20 Wonderful Waterfront Restaurants in Florida With a View

With a perfect blend of great year-round weather and hundreds of miles of coastline, there are many amazing waterfront restaurants in Florida. Florida has more coastline than any other state except Alaska and there are hundreds of waterfront restaurants.

Here are some of our favorite Florida waterfront restaurants.

Waterfront Restaurants in Florida With a View

1. Lazy Days in Islamorada

One of our latest favorite Florida waterfront restaurant finds is Lazy Days in Islamorada. There are plenty of waterfront restaurants to choose from in the Florida Keys but oh my goodness Lazy Days sure does serve up a fantastic blackened grouper sandwich.

Make Lazy Days in Islamorada a stop on your drive between Miami and Key West—in either direction or both! You cannot possibly sit closer to the water without getting your feet wet.

2. Boca Beach Club, Boca Raton

For amazing grilled fish tacos in a remarkable setting or salad hand tossed at your table by friendly server, check out the Beach Club at Boca Resort.

3. 5 o’clock Somewhere Bar & Grill at Margaritaville Hollywood

I have not wasted away nearly enough time at this amazing intracoastal spot. The 5 o’clock Somewhere Bar & Grill is steps away from the main Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort (on the other side of—wait for it—the avenue known as A1A #IYKYK #FinsUp).

4. Pinchers in Naples

Break open a stone crab or ten while watching the boats sashay in and out. Pinchers has over a dozen locations in Florida but I love the waterfront view from their spot in Tin City, Naples.

5. Star Fish in Cortez

Star Fish is in a tiny fishing village called Cortez—no frills, no credit cards, back of a seafood market. This place is a true hidden gem, off the beaten path amazingness, and an amazing Florida Gulf Coast restaurant.

See also our favorite Grouper Sandwiches in Florida.

6, 7, 8. Anna Maria Island: Beach Bistro, Gulf Drive Cafe, Sandbar Restaurant

Our favorite waterfront Anna Maria Island restaurants to put your feet in the sand include Beach Bistro, Sandbar Restaurant, and Gulf Drive Cafe/Kokonut Hut Tiki Bar.

See also Things to Do in Anna Maria Island and Best Places to Watch Anna Maria Island sunsets.

9. Phillippe Creek Oyster Bar

Heading south on Tamiami Trail from downtown Sarasota, make sure you stop at Phillippe Creek Oyster Bar for some of the freshest and tastiest seafood on the Florida Gulf Coast. And make sure you request and wait for a waterfront table.

Also see our favorite things to do in Sarasota.

McCool Travel tip: We love the clever and attractive t-shirts sold here at Phillippe Creek Oyster Bar. Our favorite is “I called in Sea Sick.”

10. Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill in Clearwater Beach

There are surprising few places to eat in the Clearwater Beach area that are on the beach. That was a surprising revelation to me. Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill serves super fresh seafood, provides a fantastic view, and is a great place for lunch with friends.

See also our Best Tampa Restaurants

11. Marina Cantina in Clearwater Beach

Located across the street from the Clearwater Beach and Pier 60, Marina Cantina specializes in tequila and fresh seafood and local produce. Visit their rooftop bar and wait for dining seating on that level. It will be a fantastic all fresco experience.

12. Seabreeze Island Grill in Redington Shores

The tall sign outside Seabreeze advertising $3 margaritas lured us but their tasty food (and the margaritas) made us return every time we visit Indian Rocks Beach. Mahi and grouper tacos are amazingly fresh and the Cuban roasted pork platter is exceptional.

13. Sliders in Fernandina Beach

Enjoy tasty and fresh seafood dishes at Sliders on Amelia Island right on the beach. Put your feet in the sand in the outside seating areas. There is even a playground area so that the kids can play while the adults watch.

14. The Grand Marlin in Panama City Beach

For amazing Gulf coast oysters, local seafood, potent drinks, and incredible desserts, head to The Grand Marlin in Panama City Beach. Request a waterfront table upstairs and enjoy views of the Grand Lagoon (particularly nice on sunset). Save room for the Praline Basket dessert. The Grand Marlin is next to Cape Anderson’s, across the Grand Lagoon Bridge from the east end of PCB.

See also Best Florida Panhandle Beaches

15. Beach Sunset in Tarpon Springs

Make your own scenic place to eat. A couple of friends and I had a picnic dinner at this spot while we waited for sunset. Well worth the wait, right? This is one of my favorite Gulf Coast sunset spots.

16. Olde Bay Cafe and Dunedin Fish Market

Try a blackened grouper sandwich at Olde Bay Cafe just steps from downtown Dunedin Florida. After your fresh grouper and perhaps a slice of key lime pie, head to the Dunedin shops or a stroll on the Pinellas Trail.

Fenway Hotel is a short walk from Olde Bay Cafe.

17. South News Cafe in South Beach (Miami Beach)

South Beach News Cafe along world famous Ocean Drive in Miami Beach Florida is great for people watching. I dare you to eat there and not think of the movie, The Bird Cage with Robin Williams.

See also our article South Florida Scenic Drives

18. Palms Fish Camp in Jacksonville

Since Clark’s Fish Camp closed, our favorite Jacksonville waterfront restaurant is Palms Fish Camp. Their steamed and spiced Mayport shrimp are phenomenal. Nearby Sandollar Restaurant is also reliable for fresh seafood.

19. Cantina Beach at Ritz-Carlton Key Biscayne

Miami’s only oceanfront Mexican restaurant features USA’s first tequilier serving a tequila custom produced for only this Florida resort. I love that you can have your carnitas fajitas and margaritas with your toes in the sand at Cantina Beach.

See also our article Miami Hidden Gems

20. Your Suggestion

There are so many other waterfront restaurants in Florida. Do you have any local favorite Florida restaurants?

See also our Ultimate Guide to US Coastal Scenic Drives.

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