12 Unique Restaurants in Clearwater, FL: Discover Clearwater’s Quirkiest Cafes and Coolest Kitchens

226

In our guide, we spotlight the most unique restaurants in Clearwater, FL. You’ll discover unforgettable views, unique menus, and one-of-a-kind dining experiences. Let’s explore what makes Clearwater special.

Welcome to Clearwater, Florida! Beyond its sunny beaches, it’s a treasure chest of one-of-a-kind restaurants waiting for you to explore. Picture this: one day you’re biting into a dish you’ve never heard of before, and the next, you’re sitting by the water, enjoying the freshest fish you’ve ever tasted. This beautiful spot in Florida is full of surprises when it comes to eating out.

From cozy, family-like spots to elegant places where every plate is art, there’s always something new to try. Each restaurant has its own vibe, making every visit special. Ready to discover Clearwater’s dining spots? Let’s dive in!

👉 Pro Tip: Maximize your Calypso Queen Tropical Party Buffet Cruise experience! Enjoy stunning views, a delicious buffet, and unlimited rum punch. After dancing the night away, explore Clearwater’s nightlife with a visit to a beachfront bar or cozy seafood spot. Blend sunsets, flavors, and fun for an unforgettable evening!

Unique Restaurants in Clearwater FL: 12 Incredible Clearwater FL Eateries

We’ll take you on a journey to spots where the food and atmosphere are unlike anywhere else. Get ready to explore what makes dining in Clearwater a must-do experience!

1. Clear Sky on Cleveland

• 📍 Location: Downtown Clearwater (Cleveland Street)
• 💲 Price range: $20 – $40 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Eclectic Global / Modern American
• 🔥 Standout Features: Diverse menu with global influences, craft cocktails, and extensive wine list.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Downtown diners, brunch lovers, and groups seeking variety.

Expect the unexpected at Clear Sky on Cleveland! This downtown hotspot offers a culinary passport with its eclectic global menu, blending influences from Asia, Latin America, and modern American cuisine. It’s a world of flavor on one street!

Dive into creative dishes. Their tuna tataki with a wasabi aioli is a popular starter. For mains, flavorful street tacos (like Korean beef or blackened shrimp), or perfectly cooked steak frites with truffle fries, are excellent. Their brunch is legendary.

2. Pierogi Grill

• 📍 Location: Clearwater (Gulf to Bay Blvd area)
• 💲 Price range: $10 – $25 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Authentic Polish / Eastern European
• 🔥 Standout Features: Handmade pierogies (sweet/savory), traditional Polish dishes, European comfort food.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Pierogi fanatics, Eastern European food, authentic homestyle cooking, budget-friendly comfort food seekers.

Get ready for a dumpling deluge at Pierogi Grill! This Clearwater gem serves authentic, handmade Polish pierogies and other Eastern European comfort food classics that’ll warm your soul. It’s like a hug from a Polish babcia!

Indulge in pillowy pierogies. The potato and cheese (ruskie) are a must-try. Sauerkraut and mushroom, or sweet fruit-filled pierogies like blueberry for dessert, are also fantastic. Don’t miss hearty goulash or savory stuffed cabbage rolls (gołąbki).

• Read Next: 14 Off-the-Beaten-Path Spots in Florida You Need to Visit

3. Columbia Restaurant

• 📍 Location: Sand Key, Clearwater Beach
• 💲 Price range: $30 – $60 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Historic Spanish / Cuban
• 🔥 Standout Features: Florida’s oldest restaurant family (est. 1905), Spanish decor, famous “1905” Salad prepared tableside, authentic paella/Cuban sandwiches.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Spanish/Cuban food lovers, history buffs, tableside service, and special occasions.

Step into a century of Spanish culinary tradition at Columbia Restaurant! As Florida’s oldest restaurant family, the Columbia delivers an unforgettable experience with its stunning Spanish architecture, vibrant atmosphere, and legendary dishes. It’s a taste of history!

The absolute must-try is their famous Original “1905” Salad, tossed tableside with their signature garlic dressing. Indulge in authentic Paella “a la Valenciana”. A classic Cuban sandwich or refreshing Sangria are also essential.

