There’s something about warmer weather on the beach that makes everything taste a little better, which means this is the time of year to spend afternoons and evenings at The Wharf in Pass-a-Grille (2001 Pass-a-Grille Way). As days stretch a little longer and the Gulf breeze rolls in, this historic waterfront favorite is the perfect place to kick back with an icy-cold drink or their famous grouper sandwich. Whether you’re a longtime local or a first-time visitor, The Wharf is the kind of place that instantly puts you in vacation mode.

Set right on the water, The Wharf pairs classic Old Florida charm with fresh updates. If you haven’t stopped by recently, consider this your sign: the patio has been refreshed, the dining room remodeled, and the iconic Vitale Bros. even painted a new mural on the outside, giving the building a bold, coastal pop. 

Crab Cake Reuben and dockside drinks, courtesy of The Wharf

Waterfront seats and ice-cold drinks

Their drink menu is made for warm afternoons and laid-back evenings. Think signature cocktails like the Wharf Cuervo Margarita or an Ahoy Matey Mule, ice-cold beers bottled, canned, or on draft (including local favorite Coppertail Free Dive IPA), plus prosecco splits or wine by the glass—all perfectly paired with sunshine and salty air. 

When you grab a seat outside or along the bar that stretches nearly the length of the restaurant, you’re instantly treated to waterfront views (and sometimes dolphins!) that make The Wharf one of the best spots for “dinner and a show” on the beach. And for sports fans, The Wharf also delivers 17 TV screens throughout the restaurant, making it just as ideal for game day as it is for sunset sipping.

Grouper Sandwich and Taco Salad, courtesy of The Wharf

Come for the view, stay for the specials

The Wharf has earned its reputation for sensational seafood, and it shows throughout the mouthwatering menu. If there’s one must-order item, it’s the grouper sandwich, which is widely considered one of the best on the beach. Served fried, blackened, or grilled, it’s simple, perfectly seasoned, and exactly what you want after a day in the sun.

The menu is filled with other coastal favorites (try the jalapeño conch fritters and the crab cake Reuben), and the restaurant offers rotating weekly specials that keep things interesting. Taco Wednesdays are a delicious mid-week treat featuring your choice of grouper, shrimp, ground beef, or a taco salad, while on Fridays, the ceviche hits just right at happy hour. Over the weekend, stop in for a soft-shell crab basket or fried grouper nuggets—and don’t forget to save room for dessert! Funnel cake fries have officially made their menu debut, and they’re every bit as fun as they sound.

Check out their full menu here.

Enjoy live music (and happy hour drinks) with your meal

One of the best ways to experience The Wharf is during happy hour, when the bar buzzes with locals and beachgoers swapping stories over drinks and small bites. Running Monday through Friday from 3:30-6 pm (at the bar only), it’s the ideal break between beach time and dinner plans. Particularly as Tampa Bay springs into a season of warmer weather, The Wharf is serving up spectacular sunsets with every order.

The energy turns up a notch after 6 every Wednesday through Saturday, thanks to evenings of live music from Rob Tyre. Rock-and-roll favorites from all eras set the tone at the restaurant without overpowering conversation, providing just the right type of soundtrack to stay for one more round or a slice of key lime pie. 

Famous Bone-in Wings and Key Lime Pie, courtesy of The Wharf

Stellar food and unbeatable vibes

At its core, The Wharf is everything people love about Pass-a-Grille: relaxing, welcoming, fun, and completely unpretentious. It’s a place where flip-flops are always appropriate, the staff treats you like a regular (even if it’s your first visit), and the food is consistently fresh and delicious. Stop in for a bite at 2001 Pass-a-Grille Way from 11 am to 10 pm daily, and follow The Wharf on Facebook for menu specials and highlights. 

Whether you’re pulling up by boat, meeting friends for happy hour, or planning a sunset dinner with waterfront views, The Wharf remains a go-to for great food and good vibes.