23 essential Clearwater restaurants you should've tried by now

Caretta on the Gulf

1738, 500 Mandalay Ave. Suite 100, Clearwater Beach, FL 33767, (727) 674-4171
Not your average fried fish shack, this upscale restaurant serves up the freshest (and fanciest ) seafood around, attached to Sandpearl Resort in Clearwater. They’re known for their seasonal cuisine, wine pairings, and special all organic menu. Date night or anniversary material.

Photo via Caretta on the Gulf/Facebook

Bascom’s Chop House

3665 Ulmerton Rd., Clearwater, FL 33762, (727) 573-3363
A traditional steakhouse atmosphere and menu with a fresh Florida twist. Classic steaks, lobsters, and ribeye share the menu with creative dishes like truffle burrata and ahi tuna au poivre. Bascom’s Chop House is one of Clearwater’s classiest joints, so use the lint roller.

Photo via >Bascom’s Chop House/Facebook

The Bait House

351 S. Gulfview Blvd., Clearwater, FL 33767, (727) 446-8134
The Bait House’s motto "You’ll be hooked” reigns true after you try their fresh seafood; known especially for their drunken shrimp and clams. Most would call the Bait House rustic and charming which eventually earns those characteristics after 60 years of serving the public.

Photo via The Bait House/Instagram

Cafe Ponte

13505 Icot Blvd. #214, Clearwater, FL 33760, (727) 538-5768
Where you go when you’re feeling a little fancy, this place is ‘we have five different kinds of salt’ fancy. Their rooftop dining combined with elevated menu with Florida-centric cuisine and stellar service, makes Cafe Ponte the essential Clearwater spot, away from the water.

Photo via Cafe Ponte/Facebook

Backwaters on Sand Key

1261 Gulf Blvd., Clearwater Beach, FL 33767, (727) 517-7383
Surprise! Another waterfront seafood-oriented restaurant. Just because this place caters to snowbirds and tourists, doesn’t mean the food isn’t great. Backwaters on Sand Key attracts out-of-towners and locals alike with its freshly caught seafood, steaks and ribs. Come thirsty to take advantage of the extensive beer and cocktail menu too, of course.

Photo via Backwaters on Sand Key/Facebook

Big Storm Brewing Co.

12707 49th St N, Clearwater, FL 33762, (727) 201-4186
Once you’ve downed a couple of craft beers, there’s nothing truly better than diving into a salty bar food menu, especially at Big Storm Brewing Co. where the bar bites consist of barbecued brisket and blackened grouper. They also have a coffee and milkshake menu if booze isn't your thing.

Photo via Big Storm Brewing Co./Facebook

Columbia

1241 Gulf Blvd, Clearwater, FL 33767, (727) 596-8400
Tampa’s most classic and old-world restaurant also has a Clearwater location; and it’s a damn beautiful place to have your dinner. Sitting right on the water and decorated in all of its Spanish/Cuban inspired galore, Columbia churns out century-old recipes every night.

Photo via Columbia Restaurant Group/Facebook

Clear Sky Beachside Cafe

490 Mandalay Ave, Clearwater Beach, FL 33767, (727) 442-3684
A big, ceramic dolphin greets you as you walk into Sky Beachside Cafe for possibly a hangover-curing bloody mary and breakfast. Also a prime location for some of their famed fresh fish entrees during dinnertime. This waterfront cafe offers a view of the gulf almost as prized as their food.

Photo via Clear Sky Beachside Cafe/Facebook

Clear Sky on Cleveland

418 Cleveland St, Clearwater, FL 33755, (727) 754-7244
Located in downtown Clearwater (not on the beach, can you believe that?) Clear Sky on Cleveland serves up all of the American comfort food classics like burgers and steaks, but also multi-ethnic dishes like ramen, paella, and African curry. Usually big menus are off-putting, but Clear Sky on Cleveland does it all, very well.

Photo via Clear Sky on Cleveland/Facebook

Cooters Restaurant and Bar

423 Poinsettia Ave, Clearwater Beach, FL 33767, (727) 462-2668
One has to assume a restaurant named Cooters has to be sports themed bar with buckets of wings and pitchers of beer––and that’s exactly what it is. Except this sports bar sits right on the Gulf and offers freshly caught grouper, shrimp and oysters. Oh, and they have an infamous all-you-can-eat crab legs deal too.

