14 Florida Waterfront Restaurants Perfect For Date Night
Florida’s coastline stretches over 1,300 miles, offering countless opportunities to enjoy fresh seafood while watching the sun dip below the horizon.
Waterfront dining transforms an ordinary meal into an unforgettable experience, especially when you’re sharing it with someone special.
Whether you’re celebrating an anniversary or planning a first date, these restaurants combine delicious food with stunning views that’ll make your evening truly memorable.
1. Rusty Pelican
Perched along Biscayne Bay, this gem serves up skyline views that rival any postcard. The panoramic windows frame downtown Miami’s glittering towers, creating a backdrop that’s basically Instagram gold.
Their seafood menu features fresh catches prepared with creative flair, from perfectly seared scallops to buttery lobster tail. The sunset hour here isn’t just dinner—it’s a full-blown spectacle where the sky puts on a show.
Couples love snagging a window table early. The atmosphere strikes that sweet spot between fancy and comfortable, so you won’t feel stuffy in your date-night outfit. Pro tip: make reservations well ahead because the spot books up quickly for sunset viewing.
2. Amara at Paraiso
Latin-inspired flavors meet Miami sophistication at this Edgewater stunner. Chef Michael Schwartz’s menu celebrates bold, vibrant tastes that’ll wake up your taste buds and keep them dancing all evening long.
The open-air terrace offers unobstructed bay views, with the city lights twinkling like stars that fell from the sky. It’s the kind of place where you’ll want to linger over every course, especially when the ceviche arrives fresh and zesty.
Date nights here feel effortlessly cool without trying too hard. Sharing small plates encourages conversation and connection, making it ideal for getting to know someone better or reconnecting with your longtime love.
3. Smith & Wollensky
Steak lovers, prepare to swoon over this Miami Beach classic that’s been wowing diners since 1997. Located right on the water, you’ll watch mega-yachts cruise by while cutting into perfectly aged beef that practically melts on your fork.
The two-story layout gives you options: dress-to-impress dining upstairs or slightly more relaxed vibes downstairs. Either way, you’re guaranteed water views and top-notch service that makes you feel like VIPs.
Sure, it’s pricier than your average dinner, but special occasions deserve special treatment. Besides, watching the sunset paint the sky orange while sharing a decadent dessert? That’s worth every penny and then some.
4. 15th Street Fisheries
Lauderdale Marina neighborhood hides this nautical treasure where fishing boats unload their catches steps from your table. Nothing says fresh like watching your dinner’s cousins swim past the dock!
The casual-yet-romantic atmosphere means you can ditch the stuffy dress code and actually enjoy yourself. Their stone crab claws during season are legendary, cracked to order and served with tangy mustard sauce that’ll have you licking your fingers.
Upstairs or downstairs seating both offer waterfront magic, though the upper deck catches better breezes on warm evenings. Live music often fills the air on weekends, adding soundtrack to your sunset experience. It’s been a local favorite for decades, proving that some classics never go out of style—kind of like true romance itself.
5. Shooters Waterfront
Who says date night has to be all serious and candlelit? This Fort Lauderdale hotspot brings fun, energetic vibes to waterfront dining along the Intracoastal Waterway.
Arrive by boat if you’ve got one—the dock welcomes water-loving diners who prefer making an entrance via yacht. The menu covers all the bases from fresh seafood to juicy burgers, ensuring even picky eaters find something to love.
Weekend afternoons buzz with live bands and tropical drinks, while evenings mellow into romantic territory as the sun sets. It’s perfect for couples who want romance without stuffiness, where you can share laughs over coconut shrimp and watch the boat parade.
6. OCEAN2000
Fort Lauderdale’s Pelican Grand Beach Resort culinary crown jewel sits right where the sand meets sophistication. Floor-to-ceiling windows ensure every seat feels like a front-row ticket to the Atlantic’s endless show.
Executive Chef Steve Mendez brings French technique to Florida’s freshest ingredients, creating dishes that taste like edible art. The seared tuna appetizer alone could make a grown foodie weep with joy.
Sunset dinners here transform into full sensory experiences—waves crashing and flavors exploding across your palate.
Dress codes lean upscale casual, so break out those nice shoes gathering dust in your closet. This is where marriage proposals happen and anniversaries get celebrated in style, surrounded by ocean magic and culinary excellence.
7. Deck 84
Delray Beach locals guard this secret like treasure, though the word’s definitely getting out. Tucked along the Intracoastal, this laid-back gem proves that romantic doesn’t always mean fancy. Their tiki-inspired setting brings vacation vibes even if you’re just driving from home. String lights twinkle overhead while boats drift lazily past, creating ambiance that money can’t buy.
The menu keeps things simple but delicious, think fresh fish tacos, peel-and-eat shrimp, and cold drinks that taste better with your toes in the sand. Live music on weekends adds soundtrack without overwhelming conversation.
It’s the kind of place where you can actually hear your date talk, which seems increasingly rare these days. Perfect for low-key couples who’d rather spend money on appetizers than overpriced entrees, all while soaking in Florida’s natural beauty.
8. 1000 NORTH
Jupiter’s beachfront beauty combines casual elegance with seriously impressive ocean vistas. Waterfront on the Intracoastal, this spot nails the balance between resort dining and approachable atmosphere.
