restaurants in Clearwater Beach?

[nwheeler]

Going on vacation in March to FL, spending a few days w/relatives and then a few days on our own in Clearwater Beach. Any recs for restaurants in the area?

Anyone know anything about Tarpon Springs, the Greek community nearby? Any restaurant recs for that town?

Thanks!!!

[Barrie]

Try Frenchy's Cafe in Clearwater Beach - they have the best grouper sandwiches. In Tarpon Springs, there was a Greek restaurant I ate at but I can't remember the name. It was huge, with an enormous bakery inside and a really big covered patio outside. I had an excellent Greek salad there, and really good pita. Have fun! I love that part of FL.

[SusieO]

You're probably thinking of Hella's at the Sponge Docks in Tarpon Springs. There are many wonderful Greek restaurants there; you can't go too wrong at any of them. It's also a fun place to wander around.

[1MegMeg]

nwheeler-

Hi there! I live in fabulous Clearwater so if you have any other questions or want more information about the area please PM me.

Restaurants in Clearwater/Clearwater Beach
Columbia Restaurant
1241 Gulf Blvd
Clearwater, FL 33767-2706
Phone: (727) 596-8400

Frenchy's
7 Rockaway St
Clearwater, FL 33767-1739
Phone: (727) 446-4844

Island Way Grill One of my favorite restaurants
20 Island Way
Clearwater Beach, FL
Phone: (727) 461-6617

Tarpon Springs - It is fun to go down to the sponge docks and just walk around and check out the sites. Here are a couple of restaurant selections.

Lime and Coconut Grill - Not Greek, but good food & a casual atmosphere
1181/2 Cedar Street West,
Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
(727) 945-0602

Pappas Restaurant - excellent Greek and American food
10 W Dodecanese Blvd
Tarpon Springs, FL 33731
Phone: (727) 937-5101

[Chiffonade]

Tarpon Springs has a very small Greek enclave where the sponge docks are. If you want to seek out the Greek community in Tarpon, just ask for the sponge docks. (Tarpon on the whole is largely Greek but this particular area is really concentrated.)

Any of the Pappas restaurants are excellent. At the sponge docks, there are restaurants and pastry shops whose signs are all in Greek. Definitely worth seeking out. If you have a meal, leave some room to wander the sponge docks and enjoy an espresso from one of the pastry shops - along with dessert.

Sheppard's in Clearwater Beach is remarkable if you're looking for an all-you-can-eat seafood buffet. We gorged on oysters-on-the-half-shell, king crab legs, crawfish, and lots of other briny goodies. It is a resort/hotel/restaurant. The night life at Sheppard's is legendary with live bands outside on the dock where people moor their boats. We enjoyed sipping margaritas and watching the sunset. That's the cool thing about Florida, the state's so thin, we get both great sunrises and sunsets.

Bern's is in St. Pete but it was recently voted one of Saveur's annual top 100. To the locals, it's a destination.

I'm not familiar with address info on these places, but do a search on google or on the St. Pete Times website. Happy exploring.

[ourthreegirls]

ok, granted this was years ago...I'd guess back in '95....dh and I (just dating at the time) took a little vacation down there and ate at a little dive called "Crabby Bill's". Dh got REALLY into it...as in we ate there SEVERAL times on our vacation. But it really was good...super-fresh seafood for really cheap prices. It was totally a shrimp/crab/beer joint. But SO yummy!

Not sure if you are interested in that, but that's all I remember from our trip down there...

Jennifer

[emptyspool]

I second the nomination for the Columbia Restaurant. Even if you just get the Cuba sandwich and a cup of black bean soup you will be in heaven.

Also, Bern's Steak House. An old traditional place, article about it in the latest Saveur. It's also in Tampa.

Used to live in St. Pete...its worth the drive to go to Ted Peter's Smoked Fish.....it is an open air cafe with great smoked mullet and even better smoked mullet salad. For the land lubbers they make a great burger. It's on Pasadena Ave. the road headed for St. Pete Beach. Memories from my single days....enjoy....have a great time.

