11 Stunning Florida Beach Restaurants That Serve Food with a Side of Ocean Views
Florida’s coastline offers more than just beautiful beaches and warm sunshine. Amazing restaurants line the shores, serving delicious food while waves crash just steps away from your table. Picture enjoying fresh seafood as dolphins play in the distance or sipping a cold drink while watching a spectacular sunset over the Gulf of Mexico.
1. Shooters Waterfront
Located right on the Intracoastal Waterway, this Fort Lauderdale favorite combines casual dining with stunning water views. Boaters can pull right up to the dock while land visitors enjoy watching yachts cruise by during lunch.
Fresh seafood dominates the menu, with their famous coconut shrimp and grouper sandwich drawing crowds daily. The outdoor deck provides the perfect spot to catch Florida’s incredible sunsets.
Families love the relaxed atmosphere where kids can watch manatees swimming below. Weekend live music adds extra excitement to an already magical dining experience.
2. Dry Dock Waterfront Grill
Perched along Longboat Key’s pristine waters, this hidden gem offers unobstructed bay views that stretch for miles. Local fishermen often dock nearby, ensuring the freshest catch appears on your plate within hours.
Stone crab claws and blackened red snapper showcase the chef’s commitment to Florida’s bounty. The covered patio protects diners from afternoon showers while maintaining those breathtaking water vistas.
Happy hour brings discounted drinks and appetizers as pelicans dive for fish just beyond the seawall. Regular customers claim the key lime pie rivals any dessert found throughout the Keys.
3. Beach House Waterfront Restaurant
Anna Maria Island’s crown jewel sits directly on the sand, offering diners the rare chance to feel ocean breezes between their toes. Waves literally lap against the restaurant’s foundation during high tide.
Gulf shrimp and locally caught grouper headline a menu that changes based on daily fishing reports. The open-air design means every table enjoys panoramic ocean views and natural air conditioning.
Morning coffee tastes better while watching sunrise paint the sky in brilliant oranges and pinks. Dolphins frequently swim past during dinner, creating unforgettable memories for visitors and locals alike.
4. Waterfront
Situated on Key Biscayne’s exclusive shores, this upscale establishment elevates beachside dining to an art form. Crystal-clear waters and swaying palm trees create a tropical paradise just minutes from downtown Miami.
Mediterranean-inspired dishes blend perfectly with fresh Florida ingredients, creating unique flavors that complement the stunning scenery. The infinity pool seems to merge seamlessly with Biscayne Bay beyond.
Wealthy yacht owners frequently anchor offshore while enjoying multi-course meals on the elegant terrace. Weekend brunch features bottomless mimosas and spectacular views of the Miami skyline across the sparkling water.
5. Palm Pavilion Beachside Grill & Bar
Right on Clearwater Beach’s famous white sand, this colorful institution has been serving beachgoers for decades. Volleyball tournaments happen just yards away while diners enjoy cold drinks and hot wings.
The tiki-style bar serves tropical cocktails that taste even better with sand between your toes. Fish tacos and conch fritters provide the perfect fuel for a day of sun and surf.
Beach umbrellas and lounge chairs surround the restaurant, creating a laid-back atmosphere where time seems to slow down. Spectacular Gulf sunsets provide daily entertainment that no television could ever match.
6. Ocean Grill
Vero Beach’s most romantic dining destination sits atop coastal dunes with commanding Atlantic Ocean views. Historic charm meets modern cuisine in this renovated 1940s beach cottage turned elegant restaurant.
Lobster thermidor and beef tenderloin showcase the kitchen’s commitment to fine dining while crashing waves provide natural background music. Candlelit tables on the oceanfront deck create intimate moments under starry skies.
Sea turtle nesting season brings extra magic as these gentle giants emerge from the surf just below the restaurant. Anniversary celebrations and marriage proposals happen regularly in this enchanting seaside setting.
7. Beach House
Bradenton Beach’s casual gathering spot welcomes everyone from sunburned tourists to local fishing guides with equal enthusiasm. Picnic tables on the sand create a true beach party atmosphere every single day.
Grouper sandwiches the size of dinner plates and ice-cold beer buckets fuel endless summer fun. Live bands perform weekend concerts while waves provide percussion accompaniment.
Kids build sandcastles between courses while parents relax with frozen margaritas and stunning Gulf views. The no-shoes-required policy perfectly captures Florida’s laid-back beach culture where stress melts away with the setting sun.
8. Longboards Oceanfront Grille
Neptune Beach surfers grab post-session meals at this laid-back spot where surfboards decorate the walls and ocean views dominate every window. The smell of salt air mixes perfectly with sizzling burgers.
Fish and chips made with locally caught mahi-mahi satisfy hungry wave riders and beach walkers alike. The second-story deck provides elevated views of surfers catching waves just offshore.
Sunrise breakfast brings early risers hoping to spot dolphins playing in the morning surf. The casual vibe and reasonable prices make this a favorite among locals who consider it their neighborhood hangout.
9. Amara at Paraiso
Miami Beach’s most sophisticated rooftop experience towers above the Atlantic, offering 360-degree views that include both ocean and city skyline. Fashion models and celebrities frequently choose this glamorous spot for special occasions.
Japanese-Mediterranean fusion cuisine matches the restaurant’s international flair and stunning presentation. Craft cocktails cost as much as some entrees but provide Instagram-worthy moments against the glittering backdrop.
Reservation lists fill weeks in advance, especially for sunset tables overlooking the endless blue Atlantic. The dress code requires upscale attire, making this Florida’s most elegant beachside dining destination.
10. Benny’s On The Beach
Lake Worth Beach locals consider this their best-kept secret, though word is spreading about the incredible fish tacos and unbeatable ocean views. Surfers often stop by between sessions still wearing their wetsuits.
The outdoor deck practically hangs over the sand, making diners feel like they’re eating on a private beach. Cold beer and hot wings taste better when consumed just steps from crashing Atlantic waves.
Fishing pier stretches into the ocean nearby, providing entertainment as anglers battle tarpon and snook. Budget-friendly prices and generous portions make this a favorite among families and young professionals alike.
11. Joia Beach
Miami Beach’s newest sensation combines South Beach glamour with Mediterranean coastal cuisine in a stunning oceanfront setting. Influencers and food bloggers flock here for both the cuisine and photo opportunities.
Whole branzino and lamb chops reflect the chef’s Greek heritage while tropical cocktails celebrate Florida’s party atmosphere. The infinity pool appears to flow directly into the Atlantic Ocean beyond.
Day beds and cabanas create a resort-like experience where lunch can easily turn into an all-day celebration. Weekend DJ sets transform the restaurant into Miami’s hottest beach party destination after dark.
