Madeira Norte #312

Provided by:
Madeira Norte #312
13000 Gulf Boulevard,
Madeira Beach, Florida

* Madeira Beach Restaurant Guide *

This is a restaurant guide for Madeira Beach restaurants we've tried while at our beachfront condo in the Madeira Norte building on Madeira Beach, Florida, near Johns Pass. Our condo is available for rent by the week, so please click here to get to that page for more information.

General Tips:
- If you are staying at our condo in Madeira Norte you will find a three ring binder with menus for many of these restaurants in it, as well as evaluations left by other guests on their visits to those restaurants.
- Mileage given is from the Madeira Norte condo (which is 1/4 mile North of the John's Pass bridge) to the restaurant.
- Most Madeira Beach restaurants offer an "Early Bird" special, which is usually a menu of smaller lower priced meals that are offered only for diners seated by 6pm.
- Please check with a restaurant before going there to make sure they are open. Some close on a particular day of the week, or in their off season, or just simply have gone out of business.
- Though a 2003 Florida law took effect prohibiting smoking in restaurants, some of the following establishments may be considered bars and fall outside that regulation.
- Click on the underlined restaurant names to get to that restaurant's webpage.

Restaurants In John's Pass Village

Just across Gulf Blvd from Madeira Norte. (A very short walk, so leave the car at the condo!)

Friendly Fisherman - On the upper level of the boardwalk at John's Pass Village, just across the road from the condo. Mainly seafood. Very casual, simple sandwiches, moderate prices. Good views of John's Pass from all tables. This restaurant was started by Mr. Hubbard, the first person to offer deep sea fishing in the area (50 yrs ago) and he later developed the John's Pass Boardwalk. If you go deep sea fishing on their boat, they will cook your fish and make a complete dinner out of it for $4.95. 150 John's Pass Boardwalk, Madeira Beach. (727) 391-6025.
Rusty Anchor Dockside Grill - Located on the lower level of John's Pass boardwalk below Scully's. This is a very casual open air restaurant with picnic table type seating. Excellent views of John's Pass.
Bubba Gump's - This chain restaurant based on the movie "Forest Gump" is set to open in the summer of 2008. We've been to their restaurants in other cities and have enjoyed the fun, casual dining in the nautical them of a shrimp processing house. This new restaurant will be ontop of the new multilevel parking garage in John's Pass Village, and it supposed to have a Gulf view which is not common in other area restaurants.
Thai-Am 2 - We've heard excellent reviews from people about this, though we haven't tried it because it is just not where our tastes are. They have Thai, Sushi, Japanese and Vegetarian offerings, and are located directly across the street from Madeira Norte at 13037 Gulf Blvd. (727) 398-9700.
DeLosa's Pizza - Good thin crust pizza, claims to be New York style. Free delivery. Their brochure says they were voted one of the top five pizzerias in the Tampa Bay area, and we do enjoy their pizza. It is easy to phone the order in, go pick it up and eat it while watching the sunset from the condo balconey. One large one item pizza for $12. 12800 Village Boulevard, John's Pass Village. 398-4657.
Sculley's and The Hut - We've been to Sculley's restaurant a couple of times and found the service poor and food average, though a number of guests at our condo have tried Sculley's and enjoyed it. Their website is dead as of 1/7/2008 so maybe they're closed for good. Sculley's is on the upper level of the John's Pass Boardwalk. Below Sculley's they have a nice open air restaurant and bar with live music called The Hut. Both are directly on the water so have good views of John's Pass. Sculleys has a casual, rustic, nautical theme. (727) 393-7749
Gators Cafe & Saloon - This is on the other side of John's Pass (actually on Treasure Island), but right on the Pass at the bridge so it is an easy walk from the condo over the drawbridge. This is more of a waterfront sports bar than a restaurant, though they have a good selection of casual food at moderate prices and great views of John's Pass, much of this is on outside decks and on multiple levels. They often have live entertainment.
Addicted to the Bean - For those that have to have their gourmet coffee, this is directly across the street at 152 129th Avenue West, on the corner of Gulf Blvd. (727) 399-1573
Shontzie's Smokehouse Barbeque - Closed since August 2001.
Kingfish Restaurant/ Bojan's Harborside Grill - Closed and torn down as of June 2003.
John's Pass Dining This is supposed to be the official John's Pass website, but the restaurant listings appear to not have been updated in a few years as I found the restaurant listings to be filled with many that are closed. Please make sure you verify any of these before trying to visit them.

