Clearwater Beach is known for its sugar white sand and beautiful Gulf views, but the food scene is just as memorable. Fresh seafood is a major highlight, with local restaurants serving the daily catch prepared in simple, flavorful ways.
From casual beachside grills to waterfront spots by the marina, there are plenty of dining options to explore during your stay. This guide covers where to find the best seafood, what to order, and how to enjoy it like a local, whether you are here for a weekend or a longer stay in one of our Clearwater Beach vacation rentals.
We have kept to places whose details we could confirm directly with the restaurants, and linked their sites so you can check menus and hours before you go.
What to order
When it comes to Clearwater Beach seafood, Gulf grouper is king. You will find it on nearly every menu, grilled, blackened or fried, and most famously in a grouper sandwich. Shrimp comes boiled, fried or grilled, and fish tacos, conch fritters and seafood gumbo are local favorites too.
If you visit between October 15 and May 15, look out for Florida stone crab claws. They are only served during the harvesting season, and they are a sustainable choice: fishermen take the claws and return the crab to the water, where the claws regrow in about 18 months.
Good to know: Stone crab season runs October 15 to May 15, so it is in season right now. Frenchy’s.
Top local seafood restaurants
Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill
Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill is one of the best known names on Clearwater Beach. It is the largest of the Frenchy’s restaurants, with open air beachfront dining right on the Gulf at 7 Rockaway Street, a short walk north of Pier 60. The sunset views are excellent, and there is live music daily from local artists and two large bars.
The menu focuses on fresh seafood and Floribbean style dishes. Order the famous grouper sandwich, which the Frenchy’s group calls its Super Grouper, and try the She Crab soup. It is open 11 am to 10 pm Sunday to Thursday and until 11 pm on Friday and Saturday. Call 727-446-4844. Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill.
More Frenchy’s favorites
Frenchy’s started with its Original Cafe on Baymont Street in 1981, and in 1983 the founder bought his first fishing boat so the restaurants could catch their own fish. Today a small fleet lands line caught grouper and snapper for the group. The Original Cafe at 41 Baymont Street is small and quaint, and it is where the Super Grouper sandwich made its debut; it is known for smoked fish spread, seafood gumbo and boiled shrimp.
Frenchy’s Saltwater Cafe at 419 Poinsettia Avenue is family friendly, with a wraparound patio, and it created the Grouper Reuben, alongside octopus dishes, conch fritters and buffalo shrimp. On Beach Walk, Frenchy’s South Beach Cafe at 351 South Gulfview Boulevard has a sidewalk patio facing the water and serves grouper egg rolls and bacon wrapped scallops. Frenchy’s locations.
Crabby’s Dockside
Crabby’s Dockside, at 37 Causeway Boulevard by the Clearwater Beach Marina, is a great choice if you want waterfront dining with a panoramic view of Clearwater Beach. The restaurant says to come for the fresh Florida grouper and stay for the Dockside Punch and the views, and it has a kids’ menu too.
It is open 11 am to 10 pm Sunday to Thursday and until 11 pm on Friday and Saturday; call 727-210-1313. It is a convenient stop before or after a boat trip from the marina. Crabby’s Dockside.
Fresh catch markets
If you prefer cooking at your rental, buying from a seafood market is a smart option, especially in a home with a full kitchen and a grill. Frenchy’s Stone Crab & Seafood Market at 501 Causeway Boulevard in Dunedin, about 9 miles north of Pier 60 on the way to Honeymoon Island, sells fresh seafood and stone crab in season. Call 727-250-4126 to check what came in that day. Frenchy’s.
Beyond the big names, keep an eye out for smaller cafes along the side streets. They often focus on simple recipes and generous portions, and asking a server what came in that morning is the best way to find the freshest fish.
Tips for dining by the beach
A little planning makes dining even better. Go early for dinner to avoid long waits, especially in peak season and around sunset, when beachfront tables are in demand. Ask about the daily catch for the freshest options, and dress casually, since most beach restaurants are relaxed. Lunch is a good alternative if you want a quieter meal with a similar menu.
Dining out is one of the most enjoyable things to do in Clearwater Beach, especially when paired with the sunset. For coffee the next morning, see our guide to Clearwater Beach coffee shops, and for drinks, our craft beer and cocktail guide.
Stay with Sunny Orange Stays
If you love seafood, a home with a good kitchen lets you mix restaurant nights with your own fish feasts. Here are three of ours. Seas The Day is a two bedroom, two bath home on Mandalay Avenue that sleeps four, within walking distance of the Frenchy’s cafes. Ultimate Island Getaway sleeps ten in four bedrooms, with a fully equipped kitchen and a heated pool with a jacuzzi. Island Time sleeps 16 near the uncrowded North Beach sands, with an indoor outdoor bar and kitchen pass through window that is made for a fish fry.
Seas The Day
Ultimate Island Getaway
Island Time
Questions we get asked
When is stone crab season in Clearwater?
October 15 to May 15. Outside those dates, stone crab claws are not served fresh.
Where can I get a grouper sandwich on Clearwater Beach?
Frenchy’s restaurants are famous for their grouper sandwiches, and Crabby’s Dockside features fresh Florida grouper.
Can I buy fresh fish to cook myself?
Yes. Frenchy’s Stone Crab & Seafood Market at 501 Causeway Boulevard in Dunedin sells fresh catch.
What are Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill’s hours?
11 am to 10 pm Sunday to Thursday and 11 am to 11 pm on Friday and Saturday.
Let’s plan it
Plan Your Seafood Getaway
From beachfront grills to a fish feast in your own kitchen, Clearwater Beach is a seafood lover’s town. Find your home base.
See you on the sand.