The Chattaway

We had an INCREDIBLE experience here. Shirley was our server and she is so passionate about the chattaway, she told us the history, helpful tidbits about the menu, and shared about how much she loves the owner and their family. It felt like having dinner at my grandmother’s. The hospitality was wonderful and I can’t wait to become a regular. Loved the vibe and I can tell it’s a place full of love

Wonderful experience. Very laid back joint. I spoke with three of the staff and they were all super nice; one even gave me a tour of the tea room. THE BURGER WAS a nice size, hot, juicy and tasty. The fries were crinkle cut and fried perfectly.

Absolutely love. Wanted to take my mom to lunch, it was perfect! Such a cute little place with cool decor inside British themed, and more islandy outside. The woman who owns the place is super sweet, loved chatting with her. And the burger was to die for. Never knew tea and burgers would go well together but it did!

This was the cutest, most authentic tea house ive ever visited. The owner is from England and was in the room and we found out all of the China used is her personal China. Atmosphere was amazing, food and tea was great too. 10/10. Will definitely be returning :)

Great hidden gem spot. Food is affordable and you can tell even the fries are made there. Everything was delicious, I was very surprised. I had no idea of what to expect from it. I am telling about this place to all my friends now. It will be our new spot. The serves was such a wonderful woman. You can tell she loves her job. They made the outdoor very cozy, very original and laid back.

Great out of the way spot that we we dug up via a random google maps selection. The staff was gracious and seated us quickly and gave attentive service. Our server was awesome. The Lobster chowder didn’t have much in the way of lobster, but it was good and we enjoyed the burger. Indoor dining is available, but it looks like the real fun is out on the patio. Very spacious. Swing by and give the this place a shot!

One of my husband and I’s favorite places to go for a quick bite especially when the weather is nice. The service is always great and live music is awesome. The lobster chowder is one of the best I’ve ever had with chunks of lobster.

It's a totally unique atmosphere. Most of the tables are outdoors and under umbrellas and canopies. It's still owned by its original owner of over 70 years. The owner or her son is usually around interacting with customers. We found it to be a place we will go back to frequently.

Went here for lunch with friends. I am on a restrictive diet and they were great with accommodating me by adding extra veggies to my grouper plate instead of the extra items. Only one server helping people outside and he seemed to have a lot going on. He was not very friendly but did manage to get our group eventually all that we needed. The outside eat area is nice even in the heat because they have big fans near some of the tables and covered areas. I would return when in the area. Grouper was excellent.

Wow! I genuinely feel like I was transported to England right from St Pete. The Chattaway's tea service is a must in St Pete. We enjoyed raspberry tea, tea sandwiches, and desserts. Reservation is required and the restaurant is cash only. The staff was so friendly and put so much care into decorating the tea room. If you are looking for a unique experience, this is one to try!

I did some research and found the Chattaway so that my Mama and I could go there for high tea. You wouldn't expect a tearoom from the outside eclectic look. There are koi as you walk over the bridge into the outdoor eating area where you can order off the menu. Once told we were there for tea we were ushered inside to a room transformed into London. Wedgewood china circled the top of the room. There were lots of teacups and London decor. We were offered a choice of hot teas-we chose peach-it was fragrant and delicious! Then they brought out the tiers-one of scones and crumpets, one of sandwiches-you choose 3-we choose egg salad, cucumber, and shrimp salad. They were all really good! And then a macaroon and small fudgey brownie. They provided clotted cream, lemon curd, and strawberry preserves. We had a lovely time and everyone who worked there was very kind. Please be aware-they only accept cash or Venmo but there is an atm on site.

