10 Best Seafood Restaurants in St. Petersburg FL 2024

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10 Best Seafood Restaurants in St. Petersburg FL 2024

It’s only natural that Florida visitors, and locals alike are interested in where they can get the best seafood. The state is surrounded by water with the Atlantic Ocean on the east and the waters of the Gulf of Mexico to the west. According to the Florida Department of Agriculture, Florida fishermen catch more than 84% of the nation’s supply of grouper, pompano, mullet, stone crab, pink shrimp, spiny lobsters and Spanish mackerel.

Some of the most popular fish to eat in Florida are Wahoo, Yellowfin Tuna, Hogfish, Snapper, Grouper, Cobia, Swordfish, Mahi-Mahi, and Kingfish. Of course, warm-water lobsters, stone crab, and Key west Pink Shrimp and Gulf Shrimp are also quite popular.

Best Seafood Restaurants in St. Petersburg and St. Pete Beach 2024

Sea Salt St. Pete
183 2nd Ave N
St. Petersburg, FL 33701
(727) 873-7964
Sea Salt Website

Sea Salt Oyster Assortment
Sea Salt Oyster Assortment
Mediterranean Tuna
Mediterranean Tuna

Sea Salt is an upscale eatery in downtown St. Pete at the Sundial Shopping Center. They always have a great selection of oysters. This assortment consisted of Chef’s Creek (British Columbia), Fiddler’s Cove (Massachusetts), Evening Cove (British Columbia) and Lucky Lime (P.E.I.). They were all sublime. The Chef’s Creek were creamy with a high brininess and sweet flavor. The oysters from Fiddler’s Cove had the perfect balance of salty and sweet, with a silky, buttery finish. The Evening Cove oysters had a fresh, clean, mildly briny flavor and a watermelon finish. Finally, the Lucky Lime bivalves had a balanced flavor of seaweed, with a silky citrus-tone finish.

The Mediterranean Tuna with quinoa and hummus is another favorite of ours. The hummus utilizes the Moroccan spice blend Ras-el-Hanout with Calabrian chili oil on top. It has such great flavor and is different than any other hummus I’ve had before.

The perfectly seared tuna has a rub of Szechuan peppercorns and paprika that is wonderful, and the quinoa with grain mustard was a delight. Some people think that Szechuan peppercorns are spicy since Szechuan cuisine is spicy, but they are not. They are floral in taste and aroma. There’s not enough here to cause the numbing or tingling of your lips and tongue that they are famous for. They provide flavor and color on the tuna.

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Trophy Fish
2060 Central Ave
St. Petersburg, FL 33712
(727) 258-7883
Trophy Fish Website

Smoked Fish Spread
Smoked Fish Spread
Grilled Fresh Catch Mahi-Mahi with Crispy Rosemary Potatoes, and Seasonal Veggies
Grilled Fresh Catch Mahi-Mahi with Crispy Rosemary Potatoes, and Seasonal Veggies

Trophy Fish is a casual outdoor only space in the Grand Central District, but the vibes and decor make you think you’re at the beach. They have delicious creative drinks, with the Fin & Tonic being our favorite.

We always get the smoked fish spread when we go to Trophy Fish. It’s one of the best in town, and smoked right there. You can see and smell the smokers going. With a jalapeño slice and a squeeze of lemon it’s the perfect bite.

Whatever comes in fresh off the boat is what’s on the menu that day. They usually have mahi-mahi and grouper amongst other fresh Florida seafood. The crispy rosemary potatoes are addictive.

 

Snapper’s Sea Grill
5895 Gulf Blvd
St Pete Beach, FL 33706
(727) 367-3550
Snapper’s Website

Stuffed Gulf Grouper
Stuffed Gulf Grouper
v
Risotto Oceana

Owned by a local fisherman, Snapper’s Sea Grill on St. Pete Beach is a local hotspot with a casual atmosphere and elegant seafood. (Please note that they do not take reservations.) As you walk up to Snapper’s there are lit tiki torches and mature palm trees lining the walkway bringing you to the front doors, which are made of beautiful stained glass in the shape of fish swimming in the ocean. When you walk inside dark wood and etched glass artwork continue the sea life theme.

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Snapper’s signature Stuffed Gulf Grouper comes prepared with a shrimp, scallop, and crabmeat stuffing over a locally caught Grouper filet and finished with a Champagne cream sauce. While the dish sounds heavy… and is heavy, the Champagne sauce and fresh Grouper added a lightness to the dish that rounds out the heaviness of the cream and stuffing. The puff pastry potato is a glutton’s dream, with creamy chopped potatoes cooked inside a golden puff pastry.

The Risotto Oceana comes with a roasted garlic, creamy Parmesan risotto topped with pan seared diver scallops, jumbo shrimp, lemon-basil oil, diced tomatoes, and leeks. The risotto, scallops, and shrimp were flawlessly cooked. The risotto creamy and cheesy, and the scallops beautiful and golden. All the flavors came together to create the perfect bite.

 

Hookin’ Ain’t Easy
3660 22nd Ave S
St. Petersburg, FL 33711
(727) 592-1388
Hookin’ Ain’t Easy Website

Hookin' Ain't Easy Stone Crab Claws
Stone Crab Claws

Hookin’ Ain’t Easy is a seafood market with a food truck, bar and live music in the back outdoor area. The ambiance is relaxed and friendly, neighborhood-like as you order from a food truck and listen to live music either on a picnic table or at the tiki bar. Matthew, the owner is passionate, friendly and welcoming. Also he’s hilarious as he was showing us around and telling us that he catches the majority of the seafood on the menu and knows where everything comes from, he called himself a “busy hooker”.  Funny.

