15 Must-Try Outdoor Restaurants In Tampa, Florida
Tampa has mastered the art of outdoor dining in a way that makes eating inside feel like a wasted opportunity.
The city spreads along rivers, bays, and channels that practically beg you to sit beside them with a plate of fresh seafood and a front-row seat to the water.
Over the years, I have chased the perfect combination of sunshine, breeze, and seriously good food across this city with the focus of a person who treats patio seating like a competitive sport.
Some of my favorite meals have happened at tables where boats drift past, palm trees sway overhead, and the skyline glows in the distance.
Tampa offers outdoor restaurants that range from polished waterfront terraces to laid-back fish shacks with picnic tables, and each one delivers its own version of why eating outside here feels so right.
If you have been searching for places that let you soak up Florida weather while enjoying thoughtful menus and scenic views, this list will point you toward 15 spots that have earned their place on my personal rotation.
1. Columbia Cafe at the Tampa Bay History Center, Tampa, Florida
Whenever I want a taste of Tampa history without giving up a front row seat to the water, I wander to Columbia Cafe at the Tampa Bay History Center.
Columbia Cafe at the Tampa Bay History Center is at 801 Water Street, Suite 1905, Tampa, FL 33602.
I slide into a chair on the covered outdoor terrace that overlooks the Riverwalk.
I have happily shared Cuban sandwiches, black bean soup, and the famous 1905 salad here.
Streetcars rattle nearby while people stroll past on bikes and on foot.
I love how the menu borrows from the original Ybor City location but keeps the mood breezy.
Servers somehow juggle locals on lunch breaks and visitors who linger over plates.
I always aim for an outdoor table so I can watch downtown move slowly by while my food quietly steals the spotlight.
2. Salt Shack On The Bay, Tampa, Florida
On the days when my brain starts daydreaming about salt on my skin and something crispy on my plate, I drive straight to Salt Shack On The Bay.
Salt Shack On The Bay sits at 5415 West Tyson Avenue, Tampa, FL 33611.
The entire restaurant feels built around the outdoor deck that sits a few steps from the water and glows in the late afternoon light.
I usually end up ordering a blackened grouper sandwich or peel-and-eat shrimp.
I lose track of time watching boats slide past the dock and listening to easygoing music.
Friends share baskets of fries with me while we talk about everything and nothing.
By the time the sky starts shifting colors above the bay, the whole place feels like a relaxed version of Tampa in its best mood.
3. Ulele, Tampa, Florida
Somehow, every time I follow the brick path along the Tampa Riverwalk toward Ulele, I start walking faster.
I know I am about to sit under palm trees with plates that carry the scent of open fire and Florida seafood.
The setting at Ulele, 1810 North Highland Avenue, Tampa, FL 33602, never disappoints.
The outdoor tables sit right beside a spring-fed pond and the river beyond.
I have lingered over chargrilled oysters, alligator hush puppies, and generous platters of native inspired comfort food.
Kids run across the lawn, and couples pause to watch the water.
I always feel a little victorious when I snag an early table outside.
Once the golden hour arrives, every seat fills with people chasing the same mix of breeze, sunshine, and seriously satisfying food.
4. Armature Works, Tampa, Florida
If I had to pick one spot that sums up how Tampa eats outside on a random weekend, Armature Works would be my answer.
Armature Works sits at 1910 North Ola Avenue, Tampa, FL 33602.
I keep finding myself wandering through the Heights Public Market with a tray from whichever vendor caught my eye.
I carry wood-fired pizza, bao buns, or whatever I choose out to the riverside lawn or long communal tables.
Kayakers drift along the Hillsborough River while the skyline reflects off the water.
Families spread out on the grass while groups of friends claim long rows of seats.
My favorite move is to grab a table just before sunset.
I watch the place shift from stroller central to a relaxed night crowd that snacks its way through the evening.
5. Sparkman Wharf, Tampa, Florida
There is a particular mood that hits me whenever I walk into Sparkman Wharf and see the container kitchens circling the open lawn.
