There’s no better way to enjoy a romantic evening or celebrate a special occasion than with delicious food and a stunning view. And here in Florida, we’re lucky to have many spectacularly beautiful rooftop restaurants.
The Sunshine State is a rooftop lover’s dream due to its warm climate and beautiful cities along the coast. Obviously, most of the greatest rooftop restaurants Florida offers can be found in the bigger cities, but you can also find some excellent ones in smaller towns along the wonderful coastline.
Combining ocean activities with rooftop dining is one of the best travel combinations possible. And Florida is the ideal place for it, as both the ocean and a lovely rooftop restaurant are usually within easy reach.
Here’s our list of the best Florida rooftop restaurants! Check it out!
1. Rosa Sky Rooftop (Miami)
Rosa Sky is Miami’s hottest and newest rooftop restaurant, located high above the Brickell City Center. Surrounded by spectacular panoramic views over the city skyline, here you can enjoy a globally-inspired tapas menu that is both exciting and eclectic, boasting plenty of reinvented classics that are perfect to share.
And while the dishes are excellent, the drink selection is even more sparkling. A seasonal and hand-crafted cocktail program, with whimsical and colorful creations, is complemented with plenty of bubbles, rosé, bottle service, and a selection of craft beers.
Boosted by a digitally mapped light choreography and bold music lineup, Rosa Sky is a great rooftop restaurant made for vibrant nights high above Miami.
2. Capa (Orlando)
After a long day exploring the vibrant streets of Orlando, nothing beats enjoying your dinner along with a drink as you marvel at the breathtaking views of the city. Well, a great place to do that is at Capa Restaurant.
This lovely rooftop restaurant in Orlando features a fancy dining room and two outdoor terraces ideal for watching the stunning views of the Disney fireworks. The kitchen is run by chef Gabriel Massip, so you can be damn sure that any dish brought in front of you is really delicious.
If you find yourself overwhelmed by the wide collection of treats, our recommendation is to try out the porterhouse steak.
3. AC Sky Bar (Orlando)
Located in the spectacular AC Hotel By Marriott Orlando Downtown, the AC Sky Bar provides the perfect mix of creative mixology and 360° city views. But there’s more to this place than just drinks. Both rooftop bar and restaurant, this place serves anything from larger bites, such as the Flat Iron Steak and the AC Burger, to Spanish-inspired small plates.
Perched on the 18th floor, this fantastic rooftop restaurant houses an interior with floor-to-ceiling windows and an elegant outside terrace, which allows you to enjoy the panoramic vistas.
AC Sky Bar also has a fine selection of local craft brews, artisanal signature cocktails, and an international wine list. For nightly visits here, no reservations are required; however, you’ll need to make a booking in advance if you want to go for the Sunday Brunch.
4. Hollerbach’s Willow Tree Café (Sanford)
Hollerbach’s Willow Tree Café is a German-themed restaurant located in historic downtown Sanford. The place comes with a lovely second-floor rooftop biergarten.
As Sanford’s first rooftop biergarten, the eatery houses both outdoor and indoor spaces to enjoy Gemuetlichkeit in fun and unique ways. While enjoying the view of the downtown Sanford rooftops, here you can have a genuinely authentic German dining and entertainment experience.
The place offers a full menu, including everything from Schnitzel, Sausages, and Flammkuchen, to a wide selection of wine, schnaps, house cocktails, and draft beers. The rooftop restaurant is open daily from lunch until late dinner, while the rooftop garden is more of a weekend popular spot, open from 5 p.m. on Thursday through Friday and from 11 a.m. on Saturday through Sunday.
5. Pescado Seafood Grill & Rooftop Bar (Rosemary Beach)
Overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, Pescado Seafood Grill & Rooftop Bar is a fantastic choice for those looking for a special dining experience. This 18+ rooftop restaurant has three areas: an indoor bar, a dining room, and the rooftop bar, all as chic as the rest.
The place serves food that can best be described as a New American and Asian fusion that strongly emphasizes seafood, but there are several other options available. When it comes to drinks, the bar offers signature cocktails alongside a long list of spirits and an impressive wine list.
Though the dinner menu is delicious, Pescado’s Sunday Brunch steals the show during weekends, and it’s open to all ages. Dress to impress and give it a try. It will be worth it.
6. Area 31 at the Epic Hotel (Miami)
A modern and high-end destination, Area 31 is one of the trendiest rooftop restaurants in Miami, as well as one of the most popular bars.
With both meat and seafood dishes, this eatery opens early in the morning, welcoming its guests until late at night, when it turns into a quasi-nightclub experience that party people will definitely love.
Offering a wide variety of cocktails—both classic and signature—champagne, and wines, this rooftop restaurant is a great choice for those looking to impress a date or meet new people. Though the place has its own rooftop pool, it’s only accessible to guests staying at the Kimpton EPIC Hotel. However, Area 31 occasionally hosts pool parties, which everyone can attend.
7. 360° Rooftop (St. Pete Beach)
For a stunning ocean sunset and panoramic views, head up to the 360° Rooftop. Located on top of Hotel Zamora in St. Pete Beach, this spacious rooftop restaurant offers a lovely garden feel and plenty of comfortable sofas to enjoy the views.
If you want to take a break from the beach, go there between 3 and 7 p.m. for the daily happy hour deals on house wine, domestic beer, and house cocktails. As darkness falls, hanging lanterns and fire pits create a cozy setting, and weekly and monthly events turn up the atmosphere.
The place always comes with a friendly and relaxing al fresco ambiance. For a very exceptional experience, book one of their VIP rooftop cabanas. Oh, and make sure you don’t forget your camera!
8. River & Post (Jacksonville)
Self-described as “culinary-driven,” this rooftop restaurant is quite an interesting destination that seeks to charm guests with delicious food made with organic and fresh ingredients.
Found in the heart of Jacksonville, River & Post offers stunning views of the St. Johns River and a casual yet high-end atmosphere that few eateries can match. With both an indoor and outdoor seating area, this restaurant is a great choice for those looking to charm a business partner, impress their date, or simply enjoy a fancy dinner.
The terrace has small fire pits and large couches that ensure you are comfortable even on those rare evenings when Jacksonville gets cold. Plus, there’s also a retractable roof to protect you in the case of bad weather.
What more could you ask for?
9. SkyBar at The Edge (Destin)
The Edge SkyBar is a modern destination to enjoy the best seafood dining and drinks. This one is quite special as it’s built directly on top of the water, close to Destin Harbor, so you won’t see other buildings but plenty of water.
The downstairs area houses the restaurant, with stunning vistas of the harbor and beyond. But the views get even better on the floor above, where the stylish Skybar at The Edge is.
Featuring plenty of comfy lounge sofas and patio seating, as well as a lovely firepit, this is a high-end spot to enjoy a dinner in true laid-back Florida style.
The restaurant is available to all for premium dining from lunch until late dinner, while the bar upstairs is an adults-only venue. Here you can indulge in crafted small plates and signature cocktails, as well as plenty of live music, daily happy hours, and other fun-filled events.
You may also want to read 8 Best Weekend Getaways in Florida.
