Water Street Tampa is located in the heart of the city’s central business district. Just across from Sparkman Wharf and adjacent to Amalie Arena, it’s becoming a booming location. Restaurants, residents, retailers, and nightlife in Tampa Bay can be found at Water Street.
Keep reading to find out what’s open, what’s coming, and why you should have this dazzling destination on your date night list.
Brilliant Date Idea! Make a full day of it and book a ResortPass for Day Passes and Pools at participating Water Street hotels.
Speaking of hotels, the Tampa Edition Hotel is a crowning jewel of Water Street. Dine on a poolside terrace on the roof at Azure. Enjoy prix fixe fine dining at Lilac. Restaurants here are mostly Mediterranean-influenced cuisine. If you’re just in the market for a drink, check out Arts Club or Punch Room, along with lobby and poolside bars to lounge in. Splurge on valet parking here to skip the parking hassle.
Written by Brie Gorecki and Ciarra Johnson
About Tampa Water Street
Water Street is defined as a new kind of urban community developed by Strategic Property Partners (SPP). The walkable streets are filled with apartments, offices, restaurants, retail space, and hotels. It sits along the waterfront making for a lovely stroll.
It’s the perfect spot for a date night, day date, or a stop before or after and event at Amalie Arena.
In addition to shopping and eating, you can also catch events like local markets and live music.
Keep reading to learn more about this up-and-coming and all it has to offer (and what’s to come).
- Restaurants at Water Street
- Public Art Installations at Water Street Tampa
- Sparkman Wharf
- What’s Coming to Water Street?
Where is Water Street Tampa?
Water Street is located in downtown Tampa right across from Sparkman Wharf along Water Street and Channelside Drive. There are several parking garages and lots, as well as street parking. Much of the parking is paid for via the Park Mobile app, so consider making sure you have that set up before you go.
It’s also accessible via Cross Bay Ferry, which travels from downtown St. Pete.
Restaurants at Water Street
There are tons of amazing places to eat in and around Water Street. Whether you want something upscale or casual, sit-down or quick grab-and-go, there are plenty of great options.
- Boulon Brasserie
- Anchor & Brine
- Bright Ice
- Driftlight
- Chill Bros. Scoop Shop
- Naked Farmer
- The Pearl
- Wagamama
- Wine on Water
- Small Giant
Boulon Brasserie
This modern French eatery is truly a vision. A gorgeous space with a refined menu, Boulon is a great special occasion spot. This new concept has chef Hab Hamde at the helm. You may know his name from his long tenure as executive chef at Bern’s Steak House.
You’ll want to make your reservation well in advance, this restaurant fills up fast.
Anchor & Brine
Located directly on the Tampa Riverwalk, Anchor and Brine offers breezy outdoor seating with great views of the marina and excellent seafood.
You can access Anchor and Brine from the Riverwalk or through the lobby of the Tampa Marriott Water Street.
Bright Ice
Unique ice cream flavors are all the rage right now and Bright Ice has some super tasty and original offerings. The flavors lean sophisticated with options like roaster strawberries with brown sugar, espresso with Kahlua and balsamic and lemon with crystalized ginger. Flavors rotate seasonally but their stable of “Always Flavors” includes coffee toffee, sprinkles and cream and orange-kissed coconut cake.
Driftlight
You’ll find Driftlight inside the JW Marriott Tampa Water Street. Offering American cuisine breakfast through dinner, Driftlight offers great ambiance inside one of Tampa’s newest luxury hotels.
Chill Bros. Scoop Shop
With the original location in South Tampa, Chill Bros. locations have been popping up all over lately, and Water Street is no exception. The ice cream at Chill Bros. is locally sourhttps://www.eatnakedfarmer.com/ced and the baked goods, candies and sauces mixed in to every flavor are made in-house. Snag a seasonal scoop, or a staple like Sicilian pistachio or guava pastelito.
Naked Farmer
Perfect for grabbing a quick bite, Naked Farmer offers made-to-order bowls packed with delicious and nutritious ingredients. The menu varies by season but is full of delicious proteins, bases and veggies to build the bowl of your dreams.
The Pearl
Now open! The Pearl is a restaurant, tavern, and oyster room with an expansive menu of chef-inspired cuisine featuring made from scratch entrees, shareable plates, and seasonal oysters. They also serve up handcrafted cocktails, a carefully curated wine list and a rotating selection of ales, lagers, and stouts.
Wagamama
Now open! This Asian-inspired restaurant specializes in in bowls using fresh, healthy ingredients. You can choose from their selection of ramen, teppanyaki, donburri, or curry. For those who want something to eat on the go, they also offer handhelds like banh mi or sando sandwiches.
Wine on Water
Part well-curated wine and spirits shop, part open-air wine bar, Wine on Water is aa great place to stop by while visiting Water Street. The minds behind this concept are the same as those who opened Cru Cellars and Bouzy in Hyde Park Village.The Wine on Water Space is also great for private events.
Small Giant
This bar and restaurant is owned by the same group as Wine on Water. Head to Small Giant for a casual, neighborhood vibe, great drinks and Columbus-style pizza.
Public Art Installations at Water Street Tampa
One of the coolest things about Water Street are the art installations that you can wander around. From murals to lighted arches, there is some super unique artwork to check out.
- Bruce’s Juices Mural
- Cumberland Garage Murals
- Equality Diversity Mural
- Halocline Sky
- Love Letters
- Mangrove Mister
- Peace and Love
- The Reddish Egret
- The Whale and The Parrot
- Three Arcs
- You Belong Here
Check out this complete guide to what each installation is, where you can find it and who the artist is.
Sparkman Wharf
Water Street is just a short walk away from Sparkman Wharf, another development with ample dining, drinking and entertainment options. Sparkman has a variety of sit-down restaurants, as well as casual and take-out locations in repurposed shipping containers.
Grab your food and dine at an outdoor table on an expansive lawn located right along the water. The outdoor stage is often filled with live music. There’s also a covered biergarten with a huge tap list to choose from to enjoy with your takeout.
What’s Coming to Water Street?
There are still several exciting new restaurants and bars in the works for Water Street.
- 3 Corners New York-Style pizzeria is set to open soon on Water Street
- Ash, an Italian-inspired full-service restaurant
- Due to arrive in Early 2023 is Predalina
- The Pearl Water Street opens soon on March 7, 2023
3 Corners is the brainchild of Noel Cruz, also known for Ichicoro Ramen and Gangchu. Cruz spent many of his formative years in the restaurant business in New York City so we’re confident he will do justice to this revered style of pie.
Also opening soon is Ash, an Italian-inspired full-service restaurant. We’re already drooling over the photos of the gorgeous pink bar and cannot wait to experience this new concept from the people behind Rooster & the Till.
Due to arrive in Early 2023 is Predalina. Mediterranean influence with plenty of seafood, Predalina will offer weekend brunch, lunch and dinner as well as a shopping experience with home decor and gifts — similar to sister restaurant Oxford Exchange.
Events at Water Street
A Taste of Water Street
These spring and fall events will feature unique seasonal experiences and always deliver on the promise of an unforgettable night out. Guests are invited to experience the entirety of the Water Street Tampa neighborhood like never before — enjoying tastings at new restaurants and bars in addition to familiar favorites while roaming musicians, pop-up entertainment and shops along Water Street, Raybon Plaza and Via Corazon further enhance the evening. Guests can enjoy the following events: Wine Down on Thursday on March 23, Shop the Block on Friday on April 14, and Kentucky Derby on Saturday on May 6.
Feature image from @thepearlwaterstreet
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