Maru Rooftop Nikkei

This was my first time at Maru and it absolutely won me over. Savannah was our waitress and she crushed it — super friendly, attentive, and incredibly accommodating the entire time. Huge shoutout to Tera, the manager, as well — she went out of her way to make sure everything was perfect and made us feel genuinely welcomed. The vibe here is spot on — music at just the right volume so you can feel it without shouting over it. Great energy, but still comfortable enough to actually have a conversation. The food was amazing, and the ambiance and layout are beautifully done. All around, a fantastic experience. Great spot, great service, great atmosphere. I’ll definitely be back.

My husband and I came here for drinks and apps and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I had a mocktail and hubby had the mango lychee. Both drinks were great. I’m vegetarian and there was only one veggie option on the entire menu (which was disappointing) but it tasted delicious! Hubby loved his yellow tail. We would definitely go back but would love to see more vegetarian options on the menu. The service was top notch- from valet to bartenders.

This place is absolutely wonderful, offering breathtaking views that are truly unforgettable. The happy hour selection is impressive, featuring a diverse array of creative cocktails and delightful appetizers that cater to every palate. The menu boasts a delightful variety of dishes, ensuring there's something for everyone, from fresh seafood to savory vegetarian options. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, complemented by the exceptional service that makes you feel genuinely valued as a guest. Overall, it’s a phenomenal experience that I would highly recommend.

As locals to Tampa, we enjoy dining out 2-3 times over the weekend at many of the local spots, so we were genuinely excited to visit the new rooftop bar after seeing some videos on Instagram. We arrived on the second week of its opening and called ahead to inquire about reservations, only to learn that it was first come, first serve. Undeterred, we arrived at 8:30 PM on a busy Friday night, eager to enjoy a drink and some small bites. Upon arrival, the restaurant security kindly assisted us in taking the elevator to the rooftop. However, we were surprised to find no host present and no signage indicating we should wait to be seated, so we made our way to the bar area. We noticed an open table near the lounges and decided to take a seat. Just five minutes later, a host informed us that we needed to move because she had a “reservation” for that table. This was a bit frustrating since we had been told earlier there were no reservations, and the couple seated there had just shared the elevator with us, indicating they didn't have one either. We were then moved to a quieter table by the water, which, while a bit removed from the bar atmosphere, was still pleasant. Our new host took my partner's drink order, a Hefeweizen beer, and mentioned that our server would be with us shortly. Unfortunately, after a 10-minute wait with no drinks in sight, a second waitress came to take my order for a lychee martini, but after another 20 minutes with no drinks arriving, we decided to leave. Something we’ve never done due to poor service. Encouraged by the potential for a better experience, we returned the following Sunday afternoon. This time, our waiter was attentive and knowledgeable about the menu, which was a great improvement. Although they were out of the beer my partner had wanted, he helped find a suitable alternative, and I gave the lychee martini another try. Both drinks were enjoyable and reasonably priced compared to other bars in the area. We ordered the lobster roll and Civiche Classico, but unfortunately, the lobster bao bun was a bit disappointing. It was a single bao bun that wasn’t really sharable, and at $19, it felt overpriced. The Civiche portion was more reasonable, but the corn (cancha) was rather dry and chalky. Overall, we appreciate the effort that goes into a new establishment and hope to see these areas improved in the future We probably won’t be racing back

Great views. Pretty tasty small bites. The waygu buns were delicious. Good atmosphere. Definitely a spot to stop in and grab a drink and small bites.

Came here for brunch and was wowed by the quality of food and service. The mustard here is fresh and is quite potent, so listen to the service staff and dilute it with sour cream.

Such a cool rooftop spot with amazing views and great vibes. The cocktails were well-crafted, the atmosphere was fun but relaxed, and the food definitely delivered. Perfect place to catch the sunset, grab drinks with friends, or enjoy a laid-back evening with a view. Would absolutely come back.

