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Whether you’re a local or just passing through, Dunedin restaurants are not to be missed. The eateries in this city are incredibly vibrant and varied, serving tons of different cuisines.
I’m a Tampa Bay local and enjoy coming to Dunedin every chance I get. Dunedin has some of the best remote beaches nearby and plenty of fun places to explore if you’re here for a day trip or longer!
From fine dining establishments to pubs and everything in between, there’s something for every taste and budget. To help you make the choice of where to head next for amazing food, here are the 34 best restaurants in Dunedin!
Best Downtown Dunedin Restaurants Near Main Street
The charming streets of downtown Dunedin are full of exciting shops, art galleries, and delicious places to eat!
Here is a list short list of my favorite places to eat within a short walking distance of all the hot spots! Keep in mind, some are fine dining while others are closer to pub grub.
The Black Pearl
The Black Pearl is a high-end restaurant that does both French and New American cuisine. Their white truffle lobster risotto is the star of the menu despite being just an appetizer. The maple-glazed pork belly entree is a hit, too.
Reservations aren’t required but are kind of necessary. The Black Pearl is very popular but only has 12 tables. During peak season, you’ll want to book online way in advance to get a seat.
If you’re looking for delicious food and don’t mind a little splurge, The Black Pearl should be at the top of the list.
The Living Room on Main
The Living Room on Main is a casual spot that primarily serves American fare with an eclectic twist. The red velvet pancakes and black & blue nachos are the most popular brunch and lunch/dinner items.
There’s a different special almost every day of the week. Wednesdays are the best — you get 50% off select wines! The Living Room is also one of the best restaurants in Dunedin with outdoor seating.
The Duneatery
The Duneatery serves a pub grub menu mix of North American and German/Bavarian eats. Try their hot mess poutine that’s covered with beer cheese. Their wurst dog is a good choice, and you can swap the wurst for a vegan alternative.
This restaurant is 18+. However, babies are allowed as long as they remain in their strollers. There’s both indoor and outdoor seating, and they’re only open from Thursday to Sunday.
Parlor House Bistro
If you’re looking for something elevated but not stuffy, take a visit to Parlor House Bistro. This casual fine dining restaurant features a French-American menu. They make a hearty French onion soup as a starter, while the Parlor House Burger is their signature entree. It’s made with a 10 oz chuck and features a red onion marmalade.
Best Dunedin Restaurants on the Water
Bon Appétit Restaurant
If you want the ultimate fine dining experience, look no further than Bon Appétit Restaurant. This waterfront restaurant is located on the Dunedin Marina. It’s home to some of the freshest seafood dishes in the Tampa Bay Area.
It’s also one of the best restaurants in Dunedin with a covered patio bar and outdoor seating. As you sit and enjoy the ocean breeze on their deck, I highly recommend digging into their lobster roll or ahi tuna.
Olde Bay Cafe
On the Dunedin Marina, Olde Bay Cafe is on the other end of the spectrum from Bon Appétit. This rustic spot serves classic Gulf seafood dishes. The fish tacos and peel ‘n’ eat shrimp are the best on the menu. In addition, you can bring your own catch here, and they’ll cook it up for you.
Best Brunch in Dunedin Florida
Clear Sky Draught Haus serves a bit of everything from breakfast, barbecue, and beer. I’m personally partial to their breakfast and brunch offerings, though! Their menu is a blend of Southern and global cuisine. Try their classic chicken and waffles, or if you’re here later in the day I prefer their brisket. Clear Sky Draught Haus also make delicious blackened shrimp and gouda grits, too.
🥗 Pro Tip: Clear Sky Draught Haus has been one of my long-time favorites since I ate here years ago with my family. It’s one of those places with enough variety that you can’t go wrong when eating with a large group.
Café Alfresco
Located right on the Pinellas Trail, Café Alfresco is a great spot to stop for brunch while you’re out. They serve global cuisine, as well as Southern comfort foods. Their seafood items are the most popular, especially the crab cakes and sesame tuna salad. It’s a cafe so, of course, there’s fantastic dessert, too. I recommend the coconut cream pie!
