Information for Travelers

While its earliest inhabitants settled here more than 500 years ago, Tarpon Springs first arrived, so to speak, in 1887, when railroad service began. Northerners descended en masse, building gorgeous Victorian mansions, establishing churches, schools and hotels, and starting businesses. The waters around Tarpon Springs were teeming with sponges, which lured divers from Greece and fostered a booming sponge industry. These Greeks ended up founding restaurants and pastry shops, and to this day Tarpon Springs is well known for its Mediterranean culture.

Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks

Owing to its Greek-influenced heritage, Tarpon Springs is home to some of the finest Mediterranean and Greek restaurants in the state of Florida. Take a stroll through the world-famous waterfront Tarpon Springs Sponge Docks, where you can sample gyros and souvlaki and some of the tastiest lamb chops anywhere, as well as numerous excellent seafood and vegetarian selections.

Some of your options here include:

Mama’s Greek Cuisine

735 Dodecanese Blvd. No. 40
Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
Call727-944-2888

Rusty Bellies

937 Dodecanese Blvd.
Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
Call727-934-4047

Costas Restaurant

521 Athens Street
Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
Call727-938-6890.

Other Local Favorites

You don’t have to go to the Sponge Docks to find great meals, however. Throughout Tarpon Springs you can find world-class cuisine. Here are just a few examples of local favorites, which range from fine dining to more casual fare:

Currents Restaurant

200 E. Tarpon Ave.
Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
Call727-940-5377

Davidson’s Dockside

(in the Port Tarpon Marina)
527 Anclote Road
Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
Call727-487-0100

Cody’s Original Roadhouse

39870 U.S. 19 North
Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
Call727-937-1022

There’s a lot more to do in Tarpon Springs than eat. There are many attractions close to AdventHealth North Pinellas, formerly Florida Hospital North Pinellas. They include:

Heritage Museum

100 Beekman Lane (in Craig Park)
Call727-937-0686
Open Tuesday and Friday, from noon to 4 pm
Admission: $3, children and members free.

Historic Train Depot Museum

160 E. Tarpon Ave.
Call727-943-4624
Open Wednesday through Saturday from noon to 3 pm
Admission: free admission, archives by appointment only.

Performing Arts Center

324 Pine St. (inside City Hall)
Call727-942-5605
Theater box office opens one hour before show time.

Leepa-Rattner Museum Of Art

600 Klosterman Road
Call727-712-5762
Open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm and Sunday from 1 pm to 5 pm

Sponge Docks Fishing Village

735 Dodecanese Blvd
Tarpon Springs, FL 34689
This world-famous attraction features not only some of the finest shops restaurants and cafes around, but also premier attractions and activities, including deep-sea fishing; visit http://www.spongedocks.net/ for more information.

Tarpon Springs Aquarium

850 Dodecanese Blvd.
Call727-938-5378
www.tarponspringsaquarium.com.