Looking for great places to eat in St. Pete Beach, Florida? From fresh seafood and casual neighborhood favorites to waterfront dining and upscale steakhouses, these seven restaurants are worth adding to your vacation list. And if you are staying near Upham Beach, you can walk to most of them.
One of the best parts of visiting St. Pete Beach is discovering the local food scene. But with so many restaurants to choose from, how do you decide where to go?
We decided to ask the people who know the area. On our Majestic Beach Condo TikTok, we asked one simple question:
If you could recommend just ONE restaurant in St. Pete to someone visiting for the first time, where would it be?
The response? 311 comments and about 85 different restaurant recommendations from throughout St. Petersburg and the surrounding beach communities.
Rather than putting every restaurant into one enormous list, we are creating a series of local dining guides. We are starting right here in St. Pete Beach, with seven favorites from that TikTok conversation and our own local list. St. Pete Beach has many more wonderful places to eat than these seven, and more guides are coming. This is a starting point, not the whole story.
Exploring St. Pete Beach from Upham Beach
One of the things we love about the Upham Beach neighborhood is how many restaurants you can reach without getting in your car. If you are staying at Majestic Beach Condo at Gulf Winds, five of these seven restaurants are within about a 5 to 15 minute walk.
Getting to these restaurants from Majestic Beach Condo
| Restaurant | Approximate travel time | Our recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Rick's Reef | 5 minute walk | Walk |
| Shells Seafood | 6 minute walk | Walk |
| Buoys Waterfront Bar & Grill | 7 minute walk | Walk |
| The Toasted Monkey | 7 minute walk | Walk |
| The Helm | 15 minute walk | Easy walk |
| 1200 Chophouse | 25 minute walk or 5 minute drive | Drive, or walk if you enjoy a longer stroll; parking can be tight in peak season |
| Malio's Beach House | 25 minute walk or 5 minute drive | Drive; it has its own parking lot |
Times are approximate. Actual travel times may vary.
1. The Helm: For Lobster Lovers
Best for: Seafood lovers, lobster rolls, relaxed lunches and brunches. Address: 7800 Blind Pass Road, St. Pete Beach From Upham Beach: Easy 15 minute walk from Majestic Beach Condo. Hours: Lunch and brunch Tuesday to Sunday, dinner Thursday to Saturday only.
If you love lobster, The Helm should be on your list. This coastal seafood spot received three mentions in our TikTok discussion, with locals specifically recommending the lobster roll and the lobster grilled cheese.
The Helm is a small raw bar and restaurant that cooks its way up the East Coast: Maine lobster rolls with a Florida twist, Southern chicken and waffles, and Florida sour orange pie for dessert. Unlike some of the larger beach restaurants, it offers a more intimate dining experience, a good choice when you want seafood without a formal steakhouse atmosphere.
What locals recommend: The lobster roll or the lobster grilled cheese. Also on the menu: lobster mac and cheese, She Crab Soup, and a grouper sandwich. Good to know: The Helm recently moved to 7800 Blind Pass Road, so if your map or an older listing still shows 7736 Blind Pass Road, that is the old address. Dinner runs Thursday to Saturday only, so plan a lobster lunch or brunch on the other days.
2. Shells Seafood: A Classic Florida Seafood Dinner
Best for: Families, casual seafood dinners, and a traditional Florida seafood restaurant. Address: 7081 Gulf Boulevard, St. Pete Beach From Upham Beach: Just a 6 minute walk from Majestic Beach Condo. We recommend walking. Hours: Dinner Tuesday to Sunday, lunch Friday to Sunday, closed Monday. Menu
Sometimes, after a full day at the beach, you just want a good seafood dinner without having to dress up. Shells Seafood has been doing exactly that since 1985, when Swiss born chef John Christen opened it with a simple idea: top quality seafood, a fun room, and prices that do not require a special occasion. His son runs it today, and it remains a longtime Tampa Bay favorite.
Shells received three mentions in our TikTok discussion. One commenter specifically recommended the hogfish dinner, describing it as the meal she shares with visiting friends and family. Another mentioned the tropical fruit salad.
What locals recommend: The hogfish dinner or the tropical fruit salad, depending on the current menu. Our addition: Do not skip the Shrimp Pasta, the dish that made Shells famous, or the clam chowder and lobster bisque to start. Key Lime Pie if you saved room. Why it is worth trying: A convenient, relaxed, classic Florida seafood dinner that fits perfectly into a beach vacation, especially when you can leave the car parked.
