Top St. Pete, Florida Restaurants

St. Pete, Florida is home to so many unique and fabulous restaurants that it would be impossible to name them all.  However, a few stand out as being local favorites and are special for different reasons.  Mazzaro’s Italian Market is at 2909 22nd Avenue N in St. Pete.  Both a restaurant and a market for take home gourmet selections, Mazzaro’s features an excellent produce section, a meat counter that makes you feel like you’re in Tuscany, a bakery that offers numerous pastries and artisan breads, and a cheese counter where your questions are answered by knowledgeable staff.  The wine section is well priced without the typical up-sell.  Mazzaro’s also features some of the best beers and coffees, and the olive bar is amazing.

The warmth, the service, the impeccable quality at Mazzaro's makes all guests feel like an important and well respected part of the food family.  The grilled caprese sandwhich is a local favorite, and the espresso is roasted on site.  The spot is mostly a market, with many prepared food items to take home.  However, they also have a deli, a bakery, a wine and cheese room for onsite dining in a casual atmosphere.

For fresh seafood and melt-in-you-mouth steaks, head to MadFish, at 5200 Gulf Boulevard in St. Pete.  The food is fabulous, the experience is unique and the service is excellent.  House specialties include the
Prime Rib and Filet Mignon, and portions are very hearty.  There is a special bread, the Cuban, which is made in an 82 year old bakery in Ybor City.  Still, due to its location just a few feet from the ocean, the menu is focuses on the fresh and amazing seafood, but there is a good selection of steaks as well.  Other local favorites include the Crab Cake Appetizer, the Shrimp Pasta and a wide array of salad options.

Snapper’s Sea Grill, at 5895 Gulf Boulevard in St. Pete is another fantastic choice for amazing seafood.  The Coconut Shrimp is a favorite and features huge jumbo shrimp in a light, flavorful batter.  As a starter, try the Grilled Watermelon with Breaded Fried Goat Cheese, a perfect blend of tart cheese with the sweet watermelon.  The Grilled Wahoo is another great choice, and is served with side of citrus and butternut squash.  Appetizers also include the Baked Flatbread with smooth and creamy humus dip, Fried Clam Strips, and a special recipe cole slaw.  The Wasabi Ahi Tuna Steak and Grouper Stuffed with Scallops, Shrimp and Crab is amazing.