Sparkman Wharf is located at 615 Channelside Drive, Tampa, FL 33602.
The harbor stretches just beyond the edge of the seating area.
My routine starts with scouting the rotating food stalls until one grabs my attention.
Sometimes it is tacos, sometimes loaded hot dogs, and sometimes a towering burger.
I carry my haul to a picnic table or spread out on the turf facing the water.
I have spent entire evenings listening to live music and watching people drift through with their trays.
Every visit feels a little different, because a new outdoor meal waits every time I show up.
6. Big Ray’s Fish Camp, Tampa, Florida
When my craving for a simple, perfect grouper sandwich refuses to quiet down, I head straight for Big Ray’s Fish Camp.
Big Ray’s Fish Camp is at 6116 Interbay Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33611.
It is a no-nonsense seafood spot tucked into the Ballast Point neighborhood.
The limited indoor space almost guarantees an outdoor meal at a picnic table under the awning.
I still remember the first time I unwrapped their fried grouper on soft Cuban bread.
I realized that the sandwich would be living rent-free in my mind for weeks.
Now it has become a ritual to roll up on a sunny afternoon and place a counter order.
I grab a seat in the open air and let the steady breeze and chatter from regulars turn lunch into the best break of the day.
7. The Sail Plaza and Big Ray’s Fish Camp on the Riverwalk, Tampa, Florida
On the stretch of Riverwalk where the convention center hugs the water, The Sail Plaza and Big Ray’s Fish Camp on the Riverwalk have become my easy answer for no-fuss outdoor eating.
The Sail Plaza and Big Ray’s Fish Camp on the Riverwalk sit at 333 South Franklin Street, Tampa, FL 33602.
The entire setup is open air with views across the channel.
Joggers, families, and office workers drift past in a constant stream.
I usually order a seafood sandwich or basket from Big Ray’s and carry it to a high top near the railing.
From there, I watch boats gliding in and out of the marina and forget about my phone.
More than once, I have arrived for a quick bite and stayed until the downtown lights shimmer across the water.
8. Anchor and Brine, Tampa, Florida
For a slightly polished riverfront experience that still keeps me outside in the breeze, I drift to Anchor and Brine.
Anchor and Brine is located at 505 Water Street, Tampa, FL 33602.
The terrace steps down toward the Riverwalk and feels designed for unhurried meals.
I have worked my way through oysters, crab cakes, and creative coastal dishes at those outdoor tables.
Hotel guests mix with locals who clearly treat the patio as a regular hangout.
I like to arrive a bit early for dinner and claim a table near the edge of the deck.
The late afternoon light stretches across the channel while I take my time with each plate.
When the sun finally slips behind the buildings, I usually order dessert just to earn a few more quiet minutes outside.
9. Rick’s On The River, Tampa, Florida
Some afternoons, when my only plan is to sit by the water with something messy and satisfying in front of me, I head to Rick’s On The River.
Rick’s On The River is at 2305 North Willow Avenue, Tampa, FL 33607.
This laid-back restaurant has an outdoor deck that hangs right over the Hillsborough River.
Boats pull up to the dock as casually as cars roll into the parking lot.
I tend to order peel-and-eat shrimp, baskets of fried seafood, or a platter of oysters.
Then I settle at a picnic-style table under the shade and listen to live music drift across the water.
Pelicans sometimes glide past as if they also have a standing reservation.
The whole place feels more like a neighborhood gathering spot than a formal restaurant, with riverfront meals as the main attraction.
10. Oystercatchers, Tampa, Florida
When I want to feel wrapped in mangroves while still technically in the city, I point the car toward Oystercatchers.
Oystercatchers is at 2900 Bayport Drive, Tampa, FL 33607, tucked behind the Grand Hyatt Tampa Bay.
A path leads down to the outdoor deck with wide open views of the bay.
I have lingered over platters of fresh Gulf fish, scallops, and thoughtful seasonal sides there.
The water turns reflective and quiet as the light softens.