Restaurants On Madeira Beach

(no more than 3 miles from condo)

Dockside Dave's Grill - They are known for their 1/2 lb Grouper sandwich for $8.95, which some say is the best in Florida (including Southern Living Magazine)! Their new location just up the street opened in 2007. 14701 Gulf Blvd. (727) 392-9399 They also have another location on St. Pete Beach, but it is much further away.
Last visited July 2007.
Mario's Cucina Toscana - This has been one of our favorites since we first visited in July 2001. The food is excellent, the service is top notch, and the prices are moderate. The small restaurant has only 34 seats, not alot of atmosphere, but they make up for that with great food and service. Mario and his son do all the cooking, and Mario himself brought out our meal on our last visit in July of 2005. Pasta dishes start at $9 and veal and chicken go up to $15. Kid's meals were anything on the menu for half price. Since it is small, call to reserve a table. 14995 Gulf Boulevard, Madeira Beach. This is in the shopping center on the southeast corner of Gulf Blvd. and Welch causeway, 1.5 miles north of the condo. (727) 397-4971.
Leatherbacks Steak House - New restaurant (in the former Apple Family Restaurant) at the intersection of the Welch Causeway and Gulf Blvd. We had delicious ribs there in July 2005 when they were running a $10 full rack dinner promotion. Meals are more in the $15 range, so watch their sign for periodic specials or go in for the early bird menu before 6pm.
The Candy Kitchen - Just up the street from the condo, this place only serves candy and homemade ice cream. The kids love going there after dinner to pick from the racks of candy. 13711 Gulf Blvd, Madeira Beach, 0.7 miles north of Madeira Norte. (727) 392-6803
Cordello's Pizza & Subs - Next to the Candy Kitchen at 13713 Gulf Blvd. They have carryout and free delivery. Haven't tried them yet, but heard it was good. (727) 395-0052 and (727) 397-2661
Meatballs - 1 block north of 150th St. (Welch Causeway). Pizza and Italian food in a very casual atmosphere. This is a good place for carryout, which is available family style.
Subway - Chain Sandwich shop. At 15031 Gulf Blvd., one block north of 150th St. (Welch Causeway) (727) 398-6798
McDonald's - This one is on the mainland side of the causeway at the drawbridge. They have their own boat docks if you come by the intercoastal. Recently remodeled with large windows overlooking Boca Ciega Bay.
Daiquiri Deck - More bar than restaurant, but they do have a casual sandwich style menu. Live music many nights, as well as different bar type specials each night. 14495 Gulf Blvd. at the intersection of 150th St. (Welch Causeway) 393-2706.
Johnny Leverocks - closed as of 2005.
Santa Madeira - closed as of June 2003 and torn down.
The Apple Family Restaurant - closed, but now Leatherbacks Steakhouse, above.

