Seashells and sand aren’t the only things you’ll find at the beach; the Central Florida coasts are home to some of the best grub in the state. At these beachside restaurants, not only will you get a little sun, but every meal comes with one heck of a view.
SHOR American Seafood Grill
301 South Gulfview Blvd., Clearwater | 727-373-4780
Distance from Orlando: 2 hours, 5 minutes
If you’re tired of resorting to tiki bars and surf shacks for beach dining, give SHOR inside the Hyatt hotel a try. You’ll still get the amazing beachfront views, but without the threat of sand blowing into your mahi mahi.
Photo via lexisatthebeach/InstagramWhiskey Joe’s Bar & Grill
7720 W. Courtney Campbell Causeway, Tampa | 813-281-0770
Distance from Orlando: 1 hour, 34 minutes
This is the place to go if you want to take a dip in the ocean right before or after your meal. Whiskey Joe’s Bar & Grill is located right on the water, and you can even keep your toes sandy at the World Famous Barefoot Bar, where you can choose among 14 types of mojitos, 30 types of margaritas and more than 52 beers on tap.
Photo via tl6ufl/InstagramGrille At Riverview
101 Flagler Ave., New Smyrna Beach | 386-428-1865
Distance from Orlando: 1 hour, 3 minutes
The best way to spend a sophisticated summer night on the waterfront? Dinner, dancing and dolphins.
Photo via lifessweetjourney/InstagramWaldo’s at the Driftwood
3150 Ocean Drive, Vero Beach | 772-231-7091
Distance from Orlando: 1 hour, 48 minutes
This laid-back landmark is a favorite among locals. Located in a hotel built completely from driftwood, Waldo’s offers seaside fare at poolside or oceanside tables with a beautiful view of the Atlantic. Who doesn’t like to spot dolphins during dinner?
Photo via seapearl427/InstagramTropix Island Tiki Bar
655 S. Gulfview Blvd., Clearwater Beach | 727-442-7171
Distance from Orlando: 2 hours
As part of the Quality Beach Resort, Tropix Island Tiki Bar is located right on the sand of Clearwater Beach. There are all sorts of bar-food options, including onion rings, nachos and wraps, as well as seasonal live entertainment.
Photo via lesliebuckeye/InstagramToni & Joe’s Patio
309 Buenos Aires St., New Smyrna Beach | 386-427-6850
Distance from Orlando: 1 hour
Guests can dine and listen to live music on the oceanfront patio at Toni & Joe’s Patio. A margarita and grilled mahi mahi sandwich is the perfect combination for enjoying the view of a beautiful sunrise or sunset.
Photo via larabuford1/InstagramTate Island Grill
500 Mandalay Ave., Clearwater Beach | 727-674-4171
Distance from Orlando: 2 hours, 3 minutes
After chowing down on a fresh salad or beefy burger, take your cocktail down to the beach to enjoy the sunset and some live music by the beachside fire pit.
Photo via hellobeautifuljourney/InstagramShiloh’s Steak and Seafood
3665 S Washington Ave., Titusville | 321-567-3555
Distance from Orlando: 48 minutes
Spend a night stuffing your face at Shiloh’s after a long day at Canaveral National Seashore. The restaurant is located on the shores of the Indian River Lagoon and has a direct view of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, which means you might just spot a rocket during your meal.
Photo via shilohstitusville/InstagramSquid Lips
1477 Pineapple Ave., Melbourne | 321-259-3101
Distance from Orlando: 1 hour, 8 minutes
At Squid Lips, the food is freshly prepared on an open oak wood fire. You can order a lobster-n-crab cake sandwich or the stuffed flounder while you sit on the dock and enjoy the beachy view.
Photo via guille_is_here/InstagramOff the Hook Raw Bar and Grill
747 3rd Ave., New Smyrna Beach | 386- 402-9300
Distance from Orlando: 1 hour
Whether you’re craving clams, oysters, crabs or crawfish, Off the Hook has all the raw, steamed, locally-caught seafood your heart desires.
Photo via buddha_and_thebeast/InstagramPalm Pavilion Beachside Bar & Grill
10 Bay Esplanade, Clearwater | 727-446-2642
Distance from Orlando: 2 hours
This laid back, casual restaurant is one of the popular eateries on Clearwater Beach. While taking in the view of the west coast, you can enjoy a jumbo lump crab taco or some coconut shrimp. And why not have a fancy drink with your meal? We recommend The Palm Rum Runner or the Strawberry Daquiri.
Photo via shittyp/InstagramMaggie Mae’s Sunrise Cafe
1261 Gulf Blvd., Clearwater | 727-595-1096
Distance from Orlando: 2 hours, 9 minutes
If you’re more of an early bird, then Maggie Mae’s has got you covered. With a kickass breakfast service and an incredible view of Clearwater Bay, there’s no better place to take in a beautiful Florida sunrise.
Photo via traveling.chins/InstagramHula Bay Club
5210 W. Tyson Ave., Tampa | 813-837-4852
Distance from Orlando: 1 hour, 33 minutes
With a seat outside at Hula Bay Club, you’re sure to see boats pulling up to dock. Enjoy some mussels, shrimp and oysters from the raw bar, or order a signature sushi roll to go along with a mojito or martini.
