With miles of bay and Gulf shoreline, Tampa Bay is made for eating with a view. Here are the restaurants TAMPA Magazine readers voted Best Beach/Waterfront Restaurant in our 2026 Best Restaurants List, along with the runners-up and the spots voters also loved.
Winners
Featured Winner
Salt Shack on the Bay
Salt Shack on the Bay sits on the water at Rattlesnake Point, just off the Gandy Bridge, with a beach-bar feel and boat docking. Its Caribbean-inspired menu features wild-caught Gulf seafood and island cocktails, and the New York Times named it one of its 50 favorite U.S. restaurants in 2023.
- American Social
- Ulele
Runners-Up
- BLUFIN Waterfront Grill
- Coconut Charlie’s Beach Bar & Grill
- Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill
Voters Also Loved
- Island Way Grill
- Oystercatchers
Waterfront Dining in Tampa Bay
Waterfront restaurants line the Hillsborough River, Harbour Island and the shores of Old Tampa Bay, while the Gulf beaches from St. Pete Beach to Clearwater Beach offer sand-side tables and sunset views. Many spots welcome boaters with docks, and outdoor seating is a year-round draw thanks to the mild winters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best waterfront restaurant in Tampa?
In TAMPA Magazine’s 2026 Best Restaurants List, readers named American Social, Salt Shack On the Bay and Ulele the winners for Best Beach/Waterfront Restaurant. BLUFIN Waterfront Grill, Coconut Charlie’s Beach Bar & Grill and Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill were the runners-up.
How were the winners chosen?
The results are based entirely on votes from TAMPA Magazine readers in our annual Best Restaurants contest. Advertising has no bearing on the results.
Where can I find the other categories?
See every category on our 2026 Best Restaurants List, or browse the newest results on our Best Restaurants List.
« Back to the full 2026 Best Restaurants List
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