This round-up of some of Tampa Bay’s most appealing waterfront restaurants was a no-brainer for CL. Yeah, sometimes work and other life happenings stop us from enjoying the unparalleled waterfront views that our home has to offer. But the following guide to everything from casual dining spots to more upscale eateries is a friendly reminder to stop and smell the salt air — especially when what passes for fall comes to the Bay area.

Bon Appétit Restaurant 148 Marina Plaza, Dunedin Downtown Dunedin boasts its share of gems, but this elegant European-American restaurant on the water offers the perfect place to watch sailboats and sunsets. Photo via Bon Appétit Restaurant
The Canopy The Birchwood, 340 Beach Drive NE, St. Petersburg Driven by breathtaking sights, a sophisticated rooftop lounge overlooking the bay with a delightfully creative drink list and light bites. Photo via The Birchwood
American Social Bar & Kitchen The Pointe, 601 S. Harbour Island Blvd. #107, Tampa AmSo is known for its all-American comfort food, specialty cocktails and big selection of craft beer. That bayfront vantage point ain’t half bad, either. Photo via American Social Bar & Kitchen
Caretta on the Gulf Sandpearl Resort, 500 Mandalay Ave., Clearwater Beach Chow down on seasonally inspired cuisine while taking in one-of-a-kind views of the Gulf of Mexico. Photo via Sandpearl Resort
Marchand’s Bar & Grill The Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club, 501 Fifth Ave. NE, St. Petersburg Marchand’s take on fine American cuisine accompanies sweeping views of the downtown waterfront. Photo by Shanna Gillette
Rowe Bar The Don CeSar, 3400 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach The nautical-feeling hangout, named after Don CeSar developer Thomas Rowe, offers a coastal-inspired bar bites, local beer and vintage craft cocktails. Photo via The Don CeSar
Harry’s Beach Bar Sirata Beach Resort, 5300 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach Opened in 1983, this renovated waterfront hangout features an updated menu, more open-air bar space and a new coastal-casual design. Photo via Sirata Beach Resort
Oystercatchers Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay, 2900 Bayport Drive, Tampa Like, do you need anymore convincing? Photo via Oystercatchers
Armani’s Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay, 2900 Bayport Drive, 14th Floor, Tampa The food is as wonderful as the views at this top-of-the-line gem. Photo by Nick Cardello
Sea-Guini Opal Sands Resort, 430 S. Gulfview Blvd., Clearwater Beach Views of the gulf inside and out — no matter where you decide to nosh on freshly caught seafood and Italian-inspired dishes. Photo via Opal Sands Resort
Whiskey Joe’s Bar & Grill 7835 Bayview St., Port Richey Make the drive to this prime location on the Cotee River that’s just as dreamy as Whiskey Joe’s Tampa. Photo via Whiskey Joe’s Bar & Grill
Spinners Rooftop Revolving Bistro Grand Plaza Hotel, 5250 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach This fine-dining destination provides stellar panoramic views — and, yes, the outer edge of the room spins. Photo via Spinners Rooftop Revolving Bistro
Crabby’s Dockside 37 Causeway Blvd., Clearwater Beach A three-story restaurant with casual grub and affordable drinks fit for beachy hangs. Photo via Crabby’s Dockside
The Sail Pavilion Tampa Convention Center, 333 S. Franklin St., Tampa See that 360-degree bar on the bustling Riverwalk? Don’t sleep on it. Photo via The Sail Pavilion
Olde Bay Café 51 Main St., Dunedin. A popular spot for ultra-fresh seafood, this neighborhood stalwart at the marina has a slammin’ view. Photo by Kevin Tighe
Toasted Monkey Beach Bar & Sports Grill 6110 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach You won’t get the clearest gulf vistas, but the casual beachside bar wields its own sort of charm. Photo via Toasted Monkey Beach Bar & Sports Grill
WTR Pool & Grill The Godfrey Hotel & Cabanas, 7700 W. Courtney Campbell Causeway, Tampa The hotel’s new waterfront venue, highlighting a side of poolside luxury, specializes in an elevated take on beach eats. Photo via The Godfrey Hotel & Cabanas
Paul’s Landing The Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club, 501 Fifth Ave. NE, St. Petersburg This marina-front, Florida-inspired restaurant — where citrus, seafood and smoked are key elements of the dining experience — is not to be missed. Photo via The Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club
