The restaurant options in this little town by the gulf have exploded in the past decade, turning downtown Dunedin into a dining destination for the entire Bay area. If youre headed to out neighbor in the north, here are a few options, from down-home diner fare to high-end cuisine. (Editor's note: this is an updated version of the original piece.)
BAMBINO PIZZA AND RESTAURANT 2028 Bayshore Blvd., Dunedin, 734-5555 or pizzadunedin.com
New York-style pizza and the usual array of Italian-American pasta and subs.
BELLINI 487 Main St., Dunedin, 733-5449 or bellinidunedin.com
The decor here straddles the line between cute and kitsch thanks to the massive faux-fresco covering the dining room walls, but the traditional Italian cuisine focused on homemade pasta and an array of scallopine gives the atmosphere a kick in the right direction.
BENEDICTS 2676 Bayshore Blvd., Dunedin, 736-1600
A popular breakfast, lunch and brunch spot on Bayshore Blvd.
BLACK PEARL 315 Main St., Dunedin, 734-3463 or theblackpearlrestaurant.com
For years, Black Pearl was one of the few high-end destination restaurants in downtown Dunedin. Now theres more competition, but this restaurant is still an anchor with its elegant renditions of eclectic modern American cuisine.
BON APPETIT 150 Marina Plaza, Dunedin, 733-2151 or 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.
BRENDA'S ON THE CAUSEWAY 314 Causeway Blvd., Dunedin, 727-734-1405
Proving that you can't judge a book by its cover, Brenda's is a hidden gem on the causeway that serves a killer breakfast. Bring along the pup and enjoy their dog-friendly outdoor dining.
CAFE ALFRESCO 344 Main St., Dunedin, 736-4299 or cafealfrescoonline.com
Although Alfrescos 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.