The dining room opens onto the terrace, so the landscape always feels close.
A long lunch or special occasion dinner on the deck takes on a calm tone that ignores the nearby airport.
I recommend this spot whenever friends ask for a scenic outdoor meal on the west side of town.
11. Jackson’s Bistro Bar and Sushi, Tampa, Florida
If you have ever wanted to see Tampa’s skyline sparkle while you work through sushi and seafood, Jackson’s Bistro Bar and Sushi delivers exactly that view.
Jackson’s Bistro Bar and Sushi is located at 601 South Harbour Island Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33602.
Its wide outdoor patio overlooks the marina and Garrison Channel.
I have spent many evenings watching the light slide from bright blue to deep orange from one of those tables.
Crunchy rolls, grilled fish, and generous appetizers circle the table as friends snap photos of the harbor.
On weekends, the energy rises as boats ease in and out of their slips.
The walkway around the water fills with people strolling past.
I like to reserve an outdoor table, arrive early, and treat the whole meal as a slow tour of harbor scenery with very good snacks.
12. Watervue Grille, Tampa, Florida
There is something quietly satisfying about crossing the bridge to Harbour Island just to eat at Watervue Grille.
Watervue Grille is at 700 Harbour Post Drive, Tampa, FL 33602.
As soon as I step onto the waterfront patio, the downtown skyline lines up perfectly across the water.
I understand very quickly why this restaurant shows up on so many scenic dining lists.
My usual move is to order Florida-style seafood like shrimp and grits or a grilled catch with fresh sides.
Then I settle into a chair that faces the boats and city lights.
Gentle music, relaxed service, and the soft shuffle of other tables create a calm rhythm.
It makes it easy to linger long after plates are cleared and the sun has tucked itself behind the buildings.
13. Bahama Breeze Island Grille, Tampa, Florida
Whenever I want a breezy, vacation-style meal without leaving town, I drift toward Bahama Breeze Island Grille.
Bahama Breeze Island Grille is located at 3045 North Rocky Point Drive East, Tampa, FL 33607.
The restaurant spreads along the water with a big outdoor deck full of colorful chairs and palm trees.
They sway just enough to remind me there is usually a sea breeze helping out.
I tend to order coconut shrimp, tacos, or jerk chicken plates piled high with bright flavors.
I lean back and listen to the live music while watching cars crawl along the causeway in the distance.
It always amuses me that such a laid-back setting sits so close to the highway.
Once I settle into an outside chair, the only thing that really matters is what I am eating next.
14. Predalina, Tampa, Florida
When friends ask for an outdoor table that feels current and a little special, I send them to Predalina.
Predalina is at 1001 East Cumberland Avenue, Tampa, FL 33602.
This Michelin-recognized Mediterranean spot sits in the Water Street district with two patios that frame the dining room.
Both patios spill out toward the street and keep the air moving around the tables.
I still remember my first dinner there with marinated olives, house-baked bread, seafood pastas, and grilled fish.
Warm air drifted through the space while the buzz of downtown stayed soft in the background.
What keeps me coming back is how easy it is to stretch a meal into a full evening.
I nibble small plates, share desserts, and look around appreciating how refined food can feel at home in such a relaxed outdoor setting.
15. The Soho Backyard, Tampa, Florida
On nights when I want something more low-key than the waterfront but still firmly outside, I head to The Soho Backyard.
The Soho Backyard sits at 610 South Armenia Avenue, Suite 105, Tampa, FL 33609.
It hides just off the busy South Howard corridor with a cozy patio that really does feel like an upgraded backyard.
I usually order a hefty burger, loaded tater tots, or one of their creative tacos.
Then I claim a table under the string lights while the street noise fades into a distant hum.
Conversations from nearby tables blend into an easy soundtrack that suits the space.
The spot manages to stay casual enough for sandals, while the kitchen keeps things interesting with thoughtful specials.
It has become my favorite choice when I want a relaxed outdoor dinner without navigating the waterfront crowds.