Celebrating the Best of St. Pete-Clearwater: 2024 Besties winners announced

Brody Wooddell
·3 min read

ST. PETE-CLEARWATER, Fla. (BLOOM) – In a night of celebration and community spirit, the 2024 Besties Awards, presented by the Tampa Bay Times, honored the top destinations and businesses in St. Pete-Clearwater. Held at the scenic Innisbrook Resort in Palm Harbor, the event recognized winners across a record-setting 35 categories, reflecting the vibrant and diverse offerings of this beautiful Florida destination.

Record Participation and Community Choice

With more than 74,000 votes cast from Feb. 12-29, the local community and fans of St. Pete-Clearwater enthusiastically supported their favorite nominees. From 256 nominees, the winners were chosen, showcasing the best in everything from dining and entertainment to outdoor activities and local artisans.

The 2024 Besties Winners

  • Best Beach Bar: Palm Pavilion, Clearwater Beach

  • Best Beach: Clearwater Beach/Sand Key

  • Best Boutique Lodging: Fenway Hotel, Dunedin

  • Best Brewery: 3 Daughters Brewing, Clearwater Beach

  • Best Brunch: Island Way Grill, Clearwater Beach

  • Best Charter Boat: Hubbard’s Marina – Fishing

  • Best Cocktails: Gigglewaters, Safety Harbor

  • Best Coffee Shop: Sweet Brewnette, Madeira Beach

  • Best Dog Hangout: Honeymoon Island State Park

  • Best Family Activity: Clearwater Marine Aquarium

  • Best Food Truck: Got Lobstah?

  • Best Grouper: Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill, Clearwater Beach

  • Best Hotel: The Don CeSar, St. Pete Beach

  • Best Live Music Venue: The BayCare Sound, Coachman Park

  • Best Local Influencer: Caulin Donaldson, @trashcaulin

  • Best Local Maker: William Dean Chocolates, Belleair Bluffs

  • Best Market: Saturday Morning Market, St. Pete

  • Best Mural: Dolphin Mural, Coachman Park, Sonny Behan

  • Best Museum: The Dalí Museum, St. Pete

  • Best Newcomer: The BayCare Sound, Coachman Park

  • Best Restaurant ($): Mazzaro’s Italian Market, St. Pete

  • Best Restaurant ($$): Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille, St. Pete

  • Best Restaurant ($$$): Salt Rock Grill, Indian Rocks Beach

  • Best Rooftop Bar: Hi-Fi Rooftop Bar, Fenway Hotel, Dunedin

  • Best Shopping: Freaky Tiki, St. Pete Beach

  • Best Spa: Safety Harbor Resort & Spa, Safety Harbor

  • Best Street Stroll: Main St., Dunedin

  • Best Visitors Center: The St. Pete Store & Visitors Center

  • Best Walk in the Park: Sunken Gardens, St. Pete

  • Best Water Excursion: Snorkeling around Egmont Key

  • Best Way to Get Around: Jolley Trolley, Clearwater

  • Best Wedding Venue: The Don CeSar, St. Pete Beach

  • Best Wine Bar: Sips Wine Bar, Safety Harbor

A Community Triumph

“Honoring the Best of the Best is a special way of celebrating our hardworking partners who truly make this the best destination in the world,” said Visit St. Pete-Clearwater President/CEO Brian Lowack. He emphasized the outstanding contributions of local businesses in making 2023 a banner year for tourism in Pinellas County.

The local tourism industry’s efforts resulted in over $98 million in hotel bed tax collections, the highest ever for the county. The overall destination accommodations revenue surpassed $1.6 billion, supporting more than 100,000 jobs and funding vital tourism-related projects such as beach restoration.

A Shining Future

Visit St. Pete-Clearwater continues to thrive, offering 35 miles of pristine white-sand beaches and a rich cultural landscape. With accolades from USA Today, the New York Times, and Forbes, this destination remains a top choice for visitors seeking sunshine, culture, and unforgettable experiences.

For more information and to explore the new Gulf to Bay Destination Magazine, which features the full list of nominees and more, visit Visit St. Pete-Clearwater.

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