Whether it’s beachside views or skyline views, Tampa Bay is truly a looker, and quite a few of our local restaurants and bars offer some of the best spots to take in the views.

From beachside restaurants, to tiki bars, rooftop perches, and more. Here you’ll find a few essential gems where the sips and eats are as good as the vista. 

Casa Cami 2545 N Rocky Point Dr., Tampa Casa Cami debuted this spring on the 10th floor of Tampa’s Current Hotel. Oxford Commons’ newest hospitality concept offers a spread of tacos and salsas, salads, small plates of ceviche, snapper crudo, flautas and blistered shishitos alongside entrees like bistec with mojo butter, shrimp fajitas and green chili chicken over a sweet plantain hash. Photo via Casa Cami
Vista at the Top 214 Madonna Blvd., Tierra Verde Grab a mojito and soak up the views of the docks and the Gulf of Mexico at Vista at the Top. Located at the literal top of the Residence Inn St. Petersburg Tierra Verde, the spot offers a variety of seafood appetizers like tuna tataki and poké, regular happy hours and space for private events. Photo via Vista at the Top/Facebook
Pool Bar at Tampa Edition 500 Channelside Dr., Tampa Offering 360 degree views of downtown Tampa, the Pool Bar at Tampa Edition is arguably one of the best place to perch up with a cocktail. Besides booze, the space also offers a full menu of light bites, and heavier entrees like burgers, swordfish kababs, and more, with the hotel’s Azure just a step away. Photo via Tampa Edition
Credit: Photo via Yacht Starship Dining Cruises
Beacon 510 Water St., Tampa Situated on the 27th floor, JW Marriott Tampa Water Street’s new rooftop bar Beacon is the “tallest public rooftop bar in Tampa,” according to the company, and the second tallest in the state of Florida (the hotel is 309 feet tall, according to a rep for Beacon). Since it’s debut, the space has been a bit of a viral sensation, offering guests the chance to sip on craft cocktails, snack on booze-friendly share-ables, and arguably the best view of Hillsborough Bay, the Garrison and Sedon Channels and the Ybor Turning Basin. Photo via JW Marriott
Cane & Barrel 110 2nd St. N, St. Petersburg Located on the eighth floor of the 36-story hotel and apartment complex Ascent St. Petersburg, Cane and Barrel is a Cuban-inspired bar and lounge that opened in early March. There’s an indoor bar and outdoor patio, with rum being the star of the menu, as the name itself is a homage to the spirit’s voyage from “cane” to “barrel.” Photo via Cane and Barrel/Facebook
Salt Shack on the Bay 5415 W Tyson Ave., Tampa Accessible by both land and sea, Salt Shack on the Bay offers shaded waterside seating with views of the bay, and impeccable Florida vibes. Surrounded by sand and palm trees, this “rustic- refined beach getaway” serves fresh seafood, seasonal picks and tropical cocktails right off of WestShore and Gandy. Photo via Photo via Salt Shack on the Bay/Website
Ember Rooftop Lounge at Cambria Hotel 15015 Madeira Way, Madeira Beach This new elevated drinking perch is located within the five-story Cambria Hotel at the Madeira Beach Marina. Ember is pouring up wine by the glass and bottle, draft and bottled brews, and mixing up tropical cocktails named after local hotspots and beaches. The food and drink menu ranges from $13-$23 per dish. Photo via Ember Rooftop Lounge at Cambria Hotel
M Bird 1903 Market Street, Tampa, FL 33602, (813) 296-2702 Perched at the top of Armature Works offers the M Bird customer an amazing view of the Hillsborough River, a view to go along with their extensive cocktail and small plate menu of course. They even feature a locally themed cocktail named “I left my wallet at La Segunda.” It’s pricey as expected, but come on, it’s Armature Works. Photo via Alexandria Jones
Sal y Mar 3650 Midtown Dr., Tampa. 813-692-3330 In the midst of Midtown is this rooftop bar with a view of the Tampa skyline you can’t get just anywhere. Latin-inspired tapas and a specialty cocktail menu with items such as the “Sal y Margarita” can be found here. Photo via Sal y Mar/Facebook
Hi-Fi Rooftop Bar 453 Edgewater Dr., Dunedin Take in the sunset and enjoy a nightcap atop Dunedin’s historic Fenway Hotel at the Hi-Fi Rooftop Bar. Off the beaten path but right next to the Dunedin Channel, Hi-Fi provides a more chill night without any compromise of good drinks and amazing sights. Photo via Hi-Fi Rooftop Bar
American Social 601 S Harbour Island Blvd. no. 107, Tampa Arguably one of downtown Tampa’s more popular waterfront spots, American Social brims with a packed nightlife crowd, especially on the weekends. But it’s also a solid pick for a quick lunch midweek, or just grab a drink after week and take in the views of the Hillsborough River. Photo via American Social
Jackson’s Bistro, Bar and Sushi 601 S Harbour Island Blvd, Tampa Right next door you’ll find Jackson’s Bistro, Bar and Sushi. Though the view is pretty much the same as its next door neighbor, the offerings at this waterfront fav are quite different. As the name implies, sushi and seafood reign supreme here, but there’s also plenty of vegan options and heartier land-based eats like burgers, chicken and wagyu steak up for grabs. Plus, be sure to pair the watery view of the Tampa Convention Center with one of Jackson’s signature cocktails. Photo via Jackson’s
