Where to Eat and Drink in St. Petersburg, Florida
As with any travel destination, choosing places to eat and drink is an integral part of the itinerary. Throughout all of my time in Tampa and St. Petersburg, I’ve had the chance to eat at countless restaurants around town. If you’re wondering where to eat and drink in St. Petersburg, Florida, look below for some of the city’s best offerings!
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Where to Eat in St. Petersburg, Florida
Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille
You can find Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille at the St. Petersburg Pier, a pier located on the city’s waterfront. As with a lot of restaurants in St. Pete, you can choose to sit inside or outside. The outdoor seating will present you with a gorgeous view of the water and of any boats that may be out. There just so happened to be a speedboat race, or something of the sort, the first time we ate there, so we saw the occasional speedboat zipping by. The menu has many items to choose from, though I could never stray from ordering the chicken tenders every time I visited. Real adult of me, I know. However, Doc Ford’s continues to be a favorite of mine, and the chicken tenders frequently bring me back.
Hours: Open Daily (11am-10pm)
Patrona Coastal Cafe
Located right off the Gandy Bridge, this outdoor cafe has a variety of seating options under tiki umbrellas, along the water, and on couches. Whether you’re looking to sit in the sun or the shade, you’ll have great views of the water while you enjoy your coffee or meal.
I worked a few hours here to enjoy the outdoor environment while indulging in their seaside macchiato and toasted brioche with Nutella and powdered sugar. This was the perfect mid-morning spot to get some work done in the sunshine!
If you’d like a full meal afterward, you can head to The Getaway next door, where my best friend was working at the time.
Hours: Open Daily (7:30am-3pm)
Paciugo Gelato Café
As a wannabe European, I am constantly on the lookout for gelato places that are even half as good as those found on almost every street in Europe. Thankfully, downtown St. Petersburg has a tasty gelato shop that rivals those found in Europe, at least in my opinion. Paciugo Gelato Café has the creamiest gelato. Additionally, you are allowed to add up to three or four flavors in a small cup. This is a must-visit dessert location in downtown St. Pete!
Hours: Monday-Thursday (12pm-10pm), Friday (12pm-11pm), Saturday (11am-11pm), Sunday (11am-10pm)
Good Intentions
Snag a spot at weekend brunch or stop by for a weeknight bite at Good Intentions, an all-vegan restaurant with a modern take on 70s decor. From breakfast burritos to pasta dishes to mouthwatering appetizers, this diverse menu caters to various appetites and offers a fun environment to catch up with friends.
Hours: Tuesday (5pm-9pm), Wednesday-Thursday (5pm-10pm), Friday (5pm-11pm), Saturday (11am-11pm), Sunday (11am-9pm), Closed Mondays
Candy Kitchen
Not to be confused with the chain stores found by many beaches, St. Petersburg’s Candy Kitchen is a family-owned ice cream shop established in 1950. Located across from Madeira Beach, this ice cream shop is notable for its homemade flavors, frequent line of repeat customers, and staple influence in the community. As a child, my family and I would hit up this ice cream shop ALL. THE. TIME. As an adult, I am happy to see that this business is still thriving, and I enjoy continuing this tradition each time I visit the area.
Hours: Open Daily (11am-10pm)
Caddy’s Treasure Island
Caddy’s is a beachy restaurant and bar spread across many of St. Petersburg’s prime locations. I visited the Treasure Island location. What made this restaurant stand out to me was the outdoor seating being directly on the beach. I am a fan of any lowkey beach bar, so dining at a table with my feet in the sand felt like perfection. If you’re hoping to grab drinks here, be aware that happy hour begins pretty late, as the restaurant likes to draw in evening guests with post-sunset deals.
Hours: Open Daily (8am-11pm)
Paradeco Coffee Roasters
This Instagrammable spot is a must for anyone visiting St. Pete. Located in the heart of downtown St. Pete, this coffee shop offers a colorful chic environment for patrons to start their day. Paradeco Coffee Roasters offers a wide array of drinks, snacks, and breakfast items for you to choose from.
They do get pretty crowded due to how popular they’ve become, so if you can’t snag a seat inside, I recommend migrating to their outdoor seating.
Hours: Monday-Thursday (7am-5pm), Friday (7am-6pm), Saturday-Sunday (8am-6pm)
Slyce Madeira Beach
Don’t settle for just any pizza shop near the beach. Instead, head over to Slyce Madeira Beach, where you can order handcrafted pizzas after a day in the water. However, no trip to Slyce Madeira Beach is complete without ordering The Wagon Wheel, an oven-roasted brie wheel covered with light brown sugar, cranberries, and sliced almonds. It’s hard for cheese to disappoint, and the brie wheel definitely came dressed to impress. I decided to recreate this recipe for dinner at home one night, but nothing can compare to Slyce’s take on the recipe. When looking into places to eat in St. Pete, Slyce should be near the top of your list.
