Dining in Clearwater, FL: Best Restaurants & Local Cuisine
One of the joys of living in Clearwater is the incredible variety of food at your fingertips. From fresh-off-the-boat seafood to international fare and everything in between, Clearwater’s dining scene has something to satisfy every craving. Whether you’re grabbing a quick bite after a day at the beach or celebrating with a gourmet meal, you’ll find plenty of delicious options. Let’s explore some of the best restaurants in Clearwater, FL and the local flavors that make dining here a delight.
Seafood & Waterfront Dining
When you live on the Gulf Coast, seafood isn’t just food – it’s a way of life. Clearwater is renowned for its fresh seafood and beautiful waterfront dining spots. Many of the top restaurants in town take full advantage of the coastal bounty, serving fish and shellfish caught right in local waters. If you’re craving the catch of the day with a side of ocean views, you’re in luck.
For a quintessential Clearwater experience, head to the beachfront eateries where the sunsets are as memorable as the meals. Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill on Clearwater Beach is a local institution. It’s known for its laid-back vibe and famous grouper sandwiches (a Clearwater specialty), and you can dine literally steps from the sand. Just up the shore, Palm Pavilion Beachside Grill & Bar offers a similar toes-in-the-sand atmosphere, with a menu full of Gulf Coast classics like coconut shrimp, fish tacos, and tropical drinks. There’s nothing like enjoying peel-and-eat shrimp or a basket of fried grouper bites while a Gulf breeze and live music roll over you.
Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill
Palm Pavilion Beachside Grill & Bar
Clearwater also boasts some upscale waterfront dining for those special nights out. Caretta on the Gulf, the oceanfront restaurant at the Sandpearl Resort, is an elegant spot where you can savor expertly prepared seafood, steaks, and sushi with panoramic beach views. Over on the Intracoastal side, Island Way Grill (nestled near the Clearwater Marine Aquarium) is another favorite – you can arrive by car or boat to this dockside restaurant. Their menu ranges from the day’s fresh catch (they’ll often cook your own catch if you bring one in) to prime rib and sushi, and their Sunday brunch is legendary for its abundance of seafood. Whether it’s a casual fish shack or a fine dining restaurant, the common thread is clear: in Clearwater, seafood is as fresh as it gets, from Gulf grouper and snapper to stone crab claws in season.
Caretta on the Gulf
Island Way Grill
Marina Cantina
Not a seafood lover? Many waterfront restaurants offer plenty of alternatives, from juicy burgers to vegetarian pasta, so you can still soak in the view even if surf isn’t your turf. The key is the setting: Clearwater’s waterfront eateries let you dine with the sea breeze in your hair and often live music in the background. It’s a dining experience that feeds all the senses.
Global Cuisine & Local Favorites
Clearwater’s dining scene extends far beyond seafood. One of the perks of living in a lively area like Tampa Bay is access to a wide variety of cuisines and unique local favorites. Within Clearwater and the surrounding communities, you can embark on a world food tour without leaving town.
For instance, if you're in the mood for Italian, you might try Cristino’s Coal Oven Pizza, a local favorite famous for its wood-fired pizzas and homemade gelato – a perfect casual night out for families and couples alike. Craving Mexican or Tex-Mex? Marina Cantina in downtown Clearwater serves up modern Mexican and seafood dishes, with scenic rooftop views of the marina. Antojitos Dona Chirris is a beloved family-owned, hole-in-the-wall located in a quaint gas station plaza, serving up authentic Mexican cuisine at very reasonable prices. Clearwater also has a taste of Greece thanks to its proximity to Tarpon Springs (a Greek heritage town just north): you can find delicious Greek cuisine and fresh bakery treats at places like Sofia’s Greek Grill in Clearwater or take a short drive to Tarpon Springs’ sponge docks for famous baklava and spanakopita.
Cristino’s Coal Oven Pizza
Antojitos Dona Chirris
Sofia’s Greek Grill
And of course, no Tampa Bay dining discussion is complete without Cuban cuisine. You can find a classic Cuban sandwich right in Clearwater at spots like Habana Café or take a short trip to Tampa’s historic Columbia Restaurant (they have a location in nearby Sand Key and the original in Ybor City) to enjoy authentic Spanish-Cuban dishes like paella and the famous 1905 Salad.
Habana Café Food Truck
Columbia Restaurant (Ybor City)
From Asian fusion to Indian curries, nearly every cuisine is represented. Clearwater has Thai and sushi restaurants, like Thai Coconut and Ken Sushi & Asian Bistro, which residents rave about for their flavorful dishes and friendly service. There’s also a growing scene of modern American bistros and farm-to-table eateries as people seek fresh, healthy options. And let's not forget the Florida classics – you'll find plenty of places offering Key Lime pie, conch fritters, and other Sunshine State specialties on their menus.
For a true local favorite experience, be sure to check out Lenny’s Restaurant for breakfast or brunch. This Clearwater staple is famous for its hearty morning meals (and the danish basket they serve every table) – it’s the kind of place where the portions are big and the hospitality is even bigger, attracting everyone from regulars to Phillies baseball players during spring training season. Discovering these cherished local spots is part of the fun of living in Clearwater.
