1. 5 Boroughs Sports Bistro

   Spring Hill / West Hernando : 1252 Mariner Blvd., Spring Hill, 34609

   More than 25 beers on tap.

2. Apollo's Bistro

   Apollo Beach : 6520 Richies Way, Apollo Beach, 33572

3. Apropos Restaurant & Catering

   Downtown St. Petersburg : 8 Fourth St. N, St. Petersburg, 33701

   It was a go-to spot for lunch in downtown St. Petersburg in late 1980s, everyone in the know singing the praises of the tarragon chicken salad and the tomato basil tart. But all good things must come to an end. Suzy Johnson and her partner/husband Ron Lees were divorced and he got custody of the …

4. Bay Bistro at Riverwalk

   Downtown Tampa : 333 S Franklin St., Tampa, 33602

   In the bottom level of the Tampa Convention Center, it has indoor and outdoor seating that looks out on the lovely Riverwalk. Downtown workers can promenade along the wide path before zipping in for an order-at-the-counter salad or sandwich. It's in the vein of Panera, with a short menu of conte …

5. Bobby's Bistro & Wine Bar

   Clearwater Beach : 447 Mandalay Ave., Clearwater, 33767

   Hip spin-off of the landmark Heilman's Beachcomber serves contemporary food and a world-class wine list in cozy style. Steaks and chops, seafood, raclette potatoes, plus gourmet pizzas and burgers taste richly of an Americanized brasserie.

6. Cafe Alfresco

   Dunedin : 344 Main St, Dunedin, 34698

   A semi-swanky place to eat Mediterranean-style and drink American-style, Alfresco features a bar by the entrance that gives way to a stainless steel, open-air kitchen. There's just something funny about having two taps and two completely different beers. Alfresco serves up Paulaner Oktoberfest a …

7. Cafe Luna

   South Pinellas beaches : 6700 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach, 33706

8. Cassis American Brasserie

   Editor's pick

   Downtown St. Petersburg : 170 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg, 33701

   Few restaurant openings have been as anticipated as Cassis American Brasserie, opened at the base of the Ovation tower on the downtown waterfront. Cementing Beach Drive as the "it" spot in St. Pete, its decor is stunning. Yellow walls, unimpeded sightlines across the generously portion …

9. Circles New Tampa Bistro

   Tampa : 19651 Bruce B Downs Blvd. # B2, Tampa, 33647

10. Clasico Cafe & Bar

    Sarasota : 1341 Main St., Sarasota, 34236

    At the corner of Palm and Main.Breakfast, lunch and dinner.

11. Clear Sky Beachside Cafe

    Clearwater Beach : 490 Mandalay Ave., Clearwater, 33767

    Breakfast with mimosas or bloody Marys, array of flatbreads, pizzas, seafood, live music on the patio. Hours: 7 a.m.-midnight daily.

12. Cooper's Hawk Winery & Restaurant

    International Plaza District : 4110 W Boy Scout Blvd., Tampa, 33607

    The restaurant serves 40 of it's name brand wines with its eclectic menu that includes "life balance'' healthy menu, a gluten free menu, burgers, homemade desserts and more; there's a tasting room, retail wine store and wine club.

13. Cork-N-Brew Bistro

    Clearwater Beach : 524 Mandalay Ave., Clearwater Beach, 33767

    Beers, small plates, wines at affordable prices.Hours: 4 p.m.-2 a.m. daily.Read more here.

14. Craftsman House

    Grand Central District : 2955 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 33713

    Garden party meets arts and crafts, so you'll want to sit a spell on the porch of this old bungalow. The lush pottery is home-thrown, the good spirits home grown, the woodworking and art are a delight and the rehabbing a pleasure. Cucumber salad, soups, muffins, coffee and beer will charm you.

15. Crepes & More

    Parrish : 8324 US Highway 301 N, Parrish, 34219

    Crepes & More is the kind of coffeehouse/dessert spot where it's easy to linger. A quick hazelnut latte ($3.25-$4.25) can lengthen into a perusal of the menu and a long loiter over a garden veggie crepe ($7.95) given a big wallop of velvety alfredo sauce (a sauce that moistens a number of th …

16. Empress Tea Room and Bistro

    Carrollwood : 12924 N Dale Mabry, Tampa, 33618

    Hours: 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Tues.-Fri., for lunch and high tea; 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Sat., for high tea only; noon-2:30 p.m. Sun., for brunch and high tea.

17. Fushia

    New Tampa : 15317 Amberly Drive, Tampa, 33647

18. Gallery Eclectic Bistro

    International Plaza District : 2223 N West Shore Blvd. # B206, Tampa, 33607

19. Gratzzi Italian Grille

    Downtown St. Petersburg : 211 Second St. S, St. Petersburg, 33701

    Whatever your favorite Italian dish is, it's likely you'll find a plate of it here, but don't be afraid to venture off from the classics. The restaurant serves a signature dish, the Cavatelli Bada Bing, in a tableside preparation that is a show for the whole dining room. Most of the menu made th …

20. Gulf Bistro

    North Pinellas beaches : 15225 Gulf Blvd., Madeira Beach, 33708

    For years this cozy refuge was called Cafe de France. It was a reliable outpost of superb yet simple French fare. It served classic French fare (coq au vin, duck confit, lobster bisque, escargot)at a steady but unhurried pace. Don't worry: it has a new name but not much has changed. This cafe tu …

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