What are the best rooftop restaurants, bars in Florida? Our favorites from across the state
Eating and drinking is always more exciting at a rooftop restaurant or bar, especially one that places you above a brilliant city skyline or overlooking one of our favorite Florida beaches. Following our story on the best waterfront restaurants, our USA TODAY Network Florida Entertainment Team has compiled our picks for best rooftop restaurants in the Sunshine State.
You'll find places from the Panhandle and Jacksonville to Palm Beach County and Miami Beach, from Sarasota and Naples to New Smyrna Beach and Melbourne. All of these spots are excellent drinking destinations with many also serving tasty food. We even included a Key West rooftop bar that is famously clothing optional. Presented in alphabetical order, here are the best rooftop restaurants and bars in Florida, chosen by USA TODAY Network journalists living throughout the state.
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Avanu on Flagler
392 Flagler Ave., New Smyrna Beach; 386-444-3880, avanuonflagler.com.
Avanu on Flagler opened last year and is already a go-to spot for a good time. The Polynesian-inspired, three-story restaurant can seat 160 diners and features a large rooftop bar. The rooftop bar is the place to be on a Saturday night with good music, great drinks and views of the Flagler Avenue nightlife. For those that keep the party going, Avanu stays open until 2 a.m. on the weekends.
Much of the menu is sushi, bao buns, poke stacks, noodle dishes, steaks, and raw bar items such as oysters and peel-and-eat shrimp as well as smash burgers, Korean chicken, short rib risotto and more. Avanu has many appetizers if you and your crew are just looking to snack while drinking. – Caroline Hebert, Daytona Beach News Journal
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Bayside Seafood Grill & Bar
4270 Gulf Shore Blvd. N., Naples; 239-649-5552; baysideseafoodgrillandbar.com
The breezy covered patio or inside with air conditioning? Tough call at this restaurant nestled within The Village Shops on Venetian Bay. During the day, channel Anna Wintour because you’ll need sunglasses (preferably polarized) to protect your peepers from strong rays streaming from the south and reflected by the surrounding bay. At night, twinkling lights adorning the plaza add a dash of enchantment. The food: better than it has to be given the lovely setting. Smart casual dress suggested. Pro tip: Instead of booking via OpenTable, call to secure an upstairs perch. – Diana Biederman, Naples Daily News
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Beacon Social Drinkery
12th floor of the Luminary Hotel, 2200 Edwards Drive, Fort Myers; (239) 314-3800; luminaryhotel.com/taste
When you enter the lobby of the luxurious Luminary Hotel in downtown Fort Myers, you may be tempted to stay on the ground level. There you’ll find the comfortably sophisticated Lobby Bar and the intimate Silver King Ocean Brasserie. You might be pulled in the direction of Chips Sports Pub or Ella Mae’s Diner. While all are wonderful choices, take our advice: Ride the elevator up to the 12th floor where you’ll find Beacon Social Drinkery. The rooftop cocktail bar and eatery was recently named one of South Florida’s 10 Iconic Bars by the website TheTravel for good reason. The sweeping views of the Caloosahatchee River and beyond will give you a perspective on the area you didn’t know existed. The scenery is even sweeter with one of Beacon’s cocktails, crafted from fresh juices and house-infused syrups, in your hand. Add small plates, flatbreads and desserts, and you’ll probably want to stay there long after the sun sets. — Robyn George, The News-Press
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Birchwood Canopy
340 Beach Drive N.E., St. Petersburg; 727-896-1080; thebirchwood.com
St. Petersburg's transformation from "God's waiting room" to one of the hippest cities in the Sunshine State enjoyed a nice push from the 2013 opening of the fifth-floor rooftop lounge that locals simply call The Canopy. Perched atop a former apartment building originally constructed in 1924 that's now an adorable 18-room boutique inn, The Canopy remains a trendy spot with its craft cocktails, bar bites and weekend brunch menus, cabanas, fire pits and glass railings to better enjoy the views of the Tampa Bay waters, bustling Beach Drive and St. Pete Pier. Opened in 2020, the pier is home to another awesome rooftop lounge called Pier Teaki, which has the same local owners as the Birchwood.– Wade Tatangelo, Sarasota Herald-Tribune
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Charlie Park
801 South Gadsden St., eighth floor of AC Hotel by Marriott, Tallahassee; 850-759-4300; charlieparkrooftop.com
After a stroll in the park, cool off with a refreshing beverage and enjoy the scenic view of Cascades Park, Downtown Tallahassee and Adderley Amphitheater from the 8th floor of the AC Hotel by Marriott. Opened in 2021, Charlie Park offers expansive windows and patio seating overlooking the park. A finalist for Best Martini/Cocktail in Tallahassee for 2022, the bar offers small plates to share and happy hour six days a week, 4-7 p.m. Monday-Friday and 2-4 p.m. Saturday. Sunday Brunch is served from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. For $42 you get two beverages and grazing on specialties from beef tenderloin hash to shrimp & grits. Try the namesake cocktail, The Charlie, a fragrant mixture of Empress Gin, coconut water and lavender syrup. Sample a locally distilled vodka with Mimi's Lemon Bar-Tini made with Ology Vodka and house lemon curd. A nod to Tallahassee's famous jazz artists, Ode to Adderley features Rémy Martin 1738, Gator Bite Satsuma & Rum Liqueur. - Martha Gruender, Tallahassee Democrat