4. Salt Cracker Fish Camp

• 📍 Location: Clearwater Beach Marina
• 💲 Price range: $20 – $40 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Casual Florida Seafood / Southern
• 🔥 Standout Features: Waterfront views, casual “fish camp” vibe, fresh local seafood.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Seafood lovers, waterfront diners, boaters, casual Florida vibe fans, and sunset drinks.

Get hooked on fresh, no-frills Florida seafood at Salt Cracker Fish Camp! Located right on the Clearwater Beach Marina, this spot serves up the catch of the day in a super casual, laid-back “fish camp” atmosphere. It’s where locals go for good seafood.

Enjoy simple yet delicious preparations. Crispy fried grouper sandwiches are a highlight. Peel-and-eat shrimp by the pound, or flavorful smoked fish dip with crackers, are also fantastic. Grab a cold beer and enjoy the marina views.

5. Lenny’s Restaurant

• 📍 Location: Clearwater (US Hwy 19 N)
• 💲 Price range: $10 – $20 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Classic American Diner / Breakfast Focus
• 🔥 Standout Features: Legendary breakfast spot (since 1950s!), huge portions, famous “Danishes,” “Home of the Free Basket of Danish.”
• 🎯 Perfect For: Breakfast/brunch enthusiasts, big eaters, diner fans, and free Danish lovers.

Prepare for a breakfast of champions at Lenny’s Restaurant! This iconic Clearwater diner has been serving massive portions of classic American breakfast and lunch fare since the 1950s. It’s a local legend for a reason! You get a complimentary basket of Danishes!

Tackle one of their enormous omelettes, like the “Western” or “Greek.” A stack of fluffy pancakes, or their famous country fried steak with eggs and gravy, are also great. And yes, you really do get a free basket of their delicious assorted Danish pastries.

6. Ocean Hai

• 📍 Location: Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach
• 💲 Price range: $50 – $100+ per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Upscale Asian Fusion / Seafood
• 🔥 Standout Features: Stunning Gulf views, Asian fusion dishes, fresh seafood/sushi.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Special occasions, sushi connoisseurs, romantic dates, and luxury resort diners.

Experience Asian fusion with an oceanfront view at Ocean Hai! Located in the Wyndham Grand Clearwater Beach, this upscale restaurant offers refined dishes blending Asian flavors with fresh, local seafood, all served in an elegant setting overlooking the Gulf of Mexico.

Indulge in beautifully plated dishes. Delicate sushi and sashimi selections, like a chef’s choice platter, are popular. Creative pan-seared scallops with Asian-inspired sauces, or a perfectly cooked miso-glazed sea bass, are also fantastic. The stunning views make it special.

7. Mirage Restaurant

• 📍 Location: Clearwater (Gulf to Bay Blvd)
• 💲 Price range: $25 – $50 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Mediterranean / Middle Eastern (Often Greek/Lebanese focus)
• 🔥 Standout Features: Authentic Mediterranean/Middle Eastern cuisine, belly dancing, exotic decor, and flavorful kebabs.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Middle Eastern food fans, entertainment seekers, and mezze lovers.

Prepare for a Mediterranean mirage of flavor at Mirage Restaurant! This Clearwater spot offers an authentic taste of the Middle East, complete with vibrant belly dancing performances and live music that transport you to another world. It’s a feast for all senses!

Savor classic Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes. Succulent shish kebabs (lamb or chicken) are a must-try. Creamy hummus with warm pita, flavorful falafel, or rich lamb shank slow-cooked with vegetables are also excellent.

8. The Bait House Tackle and Tavern

• 📍 Location: Clearwater Beach Marina
• 💲 Price range: $15 – $30 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Ultra-Casual Seafood Shack / Dive Bar
• 🔥 Standout Features: Over-water shack vibe, fresh “hook-and-cook” local seafood.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Seafood seekers, dive bar fans, sunset drinks, and local hangouts.

It doesn’t get much more “Clearwater authentic” than The Bait House Tackle and Tavern! This tiny, rustic shack perched over the water at the marina is the epitome of a casual, local seafood joint. It’s where the fishermen go!