Castile The Hotel Zamora, 3701 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach At least one of CL’s editors got engaged here, and this rooftop bar is tops with us. Ask for a Perfect Manhattan. Photo via The Hotel Zamora
Bahama Breeze 3045 N Rocky Point Dr E, Tampa, 813- 289-7922 Located next to the Westin, this chain restaurant actually has one of the best happy hours in the Bay, plus it’s got a great view. Photo via Darden
Ulele 1810 N. Highland Ave., Tampa Just a stone’s throw away from the Hillsborough River, dishes and drinks with local origins are served up during lunch and dinner. Photo via Ulele
Circles 1212 Apollo Beach Blvd., Apollo Beach Go for the tiki bar, where you can enjoy a meal even closer to the water — if you find a seat, that is. Photo via Circles
Jackson’s Bistro Bar & Sushi 601 S. Harbour Island Blvd., Tampa A lively venue for happy hour, made-to-order sushi and Sunday brunch. Highlights include the dog-friendly patio and Island Bar with sweeping views of the Tampa Rivewalk and beyond. Photo via Jackson’s Bistro Bar & Sushi
Rivers Edge Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk Hotel, 200 N. Ashley Drive, Tampa A relaxed indoor-outdoor dining spot that does globally inspired cuisine, without forgetting its local roots, in the heart of downtown. Photo via Sheraton Tampa Riverwalk Hotel
Hurricane Seafood Restaurant 809 Gulf Way, St. Pete Beach The view is absolutely the best reason to visit. Photo by Meaghan Habuda
Maritana Grille The Don CeSar, 3400 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach The saltwater aquariums are gonna compete for the view, but the sunsets win. They always win. Photo by Meaghan Habuda
The Rusty Pelican 2425 N. Rocky Point Drive, Tampa It’s kinda obvious why loads of people get married here, isn’t it? Photo via The Rusty Pelican Credit: Photo via The Rusty Pelican
Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill 7 Rockaway St., Clearwater Beach Once frequented by Hulk Hogan — years ago, when the Hogans were a cute local family — this patio fronts the sand in (still busy but somewhat) less-crowded Clearwater Beach. Photo by David Warner
Crab Daddy’s 678 75th Ave., St Pete Beach Hit up the rooftop bar with a thatched roof for seriously good margaritas and one of the best views in SPB. Photo by Meaghan Habuda
Rick’s on the River 2305 N. Willow Ave., Tampa A divey view of the Hillsborough River that keeps us coming back. Photo via Yelp
Taste of Boston 5314 Interbay Blvd., Tampa A distinctly Tampa find on the water with laid-back seafood, plus a live bait and tackle shop. Photo via Taste of Boston
Jack Willie’s 1013 St Petersburg Drive W., Oldsmar Seafood is the focus of this off-the-beaten-path bar, grill and tiki hangout, where yesteryear Florida awaits. Photo via Jack Willie’s
Ozona Blue 125 Orange St., Palm Harbor Kick back on the outdoor patio, or by the pool, of this relaxed grill with signature cocktails at Homeport Marina. Photo via Ozona Blue
SeaScapes Beach House MacDill Air Force Base, 99511 Marina Bay Drive, Building 682, Tampa. Grab a quick bite to eat (fish tacos, anyone?) while admiring the scenic vista of glistening Tampa Bay that people move here for. Photo via Yelp
Woody’s Waterfront 7308 Sunset Way, St Pete Beach Head to the southern end of the Blind Pass inlet for great food right along the water. Photo via Woody’s Waterfront
Marker 8 Tiki Bar & Grill Beso Del Sol Resort, 1420 Bayshore Blvd., Dunedin Come by land or sea to this easygoing tiki bar and grill showcasing a waterside patio and pool, along with tropical cocktails and bar fare. Photo via Marker 8 Tiki Bar & Grill
Hula Bay Club 5210 W. Tyson Ave., Tampa From the eclectic food to the stunning view, the water calls the shots at this surfer-themed bar and grill. Photo via Hula Bay Club
Riverwalk Cafe Tampa Museum of Art, 120 Gasparilla Plaza, Tampa SaltBlock Hospitality Group oversees the museum’s refreshed cafe, which continues to deliver covered terrace seating and iconic views in the heart of downtown. Photo by Alexis Quinn Chamberlain
The Getaway Maximo Marina 3769 50th Ave. S., St. Petersburg With a large patio overlooking the marina and a bustling tiki bar, this restaurant’s one of the best places to watch the world go by in south St. Petersburg. Photo via The Getaway Maximo Marina/Facebook
