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What is St. Petersburg known for?
- St. Petersburg is known for its art galleries, sun and sand, high-end stores, balmy weather, swaying palm trees, and fine dining establishments.
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What makes dining in St. Petersburg special?
- Nestled between the ocean and white sandy beaches, this Florida panhandle is home to some of the finest restaurants in the country.
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Why is St. Petersburg a great dining destination for couples?
- Having the scenic Atlantic Ocean as your backdrop and dining on fresh fish from nearby waters is idyllic for couples looking to celebrate a special evening alone.
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1. BellaBrava
For almost two decades, the beach community of St Petersburg has embraced BellaBrava as their go to Italian restaurant. From the restaurant’s patio, patrons have a perfect view of iconic St Petersburg Pier, beautiful Tampa Bay, and Beach Drive. The interior features a grand horseshoe-shaped bar with a chandelier above it and stone walls separating the bar and dining area. The restaurant did extensive research in Italy to gain knowledge of the various types of cheese, herbs, pastas, seafood and meats to prepare for the meals in BellaBrava. Entrées include selections like slow-roasted pork ossobuco and wood-grilled marinated skirt steak.
204 Beach Drive Northeast, St Petersburg, FL, Phone: 727-895-5515
2. Cassis
A staple on Beach Drive and in the St Petersburg community, Cassis combines European Brasserie with an American flair. The dining area inside this spacious restaurant is aglow with bay windows offering vast lighting inside, while white tiled walls compliment the openness of this dining room. Sidewalk seating is just as spacious, with large canopy’s above the tables and palm trees weaving between them. Serving new American cuisine, dishes are created using only the freshest and finest ingredients. Entrées include items like braised pork shanks and Maple Leaf farm duck – cauliflower puree, bacon, braised brussels sprouts and black cherry reduction.
170 Beach Drive Northeast, St Petersburg, FL, Phone: 727-827-2927
3. Il Ritorno
St Petersburg’s modern downtown Italian eatery on Central Avenue is called Il Ritorno. Exposed ceiling and HVAC’s, wave pattern non-vented glass block windows, solstice rail lights, and an exposed brick wall helps set the tone of being in 19th century Italy. Having an ever changing menu means having to source locally owned businesses to obtain the freshest ingredients. Il Ritorno serves an array of Italian style fare with options like short rib Mezzaluna, spring ramp Tagliatelle, braised lamb spaghetti, scallop Risotto, and spring chicken – black trumpet mushrooms, foraged mushroom broth, poached egg, stinging nettle, and gnocchi alla Romana.
449 Central Avenue, St Petersburg, FL, Phone: 727-897-5900
4. Beau & Mo's Italian Eating House
A tad off the beaten path in historic Kenwood, Beau & Mo's Italian Eating House brings Chicago style meals to St Petersburg. The interior design features low ceiling fans, crimson colored walls with black and white pictures in dark backgrounds. The restaurant also features a banquette with low hanging sconce lights, making this an ideal setting for a date night. The executive chef has created an eclectic menu that utilizes local ingredients to keep the cuisine in this restaurant the freshest. Menu items include items like Duck l’ orange, Veal chops, and shrimp De Jonghe – jumbo shrimp broiled in garlic oil, butter, and lemon over Linguine.
2924 5th Avenue North, St Petersburg, FL, Phone: 727-771-3690
5. The Birch & Vine
The Birchwood Inn is the home of one of St Petersburg’s most elegant restaurants, The Birch & Vine. This restaurant’s regal elegance is set in the Spanish Mission-style with chandeliers and French doors in the main dining area. On top of the Inn, glass railings, fire pits, cabanas, and scenic views of Tampa Bay make this a perfect venue for a romantic dinner. The chefs at this restaurant prepare their meals with the freshest seafoods and ingredients. This eclectic menu features items such as Duck & Caper Pasta, Venetian style ribs, sweet potato gnocchi, and lantern lane brick chicken.
340 Beach Drive Northeast, St Petersburg, FL, Phone: 727-896-1080
6. Ceviche St. Petersburg
Ceviche St. Petersburg on Beach Drive, is the original tapas eating establishment in this region. The inside of this restaurant is a Spanish motif. High ceiling, large pane windows along with arched windows, iron chandeliers, Spanish tile on the tables and counter tops, and wood flooring is the epitome of dining in Spain. This restaurant has more than 50 tapas meals, paella, and ceviche selectins, that are all created with the freshest seafoods and local ingredients. Menu items include like Albondigas, lomo de puerco, chuletas de cordero, and pulpo ala gallega – grilled octopus, paprika, saffron potatoes, pickled red onions, capers, and olives.
332 Beach Dr NE, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, Phone: 727-209-2299
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