There is a food-and-drink-filled literary oasis hidden in plain sight in St. Pete. The Library Restaurant, inspired by the George Peabody Library, is a must-visit for incredible literary-inspired cocktails, splurge-worthy culinary delights, and upscale escapism.
The bright and airy restaurant, located in the Johns Hopkins All Children’s Research and Education Building at 600 5th Street South, does in fact look like one of the world’s many beautiful libraries when you walk in. However, instead of desks with study lamps and librarians asking for quiet, guests will find comfortable dining tables and servers proffering menus and cocktails.
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The chic and lively atmosphere is a rare hidden escape just outside of downtown St. Pete. Always full of life, The Library has a “if you know, you know” following among locals, who fill the bar and dining room every week for the celebrated dinner service, the chef-driven prix fixe lunch menu, the decadent weekend brunch (we highly recommend the gigantic brunch board), rich coffee, and a craft cocktail menu with drinks named for and inspired by the books on the wall. No matter when you come in for a meal, The Library dazzles with comforting food, appetizing salads, and delicious shareables.
St. Pete’s standout brunch
We consider ourselves brunch aficionados here at I Love the Burg, and The Library is truly a star for their version of the weekend favorite, starting every Saturday and Sunday at 9 am. The team in the kitchen at The Library goes all out with creative twists on old school favorites, as well as adventurous creations you won’t find anywhere else. See the full menu here.
For starters, try the Smoked Gouda Grits (complete with bacon, scallions, and a maple syrup drizzle). Or go for the “Breakfast Bread” – a griddled hunk of chocolate chip pound cake topped with sweet raspberry mascarpone. The most popular brunch entree is the humongous plate of Maple Snickerdoodle Pancakes: a hot and fluffy stack covered in cinnamon streusel, sweet cream, strawberry compote, and warm maple syrup.
There’s no shortage of savory options either. We can vouch for the incredibly satisfying breakfast flatbread; the blackened fish tacos (with a delicious chili glaze) are outstanding; and the fried chicken sandwich is the stuff of savory dreams.
If you have a group – or if you’re just really hungry – you’ll have the entire table wide-eyed in excitement when the Brunch Board is brought on. An effective tower of treats, it includes servings of the beef cheek eggs benedict, Maple Snickerdoodle Pancakes, Nutella French Toast, smoked salmon dip, crispy bacon, and breakfast potatoes.
Meanwhile, The Library’s full cocktail list is available for brunch (we recommend Dr. Jekyl or The Juliet as excellent breakfast pairings), as well as local beer, locally-roasted coffee, TeBella teas, and a full wine list.
Must-try prix fixe lunch at The Library
While we always like picking what sounds good off the menu, we’ve learned one truism about great restaurants: always trust the chef.
That holds true at The Library, whose prix fixe lunch menu has quickly become a sensation in its own right. You’ll never go wrong ordering off the regular menu, but if you really feel like a treat, this is a must try culinary experience any day of the week – and you still get to make a few fun decisions.
A three-course meal, $25 per person gives each diner their choice between a pair of appetizers; one of the four entrees; and your pick between between a fresh-basked warm cookie or a vegan sherbet for dessert. The avocado toast – a star of the brunch menu – is our pick for the starter. With the entrees, however, the choice gets quite difficult, with the blackened fish tacos and the fried chicken sandwich both available. Or you can keep it light and cool with the roasted beet salad!
The prix fixe lunch menu (which you can check out here) is available Monday-Friday from 10 am – 3 pm. If you’ve never been to The Library before (or if it’s just been a while), this is a great way to sample several of their most popular items at a low price point.
St. Pete’s upscale event space
For all the talk about food and drink, we’d be remiss not to point out that The Library is also one of the most beautiful event spaces in all of St. Pete. The atmospheric dining room and sun-drenched patio are perfect for group outings and private events, with the flexibility to accommodate large parties and corporate outings.
Whether it’s a baby shower, book club, or even a small rehearsal dinner, The Library has the space to bring your vision to life. With graduation around the corner, we recommend contacting them soon if you want to book an indoor or outdoor space to celebrate your new grad. What says congrats on finishing school like a library where you can drink cocktails instead of study books?
Whatever the reason for your visit, The Library has established itself as a standout not only in St. Pete, but in all of Tampa Bay’s growing culinary scene. No surprise, considering it’s backed by the Oxford Commons team, the group behind Michelin-recognized spots like Predalina and the reimagined Mad Dogs & Englishmen, as well as local favorites like Oxford Exchange, Casa Cami, and The Stovall House.
Learn more about The Library, see the full menus, and make a reservation at thelibrarystpete.com.
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