kid-friendly restaurants in tampa bay RumFish Grill St Pete Beach

RumFish Grill: A Favorite Kid-Friendly Restaurant You Must Try!

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Eat. Drink. Shop. Learn. 

RumFish Grill, one of our favorite kid-friendly restaurants in Tampa Bay, has made a big splash on St. Pete Beach with its one-of-a-kind restaurant, bar and shop located at the new RumFish Beach Resort by TradeWinds. But did you know that it’s also a place where you can learn about Tampa Bay’s tropical environment? 

Simply dining at RumFish Grill will open your family’s eyes to the wonders of the underwater world. A 33,500-gallon tank spans an entire wall of the dining room – it’s a stunning sight to see as you enjoy the chef’s latest culinary creations. This amazing tank is inhabited by large fish indigenous to Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. It was built by Wayde King and Brett Raymer of Animal Planet’s hit series “Tanked” and was featured on the show. A four-foot green moray eel, “Frankie,” shares the coral ledge and rocks with grouper, while more than 37 species including snook, redfish, spotted trout and lookdowns cruise by. 

Patel Conservatory dancers perform as baby mice in Next Generation Ballet's production of Nutcracker.

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Right next to the dining room, you can explore an underwater viewing area and an educational hallway that features illustrations and information about the marine life inside the tanks. You can also visit two other tanks at RumFish Grill: the Juvenile Tank, home to 15 species from the Southern Gulf of Mexico; and the Predator & Lionfish Tank, home to the majestic lionfish, which is actually invasive to the Gulf. Here you can read signage and learn about lionfish invasion from Reef.org. 

“Behind-the-Scenes” Tours 

But visiting the various tanks as part of your dining experience is just one way your family can learn about the area’s fascinating underwater world. As a hotel guest, you can also enjoy a personal “behind-the-scenes” tour highlighting eco-initiatives and tank management, including the chance to feed the fish. 

Touch Tank Experience 

While staying at the RumFish Resort you can also take advantage of a complimentary, hands-on learning experience by visiting the Touch Tank. This kid-friendly exhibit lets you hold sea urchins and other sea critters and learn some interesting marine trivia facts. 

A Totally Immersive Learning Experience: Swim with the Fishes 

If you want to plunge even deeper into the aquarium experience at RumFish Grill, you can actually swim with the fishes! This snorkeling adventure is led by experts from the Marine Exploration Center. Their mission is to enhance the public’s understanding of the value and fragility of the marine environment through research, education and personal experiences. Anyone eight and older can enjoy this incredible experience, but it’s highly recommended that a participating adult accompany children eight through 12. Call 727.329.1433 or visit SwimWithOurFish.com for more details and advance reservations. 

Make a splash on St. Pete Beach this summer, call 877.257.3716 or visit JustLetGo.com/SUMMER to book your stay!