Caddy's on the Beach with kids

After arriving in Tampa/St. Petersburg a few weeks ago for our long-awaited Florida vacation, we were ready for a good, casual meal. The arrow was tired from a lack of a decent nap that day, and his parents wanted fresh seafood in a bad, bad way. So off we went to Caddy's on the Beach in nearby Sunset Beach, Florida.

Caddy's on the Beach

Caddy's is an ideal set-up for a fun beach party, but while we were there (5-6ish in the evening), it was very family friendly. There was live music playing, but it was directed toward the bar area and wasn't overpowering. (In fact, it really helped us relax after a long travel day.) The food was also delicious. My husband and I broke our longstanding rule of ordering different meals by both ordering grouper sandwiches. It was well worth making an exception for--they melted in our fresh fish-deprived Hoosier mouths.

Grouper Sandwich at Caddy's on the Beach

While the food itself was delicious, the location was even better. It's literally right on the beach. And by that I mean my toes were buried in the sand while we ate. Even the arrow, who had been a little grumpy on our way there, was all smiles. (And if he hadn't cheered up, the sound of the surf would have drowned out his fussiness.) It's a great place to take kids earlier in the evening, because they can literally play on the beach while waiting on food or after the meal is over. Plus, you might catch one of those glorious Floridian sunsets!

Beachside dining at Caddy's on the Beach

If You Visit:
Caddy's on the Beach
9000 W. Gulf Blvd., Sunset Beach, FL
Open 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. 7 days a week.
Parking is available in the lot adjacent to the restaurant for $5. Just show your ticket to the server, and they will take the $5 off your bill.
Insider Tip: Try to get one of the picnic tables on the beach.

This post is a part of Wanderfood Wednesday at Wanderlust and Lipstick.