Scenic Outdoor Restaurants in Tampa
Tampa has plenty of great restaurants, but in a place with warm and sunny weather, it’s always a good idea to find somewhere to sit outside. Lucky for you, we’ve put together a list of different types of places to eat from seafood (obviously) to southern cuisine where you can sit outside. There’s patios, rooftops, water front views, everything that can elevate a dining experience. Be sure to check out these awesome outdoor dining scenes in Tampa, Florida.
Photo credit: tripadvisor.com
Gaspar’s Grotto
1805 E 7th Ave Tampa, FL 33605
(813) 248-5900
Ahoy Matey! Gaspar’s Grotto is a fun pirate themed restaurant and bar serving up some great food and better deals. Their menu combines Latin and American flavors with some delicious items like wings, the cuban sandwich, quesadillas with pork or shrimp, and more. They also serve brunch on Sunday with items like crepes, skillets, and avocado toast to choose from. Gaspar’s Grotto is a super fun and lively spot and it only gets better when the live music starts. From the food to the vibes, you are going to have a great time here.
Photo credit: thetravelpockets.com
Ella’s Americana Folk Art Café
5119 N. Nebraska Ave Tampa, Fl 33603
(813) 234 100
Ella’s is an eclectic music venue, art gallery, and restaurant all in one! They’re serving up some delicious classic southern dishes like chicken and biscuit pot pie and shrimp and cheesy grits as well as other options like pizzas, burgers, and more. The outside patio is so dreamy you’ll probably want to sit out there all night. The string lights and hovering trees make for the perfect setting to enjoy dinner on a nice Tampa night. They also have tons of beer, wine, and cocktail options to enjoy like the untie mai tai and the spicy skinny. Be on the lookout at their website to find out when there will be live music, too!
Photo credit: ulele.com
Ulele
1810 North Highland Avenue Tampa, FL 33602
(813) 999 4952
Ulele is a restaurant and brewery created on native influences. They get all of their fresh ingredients depending on the season as the natives once did in Florida. Their menu includes all kinds of land and sea options from chargrilled chicken and their ribeye steak sandwich to alligator hush puppies, lobster rolls, crab mac & cheese and more. Everything on this menu is loaded with flavor and so fresh. Better yet, they have a gorgeous outdoor lawn with cornhole boards that overlooks the water. You will find everything you’re looking for from wonderful flavors, views, and good times here at Ulele. Try one of their craft beers and hang out for a while.
Photo credit: bonappetitgroup.com
Bon Appetit Restaurant
148 Marina Plaza Dunedin FL 34968
(727) 733-2151
Celebrating a birthday or anniversary? Get dressed up and head over to Bon Appetit Restaurant for a special night! The view of the water is just breathtaking. You can sit inside or outside and watch the boats float by. Some of their appetizers include options like pan-seared salmon cakes, steamed mussels, and ahi tuna. For the main course, there are plenty of land and sea options to choose from like rack of New Zealand lamb, shrimp fettuccine, Florida black grouper sandwich, and more. Finally for dessert, cure your sweet tooth with some tiramisu. You are sure to enjoy your dinner and experience at Bon Appetit!
Photo credit: armatureworks.com
M. Bird
1910 N Ola Ave Tampa, Fl 33602
(813) 296-2702
M. Bird is a vibey rooftop restaurant at Armature Works with all the sweet views of the city skyline and the water. This place is the best to check out with co-works for happy hour cocktails or take a group of friends with you. Their menu is tapas style so you can order a bunch of items and share with the group. Try things like spicy garlic shrimp, grilled flank steak, truffle tater tots, beef nachos, and more. They also have a ton of refreshing cocktails to choose from like the ciao bella and oobee doo. There are plenty of beer and wine options, too, if cocktails aren’t your thing. Come hang out at M. Bird and enjoy the Tampa weather on the rooftop.
