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    El Cap Restaurant

    3.5 (595 reviews)
    InexpensiveBurgers, American
    Closed 11:00 am - 9:00 pm

    El Cap Restaurant Photos

    Business Info

    EL CAP RESTAURANT ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Divey
    Casual
    Moderate noise
    Happy hour specials

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    Recommended Reviews - El Cap Restaurant

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    World champ cheese burger
    Destiny H.

    I was in the mood for a burger and wanted to try somewhere new, so El Cap popped up as a recommendation. The inside is very spacious with multiple rooms, which was nice. We started with the homemade mozzarella sticks--crispy and flavorful, and you get six pieces. I ordered the World Champ cheeseburger with the works and added a basket of fries, and everything came out delicious. Our server, Eva, was super pleasant and sweet to talk to, which made the experience even better. Overall, great food at a fair price point. Would definitely come back!

    'world Champ' Cheeseburger French Fries
    Niki T.

    Such a classic St Pete spot, the burgers are always great as well as the service! Love stoping by this place , it has such a great St. Pete vibes!

    Joe C.

    Rare 5 Star Review. An institution, great burger. Saved our lives. I see a good amount of bad pub about the Cap and don't know why. This is the OG burger joint. You to get a burger and fries and nurse off a hangover. Is it the biggest burger, no. Is it executed well, yes. Very nostalgic feel here and the staff is amazing. I felt like I've been going in for years. You can't judge the place against gourmet burger spots like Engine #9. It's not that, it's a flat patty burger with all of fixings with shoestring fries. I suggest getting a double cheeseburger. It's about 15 burgers and very good. Sit at the bar area and grab a crisp draft beer with a burger and I will say I was pretty satisfied. Nostalgia, concept, staff, greasy burgers, beers, and how long it has been open. To me it was close to perfect. Would go back every time we are in the area. Love the CAP! Thanks

    Ken K.

    I used to eat here often when I lived in St Pete. I moved away and now 25 years later I went back. I wasn't disappointed, same great burgers they've been serving for close to 65 years! This place is iconic. It's a bit of a dive bar but if you've never been here... def give it a try. Service was fast and friendly !

    Menu April 2026
    Rob M.

    Great Food, Service & Chill Atmosphere! BEST Hamburger in St Petersburg ! A St Pete Tradition Over 60 Years. Check out the photos they speak volumes. Highly Recommended

    The Ultimate Cheese burger  with bacon, lettuce and tomato
    Bridget B.

    What an amazing burger! No wonder they've been around 60 plus years. If you're in the St Pete aree & want a great old school juicy, perfectly cooked burger El Cap is the bomb I asked for mine medium & it was perfectly cooked. So grateful our nice Server recommended Medium. It truly was so juicy='s messy that my husband said while watching me eat it, I looked like a wild animal eating its prey Worth it as it dripped on to my hands Really friendly and efficient service and delicious onion rings too

    Cheeseburger with Bacon
    Geoffrey W.

    Had a single cheeseburger with bacon, lettuce, tomato, onion. Burger was great cooked to a medium rare and the bacon had a nice chew to it without being too crispy. Burger was a little hard to eat with the LTO the buns kept sliding around. But the flavor was great and the fries were hot and crispy. Also best price for a pint of Yuengling I've seen in town at $4

    Cheeseburger
    Meg H.

    Flavorful classic cheeseburger that you can't go wrong with. The burger was freshly made with the right amount of the thickness and the cheese was perfectly melted over the patty. We ordered a side of tots and corn dog bites which was a nice complement to the meal. One of the best burger joints in the Tampa Bay region. Service was quick and efficient. Plenty of spaces to sit inside and outside.

    Linnea E.

    No muss, no fuss at El Cap! It's a charming local spot with a lot of character - it gives diner, mixed with local bar, with a little beach side dive thrown in. Not a wide ranging menu, but sometimes you just need a burger and fries. Now I wouldn't say it's the "best burger" I've ever had but it was pretty good and definitely hit the spot. Everything is a la cart ordering so if you want em don't forget to order fries!