We visited on a Tuesday night to celebrate a birthday. we went after having dinner so we did not purchase any food. Lets start with the buzz on the high minimum spend if you make a reservation - we walked in did not have a minimum spend.( Please see response to my review below for clarification on reservations). There were tables available when we arrived around 7:45. We had a party of 2. Apparently, Mondays & Tuesdays are slower than the rest of the week so we did not have a wait. The service is absolutely top notch, from start to finish. This is a real high point. Staff is friendly and well trained. Outstanding!!! The drink menu has a good selection and prices are what you would expect to pay at an upscale place in Tampa. The picture in my review is their specialty gin martini - excellent choice and the most expensive cocktail on the menu. The atmosphere is nice but i must admit that I like several other Tampa places a bit better. Maybe a weekend visit with the DJ would make me feel different. The views are ok in some directions but not great all around. If you look at one of my sunset pictures, there are wires and poles in the line of sight. Overall, it was a pleasant evening. I will come back and update my review as it is definitely a great addition to Tampa. My review is updated to reflect the response, as my facts on the reservation spend was not exactly correct.

Yesterday mt griend and I visited Maru for the first time, and what a beautiful place! From the moment we walked in, the ambiance felt warm, stylish, and inviting. I absolutely enjoyed the beautiful holiday decor. There was an amazing live singer, and she set the perfect vibe. Our drinks were crafted perfectly and our appetizers were delicious and came out quickly. Our server, Melanie M. was great. Overall Maru delivered a wonderful experience. I'm already looking forward to going back. Highly recommend.

Great rooftop cocktail bar with an amazing ambiance. The vibes are definitely a highlight and make it a fun spot to grab drinks and enjoy the views. It is definitely on the pricier side for what you get. Maru isn't really a place for a full dinner since the menu focuses more on small plates. I really enjoyed the A5 Wagyu Temaki and the Otoro Caviar Temaki, both were delicious and beautifully prepared. If you are not looking to spend a lot, I would recommend coming here for cocktails and the rooftop experience, but going to Barcelona beforehand if you want a real dinner.

High prices for mid drinks at best Went here with a fellow yelper as we wanted to try out a new hot spot a few weeks ago. Mixed reviews on here but wanted to get our own taste On a Saturday night there was a line out the door to get in, once we got to the front we found out it wasn't because it was so packed..it was because the elevator was out and you had to walk, up to the rooftop through a staircase....the poor ladies in heels I can only imagine how much worse it was on them! So now that your heart rate is up and now most likely sweating it's time to grab a table..was told 35 min or just stand somewhere. That's okay happy to take in the rooftop sights standing. We head to the bar to check out their signature drinks, they all didn't look appetizing so I went with an easy old fashioned with angels envy. Mine arrived watered down and my friend ordered off their signature menu wishing she didn't. She tried another, should have just gotten a manhattan she said! I really will try and find a silver lining but the ambiance was a bunch of trust fund kids yelling and carrying on like they were at the frat house. Security didn't see a reason to have them tone down even tho they were circling the outside of the bar. Maybe it's acceptable on this side of town. My suggestions would be at the very minimum to fix the elevator and work on your signature menu, if they can do that I'd visit again and maybe try on a week night for a new vibe.

First time at Maru and I loved the rooftop view. The price point was a little high and the portions were small but they were a work of art. I really liked the infusion of traditional favorites like the Mai tai cocktail but with Asian flavors. Also all the fish dishes were fresh and delicious. Some flavor combinations I had never tried before. The staff were amazing and really welcomed us and made our time exactly what we wanted for friends double date night.

I got the Lilac cocktail and it was beautiful and delicious. I love rooftop bars and Maru did not disappoint. The view of the buildings was different from other bars I've been to, but it created a very cozy atmosphere. Weather in Tampa was perfect for this night.

Phenomenal rooftop bar!!! Gorgeous view of bayshore and the water with beautifully designed greenery and lights to make it the perfect ambiance. The p. star pisco martini was AMAZING, an easy 10/10. Old fashioned hit the spot. Drinks are definitely on the $$ end but the view and vibes make it worth it. They have happy hour mon-thurs til 7 so will definitely be back to try some of the small plates!

Beautiful restaurant, beautiful people, beautiful views - the sun sets over the highway, but it is just as stunning. Tampa has limited rooftops, so I'm grateful for this one so close home, too. We loved the music from the DJ, the service from the staff, drinks from the bartender, not so much the food from the kitchen. I had high expectations from the descriptions on the menu and presentation, but it wasn't my favorite meal. The late night vibe is great here with a younger but mature crowd.