3. Rick's Reef: Casual Beach Dining With Local Personality
Best for: Casual dining, breakfast through late night, and relaxed evenings where the neighborhood eats. Address: 6712 Gulf Boulevard, St. Pete Beach From Upham Beach: Only a 5 minute walk from Majestic Beach Condo. Definitely walk. Hours: Open daily from 7 or 8 a.m. to 1 a.m., including a late night menu.
If you are looking for somewhere you can show up in your vacation clothes, enjoy a good meal, and feel right at home, Rick's Reef is it. It is a laid-back neighborhood bar and grill on Gulf Boulevard, with covered dining, indoor and outdoor bar seating, and a dog friendly patio, serving breakfast, lunch and dinner made in house.
A couple visiting the area mentioned Rick's Reef as one of their favorite restaurants during their trip, specifically highlighting the coconut shrimp and surf and turf skewers. We have another recommendation of our own: the lobster fries.
What to try: Lobster fries, coconut shrimp, the Gulf Grouper Sandwich, or surf and turf skewers, subject to menu availability. On weekends, the build your own Bloody Mary bar gets its own fan mail. Good to know: Happy hour runs 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday to Friday, and the kitchen really does stay open until 1 a.m.
4. Buoys Waterfront Bar & Grill: For Waterfront Dining
Best for: Waterfront brunch and dinners, couples, and anyone who wants the view with the meal. Address: 677 75th Avenue, St. Pete Beach, on the water From Upham Beach: Approximately a 7 minute walk from Majestic Beach Condo. Leave the car behind. Hours: Open daily from 8 a.m., breakfast, lunch and dinner.
When you are vacationing on Florida's Gulf Coast, sometimes the setting is just as important as the food. Buoys Waterfront Bar & Grill is one of our personal favorites and a restaurant we regularly recommend to visitors. It sits on the Blind Pass inlet near Corey Avenue, with boat docks, an upstairs dining room built for the view, and a scratch kitchen that takes brunch seriously. Creative Loafing's Best of Tampa Bay 2025 named it a Readers' Pick for Best St. Pete Beach Surprise.
Buoys also appeared in the St. Pete Beach recommendations shared during our TikTok discussion.
Our recommendation: The tuna trio, if available. Also worth ordering: the banana crusted mahi, shrimp and grits, and at brunch the Creme Brulee French Toast or Short Rib Benedict. Why it is worth trying: A waterfront dining experience that is ideal when you want to slow down, enjoy the atmosphere, and make an evening, or a long brunch, out of it.
Visit Buoys Waterfront Bar & Grill
5. 1200 Chophouse: For a Great Steak Night
Best for: Steak lovers, date nights, and special dinners. Address: 5007 Gulf Boulevard, St. Pete Beach From Upham Beach: Approximately a 25 minute walk or 5 minute drive from Majestic Beach Condo. Hours: Dinner daily, 5 to 10 p.m. Menu
Seafood might be the first thing that comes to mind when planning a Florida beach vacation, but sometimes you are in the mood for a great steak. 1200 Chophouse is a longtime St. Pete Beach steakhouse where chef and owner Dan Casey sears every steak in a 1200 degree broiler, sealing in the flavor. The Tampa Bay Times called it a "Carnivore's Paradise," and the small room is upscale without being stiff.
Three commenters named it in our TikTok conversation, and it even sparked a friendly debate comparing it with another local steakhouse, Beau & Mo's. If you want a dedicated steakhouse rather than a seafood restaurant with a few steak options, this is the place.
What to order: The Bone-In Tomahawk Ribeye if the table is sharing, the Twin Filet Mignon Oscar, or bacon wrapped scallops to start. Every entree includes the house salad with its homemade balsamic vinaigrette. Local tip: 1200 Chophouse does not take reservations and the room is small, so arrive early and be ready for a short wait in peak season. Parking can be tight then too, which is one more reason the walk is not a bad idea if the weather is nice.
6. Malio's Beach House: A Newer Upscale Dining Option
Best for: Upscale dinners, celebrations, anniversaries, and couples looking for a more refined evening. Address: 4945 Gulf Boulevard, St. Pete Beach From Upham Beach: Approximately a 25 minute walk or 5 minute drive from Majestic Beach Condo. Driving is convenient, and it has its own parking lot. Hours: Dinner Tuesday to Saturday from 4 p.m., closed Sunday and Monday. Reservations available.
If you are planning a special dinner during your St. Pete Beach vacation, Malio's Beach House is one of the newer restaurants worth exploring. Opened in February 2025, it is the beach location of the Malio's name Tampa diners have known for years, bringing prime steaks, fresh wild caught seafood, proper martinis, and a more polished atmosphere to Gulf Boulevard.