**** Review 138 **** Came here on a recommendation from a long time local. The restaurant has a great outdoor ambiance, I believe they've won awards from the city of St. Pete for their decor. Staff was very friendly and the service was relatively quick for how many people were there at lunch time. I had the Original Cheese Chattaburger, upgraded to a double for $7 more. Normally you get fries, Coleslaw or chips, but I also upgraded to a cup of the Lobster Chowder for an additional $5. Besides the friendly and fast staff, the only other thing I somewhat enjoyed was the lobster chowder. The chowder had good flavor, but no lobster in sight. I'm not quite sure if it's supposed to be made with real lobster, lobster flavoring or such finely chopped lobster that it's hard to tell that it's in the cup. The burger was a huge letdown, the patties were flavorless and you can tell they are the frozen store bought kind. This was definitely not the quality you should be getting when spending $20 on just the burger. Lastly, the beer was barely cold, at almost $8 a glass the beer needs to be cold and refreshing. While the ambiance and staff were good, this unfortunately does not change the fact that the food was subpar (at best) and over priced. FYI: they only accept cash.

I haven't tried the regular menu, but I have consistently appreciated the high tea service which is served in a special room which has artifacts of the British monarchy. The meal is excellent and everyone there is attentive. I always ask for vegetarian items and the staff is helpful and accommodating to my requests. This is a great place to impress a guest with the elegant presentation. The owner also stops by to chat and has some clever remarks. Be sure to bring cash since they don't take credit cards. I plan to return whenever I am in the area.

The food was pretty good, and service was decent although our waiter was a bit rude. They were out of a lot of things we wanted, but what we got was still good. It is a very cute outdoor environment with lots of fun decor.

I love this place. It's a scrap of old Florida that's not manufactured in a corporate boardroom. Burgers are a slice of heaven, my dog loves it, and the servers are always amazing.

Very cute hidden gems, cash only but great service. Outdoor space and you can refresh yourself with their wonderful sangria.

I finally got to experience the legendary chattaway! I hear their burger is exceptional, but I opted for the grouper sandwich, grilled. It was quite good. I wish the tartar would have been a house made (it was a container of it), but even still it was good. Great sweet potato fries, though I wish they'd been saltier. Kind service. Fun and funky dining space. It's all outside and it is cash only so keep that in mind. They have some festive decorations out right now too.

What a charming establishment! It is like having a touch of England right here in St Petersburg. The inside is absolutely charming! We were looking for outside seating, but popped inside to take a leak. There was a group of ladies having "tea" (love it!). The outside was equally as charming; reminiscent of an English garden. The food was delicious! I think they just may be the best in St Pete. The grouper was also quite tasty ! The service was good. Everything arrived at the table quickly and correctly. This is a cash only venue.

This place boasts old Florida charm. Offer a unique outdoor space, including an outside bar, and it also has an interior tea room. We had their cod meal, and it was pretty good, a little bland but filling. French fries had no salt or flavor and were a little soggy. The cod itself was a good size and fried golden crispy. They did not accept cards, so we had to use their atm inside their tea room / dining room, which charged a $3.50 service fee. The tea room had a black cat inside, which was cool. The bartrnder was friendly and helpful with the questions we had about the menu.

Ambiance is everything here. Very nice outdoor garden eating area, with plants, lights, koi pond. Inside is also nice- a very British tea party vibe with teapots and cups, very classy. Owner was walking around and chatted with us- very friendly. Great burgers.

The burgers are the best that I've had in this town. I always order takeout. The service is good.

I've been coming here for 50 years. Still the best burger in town. They have added other stellar creations to the menu. The lobster bisque makes you think you are sitting dock sibe in Maine and the grouper sandwich is superb. Service is always friendly and efficient. Highly recommended.

Great local place. Music sometimes. Burgers are top shelf, service has always been great. Classy coy pond! We always feel like we are in on a "only locals know" secret. Plenty of off street parking. If you are anywhere near, this is a great spot for something unique and non-touristy.

Great grouper, great server, great ambiance. Dessert seemed a little artificial but children loved it. Dining room really not what expected, in a good way.