Crown and Bull
Crown and Bull is one of those restaurants that’s equally great at any time of day. Visit for brunch, dinner, or even just to visit the full bar. The menu is primarily American, and the bar specializes in martinis. The eggs benedict — with options ranging from spinach to salmon to ribeye steak — is definitely a brunch favorite. But, I tend to like their corned beef hash to most. For lunch or a casual dinner, they also serve one of the best burgers in town.
Crown and Bull is one of my favorite places for specialty craft cocktails and a memorable gastronomic experience.
Sandpiper
Sandpiper is one of the few restaurants on this list that isn’t open late. It opens at 8 am and closes at 1–2 pm. The focus is on breakfast, brunch, and lunch, as well as custom-blended coffee. They have plenty of patio seating, too. Stop by on a sunny morning to enjoy breakfast quesadillas or Belgian waffles with a cuppa.
Home Plate
Home Plate is a newly revamped spot on the Pinellas Trail, serving healthy breakfast and lunch options. This small, welcoming restaurant serves primarily American cuisine, with “a little touch of Bavaria.” They make great eggs benedict and lobster benedict. Best of all, everything’s at a very affordable price. It’s also never too early for a mimosa here; go for their raspberry mimosa!
Best Mexican Restaurants in Dunedin FL
Fusion Street Eatery
Fusion Street Eatery serves — you guessed it — Latin American fusion food. The two most represented cuisines are Cuban and Mexican.
This small, unfussy spot is famous for birria tacos, made with tortillas that have been dipped in broth. If you’re not into tacos, they’ve got some fantastic sandwiches, too. Try the Firehouse Cuban Sandwich!
Happy Cactus Mexican Cocina
For some authentic Mexican food in Dunedin, head over to Happy Cactus Mexican Cocina. This casual eatery has a huge menu but is best known for their tacos, especially the carne asada and chorizo tacos. Their mouthwatering fajitas are also a local favorite!
Crazy Burrito
If you’re not already crazy for burritos, Crazy Burrito will make you! This lively Mexican restaurant is known for their Signature Crazy Burrito. It has three meats: steak, chorizo, and seasoned pork. The California burrito, stuffed with fries, is also popular. Visit between 11 am and 3 pm, Monday to Friday, for their lunch special on tacos, tostadas, quesadillas, and sopes.
Best Pizza in Dunedin Florida
Madison Avenue Pizza
For all your pizza and Italian food cravings head over to Madison Avenue Pizza. This family-owned Italian restaurant serves primarily New York-style pizza, as well as subs, wings, calzones, stromboli, and more. This is my current top, go-to place for pizza.
Their pizzas are cooked in a brick oven and come in a 32″ size, too! Wash it down with one of their many draft beers and then finish off your meal with their New York-style cheesecake.
Pi Pizza Bar
Pi Pizza Bar succinctly sums up what they do in four words: “Pizza, Sports, and Beer.” Pop by this rowdy neighborhood spot for a slice and a cold one as you catch up on the latest game. They also host plenty of events, including Bandingo (Band Bingo) on Wednesdays and trivia nights on Fridays.
Corvo Bianco Pizza
If you like gourmet pizzas, try Corvo Bianco. This Dunedin restaurant specializes in Neapolitan pizza, as well as Italian-Latino fusion cuisine. Order a pie for you and your group, and indulge in some boutique wines imported straight from Italy! It’s worth noting that they serve really good vegan pizza, too.
Best Asian Restaurant in Dunedin Florida
Pisces Sushi
At Pisces Sushi, sushi is primarily a canvas for showcasing a range of global cuisines. For example, they have an Aphrodite roll that takes cues from Greek food. However, the classic spicy tuna roll is their most popular dish.
This casual fine dining restaurant has happy hour from 3–5 pm, Tuesday to Friday. Hospitality workers can enjoy full-day happy hour on Sundays, too! Dogs are also more than welcome on Tuesdays, when Pisces Sushi has a special doggy menu!
