Brad Wester

My Favorite Clearwater Beach Lunch Restaurants

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The Bait House Tackle and Tavern Clearwater Beach - Rob Farnell Photography

Each of the Clearwater Beach Vacation Rentals located at Surfside Condominiums and The Villas of Clearwater Beach have beautiful and convenient kitchens, but you still may be searching for some great Clearwater Beach lunch restaurants. Whether you haven’t made it to the grocery store yet, you’re craving some fresh seafood or just don’t feel like cooking (you’re on vacation after all) – you may find yourself looking for a quick and delicious lunch. Here are some of my favorite Clearwater Beach lunch restaurants.

Frenchy’s Original Cafe

Frenchy’s Original Cafe is always one of my first stops when I’m on Clearwater Beach. When driving around Clearwater, you’ll see the Frenchy name often – there’s 5 different Frenchy’s restaurants, a motel, a seafood company, a stone crab company and a gift shop. (Read all about “Frenchy” and his Clearwater Beach history.)

It all started in 1981 at Frenchy’s Original Cafe with a simple goal: to have a friendly, laid-back place where people could come to enjoy a cold drink and fresh seafood. Frenchy’s Original Cafe (just Frenchy’s Cafe at that time) quickly became a success and the small restaurant became known for its fresh seafood, especially the grouper sandwiches. To keep up with the demand for fresh seafood, Frenchy purchased his first boat and opened Frenchy’s Seafood Company in 1983.

My favorite menu items: Buffalo Shrimp, Grouper Sandwich, Crabby Shrimp Sandwich.

The Bait House Tackle & Tavern

The Bait House Tackle & Tavern makes a great Clearwater Beach lunch location because of its great food and perfect Clearwater Beach atmosphere. It sits on the water at the Clearwater Beach Marina, not next to the water, on the water. It’s an amazing place to grab lunch and enjoy the beautiful, sunny weather. If it’s raining, there are a few spots undercover at the bar, but not many. Equal to the amazing food, the location is just as great. I love watching the boats cruise in and out of the marina.

My favorite menu items: Smoked Fish Spread, Bait House Clam Chowder, Island Fish Tacos, Bait House Burger.

Pearly’s Beach Eats

Pearly’s Beach Eats opened in the fall of 2014, making it the youngest restaurant of my favorite Clearwater Beach lunch restaurants. Pearly’s Beach Eats quickly grabbed a place in my heart. No matter how short my trip is, I can’t visit Clearwater Beach, Florida without grabbing a meal at Pearly’s Beach Eats.

My favorite menu item: Fish Tacos. …I won’t lie, it’s the only thing I’ve ever had at Pearly’s Beach Eats. It was the first thing I tried, and I have not been able to order anything else. I love their fish tacos! You can get them fried, grilled or blackened (blackened is my favorite) and they come with jicama coleslaw, fresh mango salsa and shredded cheese.

 

While these are some of my favorite spots to grab a quick delicious lunch, Clearwater Beach is full of restaurants and I haven’t had a chance to try them all. What are your favorite Clearwater Beach restaurants? I’ll add them to my list of places to eat next time I’m in Clearwater.

Thank you, Rob Farnell, for the beautiful photo of The Bait House Tackle & Tavern used as this post’s featured photo. Follow Rob Farnell Photography on Facebook and Instagram.

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Brad Wester

Clearwater Beach Weather & Events – March 2018

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Clearwater Beach, Florida

Clearwater Beach Weather – March 2018

March in Clearwater Beach, Florida holds average temperatures of 71° / 62°. March of 2018 is looking to be just as beautiful, and maybe even a little warmer! When looking at a long-range forecast, it appears as though we’re in for a beautiful month with the highs being in the mid to upper 70°s and a lot of sunshine! Perfect for a Clearwater Beach Spring Break!

Keep an eye on the Clearwater Beach Weather, including a live video, with the Clearwater Beach Weather Station hosted by Surfside Condominiums!

Clearwater Beach Events – March 2018

Clearwater Beach Pier 60 Sunset Festival

Clearwater Beach, Florida is known for its beautiful sunsets, and they celebrate them every day! The Pier 60 Sunset Festival starts 2 hours before and ends 2 hours after sunset, every day of the year. The festival is full of artisans, crafters, street performers, and beautiful views of Clearwater Beach’s world famous sunsets.

Pier 60 Sunset Cinema

Watch movies under the stars after sunset!