From the service to the food it was great! We had a recommendation from our sailing instructor and I'm glad we did. Yes it was drizzling that evening but the musician played great music and I had a fabulous fish sandwich recommended this place it's eclectic and adorable

Wow this place just makes you feel at home I haven't been here in a very long tim, it felt as if I was a kid again! The food tasted great the max and cheese bites were a little dry but they are served with ranch so no big deal the chicken basket was yummy and the prolly was very juicy and tender! My favorite was the lobster chowder which was packed with lobster

Have not eating here in over 10 years. Was NOT disappointed. Seating inside and out. Customer service was really good. Simple St. Pete Landmark with great food and ice cold beer! If you love a good "backyard grilled burger" like your dad or grandpa used to make and it's dressed with mayo, mustard, fresh onion lettuce and tomato.....not a cheesy small burger either. It's as if god (in my opinion) invented this burger and gave the chef the ability to cook it to perfection! Wife had the fried chicken sandwich with is a real piece of chicken breast pounded out and battered and fried a golden brown...it's hard to impress my wife but she said it was a definite must if you like chicken sandwiches. Thank you Chattaway for remaining true to your food all these years!!

We initially went to the restaurant on a Tuesday afternoon- it was not crowded and our server was very friendly and attentive. We ordered and then were greeted by a lovely lady- Jillian, the owner- who sat with us through lunch where she enjoyed hot tea and a sandwich. My grouper sandwich was very good and it was delightful to hear stories of the restaurant's past. She was fun to be with- we had a wonderful experience. So the next Saturday night (early), I brought my son and daughter-in-law from Tampa to enjoy the experience. It could not have been WORSE! They were not busy AT ALL- our server was non-existent. I actually had to get up to find her to take our order. It took forever for the food to come. I had their renowned hamburger with cheese- it was less than mediocre and the cheese was almost non existent. My wife had a grilled cheese sandwich with a tomato which had one slice of cheese and was ice cold. We had no one to ask for assistance. Their "great" onion rings" were overcooked. And, again, the server was nowhere to be found. In the end, I had to get up to find her for the check just to get out of there. This was one of the worst restaurant experiences I have ever had- THEY SHOULD BE ASHAMED!!!

Perfect little neighborhood space with excellent service and food. Sit outside with live local music. We love their burger but everything we've ever tried was delicious. Cash only!

I came in with my family when we were househunting and someone told us about this little hidden gem so we popped in for lunch. It had a really cute hippie vibe and the decor was so cute. We had a server I believe her name was Kacey she had mentioned that she had just started there, but honestly, we couldn't tell by the way she was recommending food we would've thought she had been there for years. She had really good banter. We will definitely be back in town! 10 out of town recommend this place

Cute place, good environment but only ok bar food. Nothing extraordinary as far as food goes. Great service though!

This place is best described as quirky. Food is delish and portions are good. Staff is pleasant and helpful. Inside was totally decked out for vintage Christmas cheer. The crystal and glassware sparkled in the antique cases. The outside picnic tables were pretty full with it being a cool sunny day Plenty of parking. Give it a try. You won't be disappointed

I'm starting a brand new year at a throwback landmark. The Chattaway has been operating on this corner since either 1921 or 1951 (competing signs out front say both) but either way, it's loaded with history, whimsy and charm. You can taste the love that's gone into this long family-owned restaurant and that's probably the best of so many reasons, why it's beloved. Located in a little pink building, The Chattaway sits under huge shade trees, that could probably tell great tales. Your walk from the parking lot takes you over a little bridge and into an adorable garden setting-that's part 1950s, part surfer, part vintage tiki and a whole lot of old Florida charm. It's quaint and quirky and fun. There are tables, booths and picnic tables outside-and on the Saturday afternoon we were there-also, live music. (Not too loud-we could still talk comfortably-just a nice backdrop). The tables were clean, the service fast and efficient and the menu was diverse, with vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options. My friend had the veggie burger and I had the blackened grouper sandwich, with sweet potato fries. We both liked everything. My grouper was a generous size and the fries were great! The soda comes in cans-and I've read that you can get free refills. I think they serve beer and wine-maybe even cocktails. I know they don't accept cash, but there's an ATM on site. And... there's also a gorgeous, British-themed indoor dining room, where Anglophiles can bask in the English memorabilia and even take in afternoon tea (call ahead for that. I believe it's $35 or $40 for one). The Chattaway is the perfect getaway-to a slower, gentler, friendlier time. I will definitely be back.

