When considering a destination for lunch, the first place you’d look probably wouldn’t be a hospital. However The Library, a unique restaurant located inside of Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in downtown St. Petersburg, defies all preconceptions. The Library was created by Oxford Commons, the same hospitality company that operates Oxford Exchange and The Stovall House in Tampa. Inspiration was drawn from the George Peabody Library, which is located in Baltimore and is considered to be one of the most beautiful library spaces in the world. George Peabody himself was a friend of Johns Hopkins; his belief in the importance of education, as well as the desire to better the lives of those around him, influenced Hopkins and the legacy he built. In that respect, the theming of the restaurant directly ties into the facility to which it’s adjoined.
Entering The Library, it’s hard not to be taken by the high ceilings and walls lined with prominent bookshelves. It’s clear that much thought was put into the design, even down to the color coordination of the books. Oxford Commons also operates an independent design studio, so it follows that all of their concepts are aesthetically stunning. The restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor seating, and also features a cocktail bar as well as a coffee bar. The Library serves lunch daily, as well as offering dinner every night but Sunday and featuring a special brunch menu on Saturday and Sunday mornings. Reservations are not required, but certainly recommended – although it may seem like a hidden gem, The Library does fill up its tables quickly.
I first discovered this unique restaurant while looking for somewhere to have a special occasion lunch with friends. As mentioned, the restaurant was already quite busy, but the host was able to find us a table on the patio. The menu includes a comprehensive list of craft cocktails, made with exotic ingredients such as golden milk and avocado orgeat. We each ordered a different drink, and upon sampling each other’s found that they were all delicious! Moving on to dining options, The Library offers shareable plates, sandwiches, tacos, and the option to create a custom salad. We ordered the fried brussels sprouts to start, which were incredible. The lemon pepper aioli they’re tossed in really took the flavor to the next level. For my entrée, I elected to go with the prosciutto flatbread. I can’t recommend it enough – it’s so difficult not to order it every time I visit!
As we were on our way out after a very satisfying meal, I had to stop and check out the coffee bar. The coffee brewed at The Library is from the Tampa-based company Buddy Brew, and the tea is also sourced locally from TeBella. I ordered a cappuccino to go, but coffee can also be ordered from your table while dining in. It was the cherry on top of the whole experience; I suddenly felt a bit jealous of the hospital employees whose workplace shares a building with The Library. Although it may not be so hidden, this restaurant is definitely a gem of the downtown St. Petersburg area! Reservations can be booked through OpenTable on The Library’s website, where you can also review their hours of operation.
Located in: Johns Hopkins All Children’s Research and Education Building
Address: 600 5th St S, St. Petersburg, FL 33701
Phone: (727) 369-9969