[1MegMeg]

Originally posted by Chiffonade
Tarpon Springs has a very small Greek enclave where the sponge docks are. If you want to seek out the Greek community in Tarpon, just ask for the sponge docks. (Tarpon on the whole is largely Greek but this particular area is really concentrated.)

Any of the Pappas restaurants are excellent. At the sponge docks, there are restaurants and pastry shops whose signs are all in Greek. Definitely worth seeking out. If you have a meal, leave some room to wander the sponge docks and enjoy an espresso from one of the pastry shops - along with dessert.

Sheppard's in Clearwater Beach is remarkable if you're looking for an all-you-can-eat seafood buffet. We gorged on oysters-on-the-half-shell, king crab legs, crawfish, and lots of other briny goodies. It is a resort/hotel/restaurant. The night life at Sheppard's is legendary with live bands outside on the dock where people moor their boats. We enjoyed sipping margaritas and watching the sunset. That's the cool thing about Florida, the state's so thin, we get both great sunrises and sunsets.

Bern's is in St. Pete but it was recently voted one of Saveur's annual top 100. To the locals, it's a destination.

I'm not familiar with address info on these places, but do a search on google or on the St. Pete Times website. Happy exploring.

Sheppard's! That's the one I couldn't remember. I am glad you mentioned it. You can beat the all you can eat seafood. Actually, Bern's Steakhouse is in Tampa (Hyde Park) and it is WELL WORTH the trip over. It is definitely my favorite restaurant of all time in the Tampa Bay area. It is such an experience to dine there.

[maxeesmom]

My two cents--I would try and eat at the Columbia restaurant over in Ybor City an area of Tampa,it is the original and well worth the pilgrimage, also it is close to the Florida Aquarium which is a lovely place to spend some time. I think Pappas in Tarpon is quite good but Hella's usually wins more raves in best of contests.
Also you could check out this http://www.sptimes.com/2003/01/02/We...for_food.shtml
I'm not sure how to post a link but it was the end of the year standouts. I will second, third, and fourth Dockside Dave’s a true local’s hangout and we all love Salt Rock Grill,both in the article.

[tmsl]

We have friends that live in the Tampa area and sadly will be moving soon. It was our tradition to arrive in the morning and be picked up from the airport and go straight to Clearwater Beach. We usually park in one of the public lots which happens to be right beside Frenchy's. You lay on the beach for a couple of hours and when the sun gets to hot you walk up to Frenchy's for the best grouper I have ever tasted. They have some great seafood salads as well. All of this and you really don't leave the beach as their deck starts where the beach ends. Watch out for the Seagulls, they like to be fed and aren't shy about asking!!


Laura

[critikid]

I'm a part time resident of Treasure Island (about 10 miles south of Clearwater) and highly recommend the drive from Clearwater to Passe Grille for breakfast at The Seahorse. Everyone gets caught up in dinner recommendations (and maybe that's all you were looking for!!) but sometimes the "local color" is best experienced at other times of the day. Enjoy the warmth and the sun...last check it was 72 there...

[critikid]

I'm a part time resident of Treasure Island (about 10 miles south of Clearwater) and highly recommend the drive from Clearwater to Passe Grille for breakfast at The Seahorse. Everyone gets caught up in dinner recommendations (and maybe that's all you were looking for!!) but sometimes the "local color" is best experienced at other times of the day. Enjoy the warmth and the sun...last check it was 72 there...

[gromit68]

Also in Tampa the Bonefish Grill is a must. I think they are run by the same people as the Island Way Grill. Both are great.

[1MegMeg]

Originally posted by gromit68
Also in Tampa the Bonefish Grill is a must. I think they are run by the same people as the Island Way Grill. Both are great.

Actually Bonefish Grill is owned by Outback steakhouse. However, the Salt Rock Grill (located in Indian Shores) and Island way grill are owned by the same people and have the same Chef.

This is just my humble opinion, but personally, I think Island Way Grill is light years ahead of Bonefish Grill in terms of their menu selections, cooking techniques, et cetera. I do enjoy Bonefish Grill, I just find their menu to be rather limited and commonplace compared to Island Way Grill. ...again, just one person's opinion