Ka’Tiki 8803 W. Gulf Blvd., Treasure Island Since around 1982, Sunset Beach’s iconic tiki-hut beach bar is about as Florida as it gets. Photo via Ka’Tiki
American Legion Post 273 600 American Legion Drive, Madeira Beach Boat on up to Madeira Beach’s most spectacular — and hidden — waterfront tiki bar — and anyone whose parents or grandparents served in the US military can join. Photo via Yelp
Aqua The Westin Tampa Bay, 7627 Courtney Campbell Causeway, Tampa On the Tampa side of the Courtney Campbell, Aqua complements its view with upscale sushi and a raw bar. Photo via
Crabby Bill’s 5100 Gulf Blvd., St Pete Beach Skip the restaurant. Instead, climb the stairs and look down on miles of sand. Photo via Facebook
O’Maddy’s Bar & Grille 5405 Shore Blvd. S., Gulfport O’Maddy’s started as a bar with karaoke and an affinity for nearby Stetson law students, but after expanding and opening the restaurant and patio (which is partly covered) that fronts Boca Ciega Bay, it’s operated on a perpetual wait. Dog friendly, too. Photo via O’Maddy’s Bar & Grille
Manatees on the Bay 3128 Beach Blvd. S., Gulfport No less than seven other restaurants have tried to make a go of this space since 2003, but looks like the eighth time’s the charm with Manatees. It has the best — and only — rooftop bar in Gulfport. Photo via Manatees on the Bay/Facebook
Rusty Bellies Waterfront Grill 937 Dodecanese Blvd., Tarpon Springs Sure, you could eat at any number of Greek restaurants along Dodecanese Boulevard, but this is the only one with a waterfront view. Bonus: Its name pays homage to the town’s surfeit of boatyards. Photo via Rusty Bellies Waterfront Grill, Inc./Facebook
Salt Rock Grill 19325 Gulf Blvd., Indian Shores There’s something romantic about patio you can sail up to. Photo via Salt Rock Grill/Facebook
SeaBreeze Island Grill & Raw Bar 17855 Gulf Blvd., Redington Shores Owned by Crabby Bill’s, but don’t let that stop you. The food’s fantastic. Photo via Seabreeze Island Grill
Brass Monkey 709 Gulf Way, St. Pete Beach Fancy? No. Sunset views? Yes. Photo via Brass Monkey via Facebook
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. 185 Boardwalk Place W., Madeira Beach The patio wraps around the building and yes, it’s not a locally-owned spot, but the seafood buckets and the view are worth checking out. Photo via Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.
The Bait House Tackle & Tavern 45 Causeway Blvd., Clearwater Beach It’s tiny, yes, but every seat is on the water. Literally — it’s pretty much a dock. Photo via The Bait House/Facebook
Caddy’s on the Beach 9000 W. Gulf Blvd., Treasure Island Not only waterfront, but beachfront, which makes it the perfect place to spread out a blanket and enjoy the view — and a margarita. Photo via Caddy’s On The Beach/Facebook
Shark Tales 677 75th Ave., St. Pete Beach Live music and big ol’ inexpensive rum runners with a second story of waterfront dining. Photo via Shark Tales Waterfront Restaurant/Facebook
Capt’n Jack’s 21 Oscar Hill Road, Tarpon Springs There’s never a reason to not visit the sponge docks, and the Captain will help you get your sports and tiki fix. Photo via Capt’n Jacks Waterfront Bar & Grille
Columbia Cafe Tampa Bay History Center, 801 Old Water St., Tampa Sip a Cuba Libre overlooking the Hillsborough River, but don’t forget to spend some time taking in the cafe’s gorgeous old-style wooden bar. Photo via Columbia Restaurant Group/Facebook
Veranda Patio The Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club, 501 Fifth Ave. N., St. Petersburg Best view in the very famous house? Grab a drink, peruse the menu and decide for yourself. Photo courtesy The Vinoy Renaissance St. Petersburg Resort & Golf Club
Fresco’s 300 Second Ave. NE, St. Petersburg A time-tested downtown dining favorite that also serves brunch every weekend. Photo via Fresco’s Waterfront Bistro/Facebook
Gators 12754 Kingfish Drive, Treasure Island Well, as they say, it is the world’s longest waterfront bar. Probably. Photo via Gator’s Cafe/Facebook
The Getaway 13090 Gandy Blvd. N., St. Petersburg The original on Getaway on Gandy Blvd. still draws a crowd when happy hour comes around. Photo via The Getaway/Facebook
Little Tommies Tiki 5519 Shore Blvd. S., Gulfport Fun fact: The “Tommies” in the name stands for tomatillos; it’s not a man’s name. Photo via Little Tommies Tiki/Facebook