Share Dunedin with Patty and John
Patty and John live in and love Dunedin, Florida. We frequent the local shops,restaurants, parks and events in Dunedin and want to share our experiences with anyone considering visiting or moving to "Delightful Dunedin".
Our Favorite Places to Eat & Drink...
If you like beer, Dunedin is a beer drinkers heaven. Dunedin Breweryoffers a wide selection of their own brews in an industrial and inviting setting. There's music many nights and ample parking.
Rosie's Tavern is another dog friendly spot. It offers beer and wine and snacks in a neighborhood tavern ambiance. Lots of locals to talk to and a friendly staff.
Patty and I like to start our weekend at Bon Appetit, which has a outdoor area overlooking the bay and the Dunedin Marina. They offer a full bar and feature a number of rum based specialty drinks. In addition to complete meals, they have a Tapas style menu. Last time we shared smoked trout with our drinks. The setting sun can be bright, so bring your sunglasses.
New in Downtown Dunedin is Strachan's Ice Cream, an old fashion ice cream store featuring homemade ice cream. Strachan's is also famous for specialty desserts, especially its carrot cake. There are tables outside. Bring your dog and ask for the free"doggy cone".
Pan Y Vino in Downtown Dunedin is the latest venture of the popular Mexican restaurant Casa Tina, just next door. The specialty of Pan Y Vino is wood fired pizzas. We recommend the fig and goat cheese combination. Prices reasonable...quality good.
The Living Room on Main in Dunedin has become one of our favorite spots. The atmosphere is smart and congenial and the tapas menu delicious and we feel very reasonable. Most week nights offer food and drink specials. There is music most night also.There is outside seating and it is dog friendly.
Sea Sea Riders can't be beat for its location close to center of downtown Dunedin and the waterfront. An interior remodeling around a large central bar is great for meeting old and new friends and the porch seating is wonderful for taking in the Dunedin street scene. The have a excellent seafood selection. John particularly likes the shrimp and grits.
A great combination of a giant beer selection and a large and creative menu is found at the Clear Sky Draught Haus. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner and the food quality and selection is outstanding. There's music every evening and plenty of outdoor seating for your doggy. We love the white pizza and the bacon wrapped figs.
Just visited Hot Dogs on Main for lunch. I had a Chihuahua Dog with mango and salsa and Patty had the dog with slaw. Ate at little tables on the street and enjoyed a summer afternoon breeze in downtown Dunedin. This is also the spot if you love Italian beef.
Pices Sushi & Global Bistro is our go to spot for sushi. It has just moved to the downtown of Dunedin. We start with the Saki Sangria and their unique edamame. They have many special sushi rolls. We particularly like the Dunedin roll and the mango roll.
The Dunedin Smokehouse is where we go when we crave a Corned Beef Sandwich. They serve a specialty call Montreal Beef, which is smoked and spiced. It is served on a Pretzel Bun with a lot of delicious sides. There is a large selection of draft beers and a large dog friendly patio. We also like the Southwest salad. Location...Downtown Dunedin.
Hog Island Fish Camp is one of the newest additions to our downtown dining scene. We always go for the Hog Fish sandwich, but you will find venison and other southern specialty items. Don't miss the Country Style Greens. Large beer selection and a full bar. Outdoor seating for dogs.
The Ohana Cafe has just moved into Dunedin. Ohana Cafe mixes Hawaii’s flavors with a healthy approach. Owner Teresa Kerr exudes a warm aloha spirit and the affordable menu focuses on vegan, vegetarian and healthy dishes, many with a Hawaiian twist. We love the Popover breakfast and their healthy bacon.
Olde Bay Cafe is a gem if you want fresh fish, a cold beer and a view of the gulf. Located next to the Dunedin Marina, the cafe offers a laid back waterfront experience with exceptional food.
Julians Little Italy offers a wide variety of Italian favorites at reasonable prices. Long a local favorite, Julians will be found in a strip center close to downtown. We love their clams and linguine and eggplant parm. Leave room for the Limoncello cake.
Little Dunedin has seven unique breweries in walking distance of downtown. All have a special vibe and you have a chance to sample an amazing variety of beers. The Woodwright Brewery is a favorite with ample outdoor seating, music and a high class food truck on the premises.
