Explore  ·  Food & Drinks  ·  Treasure Island, FL
🍹 The Salty Locals Guide
Eat & Drink Like a Local 🍹
No tourist traps, no chain restaurants. Just the real local spots that make Treasure Island's food scene worth talking about.

Personally endorsed by the saltiest bird on the island

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Best Seafood
Middle Grounds
Known for the Macadamia Nut Crusted Grouper
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Best Tiki Bar
Caddy's Treasure Island
Toes in the sand, cold drinks, Gulf sunsets
Best Coffee
The Floridian
Local spot, great Cuban & morning fuel
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Best Casual Eats
VIP Mexican Restaurant
Authentic flavors & killer margaritas
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Best Live Music
Ricky T's Bar & Grille
Live music daily, locals love it

The Salty Locals guide to eating and drinking well on TI

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Seafood & Steakhouse
Middle Grounds Grill
$$$ · 10925 Gulf Blvd, Treasure Island
The best seafood on the beach — full stop. Named after the famous fishing grounds 100 miles offshore, this family-owned gem has been serving TI since 2006. The bar is casual and genuinely inviting, making it a perfect date night spot. Order the three-nut crusted black grouper with mango beurre blanc — it's legendary. The steaks, coconut almond shrimp, Prince Edward Island mussels and nightly catch of the day are all must-orders too. Named a Florida Trend Magazine Top 500 restaurant.
"Best seafood steak house on Gulf Blvd. Great atmosphere, incredible martinis and the grouper is unlike anything else on the island."
Nut Crusted Grouper Fresh Catch Daily Steaks Coconut Shrimp PEI Mussels Date Night Wine Wednesday Happy Hour 4:30–6pm Live Music Nightly
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Tiki Bar
Ka'Tiki
$$ · 8803 W Gulf Blvd
A quintessential TI spot where locals and visitors actually mix. Known for live music, cold drinks and a grouper sandwich that people argue is the best on the island. Casual beach bar energy done right.
"The grouper sandwich here ends all arguments. Order it."
Live Music Gulf Front Grouper Sandwich Local Fave
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Bar & Grill
R Bar
$$ · 245 108th Ave, Treasure Island
A true TI local hangout with a "Cheers" atmosphere, great prices and food that punches above its weight. The smoked fish spread and grouper dishes are standouts, and the pizza is seriously underrated. Famous for all-you-can-eat snow crab legs every Tuesday & Thursday from 4pm until they run out.
"Make sure you can finish your first plate of crab legs — if you can't, you'll hear about it from everyone at the bar."
Smoked Fish Spread All-You-Can-Eat Crab Tue & Thu from 4pm Pizza Local Atmosphere
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Bar & Grille
Ricky T's Bar & Grille
$$ · Treasure Island
A true TI staple. Live music every single day, food served indoors and outdoors, and a vibe that isn't too touristy. Locals have been coming here for years. Try the grouper or Cuban sandwich — both are crowd favorites.
"Live band daily at 5pm and 8pm. Get there early for a good spot outside."
Live Music Daily Outdoor Seating Local Staple Cuban Sandwich
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Beach Bar
Caddy's Treasure Island
$$ · Sunset Beach
The original Caddy's — toes in the sand, Gulf views, live music and sunset seats that people fight for. Dine on the beach or at covered outdoor tables. Come for one drink, stay for the whole evening. Check status on their website as they continue rebuilding post-hurricanes.
"Get there by 6pm to grab a waterfront table before sunset. Trust us on this one."
Beach Front Sunset Views Live Music Gulf Views
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Bar & Restaurant
Sloppy Joe's on the Beach
$$ · Treasure Island
A Treasure Island classic with Caribbean flair and the famous fish sandwich. Tons of outdoor seating, live music, and great sunset energy. Historic bar with a Key West soul right on TI. Check their Facebook for current hours.
"Historic bar, great fish sandwich, tons of outdoor seating. Classic TI stop."
Historic Spot Fish Sandwich Live Music Outdoor Seating
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Italian
Gigi's Italian Restaurant
$$ · Treasure Island
Family-run and serving TI since 1967. From-scratch pasta, wood-fired pizza and a candlelit setting that somehow always feels like a special occasion. One of the most beloved long-standing spots on the island — the kind of place locals take out-of-town guests.
"Garlic knots, pasta Fresca, Saltiboca. This place has been getting it right since 1967."
Since 1967 From Scratch Wood-Fired Pizza Local Institution
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Mexican
VIP Mexican Restaurant & Lounge
$ · Treasure Island
A local landmark delivering authentic Mexican dishes, Tex-Mex favorites and margaritas that earn their reputation. No frills, big flavors. The kind of place you end up at more than you planned — and never regret it.
"Get the fried seafood plate, Cajun fries and a house marg. You're welcome."
Local Landmark Great Margaritas Budget Friendly Casual
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Cuban Sandwiches
The Floridian Cuban Sandwiches
$ · 107th Ave, Treasure Island
The Cuban sandwich spot that locals swear by. Hot-pressed, enormous and deeply satisfying. The 12-inch is ordered with intentions of saving half — nobody ever does. A TI institution that survived the storms and kept serving.
"Best Cuban sandwich I've ever had. Once you eat here, no other place comes close."
Best Cuban on TI Local Institution Cash Friendly Quick Eats
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Brewery & Bar
Sea Dog Brewing Co.
$$ · Treasure Island
Gulf-inspired food menu paired with hand-crafted cocktails and specialty beers made on location. Waterfront views, boat docks and dog friendly downstairs. The kind of local brewpub that earns regulars fast.
"Waterfront, dog-friendly, great beer. This one checks all the boxes."
Craft Beer Waterfront Dog Friendly Boat Docks
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Know a Great Spot?
Got a local restaurant or bar that deserves to be on this list? Tell us about it and we'll check it out.
🦩 Ahoy! We'll check it out and add it if it makes the cut. Stay salty!

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