Jimmy B’s Beach Bar 6200 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach Located in The Beachcomber Hotel, Jimmy B’s is right on the sand, and besides being a great spot to watch the waves, the beachside hotspot also keeps the vibe alive with two stages for live music and a solid food and drink menu. Photo via Jimmy B’s Beach Bar/Website
PCI Beach Bar & Snack Shack 6300 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach Live on vacation mode all day long at the Beach Bar & Snack Shack, which is part of the Postcard Inn in St. Pete Beach. The restaurant offers a variety of tasty options with poolside service and a solid drink selection. If it gets too crowded you can take your order of black and bleu chips and black raspberry gingerita poolside or for a stroll along the beach. Photo via PCI Beach Bar & Snack Shack
Coconut Charlie’s Beach Bar and Grill 6100 Gulf Blv.d, St Pete Beach, 727-360-7041 Don’t be surprised if things get rowdy at Charlie’s, the motto promises that all who enter the establishment are about to meet some coco-nutty people. Just a few feet away from St. Pete Beach, so there’s plenty of sandy area to get a little nutty. Photo via Google Maps
Caddy’s Treasure Island 9000 W Gulf Blvd., Treasure Island, 727-360-4993 While Caddy’s has multiple locations, its original spot on Treasure Island beach undoubtedly offers direct access to the beach and the most scenic sunset views. With plenty of shaded picnic tables right on the sand, live music at most times of the day and cold drinks, Caddy’s takes the dub in good Florida vibes. Photo via Photo via Caddy’s Treasure Island/Facebook
Pier Teaki 800 2nd Ave. NE, St. Petersburg Perched atop the St. Pete Pier, this tiki-themed hangout comes with top-notch views of St. Pete, as well as tostones-filled beach pails and piña coladas. At the end of St. Pete’s new(ish) pier, Pier Teaki delivers a view unlike any other in the city. Guests can enjoy anything from a Maui Mule to the “Kill the Pain” cocktail. Photo via Pier Teaki/Facebook
SIX at JW Marriott 510 Water St., Tampa Overlooking the hotel’s gorgeous rooftop pool and bay views, SIX creates an IG-worthy backdrop for visitors and hotel guests. Open for lunch and dinner reservations, the menu is an eclectic mix of chef crafted specialties from cocktails to hearty entrees. Photo via EDGE’s website Credit: Photo via SIX at JW Marriott
The Getaway 13090 Gandy Blvd. N, St. Petersburg, 727-317-5751 If you’ve ever taken the Gandy Bridge from Tampa to St. Pete, you’ve probably passed The Getaway. Much more than a roadside bar, The Getaway features a wrap-around deck with a shallow drop-off for the kids to play, palm-thatched covered outdoor seating spaces, adirondack deck chairs at every corner and immersive views of the bay. Rolling up on your boat? The Getaway also has docking space. Photo via Photo via The Getaway/Google
Edge Rooftop Bar 1207 S Howard Ave, Tampa Located at the tip top of the Epicurean Hotel, Edge Rooftop Bar (stylized “EDGE”) focuses on cocktails, a robust beer and wine list, light bites and some of the best views of the Tampa skyline. Photo via Epicurean/Facebook
Harry’s Beach Bar 5300 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach, 727-363-5125 With rows of shaded loungers, a covered outdoor bar, swings, a pool and live music, direct access to the beach is only one of many amenities at Harry’s Beach Bar. Located in the Sirata Beach Resort & Conference Center, Harry’s says it’s the oldest beach bar on St. Pete Beach. Serving a unique selection of fruity and frozen cocktails, virgin options are available for the kids, too. Photo via Photo via Harry’s Beach Bar/Facebook
Hurricane Seafood Restaurant 809 Gulf Way, St. Pete Beach Look for the colorful and vibrant beachside building. Hurricane’s tropical feel allows guests to enjoy an epic roof-top sunset or an upscale dinner on Level Two. Some of its signature dishes include salmon, Old Bay peel ‘n’ eat shrimp and calamari strips. Photo via Hurricane Seafood Restaurant/Website
Sloppy Joe’s On The Beach 10650 Gulf Blvd., Treasure Island With extra large and shareable American-Caribbean entrées, Sloppy Joe’s offers a great setting to get together with friends. Located at The Bilmar Beach Resort, the restaurant offers one of the best views of Treasure Island Beach, plus its directly on the sand. Photo via Sloppy Joe’s On The Beach/Website

Frenchy’s

7 Rockaway St., Clearwater, 727-446-4844
It’s going to be hard to spend a day at Clearwater Beach and not walk past at least one Frenchy’s. Heck, if you spent a week you could hit a different one almost every day. Frenchy’s has six different locations spread across Clearwater Beach and Dunedin Causeway, serving fan-favorite dishes like its Cajun grouper sandwich, island shrimp tacos and seafood pot pie as well as local craft beers and frozen rum runners.
Photo via Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill/Website Credit: Photo via Frenchy’s