March 2 – The Lion King (G)
March 3 – Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets (PG-13)
March 9 – The Lego Ninjago Movie (PG)
March 10 – Wonder (PG)
March 16 –  Moana (PG)
March 17 – Breathe (PG-13)
March 23 – Despicable Me 3 (PG)
March 24 – La La Land (PG-13)
March 25 – Geostorm (PG-13)
March 29 – Dolphin Tale 2 (PG)
March 30 – Coco (PG)
March 31 – Wonder Woman (PG-13)

Clearwater Farmers Market

Downtown Clearwater hosts its own Farmers Market every Saturday, from 10am to 2pm.

Clearwater Beach Taste Fest

The 9th Annual Clearwater Beach Taste Fest will be held on Friday, May 4, 2018  from 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm. Recently named Trip Advisor’s #1 Beach in America, Clearwater Beach will host this scrumptious event at the newly renovated and iconic Pier 60 Park. This event will feature tastings from over 30 participating restaurants, wine & craft beer, live entertainment.

Busch Gardens Food & Wine Festival

Busch Gardens in Tampa will be hosting the Food & Wine Festival each weekend from March 3rd through April 29th. The Food & Wine Festival features delicious food, wine, craft brews, cocktails and live music!

St. Patrick’s Day Festival in Dunedin

Celebrate St. Patrick’s day at Flanagan’s Irish Pub in Dunedin, Florida. Flanagan’s St. Paddy’s Day Festival will be held on Friday, March 16th and Saturday, March 17th. Enjoy green beer, delicious Irish food, and live Irish music and entertainment!

Philadelphia Phillies Spring Training

Clearwater, Florida hosts the Philadelphia Phillies Spring Training games. Click here for the full Spring Training Schedule.

Tampa Bay Rowdies

The Tampa Bay Rowdies have their home opener on Saturday, March 24th! The Tampa Bay Rowdies will be taken on Bethlehem Steel FC at Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg, Florida. Kickoff is at 7:30 pm.

Valspar Golf Championship

The Valspar Championship is taking place just a short drive from Clearwater Beach in Palm Harbor, Florida on March 8th – March 11th.

Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg

On March 9th, 10th and 11th, St. Petersburg will be hosting the Firestone Grand Prix. Tickets are still available!

Strawberry Festival

Plant City, Florida is hosting the annual Strawberry Festival on March 1st through March 11th! The Florida Strawberry Festival is an 11-day community event celebrating the strawberry harvest of Eastern Hillsborough County. Each year, over 500,000 visitors enjoy the festival’s headline entertainment, youth livestock shows, rides, exhibits of commerce and, of course, its strawberry shortcake.

Bay Area Renaissance Festival

The Tampa Bay Renaissance Festival continues each weekend in March 25th from 10 am to 6 pm.

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Brad Wester

Best Clearwater Beach Sunset Locations

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Clearwater Beach Sunset from Surfside Condos. https://beachresortcondos.com/index.php

Clearwater Beach continues to win awards! Clearwater Beach, Florida has been listed as 2018’s Best Beach in the United States, the second Best Spring Break Beach in America, and the 7th Best Beach in the World! Clearwater Beach continues to be recognized for its family-friendly atmosphere, fun festivals throughout the year, soft sand and beautiful sunsets! In my opinion, you can’t beat a Clearwater Beach Sunset and I’m not alone in believing that. Clearwater Beach has even been ranked as one of the Best Sunset Spots in America.

My favorite locations for watching a beautiful Clearwater Beach Sunset

There’s not a bad area to watch a Clearwater Beach sunset, but I do have some favorite locations. My first choice is directly on the beach. I love sitting in the soft sand and feeling the calm waves wash over my feet as I watch the sun slowly dip into the ocean. My favorite beach location is right in front of Surfside Condominiums and the Villas of Clearwater Beach on the north side of Clearwater Beach. The north side of Clearwater Beach is less crowded and much quieter. It makes the beautiful sunsets even more relaxing to watch.

Not only is this area of the beach more peaceful, but it also directly in front of the best Clearwater Beach Vacation Rentals making it an extremely short walk to and from the beach. The balconies at Surfside Condominiums and the Villas of Clearwater Beach look directly over Clearwater Beach and provide amazing views of the beautiful sunsets. Not only do these balconies provide a beautiful view, but you also have the opportunity to enjoy a glass of wine, cold beer or sunset cocktail while enjoying the Clearwater Beach Sunset.