Their farm-to-fork philosophy means ingredients travel minimal miles before landing on your plate.
The chef’s creativity shines through seasonal menus that change based on what’s freshest and most flavorful. Request patio seating for unfiltered ocean views, watching waves roll in while sharing a drink feels like meditation for your relationship.
The Sunday brunch draws crowds, but dinner service offers more intimate, romantic energy perfect for meaningful conversations. Whether celebrating something special or just escaping weeknight routines, this restaurant delivers experiences that linger in memory long after the check arrives.
9. BALEEN Naples
Naples’ Gulf Coast magic comes alive at this LaPlaya Beach Resort treasure. White sand beaches stretch endlessly outside while you’re inside savoring some of Southwest Florida’s finest cuisine.
The open kitchen lets you watch culinary artists work their magic, turning fresh catches into masterpieces. Their commitment to sustainability means you’re eating responsibly while indulging deliciously, a win-win for conscious diners.
Sunset reservations book months ahead because everyone wants that golden-hour glow illuminating their date night. Service feels genuinely warm rather than robotically professional, with servers who remember preferences and make recommendations worth following.
Finish with their signature desserts while listening to waves whisper against the shore, it’s basically romance in edible, experiential form that’ll have you planning your return visit before leaving.
10. The Turtle Club
Hidden at the end of Vanderbilt Beach Road, this Naples institution has been serving romance with a side of Gulf views since before it was cool. The journey down the narrow drive builds anticipation, you’re heading somewhere special.
Their seafood-focused menu celebrates Florida’s coastal bounty without unnecessary fuss. Simple preparations let quality ingredients shine, from grouper to stone crab to whatever’s fresh that day.
Arrive early to claim beach chairs and catch sunset before dinner. it’s complimentary entertainment better than any theater show. The laid-back vibe means flip-flops are totally acceptable, though you’ll still feel pampered by attentive service.
Regulars swear by the lobster bisque, which tastes like ocean comfort in a bowl. It’s where Naples locals bring out-of-town guests to show off Florida’s best-kept secrets, proving that paradise doesn’t require pretense, just good food and better views.
11. Ophelia’s on the Bay
Sarasota’s Siesta Key hides this bayside beauty where every table offers water views worth photographing. Named after a hurricane that reshaped the coastline, Ophelia’s has weathered storms to become a date-night destination.
Their creative menu blends continental cuisine with Florida flair, resulting in dishes that surprise and delight. The duck preparation changes seasonally but consistently earns rave reviews from diners who appreciate culinary artistry.
Floor-to-ceiling windows open to bay breezes, blurring the line between indoor comfort and outdoor beauty. Sunset arrives in technicolor here, painting the sky in shades that seem too vivid to be real. Service feels unhurried yet efficient, allowing you to set your own pace for the evening—whether that’s lingering over dessert or catching a moonlit walk afterward along the nearby beach.
12. Oystercatchers
Tampa Bay’s Grand Hyatt houses this seafood sanctuary where oysters reign supreme and romance flows like champagne. The name isn’t just clever, it’s a promise that bivalve lovers will find paradise here.
Their raw bar showcases oysters from both coasts, letting you taste-test regional differences while pretending to be sophisticated.
Waterfront tables overlook the bay’s constant activity, sailboats gliding, dolphins surfacing, pelicans diving for dinner. The upscale atmosphere encourages dressing up a bit, making it ideal for impressing a new flame or reminding a longtime partner why they fell for you.
Their chef’s tasting menu takes you on a culinary journey through Florida’s waters, each course more impressive than the last. It’s where special occasions become unforgettable memories, sealed with sunset kisses and satisfied sighs.
13. Latitudes
Reaching this Key West gem requires a boat ride, which immediately elevates your date from ordinary to adventure. Located on private Sunset Key, Latitudes feels like escaping to your own tropical island.
Barefoot dining isn’t just allowed, it’s encouraged on their beach-level tables where sand becomes your carpet. The menu focuses on Caribbean-influenced seafood that tastes like sunshine and ocean breezes combined into edible form.
Sunsets here are legendary, attracting photographers and romantics in equal measure. The complimentary ferry from Key West adds excitement without hassle, turning dinner into a mini-vacation. It’s impossibly romantic without feeling staged or cheesy, just pure Florida Keys magic at its finest.
Couples celebrate engagements, anniversaries, and sometimes just Tuesdays here, because life’s too short for boring date nights.
14. Pierre’s Restaurant
Islamorada’s culinary crown jewel brings French sophistication to the laid-back Florida Keys. Chef Pierre’s classical training shines through dishes that could hold their own in Paris, yet somehow taste even better with ocean breezes.
The beachfront setting at Morada Bay offers that quintessential Keys experience—swaying palms, turquoise water, and skies that shift through impossible color gradients. Tiki torches flicker as darkness falls, creating atmosphere that feels both exotic and intimate.
Reservations are absolutely essential, especially during high season when snowbirds flock south seeking sunshine and sophisticated dining. It’s where marriage proposals happen under star-filled skies, where anniversaries get celebrated properly, and where date nights become stories you’ll retell for years to come.