Clearwater, FL: restaurant recs

[ktbear7476]

Hello!

One of my best friends is moving next week to Clearwater. I wanted to use my internet resources to make her a little guide to the area..and I was hoping you could help me out.

I'm looking for food suggestions (she is a basic kind of girl, so American style or Italian (especially pizza). Nightlife recommendations would also be super!

Thanks for your help!

kt

[Gifted Gourmet]

a very good place to start: click here

even better results from chowbaby.com

[FL Heat]

Before I make any nightlife recommendations, please, please forgive me, but I HAVE to ask. . .

What age range is your friend?

(See, Clearwater is a popular Spring Break/Summer beach place and also a haven for retirees. I'd hate to send a 21 year old bikini babe to a shuffleboard championship, you know?)

The St Pete Times Dining Guide is a good place to start. Also, do a search for "Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks" (yes, sponge docks!). There are some great Greek restaurants nearby.

If you want to give her a "going away" gift, can I recommend something that will be incredibly practical? A hurricane kit. Canned foods, some bottled water, a battery-powered radio, the other basics, all packed in a waterproof container.

(and if she has pets, I can't recommend Advantage Pet Center enough as a boarding kennel)

Diana

[ktbear7476]

Thanks! That hurricane kit sounds like a great idea!

She is 28. Oh, and she has a cat! I think she is going to try to find an animal shelter to volunteer at too!

Thanks again!

[FL Heat]

The Humane Society of Pinellas does a lot of great work, and if she's in Clearwater, won't be too far from her at all.

If she likes to par-tay, Ybor City in Tampa is your best bet for year-round, happening nightlife. Some of the bars on the beach in Clearwater are good, but if you don't like crowded, skip 'em during Spring Break (basically, the entire months of March & April are crowded everywhere in Clearwater. . .the snowbirds are still in residence in large numbers, plus partying college students. . .EVERYTHING is crowded).

There are lots of places to just sit & enjoy drinks along the beach and all over Clearwater/Largo/St Pete. It'll depend on who her friends are and what kind of atmosphere she likes :)

Diana

[Stone]

The worlds first Hooters is in Clearwater.

I'm going to Berns for dinner tonight if she wants to join me.

[winesonoma]

Also, do a search for "Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks" (yes, sponge docks!). There are some great Greek restaurants nearby.

Kinda like going to San francisco and hanging out a Fisherman's Wharf. Real touristy.

[Painting]

my best friend as well lives in clearwater, I'll ask him what's good in the area for a non-tourist, because like what Bruce said, you don't want to go anywhere near another Fisherman's Wharf (horrible horrible place, I avoided the area like a plague when I lived in SF)

But I do know he usually drives 30-60 miles to eat *shrugs*

[mrabinow]

Are there any restaurants in Clearwater that are especially worth checking out? Thanks in advance.

[mrabinow]

Are there any restaurants in Clearwater that are especially worth checking out?  Thanks in advance.

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This is a BAD sign.... 46 viewings and not 1 recommendation.

Edited May 14, 2008 by mrabinow (log)

[annecros]

I have a call in to my sister-in-law's sister who lives in the area.

I can tell you from past experience in the area that there is some wonderful seafood there - amazing gulf offerings. I just haven't been there in some time and want to speak with some knowledge from someone whose opinion I trust.

I've never been to that part of Florida without experiencing some wonderful food. Great agricultural area as well as aquacultural.

[mrabinow]

I have a call in to my sister-in-law's sister who lives in the area.

I can tell you from past experience in the area that there is some wonderful seafood there - amazing gulf offerings. I just haven't been there in some time and want to speak with some knowledge from someone whose opinion I trust.

I've never been to that part of Florida without experiencing some wonderful food. Great agricultural area as well as aquacultural.

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Thanks. I appreciate it.

Still, now 91 viewings and no recs.... interesting.

[scubadoo97]

Are there any restaurants in Clearwater that are especially worth checking out?  Thanks in advance.

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What type of restaurant are you looking for. Innovative high end, good seafood cooked correctly, beachy with good sunsets and your feet in the sand or casual dinning that's decent,? Give me a little more to go on.

Grew up in Clearwater and live in Dunedin, just north of Clearwater.

edited to add, how far are you willing to drive and where are you staying?

Edited May 18, 2008 by scubadoo97 (log)

[mrabinow]

Are there any restaurants in Clearwater that are especially worth checking out?  Thanks in advance.

←

What type of restaurant are you looking for. Innovative high end, good seafood cooked correctly, beachy with good sunsets and your feet in the sand or casual dinning that's decent,? Give me a little more to go on.

Grew up in Clearwater and live in Dunedin, just north of Clearwater.

edited to add, how far are you willing to drive and where are you staying?

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Sorry, I was away. I am going to be down there for a conference. People from the conference always go out together and there are dinners arranged at local restaurants. The restaurants that are chosen are usually okay in that they need to satisfy a wide variety of people. I have been assigned to try and find a restaurant for foodies. The unusual place - maybe a bit more creative, expensive, one that has a good wine list, etc... so I guess innovative high end or maybe excellent seafood cooked correctly...

Also, staying at Sheraton Sand Key Resort - don't know about cars yet...

Thanks for your advice.

