There are tons of restaurants to love from St. Petersburg, to St. Pete Beach, Largo and beyond. But which restaurants have most captivated food lovers in the region? The folks at Yelp Tampa Bay have released a list of the most popular restaurants in the area in 2019.
Don’t see your favorite restaurant listed? Let us know your go-to food hub in the comments!
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1. Barracuda Deli Cafe
This St. Pete Beach gem is known for its Cuban sandwich, Big Apple pressed reuben, and frozen margaritas. The deli just does sandwiches right. Reviewers have also touted the pork empanadas, hearty salads, cafe con leche and the excellent customer service.
Barracuda Deli Cafe, 6640 Gulf Boulevard
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Reviews:
Erika N.: Without a doubt one of the top five meals I’ve ever had! Family run, no frills, food done right. Every bite from start to finish was fantastic and flavorful. Had the Mojo Pork with black beans, guacamole, salsa, plantains and a cafe con leche. Took two boxes of leftovers home which I look forward to finishing off. Staff was kind, prices incredibly reasonable and far better than any of the pricier restaurants we’ve tried on this trip.
Rhawnie R.: Came here before going to the beach, and everything was great! Wonderful “home like” atmosphere, and super friendly and helpful staff. We ordered the taco salad and mojo pork meal and it’s seriously some of the best Cuban pork we’ve had since moving to Florida. Don’t let the strip mall location fool you!!
https://www.facebook.com/274763506439756/photos/a.298743680708405/439823696600402/?type=3&theater
2. Veggie Thai Cafe
You don’t need to go for a pure indulgence to enjoy a damn good meal. Veggie Thai Cafe in Largo has wowed vegan and carnivorous diners alike. The pineapple curry, the veggie teriyaki bowl, the basil fried rice, and thick avocado and vegan ham spring rolls are all to die for. It’s a quaint space in Largo that offers an intimate dining experience, and also gives you the option of a speedy grab-and-go meal.
Veggie Thai Cafe, 3690 East Bay Drive
Reviews:
Colleen M.: Was so happy to discover this place near me and couldn’t wait to try it after reading the reviews. It did not disappoint at all! Their marinated pork sa-teh was so flavorful and juicy. The green curry was perfectly balanced, not too sweet, and their chick’n is very tasty and chewy. I love that they offer meat substitutes which they actually make in house. It’s nice to have a break from tofu every once in a while! Nearly everything is vegan and easily modifiable. There’s also enough variety on the menu to prevent boredom. The dining area is small, so I recommend getting your order to go. Veggie Thai Cafe just got added to my list of regular takeout spots.
Lee K.: Fantastic Mom and Pop Vegan / Vegetarian Restaurant. This place really holds it’s own. Delicious, well seasoned and healthy Thai food that will put a smile on your face. The inside is very small, but the restaurant is clean and the menu has plenty of great options. I ordered a Drunken Noodles and Veggie Spring Rolls. The noodles were perfectly spiced and I got some pretend chicken added to see what that was all about. The spring rolls were standard. Large portions and perfectly spiced Thai flavor make Veggie Thai Cafe a total gem.
https://www.facebook.com/PacificCounter/photos/a.270712890132515/608982292972238/?type=3&theater
3. Pacific Counter
Pacific Counter was downtown St. Pete’s first build-your-own poke bowl concept. The 600 Block healthy bowl concept offers a huge menu for you to customize your own power bowl. I tend to order a double kale mix bowl with the Hawaiian BBQ chicken, pineapple, and nori. Guests can also enjoy a cup of delicious pineapple Dole Whip, sake slush, spam musubi, and more.
Pacific Counter, 660 Central Avenue
Reviews:
Sherry K.: This was one of our stops during the Eat St Pete food tour. Wow!!! The food is so freaking fresh! The spicy tuna basically melted in my mouth. And HEATHER is amazing! I loved her energy and how well she explained the history of the restaurant, paintings and where the fresh food is flown in from. We live in the area and plan on coming back many more times!
