So we first tried Dimitri’s on the Water in Tarpon Springs last November when we were there for Thanksgiving. This time however, we were staying off site as we’d been invited to a reception for the Tampa Boat Show. With all due respect, we didn’t want to stay in The Big Guava – and Tarpon Springs is a short jaunt away.

We defaulted and stayed at The Vista Inn Lake Tarpon. Technically, it is in Palm Harbor. But the eastern exposure gives you the opportunity to see the sunrise in the morning. Then at night, you can go to Sunset Beach in Tarpon Springs and watch the sunset.

We sat on the balcony, sipping coffee and watching the sun come up. A perfect start to our morning.

This view alone shows why The Vista made one of our Top 5 Romantic Spots in Florida.

Dimitri’s

Make no mistake, when you want Greek food in Tarpon Springs, the choices are endless. We have eaten at many of them. In fact, the night before our Dimitri’s experience, we dropped by Hella’s for a late night dessert. It was wonderful and the ambiance in both the restaurant and the bakery is great.

Hella’s was open until 10pm, so we sneaked a dessert.

But there’s something about sitting by the water that makes dining that much nicer. Dimitri’s on the Water is poised on the north side of Tarpon Springs’ signature Dodecanese Boulevard. It runs along the Sponge Docks and sits on the edge of the Anclote River.

So as we lunched, we had an opportunity see a boat show of our own.

We could see both ways up and down the Anclote River.

Dimitri’s food is good in and of itself. I had my standard spanakoptia while Mrs. Funmeister had a Greek salad and some braised, seasonal vegetables. It was all quite delicious and our waiter Eddie took good care of us.

A great lunch in a wonderful location.

For this dinner, the weather could not have been better. And it seemed that each time we looked up a boat was coming from one direction or the other.

Even the Sponge-O-Rama’s dolphin cruise slowed down so we could waive at each other.

And of course, what is a Greek dinner without saganaki? That’s a wedge of sheep cheese, covered with a shot of brandy and set ablaze. As the flames leap into the air, patrons are urged to shout “OPA!” Why? We still don’t know. It seems to be a Greek universal exclamation.

Our server seemed quite skilled. She lost no eyebrows or eyelashes and did not flinch when we hollered “OPA!”

In Conclusion

This was a great way to visit a few of the places we have come to know and love in Tarpon Springs. The Vista Inn is our choice for lodging, Hellas and Dimitris are great food choices – and the Sponge Docks is a great place for shopping and people watching.

The next time, we have vowed to go to Sponge-O-Rama and see the authentic movie they show. We also may take one of the dolphin watching cruises we see leaving the docks periodically. But as we have said in the past. Tarpon Springs needs no special event to invite a visit.

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