16 Wonderful Waterfront Restaurants in Florida With a View

With a perfect blend of great year-round weather and hundreds of miles of coastline, it stands to reason that 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. South News Cafe in South 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 8 Spectacular Scenic Drives in South Florida Near Miami

2. 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 11 Favorite Secret Hidden Gems in South Florida

3. Pinchers in Naples

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

4. 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.

5. 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).

6. Anna Maria Island: Beach Bistro, Gulf Drive Cafe, AMI Oyster

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

7. Star Fish in Cortez

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

See also 13 Best Grouper Sandwiches in Florida.

8. Marina Cantina in Clearwater Beach

Located across the street from the glorious Pier 60 at Clearwater Beach, Marina Cantina specializes in tequila and fresh seafood and local produce. Rooftop bar and dining seating.

9. 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 10 Best Tampa Restaurants

10. Sea Breeze Island Grill in Redington Shores

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

11. 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.

12. 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 14 Best Florida Panhandle Beaches

13. Clark’s Fish Camp in Jacksonville

Oh, you gotta go to this Old Florida restaurant. Clark’s Fish Camp is off the beaten path, a little difficult to find, but worth adding to your places to eat in Florida list. Entering the building, you pass by a dizzying array of stuffed animals, which eerily watch in-house diners. Fish is literally (yes, literally) caught fresh from the water next to the dining area. The exotic meats (see below) are not fresh but wow what a collection. Yes, I ate things here that I have not had anywhere else. Oh, they did NOT taste like chicken!

14. 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.

15. Olde Bay Cafe and Dunedin Fish market

16. Your Suggestion

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

See also these fun Florida travel articles:

• Scenic Drives in Florida
• Great Spots to Visit in the Florida Keys
• Great Key West Tips
• Places to See Miami Like a Native

Places to Eat in Florida Local Restaurant Recommendations was first published for McCool Travel on 15 October 2018.

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