Tucked inside Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital sits a dining destination that locals can’t stop raving about. 📚
The Library brings together inspired design, exceptional food, and warm hospitality in downtown St. Petersburg.
From the moment guests step through the doors, they’re transported into a space where walls lined with thousands of blue-toned books create an atmosphere that feels both sophisticated and welcoming.
This isn’t just another hospital cafeteria—it’s a Michelin Plate-recognized restaurant that has become a beloved community gathering spot.
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How The Library won Florida hearts
The Library opened its doors on September 21, 2018, as the second concept from Oxford Commons, the hospitality company behind Tampa’s beloved Oxford Exchange.
The restaurant’s connection runs deeper than beautiful design—it honors the friendship between George Peabody and Johns Hopkins, two visionaries who believed in using wealth for public good.
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The George Peabody Library in Baltimore, built in 1857, served as the inspiration for this St. Pete gem.
The restaurant’s unlikely location inside a hospital initially raised eyebrows, but that uniqueness quickly became part of its charm.
Visitors discovered they could enjoy breakfast, lunch, dinner, and weekend brunch in a space that felt like stepping into a literary sanctuary.
High ceilings adorned with hanging globe pendants cast warm light over two-top alcoves featuring upholstered wing chairs.
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Leather seats with decorative nails and dark wood accents complete the scholarly aesthetic.
What truly captured hearts, however, was Executive Chef Alex Hoaks and his team’s commitment to creating dishes that balanced creativity with comfort.
Word spread quickly about the fluffy Sweet Potato Pancakes with candied pecans and apple compote, the indulgent Benedict featuring pork belly and fried green tomatoes, and the perfectly executed double-patty burger that locals claimed rivaled any in the city. 🍔
Reservations filled up quickly for weekend brunch, with guests arriving early to snag coveted spots.
The restaurant introduced Wine Wednesdays featuring half-price bottles under $110 and Bourbon Thursdays with specialty flights, giving locals even more reasons to make The Library their regular haunt.
The happy hour scene from 4-6 PM Monday through Thursday became legendary among downtown workers seeking quality food and drinks at accessible prices.
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Beyond special promotions, the restaurant earned its devoted following through consistent execution and genuine hospitality. 💙
Staff members proactively assisted guests, offering directions and recommendations with warmth.
The coffee bar serving Buddy Brew became a popular spot for remote workers and hospital visitors seeking quality caffeine and freshly-baked pastries throughout the day.
In 2022, Michelin recognized The Library with a Plate designation, validating what locals already knew—this restaurant deserved serious culinary respect.
The recognition cemented The Library’s reputation as a destination worth seeking out, hospital location and all.
Community members embraced the restaurant as their place, celebrating birthdays, anniversaries, and milestone moments surrounded by books and exceptional food.
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What started as an unconventional concept—fine dining inside a children’s hospital—transformed into one of St. Pete’s most talked-about restaurants through a winning combination of thoughtful design, skilled cooking, and heartfelt service that made every guest feel like a treasured regular. 🌟
Food Highlights
Warm Burrata: This bubbling crock of tomato confit, creamy burrata, and arugula pesto made with pumpkin seeds arrives with grilled sourdough for dipping—pure comfort in a shareable appetizer that tastes like Sunday at grandma’s house. 🧀
Eggs Benedict with Pork Belly & Fried Green Tomatoes: A southern twist on the classic features strips of pork belly and cornmeal-breaded fried green tomatoes topped with poached eggs and Creole fondue over house-made biscuits—less salty than traditional versions, allowing the nuanced tomato and pork flavors to shine through.
The Library Burger: This satisfying double-patty creation features sliced American cheese, lettuce, tomato, and the restaurant’s signature Peabody sauce, served with perfectly crispy fries—a craveable combination that keeps burger lovers returning again and again. 🍟
Blackened Fish Tacos: Seasoned blackened fish gets dressed with chile glaze and kale slaw, creating a bright and flavorful dish that pairs beautifully with an optional side of Gouda Bacon Grits—a must-try combination that showcases Southern comfort at its finest.
Benne Cauliflower: An adventurous small plate featuring crispy garlic, scallions, spices and chile sauce that takes diners on a flavor journey—starting sweet on the tongue, building heat at the back of the throat, then cooling down with sambal ginger aioli. 🌶️
Fried Brussels Sprouts: Topped with ricotta salata, capers, chile flake, and lemon pepper aioli, these crispy sprouts have converted countless non-believers into Brussels devotees with their perfect balance of textures and flavors.
Atmosphere
The dining room feels like stepping into a private English library with its towering bookshelves filled with color-coordinated blue volumes creating dramatic visual impact.
Soft lighting from globe pendants illuminates intimate two-tops with plush wing chairs and larger communal tables throughout the space.
The casual elegant vibe welcomes everyone from business casual professionals to weekend brunch-goers in comfortable attire.
The noise level stays at a comfortable moderate, allowing for easy conversation without shouting.
An inviting outdoor patio extends the dining space for those preferring fresh air and sunshine.
The long bar area provides front-row seats to watch bartenders craft specialty cocktails while the counter-service coffee bar keeps the aromatic promise of fresh-brewed coffee and tea floating through the air all day. ☕
The entire space encourages guests to linger—settling into armchairs with a book from the shelves or enjoying extended meals with friends while surrounded by literary-inspired beauty.
Bottom Line
Visit The Library for its Michelin Plate-recognized cuisine in a stunning book-filled setting, exceptional brunch offerings like Sweet Potato Pancakes and elevated Benedicts, the half-price Wine Wednesdays and Bourbon Thursday specials, perfectly executed comfort dishes from burgers to Brussels sprouts, and the warm hospitality that makes every guest feel valued.
Address: 600 5th Street South, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
📞 (727) 369-9969
🕔 Coffee Bar: Mon-Sat 9 AM–9 PM, Sun 9 AM–4 PM | Lunch: Mon-Fri 10 AM–3 PM | Dinner: Mon-Thu 5 PM–9 PM, Fri-Sat 5 PM–10 PM | Brunch: Sat-Sun 9 AM–4 PM