Location Location Location
One of the benefits of living in the Tampa Bay area is our proximity to the water. Most of us who call this area home are drawn to the water like a moth to a flame. It calls to us. It’s found a home deep within our souls and we must satiate the never ending need to be close to it.
Any good Realtor will tell you – location is everything when you’re looking to buy or sell a home. The same is true for restaurants, maybe to an even greater extent. There are so many wonderful places to have a meal in Tampa Bay. You could spend your entire life trying to visit them all and you would still find it painfully difficult. You can search through our blogs to find some of the best restaurants in the area for farm-to-table, oysters, happy hours, and more but right now we’re compelled to focus on that yearning in our hearts to be by the sea. Each restaurant we’ve featured below offers dining to guests arriving by car or by boat. They are all waterfront and have docks.
Before we begin… let’s remember that this list does not feature every waterfront dining restaurant in Tampa Bay. There are just too many. As always, if we’ve failed to mention your favorite place to pull up for a drink or a bite please leave us a message in our comment section. We love to hear what you have to say and we’re always on the lookout for a great place we’ve yet to discover.
Dockside Dining in Tampa Bay
I.C. Sharks Seafood Market & Tiki Bar – 13040 Gandy Blvd. St. Pete
The pelicans aren’t the only ones who enjoy some fresh catch! I.C. Sharks is a great place to stop in for some fresh and local seafood. Hang out at the Tiki Bar as you watch the boats come and go. The view is great and the atmosphere is purely Florida. Purchase live bait for your next adventure and there’s even boat rentals available. The menu includes fresh catch and they’re famous for their frozen cocktails.
The Getaway – 13090 Gandy Blvd St. Pete
Located right next to I.C. Sharks is The Getaway. It’s a great place to relax in the sand without driving to the beach. The Key West and Caribbean inspired menu will have you feeling like your on vacation! New outdoor lighting provides ambiance on the Bay at night, It’s a great spot to enjoy live music and that laid back beach lifestyle.
Hotel Zamora – 3701 Gulf Blvd, St. Pete Beach
Hotel Zamora is a spanish style boutique hotel that’s known for having a great relationship with locals. Pull up on your boat and enjoy the pool and bar or walk up to the main lobby level for a meal at the fabulous Castile. Don’t forget to head to the top of the hotel for the real treat. 360 is the rooftop lounge that overlooks the inter-coastal waterway and the Gulf of Mexico. The relaxing atmosphere and live music combined with one of the very best views you’ll get anywhere makes this a great stop for waterfront dining with a dock!
Gators – 12754 Kingfish Drive, Treasure Island
Gators Cafe and Saloon has four stages for live music. This is the place to catch a game by water. Pull up by boat or car and enjoy the Tasting Room featuring Florida craft beer or the Gator’s Tiki Lounge overlooking the water. There are TV’s everywhere and the menu has everything from nachos to wings and burgers.
Frescos Waterfront Bistro – 300 2nd Ave NE, St. Petersburg
Fresco’s Waterfront Bistro is the only place to eat on the water in downtown St. Pete. Located right on the marina you can see the boats come and go and perhaps even spot one of the manatees who love to roam the waters. There’s a full bar and pets are welcome. The menu offers Cajun, Italian and Seafood options and there’s brunch options for the weekend.
Circles Waterfront Restaurant – 1212 Apollo Beach Blvd, Apollo Beach
Circles Waterfront Restaurant offers fine dining and a lovely Tiki Bar. Enjoy live entertainment, bayfront and marina views and a dance floor during your time at Circles. Reservations are accepted and there’s sure to be a spot for your boat when you arrive at Circles!
Beach Bar | Restaurant – 7700 Courtney Campbell Causeway, Tampa
Formerly Hogan’s Beach this is a waterfront dining experience in Tampa. Enjoy beach volleyball tournaments, music, cabanas and more right on the water. You can even catch a live jet ski show. There’s plenty to eat here as well. Reservations are accepted but not required.
We’d love to hear about your experience at one of these waterfront dining venues. Please leave us a note in the comments section and tell us about your experience! We know there’s always something new popping up too. If you’re in the know let us in on the secret too! In the meantime, we’ve got a lot of waterfront dining to do!
IC Sharks is the best waterside bar in the area by far. The food is always fresh and the staff is great! I had a hogfish sandwich there yesterday while there for a party and it was delicious! A favorite place to hang out with my friends without obnoxiously loud music or drunk people all around me. Just an all around good time. Love it!
One of our favorites is still the Salty Dog…right where Longboat and Sarasota meet (by the Mote Aquarium). Always fun to see which boats pull up and who gets out during the day.