Makayla S.: If you want to find the worlds best sushi, look no further. Wether you go for a bowl or choose to roll it, you will NOT regret your decision. This is the place is the holy grail of sushi. All of their ingredients taste so fresh and are kept cool in their containers behind the counter. The staff is always incredibly friendly and helpful. Their sushi rice has amazing flavor and they offer several different flavors of teas. You HAVE to try the Spam rolls. Yeah. You heard me correctly. THEY MADE SPAM SUSHI.
https://www.facebook.com/cafesoleil/photos/a.444407159040297/828755977272078/?type=3&theater
4. Cafe Soleil
It’s the home of the best croissant on St. Pete Beach, so what else do you need to know? Owner owner Lauren Chezaud-Diot want to bring international flavor to St. Pete Beach. Her commitment to quality and consistency has made Soleil a staple amongst residents and tourists. Diners clamor for the C’est La Vie Quiche, the banana and Nutella croissant, cronuts, and the roast chicken and grilled zucchini sandwich.
Cafe Soleil, 4695 Gulf Boulevard
Reviews:
Nikki A.: Wow, no wonder this place is rated so highly. It is truly delicious and very European. If you want a break from the typical overly-sweet American coffees and pastries, stop here! We arrived shortly before opening for the morning and people were already gathering. The staff was so friendly and welcoming. We had the salted caramel latte…perfect! Just a touch sweet so we were actually able to finish the drink! We also tried the berry tart, the Simone, and the fig jam, blue cheese, arugula, walnuts, and honey croissant. Amazing. Delicious. Real food. You will not be disappointed!
Evelyn E.: Was a bit surprised to find a 5 star French bakery cafe along St Pere beach during our ‘local mini vacay…but I’m so glad I did. Their croissant sandwiches are amazing!! I had the pear one, and split a Brie one with hubby. Decadent! He has the bacon egg and cheese, and my brother enjoyed a PB&J one. Even that tasted superior! Their house coffee was very smooth, a local blend by Kahwa coffee. I usually don’t like house blends at restaurants, but this is far from ‘that type of typical house. Small café, family friendly, limited menu but don’t let that deter you… what they make. They do very well. Definitely returning!
https://www.instagram.com/p/B6WW1RFJ12-/
5. Plant Love Ice Cream
In 2019, plant-based ice cream became my favorite dessert, and that’s all because of the EDGE District dessert gem, Plant Love Ice Cream. The small space offers a rotating list of exceptional seasonal flavors like GF Apple Crisp, Egg-less Nog, Peppermint Bark, Salted Caramel Cashew, and old school delights like cookie dough, and cookies ‘n cream. It’s the dessert you can feel good about.
Plant Love Ice Cream, 953 Central Avenue
Reviews:
Sean M.: Seriously!! Hand crafted, small batch, plant based DELICIOUS ice cream. There is no reason you should not try this place – it really is great! The vibe is super chill and welcoming. The owner is actually behind the counter and you can tell this is his passion. I didn’t know what “wet walnut” was, but he explained the old time process of soaking walnuts in maple syrup, draining them, and eating the “wet” walnuts. He uses the same technique for the wet walnut ice cream – which had an amazing maple flavor! This place will definitely be a go to from now on!
Sam T.: Plant Love Ice Cream is the one vegan/Plant Based spot that I wanted to hit up while we were in St Pete/Tampa. It was all of that and more! I was able to speak to the owner while I was there and it turned out to be a great conversation. He told me this is the first Plant Based ice cream shop in all of Florida. There were various flavors to choose from and you can add CBD oil in it as well. There were also several flavors that were already infused with CBD. The environment is relaxing and the decor inviting. The ice cream was literally some of the most flavorful I have ever had! This place is a winner all the way around!
Here’s the remaining most popular restaurants in the area in 2019:
6. German Knodle
7. Smiley’s Deli
8. Sola Bistro and Wine Bar
9. Mazzaro’s Italian Market
10. Old Southeast Market
11. Love Food Central
12. Bodega
13. 11 Chicks
14. Taquitos Mexican
15. Brick & Mortar
Need more St. Petersburg food inspiration? Pay a visit to the hidden gem, the Stone Soup Cafe! Need a dose of classic St. Pete? Grab breakfast at the kitschy Skyway Jacks.
Want to see the top spots in Tampa? That’s So Tampa compiled a list of the most popular restaurants in Tampa for 2019.
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