LIVE LIKE A LOCAL

THE LOCAL STAPLE: Cafe de Paris

• Cafe de Paris is a true French Bakery that has survived unlike many of the other bakeries. They offer a wide range of pastries, cakes, & desserts, as well as various prepared items like Crepes, Quiche, and Sandwiches
• Our Recommendation: The Crepes are Amazing! Order a Butter & Sugar Crepe and/or a Banana+Nutella Crepe, with 2 over easy eggs on the side, a small croissant & a cappuccino...And a few pastries to go for later!
• THE NEW KID: Grove Surf & Coffee
  
  • Grove is a newer cafe but they have hit the ground running! Amazing vibe (and long lines) with high quality. Your camera will definitely be eating here as well! Enjoy Hot or Iced coffee drinks with unique specials and amazing sandwiches.
    • Our Recommendation: A hot cortado + Iced Toasted Coconut Latte, and an Avocado toast OR BLT
• HONORABLE MENTIONED:
  • Le Merle Bakery - The BEST local pastries. Solid Coffee & Espresso offerings. Limited Seating so best for To-Go
  • Haus Coffee Shop - Quirky Hipster coffee shop with wide variety and solid food options with seating
  • Pipo N Betty's Bakery - Good treats & Breakfast Sandwiches in a good, quick, & accessible location

• THE LOCAL STAPLE: The Original Crabby Bills
  • Crabby Bills is well known around the beaches, with multiple locations and various eateries, but there can only be ONE original, and that's the one on IRB.
    • What We Like: Live Music, Good Location, Fresh Seafood, Attractive Specials
    • Vibe: Casual, Fun, Island Vibe
    • Price: $ Good Value for typical items, but fresh seafood market prices can fluctuate greatly
    • Our Recommendation: Check the Specials & Stick to the staples - Shrimp, Oysters, Grouper - Beers are cold & reasonably priced, but avoid the cocktails
• THE PERSONAL FAVORITE: Seaweed Steaks, Seafood & Sushi
  
  • Seaweed is just over the Belleair bridge and is our personal favorite due to the best blend of quality, variety, atmosphere, and price. Its not a large restaurant but usually accessible and sitting at the bar OR sushi bar is a great option
    • What We Like: Great Nicer ambiance but come as you are feel. Good Happy Hour. Something for everybody! Reliable Cocktails & wine. The sushi is great & seafood is fresh, but don't sleep on their Pork Chop & Steak!
    • Vibe: Coastal Casual +, Social, Energetic
    • Price: $$ Apps & Small bites are affordable, Entrees can get more expensive but are worth the cost
    • Our Recommendation: Happy Hour Cocktails or Wine, Share an Appetizer and/or a Sushi Roll, and an Entree. The Kale salad is amazing but try and avoid the noodle entrees
• THE HIGH END: Salt Rock Grill
  • Salt Rock is the lead restaurant for the popular Tampa Bay Restaurant group that also owns Seaweed. It is directly on the intracoastal and accessible by boat, which also allows for a nice patio dining experience. High End dining is limited along the beaches but Salt Rock has been the time tested exception
    • What We Like: Amazing Prime Steaks, Incredible Wine Cellar, Great Cocktails, & Elevated Service
    • Price: $$$ High end prices but with high end preparation
    • Our Recommendation: As a ribeye lover, Its got to be the bone-in prime steak and red wine, but there are options galore. The escargot is a favorite even for those who think they don't like it
• HONORABLE MENTIONED:
  • VIP Mexican Cantina - Solid Mexican cuisine with STRONG House Margaritas - Indoor/Outdoor & Brunch
  • Guppy's on the Beach - Good Food but Priced High - Go for the Ambiance directly across from the Beach Access
  • E&E Stakeout - Traditional Steakhouse with nice Wine & Cocktail menu - Small & Intimate with a big punch
  • Frenchy’s Rockaway - A bit further in Clearwater, but nothing says Florida more than dining on the sand at Sunset!

• Salt Water Hippie 
  • THE Spot on the beach to grab a beer & mingle. Surf Shack atmosphere with cool middle courtyard & Live Music. Located central to a lot of other establishments is a plus!
• Guilty Sea 
  • Local Sports bar with Many TVs, decent beer prices, solid bar food...and the coldest AC on the beach!
• Mahuffer 
  • You've got to see it, to believe it...The dive bar that every other dive bar strives to be! While its act has cleaned up over the years, Mahuffer's still claims to be the Wurst Place on the Beech with its old Florida carefree, laid-back spirit...and thats why we love it!!
• Coco's Crush Bar (ORIGINAL) 
  • There are 3 locations, but the original in Clearwater is where the fun happens. From Karaoke, to Bachelorette Parties, to Spring Breakers, to Bon Jovi cover bands, Coco's is usually the spot I end up when I dont have a plan - Something will happen there!
• Shepherds Beach Resort 
  • An Original establishment that's grown up with the beach, Shepherds Tiki Bar is the place to be in the daytime and its energy carries into the evening where beachgoers winding down, make way to clubgoers just getting started!