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The Deck at Oak & Stone
1201 First Ave. W., Bradenton; 941-357-4306; oakandstone.com
Opened in late 2019 and located on top of the eight-story SpringHill Suites hotel in downtown Bradenton, The Deck at Oak & Stone overlooks the Manatee River with views that also include Tampa Bay, the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, Bradenton Riverwalk and the Palmetto shoreline. At the covered rooftop bar, you can order from their craft cocktail menu or serve yourself at the beer wall containing taps for craft brews, cider and wine selections. There's also a large, open-air space featuring several seating areas with low-top tables and fire pits. Hungry? The Deck offers the first-floor restaurant Oak & Stone's full menu starring outstanding thin-crust artisan pizzas, and the equally awesome oven-roasted wings that now come in more flavors. – Wade Tatangelo, Sarasota Herald-Tribune
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Drift
41 Fort Pickens Road, Floor 2, Pensacola Beach, 850-733-7331, driftpcola.com
Drift touts itself as a modern coastal cuisine restaurant, which means that it serves creative seafood dishes, hot and cold small plates, prime steak and a robust cocktail menu. Drift is located just above Casino Beach Bar and Grille and offers a more upscale experience than its downstairs neighbor.
Drift is another one of Pensacola Beach’s limited fine dining options. What sets this one apart is its rooftop bar — it’s one of the only places you can go to enjoy an elevated, panoramic view of the Gulf of Mexico while sipping glasses of an eclectically selected wine menu, premium cocktails or just enjoy a cold beer. – Brandon Girod, Pensacola News-Journal
Garden of Eden
224 Duval St., Key West; 305-296-4545; bullkeywest.com
For those seeking a rooftop experience unlike any other on this list, the Garden of Eden found in Key West above the The Bull & Whistle Bar invites guests to literally get naked. In addition to being clothing-optional and, yes, a popular spot for people-watching, Garden of Eden bills itself as Key West's only third-story bar with an open rooftop, sun chairs and views of world-famous Duval Street. During the day, expect a crowd of sunbathers, while at night, there's usually a DJ and lots of dancing. No cameras or cell phones are allowed and remember, "If you go, expect to see lots of skin from all walks of life!" reads the website. – Wade Tatangelo, Sarasota Herald-Tribune
Pineapples
1434 Pineapple Ave., Melbourne, 321-499-1400, pineapplesegad.com
Pineapples opened in spring 2021 on the Indian River in the Eau Gallie Arts District. The three-story restaurant and entertainment venue offers three distinct experiences. The first floor features an upscale restaurant. The second floor is a large event space with a stage and covered balcony. And then there's the rooftop. The space has an island, vacation feel. Sit at the bar, out of the sun, and chat with the friendly bartenders, or snag a table by the railing and gaze out over the Indian River while sipping a cool glass of champagne. Guests can order anything from full entrees and sandwiches to small bites and light meals. Our recommendation? The Islamorada Fire Cider Fish, served with Key West confetti cilantro lime rice, blistered tomatoes, tri-colored peppers and spinach, and toped with Islamorada fire cider sauce. – Suzy Fleming Leonard, FLORIDA TODAY
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Pescado Seafood Grill & Rooftop Bar
74 Town Hall Road Unit 4B, Rosemary Beach, 850-213-4600, rooftop30a.com
Pescado, overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, offers casual fine dining and cocktails on the rooftop of the Orleans building in Rosemary Beach. All ages are welcome for brunch, which is served Wednesday through Thursday. Otherwise guests must be 18 or older to enter Pescado. The menu includes a Chef's Feast of whole grilled fish, chimichurri, vegetable mélange, clams, mussels, shrimp and pickled onions; as well as a seafood paella, both of which are big enough to share. Small bites include spicy grilled octopus, char siu sticky ribs and grilled lamb chops. After enjoying the view, head back downstairs to the Courtyard at Pescado, a lively New Orleans-inspired bar with nightly music. – Suzy Fleming Leonard, FLORIDA TODAY
River & Post
1000 Riverside Ave., Jacksonville; 904-575-2366; riverandpostjax.com
Restaurants with rooftop dining aren't exactly a dime a dozen in Jacksonville, but the Riverside/Five Points area has three of them, with Black Sheep, Hoptinger Bier Garden and River & Post, across the street from the Cummer Museum. River & Post has a ground-level dining room and a rooftop lounge (reservations are for the dining room; the rooftop is first come, first served). The rooftop menu includes charcuterie, salads, appetizers and sushi, plus handcrafted cocktails — plus one of the best views in the city.