Photo via Cooters/Facebook

Crabby’s Dockside

37 Causeway Blvd, Clearwater, FL 33767, (727) 210-1313
Crabby’s Dockside offers three stories where you can eat your dinner with a beautiful waterfront view. It’s your typical family-friendly restaurant, but with a Florida-centric cuisine. You’ll definitely have to fight for a table on the third floor during sunset.

Photo via Crabby’s Dockside/Facebook

Deccan Spice

2325 Ulmerton Road #28 Largo Clearwater St.Petersburg Off, 275 S exit 31, Clearwater, FL 33762,(727) 623-4009
A Clearwater restaurant that’s not a seafood joint ––Deccan Spice is a traditional indian restaurant, offering a famed lunch buffet that’s only $12.99. The name of this restaurant reigns true, most of the customer reviews acclaim Deccan Spice for their particularly spicy dishes.

Photo via Deccan Spice/Facebook

Frenchy’s South Beach Cafe

351 S Gulfview Blvd., Clearwater, FL 33767, (727) 441-9991
A brightly colored, good ole’ Florida classic eatery; where the food tastes better when you’re wearing sandals and a hawaain shirt. But seriously, Frenchy’s, now with multiple locations throughout the Tampa Bay area, has been dishing out the freshest seafood dishes since 1981, when there was only one tiny location.

Photo via Frenchy’s South Beach Cafe /Facebook

Greek Islands Restaurant

1501 Clearwater Largo Rd N, Largo, FL 33770 , (727) 581-1767
Clearwater is close to Tarpon Springs, and that means there has to be at least one good Greek spot in town. It’s a little restaurant with a lot of flavor, that makes almost everything in house. Their customers also rave about their great service, as well as the food.

Photo via Google Maps

Lenny’s Restaurant

21220 US Hwy 19 N, Clearwater, FL 33765,(727) 799-0402
Lenny’s Restuarant’s reigning motto is ‘The best breakfast in Clearwater,’ and we have no reason to believe otherwise. A traditional diner serving up traditional American dishes. Customers have been loyally eating at Lenny’s for over thirty years, the closest thing Tampa Bay has to an old school New York diner.

Photo via Lenny’s Restaurant/Facebook

Cousins Maine Lobster

309 Coronado Dr Suite B, Clearwater Beach, FL 33767, (727) 275-2345
Although the Clearwater location is newly opened, Cousins Maine Lobster has been serving up the freshest seafood around since 2011. It now have locations all over the country dishing up lobster in countless ways. You can even grab a pound of fresh lobster meat to go if you don't get your fix at dinner.

Photo via Cousins Maine Lobster/Facebook

Jimmy Hula’s.

454 Mandalay Ave., Clearwater Beach, FL 33767, (727) 314-4253
Although it might be a tourist trap, Jimmy Hula’s still has a great menu and friendly atmosphere. The joint serves up American favorites like burgers, salads, and nachos. This brightly colored, casual beachside restaurant is also known for their massive portions. Get your doggybags ready.

Photo via Jimmy Hula’s/Facebook

Ocean Hai

100 Coronado Dr, Clearwater Beach, FL 33767, (727) 281-9544
Blending American techniques with classic Asian dishes, Ocean Hai offers a complete raw bar, handcrafted sushi, and sustainable seafood dishes. Attached to the famed Wyndham Grand Hotel right on the water, Ocean Hai’s menu is some of the most creative and flavor-forward Asian fusion cuisine Tampa Bay has to offer.

Photo via oceanhaiclearwater.com

Sekushi on the Beach

524 Mandalay Ave, Clearwater, FL 33767, (727) 474-2453
No fried grouper sandwiches here, Sekushi on the Beach is finally the modern Japanese restaurant that Clearwater needed. Ramen, fresh sushi, steamed buns and an extensive raw bar lead Sekushi on the Beach’s menu. Their sleek, Japanese art decor make this restaurant stand out in a sea of old-Florida fish shacks.

Photo via Sekushi on the Beach/Facebook

Sea-Guini

430 S Gulfview Blvd #100, Clearwater Beach, FL 33767, (727) 450-6236
Sea-Guini is a top shelf, elegant Clearwater restaurant with an expansive Mediterranean-Italian inspired menu. Perched on the edge of the Gulf of Mexico, Sea-Guini offers a waterfront view almost as impressive as their acclaimed menu.

Photo via Sea-Guini/Facebook