When it comes to dining in St. Petersburg, Florida , known by the locals as St. Pete, there’s no shortage of options, from casual bar-like spots to fine dining for a splashed out night out. And it seems that new spots are opening up all the time. With so many choices, it can be daunting to make a decision. Here is a look at seven of the best restaurants in St. Petersburg, in no particular order.

Juno & the Peacock

Step into Juno & the Peacock for lunch, dinner, or weekend brunch, and you’ll be immediately taken with the stunning décor of one of St. Pete’s newest restaurants. Fortunately, the food created by the culinary team matches the exquisite aesthetics, with some of my favorite bites being the Hamachi Crudo, Monica’s Cornbread, California Crunch Salad, and the Crab-Crusted Grouper, with a bite of the Key Lime Tart or Flourless Chocolate Cake to finish off a meal.

Enchance your meal with a selection from the cocktail menu, which really shines: Spirits expert Ingi Sigurdsson adds a modern twist to classic cocktails through the decades, like the Singapore Slink from the 1910s, like a daiquiri from the 1930s (not the frozen variation) and the Harvey Wallbanger from the 1950s; some can be made zero-proof.

Casita Taqueria

My husband and I live near downtown Tampa , but when we’re craving Mexican food, we have no problems crossing the bridge and driving about 20 miles to St. Pete for tacos and bowls at any of Casita Taqueria’s three locations. I’m a creature of habit and always order a Casita Bowl with shrimp, but their tacos are not to be missed, too.

In addition to the expected fillings like Barbacoa, Carne Asada, and Carnitas, Casita has vegetarian-friendly tacos, too, including Verduras with summer squash and zucchini; chipotle-marinated Tempeh; and Brussels Sprouts.

casitatacos.com , 2663 Central Ave, St. Petersburg, FL 33713; 2701 4th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33704; 2991 66th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33710.

Allelo

If you prefer to nibble off friends’ plates when you’re out to eat, make reservations for Allelo, which has a nice selection of flavorful, shareable plates for lunch and weekend brunch. Speaking of brunch, persuade your table to go all-in on the chef’s selection of family-style dishes. You’ll all have to agree on which you choose, but you can’t go wrong with the quartet of Mediterranean-inspired dips, Olive Oil Pancakes, Patatas Bravas, Neuske's Thick Cut Bacon, or Deviled Eggs, with a champagne toast, of course.

Baba

One bite into the fresh, Med-inspired dishes, not to mention when a warm breeze blows, when you close your eyes, you can easily imagine that you’re at a restaurant in the Mediterranean, not Baba in St. Pete’s Grand Central District. Open for dinner and Sunday brunch, Baba’s menu is filled with flavorful bites like Muhammara, a hummus-like spread made of red peppers and walnuts; mushroom souvlaki; and grilled branzino served with tabbouleh and ladolemono, a Greek lemon oil sauce. A raw bar with an impressive selection of oysters, caviar, anchovies, sardines, and more is also available.

The Urban Stillhouse by Horse Soldier

Part restaurant, part bar, part tasting room, and part event space, The Urban Stillhouse by Horse Soldier features bourbon-inspired dishes prepared on a wood-fired grill. Settle in for dinner or weekend brunch and raise a toast to the dishes that will satiate everyone’s appetites, from a Sous Vide Creekstone Pork Chop, to Braised Wagyu Short Ribs, to Pappardelle with Key West pink shrimp.

For brunch, there are the likes of Stillhouse Eggs Benedict with fried green tomatoes, Koko’s Biscuits & Gravy, and Chicken & Waffles. With a tie to Horse Soldier Bourbon, as you can imagine, the cocktail menu is impressive with fun twists on classic sips, and zero-proof options, too.

Paul’s Landing

Soak up the Florida sunshine on the deck overlooking the marina or inside the a/c in the sunsplashed dining room at Paul’s Landing. Serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner in The Vinoy St. Petersburg (and open to the public!), the restaurant’s atmosphere is casual, with menus to match. Think berry parfaits, avocado toast, and housemade waffles for breakfast; and fresh salads, burgers, fish tacos, and shrimp & grits to round out the day and into the night.

El Cap

For more than 60 years, locals and visitors have flocked to El Cap for the best burgers in town, like the “World Champ” Burger or Cheeseburger, or the Daily Double—not to mention the hot dogs and fries. But don’t take my word for it: El Cap was named “Best Burger Joint in Tampa Bay” in Tampa Magazine’s 2025 Best Restaurants. Oh, and the patio’s dog-friendly, so your four-legged burger-loving friend can come along for the ride.