Very cool rooftop location just off of BayShore Blvd. They are aiming for an ultra hip experience with beautiful views and beautiful servers in cocktail dresses. The area is a bit under construction and elevator is rickety (apparently scheduled for renovation soon). Use the complimentary valet parking - the garage is a little walk past very smelly garbage containers. Totally worth a tip to avoid that! The rooftop ambience and views are great and if you love raw fish (as I do) the food is well presented and delicious. I had the tuna ceviche and enjoyed it. My wife is not a fan of fish. So there weren't any options for her in the menu. However, there are plenty of options for mixed drinks, wine and beer. And she was quite happy with her champagne as I had my pisco sour. Overall it was a great experience. We plan to bring some guests later this week.

The ambiance of this place... chefs kiss!! We went on a Tuesday where there was live music, grabbed a cocktail and vibed out with the most outstanding views of Bayshore. Unfortunately didn't try any food since we just had dinner before coming here but my dessert cocktail was amazing, I got the monkey business which had chai and banana in there, really felt like a banana espresso martini! So yummy! Service was good and staff was super nice and inviting! I will be back on a weekday, I can't imagine how busy it gets on the weekends.

As much as I've heard hype about this place, it was very mediocre to me. We went during their happy hour, and I will say that their prices for happy hour were affordable compared to normal. However, my drink was not good. I got a French 75, and this was probably the worst one I've had. The sparkling wine in it tasted flat, and it seemed like they just added lemon juice to it, no simple syrup. I'm not always looking for an overly sweet drink, but this almost tasted like they forgot an ingredient. On the plus side, the view is very pretty and service was above average. We sat on the side of the building looking out towards the bay, and the decor in the main patio section was very luscious and pretty. However, where we were sitting, it was just plain tables and no decor, which made it feel a little meh as well. Overall not mad I went but not wanting to go back either.

What a great first impression for a grand opening! The view is impeccable, the food had a great presentation, and the drinks are pretty nifty! The lychee martini is my go to so far, as well as the puesta rosa (it's nonalcoholic, but I added tequila. Shhhh.) The ceviche classico is quite different from what I'm used to, but very tasty! The lobster roll was a hit with my table! The service is great, and i was checked on not just by my server, but by several managers as well! I wish this establishment all the best, and hope they stick around for a long time!

Oh yeah. It's a vibe. A DJ, beautiful people. Seeing and being seen. The food- elite! It will cost u....but we only live once!

Came here for drinks before going to dinner at a different spot. Really enjoyed the vibe and ambiance here. The bar tender was really quick and they offered solutions and options based on what we were craving. Nice service and attention to detail.

Incredible views make the trip to Maru worth it. Mediocre tiny plates and expensive drinks make me shake my head. I've had small plates...these were tiny!

Beautifully designed, easy to find, lovely menu and terrific staff. Every part of our experience was wonderful and the food was so delicious. Definitely a must see.

So, I came in on opening weekend so my experience may be different once this place has been open for a while. We had a really great time at Maru. I expected it to be super busy, but it wasn't. I also expected it to be super pretentious given on opening night they would only give me a reservation (table for 2) with a 500$ minimum spend which was crazy. Regardless of that, I was excited to try this new rooftop nikkei. There establishment is kind of cozy in my opinion. The inside is a small space, but thoughtfully planned and most of the main space is the rooftop. Nestled away in the corner inside is the sushi counter where everything is made. I tried the popular drink which was the lychee martini with salt. That was ok. Then I tried the lime/mint mocktail, also just ok, and then I tried the Pisco and coconut water drink, also just ok. None of the drinks really wowed me, but they weren't bad. The food is where things get tricky because I have been to an authentic Nikkei in South/Central America and I eat Peruvian food all the time including their ceviche for example. This is why I am giving a 3 out of 5 stars because the food was mid and it wasn't what I would consider Peruvian/Japanese Nikkei. Peruvian food is by far some of the most flavorful food on the planet and this food was not it. I still like the restaurant though. I think the view is spectacular, but I also live here so I am a little biased. I think the vibes were great and I think that's probably what matters more to some people these days. Food wise the menu is heavily centered on caviar. We tried the tuna Toro Tamaki, the classic ceviche, a second crudo and maybe one other thing. All of it was about the same to me which would be on the lower end of flavor impact. Nonetheless, it's a great addition and I would recommend this place even if you go just once. Below are some things I also noted: There is no working phone number to reach them at the moment. There does not appear to be a reservation system outside of contacting them on social media (which I didn't do on opening day). Reservations may be available now though. Valet parking is complimentary according yo their IG, but you can easily park in the garage for free. The restaurant seems to keep a credit card tab open for food and drinks like bars do ( they did this when we dined in). We also had to specifically ask for an itemized receipt. The rooftop is about 80% uncovered and open to sunlight. It did not appear that the dress code was being informed as I saw men with shorts, sneakers, and women with jeans, flip flops and sandals on. I felt the menu items were fairly priced, we tried a lot of things and after tip we came in just a little over 100$.