Edited May 25, 2008 by mrabinow (log)

[scubadoo97]

I've been away as well but since you are staying on Sand Key you could go to Guppy's on the Beach which is in Indian Rocks and a short distance from where you will be staying.

http://www.3bestchefs.com/guppys/

Caretta on the Gulf at the SandPearl on Clearwater Beach has a nice menu and also isn't very far. Just back over the bridge to Clearwater Beach

http://www.sandpearl.com/Resort/Dining_Fin...l_SandPearl.asp

Island Way Grill which is at the entrance to Island Estates heading off the beach towards Clearwater is okay

http://www.islandwaygrill.com/

These are three good restaurants that should have something for everyone. Take a look at the menus. For sushi Kiku's is one of the best in the area

http://www.clearwaterbeachkiku.com/

Have a good time. They just finished the Beach Walk on Clearwater Beach.

http://www.clearwater-fl.com/gov/depts/pwa...ects/beachwalk/

There has been a lot of construction on the beach but they are trying to make it more upscale with addition of many new large expensive condos. I have fond memories of the mom and pop motels which are becoming a thing of the past and Australian pines on the beach that are no more.

If you want to enjoy the beach there is the Sand Key park just adjacent to where you are staying. Very nice beach.

[mrabinow]

This does not sound good at all!!!!

[scubadoo97]

This does not sound good at all!!!!

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confused, what doesn't sound good? Please elaborate.

[mrabinow]

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to sound rude. I was hoping for some unique type of place which one would have to try when in Clearwater. While the restaurants sound good, they seem like typical seafood restaurants that you can find in a lot of places along the two coasts. Please let me know if I am wrong about this assumption. My guess is that there are no must-go type of restaurant in Clearwater. Amazing chef, creative dishes, unusual ingredients, etc...

[mrabinow]

I've been away as well but since you are staying on Sand Key you could go to Guppy's on the Beach which is in Indian Rocks and a short distance from where you will be staying.

http://www.3bestchefs.com/guppys/

Caretta on the Gulf  at the SandPearl on Clearwater Beach has a nice menu and also isn't very far.  Just back over the bridge to Clearwater Beach

http://www.sandpearl.com/Resort/Dining_Fin...l_SandPearl.asp

Island Way Grill which is at the entrance to Island Estates heading off the beach towards Clearwater is okay

http://www.islandwaygrill.com/

These are three good restaurants that should have something for everyone.  Take a look at the menus.  For sushi Kiku's is one of the best in the area

http://www.clearwaterbeachkiku.com/

Have a good time.  They just finished the Beach Walk on Clearwater Beach. 

http://www.clearwater-fl.com/gov/depts/pwa...ects/beachwalk/

There has been a lot of construction on the beach but they are trying to make it more upscale with addition of many new large expensive condos.  I have fond memories of the mom and pop motels which are becoming a thing of the past and Australian pines on the beach that are no more. 

If you want to enjoy the beach there is the Sand Key park just adjacent to where you are staying.  Very nice beach.

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Actually, the Island Way Grill seems like it has a pretty spectacular wine list.

[scubadoo97]

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to sound rude.  I was hoping for some unique type of place which one would have to try when in Clearwater.  While the restaurants sound good, they seem like typical seafood restaurants that you can find in a lot of places along the two coasts.  Please let me know if I am wrong about this assumption.  My guess is that there are no must-go type of restaurant in Clearwater.  Amazing chef, creative dishes, unusual ingredients, etc...

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No you are not wrong. I would say some places have creative dishes but not amazing. I ate at Carreta's Sat night for the first time. Some very nice food but this isn't NYC, Chicago or Las Vegas.

Here is another nice restaurant on Clw beach.

Bobby's Bistro

http://www.bobbysbistro.com/menustart.html

certainly not amazing but this is Clearwater. Finding good local fish done well is amazing to me with so many mediocre chain restaurants around. Hey I would take fresh fish or shell fish grill to perfection eaten on on a wood picnic table with the sights and smell of the Gulf as a back drop over a lot of over prepared meals.

Do enjoy your stay. Let us know where you end up and how it was.

[Gruzia]

I'm sorry, I didn't mean to sound rude.  I was hoping for some unique type of place which one would have to try when in Clearwater.  While the restaurants sound good, they seem like typical seafood restaurants that you can find in a lot of places along the two coasts.  Please let me know if I am wrong about this assumption.  My guess is that there are no must-go type of restaurant in Clearwater.  Amazing chef, creative dishes, unusual ingredients, etc...

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No you are not wrong. I would say some places have creative dishes but not amazing. I ate at Carreta's Sat night for the first time. Some very nice food but this isn't NYC, Chicago or Las Vegas.

Here is another nice restaurant on Clw beach.

Bobby's Bistro

http://www.bobbysbistro.com/menustart.html

certainly not amazing but this is Clearwater. Finding good local fish done well is amazing to me with so many mediocre chain restaurants around. Hey I would take fresh fish or shell fish grill to perfection eaten on on a wood picnic table with the sights and smell of the Gulf as a back drop over a lot of over prepared meals.

Do enjoy your stay. Let us know where you end up and how it was.

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I went on their website and they don't really have that many seafood options - is there a restaurant - even if it's just a shack - that focuses on freshly caught from Tampa bay area fish?

[scubadoo97]

Frenchy's on Clw beach does a good grouper sandwich. They are famous for it and have their own boats so the fish is fresh.