chris Fernandez, Red Mesa; Dave West, Rolling Pin Kitchen Emporium Photo by Skyler June
Best Chicken Sandwich PDQ RUNNERS-UP: Better Byrd, The Sandwich on Main Photo courtesy of PDQ
Best Chinese Restaurant Yummy House RUNNERS-UP: Yummy House South China Bistro, China Wok 1 Photo by Shanna Gillette
Best Clearwater Restaurant Frenchy’s Original Cafe RUNNERS-UP: Columbia Restaurant, Cafe Ponte Photo by David Warner
Best Cocktails Ciro’s Speakeasy and Supper Club RUNNERS-UP: CW’s Gin Joint, Gigglewaters Social Club & Screening Room Photo by Marlo Miller
Best Coffee Shop Kahwa Coffee RUNNERS-UP: Buddy Brew Coffee, Black Crow Coffee Co. Photo by Todd Bates
Best Cold-Pressed Juice Bodega RUNNERS-UP: SoHo Juice Co., Squeeze Juice Works Photo by Arielle Stevenson
Best Cuban Coffee Bodega RUNNERS-UP: La Teresita, La Segunda Central Bakery Photo by Arielle Stevenson
Best Cuban Restaurant Columbia Restaurant RUNNERS-UP: Bodega, La Teresita Photo courtesy of Columbia Restaurant
Best Cuban Sandwich Bodega RUNNERS-UP: The Stone Soup Company, Columbia Restaurant Photo by Arielle Stevenson
Best Desserts Mazzaro’s Italian Market RUNNERS-UP: Wright’s Gourmet House, Harry Waugh Dessert Room at Bern’s Steak House Photo by Cathy Salustri
Best Devil Crab Brocato’s Sandwich Shop RUNNERS-UP: Carmine’s, The Floridian Photo by Gretchen Cothron Credit: Gretchen Cothron
Best Diner The Stone Soup Company RUNNERS-UP: Metro Diner, Trip’s Diner – St. Pete Photo by Julie Garisto
Best Dive Bar The Hub RUNNERS-UP: Skipper’s Smokehouse, Mermaid Tavern Photo by Brian Mahar
Best Dog-Friendly Bar The Dog Bar RUNNERS-UP: Dunedin Brewery, Ferg’s Sports Bar Photo by Paige Butterfield
Best Dog-Friendly Restaurant Dunedin Brewery RUNNERS-UP: Ferg’s Sports Bar, Ella’s Americana Folk Art Cafe Photo courtesy of Dunedin Brewery
Best Doughnuts Mini Doughnut Factory – Tampa RUNNERS-UP: Fray’s Donut House, Dough Photo courtesy of Mini Doughnut Factory
Best Draft Selection 3 Daughters Brewing RUNNERS-UP: Cigar City Brewing, World of Beer Photo by James Ostrand
Best Dunedin Restaurant Casa Tina RUNNERS-UP: Dunedin Brewery, The Black Pearl Photo by Todd Bates
Best Eggs Benedict First Watch RUNNERS-UP: Datz, Lenny’s Restaurant Photo courtesy of First Watch
Best Fish & Chips The Moon Under Water RUNNERS-UP: Flanagan’s Irish Pub, Horse & Jockey Photo by Shanna Gillette
Best Food Blogger I Love the Burg RUNNERS-UP: St. Petersburg Foodies; Meaghan Habuda, Creative Loafing Photo by Kevin Tighe
Best Food Festival Ribfest RUNNERS-UP: Best of Tampa Bay, John’s Pass Seafood & Music Festival Photo via Pixabay
Best Food Truck/Vendor Taco Bus RUNNERS-UP: Empamamas, Xtreme Tacos Photo by James Ostrand
Best Fried Chicken Publix RUNNERS-UP: Southern Fresh; Noble Crust & Better Byrd Photo via Pixabay
Best Frosé Franklin Manor RUNNERS-UP: Ciccio Cali, The Canopy Photo courtesy of Franklin Manor
Best Gay/Lesbian Bar Hamburger Mary’s RUNNERS-UP: Enigma, Blur Photo by James Ostrand
Best Gourmet Market Mazzaro’s Italian Market RUNNERS-UP: Locale Market, Rollin’ Oats Photo by Cathy Salustri