It received three mentions in our TikTok discussion, including comments from people planning to try it, which is its own kind of anticipation.
What to consider ordering: A Tomahawk or center cut filet, Lobster Mac & Cheese, Jumbo Shrimp Theresa, and Bananas Foster or creme brulee to finish. Start with a traditional martini at the bar. Why it is worth trying: An elevated dining experience for a special night out, without having to travel all the way to downtown St. Petersburg. Good to know: The dress code is business casual, and this is the one restaurant on this list where booking ahead is the smart move.
7. The Toasted Monkey: For a Fun Beach-Bar Atmosphere
Best for: Casual dining, drinks, live music, watching the game, and a lively Florida beach vacation atmosphere. Address: 678 75th Avenue, St. Pete Beach From Upham Beach: Approximately a 7 minute walk from Majestic Beach Condo. We recommend walking. Hours: Open daily from 11 a.m. to midnight or later.
Not every vacation meal needs to be quiet, romantic, or upscale. Sometimes you want a cold drink, casual food, music, and the kind of atmosphere that reminds you why you came to Florida in the first place. That is where The Toasted Monkey comes in.
Mentioned in our TikTok restaurant discussion, The Toasted Monkey is a casual beach bar and grill with covered outdoor seating, an indoor lounge with sports on TV, live music, an upper deck made for sunset, and food made in house. The decor is funky, the covered outdoor areas are dog friendly, and it feels like a slice of old Florida.
What to try: Fish tacos, firecracker shrimp, Asian pork lettuce wraps, or the Monkey Business Burger, and Key Lime Pie for the table. Good to know: Set your map to 678 75th Avenue. Its old Gulf Boulevard location is closed. It sits at the same 75th Avenue waterfront spot as Buoys, so brunch at one and live music at the other is a perfectly good plan.
Which St. Pete Beach Restaurant Should You Choose?
Not sure where to start? Here is a quick comparison.
| What you are looking for | Restaurant |
|---|---|
| Lobster and coastal seafood | The Helm |
| Classic Florida seafood | Shells Seafood |
| Casual local dining | Rick's Reef |
| Waterfront views | Buoys Waterfront Bar & Grill |
| Steakhouse dinner | 1200 Chophouse |
| Upscale special occasion | Malio's Beach House |
| Lively beach-bar atmosphere | The Toasted Monkey |
These are only a few of the many restaurants in St. Pete Beach. Whether you are looking for fresh seafood, romantic dining, waterfront views, or casual local hangouts, there is plenty more to explore.
Leave the Car Behind and Explore St. Pete Beach
One of the perks of staying near Upham Beach is that you do not have to drive everywhere. From casual seafood dinners to waterfront dining and lively beach bars, several neighborhood favorites are just a short walk away. And when you do want to explore farther, having free parking at your vacation rental makes coming and going easy.
That is one of the things we love about this neighborhood. You can spend the morning on the beach, walk to lunch, relax by the pool, and head out for dinner without planning your entire day around transportation.
Still Hungry for More? More Local Guides Are Coming
This is just the beginning. There are many more restaurants throughout St. Pete Beach, downtown St. Petersburg, Gulfport, Treasure Island, and the surrounding communities. We will continue sharing recommendations in upcoming guides covering:
- Downtown St. Petersburg restaurants
- Waterfront dining around St. Pete Beach
- Romantic restaurants and date night favorites
- Casual seafood spots and Florida classics
- Breakfast and brunch near St. Pete Beach
- Restaurants near Upham Beach
Planning a St. Pete Beach Getaway?
If you are looking for a place to stay, Majestic Beach Condo at Gulf Winds is located near Upham Beach, just a short walk from the Gulf of Mexico. Our one bedroom vacation rental accommodates up to four guests and includes a full kitchen, beach gear, free parking, and access to a heated community pool. With several restaurants within walking distance, it is a convenient home base for enjoying everything St. Pete Beach has to offer.
Explore Majestic Beach Condo and Check Availability
What Is Your Favorite St. Pete Beach Restaurant?
We started with one simple TikTok question and received hundreds of recommendations. Now we would love to hear yours. If you could send someone visiting St. Pete Beach for the first time to just ONE restaurant, which would you choose? And what should they order?
Join the conversation on TikTok.
Restaurant hours, menus, parking availability, and travel times may change. Check directly with each restaurant before visiting.
Image note: Restaurant section images are illustrative placeholders, not actual photographs of the listed restaurants or dishes. The upscale lounge image is AI-generated. They can be replaced with licensed or original photographs later.