Rumba Island Bar & Grill — Restaurant in Clearwater

This restaurant has so much parking and yet they do get plenty busy. We came in right before lunch rush so we were able to choose our parking spot as well as get a table outside with no wait time at all, it was pleasant. They have some amazing stuff going on here, it is incredible I must say cause they have ALL DAY EVERY DAY 2for 1 ON SELECTED DRINKS obviously they are not the strongest out there but they let couples get the 2 drinks and don't make the couples get 4 instead and that is real nice, I was super happy that they didn't push us to buy a bunch of drinks to take advantage of the deal. They also have some chap beer if you have their beer mug u only pay like 2 but for refits and that is something to keep in mind if you live near by this restaurant. The server was friendly and come pretty quickly to the table to introduce himself and get out drink orders, however he took a long time to bring drinks and take our order After we made into the order he got us a basket of corn bread and it was great I always appreciate some complementary carbs before I have my meal. RUMBA ISLAND SIGNATURE LIBATION- what a mouth full cake I must say. but this tastes for the most part like a Bahama mama but pretty weak. it was ok if you don't wanna get super loopy but it is definitely a lot of juice in this drinks. CRAB MAC AND CHEESE- this is an appetizer item, funny enough. so the crab is regular crab and the pasta was cooked to perfection, the issues I had with the dish is the fact that the dish had nothing special to it, t tasted real blend and not memorable at all, even the melted cheese on top of it did not help at all for the flavor or to make the appetizer any special. ROCK SHRIMP - this appetizer was hands down a lot better than the Mac and cheese for sure, but I found odd that they had this dish with a side of blue cheese? blue cheese is such a wings iconic taste that it was really a waste to have particular sauce there, perhaps something more to the oriental side like a duck sauce or pans may be more helpful if they really wanna have a side sauce here, which in my opinion is not necessary, if they have the topping sauce they serve the shrimp in a little more generous I think they don't need to have a side sauce. FIESTA SALAD- This salad is a side to the main meal we got, this salad was a disappointment, they served us a compilation of iceberg lettuce and some greens, mango and weirdly Italian dressing, so if this is supposed to be a FIESTA SALAD I assume this is going along the latino lane here, seeing the mango I kind of felt like I was in the right track to expect the latino vibe, but the Italian dressing taste did not work with the salad and just made me feel like this was a either lazy or completely misinformed attempt to make some lain inspired dishes. RASTA PASTA (SEA FOOD)- I usually do not have much luck with seafood pasta cause some places can't get rid of the fishy taste or try to balance with citrus and end up making all so tangy that it makes me cringe, but here they surprisingly nailed it! the pasta was not at all tangy, I loved the fact that the pasta was cooked to perfection, they also have a good amount of seafood in the dishfor sure, after sharing the other appetizers, this past is amazing and I am glad we got it! After the meal we were considering trying some dessert but once again, most wait staff just assume people do not eat dessert and never bother to go for that up-sale, I know that some or most people are not super for dessert after their meal but some are, and it does serve well to the waiter to try and sell the item for sure. overall, the place is Nic, well decorated and has some amazing outside sitting that besides the usual bugs it is pretty nice to sit and enjoy yourself, the food is pretty good and some items are better than others for sure but over all the place does serve some good food and the drink specials are just super great. I like it here and I plan to come...

Rumba Island Bar and Grill in Clearwater, Florida, is a true gem that brings the flavors and spirit of the Caribbean to the Gulf Coast. Nestled in a picturesque setting, this vibrant eatery offers a delightful escape from the ordinary, where each visit feels like a mini vacation.

Upon arrival, you're greeted by a lively atmosphere that perfectly captures the essence of island living. The tropical décor, complete with palm trees and tiki torches, sets the stage for a relaxed and enjoyable dining experience. Whether you're sitting inside or on the breezy patio, the ambiance immediately puts you in a vacation state of mind.

The menu at Rumba is a treasure trove of Caribbean-inspired dishes, each more enticing than the last. During our visit, I indulged in the Rumba Trio, a spectacular medley of grilled shrimp, chicken, and mahi-mahi. Each component was cooked to perfection: the shrimp were plump and juicy, the chicken was tender with a delightful smoky flavor, and the mahi-mahi was fresh and flaky, with a subtle hint of citrus. The trio was accompanied by a zesty mango salsa and perfectly seasoned rice, creating a harmonious blend of flavors that danced on the palate.

My wife opted for the Seafood Boil, a dish that truly embodies the spirit of coastal dining. The generous bowl was overflowing with clams, mussels, shrimp, and succulent crab legs, all simmered in a robust, garlicky broth that was rich with flavor and just the right amount of spice. The seafood was impeccably fresh and cooked to perfection, each bite bursting with the essence of the sea. The accompanying corn on the cob and red potatoes soaked up the savory broth, adding an extra layer of deliciousness to the meal.

Beyond the food, Rumba Island Bar and Grill excels in creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. The staff are not only friendly but also genuinely passionate about providing a great dining experience. Their attentive service and helpful recommendations made our visit even more enjoyable.

No visit to Rumba would be complete without sampling their extensive drink menu. Their signature cocktails, like the refreshing Rumba Punch, are crafted with precision and a generous splash of island spirit. Each sip was a delightful reminder of the tropics and perfectly complemented our meal.

In summary, Rumba Island Bar and Grill is a must-visit destination in Clearwater for anyone looking to savor the vibrant flavors of the Caribbean in a relaxed and welcoming setting. Whether you're there for the expertly grilled seafood, the tantalizing tropical cocktails, or the unbeatable ambiance, Rumba delivers an unforgettable dining experience. We left feeling like we'd had a taste of the islands and can't wait to...

We have driven past this place many times. This time we were looking for dinner someplace we hadn't stopped before.

First of all, I love the ambiance. The hosts station is outside, in front of the outdoor bar. There is plenty of outdoor seating, and they had live acoustic music on a Sunday night. But we chose to be seated inside.

The inside area still feels like an island bar. High open ceilings adorned with wicker ceiling fans over an open floorplan. The atmosphere helped foster a relaxing end to a day at the beach. I would visit again just to sit and enjoy the environment.

Everyone from the hostess to the server to the person who brought out our meals was welcoming and friendly. Everyone genuinely seemed to be enjoying their evenings, and showed a sincere interest in creating a positive dining experience. Our server could have perhaps been slightly more attentive, but overall we were pleased.

Now the food... That's the key, right? They started us off with cornbread muffins that were delicious. My wife isn't a cornbread fan, but even she found them enjoyable. She ordered jumbo shrimp (they were definitely jumbo), along with vegetables and parmesan mashed potatoes. I had pulled pork with the same mashed potatoes and fries (loading up on the carbs). The fries were simply ok. The mashed potatoes were smooth and creamy, topped with fried onion straws and fried plantain. Fantastic. The menu says the pulled pork is smoked fresh daily, and I believe it. But next time I'll have them put the barbecue sauce on the side. It was a bit much for me.

Overall, I felt we got excellent value for our dinner. $35 bought two dinner plates and a soda (one of us had water to drink). Considering we had the cornbread, and each had a tasty entree and two sides, and as good as the food was, we were pleased.

In short, do I recommend? Absolutely. And we will for sure...