10 Florida Fish Shacks Locals Wish Tourists Would Skip

Florida’s coastline is dotted with fish shacks, but not all of them earn local love. Some spots attract tourists with flashy signs or convenient locations, yet the food often falls short of expectations.

Locals know where the flavors are truly worth chasing, where freshness and seasoning make every bite memorable.

Exploring these hidden truths reveals which shacks are authentic gems and which ones are better left to those unaware of the state’s true seafood scene.

1. The Fish House

Long lines snake around this Key Largo institution every evening, but locals know the truth.

The fish sandwiches arrive lukewarm, and the famous key lime pie tastes suspiciously store-bought these days.

What started as a beloved neighborhood spot has morphed into a tourist trap with prices climbing higher than the mercury in August.

Meanwhile, the quality has plummeted faster than a pelican diving for dinner.

2. The Original Crabby Bill’s

Claiming to be “original” doesn’t make the food taste better. Indian Rocks Beach residents smirk when visitors rave about discovering this place, knowing the kitchen’s glory days ended sometime during the Clinton administration.

Frozen seafood arrives mysteriously labeled as “fresh catch,” while servers recite the same tired jokes they’ve been using since 1983.

The gift shop now occupies more space than the dining room – always a bad sign.

3. Rustic Inn Crabhouse

Tourists gleefully don plastic bibs while wielding tiny mallets, convinced they’re having an authentic Florida experience.

Reality check: Fort Lauderdale locals haven’t eaten here voluntarily since the 90s. The garlic crabs might be famous, but they’re also criminally overpriced.

Staff hurry you through your meal with assembly-line efficiency, ensuring maximum table turnover. Your “waterfront” view? A murky canal that’s seen better days.

4. The Back Porch Seafood & Oyster House

Vacation photos from this Destin spot flood social media every summer. “Look at our amazing seafood dinner!” they proclaim, unaware that locals haven’t darkened its door in years.

Mediocre hush puppies arrive at your table lightning-fast, while the actual seafood takes forever.

The Gulf views remain stunning, but they’re the only fresh thing about the place. Pro tip: the nearby gas station serves better seafood.

5. The Crab Trap

Nothing says “tourist trap” quite like a restaurant actually named “The Trap.” Pensacola Beach residents chuckle as sunburned visitors flock here, drawn by the beachfront location rather than culinary merit.

Frozen crab claws thaw just enough to serve while bland hush puppies multiply like tribbles on your plate.

The real kicker? Those stunning views come with a 30% menu markup and a side of indifferent service.

6. Old Florida Fish House

Seagrove Beach’s supposed hidden gem isn’t hidden at all – just follow the rental cars and sunburned shoulders.

Locals scratch their heads at the hour-long waits for what amounts to uninspired seafood plucked from the freezer.

Marketing genius transformed this average eatery into a “must-visit” spot through clever naming alone.

“Old Florida” apparently means charging new Florida prices for forgettable meals served with a side of manufactured nostalgia.

7. Keys Fisheries

Marathon locals watch with amusement as visitors circle endlessly for parking, all for the privilege of overpaying for lobster rolls.

Sure, the view’s decent, but so is the view from literally anywhere else in the Keys. Self-service ordering creates cattle-call chaos during peak hours.

Meanwhile, the lobster – supposedly the star attraction – often tastes like it took a detour through several freezers before reaching your plate. Your “authentic Keys experience” is anything but.

8. JB’s Fish Camp

New Smyrna Beach residents have a code phrase for tourists: “Send them to JB’s.” This keeps visitors contained while locals enjoy better seafood elsewhere.

The weathered dock and rustic atmosphere create an illusion of authenticity that the kitchen fails to deliver. Fried seafood platters arrive glistening with oil that masks the frozen-then-thawed main attraction.

Meanwhile, kayak rentals and dolphin sightings distract from the mediocre meals. The restaurant’s best feature? The sunset – which is free elsewhere.

9. Schooners

“The Last Local Beach Club” ironically contains very few locals. Panama City Beach residents steer clear of this tourist magnet where the famous sunset cannon attracts crowds who applaud mechanically on cue.

Food arrives suspiciously quickly during rush periods, suggesting microwave assistance rather than careful preparation.

The beach volleyball courts provide entertainment while you wait for your overpriced, underwhelming grouper sandwich. Actual local hangouts remain safely anonymous, just how residents prefer.

10. Conch Republic Seafood Company

Key West cruise ship passengers pour into this waterfront warehouse by the hundreds, believing they’ve discovered authentic Keys cuisine.

Meanwhile, locals haven’t voluntarily eaten here since the building was an actual working fish house.

Conch fritters arrive suspiciously uniform in size and taste, while the fish sandwiches somehow lack flavor despite being served in paradise.

Your server recites the same rehearsed “local stories” they tell every table, none of which are actually true.