Hours: Tuesday-Sunday (11am-10pm), Closed Mondays
Red Mesa Cantina
In my opinion, no restaurant blog would be complete without mentioning a Mexican joint. In St. Petersburg, Red Mesa Cantina is the place to be when it comes to Mexican food. Between the aesthetic setting, an extensive selection of tequilas, and tasty menu options, Red Mesa Cantina has made its mark as a local favorite. Just beware that many of the portions here are quite small compared to other restaurants. I must say, though, that their empanadas and sangria are unmatched by others in the area. Go ahead and check it out for yourself!
Hours: Monday-Thursday (11am-10pm), Friday-Saturday (11am-11pm), Sunday (11am-9pm)
Where to Drink in St. Petersburg, Florida
Lost & Found
Step back into the 70s at Lost & Found, a vintage cocktail bar that has become a quick favorite of mine. Upon entering the building, you’ll find a bar to your left and a room to your right decorated with retro couches, shag rugs, and the obligatory disco ball. Lost & Found frequently features live performances that perfect the 70s rock sound.
If the couches and bar seats are full, you can also head to the backyard, where you’ll find another bar, tables, and a mural. The menu was quite diverse, but I loved the Pornstar Martini best, which came with a prosecco sidecar!
Hours: Monday-Friday (opens at 5 pm), Saturday-Sunday (opens at 12 pm)
Park and Rec DTSP
Park and Rec in downtown St. Pete is a local hangout that caters to any sort of night out. The lively venue features a dance floor, a sports bar, outdoor cornhole and Jenga, air hockey, and a variety of arcade games. On top of this, you can order adult juice pouches for a fun twist on a cocktail!
Hours: Monday-Friday (opens at 5 pm), Saturday-Sunday (opens at 12 pm)
Dirty Laundry
If you’re looking for a fun speakeasy in St. Pete, Dirty Laundry is easily my top recommendation. Once you enter, you’ll find the venue to be under the guise of a laundromat (an Instagram-worthy laundromat, to be clear).
Once ready to enter, an employee will push open the door of a washing machine to reveal an entirely different scene - an intimate Cuban-inspired bar and music space promising a fun night out. On our visit, there was a small band playing Cuban-style music on stage while patrons either danced or talked over drinks. Dirty Laundry also has an outdoor space with an extra bar and seats for those wanting to enjoy the outside air.
Hours: Monday-Tuesday (8 am-5 pm), Wednesday-Thursday (8 am-Last Call), Friday-Saturday (8 am-3 am), Sunday (8 am-Last Call)
Birchwood Canopy
I almost don’t want to write about The Canopy because I want to keep it my secret. But this trendy rooftop bar has already exploded in business since the first time I visited. Located on the rooftop of The Birchwood, The Canopy is home to St. Pete’s best happy hour deal. After taking an elevator to the top, you are greeted with cute outdoor seating options, such as cabanas, couches, and high-top tables. The rooftop also offers remarkable views of the downtown strip of restaurants, the St. Pete Pier, the water, and the boat docks.
Visit Monday-Friday between 4-7 pm for happy hour, which includes half-price signature cocktails and more deals. The mango margarita is my personal favorite item to get here, and it is only $6 during happy hour, which makes it a dangerously delicious cocktail.
Hours: Monday-Thursday (4pm-12am), Friday (1pm-2am), Saturday (11am-2am), Sunday (11am-12am)
Good Night John Boy
Another 70s-themed bar bringing all the groovy vibes to downtown St. Pete is Good Night John Boy. This long-anticipated venue includes a colorful dance floor, disco ball, fun decor, themed drinks, and even karaoke nights! I visited on a karaoke night and got to compete for a cash prize of $500. Adding even higher stakes to the karaoke was the large gong that the judges would bang if a performer did not impress them.
This made for such a fun night and will definitely require a second visit! Put on your best 70s attire and get ready for a fun night out.
Hours: Wednesday-Thursday (6pm-late), Friday (4pm-late), Saturday (2pm-late)
No Vacancy
Are you obsessed with tropical vibes and outdoor bars? No Vacancy combines these aesthetics, resulting in a modern tropical escape in the heart of St. Petersburg. Indulge in one of the bar’s fun drinks and enjoy the setting. The bar opens at 4 pm on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays. On Saturdays and Sundays, however, it opens at 12 pm. If you want some food to accompany your drinks, you’re in luck. No Vacancy also offers a tasty selection of appetizers and sandwiches.
Hours: Wednesday-Thursday (4pm-1am), Friday (4pm-3am), Saturday (12pm-3am), Sunday (12pm-12am), Closed Mondays and Tuesdays
If you’re wondering where to eat and drink in St. Petersburg, be sure to keep this blog bookmarked, as new spots are always popping up around the city. There is no shortage of trendy places to drink and dine around St. Pete, and I’m on a personal mission to try out all that I can!
