Seven stories up at the Aloft/Element hotels in Midtown Tampa, Sal Y Mar has quietly turned into a go-to sunset perch, pairing skyline views with a seafood-focused small-plates lineup. Executive Chef Cristian Ruiz has reworked the kitchen to lean into Spanish and Latin flavors, with Italian and American touches pulled from his Venezuelan background. The poolside rooftop eases from relaxed sunset dining into a music-forward weekend hangout, giving downtown another vantage point to watch the city switch on for the night.
Chef's modern coastal menu
In an interview with FOX 13 Tampa Bay, Ruiz, who has worked in hospitality for more than 20 years, said he took over the menu almost a year ago with the goal of surprising rooftop diners with elevated plates. He pointed to a seafood paella built on a house-made lobster broth, arepitas topped with chicken and avocado salad, and stuffed dates wrapped in bacon and finished with Manchego foam. “This place is awesome since I got here,” Ruiz told FOX 13 Tampa Bay, and guests say the mix of shareable bites and cocktails fits the rooftop backdrop.
Rooftop hours, happy hour and special events
According to Sal Y Mar, the rooftop serves lunch, weekend brunch and dinner, and offers a weekday happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m. The venue’s Sal Y Mar listings show weekly activations and seasonal parties, and the space also promotes itself as an events venue for weddings and private bookings. Bar hours run later on Fridays and Saturdays, which helps the restaurant shift from dinner service into a late-night rooftop scene.
Where it sits in Midtown
The rooftop tops the dual-branded Aloft and Element hotel at 3650 Midtown Drive, a spot midway between downtown and Westshore, according to the hotel’s dining listing. That central address puts Sal Y Mar close to Midtown’s shopping and dining cluster and makes it an easy stop for hotel guests and locals chasing sunset drinks.
Quick tips before you go
Reservations are available through OpenTable and the restaurant’s reservation tool, and the kitchen posts special menus for events like Tampa Bay Restaurant Month. For reservations, call (813) 692-3330 or use the reservation links. Take a moment to review the rooftop’s dress-code guidance, and keep in mind that rooftop pool access is reserved for hotel guests, according to the Midtown Tampa directory.
