17 Best St Pete Downtown Restaurants in 2024

St. Pete is a charming Florida destination for people looking to enjoy the weather and beach experience in a laid back fashion. But it’s also an amazing place to enjoy a meal. Come along as we explore the best St. Pete downtown restaurants! 

Calling all foodies! Before we dive into our list of the best St Pete restaurants, you might want to consider this culinary walkabout of the town. The Taste of Downtown St. Petersburg Tour is a 3.5-hour walking tour that leads visitors to five different family-owned restaurants throughout the downtown area.

Taste of Downtown St. Petersburg Tour 

Participants will get to sample dishes from each establishment prepared by amazing chefs. It’s an amazing way to not only get a real taste of the town but also experience the local culture firsthand. 

It’s a great tour to consider if you’re only spending a short amount of time in St. Pete on a roadtrip from Orlando to Miami.

▶️ BOOK Taste of Downtown St. Petersburg Tour 

17 Best St Pete Downtown Restaurants 

Downtown St Pete Restaurants on the Water 

1. Fresco’s Waterfront Bistro

Why Eat Here: Just off the marina, Fresco’s Waterfront Bistro offers a casual, dockside meal experience the whole family can enjoy. Specializing in American food, but with some fresh seafood options as well, the food here is enjoyable but a little lackluster for the price and portion size. 

With vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options on the menu, it’s one of the best restaurants in downtown St Pete for visitors with diet restrictions.

Fresco’s is always lively, so when even the locals are hanging out, you know it’s a good spot to try. Our favorite part about eating alfresco near the water in St. Pete is the occasional surprise manatee sightings! Kids and adults alike will love the ambiance here. 

2. Doc Ford’s Rum Bar and Grille –  St Pete Pier

Why Eat Here: Doc Ford’s Rum Bar and Grille is the perfect place to wrap up a walk on the quaint St. Pete Pier. With both indoor and outdoor seating available, you can enjoy the breeze off the water or enjoy your meal under cover from the Florida sun. 

It’s such a fun experience to dine here while taking in the waterfront views of Tampa Bay. From seafood flatbread appetizers to a stacked shellfish bar, all the items on the menu are mouthwatering. Throw in some live music and mojitos, and you’ve got one of the most fun Downtown St Pete restaurants!

The great food here is always so beautifully presented. You can tell they put a lot of effort into not only perfecting their recipes but plating the meals in a memorable way. Its line of in-house spicy sauces make the experience all the better. Just be sure to save room for dessert too! 

3. Teak

Why Eat Here: Teak is one of the more upscale restaurants in St Petersburg, FL on our list. Cushy booths next to floor-to-ceiling windows offer stunning waterfront views, which complement the good food perfectly. 

Teak is considered one of the top restaurants in downtown St Pete, especially right on the pier, for salads. They use only the freshest produce in their leafy creations, and it shows. Some are even paired with their very own roasted sesame pineapple ginger dressing. It’s a journey for the taste buds for sure. 

Teak offers a wide variety of seafood options but also features tasty sandwiches, burgers, and pasta. The spicy popcorn with coconut shrimp is a big hit with families. It’s actual popcorn, with coconut shrimp mixed throughout.

Best of all, it’s served in a popcorn container! The kids are sure to love it along with the youngster-approved cast iron mac & cheese.  

Don’t forget to check out the open-air bar on the upper level. The views are unreal, and they have some of the most fun bartenders in town!  

Seafood Restaurants in Downtown St Pete

4. 400 Beach Seafood & Tap House

Why Eat Here: 400 Beach Seafood & Tap House has built its menu from the local ground and up, with a particular focus on neighboring farmers and ranchers. There are both indoor and outdoor dining spaces here, but we highly recommend the outdoor seating.

The tables scattered along the terrace in front of the restaurant are small but comfortable. And equally adorable, adorned with sun-shading umbrellas.  

The seafood served here is so fresh and delicious. Lunch highlights of the menu include the sharable Surf & Turf Tower and Fried Chicken & Oyster Tower appetizers. While southern seafood classics like Shrimp & Grits and Cioppino steal the show for dinner. 

The tap house is impressive as well. With a diverse tap list, house wines, and signature cocktails, 400 Beach Seafood & Tap House really is one of the best restaurants in downtown St Pete. 

