El Cap Restaurant

3500 4th St N, St. Petersburg, FL 33704, United States
+1 727-521-1314
$$$ Hamburger restaurant
(3195 Reviews)
Price Range $10–20

If you're craving a burger that stands head and shoulders above the rest, look no further than El Cap Restaurant in St. Petersburg, Florida. Nestled at 3500 4th St N, this charming hamburger haven has been a beloved staple for over 60 years, drawing in both locals and tourists who seek out not just a meal, but a memorable experience.

The ambiance at El Cap is truly reminiscent of classic American diners; it's an old-school bar and grill where the walls echo laughter and the intoxicating aroma of freshly cooked burgers fills the air. Whether you choose to dine indoors amidst the quirky decor or soak up the sun on the outdoor patio, you'll immediately feel at home in this cozy eatery.

Now, let's talk about the food — oh, the glorious food! The star of the show is undoubtedly the burgers, which receive rave reviews from patrons who have tasted the perfection for themselves. Imagine biting into a juicy, perfectly seared burger, its flavors amplified by the melty cheese and grilled onions. Customers like b krmer can't help but marvel at how El Cap maintains such a rich history in their cooking process, with many commenting on the satisfying crunch of the griddle. Each burger is complemented by the option of unique sauces like the mild spicy or honey BBQ, accompanied by bleu cheese and celery for that extra kick.

But don't stop there—complete your meal with their irresistible shoestring fries or the crowd-pleasing corn dog nuggets that Pete West passionately recommends. And, if you fancy a drink, El Cap has you covered with an array of draft beers including Budweiser and Michelob Lite, or indulge in a glass of wine from their selection, all priced affordably at just $3.25 a glass.

Real customers often describe El Cap as a place where you have to try to believe — like maku gx said, it’s a “hole in the wall success” that serves some of the most outstanding burgers in St. Petersburg. This is not just another fast food joint; it’s a place steeped in the kind of character that comes from years of excellent food and service. Diners leave not just satisfied, but with warm memories, as shared by Beep; Boop Beep!, who enjoyed engaging conversations with fellow patrons and the delightful bartenders that enhance your visit.

In summary, El Cap Restaurant is more than just a spot to grab a burger; it's a nostalgic experience that captivates your senses, fills your belly, and creates lasting memories in the heart of St. Petersburg. Whether you’re a local or just passing through, make sure El Cap is on your list of must-visit eateries. You won’t be disappointed!

Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible car park
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Has wheelchair-accessible toilet
From the business
Identifies as women-owned
Service options
Has outdoor seating
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
No delivery
Highlights
Has fast service
Has great beer selection
Good for watching sport
Popular for
Popular for lunch
Popular for dinner
Good for solo dining
Offerings
Serves alcohol
Serves beer
Serves cocktails
Serves coffee
Serves comfort food
Serves food
Serves happy-hour drinks
Serves late-night food
Quick bite
Serves small plates
Serves wine
Dining options
Serves lunch
Serves dinner
Serves dessert
Has seating
Amenities
Has bar on site
Has gender-neutral toilets
Has toilet
Atmosphere
Casual
Cosy
Historic
Trendy
Crowd
Family friendly
Good for groups
LGBTQ+ friendly
Popular with tourists
Planning
Doesn't accept reservations
Payments
Accepts credit cards
Accepts debit cards
Credit cards
Children
Good for kids
High chairs available
Has kids' menu
Parking
Free of charge street parking
Free parking lot
Plenty of parking
Pets
Dogs allowed
Dogs allowed outside
Openings Hours
Checking

Monday

11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Tuesday

11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Wednesday

11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Thursday

11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

Friday

11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Saturday

11:00 AM - 10:00 PM

Sunday

11:00 AM - 9:00 PM

3195 Reviews
b krmer

13 Sep 2025

Wow sometimes you read how good something is and then nope Def one of the best burgers I've had. You can almost taste the history of that griddle on the crunch of my double burger. Melty cheese amazing grilled onions For something that should be so easy to make it's sad how bad so many places do. But not here Yes shoestring fries- it's a burger place idk where the person whining here about them thought they were at Excellent fountain Coke and good draft beer Well be back in a few weeks

maku gx

12 Aug 2025

The biggest hole in the wall success of st Pete. Once visited by every single St Pete resident, this bar holds one of the best kitchens with burgers that are out of this world!

Beep; Boop Beep!

23 Jul 2025

This place is awesome. First time visit and we popped in not knowing what to expect. Fate was on our side and we sat at the bar and Larry the bartender made the experience even better. Food came out fast, burger and sandwich were top notch and we enjoyed a chat with a gentleman who had been coming here since his dad brought him at 8 year old. If you’ve not been here. Go.

Bridget Breland

16 Jul 2025

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

Pete West

09 Jul 2025

This is the type of old school burger joint that you walk into and know you’re getting a good meal every time. This was our last meal in St. Pete over the weekend and was the perfect way to cap off the trip. Great onion rings, and be sure to get some of the corn dog nuggets too they’re so good. As for the burger, it is perfectly seared but so juicy, and the condiments you can add on top are the peak of freshness so you really can’t go wrong with anything. Plus it’s all super affordable. This is a legendary spot in St. Pete for good reason!

SeventhSamurai72

03 Jul 2025

Old school bar and grill with fast, friendly service and delicious comfort food options. Good portions at reasonable prices. Indoor and outdoor seating. Some of the best burgers I've had in the area. Definitely recommend

Samantha R

03 Jun 2025

El Cap is such a St. Pete staple! It’s my go to for burgers. Their chicken nuggets are also bomb! The food is always so good. Normally, you can just walk in. The service is okay, they seem to rush you and are not attentive.

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