Thai Coconut
Ken Sushi & Asian Bistro
Lenny’s Restaurant
Craft Breweries & Cafés
In recent years, Clearwater and the surrounding towns have embraced the craft beverage trend wholeheartedly. Beer lovers will find themselves in paradise thanks to the many craft breweries in the area. Just north in Dunedin (5-10 minutes from Clearwater) is where Florida’s craft beer movement started – Dunedin Brewery (the state's oldest microbrewery) offers a rotating selection of brews and live music in a friendly taproom. In Clearwater itself, you can visit spots like Big Storm Brewing Co. or Clearwater Brewing Company to sample everything from hoppy IPAs to refreshing blonde ales brewed locally. Many breweries have food trucks or kitchens, so you can grab a bite while you sip, and some even host trivia nights or brewery tours for a fun evening activity.
Dunedin Brewery
Big Storm Brewing Co.
Clearwater Brewing Company
If coffee is more your style, Clearwater has you covered with cozy cafés and coffee shops perfect for your daily caffeine fix. The Haus Coffee Shop is a popular spot where you can get a quality espresso or latte in a hip, comfortable setting (they also serve delicious pastries and sandwiches). For a beachy coffee experience, Blessed Cup on Clearwater Beach offers organic coffee and smoothies just steps from the water – ideal for starting your morning by the sea. These local cafes are great places to catch up with a friend, do a bit of remote work (with free WiFi and a good cold brew), or just people-watch while enjoying a cappuccino.
The Haus Coffee Shop
Blessed Cup Clearwater Café
And let’s not forget dessert! Clearwater has several ice cream parlors and sweet shops that are perfect for treating yourself. Kilwins on Mandalay Avenue is a must-visit after an evening stroll; the smell of their freshly made waffle cones will lure you in, and choosing from their array of homemade ice cream flavors is the hardest part of the day. If you prefer donuts or pastries, there are local bakeries such as Astoria Pastry Shop (with European-inspired cakes and cookies) that can satisfy any sweet tooth. Living in Clearwater means you’re never far from a refreshing craft beer, a steaming cup of joe, or a delectable dessert to top off your day.
Kilwins Ice Cream - Chocolate - Fudge
Astoria Pastry Shop
Farmers Markets & Food Festivals
Food in Clearwater isn’t confined to restaurants – there are plenty of ways to enjoy local flavors in community settings too. The St. Pete Sunday Market, held in downtown St. Pete, is a great place to pick up fresh produce, local honey, artisanal bread, and even ready-to-eat foods from various vendors. It’s not just a shopping trip; it’s a social event where neighbors meet up, live music might be playing, and you can often find food trucks offering gourmet grilled cheese or BBQ that make for a tasty lunch while you browse.
In addition to the farmer’s market, the region hosts food festivals that celebrate its culinary culture. Clearwater’s annual Sea-Blues Festival (as mentioned in our events guide) combines seafood and blues music, letting you sample all kinds of seafood delicacies from lobster rolls to Cajun crawfish while enjoying live tunes. On Clearwater Beach, there’s an event called Taste of Clearwater Beach where area restaurants set up booths along the waterfront so attendees can try bite-sized samples of signature dishes all in one place – all with the sunset as your backdrop.
St. Pete Sunday Market
Sea-Blues Festival
Taste of Clearwater Beach
Beyond Clearwater, being in this region means easy access to other food events: Dunedin, for instance, has an annual Orange Festival with food and craft brews, and every January, Tampa kicks off the year with the Gasparilla Pirate Festival (while not purely a food festival, it involves a lot of good eating and merriment!). Tarpon Springs has a noted Greek food festival each year, and there are wine and beer festivals, chili cook-offs, and farm-to-table gatherings dotting the calendar.
For home cooks, living in Clearwater is fantastic because you can get fresh ingredients easily, not only from farmers' markets but also from specialty shops. Locals in the know often buy seafood straight from the source at places like Ward’s Seafood Market, a long-running seafood market in Clearwater where the day’s fresh catch is on display (perfect if you want to grill your own fish at home or host a shrimp boil). Between the markets, festivals, and restaurant scene, Clearwater offers a 360-degree food experience – from farm to table, ocean to plate, and everything in between.
Tampa Gasparilla Pirate Festival
Ward’s Seafood Market
Bon Appétit, and Welcome to Clearwater!
From beachside bistros to international eateries, the culinary scene in Clearwater offers a feast of options for residents to enjoy. It’s truly a place where you can savor a different cuisine or dining experience every day of the week. The best part? All these wonderful restaurants and food adventures are just around the corner when you call Clearwater home.
If living in a foodie-friendly coastal paradise sounds enticing, start your journey today by exploring homes in Clearwater at stpetetampahomesforsale.com. Find your dream home here, and you’ll not only get a great community and beautiful beaches – you’ll also have a world of delectable dining right at your doorstep.
