Hi Muriel!
Welcome to my neck of the woods.
You must go to Mazzaro's Italian Market, it is a foodie destination in St. Pete. You can go any day, but if you go on Saturday, there is live music (and the crowds to go with).

www.mazzarosmarket.com/

Downtown St. Pete has a great, walkable waterfront. Lots of restaurants, check out Ceviche for Spanish tapas, Cafe Alma for local independent dinner, Rachada for sushi or Thai. The Hangar is a new restaurant located inside the tiny waterfront airport (I haven't been but a friend really enjoyed breakfast there). Also, I own a seafood "dive", Mid Peninsula Seafood in the middle of St. Pete. If you decide to stop in, ask for Don or Joan and be sure to say hi.

Google any of the above for websites. Also, go to chowhound.com and ask your question or do a search - lots of threads there regarding dining in the area.

My favorite special occasion restaurant is Cafe Ponte in Clearwater. And if you're into steak and wine, you must try Bern's in Tampa - unique and has the largest restaurant wine cellar in the whole world. Where exactly are you staying? Odd that you mentioned Disney, as that is a two hour drive away...

Have a great trip!

thanks a lot for your help. we'll come by if we're close to you

Long ago, one of the most interesting places in the area was Ted Peters Smoked Fish..has anyone been lately?

Across Tampa Bay is Bern's Steakhouse, a landmark. In Ybor City, Columbia is one of Florida's finest Cuban restaurants. Ybor City has a Cuban bakery and sandwich shops.

Central Florida has great access to fresh fish from the Gulf, Ocean and the Keys. I hope you get to try everything.

In the very casual category is Frenchies in Clearwater. Frenchies advantage is that tables are directly on the beach. Your toes are in the sand for a Gulf view meal.

Yuengling, America's oldest brewery acquired a Florida location and have taps at many restaurants. One of our best beers is now a local Florida brew.

Have a great trip!

Ted Peter's is still a great place to eat. Whatever they put in their cheeseburgers's is the best. Smoked mullet..mmmmmm. You smell it smoking when you pull up. Along with their German potato salad! Nothing fancy. You sit outside.
Frenchy's STILL has the very best grouper sandwich from clw. beach south to St. Pete. I prefer the original Frenchy's to the one on the beach though. Any and every time I've been to the one on the beach, it's just crazy busy and loud. Yes, the view is great, but the same view can be had at the Palm Pavilion across from Frenchy's Rock-a-way and it's not 'as' busy. They have a great burger as well. The Palm Pavilion has been a local spot for over 30 years. The original Frenchy's is across the street from Rock-a-ways. Small little place, but it's where the locals go!