1. Aqua Bar & Grille

   Editor's pick

   Rocky Point : 7627 W Courtney Campbell Parkway, Tampa, 33607

   What was Aquaknox at the Westin Tampa Bay was rechristened Aqua Bar & Grille in recently when parent company E-Brands was sold to Tavistock. Chef Matt Mangone unveiled a new menu with dishes like yellowfin tuna tartare, a lovely plate with daikon and pickled chiles and a swoosh of avocado mo …

2. Banana Boat

   Gateway : 13090 Gandy Blvd. N, St. Petersburg, 33702

   Since it's a waterfront bar, we'll forgive -- heck, embrace -- Banana Boat's dive-ocity. Wear shorts and flip-flops on the deck. Or cool off in the AC inside. No drafts here, but that's okay. Get a load of Banana Boat's makeshift gallery of antique humor, like the faux Great White hanging above  …

3. Bazzie's Beach Bar and Grill

   South Pinellas beaches : 10650 Gulf Blvd., Treasure Island, 33706

   An old-school beach bar to the fullest, Beach Bar is based at the Bilmar Beach Resort. Here, they kick it with a one-story concrete patio that leads into the bathroom-style tiled bar. The laid-back bar area is peppered with timeless high-top lounge chairs, while the restaurant area is made up of …

4. Beach House Restaurant

   Editor's pick

   Manatee beaches : 200 Gulf Drive, Bradenton Beach, 34217

   Once a rundown little place known as the Harbor House, the Beach House got a makeover in 1993 with new owner Ed Chiles, who also owns the SandBar further north on Anna Maria. The formula is simple: reasonably priced food served in a great beachside setting. Adults can sip a frozen cocktail while …

5. Billy's Stone Crab & Lobster

   South Pinellas beaches : 1 Collany Road, Tierra Verde, 33715

   Billy Moore keeps it simple -- old Cracker Southern sides and fresh fish he lands along the gulf. Grouper, mackerel, mullet and, of course, stone crab, as the season and market allow, fresh and fairly priced. The rooftop bar offers live entertainment.Open noon to 10 p.m. daily.

6. Bridge Tender Inn and Dockside Bar

   Manatee beaches : 135 Bridge St., Bradenton Beach, 34217

7. Cabana Grill & Bar

   Belleair : 25 Belleview Blvd., Belleair, 33756

   Everything the typical Jimmy Buffett pastel Hawaiian print party joint is not. You'll feel like you're on the back porch of your rich relatives' beach house in this open-air little hideaway. You know, the ones who are old money and don't throw down big bucks on gauche fanciness. Wrought iron and …

8. Caddy's on the Beach

   Editor's pick

   South Pinellas beaches : 9000 W Gulf Blvd., Treasure Island, 33706

   It's got ramshackley charm - sunsets, volleyball, kids building sand castles, all accompanied by a set-list of beachy cover-band greatest hits. The picnic tabletops are sticky, it takes a while for a server to notice you've ambled up, and if you overstay (1 1/2 hours maximum for diners) they sug …

9. Cafe Dufrain

   Editor's pick

   Tampa : 707 Harbour Post Drive, Tampa, 33602

   Boasting one of Tampa's best views, this Harbour Island bistro is one of downtown's best getaways. Get smart eating from lemongrass soups to diver scallops, risotto, short ribs and salmon with frizzled leeks. Flavors come from the Pacific and the Americas, but the style is Tampa lofty. If you p …

10. Cajun Cafe On the Bayou

    Editor's pick

    Pinellas Park : 8101 Park Blvd., Pinellas Park, 33781

    This Cajun/Zydeco restaurant and bar has an outdoor stage and deck overlooking Cross Bayou. Plus you'll find a 25-by-42-foot cypress dance floor, perfect for two-stepping to the live music that's often scheduled there. Dance lessons are also given at some events. And the food? Let's just say tha …

11. Capt'n Jack's Waterfront Grill

    Tarpon Springs : 21 Oscar Hill Road, Tarpon Springs, 34689

    This massive two-level tiki bar oozes laid-back island living, with fantastic views of the water and a massive deck for viewing sunsets. The menu is pure Florida comfort food: wings, shrimp, seafood, steak, and burgers and wraps. It's got a surprisingly diverse wine list for a tiki bar (Stags Le …

12. Cha Cha Coconuts

    Downtown St. Petersburg : 800 Second Ave. NE # 5001, St. Petersburg, 33701

    This place practically screams "touristaville!' But that's not a bad thing on a hot day when you're thirsty for a swirling tropical drink and in need of some conch fritters. Located at the top of the Pier jutting into Tampa Bay, this Caribbean-flavored stop is more for snacking than for a big si …

13. Columbia Restaurant at the Pier

    Editor's pick

    Downtown St. Petersburg : 800 Second Ave. NE # 4001, St. Petersburg, 33701

    This branch of the original Ybor City location, the oldest restaurant in Florida (started in 1905), occupies the fourth floor of The Pier. Feast on its signature 1905 salad (mixed with flair at tableside) and paella as you sip sangria. An added bonus is the incredible view.

14. Currents at Hyatt Regency Sarasota

    Sarasota : 1000 Boulevard of the Arts, Sarasota, 34236

15. Dixie's Dockside

    Gibsonton : 9808 Vaughn St., Gibsonton, 33534

    Waterfront pub along the Alafia River, boat ramp and boater's fuel.

16. Fish Tales

    St. Petersburg : 1500 Second St. S, St. Petersburg, 33707

    Laid-back, shanty-esque joint Fish Tales is the rare waterfront restaurant without high-fallutin' pretense. It's a few blocks south off the beaten path but is worth the short drive. An impressive selection of beers on tap -- Weihenstephaner, Stella Artois, Pilsner Urquell, Killian's and Michelob …

17. Frenchy's Rockaway Grill

    Clearwater Beach : 7 Rockaway St, Clearwater, 33767

    The Selling Point is the she-crab soup. (Insert Homer drool here.) It's Frenchy's, so you know the good eats are in the house. They offer more turf with their surf than the other Frenchy's locations, and, of course, seafood abounds. Rockaway offers a nice beachfront experience with great eats to …

18. Frenchy's South Beach Cafe

    Clearwater Beach : 351 S Gulfview Blvd., Clearwater, 33767

    These cozy, hole-in-the-wall favorites on Clearwater Beach serve up seafood fresh from the boat at bargain prices. Served with cold beer, good humor and modest fixings (plus great desserts). The specialty here is a grouper reuben.

19. Fresco's Waterfront Bistro

    Downtown St. Petersburg : 300 Second Ave. NE, St. Petersburg, 33701

    This restaurant at the base of the St. Petersburg Pier offers the kind of quality cooking seldom found on the local waterfront. The menu is long on seafood and chops, but every dish gets extra touches of herbs, pine nuts, fine sauces and other evidence of authenticity and imagination that are th …

20. Friendly Fisherman Waterfront Restaurant

    North Pinellas beaches : 150 Johns Pass Boardwalk W, Madeira Beach, 33708

    One of the longest-running restaurants at John's Pass Boardwalk (since 1978), you can't miss its lighthouse and giant redfish on the western end of the boardwalk. It's a place where you can bring the family and enjoy the intensely Floridian experience of having your fresh catch from the nearby m …

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