Orlando’s central location makes it a perfect starting place for making your way around the Sunshine State, which means we’re never too far from a beach. And one of the best ways to enjoy a beach is with good food in one hand and a frozen cocktail in the other.
From the east coast to the west coast, Florida’s beaches offer plenty of waterfront restaurants not too far from the City Beautiful. Here are 25 truly beachside restaurants worth a drive from Orlando.
Beachcomber
2 A St., St. Augustine Beach
You’ll really feel the sunshine and sand between your toes at this St. Augustine beach spot. The vibes are casual, and the Beachcomber is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. If you’re tired of the heat, there’s also plenty of seating options inside. Credit: Photo via Google MapsSalty’s Island Bar & Grille
5500 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach
Located in the Tradewinds Resort, Salty’s offers games, serpentine sofas surrounding fire tables, hooded chaise lounges, Adirondack chairs and plenty of umbrellas for the ultimate chill experience on St. Pete Beach. The spot offers 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/FacebookSquid 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/FacebookParadise 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 a picture-perfect beach day on Florida’s Gulf coast. Credit: Photo via Paradise Grille/Facebook
203 S. Atlantic Ave., New Smyrna Beach With a waterside location and a menu bursting with seafood-focused dishes, Crabby’s offers everything you need to enjoy some truly beachside dining in New Smyrna Beach. Credit: Image via Google MapsJimmy 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/FacebookPCI 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/FacebookCoconuts 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/FacebookHurricane Seafood Restaurant
809 Gulf Way, St. Pete Beach
Colorful and vibrant infrastructure brings a tropical feel to life at this three-floor restaurant, which features a different specialized menu on each floor. Diners and beach bums can enjoy an epic rooftop sunset or an upscale dinner on the second level. Some of the spot’s signature dishes include salmon, Old Bay peel & eat shrimp, and calamari strips. Credit: Photo via Hurricane Seafood Restaurant/FacebookHarry’s Beach Bar
5300 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach
Harry’s is a local favorite that 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
867 S. Atlantic Ave., Ormond Beach This Ormond Beach spot will have you dining right up against the open sea, with plenty of seafood-centric dishes (for breakfast, lunch and dinner), drink specials and live music. Credit: Photo via Beach Bucket/FacebookWhiskey 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 Google MapsCaretta on the Gulf
500 Mandalay Ave., Clearwater Beach
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/FacebookThe 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 BarWoody’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/FacebookRowe 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
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 Treasure Island/FacebookBongos 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 Google MapsPier 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 Oceanfront Restaurant & Bar/FacebookCoconut 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/FacebookSloppy 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/FacebookPalm 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 to your heart’s delight. Credit: Photo via Google MapsCafe Coconut Cove
4210 S. Highway 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 Google MapsCrabby’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 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/FacebookSunset 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 Google Maps
