Visiting restaurants and bars by boat is not just for those seaside shacks on the Gulf beaches! In Tampa, there are all kinds of places to park your boat outside and grab a drink or a bite to eat.
From some of the city's finest restaurants to sleepy neighborhood watering holes, and from Rocky Point to Downtown Tampa to the Southshore, here are some of the best restaurants by boat in Tampa that you can access from sea-faring craft in the 813area.
Downtown Tampa Boat Bars and Restaurants
American Social Tampa
The hippest new place on Harbour Island, #AmSo has not only delicious dining (the cedar lank salmon and the chicken and waffles are both fantastic), but also turns into maybe the hottest bar in the 813 at night. If you're looking for great food, an extensive cocktail program, and a spot that turns into quite a party, there's no better place in the city. It's no dive bar, but as an upscale experience it's unparalleled in Tampa. And you can park your boat right outside the back entrance, which brings some of the most breathtaking views of the city to their doors. There's plenty of $14 lunch specials that include your beverage, and don't miss the sunsets here; they are almost as gorgeous as their Honeybell Mojito.
Columbia Cafe
Hillsborough River Boat Bars and Restaurants
Ulele
1810 North Highland Avenue, Tampa FL (813) 999-4952
Heights Public Market
The 22,000 sq-ft industrial market features an open floor plan with communal seating surrounded by restaurants showcasing the top chefs and restaurateurs in the Bay Area. With more than a dozen casual
1910 N Ola Ave., Tampa FL 813-250-3725
Bigfoot on the River is much different than every Tampa boat bar and restaurant on our list. It's further up the river in the Temple Crest neighborhood, around the corner from Rogers Park Golf Course. The Hillsborough River dam stops you from cruising up to Bigfoot from the south... and actually we're not sure if you can bring your boat here at all. But the property runs down right to the river and it looks like there's a dock at the end of it. Maybe call and ask first. Inside, this is a no-frills neighborhood hangout. (Don't show up with your sailing dinghy and your nautical whites on.) There isn't a lot of food here, though you might get lucky with a buffet if a party's happening. Most importantly, though, the beer is cold and cheap, and there are traditional bar games like darts, pool, and a bowling machine.
South Tampa Boat Bars and Restaurants
Hula Bay
Westshore Boat Bars and Restaurants
It can be a bit difficult to access the boat bars on Rocky Point, because you can't cross the Causeway until you go out into the open waters of Tampa Bay. But once you manage it, there's a pier right outside WTR to leave your boat. Situated next to The Godfrey Hotel & Cabanas Tampa, Beach Bar is a 20,000-square-foot restaurant and entertainment venue, with delicious food for every meal of the day... even breakfast! Plus they always have something special lined up for big occasions (like their upcoming St. Patrick's Day event), and you can't beat the happy hour specials as the sun sets.
Bahama Breeze
A row of boat slips just south of the Tampa Grand Hyatt offer the chance to cruise up to another of Tampa's finest restaurants. Oystercatchers offers fantastic sunset views over the bay, plus a raw bar and delightful seafood creations to satisfy the most sophisticated diner. The Oystercatchers Lounge offers a cool-chic environment to see off another day, with lots of local beer on tap and delicious appetizers.
Southshore Boat Bars and Restaurants
Circles Waterfront Restaurant
Not quite ready to sail away, sail away, sail away? You can access all these restaurants by boat in Tampa, but there area also plenty of bars by land, too. Find other places to eat or nightlife opportunities in Tampa on 813area. Sign up for those free email updates!
Photo courtesy of PXHere.com.