Cash ONLY FYI, there is an ATM onsite. Free refills on pop/soda even though it is cans. Very cute outdoor decor and seating. Both for small and large parties. On a Sunday evening there was live music that was perfect, not too loud but created a great ambiance. Very clean especially for an outdoor patio. Food was very good. Service was great. My husband ordered a fried grouper sandwich and it came out blackened. The waiter immediately took it back and brought out a clam chowder on the house so he could eat with the rest of us. Such fantastic service- and the fried grouper sandwich was worth the wait, a ton of great fish filets.

Quirky spot near the bay with staff who seem like quick acquaintances and with really good fried chicken in the menu. They are known for their burgers and they don't disappoint. The junior is plenty.

The service was great. The ambiance was classy on the inside. I loved the Mac and Cheese Balls and the fritters. The menu that was provided had a ton of fried food options. If you like fried food, you will like this place. I'm not a fan of fried food or burgers in general but I've heard great things about their burgers here. My favorite thing served was the tuxedo chocolate dome if we're being honest here. If you like chocolate as much as I do, your definitely going to want to check this place out.

I like the local and dive feel to this restaurant, plus the fact that it has a unique dining option of the classic British Tea. My friend and I went specifically for tea on a Sunday, which requires a quick reservation via text. The room we entered was fully in tribute to British culture with flags, pictures, signs, and trinkets. The meal includes finger sandwiches like cucumber, chicken salad, tuna, and shrimp. It also had crumpets, muffins, scones, and fruit garnish. It tasted great and was paired well with the provided tea. The cost was higher than we assumed since there is no set cost available for this dining option. It varies based on several factors like day, time, and age (that's what it says on the website and we assumed that meant they may charge less for children). However we had a good time and enjoyed the experience.

Went for high tea. Lost our reservation. They served us which was good but the food tasted stale and some was obviously from store bought packages. Offered us more tea when we ran out but then never returned with the refill. Might have been ok for $25 but it's was $45 so not worth the experience.

We stopped here after the Saturday Market in downtown St. Pete. This place is awesome and dog friendly. We brought our two Golden Retrievers, and they enjoyed the outside patio. We had a nice lunch on a beautiful day. The food was really good. My wife had the lobster chowder and the BLT. I had a fried chicken sandwich. Will definitely be back! Just remember... cash only.

The service was so bad, they really should get a 3-star rating... but the patio was beautiful and my beef sandwich with home fries was fresh and delicious. Before you order, you need to know that it's CASH ONLY. They have $6 glasses of wine and Sangria, plus beef sandwiches, vegan things, chicken sandwiches, fish and chips, and a few salads. Good basic staples. The allure of this restaurant is the booze patio with lights, random live music, and dogs. If I could sit here outdoors and drink booze all evening, that would be a great time.

Nice ambiance. Good service. Average food choices. Not the Chattaway from 39 years ago.

We loved The Chattaway! Thank you to Amanda and her adorable mom! We loved having tea there. The sandwiches, the scones, desserts, tea, everything was so, so delicious. What a great little place with the most wonderful owners!

Service is average for a mom and pop it isn't quick since they cook items to order but it's worth it. The outside ambiance is the most amazing in the city. The burger was great. The fish are huge in the pond.