Caracara
Like Pisces Sushi, Caracara is primarily Asian but infuses their menu with cuisines from around the world. Take, for example, their popular falafel bao! The chili Thai wings and Tokyo street dog (where the sausage is actually tempura shrimp) are also hits. Caracara has plenty of vegan and vegetarian options, too.
Tom Yum Thai and Sushi
Tom Yum Thai and Sushi also blends cuisines, though these two are squarely Asian: Thai and Japanese. This warm, casual eatery has a huge menu of classic Thai fare, such as pad thai and tom yum soup (of course). They also serve innovative sushi rolls. You can get bento boxes here, too!
Best Seafood Restaurants in Dunedin
Lucky Lobster Co.
Lucky Lobster Co. serves seafood with a New England flair, plus a casual yet contemporary atmosphere. Try the lobster roll or lobster BLT sliders while you’re there! If you really mean it when you say you want fresh seafood, head over to their raw bar.
This is one of the best seafood restaurants in Dunedin, and people know it, so definitely consider making a reservation.
Carvor’s Fish House
The same people who run Carvor’s Fish House also run Jensen Bros Seafood Market, so you know you’re in for some super fresh seafood. This super casual and unfussy eatery has plenty of patio seating for you to enjoy. Chow down on their grouper sandwich or conch fritters while you sip a cold one.
Happy’s Bayou Bites
Operating out of a stationary food truck, Happy Bayou’s Bites is proof not to judge a book by its cover. This rustic eatery is definitely one of the best seafood restaurants in Dunedin, particularly for Cajun and Low Country cuisine.Â
The po’boys are hands-down the best, especially their classic shrimp po’boy. You can also get a po’boy made with oysters, catfish, or alligator meat! If you’re not in the mood for a sandwich, their chicken and sausage gumbo is the perfect comfort food.
Frenchy’s Outpost
Being an open-air restaurant, Frenchy’s Outpost is an especially great spot in the summer. They’ve got live music every day, too.
Frenchy’s menu is primarily Southern and Cajun, though there’s also a tiki bar. Among all the seafood choices on their menu, the grouper sandwich is what they’re best known for. You also can’t go wrong with a plate of their stone crab claws!
Hog Island Fish Camp
If you’re looking for downtown restaurants, Hog Island Fish Camp should definitely be on your radar. Stop by for a plate of their famous hogfish sliders. Alternatively, get a bit of everything with their signature Captain’s Plate. It comes with fried shrimp, oysters, and grouper bites, plus 2 sides.Â
Hog Island Fish Camp has happy hour from 2–5 pm and takes reservations for large parties of 25–200. I love to come here for its fishermanvibe. You’ll find the atmosphere to
Looking for a pet-friendly restaurant? Hog Island Fish Camp takes it to a new level by offering a dog-friendly menu! Your pup can get their own meal prepared for them with cute names like “Quarter Hounder.”
Best Italian Restaurant in Dunedin Florida
Julian’s Little Italy
Julian’s Little Italy is a bistro that’s a fantastic blend of casual and refined. Even if it’s not your special day, consider getting a bowl of their Italian wedding soup, a hearty soup with meatballs. Their bella bambina pasta is another signature dish, featuring eggplant, veal, and lots of melted mozzarella. I personally like to eat their Fettuccine Alfredo with salad. If you’re looking for a bargain and delicious food, their lunch prices are very reasonable!
Best Barbecue Restaurants in Dunedin
Dunedin Smokehouse
Dunedin Smokehouse will satisfy your barbecue cravings with cuisine from all around North America. Two of their most popular (and most delicious) items are their Montreal corned beef sandwich and Texas-style brisket sandwich. They do awesome ribs here, too, especially their slow-smoked St. Louis ribs.
They have happy hour from 11 am to 6 pm each day. On Sundays, you can get discounted mimosas, Bloody Marys, and sangrias!
Eli’s Bar-B-Que
Sometimes you just want some simple barbecue — no frills. At times like those, Eli’s Bar-B-Que is the place to be. This window-serve eatery serves seriously delicious barbecue, particularly the pork items like their pulled pork sandwiches. With quaint benches outside to sit at and the Pinellas Trail right behind, it feels like you’re having a BBQ picnic!
