We all know those anti-St. Petersburg people who are like, “I’d rather just stay in Tampa.” Well, those people deserve to be gently placed in a trebuchet and launched towards Pluto. This city is one of Florida’s greatest innovations. It has the power to rescue an awful week, an awful mood, or an awful palate. This guide is dedicated to the St. Pete restaurants we look forward to the moment our butts hit the seat.
The Deck Bar & Grille
$ | (727) 289-9855 | WEBSITE
Yes, a shaded deck is the perfect spot, even if you insist on sitting there after a long day. And in a city that appreciates its outdoor dining, The Deck Bar & Grille’s relaxed ambiance stands above the rest. The boardwalk wraps around the pond with its gentle fountain, and the outermost tables are just as comfortable as the coveted spots right by the bar. We have just one important rule: don’t just grab the food to go. Stay awhile, and let them serve you properly.
You just won’t get the same experience otherwise, and it demands that certain atmosphere so the complexity of the live music and community vibe really comes through.
bin6south
$$$ | (727) 498-6735 | WEBSITE
The intimate dining bubble burst in St. Petersburg long ago. Every restaurant claims to offer it. The food truck parked down your street probably promises it. Bin6south puts them all to shame. And that’s fitting, since this is the best intimate restaurant in town. Their duck bowl has appropriately colorful presentation and a well-balanced flavor that slowly unfolds on the palate like a carefully composed symphony. Not only is it St.
Pete’s best, but it could hold its own against its cousins in fine dining establishments nationwide.
Dickey’s Barbecue Pit
$ | (727) 954-0060 | WEBSITE
We’re working to keep this guide centered on the barbecue that stays reliable. The brisket at Dickey’s technically doesn’t—it varies in smokiness and tenderness from day to day. But it’s reliable in this: No pitmaster nails barbecue as consistently as Dickey’s. Theirs is always flavorful, tender, satisfying, and unmatched. It often involves oak smoke or simple rubs. Sometimes it’s juicy and fatty. Who can say. All we can guarantee is it will hush the table for roughly six to twelve bites.
Yumme St Pete Herbalife Nutrition Club
$ | (727) 455-2172 | WEBSITE
This St. Petersburg nutrition club only serves healthy options, but for this shake in particular, we’d absolutely recommend keeping a dedicated blender on hand so you can recreate it at home. The blend of banana and protein powder holds its creamy texture right up until the microsecond it makes contact with your lips, at which point its smooth walls dissolve and release a flood of pudding-like sweetness onto your tongue.
It’s a masterpiece of a shake, and a redemptive moment for any soul who associates protein drinks with chalky mixes from a generic supplement jar.
Serbian Mediteran Restaurant
$ | (727) 526-4466 | WEBSITE
It’s a really good restaurant. But the food isn’t actually the best part of the experience. The reason we love it a little too intensely is because of the welcoming atmosphere created by the staff. They greet everyone with genuine smiles and politeness, which makes customers feel immediately at home. The warm service contrasts so well with the authentic Serbian dishes, and it’s just a brilliant bit of hospitality that makes us see this family-owned spot in a new light.
Charleys Cheesesteaks and Wings
$ | (973) 816-0922 | WEBSITE
The cheesesteak description here says, ‘Imagine a classic Philly cheesesteak, but with the kind of quality we actually want from our sandwiches.’ This is the kind of straightforward energy we expect from our cheesesteaks. And we like this better than the vast majority of Florida’s cheesesteak spots. The beef, on a toasted hoagie roll, gives off a perfect savory flavor, and it’s topped with a generous layer of melted cheese. If you’re more of a wings person, the ones here are also exceptional.
Barbouni
$$$ | (727) 954-3406 | WEBSITE
Thankfully, there is no rule that says we have to pick only one Mediterranean seafood spot. And if Baba next door is a time-honored classic, Barbouni is an instant classic. It’s got a beautiful ambiance with tall plants creating an intimate atmosphere, a menu featuring a massive selection of tinned seafood and freshly prepared raw bar options, and flavors that only come with sourcing the freshest catches, which makes all the difference.