The Roof Bar and Eats
100 Marina View Drive, Sarasota; 941-217-4777; marriott.com
Downtown Sarasota actually offers multiple rooftop bars within walking distance of each other, yet when it comes to the view, you can’t beat the one located on the 19th floor of The Westin Sarasota. As its name suggests, The Roof Bar and Eats offers a menu of cocktails, beer and wine, and casual dining dishes, yet the real attraction is its expansive vantage point over Sarasota Bay and the ever-changing downtown Sarasota landscape. The view makes it a great backdrop for a selfie — particularly at sunset — and is a popular nightlife spot as well. Make it a rooftop bar crawl by also visiting Perspective Rooftop Pool Bar, with a sleek, artsy feel fitting its home on the eighth floor of the boutique Art Ovation Hotel, and Sage’s fourth-floor bar, which has a more intimate feel and is housed in the Sarasota Times building on the National Register of Historic Places. — Jimmy Geurts, Sarasota Herald-Tribune
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Serena
915 Collins Ct. (between Washington and Collins avenues), Miami Beach; 305-306-0776; SerenaMiami.com
Wrapped in South Beach ocean breezes and city views, the al fresco Serena bar and restaurant loves a good party as much as it loves Mexican food and drink. Located at the Moxy Hotel, a Marriott Bonvoy property, the bar/restaurant fashions itself after a Oaxacan rooftop. It’s beautifully set with pops of hot-pink bougainvillea to match the bright banquettes, swinging bar chairs and assorted loungey areas for happy hour drinks, weekend brunching, lunch, dinner and late-night turn-ups.
Bites here fit all appetites. Go as light as a ceviche or a kicky aguachile verde or as hefty as a grilled hanger steak or birria enchiladas. Serena’s hours are Monday through Thursday from noon to 11 p.m., Friday from noon to midnight, Saturday from 11 a.m. to midnight, Sunday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. — Liz Balmaseda, The Palm Beach Post
Related: Enjoy cocktails with elevated views at these Palm Beach County rooftop bars
The Social at MidTown
1728 W. University Ave., Gainesville; 352-373-7383; thesocialgnv.com/rooftop
The Social at MidTown opened in fall of 2016 after more than $2 million in renovations and features a large rooftop with two bars and a food truck that was brought in with a crane. The Social boasts an iconic location across from the University of Florida campus that was previously home to several popular bars, including The College Inn, Purple Porpoise and Gator City. Those lucky enough to grab a seat on the rooftop in the fall during a home Gator football game can enjoy the roar of the crowd just two blocks away at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. The menu features an array of classic bar food, including burgers, wings and barbecue sandwiches. There’s also a tasty mac & cheese menu. Drinks include a variety of beer options and a three-tiered cocktail menu. — Alan Festo, The Gainesville Sun