Enjoy incredibly fresh, simply prepared local seafood. Perfectly steamed shrimp by the pound are a highlight. Delicious smoked fish spread with crackers, or a simple grouper sandwich (grilled or fried), are also fantastic. Grab a cold beer and watch the boats.

• Read Next: 12 Perfect Locations in Florida Gulf Coast for Digital Nomads and Remote Workers

9. Caretta on the Gulf

• 📍 Location: Sandpearl Resort, Clearwater Beach
• 💲 Price range: $60 – $120+ per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Fine Dining Seafood / Steakhouse
• 🔥 Standout Features: AAA Four-Diamond restaurant, Gulf of Mexico views, beachfront dining, premium seafood/steaks.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Fine dining splurges, sunset dinners, celebrations, and high-end seafood/steak.

Indulge in award-winning elegance at Caretta on the Gulf, in the luxurious Sandpearl Resort. As Clearwater’s only AAA Four-Diamond restaurant, expect impeccable service, exquisite cuisine, and an unforgettable beachfront setting. This is fine dining with a Florida sunset.

Savor expertly prepared dishes. Premium seafood like pan-seared diver scallops or fresh Florida grouper are must-tries. Perfectly cooked prime steaks, such as a filet mignon or ribeye, or their popular lobster mac and cheese, are also fantastic.

10. Salty’s Island Bar & Grille

• 📍 Location: Clearwater Beach (Near the roundabout)
• 💲 Price range: $15 – $35 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Casual Seafood / American Beach Bar
• 🔥 Standout Features: Live music, fresh local seafood dishes, tropical cocktails.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Beach day casual eats, live music, seafood lovers, sunset cocktail seekers, and beach people-watching.

Get your dose of salty air at Salty’s Island Bar & Grille! Located right on Clearwater Beach, this lively spot offers fresh seafood, tropical drinks, and live music, all with that quintessential Florida beach bar vibe. It’s where the sun, sand, and sips meet!

Enjoy casual beach fare. Tasty grouper tacos, grilled or blackened, are a popular choice. A classic shrimp po’ boy, or fresh oysters on the half shell, are also fantastic. Grab a colourful tropical cocktail and listen to some tunes.

11. Another Broken Egg Cafe

• 📍 Location: Clearwater (Multiple FL locations)
• 💲 Price range: $15 – $30 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Upscale Breakfast / Brunch / Lunch
• 🔥 Standout Features: Creative twists on breakfast/brunch classics, Southern-inspired dishes, signature benedicts/omelettes.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Brunch lovers and Southern-inspired meals.

Start your day with a crackin’ good meal at Another Broken Egg Cafe! This popular spot takes breakfast and brunch to a whole new level with creative twists on classic dishes and delicious Southern-inspired fare. It’s not just another breakfast joint!

Indulge in unique creations like their cinnamon roll French toast. A variety of inventive Eggs Benedict options (try the “Lobster & Brie Benedict”) or fluffy Sweet Potato Pancakes are also fantastic. Their shrimp and grits are a savory favorite.

12. Frenchy’s Rockaway Grille

• 📍 Location: Clearwater Beach (Gulf-front)
• 💲 Price range: $15 – $35 per person
• 🍽️ Cuisine Style: Casual Florida Seafood / Beach Bar
• 🔥 Standout Features: Grouper Sandwiches, open-air beachfront dining, live music, funky decor.
• 🎯 Perfect For: Grouper sandwich fans, beachfront diners, live music lovers, casual seafood enthusiasts.

No trip to Clearwater Beach is complete without Frenchy’s Rockaway Grille! This iconic local chain is legendary for its fresh grouper and laid-back, colourful atmosphere. It’s a Clearwater classic! With open-air dining right on the sand and live music, it’s pure beach bliss.

You should try one of their famous grouper sandwiches – grilled, fried, or blackened, they’re all delicious. Also enjoy fresh She-Crab Soup. Stone crab claws (when in season) or their popular garlic crab fries are also must-haves.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Unique Places to Eat in Clearwater FL

Our Clearwater FL restaurant guide is here to help you uncover the city’s most unique dining experiences.