Location is great , service was good. The Tuesday special was catfish. I went for it. It came out and looked enormous. Is it catfish? I don't think so. Tilapia by looking at the size and shape of the fillet. One bite and it tastes like mud. I tried the other side and it was worse. Waitress came back and asked if I was done. All the fish was on my plate. She did not ask why or if it was any good. I left hungry and got some food elsewhere. I paid and tipped her. Want the owners to taste the catfish before they send it out to their patrons. I've been eating fish my whole life and never tasted mud!

I have this book "100 Things to do in Tampa Before You Die" and the Chattaway is in it. We drove over to St Pete to check it out. I was expecting a much more grand spot, but this down home, laid back restaurant was perfect! They were actually closing when we got there (some reason closing up WAY early on Monday, it was pretty rainy).. but they decided to open so we did get to have dinner there. Jill, the owner, is the nicest! We had veggie burger & cheeseburger. The fries were fantastic, burgers were both good. A different type of place and one worth making a stop at. Remember, they only accept cash, stop by the ATM.

Place is Ok. Service is slow, food is average and nothing special. Check your bill, they tried to overcharge us but I caught it, could've been a mistake but who knows.

I have not been here in years. I lived in St. Pete in the early 80s (The Chattaway was established in 1951), and The Chattaway was close to a friend's house. I don't recall eating here in those days, but did drink a few beers. :-) Tonight my mom and dad wanted to take me on a trip to memory lane. I'll sum this up quick: Gorgeous, pet friendly, outdoor patio. Live music. Vegetarian and vegan options. We started with chicken wings and there were quite tasty, though I would not describe them as "huge", as they are on the menu (though they are not on the on-line menu - http://thechattaway.com/menu/ ). I had the Veggie Burger ($10), as I liked the description better than the vegan burger ($10). I've been trying plant-based burgers lately, namely the Impossible Burger, and this did not compare well. The patty was quite thin. Based on this, I'd say go with the vegan burger, I doubt it's worse. Mom and dad had real burgers and gave them an OK. Fries were pretty good. And even though there is a sign that spells out some pet rules, like no pets on tables or chairs, and don't let pets lick plates or cutlery, I saw both rules being violated. So if you bring a pet, don't be gross. I was going to go three stars, A-OK, based on food, but I'm going to add a star for the outdoor space. It really is quite lovely! Oh, and fancy a proper English Tea? You can find that here too - From the URL, "British Afternoon Tea served by Lady Chattaway, $35.00 per person. This includes assorted sandwiches, scones with Devonshire Cream, Crumpets with Irish Butter, Petit Fours, Raspberries and Cream and all the English tea you can drink. You must call ahead @ 727-823-1594 for Afternoon Tea so that your choice of items suit your liking and that of your guests. We are certain that you will enjoy your experience." Bottom Line: A bit far from the beach, but it was a fun trip. PS. Cash only! I read an ATM is on-site, but I didn't see it.

Lucked out coming on a night that was hosting a 96th birthday with the best jazzy music. The atmosphere was such a treat for us with the live music. Met the owner on our way in. We did wait a little for our food and we honestly didn't mind. Enjoyed two beers in the meantime. Looking forward to bringing family with us next time.

If not for the endless flies I'd give it 5 stars! The place is SUPER cute, I love the decorations with all the vintage bathtubs, the very tropical colors, and just the overall feel. The place really has its charm. The live music was pleasant and not too loud, you can still carry a conversation well. The staff was friendly and quick. The food was akin to bar food but I was happy to see vegetarian selections. They had a descent selection of alcoholic beverages as well, but I wasn't really paying attention to that. I ordered a Beyond burger, it was delicious and well made; my father in law got a salad, it was big and he didn't complain; and I can't remember the other two good items but everyone was happy with their food. What we weren't happy about was all the flies. The moment the food arrived we were swarmed by endless flies, persistent jerks! They really should invest in one of those UV bug things or something. Oh my, what an unpleasant time trying to make sure I ate my food and not the flies. If you take too long in a bite I guarantee one would fly into your mouth. I did note that the tables with only drinks/alcoholic beverages only were fine and fly free. So there's that, I would come back here for drinks, hangout, and the live music. Are the flies an all the time thing? Or just that day? I glimpsed at the reviews and I didn't see mention of it... Also, cash only place!

