Dining
Is dining out one of your favorite things about vacation? You’re in luck in St. Pete-Clearwater.
Food lovers, take note—St. Pete-Clearwater has been selected for inclusion in the 2025 MICHELIN Guide Florida! From fresh seafood shacks to upscale dining experiences, MICHELIN’s anonymous inspectors explored the area, discovering our standout restaurants.
This exciting recognition highlights the talent and innovation of local chefs, many of whom have already earned national acclaim, including Wine Spectator Awards and appearances on Food Network and Top Chef. With dining now a major reason travelers choose their destinations, this prestigious honor ensures that visitors can experience exceptional cuisine alongside America’s Favorite Beaches. Whether you’re here for a sunny beach day, a vibrant dinner, or a weekend getaway, St. Pete-Clearwater is now officially a must-visit for food enthusiasts.
See Our MICHELIN-Recommended Restaurants!
MICHELIN reviewers explored St. Pete-Clearwater, recognizing four local establishments for their culinary excellence. Check out Fortu, Sushi Sho Rexley and Il Ritorno (all in St. Pete) as well as The Tides Market in Safety Harbor! And plan a visit soon to celebrate the culinary excellence that exists throughout our communities.
Winners Here
Don't miss a chance to try some of our annual "Besties" winners in several categories: Best Casual Eats, Best Foodie Hotspot, and Best Fine Dining.
See restaurant winners nowMore About St. Pete-Clearwater and Tampa Bay Dining
The Tampa Bay food scene is deliciously dynamic – with a mix of legendary restaurants and exciting newcomers. The highlight of nearly every menu? Locally sourced ingredients, including fresh Gulf seafood.
Throughout the area, chef-driven restaurants are earning accolades, with several local chefs appearing on Food Network – Ronicca Whaley of St. Pete's Shiso Crispy appeared on Guy's Grocery Games; Chef Mario Brugnoli of Eat Art Love appeared on Chopped; Chef Rob Reinsmith of Wild Child and David Benstock of Il Ritorno appeared on different episodes of Beat Bobby Flay (and each defeated Bobby). Suffice it to say there's a whole lot of culinary excitement happening in St. Petersburg and nearby communities.
Get discounts on local restaurants with the free FunShine Savings Passport!
Watch Our Best Dining Videos
From the best seafood restaurants to the perfect spot for breakfast or brunch, we've got you covered. Watch our culinary videos now, then plan your next meal out in the Tampa Bay area.
Iconic Dining Spots
Alongside hot new dining spots are the time-tested restaurants that the Tampa Bay area is known for. Foodies flock to the rustic-chic Brick & Mortar on Central Ave. in St. Pete and crave the ever-changing menu at The Restorative in Dunedin. Romantics and others in search of a special-occasion dinner head to Maritana at the Don CeSar on St. Pete Beach. And locals and visitors alike know you can’t go wrong at our local institutions, including Ted Peters Famous Smoked Fish in St. Pete (a family-owned joint dating to 1951), Skyway Jack’s Restaurant in St. Pete (homey diner with all-day breakfasts) and Mykonos (traditional Greek specialties) in Tarpon Springs.
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Outdoor Dining
Stroll along Beach Drive in downtown St. Pete, navigating among the many sidewalk cafés to grab an outdoor table at BellaBrava (casual Italian) or Cassis St. Pete (French brasserie). Afterwards, wander with a gelato from Paciugo Gelato & Caffe. Many restaurants on St. Pete’s Central Ave. offer sidewalk seating, including Baba (Lebanese and Greek) and The German Knodle (schnitzel and sausages). For authentic Greek food served al fresco, head north to Tarpon Springs and start with the avgolemono soup at Hellas Restaurant & Bakery. Walk off the baklava by checking out activity along the sponge docks.