    El Cap Restaurant - Neon Sign
    Diane H.

    The El Cap Restaurant is the kind of place that should have been featured on television programs about iconic charmers in St. Petersburg. I think this place has been open for decades and it is clear locals love this restaurant. There is both indoor and patio seating, as well as a bar. We had received several recommendations to try this restaurant. There is plenty of parking in the rear of the property. We were greeted promptly and advised to sit anywhere we wanted. Menus were already at the table. Our drink order was promptly delivered and the service is swift. I ordered the World Champ Hamburger with mushrooms and swiss cheese. My dining companion ordered the World Champ Hamburger with lettuce, tomato, pickles and onions. The burgers were cooked to our preferences. We split an order of fries that were perfectly crispy. This may be one of the best budget meals in St. Petersburg and a long time classic. I recommend it!

    Michelle T.

    Had such a great experience at El Cap! The staff were super friendly, and the service made everything feel easy and relaxed. The ambiance is chill. There's both indoor and outdoor seating, and even though there was a short wait (less than 15 minutes), it went by quickly. Worth the wait, in my opinion. The Triple play BLT sandwich was so good, maybe it was a little nostalgia, but every bite was so satisfying. Definitely planning to come back soon when in the area!

    Cheeseburger

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    1 month ago

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    Katie H.

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    9 days ago

    Sadly it's gone to shit! Service is horrible (entire staff is in the 60+ club) Prices are ridiculous now and food is just ok!

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    5 months ago

    Our burger was good. Service was fast. We ate outside which was a nice option. Recommend.

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    7 months ago

    Classic burgers in Long time local establishment. Major league baseball players used to stop by during spring training.

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    4 months ago

    This was just perfect, the amazing taste and REAL cheese it's too good GO HERE NOW!!!!!!

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    Page 1 of 15

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    Three Birds Tavern

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    Food was delicious, 4 people in Our party and we all got something different from brunch to lunch,…read moreeverything came out hot fresh and fast. Our server Jordan was great explained the specials, was very attentive. Would definitely recommend this restaurant.

    Came here with a large group for a late lunch when they weren't super busy. It caught our eye while…read morevisiting the area because it has the coolest outside decor and vibe and looked like quintessential Florida. It has a unique and eclectic ambiance with indoor and outdoor seating. Service was efficient and friendly, and overall I personally enjoyed most the food I ordered. I got the cold brew to drink as I needed a little pick-me-up, love that they had this on the menu. I ordered the spiced mahi mahi which came with rice and a seasonal vegetable. The rice was pretty bland, but it was cooked well and I used the citrus sauce from the fish to flavor the rice and it worked nicely. The market veggies were squash and cucumber which had no seasoning and were a bit rubbery. Loved the flavors of the fish with the sauce, but it was a bit dry on the inside. Not terribly, but more than I would have expected, adding in the sauce helped. The french fries were the bigger kind, which I love, and they were really good. The onion rings were almost all breading and the onion made up a very small portion. The calamari was also very small and mostly fried breading instead of the actual seafood inside. Overall, they were very good at accomodating our large group, lovely service and staff. The group concensus on food was hit or miss depending on what people ordered. So, I'd say definitely check them out and try the menu so you can decide for yourself.

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    Stillwaters Tavern

    Stillwaters Tavern

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    The service was great, and their recommendations were spot on. Ordered the jalapeño cheddar sausage…read moreas the menus stated they are all made in their kitchen. It was delicious and so was the mustard it came with. My partner usually doesn't like mustard but he said this one complimented the sausage well. We sat inside by the kitchen so we had the pleasure of seeing all the food look and smelling delicious as it left the kitchen. Outside seating is also available. Everything we ordered was amazing. Only regret was not coming in my actual birthday for the free meal.

