Florida’s coastline offers more than just beautiful beaches—it’s home to incredible dining experiences where ocean views complement delicious cuisine. From casual beachside grills to upscale waterfront establishments, these restaurants combine fresh seafood, creative menus, and breathtaking scenery. Whether you’re watching dolphins play while enjoying breakfast or savoring a sunset cocktail, these 11 beachfront eateries deliver unforgettable dining with a side of spectacular views.
1. Beach House Waterfront Restaurant, Bradenton Beach
Nestled on the sugar-white sands of Anna Maria Island, this Gulf-front gem offers panoramic water views from nearly every table. Sunset dinners here become magical experiences as the sky transforms into a canvas of oranges and pinks.
Fresh seafood dominates the menu, with grouper sandwiches and coconut shrimp stealing the spotlight. The casual, laid-back atmosphere welcomes sandy feet and salty hair straight from the beach.
A spacious deck extends over the shoreline, allowing diners to feel the gulf breeze while spotting dolphins. The restaurant’s signature tropical drinks pair perfectly with the island vibe that keeps locals and tourists returning year after year.
2. Palm Pavilion Beachside Grill & Bar, Clearwater
Since 1926, Palm Pavilion has been a Clearwater Beach institution, serving generations of beachgoers from its prime spot overlooking the Gulf. The historic building maintains its old Florida charm while offering front-row seats to what many consider America’s best beach.
Live music fills the air most afternoons, creating the perfect soundtrack to accompany blackened mahi sandwiches and conch fritters. Families appreciate the kid-friendly menu and casual vibe where no one minds a little sand between the toes.
Grab a seat on the covered patio during the golden hour to witness Clearwater’s famous sunsets. The reasonably priced menu makes this spot accessible for everyday dining, not just special occasions.
3. Beach House, Pompano Beach
Perched directly on the Atlantic, this sleek, modern establishment brings upscale dining to Pompano’s shoreline. Floor-to-ceiling windows throughout the restaurant ensure ocean views from every angle, while the expansive outdoor terrace puts diners just steps from the sand.
Seafood towers arrive at tables piled high with stone crabs, oysters, and jumbo shrimp. The chef’s commitment to sustainable fishing practices means the menu changes with what’s fresh and in season.
Morning beach walks can end with the restaurant’s renowned Sunday brunch, where bottomless mimosas flow freely. The sophisticated yet unpretentious atmosphere makes Beach House perfect for both special celebrations and elevated everyday dining when only ocean views will do.
4. Waterfront, Stuart
Tucked along the St. Lucie River, this historic building dates back to 1926 and offers a dining experience steeped in Old Florida elegance. The restaurant’s multiple decks provide sweeping views of the river where manatees and sailboats glide by throughout the day.
Seafood dominates the menu, with Florida stone crabs (in season) and freshly caught snapper prepared with simple, classic techniques that let quality ingredients shine. The restaurant’s famous key lime pie offers the perfect sweet finish to a waterside meal.
Inside, nautical touches and historic photographs celebrate Stuart’s rich maritime history. Sunday brunch here has become a tradition for locals who gather for crab cake benedicts while watching fishing boats return with their morning catch.
5. Dry Dock Waterfront Grill, Longboat Key
Tucked into a working marina on Sarasota Bay, Dry Dock combines front-row water views with some of Florida’s finest seafood. Boats bob gently in their slips just feet from your table, creating a quintessential Florida dining backdrop.
The grouper sandwich consistently ranks among the area’s best, while the blue crab hushpuppies have developed a cult following. Sharp-eyed diners often spot dolphins, manatees, and ospreys while enjoying their meals on the covered deck.
Unlike flashier waterfront spots, Dry Dock maintains an authentic, slightly hidden feel that locals prefer. The restaurant’s location at the quiet end of Longboat Key keeps it feeling like a secret, despite regularly appearing on “best of” lists for waterfront dining in Florida.
6. Shooters Waterfront, Fort Lauderdale
A Fort Lauderdale institution since 1982, Shooters epitomizes the city’s glamorous waterfront lifestyle. Situated on the Intracoastal Waterway, the restaurant offers prime viewing of everything from modest fishing boats to multi-million dollar yachts parading past.
