Orlando may be a landlocked Florida gem, but that doesn’t mean we don’t like to soak up a little sun — we just need to travel a bit if we want to feel the ocean spray, too. Now’s a perfect time to hit the beach for some tropical vibes and day drinking, so hop in the car and make your way to one of the 24 best beachside restaurants and bars within driving distance of Orlando.

Some are on the east coast and some are on the west, so take your pick — there’s plenty of options either way. And rest assured, you’ll never be too far from beer buckets and frozen cocktails.

Coconuts on the Beach 2 Minutemen Causeway, Cocoa Beach Sitting right next to the Atlantic, Coconuts on the Beach is decked out in tropical tiki decor. Cool off inside or take advantage of the outdoor seating while you enjoy eats like conch fritters and satisfying burgers, as well as a selection of boozy buckets or draft beer in your very own souvenir cup. Credit: Photo via Coconuts on the Beach Cocoa Beach/Facebook
Photo via Caddy’s on the Beach/Facebook 9000 W. Gulf Blvd., Treasure Island This Treasure Island restaurant located directly on the beach is the perfect spot to sink your toes into some genuine Gulf of Mexico sand. Grab a cold one, play frisbee, or simply sit back and relax with an ideal sunset view. It also has private cabanas for a more exclusive feel to your beach day. Credit: Photo via Caddy’s on the Beach/Facebook
Whiskey Joe’s Bar & Grill 7720 W. Courtney Campbell Causeway, Tampa Whiskey Joe’s is the most beachside you can get on Florida’s west coast. The spot is located on a private beach, so boaters can pull right up to the shore to enjoy drinks, eats and a designated party area. Credit: Photo via Whiskey Joe’s Bar & Grill
The Oasis Tiki Bar 313 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach Soak up the sun at this Daytona Beach tiki bar that really is its own little oasis. There’s live music by a variety of local musicians, a solid selection of tropical drinks, and tons of classic salty, fried, beach-appropriate eats. Credit: Photo via The Oasis Tiki Bar
Woody’s Waterfront 7308 Sunset Way, St. Pete Beach This casual seafood spot offers views of Blind Pass and the Gulf of Mexico. Grab a beer (or go all-out Florida with a frozen cocktail) and dive into one of their famous baskets of chicken, shrimp, clams or chicken wings. But make sure to bring the bucks, because this spot is cash only. Credit: Photo via Woody’s Waterfront/Facebook
PCI Beach Bar & Snack Shack 6300 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach It’s vacation mode all day long at the Beach Bar & Snack Shack that’s part of the Postcard Inn in St. Pete Beach. The restaurant offers a variety of tasty options with poolside service and a solid tropical-inspired and classic drink selection. Credit: Photo via Postcard Inn on the Beach/Facebook
Rowe Bar 3400 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach Located inside the Don CeSar Hotel, the Rowe Bar is one of the nicest places to eat and soak up access to a private beach. Grab a hand-crafted cocktail and a bite of the tuna tacos or goat cheese fritters while embracing the Gulf. Credit: Photo via Rowe Bar/Facebook
Crabby’s Oceanside 451 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach At Crabby’s Oceanside, you can grab a couple of Crab Trap rum buckets and sit back and relax on the laidback grass-lined patio overlooking the Atlantic. They’re open for lunch and dinner, with fresh and local seafood eats including an oyster bar, lobster and crab platter and a whole lot of Crabby’s Combos. Credit: Photo via Crabby’s Oceanside/Facebook
Hurricane Seafood Restaurant 809 Gulf Way, St. Pete Beach Colorful and vibrant infrastructure brings a tropical feel to life to this three-floor restaurant, which (by the way) features a different specialized menu on each floor. Diners and beach bums can enjoy an epic rooftop sunset or an upscale dinner on Level Two. Some of the spot’s signature dishes include salmon, Old Bay peel & eat shrimp and calamari strips. Credit: Photo via Hurricane Seafood Restaurant/Facebook
Jimmy B’s Beach Bar 6200 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach Located in the Beachcomber Hotel, Jimmy B’s keeps the Florida vibe alive with two stages for live music and recurring local artists like Phoenix, TL Jentgens and The Jeremy Thomas Band. Its wooden deck provides a space to either sit back and relax or dance it out with your friends (and probably some strangers, too). Credit: Photo via Jimmy B’s Beach Bar/Facebook
Fysh Bar and Grill 3633 S. Ridgewood Ave., Port Orange Fysh Bar and Grill strays from the classic dive-bar-on-the-beach fare with a mix of authentic American, Japanese and Italian cuisines, all wrapped up in a family-friendly atmosphere. Plant yourself on the 7,000-square-foot rooftop patio and soak up the daily live entertainment with a fruity and boozy drink in hand. And before the day’s over, pop over to their gelato station for a sweet treat. Credit: Photo via Caddy’s on the Beach/Facebook
Pier 62 Oceanfront Restaurant & Bar 401 Meade Ave., Cocoa Beach This oceanside tavern on the Cocoa Beach Pier serves up seafood, classic burgers, a full bar’s worth of sushi and specialized sake cocktail offerings. Stroll in from the beach and take in the views from outdoor seating that has great views of the Atlantic and your fellow beachgoers. Credit: Photo via Pier 62 Cocoa Beach/Facebook
