St. Petersburg’s vibrant Edge District is constantly evolving, and its dining scene has reached a new pinnacle – literally – with Sparrow, perched atop the Moxy hotel. This rooftop restaurant and lounge offers a unique blend of Asian-inspired cuisine and a chic, energetic atmosphere, making it an ideal spot for enjoying small plates and expertly crafted cocktails. For those exploring the culinary delights of St. Pete, especially seafood lovers and those with a taste for fresh flavors often found in dishes like Ceviche St Pete, Sparrow presents an intriguing option.
Located within the Moxy hotel, Sparrow is easily accessible. Upon entering the hotel, simply head towards the back left corner near the elevators, where a host will greet you. After a quick check-in, an elevator whisks you up to the seventh floor, revealing the entrance to Sparrow. Another host awaits to guide you to your table after you provide your name.
Sparrow boasts a spacious layout, accommodating up to 250 guests with both indoor and outdoor seating. Its popularity is undeniable; on a Friday evening visit around 6:30 PM, the restaurant was already bustling, reaching full capacity both inside and out within an hour. Therefore, securing a reservation, whether for indoor or outdoor seating, is highly recommended to fully experience this hotspot. Imagine savoring fresh, Asian-inspired dishes while overlooking the city – a perfect evening in St. Pete.
The thoughtful design of Sparrow is immediately apparent. The interior elements contribute to its chic and trendy ambiance. The dining room, stretching across the hotel’s length, offers diverse seating arrangements, from intimate two-tops to larger tables for groups, and even a relaxed lounge area with armchairs and a couch. However, the true gem is the outdoor seating, providing breathtaking panoramic views of the St. Petersburg skyline. These coveted outdoor tables can be specifically reserved when booking. For those without reservations, two bar areas are available – an elegant marble-topped indoor bar and a second bar outdoors, perfect for enjoying the city views and perhaps discussing where to find the best ceviche st pete after your visit.
Sparrow cultivates more of a lively lounge atmosphere than a traditional restaurant. A DJ enhances the energetic vibe with music from Thursday to Saturday. This vibrant setting is something to consider when planning a visit, as it may not suit every diner’s preference. However, if you seek a spirited, high-energy location for sophisticated cocktails and flavorful bites, Sparrow is an excellent choice. The ambiance is designed to be as stimulating as the menu, creating a full sensory experience that complements the culinary offerings.
The menu at Sparrow reinforces its identity as a bar and lounge with a focus on dining. As explained by our server, Danielle, the menu features small plates intended for sharing, with dishes arriving as they are ready rather than all at once. This approach encourages a relaxed and communal dining experience. Given the smaller table sizes, ordering one or two items at a time is advisable to comfortably enjoy your meal.
The menu is organized into sections including “small plates,” “large plates,” “sushi corner,” “bao buns,” and “sides,” with the cuisine characterized as Asian-inspired. This diverse selection provides a range of flavors and textures to explore. While not explicitly serving traditional ceviche st pete style, the emphasis on fresh seafood and vibrant flavors hints at the culinary philosophy that appreciates the essence of dishes like ceviche – fresh, bright, and invigorating.
The beverage menu is equally well-structured, divided into categories like “The Journey Begins” (non-alcoholic drinks), “Cruise Control” (tropical riffs on classics), “Adventurous” (luxe takes on tropical-tiki), “Group Format” (cocktails for sharing), and “Bubbles & Wine.” This format simplifies the often-overwhelming cocktail selection process.
Venturing into the “Adventurous” section, the Gentleman Kaiju cocktail, a blend of Canaima gin, green chartreuse, and nori, stood out. Its savory and spirit-forward profile was particularly appealing and proved to be a delightful choice. My husband opted for Kodama’s Groove from the “Cruise Control” section, a refreshing mix of Ten to One rum, Wray & Nephew, Midori, Luxardo bitters, lime, pineapple, and matcha. This easy-drinking cocktail is perfect for those who enjoy a bright and tropical flavor profile, although the matcha note might not appeal to everyone.
Alt text: Delicious Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos at Sparrow St. Pete, a rooftop restaurant offering fresh, Asian-inspired small plates in St. Petersburg.
Following the strategy of ordering dishes incrementally, we started with the Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos (crispy fried shrimp, tangy chili sauce, pickled slaw). These street-style tacos, served three per order, arrived promptly and were an instant hit. The light coating on the small shrimp, combined with the chili sauce and pickled slaw, created a balanced and flavorful bite. These tacos are a must-try when visiting Sparrow and exemplify the kind of fresh, vibrant flavors you might expect to find in excellent ceviche st pete restaurants.
Next, we sampled the Crispy Rice with Spicy Tuna Tartare from the small plates section. This dish featured four bite-sized pieces of crispy rice topped with a mixture of tuna, avocado, and sriracha mayo, garnished with a thin slice of serrano chili. Crispy rice dishes are widely popular, and this one was no exception. While the presentation was appealing and the flavors harmonized well, the “crispy” rice leaned more towards chewy in texture. Additionally, the serrano chili slice felt overpowering, overshadowing the other ingredients.
Alt text: Crispy Rice with Spicy Tuna Tartare small plate at rooftop Sparrow restaurant in St. Pete, showcasing fresh seafood and Asian-inspired cuisine.
With our drinks nearing empty, another round was in order. I chose The Edge of Central, a concoction of 512 reposado, Lofi Dry, celery, lime, jalapeño, and salt. This proved to be another enjoyable and easy-drinking selection. My husband opted for The Way of the Mariachi, a highball featuring Don Fulano blanco, Del Maguey chichicapa, pear, Skinos Mastiha, and fino. This drink stood out as his favorite of the night, with prominent notes of smoke and pear creating a unique and memorable flavor profile.
Given Sparrow’s dedicated sushi corner, ordering a roll was essential. We selected the Hamachi Roll with cucumber, serrano pepper, and wasabi tobiko. Unfortunately, this was the most disappointing dish of the evening. The roll appeared hastily assembled, lacking attention to detail in its presentation. It also tasted somewhat bland, which was unexpected. On future visits, exploring other sushi roll options is definitely on the agenda.
Alt text: Hamachi Roll from Sparrow St. Pete’s sushi corner, a rooftop dining experience in St. Petersburg with Asian-fusion cuisine and a focus on fresh ingredients.
In conclusion, Sparrow offers a dynamic and stylish rooftop dining experience in St. Pete’s Edge District. While not specifically a destination for traditional ceviche st pete, its focus on fresh, Asian-inspired seafood dishes and vibrant atmosphere makes it a noteworthy addition to the city’s culinary scene. The energetic lounge vibe, coupled with creative cocktails and shareable small plates, is perfect for a night out with friends or a sophisticated date. While some dishes like the Bang Bang Shrimp Tacos truly shine, others, like the Hamachi Roll, could use refinement. Overall, Sparrow is worth experiencing for its ambiance, views, and unique take on Asian-inspired cuisine in a stunning rooftop setting.
