Dining guide · Benchmark International Arena
Restaurants Near Benchmark International Arena
Places for a meal before a Lightning game or concert, with addresses, menus and reservation options.
Start with your event time at 401 Channelside Drive, then choose a restaurant and check its hours for that day. The places below cover Channelside, Water Street, downtown and Harbour Island. Each entry links to the business's own site and shows when its source was checked. Use the address links to plan the route from your parking spot to dinner and your arena entrance.
Casual food and sports bars
Yard House is across Channelside Drive from the arena. Sparkman Wharf offers several dining businesses in one complex, while Hattricks is on Franklin Street downtown. Compare the menus and opening hours before choosing where to stop.
Yard House
450 Channelside Dr · Channelside Drive · map
A restaurant and bar across Channelside Drive from the arena. Its location page has the menu, hours and current seating options. Check those for your event date before planning a meal or a stop after the show.
Source: Yard House Tampa location page · source checked 2026-08-27
Sparkman Wharf
615 Channelside Dr · Channelside · map
An outdoor dining garden with several food vendors, alongside restaurants in the same complex. Use its dining directory to choose a vendor and check that business's hours and ordering arrangements. Seating and reservation options vary by business.
Source: Sparkman Wharf official site · source checked 2026-09-13
Hattricks
107 S Franklin St · Downtown, Franklin Street · map
A sports bar with wings, sandwiches and other pub food. Its official site publishes menus and hours. The closing time can depend on business volume, so check directly if your plan depends on eating after a late event.
Source: Hattricks official site · source checked 2026-09-13
Dinner reservations on Water Street
The Pearl and Columbia Cafe both link to reservations from their official sites. Check the available seating time against your event schedule and leave time for the meal, the walk and entry to the arena.
The Pearl
823 Water St, Suite C-100 · Water Street · map
A restaurant, tavern and oyster room with lunch, dinner and weekend brunch menus. The Tampa section of its site links to reservations and lists service hours. Choose a seating time that leaves room for the meal and the walk to your arena entrance.
Source: The Pearl official site, Tampa location · source checked 2026-09-13
Columbia Cafe at the Tampa Bay History Center
801 Water St · Water Street and the Riverwalk · map
Waterfront dining at the Tampa Bay History Center, with Cuban sandwiches and other Columbia dishes. The cafe page includes its menu, hours and a reservation link. Select this cafe location when booking; the Columbia also has a separate restaurant in Ybor City.
Source: Columbia Restaurant official cafe page · source checked 2026-09-13
Food and bowling before a show
Splitsville is an option if your group wants an activity as well as dinner. Bowling and dining have separate reservation paths; allow time for both before heading to the arena.
Splitsville Tiki + Social
615 Channelside Dr, Suite 120 · Sparkman Wharf · map
Dining and bowling in the Sparkman Wharf complex. The menu includes sushi, rice dishes, pizza and burgers. The Tampa page has separate links for dining-only reservations and bowling lanes, so check both if you want a meal and a game before the event.
Source: Splitsville Tampa location page · source checked 2026-09-13
Dining on Harbour Island
American Social
601 S Harbour Island Blvd, #107 · Harbour Island · map
A waterfront restaurant and sports bar on Harbour Island. Include the bridge crossing in your route to the arena. Check the Tampa location page for current hours, menus and reservation options, especially if you plan to eat after the event.
Source: American Social Tampa official site · source checked 2026-08-27
Eating after the event
Check kitchen hours as well as the restaurant or bar's closing time. A late bar closing does not establish that a full menu will still be available. Hattricks also notes that its closing time depends on business volume. If your event may finish late, confirm food service for that night before relying on a particular stop.
Parking for dinner and the event
Choose a parking location that works for both destinations, then check its posted rate and closing or retrieval rules. Our Benchmark International Arena parking guide covers downtown garages, street parking and the streetcar from Ybor. Compare the route to your restaurant as well as the route to the arena.
Quick answers
Is this the same arena as Amalie Arena?
Yes. Benchmark International Arena is the building at 401 Channelside Drive previously called Amalie Arena. Older restaurant listings and maps may still use the Amalie name.
Which restaurant is across the street from the arena?
Yard House is at 450 Channelside Drive, across the street from the arena. Check your ticket for the arena entrance and use a mapped pedestrian route when planning the walk.
Can you eat near the arena without a reservation?
Sparkman Wharf has several food vendors to consider for a casual meal. Restaurants may also offer walk-in seating or waitlists, but this guide does not show current availability. If you need a fixed dining time, check the restaurant's booking options before making the rest of your plan.
Related guides
- Benchmark International Arena parking: garages, street parking and the streetcar
- Port Tampa Bay cruise parking, in the Channelside district
- Hotels near the MIDFLORIDA Amphitheatre
Source dates are shown beside the information they support. Confirm current details before your trip. Sources and editorial method.