You can grab a fish taco from a beachside shack, or even attempt to grill salmon at home when you’re trying to convince your in-laws you’re a culinary genius. But just because seafood is everywhere in Clearwater doesn’t mean it’s all worth eating. When you’re craving oysters that taste like the ocean just kissed them, or a grouper sandwich that’s been blessed by Poseidon himself, book a table at one of these 13 spots.
Island Way Grill
$$ | (727) 461-6617 | WEBSITE
If you’d like your Clearwater evening to temporarily feel as special as a holiday celebration, a surf and turf dinner along with a dozen fresh oysters would be a good place to start. You’ll find all of it available at Island Way Grill with those beautiful waterfront views.
Granadino’s Italian Restaurant
$ | (727) 286-6241 | WEBSITE
Granadino’s offers a spaghetti and meatballs plate that tastes just like homemade, with meatballs so good you’re sad when they’re gone. At $18, though, it’s also one of the pricier items on the menu at this cozy Italian spot, and in the event that you want something more modest, you can get a very satisfying portion of stuffed shells with sausage for about $14.
Watercolour Grillhouse
$$$ | (727) 953-1661 | WEBSITE
Florida is famously protective of its sunshine and beaches, but one treasure they’ve generously shared with Clearwater is Watercolour Grillhouse. And we’re absolutely thrilled they did. Their carefully curated menu comes with various seafood options, and while the specific fish selections vary depending on the daily catch, you’re going to get between three and five exquisite courses for around $80.
The romantic atmosphere, with its spectacular waterfront views and live music, makes every bite feel like a special occasion. From the sweet and savory Brussels sprouts to the tender seared scallops, each dish arrives with the kind of first-class service that turns a meal into a memory. It’s a price point that reflects the prime location near the beaches, but for a date night or an evening with friends, it’s worth every penny.
Bascom’s Chop House
$$$ | (727) 573-3363 | WEBSITE
This Clearwater gem offers steakhouse classics that range from $28 for their signature burger to $65 for the prime ribeye, which comes with your choice of two sides like truffle fries or creamed spinach, along with a generous pour of that must-have sherry pepper cream sauce. And if your dining companions feel like they don’t deserve steak tonight, they could order things like the bacon appetizer, seafood platters, or those consistently excellent burgers.
Crabby’s Bar & Grill Clearwater
$$ | (727) 608-2065 | WEBSITE
Crabby’s Bar & Grill Clearwater doesn’t serve boring seafood. If that’s not a dealbreaker for you, then you should know that their consistently great menu is very much worth exploring. Their popular dishes like gator bites, coconut shrimp, and the cajun seafood boil in a bag, as well as other items like the black beans burger are available from their second-story location with a beautiful beach front view.
Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill
$ | (727) 446-4844 | WEBSITE
Would Clearwater Beach be Clearwater Beach without Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill? Yes, but it would be a worse Clearwater Beach, like the ocean without waves, or you without that perfect beach day playlist. With seafood specialties like the shrimp curry and crab fries starting around $18, this classic beachfront spot serves some of the best seafood for the money in Florida, and you can take this opportunity to remind yourself of that while watching the sunset from your table.
China Wok
$ | (727) 562-0888 | WEBSITE
One reason chain restaurants often disappoint is because they sacrifice quality for consistency across too many locations. Corporate chefs should take a note from China Wok. Despite offering everything from quick lunch specials to elaborate family banquets, they do it all well. And their Clearwater location is no exception. Order the general tso chicken, chicken lo mein, or pork rolls for takeout any day but Sunday when they’re closed.
The hot, tasty dishes arrive in quality portions that make the fair prices feel like a steal—from $2 soups to over $30 family meals. While the front parking can be tricky, the rear lot solves that problem. The owners sometimes feed their own children at the tables, giving the place a genuine family-run feel. With vegetarian and tofu options available, they accommodate dietary needs without compromising flavor.
China Wok proves you don’t need fancy décor or gimmicks when you focus on doing Chinese cuisine right.
Clear Sky Cafe
$$ | (727) 442-3684 | WEBSITE
If you’re someone who appreciates a menu with thoughtful variety, you’ll love Clear Sky Cafe. From the classic steak and eggs to the indulgent lobster ravioli, you can find something satisfying at this beachside spot. They also offer a popular Italian sandwich and southwest egg rolls that keep customers coming back. The recently renovated space feels clean and cozy, with friendly, knowledgeable servers who provide attentive service even during busy Sunday brunch hours.
It’s a convenient choice for families looking for good food near the beach, with free parking available and Apple Pay accepted.
Red Lobster
$$ | (727) 799-3816 | WEBSITE
Price-wise, Red Lobster is on the low end of the higher-end seafood spots. What that means is that you can get a seafood platter that’s good enough to make your Friday night or make up for your Monday afternoon for $28. It comes with shrimp, lobster, and a side – and there are a bunch of a la carte options as well.
Marina Cantina
$$ | (727) 443-1750 | WEBSITE
Marina Cantina by the marina typically only serves Mexican fusion – and it’s one of the best in Clearwater. But right now, they have a whole new experience with rooftop views overlooking the water including amazing guacamole, savory enchiladas, grouper tacos, and margarita flights. For context, this is sort of like if your favorite waterfront spot also started offering incredible food and cocktails with friendly, attentive service, and we suggest you take advantage – just watch for parking fines.
Frenchy’s Original Cafe
$ | (727) 446-3607 | WEBSITE
Frenchy’s Original Cafe offers daily specials at a reasonable cost, including Monday’s cheeseburger and beer and Thursday’s buffalo chicken sandwich and Mai Tai. So go ahead and get yourself their famous grouper reuben, one of the best in the area, and an order of calamari fried, often described as the best, while you hum a song about the food that you just made up.
Bait House Tackle & Tavern
$$ | (727) 446-8134 | WEBSITE
If you’re looking for waterfront seafood in Clearwater or anywhere along the Gulf Coast, your decision should be the same – Bait House. They offer a solid variety of fresh catches, appetizers, and local brews, and if you don’t feel like weighing the merits of Mahi Mahi versus the daily special, go with their tuna nachos, which come in around $18.
Tate Island Grill
$$ | (727) 674-4168 | WEBSITE
You may remember Tate Island Grill as that one beach-side spot where you once had a sunset dinner that made you feel like you were in a postcard from Florida. Well, maybe not a postcard – but a vacation brochure. It’s a Clearwater institution that’s somehow a great place for both fried grouper sandwiches and fresh salads – and you can enjoy both right there with unbeatable views.
And if you need some grilled food, a delicious impossible burger, or some grouper tacos off the seafood menu, they have those things as well.