The Chattaway is a St. Pete institution. Great 'old Florida' feel outside with long communal picnic tables, and a proper English tea room indoors. A fabulous dichotomy of scenes. You can go for afternoon tea(reservations required), and come back for a great dinner of cold beers, Chattaburgers, cheesesteaks, and more. Old bathtubs are scattered around the outside as floral planters. There's a romantic covered bridge at the entrance with a Koi pond below. There's live music several nights too! Servers are fantastic and helpful. Only thing to remember is that it is CASH ONLY, although there is a 3rd party ATM inside.

I hate leaving bad reviews, but I was very disappointed in our meal and experience at The Chattaway. The fried chicken has no flavor and the Lobster Chowder tastes like a canned chowder with lobster added to it. The service was horrible. I don't know if our waiter forgot about us or what, but it took us 30 minutes to get a check after we were done eating. I'm leaving 2 stars because the atmosphere is really nice and the chicken was edible. Also, a saw a few employees walking around without a mask on.

So this place is right down the street from the house and we just don't come here enough! Chattaway burger is your basic burger cooked on a well seasoned grill. Simple and delicious. Lobster bisque was so full of seafood! Big Res Chicken. Fried, hot with lettuce, tomatoes and pickles with a side of ranchl

One of my favorite bars in St. Pete. The staff was very friendly and the atmosphere was unique and cute. I would recommend coming to this bar.

Wasn't impressed, I'm sure locals to the area will have a different opinion than mine. In most cases for the holidays for restaurants in general there is a limited menu so before coming to the restaurant we knew there wasn't gonna be much to choose from. With that being said you would think as it being famous for burgers they would have more than 1 burger option during the holidays. Also in terms of customer service it was at the bare minimum at best not sure who is charge of work informs but there was none so I had no idea who actually worked at the place and who didn't. There was live entertainment but the performer was drinking on the job, saw the performer go grab wine 3 or 4 times.

We have lived in St Petersburg full time for 5 years. We have driven by Chataways many times. We always thought it looked quirky and fun but we never never stopped by until last night with a friend who also had never been there. Friends had told us they are known for their great burgers and fried chicken. I love a good burger and my husband is always looking for good fried chicken. We sat outside and enjoyed the festive lights and live music. Our server was very attentive and brought our drinks right away. Of course we ordered the burger and fried chicken dinners. Our friend ordered chicken strips. We enjoyed our drinks and the atmosphere plus of course the music. Our food seemed to be taking a long time but we figured it was the fried chicken holding things up because I know that can take at least 20 minutes to fry. Eventually are food came and everything smelled and looked wonderful. My husband cut into his chicken breast and blood poured out of it, it wascraw inside. He checked the chicken leg and it was also undone. We called our server over to the table to let her know the chicken was not editable. She looked shocked and apologized and asked if my husband would like something else. He requested the burger since mine looked so good and it was. His burger and fries came out shortly after and the three of us enjoyed our meal. Before our check came the owner or manager, I'm not sure which stopped by and sincerely apologized for the chicken dinner. She was very nice and said she had talked to the kitchen about the raw chicken. She also said since this happened she would comp all three of our meals and she hopes we will come back to give the restaurant a second chance. She handled it very professionally and we will definitely go back. We ended up having a lovely night and after the chicken incident we enjoyed our food.

The food was fantastic! Limited menu but delicious ! Not much interaction with our waitress.

Found this place due to a Google search and thought from the photos and seeing it from the street that it wasn't the place, but it is! A really cute patio seating area, live entertainment, the Chatterburger was very good! Staff was super friendly, too! And whoever the customer was sitting at the bar (seemed like a regular) was also very friendly. Tip these guys well! I'll definitely be back!