Best Greek Restaurant Hellas RUNNERS-UP: Acropolis Greek Taverna, Acropolis Greek Taverna – St. Pete Photo by Katie Machol Simon
Best Grilled Cheese Central Melt RUNNERS-UP: Datz, Mr. C’s Grilled Cheese Photo by Meaghan Habuda
Best Grouper Sandwich Frenchy’s Original Cafe RUNNERS-UP: Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill, Dockside Dave’s Photo by David Warner
Best Guacamole Besito Mexican RUNNERS-UP: Red Mesa Cantina, Casa Tina Photo courtesy of Besito Mexican
Best Happy Hour Clear Sky Draught Haus RUNNERS-UP: Cassis, Enigma Photo via Pixabay
Best Health-Food Market Rollin’ Oats RUNNERS-UP: Nature’s Food Patch, Locale Market Photo by Cathy Salustri
Best Hotel Bar The Canopy RUNNERS-UP: Tap Room at The Hollander, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Photo courtesy of The Birchwood
Best Hotel Restaurant Birch & Vine RUNNERS-UP: Oystercatchers, Tap Room at The Hollander Photo courtesy of The Birchwood
Best Ice Cream/Gelato/Frozen Yogurt Paciugo RUNNERS-UP: Strachan’s, The Revolution Ice Cream Co. Photo via Pixabay
Best Indian Restaurant Gateway to India RUNNERS-UP: Taste of India, Flames Indian Cuisine Screenshot via Google Maps Credit: Screenshot via Google Maps
Best Italian Restaurant Mazzaro’s Italian Market RUNNERS-UP: Bella’s Italian Cafe, BellaBrava Photo by Cathy Salustri
Best Kava Bar Bula Kafe RUNNERS-UP: Grassroots Kava House, Mad Hatters Ethnobotanical Tea Bar Photo by Kevin Tighe
Best Key Lime Pie Publix RUNNERS-UP: Mike’s Pies, J.J. Gandy’s Photo by Ralph Daily [CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Best Late-Night Restaurant Three Coins Diner RUNNERS-UP: 2nd & Second, La Teresita Screenshot via Google Maps Credit: Screenshot via Google Maps
Best Liquor Store Luekens Liquors RUNNERS-UP: ABC Fine Wine & Spirits, Publix Photo by Marlo Miller
Best Lobster Roll Mazzaro’s Italian Market RUNNERS-UP: Frankie’s Lobstah Trap, Got Lobstah? Photo by Cathy Salustri
Best Local Beer 3 Daughters Brewing, Beach Blonde Ale RUNNERS-UP: Cigar City Brewing, Jai Alai; Coppertail Brewing Co., Free Dive Photo by James Ostrand
Best Local Brewery 3 Daughters Brewing RUNNERS-UP: Coppertail Brewing Co., Cigar City Brewing Photo by James Ostrand
Best Local Coffee Kahwa Coffee RUNNERS-UP: Buddy Brew Coffee, Black Crow Coffee Co. Photo by Todd Bates
Best Local Cookies Publix RUNNERS-UP: Alessi Bakery, Frida’s Cafe & Bakery Photo by inajeep (originally posted to Flickr as c is for cookie) [CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons Credit: inajeep (originally posted to Flickr as c is for cookie) [CC BY 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons
Best Local Craft Beer Event Dunedin House of Beer Craft Beer Fest RUNNERS-UP: Florida Brewers Guild Craft Beer Festival, Bolts Brew Fest Photo by Erik Cattelle
Best Local Farm Sweetwater Organic Community Farm RUNNERS-UP: Parkesdale Farms, Brick Street Farms Photo courtesy of Sweeterwater Organic Community Farm
Best Local Gourmet Popcorn Chef Inspired Popcorn Company RUNNERS-UP: Gigglewaters Social Club & Screening Room, Sweet-E’s Gourmet Popcorn Photo by Meaghan Habuda