What restaurant chain is based in Clearwater Florida?

In Clearwater, Florida, the Columbia Restaurant stands out as a notable chain with deep roots in the state. This place isn’t just a restaurant; it’s a slice of history, offering a blend of Spanish and Cuban cuisines that tell a story with every dish. Families and friends often choose Columbia for celebrations or casual get-togethers, enjoying its rich atmosphere and flavorful meals. It’s more than a dining spot; it’s a tradition that continues to charm locals and visitors alike.

What is the main strip in Clearwater?

Clearwater Beach Walk is the heartbeat of Clearwater, buzzing with life and activity. This strip is where the action happens, lined with a variety of places to eat and shop. Whether you’re hunting for cheap eats in Clearwater FL or craving some fine dining, you’ll find it here. The Beach Walk is perfect for anyone looking to soak up the sun, grab a bite, and experience the lively culture of Clearwater Beach.

Does Clearwater have bars?

Absolutely, Clearwater boasts a lively bar scene that caters to all tastes. From laid-back beach bars where you can sip a drink with your toes in the sand to sophisticated lounges offering craft cocktails, there’s a spot for every mood. Clearwater’s bars are great for winding down after a day at the beach, catching up with friends, or just enjoying the local nightlife. Each bar has its own vibe, making bar-hopping in Clearwater an adventure in itself.

Where can I find cheap eats in Clearwater FL?

Cheap eats in Clearwater FL are easy to find if you know where to look. Local diners, food trucks, and beachside shacks offer delicious meals without a hefty price tag. These spots serve up everything from seafood caught that day to hearty American classics. Eating on a budget doesn’t mean skimping on flavor here. You can enjoy a full meal, savor the local cuisine, and still have cash left for exploring what Clearwater has to offer.

What are some fine dining options in Clearwater?

Fine dining in Clearwater FL is represented by exquisite restaurants like Caretta on the Gulf, where the ambiance, service, and menu are all about luxury. These establishments are ideal for celebrating special moments or indulging in a gourmet experience. With chefs who use only the finest ingredients to create stunning dishes, dining at these restaurants is an event in itself. The elegant settings, often with beautiful views, enhance the meal, making any dinner an unforgettable experience.

Can you recommend any hidden gem restaurants in Clearwater FL?

Discovering hidden gem restaurants in Clearwater FL is like finding treasure. Tucked away from the main tourist spots, these eateries offer unique menus and a cozy atmosphere. They might not be featured in every Clearwater FL restaurant guide, but they’re worth seeking out, especially for those who fly to Florida. From family-run cafes serving homemade dishes to quaint bistros with secret recipes, these hidden gems provide a more intimate dining experience. They’re perfect for foodies looking to explore the local culinary scene.

Are there any themed restaurants in Clearwater?

Themed restaurants in Clearwater FL add an extra layer of fun to dining out. These establishments offer unique settings that transport you to another place or time. From pirate adventures to tropical paradises, the themes enhance your meal with an entertaining backdrop. Ideal for families or anyone looking for a meal with a twist, these restaurants combine great food with immersive experiences. It’s not just about eating; it’s about enjoying a story that unfolds with every bite.

What’s the best way to discover local seafood in Clearwater?

To truly experience the best local seafood in Clearwater, head to the waterfront eateries where the catch of the day is always on the menu. These spots pride themselves on serving seafood that’s as fresh as it gets, often caught by local fishermen and brought straight to your plate. From grouper sandwiches to seafood platters, the variety is endless.

Final Thoughts On Unique Clearwater FL Restaurants

We hope you enjoyed exploring the flavors of Clearwater with us. Our journey through the best spots to eat has shown that this city has something for everyone. From beachside grills to cozy cafes, Clearwater’s dining scene is vibrant and diverse, making it a delightful experience for those who choose to stay in Florida.

Remember, whether you’re looking for a fancy night out or just some tasty, affordable bites, our Clearwater FL restaurant guide is here to help you find the perfect place.