This place is yet more proof that a great seafood experience should be 13% more about discovery than expectation—and ideally enjoyed on their quaint patio, adding to the European vibe of the experience.
Pierogi Bar St Pete
$$ | (727) 381-1212 | WEBSITE
We don’t care how hungry you are—eating a pierogi stuffed with potato and cheese before it cools will make you feel (and taste) like you’re in a Ukrainian kitchen again. The ones at Pierogi Bar are worth the inevitable sour cream splatter. The combination of tender dough and savory filling makes these little dumplings taste like a warm hug from a babushka. They have a back room, but (if it’s not too crowded) we’d rather sit up front in the cozy space that is this authentic St. Petersburg spot.
ALSACE french Bistro
$$ | (727) 867-5800 | WEBSITE
St. Petersburg is a shimmering sea of French bistros, but this is our easy favorite. It’s got all the quintessential flavors of France, but it also has something those others don’t: authenticity. That’s thanks to the beautiful local decorations that transport you straight to Alsace. You can ask for a glass of the same wine that pairs with the crispy duck. We did that once, and it’s our happiest dinner memory.
PDQ St. Petersburg
$ | (727) 873-7999 | WEBSITE
PDQ Chicken is a fast-casual spot that takes a different turn where most chicken joints stay predictable. And instead of serving the usual greasy, heavy-handed fare you might expect from their category, they offer fresh food that arrives consistently hot and delicious. It has a nice selection for dietary restrictions, helpful and attentive staff who provide coloring sheets for kids, and a comfortable environment that’s wheelchair accessible with great outdoor seating.
It is an appropriately accommodating restaurant for St. Petersburg’s friendliest chicken destination.
The Burg Diner 2
$ | (727) 323-2874 | WEBSITE
What does it take for a Cuban sandwich to earn the undisputed top spot in our diner power rankings? Heartiness, authenticity, and pork. Specifically, mojo citrus pork. It sounds like a tropical vacation, but is actually tender, flavorful pork that tastes a bit like sunshine. It gives The Burg Diner 2’s Grande Cuban—a permanent fixture on the straightforward menu—a uniquely satisfying flavor. There’s no other version like this, because it could only exist in St. Petersburg.
Gypsy Souls Coffeehouse St. Pete & Gypsy Beans Coffee Roasters
$ | (727) 803-6950 | WEBSITE
If we’re only picking one breakfast sandwich, it has to be Gypsy Souls’ BEC. Yes, it’s a classic breakfast sandwich. But it’s also a great one. It’s flavorful, arrives on perfectly toasted bread, and has that red pepper paste that sings (but isn’t overwhelming). You also don’t have to go through the effort of finding a table inside to enjoy this. Just grab one of the outdoor seats. If you order the sandwich with an iced white mocha, it’ll feel like a complete morning ritual.
We like that combination.
Central Diner (formerly Central Coffee Shoppe)
$ | (727) 821-1125 | WEBSITE
Even though you know you’ve just ordered corned beef hash, it’s impossible not to get all wide-eyed and gobsmacked when you try it. Because it truly delivers on the promise of breakfast in the form of hearty, satisfying comfort food. It has a rich savory flavor, and just the right amount of seasoning that makes it too easy to devour in minutes. It arrives on a plate with perfectly over easy eggs and crispy hash browns. It tastes like, well, the ultimate diner breakfast. They nailed it.
Calida Kitchen & Wine
$$$ | (727) 202-0263 | WEBSITE
This cozy St. Pete spot has hosted more date nights, anniversary dinners, romantic proposals, and intimate celebrations than most local couples could count. It’s truly a classic St. Petersburg romantic destination. Expertly prepared duck is artfully plated alongside tender chicken chow noodles, with fresh ingredients and thoughtful spices woven throughout each dish. No evening, special occasion, or quiet moment together is too small for reserving a table.