Restaurants South of Madeira Beach

(Treasure Island & St. Pete Beach, 2 to 8 miles away)

Sloppy Joes - Located in the Bilmar Hotel on Treasure Island it has a nice contemporary island casual atmosphere good food and you can sit inside or outside and overlook the beach. 1.6 miles south of the condo at 10650 Gulf Blvd., Treasure Island. (727) 367-1600
Caddy's Waterfront Bar & Grill - Here is the only place we know where you can actually sit with your feet in the beach sand! It is very casual, with seating indoors, on the covered deck, or on the beach. Menu consists of salads, sandwiches, seafood baskets and BBQ, most in the $6-$9 range. The food is OK, but the attraction here is being on the beach. Located at the southern end of Treasure island, at 9000 West Gulf Blvd, which is the road to Sunset Beach, 2.6 miles south of Madeira Norte. (727) 360-4993
Sea Critters - Sea Critters big draw is being able to dine on their back deck/boat dock and watch the boats on the Intercoastal. There is also dining inside if the weather isn't perfect. The kids can't wait to feed the catfish that swarm around the docks after dinner with food scraps provided by your server. Good views of the Intercoastal, and you can dock your boat there. In 2004 we thought the food quality had slipped under the new ownership, but during our visit in July 2005 it seemed to be almost back up to their previous standards. Casual dress and reasonable prices. Prices range from $7.00 for sandwich plates up to $16 for full dinners. Located at 2007 Pass-A-Grill Way, St. Petersburg Beach, 1/2 mile south of the Don Cesar Hotel on St. Pete Beach. 7.4 miles south of the condo. (727) 360-3706
Silas Steakhouse - Good food and interesting decor. In the middle of St. Petersburg Beach, on Gulf Blvd. Restaurant is named after a turn of the century homesteader that lived on Tiere Verde island before it was settled, and the decor is local antiques and collectibles based on Silas' life..
Der Eisenhut - In the old town center portion of St. Pete Beach. This is a real German/Eastern European restaurant, with real Germans running it. The decor is a little dated, looking a bit like it it was put together from German garage sales. Food was excellent and prices moderate. Very good choice for a German restaurant experience. But - though they were nice to the kids, they have no kids menu, and they did not even have milk available when we were there. It is a small restaurant, and they say they are very busy in season and reservations are needed. In the off season, in European fashion, they close, so call ahead before going. 367 Corey Ave, St. Petersburg Beach. (727) 367-6495.
Skidder's A family run restaurant with a large menu heavily influenced with Greek and Italian cuisine, as well as a little of everything else: sandwiches, burgers, salads, seafood and pizza. The food was very good, but the atmosphere was nothing special. 5799 Gulf Blvd, St. Pete Beach 33706 (727) 360-1029
Shells - Located in St. Pete Beach a few miles south of Madeira Beach. This is part of a popular Florida chain. Casual dining and excellent seafood. Does not overlook the water, but has outside seating available. 6300 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach (727) 360-0889
McDonald's - 1.5 miles south of the condo on the left side of Gulf Blvd. This link is to the part of their website that maps out their restaurants around Madeira Beach.
Waffle House - On Gulf Blvd. in the middle of Treasure Island. This would be a better choice than Robbys Pancake House.
Johnny Leverocks - Closed in 2004/2005. At 10 Corey Ave. on St. Pete Beach
Jack's Stormwatch Bayside Restaurant - Closed
Robbys Pancake House - Closed. Service was lousy anyway.

Don't bother with the following three!!

The Hurricane - This restaurant has two floors of dining and a third floor bar, all overlooking a beautiful long stretch of Gulf Beach. Casual dining inside or out. We were satisfied on our first couple of visits, but our last couple visits in 2001 found mediocre food and lousy service, as have other guests, so this is off my recommended list. This is at the very end of St. Pete Beach, a mile or more past the Don Cesar. (727) 360-9558
Philthy Phil's - Crowded, tight and no non-smoking area since it is mostly a bar. Somewhat noisy due to the crowding and the live 2 or 3 person band in the corner. Though they bill themselves as waterfront, the water is across the road, and then across the parking lot, and cannot really be seen since the restaurant is on the ground. Prices ranged from sandwich plates at $6.00 up to dinners at $14.00. The food and service was good, but the smoke, noise and crowding made it an uncomfortable dinner. 678 75th Ave St. Pete Beach. (727) 367-9977
Vito & Michaels - Back when smoking was allowed the management here was not the least bit interested in our comfort and satisfaction. Food OK, service mediocre, environment terrible. 7704 Blind Pass Road, St. Petersburg Beach. (727) 360-3658.