Some of their menu items include Smoked Mullet, Fish and Chips, Shrimp Basket, Grouper Nuggets, Grouper Sandwich, and more.

 

I.C. Sharks Seafood Market
10020 Gandy Blvd N
St. Petersburg, FL 33702
(727) 914-4087
I.C. Sharks Website

Fish_Dip
Fish Dip
Steamed_Clams
Steamed Clams

I.C. Sharks Seafood Market has been a staple in St. Pete since 2004. They are a seafood market with an outdoor bar and seating area offering a succinct seafood menu. They provide fresh-off-the-boat grouper, snapper, mahi, hogfish, oysters, scallops, clams, blue crab, stone crab, and more.

 

Sea Worthy Fish + Bar
1110 Pinellas Bayway S
Tierra Verde, FL 33715
(727) 623-0468
Sea Worthy Website

Chef's Catch Ceviche
Chef’s Catch Ceviche – Fresh Lime, Avocado & Red Pepper Chimichurri
Smoked Mussels Escabeche
House Smoked Mussels Escabeche – Chilled Marinated Mussels, Fennel Coriander Broth, Chipotle Aioli, Baguette

At Seaworthy Fish + Bar they serve top tier cuisine. Chef Jason Ruhe is known to go fishing in the local gulf waters in the morning, breaks down the fresh catch himself, and serves it up for dinner. Speaking of the Gulf of Mexico, Sea Worthy sits right on the water in Tierra Verde with great sunset views. Most of the menu is seafood, but they also have beef, pork, and pasta dishes.

 

Buoy’s Waterfront Bar & Grille
677 75th Ave
St Pete Beach, FL 33706
(727) 939-2369
Buoy’s Website

Buoys Waterfront Bar and Grill Buoy Shrimp
Buoy Shrimp
Buoys Waterfront Bar and Grill Blackened Gulf Grouper Sandwich
Blackened Gulf Grouper Sandwich

Everything about Buoy’s Waterfront Bar & Grill feels tropical down to the food, cocktails, interior and views. Offering brunch, lunch and dinner daily, it’s all about the fresh ingredients and made from scratch sauces and strong drinks here. It’s super casual, in a good way, meaning you can roll up after a long day at the beach and it’ll be fine. The two breezy outdoor patios are ideal for dolphin watching while sipping on a boozy cocktail.

The Buoy Shrimp is an absolute must to start with. It’s crispy fried shrimp, sweet and spicy Buoy sauce and pickled fennel. The light crispiness and smothered homemade sauce really drew us in.

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The Fresh Gulf Grouper Sandwich at Buoy’s was delicious and perfectly seasoned. Though it ended up getting a little messy, it’ll definitely hit the spot for those post-beach cravings. The tropical slaw is very refreshing and a smooth texture with bits of crunch.

 

PJ’s Oyster Bar
7490 Gulf Blvd
St Pete Beach, FL 33706
(727) 367-3309
PJ’s Website

Half dozen Oysters from PJ's Oyster Bar

PJ’s Oyster Bar is the type of place where you walk in and immediately feel welcome. Their quaint restaurant, located just off of Gulf Blvd, is an establishment where you would feel comfortable bringing the whole family. They have a large variety of menu options, crafts and drafts to satisfy all, and of course, those mouth-watering oysters. Choose from raw, steamed, Rockefeller, or Chicago style, which are baked to perfection with parmesan cheese and garlic butter – need we say more?

 

Branzini Mediterranean Restaurant
6800 Gulf Blvd
St Pete Beach, FL 33706
(727) 580-6206
Branzini Website

Whole-Branzini
Whole Branzino

Branzini’s ability to deliver simple yet sophisticated dishes in a relaxed, beachside setting makes it a must-visit. Whether you’re coming off the beach for a casual meal or looking for a special dining experience, Branzini promises to impress with its fresh, flavorful fare and welcoming atmosphere.

The restaurant’s namesake dish did not disappoint. The whole branzino was perfectly cooked with crispy skin and flaky meat, showcasing the kitchen’s expertise in preparing seafood. Served alongside the fish was swiss chard and potatoes.

 

Shrimpys Waterfront
9524 Blind Pass Rd
St Pete Beach, FL 33706
(727) 575-7222
Shrimpys Website

Fresh Yellow Tail Snapper w/ NOLA cream sauce
Fresh Yellow Tail Snapper w/ NOLA cream sauce
Shrimp Etouffee with Fried Green Tomatoes
Shrimp Etouffee with Fried Green Tomatoes

Shrimpys is on the water on St Pete Beach just before you cross over to Treasure Island in the corner of an unassuming strip mall. They offer indoor dining either at one of the two the full liquor bars or at a table or outdoor seating by the water.  You will find live music Thursday – Sunday evenings on the deck and quite honestly, you just can’t go wrong here. It is a true locals hidden gem. They specialize in New Orleans-style seafood with a Florida influence.

10 Best Seafood Restaurants in St. Petersburg FL 2024

The ten best seafood eateries in the St. Petersburg Florida area chosen by locals for 2024.

DISCLAIMER: Kevin, Lori, Abby, Haley, Lindsey & Mahika do not dine anonymously (this would be impossible) and we sometimes get free food (though never expected). However, we dine with the locals and we support our own. You will always get honesty in a respectful manner. We do not include any large national or regional chains in our ratings and reviews. We focus on independent locally owned eateries exclusively.

PLEASE NOTE: Reviews reflect a certain moment in time. Some restaurants stay extremely consistent over many years, and some change for the better or worse. Some things that may change are: chefs, recipes, food suppliers, ingredients, philosophies, ownership, etc. We always hope that you have the same good, or great experience we had.
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