If Florida were to have an official state food, the choice would be pretty clear. Nothing against oranges, key lime pie, or even the Cuban sandwich (invented in Tampa!), but one dish, available nearly universally, stands above them all — the grouper sandwich.
From beachside fish shacks to five-star restaurants, a good grouper sandwich is the one dish you’ll find just about anywhere. And just as many spots make their own variation of the beloved handheld, it seems anyone with a taste for fish has a particular place they set on a pedestal above the rest.
Initially, our I Love the Burg team discussed putting together a guide for where to get good grouper sandwiches in St. Pete and the surrounding area, much like we’ve done before for breweries, donuts, and even breakfast sandwiches. But we quickly realized: a list of restaurants in St. Pete that have a grouper sandwich (or something close to it) amounts to just being a list of all the restaurants in St. Pete, minus a few pizza joints.
So, instead of bogging readers down with a glossary of available options, we decided to narrow things down by having members of our crew share their personal favorites. This gave us an opportunity to wax poetic about the grouper sandwiches that may or may not have changed our lives for the better, while admittedly inviting what we hope is friendly disagreement. If there’s a spot you think we missed, definitely let us know so we can give it a try. On a list this short, we know there are several great ones deserving of mention that aren’t on here.
In the meantime, here are our staff picks for where to get the best grouper sandwiches in St. Pete and Pinellas County
You can make a list of just about any food group and I’m going to say Mullet’s has one of the best in town. Fries, chicken wings, fish spread, even tiki cocktails. The south side restaurant is a favorite of the entire I Love the Burg staff for a reason, and when it comes to the Florida classic grouper sandwich, few places — if any — do it better than Mullet’s.
Most get it blackened, served on a hot bun, and to be sure, getting it in the classic style with simply lettuce and tomato will leave anyone pleased with flaky and flavorful sensations throughout. However, what makes Mullet’s fun is the ability to change it up in any of their signature styles. My go-to is Florida Man, sauteed in a house-made citrus-herb butter and served with Mullet’s own Florida-inspired slaw. All of that said — no matter how you get your grouper, don’t skip the smoked chicken wings for a starter; preferably with a Cajun dry rub and the Merman sauce on the side for dipping.
Mullet’s is located at 3901 6th St S
Sunny days at this Pass-a-Grille gem are what living here is all about: waterfront views, open-air dining, and of course, a delicious grouper sandwich. The Wharf’s take on the local fave is a classic — expertly seasoned and blackened to perfection, served with a fresh tomato slice and crispy lettuce and onion. It’s great for the whole family, or you can come solo and grab a seat at the bar. Either way, the grouper sandwich is the go-to dish at this legendary beach restaurant.
The Wharf is a must-visit for more than just the grouper, however. Brimming Old Florida flair, it’s been a staple for more than 30 years. The peel-and-eat shrimp and the key lime are iconic dishes. We also won’t judge if you stop by for a happy hour beer on the water.
The Wharf is located at 2001 Pass A Grille Way
Newer on the scene, but definitely a strong contender for best grouper sandwich in the Burg because you know you’re getting fresh fish when the menu is handwritten. Plus, the vibes are immaculate from the sandy outdoor patio to the tiki bar and live music.
Here, you can get your grouper sandwich either blackened or fried served with fries, lettuce, tomatoes, and onion. Other favorites on the menu are the smoked wings, fried biscuits, zucchini fries, and the stone claw crabs if you can get them!
Hookin’ Ain’t Easy is located at 3660 22nd Ave S and is open Wednesday-Saturday 11 am-7 pm, and Sunday from 11 am-5 pm.
This local haunt on the USF St. Pete campus is one of the few remaining gems near downtown that never gets overrun by tourists, despite the fact that nearly anyone who’s been in St. Pete for long will tell you that Bayboro is an absolute must-try for grouper sandwiches.
As a rule, I get grouper blackened. But rules are meant to be broken, and Bayboro is the reason that rule not only needs to be broken, but deserves to be broken. Their fried grouper sandwich is a thing of absolute beauty inside and out, a massive hunk of fresh grouper golden fried with corn flakes and crushed almonds, creating a buttery smooth crunch that will melt the hearts of even the staunchest anti-fried-fish eaters among us.
Tavern at Bayboro is located at 120 6th Ave S
This is the newest spot on the list, having been open for only a few months. But don’t let its newness keep you from visiting this relaxed beachfront spot at TradeWinds Island Grand. First, it’s one of only a handful of places directly on the beach to get a great grouper sandwich as we wait on some of our favorites to reopen. Second, this new dog also has some new tricks.
We got our first taste of Pete’s Gulf Bistro a few weeks ago, and they have one of our favorite and most creative takes on the classic sandwich: the Gulf Grouper Reuben. Made with fresh-caught Gulf grouper, Pete’s version comes with sauerkraut, 1000 Island dressing and Swiss cheese all piled in between pieces of warm rye bread. You can still get the classic grouper sandwich if you prefer (lettuce, tomato, remoulade), but this is an experience worth branching out for.
Pete’s Gulf Bistro is located at 5500 Gulf Blvd
This St. Pete institution is known for its wild Moon Parties and big breakfast plates. Its patio may leave you starstruck as pieces of wood reclaimed from St. Pete’s first million dollar hotel, The Soreno, now comprise its ceiling. With revelatory burgers, and a 5-star brunch, it’s easy to forget Harvey’s whips up a mean fish sandwich. The grouper sandwich here may as well have its own orbit. It’s big. It’s fresh. It’s made with care. The kitchen crew at Harvey’s filets thousands of pounds of fresh fish every single week.
I get it broiled and blackened. The butter toasted bun is flaky and crunchy and honestly could stand on its own (I’m not joking). Let’s get this bread ASMR. It’s served with cheddar cheese, lettuce, tomato and a generous portion of tartar. There’s a reason Harvey’s has been killing it on 4th Street North for 39 years (that number is official on April 1, 2023).
Harvey’s is located at 3121 4th St N
The two best words you can see on a menu at a seafood restaurant: fresh catch. The team at Rumba, with locations in St. Pete and Clearwater, has an entire fleet of fishing boats out on the Gulf bringing in fresh catch fish every day. Nevermind that Rumba has some of the best prices and specials around. We’re all about that ocean-to-table dining.
As for the sandwich itself, Rumba takes the approach of letting the fresh fish shine. Get your grouper grilled, blackened, fried or jerk-style, and the flavorful sandwich comes with lettuce, tomato, onion and remoulade. This is another rare instance where blackened isn’t the first choice. That jerk-style seasoning is a grouper sandwich unlike any other in town. P.S.: Don’t skip the all-day happy hour deals!
Rumba has two locations: 6445 4th St N (St. Pete), 1800 Gulf to Bay Blvd (Clearwater)
**Note: Dockside Dave’s has been closed due to hurricane damage, but is VERY close to re-opening. Check their facebook for the latest updates!
I’ve been coming here since I was a kid. It’s a beach staple famous for its fresh caught half-pound grouper sandwiches. You can get your grouper prepared seven different ways: Chargrilled, Blackened, Lightly Blackened, Country Fried, Batter Fried, Lemon Peppered on the Grill, or Buffalo Style, served on a kaiser roll with lettuce, tomato, onions, pickles, and pepperoncini.
My personal favorite is country fried with a side of onion rings and a cold corona. There’s nothing better after a day in the Florida sun. Other standouts on the menu are the gator bites, smoked fish spread, and their tomatoes!
Dockside Dave’s is open 7 days a week at 14701 Gulf Blvd, Madeira Beach and is first come, first serve!
What to read next:
