Go Fish!

Dipping into Some of Florida's Most Clutch Coastal Cuisine

by Fanny Slater

Winter is primetime seafood season in Florida. And with the bountiful Gulf coast at their fingertips, the region’s local chefs are masters at allowing those terrifically fresh products to speak for themselves. Seafood shines in every form no matter the restaurant’s demeanor, so our picks for some of the top spots to hit during these chilly months cover all ends of the spectrum.

Below is a sampling of the fish-forward establishments in the Tampa and Sarasota areas who do it best. From sophisticated bistros serving sultry red curry fish dip with turmeric and nori crackers to homey fish joints offering smoked mullet spread and saltines before you even crack open the menu, each experience is rewarding and delicious in its own right.

To cap things off, I’ll leave you with the recipe for one of my favorite homecooked culinary treasures: my playful take on “shrimp and grits.” Brimming with coastal comfort and a slamdunk in the winter, it showcases crispy broiled salmon and wild mushrooms atop a mountain of creamy parmesan-laded stone-ground grits.

Tampa

Oystercatchers | oystercatchersrestaurant.com

It’s all in the name at this upscale gem, where the sunset views are as idyllic as the brie, truffle butter, and lobster omelet served at the sought-after Sunday brunch.

Oystercatchers is nestled on the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay’s grounds, and though the restaurant may be inconspicuously tucked into the tropical landscape—that doesn’t stop it from captivating patrons with its “Old Florida charm.” In addition to the innovative ocean fare meant to be savored slowly, it’s the seasoned staff that has helped keep things running smoothly for 30 years. You can count on classics like crab cakes and lobster mac, as well as whimsical dishes like guajillo chili and espresso-crusted ahi with burrata sauce.

Rusty Pelican | therustypelican.com

This high-end tropical hideaway is celebrated by delighting locals and tourists alike with its exceptional weekend brunch and waterside seating. Rusty Pelican is equally as well-known for being one of Tampa Bay’s premier special event venues. Whether you’re planning an elaborate get together or just swinging by for the lobster benny with jalapeño cheddar corn bread, the provisions will not disappoint. Highlights of the dinner menu include the crabstuffed Gulf grouper in basil-garlic butter sauce and the miso-marinated mahi, while the Rusty Pelican Board for Two—a medley of whole snapper, seafood risotto, steak, and velvety Yukon gold mash—is the epitome of shared plate perfection.

If you’re on the hunt for a family-owned food fixture that prides itself on quality eats, service, and value over a shiny exterior and sticker shock, you’ve come to the right place.

Shell’s may be on the more casual end of the culinary scale, but don’t get it twisted: they earned the title of #1 seafood restaurant in Tampa for 15 years in a row. The breezy, beach-themed café has four locations in the surrounding area, which means you’ve got multiple options for scouting out that signature seafood pasta in creamy white wine sauce. As for that coveted clam chowder, word on the street is that Gourmet Magazine has been begging for the recipe since ’88.

Skipper’s Smokehouse | skipperssmokehouse.com

With over 40 years of experience and quite the story to tell, Skipper’s isn’t just another funky nautical shack slinging smoked fish dip. Dubbed “the club that washed ashore” by Blues legend Lonnie Mack, Skipper’s is touted as an iconic oyster bar that doubles as a live music venue, caterer, and talent agency.

The overtone is a hodgepodge of “cracker” and Key West architecture branded by overturned boats and wooden walkways— a quintessential setting for a fusion of Caribbean, Louisiana, and Florida-inspired flavors. Don’t miss the award-winning Black Bean Gator Chili, farm-raised catfish, and a blackened grouper Reuben that was featured on Travel Channel’s Best Sandwich in America.

Sarasota

Veronica Fish & Oyster | veronicafishandoyster.com

The rejuvenated supper-club feel may be one of Veronica’s most admired attributes, but the stylish seafood hub brings much more to the table.

The restaurant is helmed by the Caragiulo family, who you may know as the pioneers behind eclectic cult classic Owen’s Fish Camp. Veronica’s aura, however, is nostalgic yet fresh with an emphasis on light bites and Southern-infused sides like grits and greens. Settle in at the sweeping white marble bar for happy hour, and indulge in one of the exuberant small plates like the revered chicken and crawfish gumbo. For an impressive sight worth the price tag, the Plateau De Fruits De Mer is a towering seafood adventure that covers everything from oysters to lobster salad to shrimp cocktail.

Indigenous

indigenoussarasota.com

With a steadfast devotion to environmentally-efficient farmraised seafood, Indigenous is home to thoughtful, New American cuisine treated and executed with as much precision as possible. Chef Steve Phelps has been a leader in the sustainable “aquaculture” field for some time, so trust you’re in good hands with anything on his seasonally-rotating menu at the quaint cottage in historic downtown Sarasota. Start with the sweet and salty, impossibly airy parmesan beignets with sticky local honey and pears followed by the exceptional cobia, recently prepared alongside green curry fried basmati rice and pungent fish sauce aioli.