As one of Florida’s oldest towns, Dunedin has a rich history that explains it’s proud Celtic history and Scottish heritage. Its history can be traced all the way back to 1852 when Richard L. Garrison recorded the first land deed. 30 years later, two Scottish merchants, J.O. Douglas and James Somerville petitioned to call the post office, and at that time the town itself, Dunedin.
Dunedin’s waterfront location and agricultural industry, based mainly on citrus and cotton, making it one of Florida’s chief trading ports. Because of Dunedin’s quickly earned successes, it was incorporated as a town in 1899.
In 1927, the famous Fenway Hotel opened for business and became the center of early Dunedin.
Today Dunedin is a prospering city that is home to many local businesses and a wide variety of historical attractions, like the recently renovated Fenway Hotel. Keeping the tradition alive, Dunedin hosts the Highland Games & Festival each March to celebrate their proud heritage and history. Inspired by the town’s origins in the citrus industry they also host an Orange Festival each July. Oh, how wonderful being a part of a city that’s so proud of its roots!
Top 5 Restaurants in Dunedin
Sea Sea Riders has been a Dunedin staple for over 30 years. They offer some of the best steak and seafood in Tampa Bay and even have one of the top 10 cocktails in the country on their drink menu. The staff at Sea Sea Riders, along with their regulars, are proud to make everything fresh in house. Whether you need to grab a quick lunch during your lunch break or just want to have a casual and delicious meal with friends or family, Sea Sea Riders is the right destination. The atmosphere will make any Floridian feel at home with their restored 1903 waterfront home with veranda dining to provide a unique and enjoyable dining experience.
At The Black Pearl, one thing is for certain, “life is too short to eat bad food”. With a motto like this, you can expect nothing but the best flavors and freshest seafood in Dunedin. Because they specialize in upscale French and New American cuisine, they have quickly won over the hearts of the locals. Located in the heart of Dunedin, their interesting menu includes fried green tomatoes, lamb, and ducklings! They also serve up a sweet ending to your meal with bananas foster and tarte tatin. Be sure to check this place out for an experience like no other.
If you’re in the mood for sushi, there’s nowhere better to go in Dunedin than Blue Sake. Not only do they have a beautiful and relaxing atmosphere but they also have the highest quality sushi and Asain food in the area. It’s the perfect place to a business meeting, night out with friends or a romantic date with your significant other. Their menu includes food from Thailand, China, Korea, and Japan so taste all of Asia with just one stop! If Sushi and Sake are a match made in heaven in your mind, check out their 2 for 1 happy hour from their full-service bar.
The Living Room on Main is one of Dunedin’s coolest eateries with an eclectic menu of dishes inspired by worldly cuisine! This upscale yet relaxed environment will make you feel right at home! Stop by with friends or family to taste some of their craziest flavorful dishes like the crispy buffalo cauliflower or Jerusalem artichokes. The Living Room on Main has mind-blowing cocktails, live music and a kick-ass happy hour from 11 am-7 pm on weekdays and 2 pm-7 pm on the weekends.
Right across the street from The Living Room on Main lies Flanagan’s Irish Pub where they offer a fine selection of traditional Irish foods, plenty of thirst-quenching beers, wines and cocktails and live entertainment nightly. Some of their most popular foodie dishes are the Irish Potato Skins, Irish Tacos and Poutine. A local’s favorite is the Bangers and Mash, with Ale-infused grilled bangers with a buttery caraway cabbage, smoked gouda mashed potatoes, and our house Guinness gravy topped with crispy bacon.
Top 5 Nightlife Destinations in Dunedin
Clubbing in Dunedin would be difficult without the Chic A Boom Room! As Dunedin’s premier nightclub, martini bar and lounge, it draws quite the crowd each weekend. They feature 24 signature martinis and 85 bottled beers on their bar with fun and talkative bartenders who know all about the area. Stop by for Happy Hour all day on Thursday and Sunday for an affordable good time. It is the place to see and be seen in Dunedin!
