Clearwater’s comfort food is coastal and sunny—seafood platters, Southern sides, and diner classics perfect after a beach day.
Add in a few modern spots with hearty plates, and you’ve got a lineup that satisfies salt-air cravings and rainy-day coziness alike.
Clear Sky Cafe
A beachside favorite with an all-day menu built for comfort.
Breakfast brings loaded omelets, cinnamon-swirl French toast, and biscuits with sausage gravy.
Lunch and dinner lean hearty: chicken pot pie with flaky pastry, shrimp and grits with a buttery kick, and a lobster mac and cheese that feels celebratory.
The vibe is casual and bright, with patio seating that’s great for people-watching.
Salt Cracker Fish Camp
Classic coastal comfort in a lively setting.
Start with hushpuppies and smoked fish dip before diving into fried shrimp baskets, blackened grouper sandwiches, or fish and chips with crispy batter and malt vinegar.
Grits bowls and creamy chowder deliver spoonable comfort, and sides like coleslaw and fries are spot-on. It’s approachable, family-friendly, and very Clearwater.
Lenny’s Restaurant
A beloved deli-diner hybrid known for generous breakfasts and nostalgic plates.
Expect bottomless fresh-baked pastry baskets, corned beef hash with eggs, challah French toast, and towering deli sandwiches for lunch.
The turkey dinner—complete with stuffing and gravy—hits the spot, and the matzo ball soup is a warming classic.
Service is friendly, portions are ample, and the morning energy is infectious.
Cristino’s Coal Oven Pizza
Coal-fired comfort with a tasteful Italian lean.
The thin-crust pies arrive blistered and fragrant, the lasagna layers are cheesy and comforting, and the chicken parm with spaghetti brings pure red-sauce joy.
Start with meatballs or a caprese, and finish with their signature gelato—silky and rich.
The cozy dining room and steady hum of the oven make it an easy repeat.
Columbia Restaurant
A Tampa Bay classic brings Spanish-Cuban comfort to the waterfront.
The 1905 Salad is iconic, but for maximal comfort, go for the ropa vieja with yellow rice, boliche (stuffed eye round) with gravy, or the seafood croquettes. Black beans and plantains round out the plate.
It’s old-world in the best way—warm service, historic recipes, and a view that invites lingering.
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