Treasure Island Vacation Tips
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The first thing anyone asks when they arrive on Treasure Island is where to eat or where to get a cold drink. Well, here's where the locals go.
Arguably the most popular restaurant/bar on the island is Ricky T's Bar and Grille. Advertised as "Where the local's go", Ricky T's offers three bars in one. Ricky's has a front outside tiki bar where both locals and visitors soak up the sun and live music. Ricky's also has an indoor middle bar/dining room with 
plenty of televisions to take in your favorite team. The back bar is the locals hangout where visitors are welcome to listen to the locals complain about local politics. Ricky's is a full liquor bar and has a full menu including the best breakfast in town.
Two doors down from Ricky's is the VIP Mexican Restaurant and Lounge. Great Mexican food and an always crowded bar make the VIP a very close second to Ricky's as the most popular place in town. Be warned, the VIP is small and always crowded so be prepared.
A few doors down from the VIP is Original Pizza. Original is a carry out restaurant though they do have a table or two set up on the sidewalk in front. Original has very good pizza and the best subs in town. Original does deliver.
Around the corner from Original is Gigi's Italian Restaurant. Gigi's is a family restaurant and is always crowded especially during season. If you are a thin crust pizza fan Gigi's has one of the best pizza's found anywhere. Gigi's also has a full Italian menu and serves wine and beer.
The Pearl is up next and is famous for it's upscale Mediterranean food. The food is excellent and the prices reflect the upscale image. If you are looking for a fine dining experience then The Pearl may be your place.
Down the street from The Pearl is The Floridian Restaurant which simply has the very best Cuban Sandwich around. A Cuban Sandwich is a must for anyone visiting Florida and The Floridian has the best.
Foxy's Cafe is west of The Floridian. A true family cafe, Foxy's has very good 
food at reasonable prices. Foxy's serves breakfast, lunch, dinner and late night with a menu that includes pizza, wings, sandwiches and dinner specials.
A few doors away is The Berlin Cafe. As the name states, The Berlin Cafe is an exclusively German Food restaurant. Small and usually crowded, The Berlin Cafe has excellent home made German dishes along with German beers and wine. The Berlin Cafe is open for lunch and dinner.
On the beach side of Gulf Blvd. is Groupers Restaurant which serves a full menu but as the name imply's, specializes in grouper.
Bazzie's Beach Bar is also at the Bilmar Beach Resort offers breakfast, lunch and dinner on the beach 7 days a week. Bazzie’s also is home to Dixieland Jazz since 1967 having just celebrated their 4000th show at the Bilmar on August 1st. They play every Wednesday night. Don’t forget Karaoke is alive and well on the island with DJ Normie performing every Friday & Sunday. There is also live music from 2-6pm (10pm on Saturday).
South of Bazzie's is Sloppy Joe's on the Beach. Part of the Sloppy Joe's of Key West franchise this Sloppy Joe's sports a modern design with a great view of the beach. You can sit at the inside/outside bar or dine in or on the beach side deck. Sloppy's has a wide variety menu with dinner specials and drink specials. Sloppy's is usually very crowded on the weekends.
At the far south of Treasure Island is Captain Kosmakos Seafood and Steak Restaurant. Captain K's as the local call it is popular among the mature crowd with a it's happy hour and evening dance band in the lounge. K's has a full menu specializing Greek dishes and is open for dinner.
On Sunset Beach is Caddy's Waterfront Cafe. Caddy's is a classic Florida beach bar and restaurant. Located on the beach, Caddy's offer free beach lounge chairs for it's customers. Caddy's also sports 3 bars including one on the roof. Caddy's is the most popular beach bar in the area.
On the north end of the Island is Gator's Cafe boasting the worlds longest waterfront bar. Between Gator's and downtown Treasure Island is the Middle Grounds Grill featuring upscale steaks and seafood with a happy hour and early bird specials during the week.
Need to go grocery shopping? You no longer need to leave the island because Treasure Island has a brand new Publix. Opened earlier this year, the new Treasure Island Publix has everything you need to keep your family well fed during your vacation.
Another question often asked is how "shelly" is Treasure Island's Beach. Well, the beach is sand and does have some shells in it. If you do a lot bare footing you won't have a problem. If your feet are sensitive then invest a pair of sandals.
Weather wise Treasure Island is hot and humid in the summer, beautiful in the fall and spring, mild in the winter.
You can walk almost anywhere on the Island or you can take the Beach Trolley if you are not on a schedule because the Trolley apparently is not. If you are planning to go into St. Pete or Tampa then a car is a must.
By the way, if you are walking there are marked crosswalks at the intersections and along Gulf Blvd. Be advised that during season many of the drivers have no idea where they are or where they are going so use caution when crossing Gulf Blvd. and use a controlled intersection if you can.
Last but not least this is Florida and the Florida Sun will burn you like toast in no time at all. Do not ruin you trip by trying to get a beach bum like tan the first day you are here. Wear sunscreen and monitor yourself. If your skin feels hot then seek shade or you'll pay the price that evening when the burn sets in.
