By Stephen Rafferty
As we welcome cooler temperatures and also hopefully say goodbye to long periods of inclement weather, I thought this month it would be fun to venture out to destinations with inspiring views.
PIER TEAKI
At the end of the St. Pete Pier, as the bay stretches toward the horizon, with downtown’s skyline rising behind you, Pier Teaki offers a dining experience that is as much about the setting as it is about what’s on the plate.
Perched high above the water, this open-air rooftop tiki bar brings a relaxed tropical spirit to the Pier. The views are the real star. From the rooftop, guests can take in sweeping vistas of Tampa Bay, the St. Petersburg waterfront and the downtown skyline. On a clear evening, watching the sun drop toward the horizon while the city begins to sparkle makes an already casual meal feel like a special occasion.
The menu is designed for a laid-back experience, with shareable plates and bar-friendly favorites that pair naturally with the restaurant’s tropical cocktail selection. Fish tacos, wings, flatbreads and seafood-inspired bites provide plenty of options for grazing with friends, while burgers and other casual selections make it easy to turn a few drinks and snacks into a meal.
For those who partake, the tiki-inspired cocktail program leans heavily into rum and tropical flavors, making a frozen cocktail or fruity island-style drink a natural companion to the waterfront surroundings.
The atmosphere is lively, colorful and unmistakably St. Pete. Breezes coming off the bay, music, comfortable rooftop seating and that panoramic backdrop create an easygoing escape without ever leaving the Pier.
While not the most formal setting, Pier Teaki is about good food, creative drinks, great company and one of the city’s most memorable views – all served with a distinctly tropical attitude.
Mon.-Thur. 11am-12am • Sat.-Sun. 10am-12am
AZURA ROOFTOP AT HOTEL ZAMORA
There are plenty of places to enjoy a meal or cocktail on St. Pete Beach, but few offer the perspective found at Azura Rooftop. Perched atop The Hotel Zamora on Gulf Boulevard, I love that Azura combines a relaxed atmosphere next to our beautiful coast, with sweeping views that make the rooftop a much sought-after destination.
While there, the setting catches me each time. From the rooftop, the Gulf stretches outward to what seems forever on one side, while the Intracoastal Waterway winds along the other. The elevated vantage point provides a panoramic look at St. Pete Beach, with boats moving across the water and the shoreline unfolding below. As afternoon gives way to evening, the rooftop becomes an especially appealing place to watch the sky change colors over the Gulf.
Azura’s food and drink offerings complement the setting. Geared more toward cocktails and shareable small plates than a traditional full-scale dinner, Azura makes it a fantastic choice for a leisurely afternoon or evening spent grazing with loved ones and friends. Seafood bites, burgers, burrata, roasted cauliflower and other casual selections provide plenty of choices, while the cocktail menu embraces tropical and coastal flavors.
Stylish without feeling overly formal, Azura provides comfortable seating, succulent nibbles, music, open skies and the Gulf breeze to create an unmistakable vacation feel.
Sun.-Thur. 9am-10pm • Fri.-Sat. 9am-11pm
azuracoastalkitchenandbar.com
VISTA AT THE TOP
As a teen I worked on Tierra Verde and I’ve often found it an overlooked gem in our community. Vista at the Top, with wonderful food and another sensational view, will rectify that for those fortunate enough to choose it.
Perched on the seventh floor of the Marriott Residence Inn, this rooftop restaurant and bar offers a panoramic perspective that will appeal to anyone who loves our rich and beautiful city. Below, the waterways surrounding Tierra Verde weave through marinas and islands, while the Gulf and Tampa Bay extend up to the endless sky.
The menu complements the casual, coastal atmosphere with a selection of small plates designed for sharing. Jumbo lump crab cakes (which I can’t suggest enough), tuna poke, garlic-butter shrimp and seared scallops provide plenty of seafood options, while patatas bravas, wings, sliders and a sunset burger offer something for those looking for heartier fare. Handcrafted cocktails, frozen favorites and wine selections fit naturally with the rooftop setting, whether you’re stopping in for happy hour or settling down for an evening of food and conversation.
Those relaxing coastal breezes and weekend live music make Vista is less about rushing through dinner and more about enjoying the moment. Vista at the Top delivers what its name promises: an elevated dining experience where good food and drinks meet an exceptional view. For sunset, conversation and a taste of the waterfront from above, it offers a memorable slice of Tierra Verde.
Mon.-Thur. 4pm-10pm • Fri.-Sat. 12pm-12am • Sun. 12pm-10pm
vistaatthetop.com