The best dishes combine elements of familiarity and surprise – and not always on the dish. These 10 restaurants on the water leave their guests wowed by their seafaring sights and full with their unique, quality food. Be it a boat or a barge, when it comes to Florida’s restaurants, you can’t get any closer to the water than this.

Yacht StarShip 603 Channelside Drive, Tampa, (813) 223-7999 No, the Yach StarShip doesn’t take you to space. But it does take you across the glimmering waters of Tampa Bay and Clearwater Beach. In between bouts of looking for dolphins and soaking up the sunset, be sure to visit the cruise lounge for some romantic dancing. Photo via yachstarship.com
What to get: Chicken Margherita with fresh Mozzarella and balsamic tomatoes. If the menu’s like this on the zombie-apocalypse yacht, then bring it on. Photo via Yacht StarShip Cruises & Events/Facebook
Calypso Queen 25 Causeway Blvd., Slip #18 Clearwater, (800) 444-4818 65 feet, 3 decks, and a very colorful, Caribbean themed paint-job: this is the Calypso Queen. It’s cruising around Clearwater Beach, and right now, you’re not on it. But if you were, you’d be dining on some sweet, sea-faring buffet. Photo via starlitecruises.com
What to get: Speaking of buffet, the Calypso is a very popular place to host weddings. And what do you get at weddings? Wedding cakes, of course. It might be worth it to have one just for a bite of one of these tasty towers. Photo via StarLite Cruises/Facebook
SunQuest Cruises – Solaris 9300 Emerald Coast Parkway, Miramar Beach, (850) 650-2519 $74.50 gets you a 3-hour ride aboard the Solaris, and all the sights of the Choctawhatchee Bay in Sandestin, Fl that come with it. Come on, we all know you secretly wanted to be a pirate. Bring your eyepatch along and start practicing your “yaarr!”s. Photo via 30A/Youtube
What to get: Sometimes, you just want some good, easy, comfort food. But other times you want steamy Chicken Piccata, lightly crusted chicken breast with savory lemon caper butter. You’re not finding this a Taco Bell. Photo via SunQuest Cruises – Solaris Dinner Yacht/Facebook
Paddlefish 1670 Buena Vista Drive, Lake Buena Vista, (407) 934-2628 Disney’sPaddlefish isn’t going anywhere – and thank goodness. If Poseidon blew this seafood super-spot back into the bay, we’d forever miss its delicious selection of, well, seafood. Be sure to bring your binoculars so you can take full advantage of this three-story fortress’s view. Photo via orlandofoodguys/Instagram
What to get: Ooh, look at that cheese! Ooh, look at that bacon! You should definitely get that. Photo via orlandofoodguys/Instagram
Dine and Cruise 125 Basin St. Suite 140, Daytona Beach, (386) 402-1353 The riverboat is a cherished image of American leisure, and one you can still easily experience. With Dine and Cruise, you can take a slow ride up the Halifax River on the Lady Dolphin of Daytona. Sights, dinner, and a place to rest your weary soul (for two hours anyway) all for just 20 bucks. Photo via irishyankeegirl29/Instagram
What to get: Better hope the sea gulls stay away, because if we were birds, we would definitely snatch up those toasty buns. At least Lady Dolphin can hook you up with some cold, brewed hydration. Photo via ideadinners/Instagram
Jungle Queen Riverboats 801 Seabreeze Blvd. Fort Lauderdale, (954) 462-5596 The Jungle Queen holds 385 passengers. That’s 385 chances to meet a fellow explorer. You can leave your Panama hat at home, but you still ought to bring your sunscreen for this 90 minute river excursion. Go for the full package, and get a trip to the Jungle Queen’s ‘private island’ restaurant and garden, including live stage shows. Photo via scottsshadow/Instagram
What to get: This tasty treat is more than delicious – it’s also conveniently drinkable, requiring no chewing. Enjoy one of these ice-cold, fruity cocktails any time you’re aboard a Jungle Queen Riverboat. Photo via Jungle Queen Riverboat/Facebook
Just the Cook 3151 W 10th Slip 80, Panama City, 850-610-1775 If you’re looking for a getaway boat, this probably isn’t your best bet. The floating hull of just the cook is reserved for, appropriately, just the cook. But you can still experience the waves of the ocean in each and every bite of Just The Cook’s sea-born food fare. The waves of deliciousness. Photo via palmsolo/Instagram
What to get: Samon tacos by the sunset – is there any greater way to end the day? Photo via rjgriggles/Instagram
St. John’s Rivership Co. 433 N. Palmetto Ave. Sanford, (321) 441-3030 105 feet of real, genuine sternwheeler. In fact, it’s the only one left on the St. John’s River. Come see the sights a different way, in the spirit of the aquatic travelers of yesterday. Or yester-century. Photo via stjohnsrivershipco.com
What to get: Mmm, onion rings. You don’t wear these on your finger. Not for long, anyway. Try their roasted vegetable lasagna afterwards, or any of the other tasty meals on their menu. Photo via 013lefty/TripAdvisor
Betsy Ann Riverboat 3151 W. 10th St. Panama City, (850) 233-7487 Sunsets, dolphins, a genuine sternwheeler – what more need be said? If you find yourself in North Florida, there are few options for a qiuck getaway quite like this. Photo via Betsy Ann Riverboat/Facebook
What to get: What is that, ravioli? Some kind of noodle thing? We’re not 100%, but it brings us back to beloved high-school cafeteria memories of so many years past. Now you can relive those memories aboard the glorious Florida riverways! Photo via Betsy Ann Riverboat/Facebook
Thai Life 1801 N Roosevelt Blvd, Key West, (305) 296-9907 What’s cooler than authentic Thai Cuisine? When you can have it on a boat. This docked, floating restaurant serves delicious classics like Tom Yum soup, Khao Phat, and a variety of curries. But don’t worry: the food gets rave reviews, so the occasional bob with the waves won’t make you queasy. If you’re out fishing for the day, bring in your catch to have it cooked by Thai Life’s chefs. Photo via chaisehinds/Instagram
What to get: Thai food is a melody of spices and flavors, and with the ones you’ll find in this delicious, crunchy shrimp plate, it’s a melody you’ll be humming all day long. Photo via tta850/Instagram