Restaurants North of Madeira Beach

(Reddington, Indian Shores, Indian Rocks, 3 to 10 miles away)

Shells - Located in Reddington Beach a few miles north of Madeira Beach. This is part of a popular Florida chain. Casual dining and excellent seafood. Overlooks Intercoastal waterway, and has outside seating available. 4.6 miles north of the condo at 17885 Gulf Blvd., Redington Shores. (727) 393-8990
The Salt Rock Grill - A new and somewhat contemporary restaurant. Excellent food. Though casual, it is a little trendier and more upscale and pricier than typical for the beach areas. Great views of the Intercoastal. 5.7 miles north of the condo at 19325 Gulf Blvd, Indian Shores. (727) 593-7625
Conch Republic Grill - Casual island atmosphere, though a bit noisy for conversation. The food wasn't as good on our visit in 2005 as it was in 2004. Ceiling is painted like ocean and decorated so it looks like you are underwater. Menu has everything from sandwiches at $6 to lobster at $22, with most entrees at $12 - $16. 3.1 miles north of the condo at 16699 Gulf Blvd, N. Redington Beach (727) 320-0536
The Lobster Pot - A formal and expensive restaurant that serves lobster every way imaginable. Very good, but a little more formal than I like when at the beach. 4 miles north of the condo at 17814 Gulf Blvd, Redington Shores.
Guppy's on the Beach - Small restaurant with good food and some outdoor seating. Casual and moderate to high pricing. 9.2 miles north at 1701 Gulf Blvd. in Indian Rocks Beach across Gulf Blvd. from the public beach.
Hungry Fisherman - Located in Indian Shores, this is a large restaurant with good food. The prices are reasonable for the meal provided, but NO credit cards are accepted. 6.6 miles north at 19915 Gulf Boulevard, Indian Shores. (727) 595-4218
Crabby Bill's - On Gulf Boulevard, 8.2 miles north of the condo on Indian Rocks Beach. Mostly seafood with very casual atmosphere and low prices. Seating is at large picnic tables. Alot of the food is fried, and though a very popular area chain, we did not find it appealing. This is the original of a handful of local Crabby Bill restaurants. 7.9 miles north of the condo. 401 Gulf Blvd, Indian Rocks Beach. (727)595-4825
La Vigna - Haven't tried this one yet but it looked good and is not too far away. Cuisine described as rustic Italian. Dinners from $10.00 to $20.00. 4 miles north at 17807 Gulf Boulevard, Redington Shores. (727) 392-8001
The Wine Cellar - Fairly expensive and did not seemed oriented towards the kids, so we never tried it. It does look good though. 17307 Gulf Boulevard, North Redington Beach. (727) 393-3491
The Pub Waterfront Restaurant - In our summer 2002 visit we found the inside of the restaurant was a little run down, and our server was poor. The food was good though, and they have a nice wide view over the intercontinental waterway and plenty of boat docks. Outside is a really large deck, and that would have been the place to enjoy our meal. In June 2003 we tried it again, and found it to be better, but not great. Prices start with sandwich plates at $6.00 to full dinners up to $16.00. 6.9 miles north of Madeira Norte at 20025 Gulf Blvd., Indian Shores. (727) 595-3172
Nadia's - Closed in by early 2003 - Unfortunate as we had an excellent meal at this French restaurant. Tampa Bay Magazine rated it as "Best Mediterranean food". 9.8 miles north at 2721 Gulf Blvd, Indian Rocks.