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The Space Bar
6245 Riverfront Center Blvd., off U.S. 1 and State Road 405, Titusville, 321-966-9200, spacebarusa.com.
A larger-than-life photo of an astronaut walking on the moon greets guests as they step off the elevator at the Space Bar, atop the Courtyard Titusville-Kennedy Space Center in Titusville. Cocktails have monikers like Sky Rockets in Flight and the Space Shuttle. The sixth-floor rooftop bar and restaurant, which can be reached from an express elevator just outside the hotel lobby, opened in sprint 2022, offering sweeping views of Kennedy Space Center, including the Vehicle Assembly Building and launch pads. TVs are tuned to NASA television, and if you love all things space, chances are good you'll meet an actual rocket scientist there. While waiting for the next rocket to go up, try the Korean BBQ Short Rib bowl with brown rice, sambal, pickled cucumber and carrots. — Suzy Fleming Leonard, FLORIDA TODAY
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Spurrier’s Gridiron Grille – Visors Rooftop
4860 Steve Spurrier Way, Gainesville; 352-262-4850; spurriers.com
Legendary Florida Gators coach Steve Spurrier’s Gridiron Grille, which opened in August 2021, is a must stop for both fans of football and food. The part restaurant, part museum includes its rooftop bar, Visors, aptly named for the Head Ball Coach’s headgear of choice. Take a quick ride in the elevator and enjoy views of the Celebration Pointe Promenade below as you sip on a cocktail or enjoy a pint of the Head Beer Coach’s 1966 Lager or the 52-20 Pale Ale, both made by Gainesville’s own First Magnitude Brewing Company. Elevated bar food offerings include wagyu beef sliders, crab and lobster cakes, and bourbon maple pork belly. While Visors lacks the museum pieces you’ll see downstairs, including Spurrier’s 1966 Heisman trophy, the restrooms will bring back memories of past Gator glory as the walls are adorned with some of Spurrier’s most favorite and iconic plays. The space commonly hosts radio shows with current Gator coaches and you’ll likely see Spurrier himself there from time to time. — Alan Festo, The Gainesville Sun
Terrace on the Square
120 E. Silver Springs Blvd., Ocala; (352) 581-6060; https://www.facebook.com/theterraceonthesquare/
This bar, at the Hilton Garden Inn on Ocala's downtown square, has been called the spot with the king’s view and the right vibes to keep patrons coming back. It's a popular gathering place during events like the Kentucky Derby and University of Florida Gator football games, according to the Hilton Garden Inn property owners, brothers and Ocala natives Karan and Kunal Gaekwad. It's also ideal for post-event gatherings, like after a charity 5K race.
Kunal Gaekwad said the terrace-style bar was a requirement for a Hilton Garden Inn franchise, but the brothers wanted to make this one unique. It occupies a 4,250-square-foot, west-facing portion of the hotel’s second floor. Patrons can choose from several signature cocktails designed by a personality with the TV show “Bar Rescue.” (One offering: the Martini In The Cloud.) The menu ranges from a Meat Lover’s Flatbread to the Terrace Salmon.
Terrace currently has the sky to itself in downtown Ocala, but not for long: Two more rooftop bars are coming soon. − Andy Fillmore, Ocala Star-Banner
Related: Ocala rooftop bar thrives; two more coming to downtown
Tesoro at JW Marriott Marco Island Beach Resort
400 S. Collier Blvd., Marco Island; 239-393-3221; tesoroatjwmarco.com
This Zen-like sanctuary serving Mediterranean fare opened in 2018 and offers Gulf Coast views for miles at the southern end of Marco Island. A guest stay at the hotel isn’t required but being 21 and over is. Creative cocktails and light bites are best bets. And while there’s no official dress code, think resort-smart casual. Pro advice: Splurge $25 on valet parking to retain the calming vibes imbued during your visit. DIY parking ($15) across the street is a PITA and requires a somewhat steep hike to access the property. – Diana Biederman, Naples Daily News
Topside at the Beacon
1116 Love St., Jupiter; 561-532-3270; TopsideJupiter.com
This rooftop bar gives you that postcard-from-paradise view from above. And that view is punctuated by the iconic Jupiter Lighthouse and its surrounding Inlet waters. Topside at the Beacon is part of the 2-year-old, Joe Namath-backed restaurant complex known as Charlie and Joe’s at Love Street. Loungey and dotted with fun hanging-basket chairs, Topside is appointed with lush greenery that allows for cozy, open-air conversation nooks.
The bites are festive and tapas-size. (Think chickpea fries with Sriracha aioli, roasted oysters, blackened mahi mahi sandwiches with lime-cilantro crema and deconstructed Meyer lemon tarts with Italian meringue.) The drinks are glammed-up tiki. Topside’s hours are Monday and Tuesday from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m., Wednesday and Thursday from 3 p.m. to midnight, Friday and Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 1 a.m. and Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 9 p.m. — Liz Balmaseda, The Palm Beach Post
Related: Best rooftop restaurants, bars in Palm Beach County
Wade Tatangelo is the Florida-Georgia Regional Dining and Entertainment Editor for the USA TODAY Network. Email him at wade.tatangelo@heraldtribune.com. Support local journalism by subscribing.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Best rooftop restaurants and bars from all across Florida