Best Local Hot Sauce Dunedin Brewery, Snakebite Sauce RUNNERS-UP: Fat Cat Hot Sauce, Taco Jesus Hot Sauce Photo courtesy of Dunedin Brewery
Best Mac ‘n’ Cheese Datz RUNNERS-UP: Urban Brew and BBQ, Holy Hog Barbecue Photo courtesy of Datz Restaurant Group
Best Margarita Red Mesa Cantina RUNNERS-UP: Casa Tina, The VIP Lounge & Mexican Restaurant Photo courtesy of Red Mesa
Best Mexican Restaurant Casa Tina RUNNERS-UP: Miguel’s Mexican Seafood and Grill, Carmelita’s Mexican Restaurant Photo by Todd Bates
Best Middle Eastern Restaurant Byblos RUNNERS-UP: Meze 119, Acropolis Greek Taverna Photo courtesy of Byblos
Best Mini Doughnuts Mini Doughnut Factory RUNNERS-UP: Fray’s Mini Donuts, Little Donut House Photo courtesy of Mini Doughnut Factory
Best Neighborhood Bar, Hillsborough Independent Bar and Cafe RUNNERS-UP: Mermaid Tavern, c. 1949, The Stein & Vine Photo by Todd Bates
Best Neighborhood Bar, Pinellas Dunedin Brewery RUNNERS-UP: O’Maddy’s Bar & Grille, Crooked Thumb Brewery Photo courtesy of Dunedin Brewery
Best New Brewery, Hillsborough 7venth Sun Brewery – Tampa RUNNERS-UP: Zydeco Brew Werks, Bullfrog Creek Brewing Co. Photo by Meaghan Habuda
Best New Brewery, Pinellas Southern Lights Brewing Company RUNNERS-UP: Right Around the Corner, Overflow Brewing Company Photo by Ryan Ballogg
Best New Restaurant Gigglewaters Social Club & Screening Room RUNNERS-UP: The Hall on Franklin, Ichicoro Ane Photo by Shellie Harris
Best Outdoor Dining Ulele RUNNERS-UP: Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill, Red Mesa Cantina Photo by Meaghan Habuda
Best Pad Thai Lemon Grass Thai Kitchen RUNNERS-UP: Jasmine Thai, Bangkok 9 Photo by Marlo Miller
Best Palm Harbor Restaurant The Lucky Dill RUNNERS-UP: Mystic Fish, Molly Goodheads Raw Bar Photo by Jennifer Ring Credit: Jennifer Ring
Best Pasco Restaurant Capital Tacos RUNNERS-UP: Craft Street Kitchen, Ukulele Brand’s Photo courtesy of Capital Tacos
Best Pizza Eddie & Sam’s RUNNERS-UP: Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza, Cappy’s Photo by Meaghan Habuda
Best Poke Restaurant Poké Rose RUNNERS-UP: Poké Café, Poké Fish Photo by Meaghan Habuda
Best Poolside Bar H2O at The Hollander RUNNERS-UP: Ozona Blue, Slo Joe’s Turtle Bar at Sheraton Sand Key Photo by Meaghan Habuda
Best Ramen Ichicoro Ramen RUNNERS-UP: Buya Ramen, Ichicoro Ane Photo by Seamus Payne
Best Restaurant That Delivers Hawkers Asian Street Fare RUNNERS-UP: 4 Rivers Smokehouse, Pom Pom’s Teahouse & Sandwicheria Photo courtesy of Hawkers Asian Street Fare
Best Ribs 4 Rivers Smokehouse RUNNERS-UP: Holy Hog Barbecue, Kojak’s House of Ribs Photo courtesy of 4 Rivers Smokehouse
Best Safety Harbor Restaurant Whistle Stop Grill & Bar RUNNERS-UP: Bar fly, Gigglewaters Social Club & Screening Room Photo by David Warner
Best Salad Bar Nature’s Food Patch RUNNERS-UP: Sonny’s BBQ Photo courtesy of Nature’s Food Patch
Best Sandwich Shop/Deli Mazzaro’s Italian Market RUNNERS-UP: The Stone Soup Company, Publix Photo by Cathy Salustri