When life-long friends came together to create a place for locals and visitors alike to enjoy, The Crown and Bull was established. They are currently updating and renovating this legendary Dunedin landmark, which has been in existence for over 30 years. With some of the most delicious and dangerous craft cocktails in Dunedin, they draw quite the crowd on both weekends and weekdays. Personally, I love their Spicy Mango Margarita and Cucumber Gimlet because both taste like a sweet and savory juice. However, they’re more known for their wide selection of martinis from the chocolate martini to the strawberry starburst, there is something for every martini lover on this menu!
For 22 years, the Dunedin Brewery has been focused on creating great brews and contributing to the strong community that Dunedin has provided them with. Stop by for a good time, great beer and live music on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday nights. Their brews are hand-crafted in small batches of 14 barrels at a time, and the attention to detail is noticeable after your first sip. Dunedin Brewery strives to do more than just make great beer, they strive to add value to the community and make a lasting impact on every customer that walks through their door.
Cricketers Pub is the perfect place to stop for a cold beer, a bite to eat or maybe even a few margaritas after the beach! Located on the Dunedin Causeway near Honeymoon Island this British Pub and Restaurant is a place where owners Mike and Lisa want you to feel at home. Happy Hour is from 11 am-9 pm daily where they offer discounts on wells, domestic pints, and wines. With over 24 beers on tap, their selection switches up often. But it only gives you another excuse to return to Cricketers Pub after your next beach trip!
Blur Nightclub brings Downtown Dunedin to life with nightly specials each day of the week that allows you to let loose whenever you please! The only day they aren’t open is Mondays but they open back up on Tuesday nights with Drag Queen Bingo at 8:30 pm. Wednesday’s call for House Music and Thursday’s call for karaoke. They have dance parties on Fridays and Saturdays for those of you who like to get up and dance! Sunday Funday only comes around once a week but it begins at 12pm so you have 12-hours to party before going to sleep for work on Monday. Stop by any day (other than Monday) for a good time in Downtown Dunedin!
Top 5 Destinations for Things to Do in Dunedin
Egmont Key and Egmont Key State Park
Located a bit southwest of Fort De Soto, Egmont Key is a beautiful island and state park that is accessible only by private boat. However, if you rent a boat and ask your captain to take you there, that is also possible. Once you’re on the island you will be able to enjoy secluded beaches, a wildlife refuge, fishing areas, and more. Though it is primarily a wildlife refuge, many locals know it doubles as a personal refuge where locals go for private palm tree-lined beaches and gorgeous views of the ocean. The 150-year-old lighthouse still works!
As Tampa Bay’s first zipline tour, Empower Adventures has captured the hearts of adventurous families looking to make memories while in Dunedin! They offer families and groups an unforgettable experience with aerial views of the area. While on the course you will enjoy a 55-foot-tall start tower, five zip lines, a 100-foot suspension bridge as well as an adventure park with log bridges, catwalk bridges, steps, tires, and poles. Conquer your fear of heights at Empower Adventures in Dunedin!
Honeymoon Island State Park is home to come of Dunedin’s most beautiful white sand beaches, vibrant sunsets and exotic birds. After paying $8 for parking and entrance, you will be able to let the kids play in the warm sun while you relax on the clear-blue waters of the Gulf. Have a relaxing picnic, set out for some bird watching or snorkel in the crystal blue waters. I’ve heard there’s a lot of wildlife at Honeymoon Island State Park so if you have any animals lovers in your family or friend group, this beach is their dream come true.
Another beautiful and must-see beach on Honeymoon Island is Caladesi Island State Park. After being voted America’s best beach in 2008, the beaches have only gotten more beautiful. With almost 3 miles of white sandy beaches, Caladesi Island State Park has opened hiking trails, kayak rentals, and more for those of you who can’t sit still at the beach.
The Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail is a linear trail currently extending from St. Petersburg to Tarpon Springs and is a multi-use trail everyone can enjoy. The Trail, created along a portion of abandoned railroad corridor, provides a unique, protected greenspace for walking, jogging, skating, and biking. The trail is only open during daylight hours and alcohol is prohibited. Bring the whole family for a Sunday stroll, including your dog, as long as it’s on a leash!
For more information on Dunedin check out our Dunedin neighborhood page on 727area.com! After all, we are your local and free guide to Pinellas County!