Restaurants On the Mainland near Madeira Beach

(4 to 10 miles away)

Martina's German Cuisine - Excellent northern German food. We enjoyed spatzle, wiener schnitzel, authentic bratwurst and other German fare. It only has about 10 tables, so call ahead for a reservation. About 5 miles from condo at 9277 Seminole Blvd, Seminole, a little north of Park Blvd. (727) 319-0082

Carrabba's - Good Italian food at this popular chain. 5 miles from condo on Tyrone Blvd. next to Sonny's Bar-B-Q & Sam Seltzer's Steakhouse, about 1/2 mile past Hops.

Sonny's Real Pit Bar-B-Q - This southern chain has good barbeque, very casual and is good for carryout. They have restaurants all the way north into Tenessee, and it's always a big deal for the kids to stop on the way driving down or back. We sometimes will visit this one close to the condo as well. 5 miles from condo at 3650 Tyrone Blvd, St. Pete. (727) 341-2990

Sam Seltzer's Steakhouse - This is one of only 5 of these popular upscale steakhouses on the Florida west coast. Very nice inside, and their history goes back over 75 years as a meat market and restaurant. 5 miles from condo on Tyrone Blvd next to Sonny's and Carraba's. (727) 381-7267

Shells - This is part of a popular Florida chain that has casual dining and excellent seafood. 8305 Bay Pines Road (Tyrone Blvd.), St. Petersburg. (727) 209-0107
Last visited May 2006.

Steak-n-Shake - Located next to Hops. 4.5 miles from the condo on Bay Pines Road, which becomes Tyrone Blvd.

Cody's Original Roadhouse - Located at 7022 22nd Ave. north, St. Petersburg, across from the Tyrone mall in a strip shopping center. Very popular throw the peanuts on the floor steakhouse style restaurant. Good food, casual and average prices. Kids eat free on Mondays and Tuesdays. (727) 345-1022

Don Pablo's - Located next to Hops. 4.5 miles from the condo on Bay Pines Road, which becomes Tyrone Blvd.

Roadhouse Grill - Located a couple of miles North of Madeira on Alternate 19 at Park Ave. Chain steakhouse.

Crabby Bills - Located 1/4 mile down Tyrone Blvd. from Hops, across from Sonny's Bar-B-Q. Another of the popular area chain.

Hops Bar and Grill- Closed. 8305 Bay Pines Road (Tyrone Blvd.), St. Petersburg.

Our personal list of favorites from the above choices:

Our taste is towards casual, kid friendly restaurants, and a water view. We also try to stay away from the chain restaurants that we can eat at while at home up north!

Sea Critters - good food and the kids are always captivated by feeding the fish off the dock.
Sloppy Joe's - good food, casual island atmosphere, and good beach views.
Mario's Cucina Toscana - excellent italian food and service and just up the street!
Caddy's on the Beach - very casual, simple food, and eating directly on the beach!
Bubba Gumps - Haven't been there yet, but based on the expected view and our experiences at their other nationwide locations.
Salt Rock Grill - On the Intercoastal with excellent views, and a contemporary upscale atmosphere with somewhat trendy food.
Nothing wrong with these either: Shells, Guppy's, Silas Steakhouse, Martina's, Der Eisenhut, Cody's Roadhouse, or many of the chain restaurants on the mainland.

Other Websites for lists of area Restaurants

The restaurants listed above are just a few of many. You'll find many south on St. Pete Beach and north in the Indian Shores area, as well as east on the mainland. Also, here is a link to other online restaurant guides:

See Florida Online - a good listing of local restaurants and links to their websites, but no opinions of them.

beachdirectory.com - A directory to other area restaurants

Call us at (614) 792-2593 to rent our beautiful corner gulf front condo in the Madeira Norte building on Madeira Beach.

To contact us -

Please call us at (614) 792-2593 or at (614) 792-2523.
If we do not answer, please leave a message.

David Ulstad
E-mail: dculstad@aol.com
Last Modified: January 9, 2008

Provided by: Madeira Norte #312 13000 Gulf Boulevard, Madeira Beach, Florida