5. Sea Salt

Why Eat Here: Sea Salt is one of the best restaurants in St Petersburg, FL, located in the Sundial Shopping Center area of downtown. It’s an amazing place to enjoy a fine dining, classy environment for a seafood dinner.  

The ambiance here is sleek and modern while still maintaining a sense of warmth. Guests can also expect more warmth from the great service staff, as they are thought of as some of the best in the city. 

One of the most expensive restaurants on our list, the comfort food doesn’t come cheap here but is valued very highly. Delicacies like Crab Crusted Grouper and Swordfish are just waiting to be devoured. 

Nothing impresses us more than a restaurant that goes out of its way to offer customers the best experience possible. Sea Salt meets that challenge. Their entrees and drinks are truly counterparts at this establishment in that the menu is built to pair perfectly with available wines. 

And they make sure the kid in all of us goes home happy with their signature cotton candy at the end of the meal. This extra level of commitment to the customer experience really sets Sea Salt St. Pete apart from the rest. 

6. Paul’s Landing

Why Eat Here: Paul’s Landing is a great place to grab a bite to eat if you’re staying at the Vinoy Resort or in the area. This open-air hotel restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor dockside seating. 

The indoor decor is bright and colorful. Long homestyle tables and cushioned stools give the tropical vibe of added comfort and warmth. They have an impressive bar and TVs in that area of the restaurant, allowing patrons to watch sports while enjoying their meals. 

The outdoor deck seating area offers some stunning views of the resort’s pool or of the bay and downtown area. And with the addition of heat lamps, it’s the perfect place to eat year-round, day or night. Sharing a meal under the stars with your family makes for one of the most magical vacation memories!

Spendy resort prices can be expected here, but the food and experience live up to the price tag. From the Seafood Tower to fresh Fish Tacos, every dish is prepared with care at Paul’s Landing. 

7. Fourth Street Shrimp Store

Why Eat Here: Fourth Street Shrimp Store is the nautical-themed restaurant you never knew you needed in your life. The restaurant is located in what looks to be a boathouse, and the nautical themes just keep coming once you’ve stepped inside. 

Old, rusty license plates adorn the walls, while nets and Christmas lights hang from the ceiling. The decor really works to bring across the disorganized, hodgepodge feeling of a boat or bait house. 

The tables and booths are basic, each adorned with a roll of paper towels, foreshadowing the messy and delicious meal to come. Umbrella-shaded picnic tables sum up the outdoor seating on the patio.  

The seafood here is exceptional. There’s nothing quite like the sight of a plate full of crab legs, and Fourth Street Shrimp Store can hook you up. Aside from the seafood standards (including the best clam chowder around), this spot also branches out creatively with dishes like the Oysters Po’Boy and the Mahi Taco Bowl. 

Casual Restaurants in St. Petersburg, Florida 

8. Stillwaters Tavern

Why Eat Here: Stillwaters Tavern has a business-casual feel to it. You can walk in here off the street but don’t expect a fast-food-type environment. 

The setting is sleek and modern. The indoor dining room is spacious and features roomy and comfortable booths. While the outdoor seating on the patio includes cute tables under a shading canopy. 

Known for their house-made sausages, craft beer on tap, and creative craft cocktails, there’s a dish here for everyone.  Salads, steaks, seafood specials, mouthwatering stacked burgers, and sandwiches are all go-to items at this yummy establishment. 

9. Three Birds Tavern 

Why Eat Here: Three Birds Tavern is an American eatery featuring pub-style food and a full bar. Located in a historic neighborhood and building, it’s one of the most charming restaurants near downtown St Pete.  

The bar food of burgers, sliders, and fish and chips is satisfactory but not amazing. A visit here is more about the great drinks and game-watching atmosphere. If you’re not wrapped up in the game, we recommend eating on the wrap-around veranda to get the full, local experience. 

Not just good for lunch and dinner, Three Birds Tavern is the perfect spot for a sleepy Sunday brunch or late-night craving. 

10. The Big Catch at Salt Creek

Why Eat Here: The Big Catch at Salt Creek is the best hole-in-the-wall restaurant in St Petersburg, FL. It may not look pretty on the outside, but your appetite will jump into high gear once you make your way inside. 

