Tampa is one of the fastest growing cities and there’s at least a million different things to see and do. There’s something for everyone, like sporting events, live music, and amusement parks, plus leisure activities like island hopping or dockside dining in Tampa Bay.
And one thing Tampa Bay doesn’t fall short on is the long list of waterfront restaurants to indulge in!
Dockside dining in Tampa Bay is second to none. You get to beat the traffic, catch the sunset and best of all – enjoy yourself. We’ve narrowed down our favorite waterfront restaurants that include courtesy docking for their guests. Gulfstream Boat Club Members can reserve their boat and be on their way to enjoy some of the city’s best dining experiences.
Hula Bay Club in Tampa Bay
Hula Bay Club neighbors our Tampa Club making it the perfect spot to start or end your day! Gulfstream Boat Club Members can grab everything they need for a fun lunch on the water (we love the fresh crab cakes!) After your reservation, Members can kick back on their deck and take in the sunset with a great view of our docks, with a poke bowl and refreshing beverage.
You’ll find live music playing 6 days a week at Duke’s Island Bar downstairs. The retired surfers bar is the place to be on the weekends when the evening breeze kicks in. You might even spot a pod of dolphins swimming around the docks down below!
St. Pete Pier Courtesy Docking
The St. Pete Pier is one of our favorite places to enjoy dockside dining in Tampa Bay. The pier was renovated in 2021 to feature a three-tier building that covers all your breakfast, lunch, dinner and dessert needs. Gulfstream Boat Club Members can dock their boat on the south side of the pier. The 10 slips are first come first serve so you won’t need a reservation.
At the entrance of the pier is Fresco’s Waterfront Bistro. It gives a true dockside dining experience surrounded by a boat-filled marina. At the end of the pier you’ll find Driftwood Cafe across from the lawn. All the sweet treats from coffee and pastries to ice cream and snacks can be found at the ground level. Upstairs you’ll find Teak, an elevated casual restaurant with gorgeous views of the Bay. At the top is Pier Teaki, the newest rooftop bar in St. Pete offering unparalleled views of the city’s skyline. It’s a destination you’ll definitely want to keep coming back to.
Tampa Bay’s The Getaway
When you’re at The Getaway, you’ll really feel like you’re getting away for a bit. This is the kind of place that you won’t mind waiting for a table. You can find a seat at the tiki bar or walk down to the Adirondack chairs to relax. The outdoor seating is shaded with umbrellas and palm trees creating a tropical oasis overlooking Tampa Bay. You can admire the mangroves and dolphins as you snack on their delicious lobster tacos.
The Getaway is a quick ride across the Bay to the south-end of the Gandy Bridge. We suggest Members book a 3-4 hour reservation to enjoy the ride, the atmosphere and the food.
Finn’s in Apollo Beach
Finn’s in Apollo Beach is one dockside restaurant you must check out in Tampa Bay. You won’t be disappointed by the wide range of menu items and the casual atmosphere. Just like Gulfstream Boat Club, Finn’s is dog-friendly! Bring your four-legged best friend along for a boat ride and outdoor fun.
These are just a few of our favorite spots, but Tampa and nearby St Pete have so many dockside dining options available, there’s something to satisfy every palate! We’d love to hear from you—find us on Instagram and tell us where your favorite spots are and we’ll feature them in our next post! Indulge in dockside dining, or grab your meal to go and enjoy the beautiful coastline, sandbars and skyline Tampa has to offer.