13 Florida Seafood Eateries Bringing Vacation To Your Plate
Florida’s coastline offers some of the freshest seafood in America, served up in restaurants that capture the state’s sunny, laid-back vibe.
From rustic dockside shacks to upscale dining rooms with ocean views, these eateries deliver authentic flavors that transport you straight to vacation mode.
I’ve rounded up 13 must-visit seafood spots across the Sunshine State where you can savor the catch of the day without packing a suitcase.
1. Joe’s Stone Crab – Miami Beach’s Century-Old Legend
Started as a small lunch counter in 1913, Joe’s Stone Crab has grown into Miami’s most iconic seafood institution. Their perfectly cracked stone crab claws served with signature mustard sauce remain virtually unchanged after 100+ years.
Waiting for a table is part of the experience since they don’t take reservations. The vintage atmosphere with tuxedoed waiters adds to the old-Florida charm that keeps celebrities and locals coming back.
Though famous for stone crabs (available October through May), their key lime pie deserves equal praise. The restaurant’s success sparked a nationwide shipping business, but nothing compares to enjoying these sweet, meaty claws at the original location.
2. Bern’s Steak House – Tampa’s Seafood and Wine Paradise
Hidden behind Bern’s famous steaks lies an impressive seafood selection that deserves the spotlight. The restaurant’s dedication to quality extends to their seafood offerings, which often include rare delicacies alongside Gulf favorites.
What makes dining here special is the wine pairing experience. With the largest private wine collection in the world (over 500,000 bottles), servers expertly match vintages with your seafood selection.
After dinner, heading upstairs to the Harry Waugh Dessert Room is essential. This former wine cellar transformed into private dessert booths offers the perfect ending to a meal. Their commitment to excellence shows in every detail, from house-cultivated herbs to made-from-scratch everything.
3. Star Fish Company – Cortez’s Dockside Treasure
Tucked away in the historic fishing village of Cortez, Star Fish Company offers seafood at its most authentic. This no-frills market and dockside eatery serves fish so fresh it was likely swimming that morning.
Cash only and outdoor seating only, Star Fish embodies old Florida charm with picnic tables overlooking the water where fishing boats dock with the day’s catch. Their grouper sandwich lightly breaded and perfectly fried has earned legendary status among locals.
Watching pelicans dive while enjoying your meal adds to the genuine coastal experience. The portions are generous, prices reasonable, and the seafood preparation simple to let natural flavors shine. This hidden gem represents Florida’s fishing heritage in its purest form.
4. Safe Harbor Seafood – Jacksonville’s Working Waterfront Eatery
Located right on Mayport’s working waterfront, Safe Harbor Seafood lets you watch fishing boats unload their catch while you eat. This combination market and restaurant represents the definition of boat-to-plate dining.
Lines often form before opening, but the wait is worth it for their famous Mayport shrimp sweet, tender crustaceans that have made this area renowned among seafood lovers. Their seafood platters arrive piled high with golden-fried treasures caught just yards away.
Enjoying your meal on the covered deck provides front-row seats to authentic fishing village activities. The casual atmosphere, paper plates, and reasonable prices make this a refreshing alternative to tourist traps. For the freshest possible seafood experience in Jacksonville, Safe Harbor can’t be beaten.
5. Walt’s Fish Market – Sarasota’s Fourth-Generation Fish House
Family-owned since 1918, Walt’s combines a fresh seafood market with a laid-back restaurant that locals cherish. Their smoked fish spread a Florida staple consistently ranks among the region’s best, with a secret family recipe passed down through generations.
The restaurant’s Chickee bar and patio hosts live music most evenings, creating the perfect backdrop for enjoying impossibly fresh catches. Walt himself still selects fish each morning, maintaining standards his great-grandfather established over a century ago.
Their grouper cheeks a delicacy often overlooked showcase the family’s deep knowledge of seafood preparation. The unpretentious setting might surprise first-time visitors expecting fancy surroundings, but the quality speaks for itself. Walt’s represents authentic Florida seafood culture that refuses to change with passing trends.
6. Owen’s Fish Camp – Sarasota’s Southern Seafood Hideaway
Named after Owen Burns, an early Sarasota developer, this downtown gem captures Old Florida’s spirit in a converted cottage. The backyard setting feels like a neighborhood fish fry with its tire swing, picnic tables, and string lights creating magical ambiance.
Combining fresh seafood with Southern comfort traditions produces standouts like their shrimp and grits or cornmeal-crusted catfish. The tiny interior fills quickly, but waiting in the backyard with a drink and perhaps some live bluegrass music makes time fly.
Their Low Country boil arrives dramatically in a steaming bucket a shareable feast of shrimp, sausage, potatoes and corn. The restaurant’s quirky décor featuring vintage fishing photos and license plates adds to its authentic charm. Owen’s perfectly balances quality dining with casual, unpretentious atmosphere.
7. Dry Dock Waterfront Grill – Longboat Key’s Bayside Gem
Perched on Sarasota Bay, Dry Dock offers stunning water views that complement their expertly prepared seafood. Their grouper sandwich available blackened, grilled or fried regularly wins awards and keeps locals coming back despite tourist crowds.
Boat parking makes this spot accessible by water, enhancing the coastal dining experience. Dolphin sightings are common while dining on their covered deck, adding natural entertainment to your meal.
