Caretta on the Gulf
Named #11 in the U.S. for "Best Fine Dining" in the 2026 Tripadvisor Travelers' Choice Awards! Caretta on the Gulf is the only Florida restaurant to earn this honor.
Seasonally inspired cuisine is at the heart of Sandpearl Resort's signature dining experience, Caretta on the Gulf. Our world-class chefs desire to please and surprise means the menu is prepared with infusions of South American, Caribbean and other international inspirations offering a broad selection of memorable cuisine. The Sushi and Raw Bar offers a fresh daily selection of local seafood while our wood-burning oven opens up a myriad of rustic dining selections.
Hours
Monday 7 AM–11:59 PM
Tuesday 7 AM–12 AM
Wednesday 7 AM–12 AM
Thursday 7 AM–12 AM
Friday 7 AM–1 AM
Saturday 7 AM–1 AM
Sunday 7 AM–12 AM
Guest Reviews
Spent Sunday night with dinner on the patio enjoying the beautiful surroundings. I’ve been craving sushi on this trip and this is the first chance I’ve gotten to enjoy some interesting varieties. I got the bagel and c-roll. Both were uniquely prepped. Very big and filling. We absolutely loved the bread and spread sampler you get. Such yumminess. Service was adequate. Time to get our food also not too bad. The valet validation is a nice touch. I fell in love with the hotel. Wish we were staying with them. Always next time.
We made reservations for a nice dinner after our wedding, and informed the restaurant upon booking that this was a very special occasion - our wedding dinner. Our server was excellent and so friendly. The food was incredible. We had hoped to keep our little corner of the restaurant to just us as there weren't many other people eating at 9:30pm on a Tuesday but a storm came up and we ended up sitting next to a table with somewhat rowdy children. Less than ideal. We thought the staff would move them considering we asked to be sat away from others and there were tons of tables available because the place waa nearly empty but they did not. We chose to skip drinks and dessert and leave. But honestly, the service and food were incredible and I'd love to go back. Had oysters Rockefeller, crack cakes, chowder, snapper and sausage, lobster and steak with 2 rounds of their incredible bread. Delicious!
We made a reservation a month in advance. We stated it was our anniversary and requested a window seat. When we arrived the hostess was not friendly at all, no acknowledgment of our anniversary, then brought us to a regular table (not a window seat) that was 100% in the sun. We asked her if we could have a table by the window and she stated NO as they were for bigger parties. We than asked if we could have any other table instead as this one was directly in the sun. Her response was I can shut the shade. We stated no and then she finally gave us another table. It should be noted that near the end of our meal she brought another couple to that same sunny table. They asked for another table and she gladly moved them to a window table. Once seated our waitress Brianna was amazing. She was supper friendly, offered menu suggestions and just overall super friendly. We had a great meal and Brianna did everything she could to make sure we had a great experience. Prior to leaving I spoke to the Manager Peter and explained to him what happened when we arrived. He seemed understanding and stated he would handle. Only reason I’d ever go back is because of our server and would 100% request to sit in her section. The hostess on the other hand should go take some lessons on how to be friendly if she wants to work in this field. Photos attached are of original seat in the sun, the grouper fish and Sea Bass.
My husband and I have dined here multiple times. We are fortunate enough to have Juan Carlos as our waiter. He elevates the experience with his upbeat attitude and knowledge of the dishes they serve. We love the surf and turf sushi and amazing cocktails. Try to get the corner table outside at sunset. The food, views and attentive service makes Carretta’s a must stop when we come to Clearwater Beach!
Had a wonderful dinner here! The restaurant is elegant and has an amazing sunset and Gulf view. The service was excellent from the host, to the bar, then with our server Juan Carlos. The food was exceptional and the wine list is huge with all levels of price. We had some sushi and oysters Rockefeller for an appetizer. We also enjoyed the veal tomahawk and the lobster and risotto. Everything was excellent but I must take a moment to show appreciation for two things. First, we are both gluten intolerant so appreciated the changes the kitchen made so we could enjoy everything. Second- the cheese bread. I threatened to stab anyone who tried to take those delicious rolls away from us until we were completely out of room to eat any more of them. The fact that they are gluten free blew my mind - so delicious!
Standard Amenities
Number of Rooms: 1
| Room | Square Feet | Theater | Classroom | Banquet | Reception |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Channel Boardroom | 270 | ||||
| Cove | 1032 | 110 | 50 | 72 | 100 |
| Gulf Lawn | 6750 | 300 | 400 | 600 | |
| Harbor Ballroom | 3423 | 300 | 150 | 225 | 325 |
| Hunter Ballroom | 5234 | 500 | 325 | 325 | 500 |
| Pool Lawn | 900 | 30 | 35 | ||
| Private Dining Room | 600 | 40 | 35 | 40 | 40 |
| Reef Boardroom |
General Information
- Family-friendly
- Hours: Breakfast 7:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.; Lunch 11:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.; Dinner 5:30 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.; Lounge 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 a.m.
- Reservations suggested
- WiFi available
Discounts
- Senior Citizen Discount
Accessible Features
- Wheelchair-friendly inside walkways
- Wheelchair Accessible Entrance
- Wheelchair Accessible Parking
- Wheelchair Accessible Restroom
Meals Served
- Breakfast
- Brunch
- Dinner
- Lunch
Price Point
- Breakfast: $$ ($13-$24)
- Brunch: $$$ ($25 and up)
- Dinner: $$$ ($25 and up)
- Lunch: $$ ($13-$24)
Cuisine Served
- American
- Continental & Global
- Seafood
- Sushi
Restaurant Features
- Beachfront Dining
- Catering
- Children's Menu
- Outdoor Dining
- Waterfront Dining
Bar Offerings
- Full Bar
- Wine/Beer