Best Greek Restaurants in Dunedin Florida
Big Greek Gyros & Bakery
Plenty of cuisines are represented in Dunedin (as you’ll notice later in this list), such as with Big Greek Gyros & Bakery. This family-owned eatery has a warm, welcoming atmosphere. They serve classic Greek dishes and desserts, made fresh from scratch.
For a hearty meal, get their Big Greek Plate. It comes with either a gyro or chicken souvlaki skewers, plus fries, Greek salad, and a dessert.
Best Pub Grub or Brewery Food in Dunedin
HopScotch Cafe
You’ve got plenty of choices if you’re in the mood for pub grub, but HopScotch Cafe really stands out. This quirky, vintage eatery serves “travel-inspired” dishes.
One of their signature items is the Stairway to Heaven sandwich which has turkey, bacon, and Black Forest ham. HopScotch Cafe also has a rotating selection of draft beers and 100 different cans. It’s one of my favorite places to get a unique selection of beers.
Flanagan’s Irish Pub
Dunedin is a fairly multicultural city, a fact you can see especially in the variety of downtown Dunedin restaurants. Flanagan’s Irish Pub is just one example. This Celtic haunt offers authentic Irish pub grub, as well as fusion dishes. Their classic fish and chips are the local go-to.
On Wednesdays, hospitality workers can enjoy discounts. There’s also live music almost every day.
Dunedin Brewery
Dunedin Brewery’s unique craft beers rotate often, but their most popular standard offering is the apricot peach ale. It’s a mellow beer that goes well with pretty much anything on the menu. I’d recommend the fish tacos or pulled pork sliders. I love that the Dunedin Brewery serves big portion sizes ideal for leftovers — which makes the prices worth it!
Best Healthy Dunedin Restaurants
Ohana Cafe
It’s sadly a common occurrence to go to a restaurant and end up disappointed by the lack of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options. Ohana Cafe couldn’t be further from that problem. This casual, Hawaiian-infused spot specializes in healthy food.
Try the Sunshine Burger or Hawaii 5-0 Burger. These are their two most popular dishes. The former is vegan and has sunflower seeds while the latter is made with free-range bison.
Wild Iris
Wild Iris is a quaint little cafe in downtown Dunedin. There’s plenty of outdoor seating under oak trees. They serve healthy American and Continental options, with the crepes being their signature items. They also make great sandwiches and salads, like their turkey melt and chicken Caesar salad.
Selecting The Best Restaurants in Dunedin
Important Tips to Consider
Dunedin has a variety great food, but there are some general tips you should keep in mind before going out on the town:
- For upscale and/or popular restaurants, it’s best to make a reservation if you can, even if it’s not required.
- Most restaurants in Dunedin close around 10 pm to 12 am. There are, however, some that stay open til the early morning. Others close right after lunch time.
- Plenty of restaurants in Dunedin are dog-friendly or have a dog-friendly patio, but not all are. If you want to bring your four-legged friend along, check on the restaurant’s website first. Alternatively, look them up on BringFido.
Noteworthy Award-Winning Dunedin Restaurants
The restaurants in Dunedin are the pride of the city. They attract not only locals but also plenty of tourists in the Tampa Bay Area.
Here are the restaurants that graced the Tampa Bay Times Best of the Best 2022 list:
- Bon Appétit — #2 Best Waterfront Restaurant
- Madison Avenue Pizza — #3 Best Pizza Restaurant
- Pisces Sushi — #3 Best Sushi Restaurant
Final Thoughts
As you can tell, Dunedin is a food lover’s paradise. Even the most discerning palates will be satisfied here. The truth is, this list hasn’t even scratched the surface of all the fabulous restaurants in Dunedin since everyday there’s something new I love more! Let this article be a starting point as you explore the city’s amazing culinary scene.
Don’t forget to check out some of my other Dunedin articles on things to do, gulf coast beaches to explore, and great places for an evening out on the town!