Though prices trend higher than some casual spots, the quality and setting justify the splurge. Their seafood pot pie transforms the homey classic with lobster, shrimp and fresh fish in a velvety sauce. Reservations aren’t accepted, so arriving early or being prepared to enjoy drinks during your wait is advisable. This restaurant delivers exactly what visitors hope to find in Florida seafood dining.
8. Singleton’s Seafood Shack – Mayport’s No-Frills Fish House
Housed in a weather-beaten building that’s withstood hurricanes since the 1940s, Singleton’s defines authentic seafood joint. The walls covered with maritime memorabilia and dollar bills tell stories of decades serving fishermen and locals.
Their datil pepper hot sauce a St. Augustine specialty adds perfect heat to already incredible fried shrimp baskets. The blackboard menu changes daily based on what local boats bring in, ensuring everything’s supremely fresh.
Sitting at worn wooden tables watching shrimp boats dock just yards away creates an experience impossible to replicate in fancier establishments. Their minorcan chowder, spiced with datil peppers, offers a taste of northeast Florida’s unique culinary heritage. Singleton’s remains proudly unfussy, focusing on letting exceptional seafood speak for itself rather than fancy presentation.
9. The Back Porch – Destin’s Gulf-Front Institution
Founded in 1974 as a tiny beach bar, The Back Porch pioneered Gulf-to-table dining in Destin before it was trendy. Their amberjack sandwich introduced countless visitors to this underappreciated local fish, creating devoted fans who return year after year.
Floor-to-ceiling windows and extensive deck seating provide breathtaking Gulf views that enhance every meal. Their chargrilled oysters with garlic butter and parmesan have inspired many imitations but few equals.
Families appreciate the casual atmosphere where sandy feet are welcome after a beach day. Despite growing to accommodate its popularity, The Back Porch maintains its original beach shack spirit. Their key lime pie strikes the perfect balance between sweet and tart a refreshing finale to a seafood feast. This restaurant embodies the relaxed sophistication that defines Florida’s Emerald Coast.
10. Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill – Clearwater Beach’s Grouper Headquarters
Situated directly on Clearwater’s famous white sand beach, Frenchy’s Rockaway offers the quintessential Florida dining experience. Their grouper sandwich especially the “Super Grouper” has achieved legendary status among both tourists and locals.
The restaurant’s open-air design lets Gulf breezes flow through as you watch spectacular sunsets. Their she-crab soup, rich and creamy with a hint of sherry, provides the perfect starter before diving into fresher-than-fresh seafood mains.
Live music creates an energetic atmosphere that captures Clearwater’s beach party vibe. As part of a local restaurant group that owns its fishing boats, Frenchy’s guarantees exceptional freshness. Their grouper cheeks a specialty rarely found elsewhere offer a delicate, sweet alternative to typical fish preparations. This beachfront institution delivers Florida’s seafood promise without pretension.
11. Schooners – Panama City Beach’s Last Local Beach Club
Claiming the title of “Last Local Beach Club,” Schooners has served fresh seafood with toes-in-the-sand dining since 1967. Their sunset cannon ritual firing a Civil War replica cannon as the sun touches the Gulf gathers crowds nightly for this uniquely Panama City Beach tradition.
Their smoked tuna dip arrives with a stack of saltines unpretentious yet unforgettable. The restaurant’s weathered wood structure opens completely to the beach, creating an indoor-outdoor space that perfectly captures coastal living.
Watching beach volleyball matches while enjoying royal reds the sweet, deep-water shrimp that are a local specialty epitomizes Florida’s laid-back seafood scene. Despite the area’s development, Schooners maintains its old-school charm. Their key lime pie in a mason jar offers a creative twist on the classic dessert, perfect after a seafood feast.
12. Seafood Atlantic – Port Canaveral’s Dock-to-Dish Pioneer
Owned by commercial fishermen, Seafood Atlantic epitomizes the dock-to-dish concept with fish often served hours after being caught. Located amid Port Canaveral’s working harbor, diners watch fishing vessels unload catches that might appear on plates the same day.
Their fish tacos showcase the day’s catch with minimal adornment just fresh cabbage, lime and homemade sauce letting quality seafood shine. The no-frills setting with plastic chairs and paper plates signals the focus on exceptional product rather than atmosphere.
Watching massive cruise ships pass by adds unexpected entertainment to your meal. Though slightly challenging to find, the reward is some of Florida’s freshest possible seafood. Their stone crab claws (in season) need nothing but the lightest crack and a squeeze of lemon to create seafood perfection. This hidden gem remains a favorite of astronauts from nearby Kennedy Space Center.
13. Garcia’s Seafood Grille – Miami River’s Historic Fish Market
Family-owned since 1966, Garcia’s represents Miami’s fishing heritage before the city became an international hotspot. Their riverside location provides front-row views of working boats navigating the Miami River while downtown skyscrapers create a dramatic backdrop.
Their whole fried yellowtail snapper arrives looking at you crispy outside, flaky inside embodying simple preparation that respects exceptional ingredients. The Garcia family’s Cuban heritage influences seafood preparations with subtle Latin touches.
Watching tugboats guide massive freighters along the narrow river creates a fascinating contrast to typical oceanfront dining. Though tourists have discovered this once locals-only spot, it maintains authentic character. Their fish sandwich massive and overflowing with fresh catch remains one of Miami’s best lunch values. This restaurant connects diners to Miami’s working waterfront history that persists despite surrounding luxury development.