Best Sangria Columbia Restaurant RUNNERS-UP: Ceviche, Red Mesa Photo courtesy of Columbia Restaurant
Best Seafood Restaurant Oystercatchers RUNNERS-UP: Bonefish Grill, Hog Island Fish Camp Photo courtesy of Oystercatchers Credit: Courtesy of Oystercatchers
Best Seminole Heights Restaurant Rooster & the Till RUNNERS-UP: Ella’s Americana Folk Art Cafe, Ichicoro Ramen Photo by Jenna Rimensnyder
Best Smoothies Tropical Smoothie Cafe RUNNERS-UP: Xtreme Juice, Bodega Photo by Thomson200 [CC0], from Wikimedia Commons Credit: Thomson200 [CC0], from Wikimedia Commons
Best Sommelier Jayme Kosar, Ybor City Wine Bar RUNNERS-UP: Selvyn Bernard, The Living Room on Main; Will Howard, Rococo Steak Photo courtesy of Ybor City Wine Bar
Best Soup The Stone Soup Company RUNNERS-UP: Mazzaro’s Italian Market, Ichicoro Ramen Photo by Julie Garisto
Best Southern Cooking Ella’s Americana Folk Art Cafe RUNNERS-UP: Southern Fresh, Fred’s Market Restaurant Photo by Phil Bardi
Best Splurge Restaurant Bern’s Steak House RUNNERS-UP: Charley’s Steak House, Rooster & the Till Photo by Todd Bates
Best Sports Bar Ferg’s Sports Bar RUNNERS-UP: Hattricks, The Press Box Screenshot via Google Maps Credit: Screenshot via Google Maps
Best Steakhouse Bern’s Steak House RUNNERS-UP: Charley’s Steak House, Ruth’s Chris Steak House Photo by Todd Bates
Best Sushi Restaurant Hook’s Sushi Bar and Thai Food RUNNERS-UP: SoHo Sushi, Pisces Sushi & Global Bistro Photo by Eric Snider Credit: Eric Snider
Best Tacos Casita Taqueria RUNNERS-UP: Capital Tacos, Taco Bus Photo by Shanna Gillette
Best Tampa Restaurant Bern’s Steak House RUNNERS-UP: Ulele, Columbia Restaurant Photo by Todd Bates
Best Tapas/Small Plates Ceviche RUNNERS-UP: Hawkers Asian Street Fare, Annata Photo courtesy of Ceviche
Best Tea Shop TeBella Tea Company RUNNERS-UP: Pom Pom’s Teahouse & Sandwicheria, Kaleisia Tea Lounge Photo by Marlo Miller
Best Tequila Bar Red Mesa Cantina RUNNERS-UP: Miguelitos Taqueria Y Tequilas, Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar Photo courtesy of Red Mesa
Best Thai Restaurant Lemon Grass Thai Kitchen RUNNERS-UP: Jasmine Thai & Sushi Restaurant, Bangkok 9 Photo by Marlo Miller
Best Vegetarian/Vegan Restaurant The Cider Press Café RUNNERS-UP: Love Food Central, Bamboozle Cafe Photo courtesy of The Cider Press Café
Best Vietnamese Restaurant La V RUNNERS-UP: Saigon Deli, Bamboozle Cafe Photo by Shanna Gillette
Best Waitstaff Rooster & the Till RUNNERS-UP: Annata, Dunedin Brewery Photo by Jenna Rimensnyder
Best Waterfront Dining Ulele RUNNERS-UP: Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill, Salt Rock Grill Photo by Meaghan Habuda
Best Whiskey Bar The Mandarin Hide RUNNERS-UP: Gigglewaters Social Club & Screening Room, Haven Photo by Shanna Gillette
Best Wine Bar Annata RUNNERS-UP: Bern’s Steak House, Cru Cellars Photo by James Ostrand
Best Wings Hooters RUNNERS-UP: Dunedin Brewery, Mugs N Jugs Photo via Pixabay
Best Ybor City Restaurant Columbia Restaurant RUNNERS-UP: The Stone Soup Company, The Bricks Photo courtesy of Columbia Restaurant