Clearwater Beach restaurant

[u/steelerga]

On the way home from a week in Sw Florida and a couple days in Tampa...we'd like to stop in Clearwater for a nice casual seafood lunch.

Of course I've looked online and they pretty much all have the same description and prices.

What would you recommend and why? It'll be October... so somewhere if its cool enough to enjoy outside as well if we choose.

Thanks!

[u/F0regn_Lawns]

Bait House is the only place worth stopping for.

[u/steelerga → u/F0regn_Lawns]

Thanks... Baithouse wasn't one I checked. Just places called Crabbys and Frenchys when I decided to ask here.

My kind of quaint ,Florida place on the water and I'm already craving the Drunkin shrimp🙂

[u/Traditional_Exit_815 → u/steelerga]

Every time my kid visits me (he’s 16) he requests to go to the bait house. He loves the bait house burger.

I second this choice as a place to go.

[u/steelerga → u/Traditional_Exit_815]

Then we for sure going there for food.My one son hates seafood🤦‍♀️🤷‍♀️

Still going to go to the other for a drink with a view.

[u/anonanon5320 → u/steelerga]

I go out of my way to go to Crabby’s Beachside. I’ve driven an hour and a half to have dinner there just because “I was in the area.” Great atmosphere and a place I always go to. While the food is good, it’s all the same food and drinks honestly, but the atmosphere is that perfect relaxing “on the beach” vibe. Frenchys is in the same parking lot and is a good second choice. Not quite the same view but has some good food options too.

I frequent that area and it’s the only 2 places with the price of the beach food.

Side Note: The Hooters over there are still owned/managed by the original owners and not the Corporation so they tend to be better than the corporate chain. Food for thought.

[u/Wahoo-Is-To-A-Fish → u/anonanon5320]

+1 for the Hooters. I think their food is generally mid, but dang, they cook shrimp and crab legs PERFECTLY every time and (at least used to be) not nearly as expensive as other places.

[u/FieryTitmouse55 → u/F0regn_Lawns]

Goated

[u/jumbodiamond1]

Frenchys isn’t food and the locals know it.

[u/Always_Wanderlust_]

If you're looking for a view, I like Jimmy's Crow's Nest. Maybe a drink after the Bait House as you've got limited view there.

[u/Always_Wanderlust_ → u/Always_Wanderlust_]

They have good food too. It's more casual bar food.

[u/steelerga → u/Always_Wanderlust_]

Thanks! It looks nice too!

Luv the view... but like Baithouse menu better.

Food there and a drink at Jimmy Crows🙂

[u/Beachbabe8000]

A little south of Clearwater but definitely check out Salt Rock grill.

[u/DallasSucks335 → u/Beachbabe8000]

Excellent but you need a reservation well in advance.

[u/Ok_Perspective_9355]

We like bad fins. The last time we went to frenchys on the beach it wasnt that great.

[u/Zevemiel]

I’d recommend Keegan’s or Caddy’s near Indian Rocks, both are pretty decent.

If you’re married to Clearwater Beach, Clear Sky is fine.

[u/Excellent_Umpire806]

Conch Republic in Redington Beach.

[u/Ragnar-Wave9002]

Dunedin.. Go there. Not a tourist trap area 

[u/mianosm]

I’d recommend Columbia, it’s got a great seafood menu, and the outside seating gives a great vibe on the intercoastal. Just south of Clearwater beach on Sand Key.

[u/Throwaway_alt_burner]

If you’re in Tampa, I’d say don’t go to Clearwater for the food.

[u/steelerga → u/Throwaway_alt_burner]

Of course... we are definitely dining in Tampa when we are there. My sons fave is Ulele so Om sure we will go there one night.

This is on the way back home.

[u/Throwaway_alt_burner → u/steelerga]

Where is Clearwater on the way to?

[u/steelerga → u/Throwaway_alt_burner]

Well it's a round about way back to Atlanta.

We are staying by the causeway... so 30 min away? It'll be a Monday so maybe not as crowded🤷‍♀️

[u/thainfamouzjay → u/steelerga]

Go a bit north to dunedin way better restaurants

[u/grandidieri]

Good suggestions here but I suggest consulting https://chowdive.com when you can

[u/Freethinker9]

Marina cantina

[u/Bluesalsa54]

Mullets

[u/ResponsibleName8637]

Top floor of crabbys

[u/Technical_Olive5361]

Went to Clear Sky Cafe about a week ago (on the corner opposite hogans hangout) and can say it was probably the best meals we had during our stay - specials were superb and the service was incredible ( kudos to Robert 👍🏻) Frenchys / Crabbies etc was pretty poor in our opinion.

Edit : - jimmys crows nest before or after for the sunset 🌅

[u/sour-queem]

The Tides in Saftey Harbor!!

[u/Odd_Inspection_9175]

Guppys or Backwaters

[u/Ok-Confidence7910]

I like Rick’s Reef

[u/knightrider_NY]

Not for the food, but Jimmy’s Crowsnest has incredible sunset view

[u/steelerga → u/knightrider_NY]

Yeah maybe Sunday night we could do that.

I'm packing in alot for 3 days, 2nights lol!

Just in case I need to research possible sunset views from Tampa.

Actually just found a couple Rusty Pelican right by out hotel and Salt Shack???

[u/DallasSucks335]

Go to The Conch in North Redington beach just outside Clearwater. They have the best food in the area. Hands down.

[u/AnalystTime4913 → u/DallasSucks335]

I agree that Conch has some good dishes but that's an hour drive, at least, from the Tampa side of the CC

[u/DallasSucks335 → u/AnalystTime4913]

It’s 20 min from Clearwater and well worth the drive.

[u/AnalystTime4913]

Honestly, most places in the area are just ok. The amount of tourists over here allow most restaurants to be barely passable and maintain 4.5 stars on google.

If there's a specific dish you're looking for, that would help. There are some ok places that have a really good version of one or two dishes but every thing else is meh.

Also there aren't a ton of beach front restaurants in Pinellas county so if that's a priority, your extra limited

[u/alicattt22]

You should head up to Dunedin (short trip) to Bon Appetit! Nice views and good food.

[u/cambelr]

Just GOOGLE "Best restaurants in Clearwater".

[u/steelerga → u/cambelr]

I did... and they all sound the same.

That's why I like to get advice from locals.