After a sunset sail on my son and his partner's boat, which he keeps in the Dunedin Marina, Patty and I took them to dinner in downtown Dunedin. We love Cafe Alfresco for its great food, reasonable prices and outdoor ambiance. It is situated right on the Pinellas Trail and there is always lots to watch as bike riders, skaters and runners glide by. John ordered for the first time a chicken stir fry dish and was really pleased. Patty had her favorite blue cheese burger. One more reason to love Dunedin.
In a rush for lunch or want a truly healthful and delicious lunch, then call Lonni's Sandwich Cafe at 736-1959. They offer truly unique sandwiches, soups and desserts. We particularly like the Mango Breeze--Domestic brie cheese, avocado slices, curried mango chutney and alfalfa sprouts with mayonnaise on Lonni’s wild rice bread.
Things to Do...
Kafe Racer is the place to go to buy, rent or have your bike repaired. I just got a good deal on a recumbent bike there. The owners and staff are very friendly and offer a great cellection of bikes and accessories. It is one block north of Dunedin downtown and right on the Pinellas Bike Trail.
Walks are part of our exercise program. Several evenings a week we take a 30 minute walk along Dunedin's linear park which borders St John's Sound. Even in summer there is a cooling breeze and always plenty to watch. Most exciting are the many Osprey that have nests high above the walkway. We watch them fish, feed their babies and sit majestically on tree and poles, sharing the sunset with us. We take Mooshy, our little dog with us and pass many other couples enjoying the sites and sea breezes.
The Dunedin Causeway is a jewel of our community. Only minutes from anywhere in Dunedin, it provides space and amenities for swimming, fishing, boating, running, walking your dog, picnics and sunsets. At the end of the road you enter the award winning beaches and nature preserve of Honeymoon Island an you can catch the boat to the world's top beach.
We did a staycation at the Best Western Plus Yacht Harbor Inn, just five minutes from our home. Our room was right on the gulf and we enjoyed a well stocked minibar,and complimentary breakfast. The pool was right outside our door . Mooshy, our small dog, was also welcome.
Our wedding reception was at the Dunedin Golf Club. We could not have been more pleased with the beautiful surroundings, the deliciously prepared and displayed food and the attentive service. The club has a beautiful and historic golf course and was once the home course for the PGA. It is open to the public for play.
We just visited Dunedin’s newest amenity...Weaver Park. The land was purchased from a local resident at a greatly reduced price and preserves for Dunedin residents one of the last pieces of public land on the Gulf. The park has picnic tables and is pet friendly. The dock can be used for fishing. Hwy Alt 19 splits the park and the East side the park can be accessed from the Pinellas Trail.
Dunedin History Museum has just reopened after a major expansion. The history of Dunedin is displayed in detail from the time of the indians. The exhibits are very professional designed with numerous video and interactive opportunities. This is well worth your time.
Looking to get into a social scene in Dunedin. Join the Dunedin Boat Club. You don’t need to own a boat, but you can enjoy a wide range of social events at the clubhouse situated on the gulf of Mexico and steps from downtown Dunedin.Check the website to learn more.
We had a pancake breakfast this morning at the cafe on Honeymoon Island. For $6.00 you get four pancakes, sausage, coffee and fresh fruit, a fantastic view and cool breezes. A great way to start the day. Dog friendly at the cafe. Honeymoon Island also has a special dog beach, which we visited in the evening.
Dunedin prides itself on being dog friendly. Some call it DOGEDEN. Many restaurants allow you to eat outside with your dog and Rosie's Tavern lets you bring man's best friend right to the bar. Dogs are being immortalized on murals around the downtown.
More Information...
Dunedin has it's own first class hospital. Called Mease Dunedin, it is part of the the larger and well respected Morton Plant hospital organization. Our 143-bed facility is undergoing a $19-million renovation/expansion, including a new Critical Care Unit. With an invested $20 million in improvements over the past five years, every patient room at Mease Dunedin has recently been upgraded and 70 percent of rooms are private. The emergency room promises you will see a doctor in 30 minutes.
We have taken our Shipoo, Mooshy, to the Animal Health Health Care Clinic for sixteen years. They are the most reasonable priced vet in the area and have provided excellent care. Office waits are usually short and they discount the pet medications.