Clearwater Beach Restaurants with a Sunset View

Depending on the time of year, sunset may fall directly during dinner time. Don’t worry, there are many restaurants in the area with beautiful sunset views.

Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill and Palm Pavillion are both delicious and are just a short walk down the beach from Surfside Condominiums and the Villas of Clearwater Beach. Both of these restaurants often feature live music, but always have beautiful sunsets.

Jimmy’s Fish House & Iguana Bar is located on South side of Clearwater Beach. While it isn’t directly on the beach, it still offers one of the best Clearwater Beach Sunset views. Jimmy’s Fish House offers an outside patio directly on the water of Clearwater Pass, leaving you with amazing views of sunset and a chance to watch boats passing by… you may even see a Pirate Ship!

If you’re looking for sunset drinks and maybe a few snacks, check out Jimmy’s Crow’s Nest. Jimmy’s Crow’s Nest is located on the 10th floor of Pier House 60 Marina Hotel and offers a great view over the Clearwater Beach Marina and Pier 60. The view is beautiful all day long, but it’s especially a great place to watch Sunset and look over Clearwater Beach at night.

Pier 60 Sunset Festivals

Beautiful sunsets are worth celebrating, and Clearwater Beach hosts a Sunset Festival at Pier 60 every night, all year long! The Pier 60 Sunset Festival features artisans, crafters, street performers, and of course beautiful views of the Clearwater Beach Sunset. The Pier 60 Sunset Festival starts two hours before sunset and remains open until two hours after sunset. Pier 60 also offers outdoor movies at the Sunset Cinema – the schedule for what movies are showing can be found on the Sunset Cinema at Pier 60 website.

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Brad Wester

Clearwater Beach Spring Break 2018

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Clearwater Beach Sunset

Are you ready for Spring Break? I know I am!

I’ll be headed to Clearwater Beach for Spring Break and I cannot wait to feel the warm sun and the soft sugar white sand. I’m not the only one counting down the days until I get to walk on the soft white sand, Clearwater Beach was just named as 2018’s Top Beach in the United States and is ranked as the second Best Spring Break Beaches in America.

Things To Do: Clearwater Beach Spring Break 2018

The best thing about Clearwater Beach, Florida is the beautiful beach. It’s perfect for sitting in the sun and reading a book, building sand castles and playing other beach games with family and friends, going for relaxing walks and swimming in the calm ocean.

While I am most excited about the beautiful weather and sitting and relaxing on the beach, there’s so much more to do than just enjoying the sun and sand.

Clearwater Beach features fun events all year long, and of course, the parties continue throughout Spring Break! If you’re visiting on the early side of the Clearwater Beach Spring Break, be sure to check out the Clearwater Beach Taste Fest, featuring delicious tastings from over 30 local restaurants, wine, craft beer and live music! If you are headed to the beach during the second half of the Clearwater Beach Spring Break season, don’t miss the Sugar Sand Festival at Pier 60!

Clearwater Beach’s Sugar Sand Festival is a 10-day celebration of the soft sugar sands and beautiful sunsets that Clearwater Beach is known for. The Sugar Sand Festival features over 21,000 square feet of sand-sculpted art crafted by world-class sculptors, live concerts on the beach, fun games for the whole family, fireworks, movies on the beach, and wine and craft beer at the “Sand Bar”.

If you’re a baseball fan, Clearwater has you covered. Not only are you a short drive from watching the Tampa Bay Rays, but Clearwater hosts the Philadelphia Phillies Spring Training so you can catch a game while you’re on Spring Break. If you miss spring training, Clearwater is also home to the minor league baseball team, The Clearwater Threshers!

If you’re looking for things to do on a rainy day (or maybe you just need to take a break from the sun) visit the stars of the Dolphin Tale movies, Winter and Hope! The Clearwater Marine Aquarium is more than the home of Winter and Hope. When visiting the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, you’ll see dolphins, sea turtles, river otters, stingrays, nurse sharks and more! The Clearwater Marine Aquarium isn’t your typical aquarium, it is a marine life rescue center focusing on the rescue, rehabilitation and release of sick or injured marine animals. The Clearwater Marine Aquarium is dedicated to inspiring guests of all ages to appreciate the marine environment while promoting conservation action and developing an understanding of the irreplaceable value of all life in our world’s ocean.

Clearwater Beach Spring Break trips are always full of fun and relaxation, I can’t wait to see you there!

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