Spa Beach Bistro — Restaurant in Saint Petersburg

We spent several days in town visiting sites from our last visit 30 years ago and exploring new destinations. Among the former included the new St. Petersburg Pier which opened in 2020; our last visit was to the inverted pier. We noticed the Spa Beach Bistro on our way down to the pier and decided to order a stone-fried mushroom pizza and fresh-squeezed lemonade before walking back to our car.

The beach area is a fun place for people of all ages. On a bright, sunny day the kids were having a blast running through the splash pad while adults relaxed in chairs protected from the sun. It appeared that the chairs were on a first- come first-served basis. There are numerous tables at the Spa Beach Bistro; we waited only a few minutes for our order. Two lines serve cash and credit and credit card only. A staff member was busy cleaning off tables. The birds definitely know about this place and at times made a nuisance of themselves trying to get food from unsuspecting visitors.

The bistro offers an extensive menu including bistro pizzas (cheese, pepperoni, sausage, mushroom); specialty pizzas (meat lovers, veggie lovers, margherita, bbq chicken, sweet heat, pesto, Hawaiian, chicken bacon ranch, white and buffalo chicken), vegan pizzas (cheese, veggie, pepperoni) and create your own (choice of crust, sauce and toppings).

Additional choices include house salad, antipasto salad, chicken tenders, sweet potato fries, pretzel sticks, French fries, cheese fries and bacon cheese fries. Soft drinks, fresh squeezed lemonade, coffee, hot chocolate and bottled water round out the menu.

We were treated to live music from Bryan Bassett who was excellent. When eating at a busy outdoor venue like this, you have to be a little flexible and understand that sticky tables, fun-loving kids and hungry birds are part of the deal. What's also part of the deal are honest people and a trusted security team.

After finishing our pizza and drinks and using the restroom, we gathered up our belongings to walk back to our parking garage. I entered the walking directions on my phone when we sat down knowing I would not need to start the route until we left the pier. At that point, a half hour later, I reached into my bag for my phone which was not there. I panicked as a ruined trip swam before my eyes. Sadly, my life is in that phone.

I nearly ran back to the bistro and caught the attention of the waitress who took our order. She asked if it was a pink, sparkly phone and when I nodded "Yes!" she said security had it. An honest person had turned it in. I met up with a security member right outside the bistro who called another team member. Within minutes, I was reunited with my phone after unlocking it in front of security. I can't describe the relief I felt.

Traveling has its own set of challenges. Keeping track of belongings is at the top of the list. I was grateful to the honest person who turned my phone in along with the security team who kept it safe.

Will we return to Spa Beach Bistro? Will I check the table twice before...

This outdoor eatery is located on St Pete Pier, just steps to the playground, the splash pad, and s tones throw from the beach. Great short menu including awesome pizza and vegan pizza. Fresh squeezed lemonade is fresh and incredible sweet potato fries. Alcoholic beverages are available at the free standing kiosk Pay first. Mostly wheel chair access but the steps on the patio require one to go over to the ramp. The public restrooms are right next door, and are wheel chair access. Frequently has live music. The outdoor tables are on the edge of the open area for festivals and events geared to kids and adults, like salsa dance, and fun kid stuff. Check St Pete Pier website for event calendar. Pay by app parking lots...

If you’ve never been to the St. Pete Pier, you need to go like now!! It’s so beautiful and such an amazing experience. Ended eating at this conveniently located bistro by the water and loved that they had a whole vegan section!! Any adjustment to the menu they were more then happy to comply with which was so great. Ordered both the Pepperoni and the Veggie pizza. They were ok in flavor, definitely could use some more seasoning. The sweet potatoe fries were very crisp, but found out they are cooked in the same fryer as the meat options. Their fresh squeeze lemonade was decent, they also have a bar for alcoholic drinks orders. The best part though was honestly the live band, they...