St. Petersburg, Florida, boasts a vibrant and diverse culinary scene, constantly evolving with exciting new dining destinations. For those seeking the Best Restaurants In St Pete Fl, the options are plentiful, ranging from casual beachfront eateries to upscale dining experiences. Among the recent highlights is Sparrow, a rooftop restaurant and lounge that has quickly become a must-visit spot in the Edge District, offering not only exceptional Asian-inspired cuisine but also breathtaking views of the city skyline.
Sparrow: A Rooftop Gem in St. Pete’s Edge District
Located atop the trendy Moxy hotel, Sparrow elevates the St. Pete dining experience, quite literally. This rooftop venue seamlessly blends an energetic lounge atmosphere with sophisticated Asian-inspired flavors, creating an ideal setting for enjoying small plates and handcrafted cocktails. Upon entering the Moxy hotel, guests are directed to the elevators that whisk them up to the seventh floor, where Sparrow awaits. It’s advisable to secure a reservation, especially for prime times, as this popular spot, accommodating up to 250 guests both indoors and outdoors, fills up quickly. On a typical Friday evening, Sparrow buzzes with activity, both inside its stylish dining room and on the outdoor terrace.
The thoughtful design of Sparrow contributes significantly to its allure. The interior spaces are chic and edgy, featuring a variety of seating arrangements within the long dining room, from intimate tables for two to larger setups for groups. However, it’s the outdoor seating that truly captivates, providing panoramic views of the stunning St. Petersburg skyline. These coveted outdoor tables are reservable, while walk-ins can find seating at either of the two bar areas – a sleek indoor marble bar and a second bar located outdoors.
The Sparrow Experience: Ambiance and Menu
Sparrow cultivates more of a lounge vibe than a traditional restaurant setting. The lively environment is enhanced by a DJ who spins tunes from Thursday through Saturday, creating a high-energy atmosphere perfect for those seeking a spirited night out with sophisticated cocktails. This ambiance might not appeal to everyone seeking a quiet, intimate dinner, but for those looking for a vibrant and trendy spot among the best restaurants in St Pete FL, Sparrow is a prime destination.
The menu at Sparrow reinforces its lounge-centric identity. As explained by the attentive staff, the focus is on small, shareable plates of Asian-inspired cuisine, served as they are ready rather than all at once. This approach encourages a relaxed and communal dining experience. Given the smaller table sizes, ordering a couple of dishes at a time is recommended to avoid overcrowding. The menu is thoughtfully organized into sections like “Small Plates,” “Large Plates,” “Sushi Corner,” “Bao Buns,” and “Sides.” Similarly, the beverage menu is well-structured, featuring sections like “Cruise Control” for tropically influenced classics and “Adventurous” for luxe tiki-inspired cocktails, simplifying the drink selection process.
Cocktail Culture at Sparrow
The cocktail menu at Sparrow is a highlight in itself, adding to its reputation as one of the best restaurants in St Pete FL for drinks. Venturing into the “Adventurous” section, the Gentleman Kaiju, a savory and spirit-forward concoction of Canaima gin, green chartreuse, and nori, stands out as a top recommendation. From the “Cruise Control” section, Kodama’s Groove, a refreshing blend of Ten to One rum, Wray & Nephew, Midori, Luxardo bitters, lime, pineapple, and matcha, offers a brighter, easy-drinking option, though perhaps not for those averse to matcha.
Further explorations into the cocktail list revealed more winners. The Edge of Central, with 512 reposado, Lofi Dry, celery, lime, jalapeño, and salt, proved to be another enjoyable and easy-drinking choice. For something more distinctive, The Way of the Mariachi, a highball featuring Don Fulano blanco, Del Maguey chichicapa, pear, Skinos Mastiha, and fino, delivers prominent smoky and pear notes, making it a standout drink.
Must-Try Dishes at Sparrow
The culinary offerings at Sparrow, while designed as small plates, are certainly flavorful and worth exploring. The Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos, featuring crispy fried shrimp, tangy chili sauce, and pickled slaw, are a must-order. These street-style tacos are perfectly sized, and the combination of textures and flavors, from the light shrimp coating to the zesty sauce and slaw, creates a harmonious and satisfying bite.
Another popular small plate is the Crispy Rice with Spicy Tuna Tartare. While the presentation is appealing, and the flavors are well-balanced with tuna, avocado, and sriracha mayo, the “crispy” rice leaned slightly towards chewy. The serrano chili garnish, while adding visual appeal, tended to overpower the other delicate flavors.
Venturing into the “Sushi Corner,” the Hamachi Roll with cucumber, serrano pepper, and wasabi tobiko, unfortunately, fell short of expectations. The presentation lacked finesse, and the roll itself was somewhat bland, proving to be the most underwhelming dish of the tasting. However, this leaves room for exploration of other sushi options on future visits.
Final Verdict: Is Sparrow One of the Best?
Sparrow undoubtedly brings a unique and exciting dimension to the list of best restaurants in St Pete FL. Its rooftop location, chic lounge atmosphere, and creative cocktail menu make it a standout destination for a night out. While some dishes, like the Hamachi Roll and the crispy rice, had minor drawbacks, the Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos and the overall cocktail experience were definite highlights. For those seeking a trendy, high-energy spot with city views and Asian-inspired small plates, Sparrow is well worth a visit and solidifies its place among the best restaurants in St. Petersburg, particularly for rooftop dining and vibrant nightlife.