Salty’s Island Bar & Grille 5500 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach Located in the Tradewinds Resort, Salty’s offers up games, serpentine sofas surrounding fire tables, hooded chaise lounges, Adirondack chairs and plenty of umbrellas for the ultimate chill experience on St. Pete Beach. You’ll find an all-day dining menu with specialties like sesame seared tuna and an exquisite drink selection featuring their best-seller, the Island Escape. Credit: Photo via Salty’s Island Bar & Grille/Facebook
Coconut Charlie’s Beach Bar and Grill 6100 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach Charlie’s promises killer tacos, delicious food, boozy slushies and live entertainment for all the beachgoers who stop in. It also has daily drink specials catered to each and every taste, and offers weekend brunch and live streams of NFL games on game days. Credit: Photo via Coconut Charlie’s Beach Bar and Grill/Facebook
Sunset Cafe Waterfront Bar & Grill 500 W. Cocoa Beach Causeway, Cocoa Beach Located on the Banana River’s waterfront in Cocoa Beach, Sunset Cafe is open daily, serving plenty of seafood creations and American-style fare. Show up early for their Early Bird Specials, or stay late and experience a true Florida sunset with the eatery’s nightly sunset celebration. Credit: Photo via Sunset Cafe Waterfront Bar & Grill/Yelp
Sloppy Joe’s 10650 Gulf Blvd., Treasure Island With extra large and shareable American Caribbean entrées, Sloppy Joe’s offers a great setting to get together with friends. Located at the Bilmar Beach Resort, the restaurant offers one of the best views of Treasure Island Beach and live entertainment every day. Credit: Photo via Sloppy Joe’s/Facebook
Palm Pavilion Beachside Grill & Bar 6100 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach Located on one of America’s top beaches, the very laidback Palm Pavilion Beachside Grill and Bar offers quick bites ideal for the end of a long beach day. Grab some gator bites or wasabi scallops while you sip on one of their many specialty cocktail options. If you need a place to stay, The Palm Pavilion Inn is located a few steps away — so drink (safely) to your heart’s delight. Credit: Photo via Palm Pavilion Beachside Grill & Bar/Yelp
​​Ocean Flame Interactive Dining 6100 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach Located at the Shephard’s Beach Resort, Ocean Flame offers a variety of American-style meals for breakfast and brunch daily. Eat as much as you want while enjoying both indoor and outdoor seating that overlooks the picturesque Gulf. Credit: Photo via Ocean Flame Interactive Dining/Facebook
​​Harry’s Beach Bar 5300 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach With an updated menu, this local favorite offers live entertainment and signature cocktails like the Harry’s Hurricane and the Harry Navel, as well as a selection of craft beer and flavorful bites. Its direct waterfront views promise a good time either at the beach or at the pool of its home hotel, the Sirata. Credit: Photo via Harry’s Beach Bar/Facebook
Bongos Beach Bar & Grill 5250 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach Get your toes in the sand and a drink in hand at the Bellwether Resort’s Bongos Beach Bar & Grill. There’s live music, cornhole and giant Jenga to enjoy while you wait for your food and take in the fresh sea breeze. Bongos is a great (and cheaper!) alternative to the Bellwether’s other restaurant, Spinners Rooftop Grill. Credit: Photo via Bongo’s Beach Bar & Grill/Yelp
Caretta on the Gulf 1738, 500 Mandalay Ave., Clearwater Caretta serves all-natural, organic offerings with expertly paired wines. With both indoor and outdoor seating, Caretta’s vibrant atmosphere provides the perfect setting for an evening enjoying Clearwater Beach’s sparkling blue waters. Credit: Photo via Caretta on the Gulf/Facebook
Paradise Grille 6850 Beach Plaza, St. Pete Beach This restaurant couldn’t be any closer to the water, with tables just steps away from the Gulf of Mexico. There’s only outdoor seating here, so make sure to slather on the sunscreen and bring some shades. On the menu, Paradise Grille offers classic American treats and a wide selection of drinks to choose from to cap off your picture-perfect beach day on Florida’s Gulf coast. Credit: Photo via Paradise Grille/Facebook
Cafe Coconut Cove 4210 S. Hwy A1A, Melbourne Beach One of the more intimate spots on this list, Cafe Coconut Cove is an authentic German eatery with homey decor and a waterfront view. The menu features both classic and modern eats, like seafood schnitzel, potato pancakes and bratwurst platters. Visit the oceanside eatery for a touch of Europe brought to Florida’s east coast. Credit: Photo via Cafe Coconut Cove/Facebook
Squid Lips 2200 S. Orlando Ave., Cocoa Beach Just like its sister locations in Melbourne and Sebastian, Squid Lips Cocoa Beach offers seafood specials, drinks and picturesque ocean views in a laidback atmosphere. Try some of their unique takes on seafood like bacon-wrapped scallops, or dive into homegrown Florida classics like smoked fish dip. Credit: Photo via Squid Lips Cocoa Beach/Yelp

Additional Slideshows

Orlando scored 12 spots on Yelp’s top 100 places to eat in Florida

The best decisions you can make in Orlando right now

23 essential Florida fish shacks within driving distance of Orlando