The story
Caretta on the Gulf sits inside the Sandpearl Resort on Clearwater Beach, Florida, with 700 feet of private Gulf coastline as its backdrop. The setting is as straightforward as it is striking: white sand, open water, and a dining room that makes full use of both. Whether guests arrive for breakfast, a leisurely lunch, or an evening of fine dining, the Gulf of Mexico is always part of the experience.
The kitchen works within the American steakhouse tradition, a cuisine that rewards quality sourcing and confident execution. The restaurant's own materials point to cocktail and sushi pairings as a signature pairing at the bar — a detail that signals the menu moves comfortably between land and sea. The broader Sandpearl setting, ranked among Florida's top resorts by Travel + Leisure, frames Caretta as a destination in its own right, not simply a hotel amenity.
That reputation has drawn formal recognition: Wine Spectator granted Caretta its Award of Excellence, a mark of distinction that reflects both the depth of the wine program and the kitchen's commitment to pairing-worthy American cuisine.
Caretta accommodates a wide range of visits — private parties, large group dinners, catered events, and quiet meals for two. Outdoor seating brings guests as close to the Gulf as a table can get, while the wine bar anchors the indoor space with warmth. The resort's holiday programming, from Thanksgiving buffets to Easter brunches, regularly finds its centerpiece here.
For anyone spending time on Clearwater Beach, Caretta on the Gulf offers something genuinely hard to replicate: polished American steakhouse cooking, a decorated wine list, and a front-row seat to one of Florida's most celebrated stretches of coastline.
Recognition
Ambience
Location