My Clearwater Hidden Gems Itinerary
Clearwater has become a tourist staple in Tampa Bay, drawing in Floridian, American, and international tourists year after year. As someone who used to visit Clearwater long before its massive growth, it’s honestly impressive to see just how much the Pier 60 area has grown in size and popularity. Now with Michelin making a presence in Florida, you’re even bringing in the foodies to the equation of tourism.
Every single guide in the entire planet will tell you to basically park your car in Pier 60 and spend the entire day over there, as a perfect day will consist of visiting the pier, hanging out at the beach, grabbing a meal close by, and enjoying the sunset. Now, these guides are not wrong at all. Pier 60 has plenty of great options morning, noon, night, and overnight with the hotel scene. But if you’re looking to drive off the beaten bath within the confides of Clearwater, then I have a great itinerary of secretly awesome places for you.
Coffee: Café Vino Tinto
Listen closely, this might be the best coffee shop in all of Tampa Bay. Now, I haven’t visited them all, and most of my experiences have been good, but Café Vino Tinto is on a completely different level of excellence. Their hours are very limited in the day, and the weekends can be a madhouse. But making the early morning trip to Safety Harbor (small quaint town located adjacent to Clearwater) will absolutely be worth it just for their iced coffee.
The coffee’s origins can be traced to a farm in Costa Rica that is literally next to a waterfall. The difference is clear as the end result is a coffee product that is smooth, delightful, unaggressive, but has the right kick to start a perfect day. As a special detail, when you order their iced coffee drinks, the ice cubes themselves are actually coffee cubes, so the drink never tastes watered down. Similar to freezing grapes for your cold wine, this technique allows for your coffee to taste fresh and strong from start to finish. Such a small detail but it elevates the drinks so much.
Their waffles however are also not to be missed. Their tiramisu waffles are apparently legendary, as they were out of them both times I visited. But the guava cream cheese waffle made me want to move to the city immediately. Fantastic, fresh, filling, and just pleasant all-around. Worth every penny. Service is awesome, the menu is very diverse, and there is clear attention to detail within all their meals and drinks. Easy 10/10 spot, zero gripes except for the hours being far too short. However, with its location in a very quiet downtown, it makes sense. I don’t want to wreck a good thing, but a version of this place in the Lake Eola area could potentially revive the entire Downtown Orlando.
Beach: Sand Key Park
Pier 60 gets all the tourists, St. Pete Pier grabs most of the young locals, Siesta Keys grabs the awards, but Sand Key Park might be the best beach in all of Gulf of Mexico Florida. The maintenance of this beach in particular has always been top-notch, there’s plenty of space, its separated enough from the tourist noise to generate inner peace, the water is always warm and inviting, and this is all without sacrificing the beautiful sunset that Clearwater is known for.
Located 7-10 minutes away from the Pier 60 and primary Clearwater beach stretch, Sand Key Park is just an absolute gem, there’s no other way to describe it. $5 to park and you will be almost guaranteed an excellent day at the beach for as long as the weather is behaving. Sand, shells, warm ocean water, and without any of the required touristy activity. Perfection naturally personified.
Dinner: Fresca Italian Kitchen
I have discussed the beacon of Italian cuisine light known as Mazzaro’s Italian Market in nearby St. Pete. That place is the definition of spectacular Italian fare. However, the one category that Mazzaro’s does not hold the crown is pesto gnocchi. It’s okay Mazzaros, you are number one in 200 other categories, can’t win them all.
I present you the restaurant with my favorite gnocchi ever cooked and assembled.
Located adjacent to a hotel, Fresca is a locally-run Italian spot that clearly makes its bread and butter by providing catering, pizzas and to-go Italian meals to the nearby hotel guests. But they have two items that elevates them above your average spot. Not the largest place, doesn’t quite have the organization of a typical sit-down restaurant. You order your food, you sit down, they deliver. They have pizzas, calzones ready to go, or you can wait a little by ordering one of their pasta dishes.
The two standouts are their fried mozzarella and of course the pesto gnocchi. Their fried mozzarella rounds are thick, have a good bite, and never fall apart as you feel like you can eat 99 of these without breaking a sweat. I could have ordered a second helping, but then I would not have enjoyed their pesto gnocchi as much as I did. Sitting on a generous helping of pesto sauce, these pillowy potato bites of heaven will have you speaking Italian by the end of it. Served with a large piece of focaccia to help you absorb more of the awesomeness, this plate is simple but perfect.
A hidden gem among a sea of restaurants that can be found around and inside U.S. 19, Fresca is worthy of your money, attention, and time. Also don’t skip on the cannoli.