    Stillwaters Tavern is a St. Pete spot I keep coming back to, and this visit was another solid one…read moreoverall! We started with the crispy pork belly, which looked a little on the drier side when it arrived but don't let that fool you, the brown sugar bourbon glaze it was dressed in was delicious. Really enjoyed it as a starter. The tavern burger came highly recommended as one of their best dishes, and while it was a good burger, it didn't quite blow us away. Surprisingly mild on flavor despite the toppings, and it's a BIG boy... which I know some people love, but I tend to prefer a smash burger so I'll take partial responsibility for that note! The fries, however, were excellent... textured, crispy, exactly how fries should be. The real standout of the visit was the chilaquiles (the chef's brunch special). It ran a little dry, but the flavors more than made up for it. The combination of crunchy tortilla chips, smoky sauce, pickled onions, egg, avocado, and cilantro all together was just so good... my boyfriend was equally obsessed. Would absolutely order again. Service was great and overall had a really enjoyable visit... Stillwaters continues to deliver a solid experience and I'll keep coming back!

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    Engine No 9

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    Went here based on reviews and recommendations and it did not disappoint. I was lucky to get a seat…read moreat the bar because it was packed at 6 pm on a Friday night. I got the crispy duck wings (and do not know why I didn't take a picture ) but they were very crispy and very good. They came with 2 sauces, which I did not try because they said they were a bit spicy and I don't like spicy, but they were plenty good on their own. I ordered the One Bad Pig with a side of sweet potato fries and of course had to get an extra side of tator tots because I love them. The burger was very good and juice, hard to eat because it's so big, but I managed to do it. The tots were crispy just like I like them and the fries were your typical sweet potato fries but very good. The service was attentive and good and it seemed to be a local crowd and was a nice vibe. It is off the beaten path so not too touristy but the locals know about it so it gets crowded. I highly recommend this place for a burger if you are wanting one!!

    **** Review 170 ****…read more This place has become a regular for me and it's all because of the wings. They are THE BEST wings in St. Pete hands down! Crispy, juicy, tender, saucy deliciousness. If you just want some of the best wings you've ever had then you need to stop by. But, wings is just one of the items that are great. Their burgers are second to none! So many options, with so many toppings. Burgers are HUGE, juicy, well seasoned. Everything from tenders to peanut butter on a burger....you have to try it! Hot dogs are good too, they're fried so you get a nice crisp snap with every bite. Their sides are always delicious and great beer selection. And everything is reasonably priced for being in St Pete. This place is narrow, but long with seating in the back for larger parties, so it can get crowded. Staff is always really nice and ready to give you recommendations. If you're looking for a great night of wings, burgers and beers with your friends then this is your place.

    Photos
    Full service bar with frosted mugs for the beer that they have to offer
    Full service bar with frosted mugs for the beer that they have to offer
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    Jon was amazing!! The best service! Food was amazing 10/10, drinks also 10/10. 20/10 overallread more

    Oak and Stone is such a fun spot for brunch or anytime throughout the day. They do offer bottomless…read moremimosas during brunch however they're $25 for 45 mins so we opted to just get cocktails off their regular menu. I got the citrus kick which is light and refreshing. I actually got a few of them, one had salt on the rim which I liked while the first 2 I got did not, so some inconsistency there but a good drink regardless. To eat, I got the sun kissed ahi tuna bowl; wow I was impressed! The tuna was tasty and had a pretzel crust which is unique. The pineapple paired nicely and was refreshing. Combined with the quinoa and spinach this felt like a really healthy tasty option. I've also gotten the winger pizza, clucker pizza, farmer and the pig, and buff chicken bowl before here and liked everything. The tuna bowl is definitely my new favorite though. My date got the boss plate and also a waffle which I tried and was sweet and fluffy and good. They also offer a beer wall where you get a wristband and pour beer yourself. Getting a flight here is a fun option to try different beers. They do get busy during brunch so making a reservation or allowing extra time in your schedule in case there's a wait is a good idea.

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    A wall of craft beer, wines, and more! So many to try how exciting!
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    El Cap Restaurant - burgers - Updated June 2026

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