Mad Dogs and Englishmen
4115 S MacDill Ave, Tampa, FL 33611
(813) 832-3037
This is a local favorite and everything from the decor to the menu has English influences. Some of their pub favorites include shepherd’s pie, fish and chips, and bangers and mash. Other entree items include several different pizzas, chicken skewers and thai curry shrimp. Mad Dogs and Englishmen is a super comfortable, laidback spot with a great outdoor patio that welcomes your furry four-legged friends. No English pub is complete without some tasty brews and they’ve got you covered. Tons of beers, wines, and cocktails to choose from. Pull up a chair, order a beer on tap, and enjoy some good eats.
Salt Shack on the Bay
5415 W Tyson Ave, Tampa, FL 33611
(813) 444-4569
If you are visiting Tampa from out of town, this is the type of restaurant you’re gonna want to check out. They have tons of seating inside and outside, gorgeous waterfront views, and string lights hanging over all of the outside tables making this the most dreamy spot for dinner. After a long day out on the beach, take a shower, throw on some aloe, and head to Salt Shack for some dinner and drinks. They have tons of delicious seafood options from things like the coastal crab cake, oysters, and grouper bites to less fishy items like the bacon cheeseburger, shack grilled wings, and the island grilled chicken. Try one of their refreshing cocktails like the classic Salt Shack mai tai or a paloma and enjoy the sweet views during dinner.
Armature Works
1910 N Ola Ave, Tampa, FL 33602
(813) 250-3725
Armature Works is an old building that has been restored as a multipurpose space for dining, shopping, and event hosting. This is a great place to walk around and shop, and once you’ve had enough of that, you can grab some food at one of the many delicious restaurants they have here. The food hall is called Heights Public Market and is the perfect spot to take your family of picky eaters. From options like seafood, sandwiches, ramen, Mexican, BBQ, and more there is something for everyone to love. Find a spot to sit overlooking the water while sipping on a refreshing cocktail and socialize until the sun goes down.
Sparkman Wharf
615 Channelside Dr, Tampa, FL 33602
(813) 618-5844
Sparkman gives you the best of all of the worlds with tons of shopping and dining options, an outdoor lawn, waterfront views, and events going on during the week. This is the perfect place to bring some friends and just chill and have a great time. There is truly something for everyone to enjoy here whether it’s the plentiful options of food like chicken sandwiches or oysters or all of the activities to take part in like playing shuffleboard, chilling in a hammock, or listening to live music. You could really spend an entire afternoon here by starting off with some shopping, getting lunch and cocktails at one of the many dining options, hang out on the lawn and throw a football around or just enjoy the nice weather, and end the day perfectly with some live music!
Skipper’s Smokehouse
910 Skipper Rd, Tampa, FL 33613
(813) 971-0666
Skipper’s is the place to be whether it’s a Friday night or Sunday morning! They always have some kind of event going on that is bound to be a good time. This spot has been a Tampa favorite for years because of its chill, backyard picnic style vibe, delicious food that combines Caribbean, Florida, and Louisiana flavors, and the live music. There’s tons of room inside and out so bring the whole crew and enjoy a night of eating and drinking. Some of their smaller bites include fried gator tail, seafood chowder, and smoked fish dip. Entrees include items like oysters, pulled pork, and the blackened grouper reuben sandwich. The best part? They smoke everything, giving their food so much flavor. Skipper’s Smokehouse is definitely a spot you’ll wanna check out.
Rick’s on the River
2305 N Willow Ave, Tampa, FL 33607
(813) 251-0369
Rick’s is another one of those classic laid back Florida spots that offers delicious seafood and gorgeous views. It’s located right on the water so you can watch the boats drift in and out of the marina while enjoying your meal. This is a super lively spot, and even more so at night when the live music starts. It gets pretty crowded so go early and get your drink on while watching the sunset and then you’ll have a great spot when the concert begins. Rick’s is known for its oysters but has tons of other items to choose from like Rick’s famous fish sandwich, buffalo wings, the turkey club wrap, and more. The atmosphere here is so fun and laid back, you’re sure to have a rockin’ time.
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