Photo via mycoachliz/InstagramGrills Seafood Deck & Tiki Bar
505 Glen Cheek Drive, Cape Canaveral | 321-868-2226
Distance from Orlando: 54 minutes
It can be hard to turn down white, flaky lionfish and bacon wrapped shrimp. Grills Seafood offers several options for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and there are even options for vegetarians, including the Costa Rica burger and the garden burger.
Photo via mtierney05/InstagramCaretta On The Gulf
500 Mandalay Ave., Clearwater Beach | 727-674-4171
Distance from Orlando: 2 hours, 3 minutes
Dinner jackets aren’t required at this four-diamond restaurant, so you’re free to throw on your casual best while you dine on organic, seasonal cuisine with a view of the Gulf you can’t beat.
Photo via jgamero/InstagramThe Getaway
13090 Gandy Blvd. N., St. Petersburg | 727-317-5751
Distance from Orlando: 1 hour, 37 minutes
The Getaway invites guests to sit under its large tiki hut while enjoying anything from the smoked fish spread to the soft shell crab sandwich. This restaurant definitely gives that beachy feel as it’s placed on a dock and located directly on the water.
Photo via sportstampabay/InstagramFrenchy’s Rockaway Grill
7 Rockaway St., Clearwater | 727-446-4844
Distance from Orlando: 2 hours
Known as Clearwater Beach’s “favorite seafood spot,” Frenchy’s offers the best grouper sandwiches for guaranteed satisfaction, and you definitely can’t leave without trying the she-crab soup.
Photo via tracyleigh73/InstagramFat Kahuna’s Beachside Grille
8 Minutemen Causeway, Cocoa Beach | 321-783-6858
Distance from Orlando: 1 hour, 3 minutes
This pint-sized eatery packs a powerful punch with its seafood, including shark au-poivre, tuna and, the house specialty, jumbo coconut shrimp.
Photo via Fat Kahuna’s Grill & Bar/FacebookDown the Hatch Seafood Restaurant
4894 Front St., Ponce Inlet | 386-761-4831
Distance from Orlando: 1 hour, 17 minutes
Swap fishing stories with your buddies on the deck of this local eatery, a no-fuss kind of place where no one will mind in the slightest if you get your hands dirty while you dig into your crab legs and seasoned shrimp.
Photo via daytonaontap/InstagramCoconuts on the Beach
2 Minutemen Causeway, Cocoa Beach | 321-784-1422
Distance from Orlando: 1 hour, 5 minutes
The island calamari and bacon wrapped scallops can sure get your stomach wanting more at Coconuts on the Beach. During the day or night, guests can enjoy a view of the east coast while sipping on a fresh-brewed iced tea or pina colada smoothie.
Photo via renhicksjr/InstagramColumbia Restaurant
241 Gulf Blvd., Clearwater | 727-596-8400
Distance from Orlando: 2 hours, 2 minutes
A view of the Intracoastal Waterway wouldn’t be complete without a sampling of “Pompano en Papillot” or some other authentic Spanish-Cuban cuisine at the Colombia.
Photo via heartfeltwhimsies/InstagramChases on the Beach
3401 South Atlantic Ave., New Smyrna Beach | 386-423-8787
Distance from Orlando: 1 hour, 3 minutes
Chase down some fried oysters or steamed shrimp with a fruity cocktail at this beachside bar, which has a pool perfect for partying.
Photo via motohatch/InstagramCaribbean Jack’s
721 Ballough Road, Daytona Beach | 386-523-3000
Distance from Orlando: 1 hour, 5 minutes
Take a drive to Daytona Beach and visit Caribbean Jack’s for some pina colada shrimp or Caribbean fish tacos. You can sit on the outside dock by a fire pit as the salty air sweeps through your hair and the Caribbean food fills your stomach.
Photo via caribbeanjacks/InstagramThe Beach Bucket
867 S. Atlantic Ave., Ormond Beach | 386-677-8111
Distance from Orlando: 1 hour, 11 minutes
Whether you’re in the mood for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner, The Beach Bucket has got you covered — and with a great view to top it all off. How can you turn down the chance to eat blue crab benedict or shrimp tacos while feeling the beach breeze?
Photo via nathaneide/InstagramAzure Restaurant
2637 South Atlantic Ave., Daytona Beach | 386-767-7356
Distance from Orlando: 1 hour, 5 minutes
Nestled inside The Shores Resort and Spa, the elevated outdoor terrace of Azure offers a romantic date night retreat with a view of the Daytona sunset you can’t miss.
Photo via Latoya C./YelpMulligan’s Beach House Bar & Grill
1025 Beachland Blvd., Vero Beach | 772-492-6744
Distance from Orlando: 1 hour, 48 minutes
To make happy hour really jolly, enjoy it on the beach, a cocktail in one hand and some spicy firecracker shrimp in the other.
Photo via mulligansbeachhouse/Instagram
