By Kelly Rouse
Temps are finally cooling down here in the Sunshine City and the beautiful weather is the perfect reason to celebrate the holidays on the patios of one of these fabulous seafood spots (though their menus are varied and offer more than just fruits de mer). All have festive atmospheres and delicious offerings. Ho-ho-go!
MIDDLE GROUNDS GRILL
Located in Treasure Island and run by a family with generations of ties to the sea, Middle Grounds Grill serves the freshest seafood along with top-quality meats, carved to perfection. The setting is casual, yet refined, offering a warm family-friendly environment. Popular with both locals and tourists, it’s ideal for celebrating a special occasion or just having a superb meal in a beach town. Menu highlights include the Bahamian conch fritters, the mango nut crusted grouper, wasabi crusted tuna and Moscato scallops (as well as stone crabs in season). For those with a sweet tooth, I suggest the Key Lime Tower and the Warm Fried Cheesecake. Service is friendly and they have live music on select nights. Call to reserve a table on their enclosed heated patio on chilly nights!
Closed Monday | Tues.-Thurs. 4:30pm-10pm
Fri.-Sat. 4:30pm-10:30pm | Sun. 4:30pm-10pm
Closed Christmas Day
middlegroundsgrill.com
GRACE
Grace is Chef Jason’s fine dining restaurant with a beach feel, located on historic Eighth Avenue in Pass-a-Grille. A foodies delight, Grace offers daily specials and a menu that changes seasonally. They source the freshest ingredients from local suppliers and farmers, bringing the best Tampa Bay has to offer to your table. For dinner starters, you can’t go wrong with the crispy artichoke or PEI mussels. For entrees, I recommend the jumbo shrimp scampi and the 8oz prime filet. Happy Hour is available every day from 5-6pm, with a selection of light fare, cocktails, wine and beer. Ranked by the Tampa Bay Times as one of the 25 best restaurants and bars by the beach, be sure to give yourself some Grace this holiday season!
Mon. 5pm-9pm | Closed Tuesday | Wed.-Sun. 5pm-9pm
gracerestaurant.com
MULLET’S FISH CAMP & MARKET
The 2025 Tampa Bay Times list of the top 50 restaurants in Tampa Bay places Mullet’s Fish Camp as the 40th best and they have earned their ranking. As partners Brian Rose and Nick Brown like to say, “just like the mullet, we’re bringing fish camps back in style.” Seating is mostly outdoor – though they have a fun indoor bar and the place gives off great laidback energy and old school Florida feels. On the menu you’ll find regular fish camp food stuff such as smoked fish spread, grouper sandwiches and peel and eat shrimp, along with varied cooking styles and sauces. Their chicken wings are don’t miss as well. I would be remiss not to mention that they have one of the best logos in the restaurant business – visit and you’ll see what I mean (here’s a hint: “the party’s in the back!)
Closed Monday | Tues.-Thurs. 12pm-9pm | Fri.- Sat. 12pm-10pm | Sun. 12pm-9pm
mulletsfishcamp.com
ISLAND GRILLE & RAW BAR
The Island Grille & Raw Bar in Tierre Verde is a waterfront treasure. With their lovely marina views and dock access to their dog friendly deck and bar, the Island Grille is a terrific place to gather over the holidays. They are known for their oyster bar and consistently receive high ratings on Trip Advisor from area fans and visitors. My favorite from the appetizer menu was the grouper crab cakes; the lobster sliders are yummy and from entrees, the Mahi Mahi prepared with tomato, Kalamata olives and feta was scrumptious. They’ve added fajitas to the menu recently. The Key Lime pie (with graham cracker crust) and drunken bread pudding are tasty dessert options. Island Grille has live music nearly every night and offers daily happy hours from 11am-6pm, as well as three-course early dining specials from 3pm-5pm. Service here always comes with a smile. Toast the season enjoying the views in their lively tiki bar area. They’ll be open on Christmas Eve until 8pm and are closed Christmas Day.
Mon.-Thurs. 11am-10pm | Fri.-Sat. 11am-11pm | Sun. 11am-10pm
islandrawbar.com