Maru definitely delivers on ambiance with a stylish and lively vibe that makes it a fun spot for a night out. The music is solid, the atmosphere is trendy, service is good and it's got the kind of rooftop energy that draws people in. That said, the drinks are grossly overpriced and honestly I can't justify $129 for 2 glasses of rose and 2 espresso martinis when they're just basic cocktails. Some would argue you're paying for the view of the Bay, but you only have the view if you're standing up looking at it, not while you're seated at the bar or in the outdoor space. If you're indoor, not sure what view you have. Either way, not justifiable and if I want to pay that much for a drink, I'll go to Jekyll because I'm getting a cocktail experience.

First of all the elevator to get to this place feels like you're in a parking garage elevator in Harlem. Not exactly the nicest first impression. It's dirty and smells. The place wasn't particularly busy but it took us 20+ minutes each time we ordered a drink. The food was decent, we tried a few different options, none of which blew my mind enough that I can't wait to come back, but they were good enough. Overall pretty average experience here. I definitely had higher expectations.

Maru Rooftop is exactly what Tampa's been missing. The views are unreal, the vibes are effortlessly chic, and honestly--there's nothing else in town that compares. We went on opening night and the experience was flawless from start to finish. Sat outside on a cozy couch, soaked in the skyline, and everything from the service to the food was on point. The lychee martini was a standout--pricey for Tampa, but worth the splurge. Food came out fresh and fast, and the servers were warm, attentive, and clearly proud to be part of something special. Maru is a total game-changer.

not Sure of why they have 4 guys bartendars watching football checking their fantasy football when is only one girl working hard as bartender, making the experience bad . Instead get 5 girls and you will see more people coming back.

Chef Billy rocked it once again. The small bites are are absolutely amazing. The Food is fire !! Beautiful view, such a great staff, a lovely place for friends or special date. The evening and sunsets are divine. Just Go!

Trendy ambience with good cocktails! Perfect spot for sunset drinks with friendly bartenders. Loved the dirty vodka martini!

Took us an hour and a half from the time we were seated to get the drinks we initially ordered when we sat down. Additionally, the wine glass brought out was extremely dirty. Fair warning as well that the food- listed as small plates- took an hour to come out and for what you get, it is overpriced in my opinion. I recognize that it is new and therefore extremely busy, but our bill was not comped in any sort of way and nor were these issues properly addressed during the time we were waiting for food/drinks.

Super snotty kid who looked like he was 12 told us our IDs were "good fakes" then proceeded to let us inside. Either he wasn't doing his job and is okay letting in underage kids, or he just wanted to be a jerk to us and knew they were real. After that, we decided we would much rather spend our money elsewhere. We are from Texas visiting family here and we will absolutely never come back next time we are in town.

0/10 don't recommend. Our waitress was MIA for at least 30 mins after she dropped off our drinks never even came back around to see how we liked our drinks or if we wanted more. Had to go to the bar to ask the bartender if we could close out because we did not see her or any waitress for a while. He then sent her over to our table. Drinks were below average. They are trying really hard to be S tier but are failing with lack of service and quality cocktails.

My experience was amazing! My server was Jayda and despite it being a busy Friday everything was amazing and came out great I will definitely be back!

Rooftop is beautiful but if you're eating here for dinner please don't. A lobster roll was $18 for 3 pieces and our drinks and food took over an over to come out. Server was nice but told us our food ticket was 'lost' and didn't even remember our drink order like girl tf

Beautiful place. Small plates were delicious and be careful the drinks were addictive! We will be going back again and again! Nothing like it!

Drink are okay - presentation and the view are amazing! The smell of the restaurant is so bad though. I couldn't even order food. Other people in our party did, but the stench of rotten fish was so off putting and nauseating that I couldn't. It also freaked me out because their entire menus is fish. Until they order better fish and fix the smell, I won't be back.

UPDATE: I am very happy to report that Maru's general manager responded to my DM and called me to personally apologize for their security personnel's misunderstanding of their dress code and my denied entry. They have corrected that issue and I will be returning this Friday and she guaranteed I would have a much better experience. Thank you Caroline@Maru!!