The extensive menu ranges from sushi to steaks, though seafood remains the star. Weekend brunches attract a see-and-be-seen crowd with unlimited mimosas and a bloody mary bar that’s become legendary among locals.
Multiple dining areas include dockside tables, a covered patio, and an indoor space with floor-to-ceiling windows. The 340-foot dock allows boaters to arrive by water, tying up for a meal before continuing their Intracoastal adventures—a quintessential Fort Lauderdale experience.
7. Benny’s On The Beach – Pier, Lake Worth Beach
Literally built on the Lake Worth Pier, Benny’s offers what might be Florida’s most authentic over-the-water dining experience. Waves crash directly beneath your feet as you dine, with nothing between you and the Atlantic but the pier’s wooden planks.
Breakfast here has achieved legendary status—crab cake benedict and lobster omelets served with unmatched sunrise views over the ocean. The restaurant’s famous Bloody Marys come garnished with a meal’s worth of additions, including bacon, shrimp, and celery.
Fishermen work the pier just steps from the restaurant, sometimes catching dinner before your eyes. The casual, come-as-you-are atmosphere welcomes everyone from surfers fresh from the waves to couples celebrating special occasions with champagne at sunset.
8. Longboards Oceanfront Grille, Melbourne
Named for the surfboards that dot Melbourne Beach, this casual spot brings Hawaiian-inspired flavors to Florida’s Space Coast. The restaurant’s expansive windows and outdoor deck provide uninterrupted views of the Atlantic and the surfers who frequent this stretch of shoreline.
Poke bowls and fish tacos highlight the Pacific-meets-Atlantic menu, while the full bar specializes in tropical concoctions served in tiki mugs. Families appreciate the relaxed atmosphere where kids can watch for sea turtles between bites.
During rocket launches from nearby Cape Canaveral, Longboards becomes one of the area’s prime viewing locations. The restaurant often hosts launch parties where diners can enjoy the spectacle of spacecraft ascending over the ocean—a uniquely Space Coast dining experience.
9. Ocean Grill, Vero Beach
Housed in a historic building perched on a rocky outcrop, Ocean Grill has been a Vero Beach landmark since 1941. The restaurant’s unique position jutting into the Atlantic creates the illusion of dining on a ship, with waves sometimes spraying against the windows during high tides.
Old Florida elegance defines both the atmosphere and menu, with classics like oysters Rockefeller and snapper meunière prepared with timeless technique. The dark wood interior, filled with maritime antiques, feels like stepping into a different era.
Stories of ghosts haunting the historic building add intrigue to dinner conversations. Generations of families have celebrated special occasions here, making reservations for window tables months in advance to secure the best ocean panoramas.
10. Amara at Paraiso, Miami
Celebrity chef Michael Schwartz’s waterfront masterpiece brings sophisticated Latin American flavors to Biscayne Bay. Floor-to-ceiling windows and a stunning outdoor terrace frame postcard-worthy views of Miami’s skyline rising across the sparkling bay waters.
Wood-fired cooking defines the menu, with whole fish, tender short ribs, and freshly made arepas emerging from the open kitchen. The restaurant’s design brilliantly blends indoor and outdoor spaces, allowing Miami’s perfect weather to become part of the dining experience.
Unlike South Beach’s see-and-be-seen spots, Amara offers a more authentic Miami experience in the emerging Edgewater neighborhood. Sunset cocktail hour here has become a ritual for locals who gather for the restaurant’s exceptional mezcal selection and the golden light that bathes the bay each evening.
11. Joia Beach, Miami
Hidden on a small beach on Watson Island, this European-inspired beach club brings Mediterranean coastal vibes to Miami. Cabanas and day beds dot the sandy shore, while tables nestled under a thatched roof offer shade with uninterrupted views of downtown Miami’s skyline across the bay.
The menu spans the Mediterranean coastline—Spanish paellas, Greek spreads, and Italian crudos all make appearances. Weekends transform the space into a scene straight from Saint-Tropez, with DJs spinning as champagne flows freely into the evening.
Arriving by boat adds to the experience, with the restaurant’s dock accommodating vessels up to 165 feet. As Miami’s only true beach club restaurant, Joia offers a European escape without leaving Florida—complete with that impossible-to-replicate feeling of toes in the sand while dining on fresh seafood.
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