14 Florida Gulf Coast Fish-And-Chips Shacks Locals Swear By (Nine Worth The Dockside View)
There’s nothing quite like chasing fish and chips along Florida’s Gulf Coast, the salt in the air, the gulls circling overhead, and the sound of fryers working overtime behind a screen door. I spent days hopping from pier to pier, pulling off sandy roads and following the locals who always seem to know the right shack.
Each stop had its own charm: picnic tables bleached by sun, handwritten menus, and baskets where the fish flaked apart the moment you touched it.
Some places were pure nostalgia, others leaned a little modern, and nine came with a dockside view so good I lingered long after the last fry disappeared. If you want Florida at its crispiest and most carefree, start here.
14. Stewby’s Seafood Shanty, Okaloosa Island
The salt air drifts in long before your first bite, a casual deck, surf slippers allowed, and the aroma of fryers and Gulf fresh fish filling the early evening light.
This shanty-style seafood spot began on Okaloosa Island and built its reputation on fresh local catches sourced daily, combining take-home market offerings with diner-style ease.
If you’re here for fish-and-chips, go grilled or fried amberjack, with hush-puppies and battered fries on the side, and plan to linger a moment under the string lights where locals settle in like neighbors.
13. The Back Porch, Destin
Gulf waves lap the sand just steps away from the beach-side dining room at The Back Porch, where your view is part of the meal and your hearing catches gulls before menus.
Since 1974 the restaurant has been a Destin fixture, originally a small A-frame on the beach, where dinner came with reef views and Gulf-to-plate simplicity.
If you snag a window table at sunset, try the fish-and-chips with gulf catch battered light and a mustard-y tartar that cuts through the frying oil. It feels like a local ritual worth showing up early for.
12. Dewey Destin’s Harborside, Destin
You hear the fishing boats unload before you see the restaurant: the dockside clank, the nets, the sea breeze carrying promise.
Opened by a fishing-village family, Dewey Destin’s Harborside anchors its harbor-front dining in original Gulf-town roots, offering fish-and-chips made with high-quality catch brought in that day.
My opinion: I expected a fine view and good meal, but what surprised me was how effortless the flavors were, fresh fish, golden coating, and a plate that felt both casual and notable.
11. The Crab Trap, Destin
Warm breezes slip through the open dining room, mixing with chatter from families shaking sand from their flip-flops after a full beach day.
The fish-and-chips here leans on mild Gulf varieties, dipped in a light batter that fries crisp without weighing anything down, paired with slaw that stays bright instead of sugary.
There’s something especially satisfying about eating this plate after a swim, when the salty air makes every bite feel earned.
10. Sharky’s Beachfront Restaurant, Panama City Beach
A stack of fresh fillets hits the grill in full view of the patio, and you can smell the sizzle before your server even turns the corner.
Opened in 1987, Sharky’s has built its reputation on open-air seafood and long beachfront afternoons, where orders move from kitchen to deck in a steady flow.
If you end up here on a windy day, grab a seat closer to the inside wall so your fries stay warm and your drink doesn’t chase the breeze.
9. Hunt’s Oyster Bar, Panama City (Worth The Dockside View)
One of the first things you notice is the clatter from the shucking station, a rhythm that blends perfectly with this tiny, old-school room full of regulars.
The fish-and-chips feels like bar food in the best possible way: flaky, hot, generously portioned, and served beside fries that stay crisp even under steam.
I honestly didn’t expect such a simple plate to land so well, but there’s a comfort in the straightforwardness here that made the whole experience feel honest and memorable.
8. Palm Pavilion Beachside Bar & Grill, Clearwater Beach (Worth The Dockside View)
You can almost feel the day exhale here, with the sun sliding low and the water glowing a soft gold across the shoreline.
The fish-and-chips keeps its crunch even outdoors, thanks to a batter that leans thin and lets the fish stay tender instead of heavy.
There’s a quiet pleasure in eating while the sky shifts colors, and this plate somehow tastes even better when the evening settles in around the patio.
7. Woody’s Waterfront, St. Pete Beach (Worth The Dockside View)
A basket lands on the table with the fish still steaming, its surface crackling slightly from the fryer’s last kiss.
Woody’s has been feeding beachgoers since the 1980s, and regulars talk about it the way people talk about dependable old neighbors who always show up.
If the outdoor seats fill fast, slip around to the rail facing the water. It’s usually quieter there, and the breeze keeps your plate cool without softening the fries.
6. Star Fish Company Dockside Restaurant, Cortez (Worth The Dockside View)
A faint briny scent from the docks lingers in the air, mixing with the hum of fishing boats returning from their morning run.
Their fish-and-chips tastes like it came straight off one of those boats, lightly coated and fried just enough to give each bite a gentle crisp.
I love how unfussy this place feels. The simplicity makes every flavor stand out, and eating here always reminds me why dockside seafood hits differently.
5. Cortez Kitchen, Cortez (Worth The Dockside View)
A gentle rustle comes off the water, carrying the sounds of boats settling in for the evening.
The fish-and-chips leans rustic, with a sturdier batter that holds up against the salty breeze drifting through the open-air seating.
There’s something about eating here that feels very rooted in the village’s working-waterfront rhythm, and the plate reflects that grounded charm in a quiet, satisfying way.
4. Sharky’s On The Pier, Venice (Worth The Dockside View)
The first crunch arrives before the flavor hits, a quick snap of the coating that lets the warmth underneath burst forward.
Sharky’s has been a coastal fixture for decades, and its long wooden pier gives diners a front-row view of passing pelicans and gentle Gulf swells.
If the main deck fills up, wander to the railing closest to the pier’s midpoint. The breeze is cooler there, and your food stays crisp longer.
3. Doc Ford’s, St. Pete Pier (Worth The Dockside View)
Light bounces off the water in scattered flashes, almost like the pier is trying to set its own tempo for the meal.
Their fish-and-chips strikes a balance between airy batter and flaky fish, and it fits naturally into the menu’s mix of bright, beach-leaning flavors.
I always leave this place feeling a little more energized than when I arrived, and the pier itself adds a lift that turns a simple lunch into something memorable.
2. Pinchers, Tin City Naples (Worth The Dockside View)
A soft clatter from the nearby boats sets an easy rhythm as you sit down at one of the shaded tables.
The fish arrives with a lightly salted crust that breaks cleanly, revealing warm, tender fillets that pair well with their simple, vinegar-bright slaw.
Visitors tend to linger here longer than planned, partly because the waterfront view keeps shifting with every boat pulling in, and partly because the plate in front of them disappears faster than expected.
1. The Dock At Crayton Cove, Naples (Worth The Dockside View)
A small breeze carries the scent of the marina, mixing with the kitchen’s warm, crisp aromas in a way that nudges your appetite awake.
Their fish-and-chips feels intentionally unfussy, relying on quality fillets and a batter that stays crisp even as the Florida sun reflects off the water around you.
I always find myself relaxing into the moment here, letting the calm setting and straightforward cooking work together until the meal feels like exactly the right choice for the day.