Of all the Sunshine State's charming oddities, the fish shack just may be the most Florida you can get. Although Orlando may be far from a coastal city, we still have a number of our own seafood-centric spots, as well as plenty of classic fish camps well within driving distance.
So whether you're looking for fried catfish, oysters, a cold beer or some waterfront dining, there's tons of options to fill out your Florida fish fantasy. Here are 23 essential, classic fish shacks within driving distance of Orlando.
23 essential Florida fish shacks within driving distance of Orlando
By Chloe Greenberg on Wed, Aug 9, 2023 at 2:40 pm
Tags:
- Florida fish shacks,
- fish camps,
- Central Florida seafood,
- Central Florida restaurants,
- Orlando restaurants,
- Orlando fish shack,
- Orlando seafood,
- Florida seafood,
- classic Florida fish shack,
- essential Florida fish shack,
- Orlando restaurants on the water,
- Central Florida restaurants on the water,
- waterfront restaurant,
- Florida waterfront restaurant
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Photo via Boondocks/Facebook
Boondocks Restaurant
704 S. Lakeshore Blvd., Howey-In-The-Hills Located along the Halifax River in Port Orange, Boondocks Restaurant's guests can enjoy quality seafood, riverside views and a pet-friendly patio.
Photo via LeeandRicksOysterBar.com
Lee and Rick’s Oyster Bar
5621 Old Winter Garden Road, Orlando You can't get more Florida than a seafood spot shaped like a boat and covered in taxidermy fish. Located right here in Orlando, Lee and Rick's Oyster Bar first opened back in 1950 with just nine seats and an oysters-only menu. Now the family-run local favorite offers plenty of seafood and ample seating to enjoy it in.
Photo via Cherry Pocket Steak & Seafood Shak/Facebook
Cherry Pocket Steak n Seafood Shak
3100 Canal Road, Lake Wales Attached to the Cherry Pocket Motel on Lake Wales, Cherry Pocket Steak n Seafood Shak offers heaping helpings of fried seafood and Florida vibes.
Screengrab via Google Maps
Fish on Fire
7937 Daetwyler Drive, Orlando Fish on Fire is a rustic Orlando seafood spot and fish fry. The restaurant, open since 2004, boasts fresh seafood and frequent live music and lively events.
Photo via Swamp House Riverfront Grill/Facebook
Swamp House Riverfront Grill
488 W. Highbanks Road, DeBary DeBary's Swamp House boasts a prime location on the St. Johns river, fried seafood, a tiki bar and frequent live music.
Photo via Blackbeard's Inn/Facebook
Blackbeard's Inn
701 N. Dixie Freeway, New Smyrna Beach This New Smyrna Beach spot has the nautical look down inside and out. The family-owned restaurant was opened in 1980 by Harry and Mary Kinzey. For the past nearly 40 years, they've continued to serve steak, seafood and raw bar offerings to Central Floridians.
Photo via Florida Cracker Fish Co./Facebook
Florida Cracker Fish Co.
7604 Ehrlich Road, Tampa This spot was inspired by old-fashioned fish shacks, like the Ballyhoo Grill that once lived at this address. Florida Cracker Fish Co. offers made-to-order fish with Southern soul food sides all day long.
Photo via The Black Hammock/Yelp
Black Hammock Restaurant
2316 Black Hammock Fish Camp Road, Oviedo This Oviedo favorite acts as the adjoining restaurant to a marina and airboat spot. Grab a seafood-centric meal before you soak up some Central Florida sun.
Photo via Winter Park Fish Co./Facebook
Winter Park Fish Co.
761 N. Orange Ave., Winter Park Claiming Orlando's "freshest fish," Winter Park Fish Co. delighted landlocked locals with fresh seafood and fish shack vibes for many years, before closing during the pandemic for almost two years. Now they're back at it.
Photo via Fish Camp on Lake Eustis/Facebook
Fish Camp on Lake Eustis
901 Lakeshore Blvd., Tavares This old-fashioned restaurant on Lake Eustis offers waterside dining and a bounty of seafood (plus some turf to go with your surf) and craft beers.
Photo via Google Maps
Shady Oak Restaurant
2984 New York Ave. W., DeLand This casual seafood spot in DeLand offers riverside dining and a bar. Menu highlights include fried catfish, scallops, coconut shrimp and every other fried fish combo you can think of.
Photo via Aunt Catfish's on the River/Yelp
Aunt Catfish’s on the River
4009 Halifax Drive, Port Orange This family-owned Port Orange spot serves up classic Southern-style seafood right on the water. Don't forget to snap a picture with the giant catfish.
Photo via Gators Riverside Grille/Yelp
Gators Riverside Grille
4255 Peninsula Point, Sanford Gator's Riverside Grill, located in Sanford, is nestled along the St. Johns River and offers cheap drinks and tons of good old-fashioned Southern fried seafood.
Photo via Salt Cracker Fish Camp/Facebook
Salt Cracker Fish Camp
25 Causeway Blvd., Clearwater Beach Clearwater beach haven for those hungering for local seafood and cocktails, conveniently located right near the marina.
Photo via Hidden Treasure Rum Bar & Grill/Facebook
Hidden Treasure Rum Bar & Grill
4940 S. Peninsula Drive, Ponce Inlet Near the Ponce Inlet Lighthouse, Central Floridians can find this waterfront shack perfect for enjoying seafood, drinks and a sprawling waterfront view.
Photo via Hog Island Fish Camp/Yelp
Hog Island Fish Camp
900 Broadway Ave., Dunedin This Dunedin restaurant located on Honeymoon Island serves up an ample menu of Florida-centric seafood and cuisine, along with plenty of boozy beverages.
Photo via JB's Fish Camp
JB’s Fish Camp
859 Pompano Ave., New Smyrna Beach Located on New Smyrna Beach, this beloved fish shack also offers a full bar, kayak and paddleboard rentals. Grab some classic Southern fried fish, get out on the water and make a day of it.
Photo via Lone Cabbage Fish Camp/Yelp
Lone Cabbage Fish Camp
8199 W. King St., Cocoa At Lone Cabbage Fish Camp, guests can grab all the seafood classics (hush puppies, gator and everything in between) before heading out on the water for an airboat ride. The true Florida experience.
Photo via Jolly Gator Fish Camp Bar & Grill/Facebook
Jolly Gator Fish Camp Bar & Grill
4650 FL-46, Geneva This riverfront spot has seafood classics (as well as some not-so-classic gator burgers), plus karaoke and live music, making for a lively, very Florida vibe.
Photo via Our Deck Down Under/Facebook
Our Deck Down Under
78 Dunlawton Ave., Port Orange This Volusia county favorite seafood shack offers not only a beefy menu and waterfront views in every direction, there's also a full bar and a boat dock for easy river access.
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