The Carambola

The location and convenience was the main impetus to try the Carambola this afternoon. We chose to stay in the Hilton Clearwater Beach Resort & Spa as it's location is amazing and the amenities are great! We came up for a late breakfast but missed that by six minutes and rules are rules... (rolled eyes) so.... Lunch it is...! Wifey got She Crab Soup and was happy; I was stoked with a very tasty Cuban Sandwich (pictured). They just can't seem to replicate it outside of Cuba and/or Florida...! This place was near perfect. Come enjoy the sugar sands on the Gulf of Mexico and whether staying at the Hilton or not, consider it a viable option for great food and service while in Clearwater Beach, FL!

The Carambola is the restaurant in The Hilton at Clearwater Beach. It does not make sense to eat here unless you are a hotel guest or you really need food and there are no other options.We did eat here for dinner on our stay at the Hilton. I got the Strawberry spinach salad which was nice and my husband got the Steak with Brussels sprouts and potatoes. We also ordered a bottle of wine. Our server was delightful! We sat outside with a view of the ocean which was also very nice: There is just something about the food, the decor, themenu prices that scream, we really don't want you to eat here but if you do it's going to cost you and arm and a leg for something you could have gotten at a place that is a restaurant not a hotel and had a much better experience. Our meal was fine, large check, we were one of the only couples or families eating there as most had gone to the many restaurants at the beach. Sure works if you're hungry and don't have options though.

Delicious food and wonderful service at the Hilton's restaurant , all three meals were outstanding and service was just the same as our servers Brooke and Melody took great care and just great customer service. The had both indoor and outside seating which was perfect to watch the sunset and get that beautiful view. They also had a bar service so of course we had late night cocktails our bartender made some fantastic drinks so while staying at the Hilton or just go by and enjoy this wonderful restaurant with its terrific food and service will definitely return as it's our new favorite place to stay in Clearwater.

Sara was awesome and amazing an attentive, I wish there were more servers like her. We ordered drinks and split a cheeseburger. She acted like we were the most important clients, VIP, it was wonderful. The burger was hot and juicy and we got waffle friesDrinks were good and it really was a great way for our last night on vacation.

Since we were staying at the Hilton, we wanted to drop in for the buffet breakfast. Options were plentiful, from scrambled eggs, breakfast potatoes, French toast to a yogurt bar. Food is good -- exactly what you'd expect. Problem is the price. At $26/person, it's not worth it when there are not just better, but OUTSTANDING breakfast options that incorporate local flavor (seafood, Cuban, etc.) at a much better price just down the road.We had excellent, friendly service.

Let me start out by saying I don't normally complain, but when I do it's justified. So here's my take on this restaurant: 1. The food was okay. The portion sizes were very small. I ordered the Grouper sandwich and thought they forgot the fish because the filet was so small it was hiding under the lettuce. For $18 I would expect way more. That said, the small amount I did eat was good. 2. The service was terrible. It took 20 min for someone to take our drink order. 40 min to get our food and without exaggeration there was only three full tables total in the entire restaurant (both in and out). We had to ask for refills numerous times. Remind them of things they forgot to bring us. When we asked for refills on two waters and iced tea (it took 15 min to get them) and they never brought the tea. 3. They served us a cold hamburger, stale chips as a side with nothing to dip it in (no salsa, no nothing). The ranch tasted very cheap. Overall the best thing about this place is the outdoor view. Wouldn't coming back - over priced for sure.

Ya know, for a hotel restaurant I *had* pretty low expectations: high price, mediocre food. HOWEVER, The Carambola actually blew me out of the water. This review will be focused on their lunch menu, but will briefly touch on their breakfast selection.Lunch (4/5): I was thoroughly impressed with their appetizers, especially the coconut shrimp! Even though there's only 5 on a plate, I got it twice. What is so unique about it is the fact that they serve it over a sweet Thai chili sauce AND Thai peanut sauce. Best combo EVER! The entrees come with the option of chips, fries, or side salad. Just bite the bullet and get their waffle fries. So good. It's a combo of Arby's curly fries and Chick-fil-A's fries!!! I love that they have low calorie options as well. Caribbean Conch Fritters were pretty good - think of it as hush puppies. Lump crab cakes were also very tasty! Now the Cuban Sandwich was pretty hefty, a little salty for my taste but my boyfriend loved it. Turkey burger was a little questionable for me because of the flavor/smell, but it was passable for a low calorie option. I think my boyfriend's lobster roll was okay as well.Dessert: we only had it once, but we got the Key Lime Pie tart -- so good! If their other desserts live up to that standard, I'm sure the other desserts will be just as good.Breakfast (3/5): includes your typical Hilton continental breakfast such as yogurt, fruit, milk, breads, etc. Then it includes the "hot" breakfast bar which includes scrambled eggs, potatoes, sausage links, omelette bar, cheese blitz (? Forgot what it was called, it's an excuse to eat cheesecake for breakfast. It's a mini crepe/egg roll thing with cream cheese), and French toast. They charge $4/person if you get items from there. Apparently, if you're a Hilton diamond member they still charge you...? I should've asked for my clarity on that lol. Anyways, the highlight of breakfast for me were the omelettes but that was it. They randomly included dragonfruit in the fruit section which I've never seen before.Nice seats, open area with the hotel bar a couple steps away and the view of the patio opening up to the beautiful, white sandy beach.TLDR: get the appetizers

I ordered the spinach salad and the she crab soup. personally, i thought that both were really good. My husband liked the consistency of the she crab soup, but didn't think that it was as good as others in the area. I have to admit, the service was fast and friendly.

Boom Boom Shrimp and Bourbon selection is excellent! Wife got the coconut shrimp and raspberry mule she loved both. View is amazing as well!

Food is terrible, very bland! Servers are beyond terrible! This morning the table next to us had waters and coffee, the sever picked up the cups of water by putting her fingers in the cup (not a big deal since they left) BUT SHE SERVED THOSE SAME CUPS OF WATER TO ANOTHER TABLE. So not only were they already at a table but her dirty fingers were inside the cup and passed on to a second table.Your staff needs to be retrained, desperately! Beyond disgusting!