This open-air restaurant is located right off the docks. Watching the boats come in and out is a built-in entertainment feature for kids at this spot! You may even see a kayaker or two here and there. 

There are two covered tiki bars, and the colorful wooden picnic tables offer ample dining space for large parties. Depending on when you visit, you may even catch some live music, which is bound to put everyone in a good mood!  

It’s always a treat to find a restaurant that offers exceptional food at a reasonable price. And that’s the crowning jewel of The Big Catch, whether you order a kid’s meal or an elaborate seafood platter, you get your money’s worth here.  

11. Bodega on Central

Why Eat Here: Bodega on Central offers St. Pete a taste of Latin America. This is hands down the best restaurant near the downtown area for Cuban sandwiches. They also offer a mouthwatering fruit and veggie salad as well as a selection of coffee, freshly squeezed fruit juices, and wines. 

If you’re seeking to find a restaurant that features genuine local flavors, this is a great option. The food is fresh, beautiful to the eye, and so flavorful. 

If you find yourself near this restaurant downtown and aren’t particularly hungry, swing in and grab a round of smoothies, and you’ll make the whole family’s day! It’s a favorite for locals and tourists alike, so don’t miss out on this delicious spot. 

12. Datz 

Why Eat Here: Datz is a casual dining gastropub in St. Pete that just happens to be world-renowned. Featured in Newsweek, USA Today, and Good Morning America (as well as a handful of several other shows and publications), this restaurant, along with its chain location in Tampa, has made quite an impression on this Florida town. 

The high ceilings and decor at this particular location bring an urban feel to the space. Patrons can choose to sit at a typical dining table, at the bar, or in a booth. 

Known for their sandwiches and other handheld foods, it’s important to note that Datz only serves their version of kettle chips instead of fries. The chips are housemade and have a sweet and salty flavor, as well as a blue cheese drizzle and green onions. They are tasty, but definitely not for everyone.  

This deli-style restaurant also features a bar and an elaborate spread for weekend brunch (8:30-3 pm on Saturday, all day Sunday). The drinks are next level in the mornings, with the likes of a classic mimosa, a fun cinnamon-inspired mocktail, or just some good old-fashioned joe. 

The brunch food is stellar as well. In fact, if you’re traveling with children, we recommend visiting Datz for brunch over lunch or dinner.

With the likes of the Nashville Chicken Doughnut (spicy chicken sandwich between slices of a cinnamon sugar doughnut) and berry toast, the stacked brunch food menu is so fun, colorful, and flavorful. Kids and adults alike are sure to enjoy the tasty options!  

13. Red Mesa Cantina

Why Eat Here: Red Mesa Cantina is the best place in St. Pete to itch that Mexican food craving that’s been ailing you. With such a joyful atmosphere and flavorful menu items, you’ll be glad you came. 

The atmosphere here is truly unmatched. The open-air set-up of the restaurant allows a nice breeze to move through both the indoor and outdoor portions of the restaurant. Both dining areas feature an impressive bar with an eclectic menu of tequilas and mezcals. 

If you opt for outdoor seating, the courtyard feels hidden away and tranquil, especially with the added effect of the fountain, Latin culture-inspired statues, and lovely background music. 

When it comes to food, they run the gambit here with creative spins on the classics like quesadillas and tacos. Try a Crab and Shrimp open-faced quesadilla if you don’t believe us or give a Bacon Cheeseburger Taco a spin. 

Best St Pete Downtown Restaurants for Brunch 

14. Patrona Coastal Café at The Getaway

Why Eat Here: Patrona Coastal Café at The Getaway is a great place to visit the morning after a late night out on the town. This laid-back Cuban Cafe is right on the beach, so patrons can lounge under the palm trees or sunshades while enjoying their coffee and light brunch fare.

The atmosphere and delicious dishes make the Patrona Coastal Cafe hard to beat. The Medianoche Sandwich is the brunch favorite here. Brioche bread sandwiches with pork, ham, mustard, pickles, and Swiss cheese create a tasty dish you won’t soon forget.

