Situated on the Gulf of Mexico, the city of Clearwater, Florida grasps your attention with its crystalized beach fronts and clear blue skies. Once again Clearwater was named the best beach of America again. Visit Florida’s “Hidden Treasure” and catch the breeze on the shore or the rays of the sun as you are gazing upon the beach. From fresh seafood to coal oven pizza Clearwater has some of the best restaurants to eat before or after spending some much needed time on the beach. Here are the top 5 restaurants to grab something to eat and enjoy beachside at Clearwater:
1. Wildflower Cafe.
Enjoy some of the best coffee in town at Wildflower Cafe as well as some breakfast or some lunch you need to try their homemade breakfast menu options such as powdered waffles, quiche lorraine, breakfast burritos, and even french toast. For lunch, you can enjoy grilled pastrami and swiss sandwich or a hearty bowl of vegetarian tomato basil bisque. Every dish is served with a healthy side of fruit or a salad. All of the food is made fresh and you will savor every last bite. The venue offers sitting both inside and outside in the garden. The atmosphere is very quaint and cozy filled with string lights, antique aesthetics and most importantly the sunshine which can be felt through the restaurant’s large window. The restaurant also pairs as a market that sells grab-n-go items.
Address: 1465 S Fort Harrison Ave. Clearwater, FL 33756
Hours: Monday – Saturday from 8 am – 2:30 pm
Sunday from 8:30 am – 2 pm.
Market Hours: Monday – Saturday 10 am – 3 pm
Sunday Closed
Phone: (727) 447-4497
2. Cristino’s Coal Oven Pizza.
Cristino’s Coal Oven Pizza has some of the best pizza and gelato in the Clearwater area. If you want to stop by and get some appetizers Cristino’s has several favorites such as Calamari Fritti, Chicken wings as well as Panzerotti. For lunch, you can grab a personal Margherita Di Lusso pizza pie made with tomato sauce, homemade mozzarella, basil, oregano, fresh sliced tomatoes, and any additional toppings. Cristino also makes low gluten pizza as well as vegetarian options for certain dishes. Dinner time offers so much more than just their delicious pizza, they also offer homemade Lasagna or for pasta aficionados, you can try Spaghetti Carbonara or the Fettuccini Primavera. Finally, for dessert, Cristino’s offers its award-winning gelato in several flavors such as Cappuccino, Almond, or Strawberry flavored. You can choose to dine inside as well as outside and enjoy a classy, warm and inviting vibe.
Address: 1101 S Fort Harrison Ave.Clearwater, FL 33756
Hours: Sunday – Thursday 11 am – 9:30 pm
Friday – Saturday 11 am – 10:30 pm
Phone: (727) 443-4900
3. Island Way Grill.
The Island Way Grill is located on the Mandalay Bay adjacent to the Clearwater Marine Aquarium and can be reached by land or by sea. The restaurant also has plenty of dock space to leave your boats or yachts. Apart from the glorious harbor view, the restaurant itself is a Pan-Asian Japanese inspired eatery made with fresh ingredients being caught daily. For lunch,h you can enjoy a small plate of coconut shrimp or a New England Lobster Roll sandwich. During dinner, you can enjoy your choice between steak, fish, seafood and land dishes with favorites such as hand cut USDA top choice Porterhouse Steak or a one pound Alaskan King Crab Legs. You can also try the Island Way Grill offers their exclusive Sushi menu that includes fresh Tuna, Smoked Salmon, and Octopus. Enjoy the Harbor views while having a beautiful lunch or dinner.
Address: 20 Island Way, Clearwater, FL 33767
Hours: Monday – Thursday 4 pm – 10 pm
Friday 4 pm – 11 pm
Saturday 12 pm – 11 pm
Sunday 10 am – 9:30 pm
Phone: (727) 461-6617
4. Bob Heilman’s Beachcomber Restaurant.
Bob Heilman’s Beachcomber Restaurant is located on scenic Mandalay Avenue. With views of the beach as well as the avenue the Beachcomber offers a family-owned experience that serves a composition of both new and traditional dishes as well as specific gluten free and vegetarian dishes. Their meals are made with the freshest ingredients possible to deliver a memorable meal that will have you wanting for more. The menu consists of a lunch section that includes a char-broiled sterling silver New York strip sirloin steak served with fresh sliced tomatoes and french fries or enjoy the French Connection burger which is a freshly ground sirloin topped with Roquefort and fresh mushrooms. For dinner, you can try the one pound Charbroiled Genuine American Loin Lamb Chops. Apart from the dishes the Beachcomber also boasts an extensive beer and wine menu. Become a part of the tradition at Bob Heilman’s Beachcomber Restaurant.
Address: 447 Mandalay Ave, Clearwater Beach, FL 33767
Hours: Monday – Sunday
Lunch 11:30 am – 4 pm
Dinner 4 pm – 10 pm
Phone: (727) 442-4144
5. Caretta on the Gulf.
Caretta on the Gulf is Clearwater’s only AAA Four- Diamond restaurant with breathtaking views of the Gulf of Mexico. The restaurant is named after the loggerhead sea turtles that live right on the shore. The views are complemented with fresh, all natural, organic menu. They also have the Caretta Lounge that has a vibrant atmosphere complete with a sushi bar, live entertainment as well as drinks. For breakfast, you can enjoy the Caretta Breakfast BLT that features applewood smoked bacon, fried green tomato, baby romaine, roasted tomato aioli, toasted baguette. For lunch, you can choose from a Lobster Naan which includes a lobster salad, lettuce, Heirloom tomato and celery ribbons on fresh naan bread. To finish the night off you can try the Black grouper served with butternut squash risotto, black trumpet mushrooms, and sauvignon blanc scampi butter.
Address: 1738, 500 Mandalay Ave. Suite 100, Clearwater Beach, FL 33767
Hours: Monday – Sunday 7 am – 10 pm
Phone: (727) 674-4171
Explore what other extroadinary things Clearwater, Florida has to offer!
