1. 400 Beach Seafood and Tap House

   Downtown St. Petersburg : 400 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg, 33701

   The large-scale Beach Drive restaurant — 9,000 square feet, 300 seats, private dining room for 32, banquet room for 64 — is a collaboration of a number of savvy restaurant people. Steve Westphal and Tyson Grant of Parkshore Grill, general manager Rick Steavpack and dining room manage …

2. 717 South

   Editor's pick

   South Tampa : 717 S Howard Ave., Tampa, 33606

   Half Italian, half Asian and all South Tampa style, the place feels homey. Burgers, duck salad, Thai beef, bread bowls, lasagne, pizza and espresso-seared steak all get uptown presentation and warm neighborhood vibe. Plus miso, pesto and the whims of chef Robert Masson. The bar scene: Swank is t …

3. @Cafe

   Tarpon Springs : 401 N Pinellas Ave., Tarpon Springs, 34689

   Coffees from Cuban to Greek, espresso, chai, milkshakes, waffles and croissants, wine, beer.Hours: 8 a.m.-midnight Mon.-Fri., 9 a.m.-midnight Sat.-Sun.

4. @Cafe

   Tarpon Springs : 39620 US Hwy 19 N, Tarpon Springs, 34689

   Second Tarpon Springs location for this coffeehouse is the latest, with live music, coffee, espresso, shakes, smoothies and more.

5. Acropolis Greek Taverna

   Editor's pick

   Downtown St. Petersburg : 515 Central Ave., St. Petersburg, 33701

   This is not a place for quiet conversation, except at lunch. Pretend you're at a Greek wedding and join in the festivities. What's not to like? Fun atmosphere, reasonable prices. And those fancy Dyson Airblades? They've got those, too.There's food too, of course, reasonably priced Greek standard …

6. Acropolis Greek Taverna (Tampa)

   Ybor City : 1833 E Seventh Ave., Tampa, 33605

   Look for a frenetic bouzouki band and the stirring Greek song stylings of Babi Lavidas, plus belly dancers on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Then add in people leaping up to gyrate through a quick zeibekiko or sousta, punctuated by the occasional sound of breaking plates, and you have yourself  …

7. Alfresco

   Editor's pick

   Downtown St. Petersburg : 501 Fifth Ave. NE, St. Petersburg, 33701

   This member of the Vinoy resort's restaurants features a fresh Floribbean menu. This small and casual spot is a little hard to find back by the pool, but when you do, you'll appreciate the great service and the opportunity to eat outside on a beautiful day. A favorite is the sweet potato fries t …

8. Amish Country Store

   Largo : 206 13th St. SW, Largo, 33770

   Pennsylvania Dutch foods, sarsparilla, birch beer and old-time sodas, Lebanon bologna and deli meats, sandwiches, cheese selections, bulk items, old fashioned candies, locally baked breads. Outdoor seating only.

9. Anise Global Gastrobar

   Downtown Tampa : 777 N Ashley Drive, Tampa, 33602

   A small posse of seasoned restaurant pros jumped on the gorgeous space at the bottom of SkyPoint, unveiling Anise Global Gastrobar early in 2013. Its focus is Korean-ish, with a southeast Asian palette of flavors that's fairly hard to pin down. With many of the share-friendly plates under $10, f …

10. AnnaStella Cajun Bistro

    Downtown St. Petersburg : 300 Beach Drive, #128, St. Petersburg, 33701

    Formerly known as the Nola Cafe (part of a franchise that originated in Tampa), this incarnation has re-named itself (after the owner's daughter), but still serves New Orleans-flavored foods such as po boys, jambalaya and gumbo. The beignets are some of the best we've tried outside of the Cresce …

11. Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza (South Tampa)

    South Tampa : 1901 S Dale Mabry, Tampa, 33629

    Known for its high energy atmosphere and signature menu items, Anthony's uses 800-degree anthracite coal-burning ovens. Anthracite, said to be the "cleanest" of coals, cooks the pizzas in just four to six minutes. Coal-oven-roasted chicken wings topped with grilled onions and signature …

12. 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 …

13. Backfin Blue Cafe

    Editor's pick

    Gulfport : 2913 Beach Blvd. S, Gulfport, 33701

    Come to the little house under the oaks. Sit on the screen porch or inside. The best of the old favorites (meat loaf, crab cake, prime rib and fish) are served warmly and simply. Harold Russell's efforts will make you want to eat your vegetables.

14. Backwaters

    North Pinellas beaches : 1261 Gulf Blvd. # 130, Clearwater, 33767

    Backwater's isn't afraid of the fryer, serving seafood with no frills, including high-quality fish and shellfish, most of it local. But while the food is a fine attraction, the view of Clearwater Bay is a prime reason why this is a favorite.

15. Bahama Breeze

    Rocky Point : 3045 N Rocky Point Drive E, Tampa, 33607

    You can't see the Caribbean from this spot on the causeway, but you can hear the islands and get a taste of them here. Lively music makes waits on the veranda more fun. Drinks are mixed with tropical spirits, and meats and fish are done up with fire and spice. The bar scene: Expect a big variety …

16. Bailey's Catering & Restaurant

    Davis Islands : 238 E Davis Blvd. # 102, Tampa, 33606

    Author/radio host/chef/owner Kim Bailey has a lot going on in this prominent corner of Davis Islands. The Southern fare will stick to your ribs, and there is no shortage of down-homeness. Highlights of the menu were a spunky take on shrimp and grits and crab cakes that we're almost entirely comp …

17. Ballyhoo Grill

    Citrus Park : 7604 Ehrlich Road, Tampa, 33625

18. 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 …

19. Bayboro Cafe & Catering

    St. Petersburg : 1110 Third St. S, St. Petersburg, 33701

    Breakfast, burgers, pizza, sandwiches, with live music Friday and Saturday nights. Hours: 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Mon.-Sat.; 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Fri.-Sat.; 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Sun.

20. Beach Bistro

    Editor's pick

    Manatee beaches : 6600 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, 34217

    It has won nearly every award it is possible to win in Florida. Foodies and critics go on about the intimate dining room draped, tent-like, with silk; the wine list's exceptional breadth; and the playful French/Floribbean cuisine with sly Pacific Rim accents. One can put on the dog and dine in t …

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