The origins of this sandwich come from Havana, where this type of sandwich is often served at midnight, outside clubs. It’s the type of sandwich that encapsulates a special memory in time. 

Other breakfast-style sandwiches, along with some other fun handheld items (ex: French toast sticks, maple bacon strips) fill out the rest of the menu. But make sure you don’t leave without trying their coffee. They offer an array of cold drinks and brews as well as hot beverages and espressos. 

15. The Mill

Why Eat Here: The Mill offers one of the best brunches in the area every Saturday and Sunday from 10 am-4 pm. A visit to this restaurant is a real treat, even for the most cultured of foodies. 

They’ve got all the classic brunch bases covered, but it’s through the fun entrees that they really shine. If you stop by, try the Breakfast Pot Pie or the Brunchwitch and try to walk away unimpressed. And, of course, they boast some tasty brunch cocktails as well. 

Not only are its dishes creative, but wholesome as they run a farm-to-table practice, committed to sourcing their goods from local farms. So you can take comfort in knowing that your delicious meal is crafted from fresh and top-notch ingredients. 

16. Tropez St. Pete

Why Eat Here: Tropez St. Pete is another fun spot to check out if you find yourself exploring the picturesque St. Pete Pier. The low lighting and cool bar area make this spot feel like one of the most trendy restaurants in St Petersburg, FL, even at brunch time. 

With both sweet and savory brunch options, you can’t go wrong here. There’s bound to be something that fits everyone’s mid-morning craving.

You can go spicy with a Nashville Hot Chicken Sandwich, get some greens with a Greek Salad Wrap, or lean into your sweet tooth with a stack of Caramel Apple Pie Waffles. Or, best of all, get a taste of it all with the Brunch Board. 

Tropez St. Pete is one of the top-tier St Petersburg restaurants when it comes to strong drinks. This spot offers a huge variety of spirits and an extensive wine list from places all over the world. No matter what you’re in the mood for, you’re sure to find something in their collection of international flavors! 

17. Social Roost

Why Eat Here: Social Roost is hailed as the absolute best place to get brunch in St. Pete. Only available Saturdays from 10 am – 3:30 pm, you’ve got to make plans if you intend to experience this St. Pete gem of a meal.

Social Roost is another trendy, new hot spot, but you’ll be glad you braved the crowd and jumped on the cool bandwagon once you lay your eyes on their dishes. 

The staked Chicken & Waffles is a sight to see and a delight to devour. But it’s the Green Eggs & Ham that really takes the cake. Kids will be thrilled to taste the meal they’ve only ever heard about in the classic storybook! 

FAQ: St Pete Downtown Restaurants 

Where Do Locals Eat in Downtown St. Pete?

St Pete restaurants downtown that locals love to visit includes our mentions of The Mill and Paul’s Landing. The Library and Bacchus are also some of the best restaurants in St Pete, according to locals. 

What Food is St. Petersburg, Florida Known For? 

Smoked fish, Mullet in particular, is a very popular delicacy in St. Petersburg. Cuban sandwiches, southern fried chicken, and Shio Ramen also top the list of the best food in St Pete. 

What Is the Popular Street in St. Pete? 

Central Avenue is the most popular street in St. Pete. Lined with a wide array of restaurants, it’s a foodie’s dream come true! Countless delicious dishes just waiting to be tried! 

What Are the Most Popular Restaurants in St. Petersburg? 

French restaurant Bacchus Wine Bistro is a very popular eatery in St. Petersburg due to its exceptional food. The Urban Stillhouse and Rococo Steak are also busy spots for amazing dining. 

What are the Best Restaurants in St. Petersburg That Deliver? 

Bavaro’s Pizza Napoletana & Pastaria, La V, Pacific Counter, and The Burg Bar & Grill are some of the best St Pete restaurants that deliver. You can get an array of global flavors delivered right to your door! 

Conclusion: St Pete Downtown Restaurants 

St. Pete is home to one of the best Gulf Coast beaches in Florida. And there’s no better place to eat your way through town than St. Pete! We hope our list will help guide you to some amazing meals throughout your visit.

We also have some great downtown Clearwater restaurant and Tampa Riverwalk restaurant suggestions if you venture that way, too. Wherever you end up, we hope you enjoy every last bite of your adventure!