14 Beachfront Restaurants In Florida With Views As Good As The Food
Florida’s coastline offers more than just beautiful beaches. It is also home to some of America’s most spectacular waterfront dining spots.
From casual tiki bars where your toes touch the sand to elegant establishments with panoramic ocean views, the Sunshine State knows how to combine culinary excellence with breathtaking scenery.
Ready for a mouthwatering tour of Florida’s best beachfront eateries?
1. Salt-Sprayed Charm at Blue Parrot Oceanfront Cafe
Barefoot dining reaches its peak at St. George Island’s beloved Blue Parrot. Colorful umbrellas dot the sand while seagulls soar overhead and waves provide the soundtrack to your meal. The no-frills wooden deck practically hovers over the Gulf’s crystal waters.
Their grouper sandwich—a hefty fillet crusted with secret spices—pairs perfectly with the salty breeze. Families build sandcastles just steps from their tables, creating a quintessential beach experience that feeds both stomach and soul.
2. Sunset-Kissed Elegance at The Grand Marlin
Perched majestically on Pensacola Beach, The Grand Marlin serves up seafood so fresh you’d swear it jumped straight from the Gulf onto your plate. The restaurant’s massive windows frame Santa Rosa Sound’s shimmering waters, creating a backdrop that rivals the food for attention.
Last summer, I watched dolphins play while savoring their famous blackened grouper—a moment of pure Florida magic. Don’t miss their award-winning oyster bar featuring varieties from across North America.
3. Sophisticated Splendor at Caretta on the Gulf
Clearwater’s crown jewel of fine dining floats above the shoreline like a glass-walled dream. White tablecloths flutter in the gentle breeze while floor-to-ceiling windows showcase the Gulf’s ever-changing palette. The AAA Four-Diamond restaurant transforms sunset into an art form.
I once celebrated my anniversary here, watching the sky turn pink while savoring their signature seared scallops. The staff remembered our names, the chef sent special amuse-bouches, and for two hours, we forgot the outside world existed.
4. Old-School Beach Vibes at Palm Pavilion
Since 1926, Palm Pavilion has been Clearwater’s beloved beach hangout, where flip-flops are always appropriate and the Gulf views never disappoint. The weathered wooden deck seems to grow right out of the sand dunes, creating a seamless transition from beach to table.
Generations of families return for their legendary grouper sandwiches and rum runners. When the afternoon sun hits just right, casting golden light across the outdoor bar, you’ll understand why this unpretentious spot has outlasted countless trendier establishments.
5. Party Central at Ocean Deck Restaurant
Daytona’s legendary Ocean Deck pulses with energy from sunup to long past sundown. The multi-level wooden structure sits right on the famous racing beach, with reggae music floating through salt-tinged air and surfboards decorating the walls.
Their famous Rasta chicken wings arrive at your table while motorcycles cruise the hard-packed sand below. By night, the place transforms into a vibrant beach club where locals and tourists mingle over tropical drinks as waves crash just yards away.
6. Historic Glamour at Casablanca Cafe
Fort Lauderdale’s oldest house transformed into its most romantic restaurant offers Mediterranean magic steps from the Atlantic. The 1927 Spanish-style villa features arched doorways, wrought iron details, and a second-floor terrace where ocean breezes rustle through palm fronds.
Piano music drifts through candlelit corners while couples linger over Moroccan-inspired seafood. The building survived multiple hurricanes and demolition threats, creating an atmosphere where history and coastal luxury intertwine like the flavors in their signature paella.
7. Luxe Coastal Retreat at Burlock Coast
The Ritz-Carlton’s oceanfront treasure strikes the perfect balance between upscale and approachable. Weathered wood meets sleek marble as Atlantic waves provide a hypnotic backdrop to creative seafood presentations.
My brother-in-law, a notorious food critic, fell silent when tasting their rum-glazed ribs last Christmas. We watched cruise ships glide along the horizon while sampling their rum flight—each spirit telling a story of Caribbean history.
The fire pits keep evening diners cozy when rare cool breezes sweep across the terrace.
8. Lagoon-Side Luxury at Redfish by Chef Adrianne
Tucked inside Matheson Hammock Park, this hidden gem offers Miami’s most unique waterfront dining. Ancient banyan trees form a natural canopy over tables that overlook a man-made saltwater lagoon connecting directly to Biscayne Bay.
Unlike South Beach’s flashy scenes, Redfish delivers understated elegance where wildlife sightings accompany your meal. Herons stalk through shallow waters as servers deliver Chef Adrianne’s famous blackened redfish.
The restored 1930s coral rock building feels like old Florida reimagined for modern palates.
9. Coastal Refinement at Drift Kitchen + Bar
Jensen Beach’s oceanfront crown jewel floats above pristine dunes, offering Atlantic panoramas through walls of glass that disappear during perfect weather. The restaurant’s clean lines and natural materials mirror the beach landscape outside.
I stumbled upon Drift during a rainstorm last spring, watching lightning dance across the ocean while devouring their wood-fired pizza. The bartender crafted a custom cocktail inspired by the storm—spicy, electric, and unforgettable.
When the rain subsided, we moved to the veranda, where waves provided the perfect digestif.
10. Sunrise Spectacle at Sand Dune Café
Morning magic happens daily at this unassuming breakfast spot perched directly on Jensen Beach. Wooden picnic tables scattered across a weathered deck host early risers watching the sun emerge from the Atlantic while pelicans dive-bomb for breakfast.
Their Boardwalk Burrito—stuffed with eggs, chorizo, and fresh avocado—fuels beachgoers before a day of swimming. Coffee tastes better here, locals swear, something about the salt air and the rhythm of waves just steps from your table enhancing the flavor.
11. Pier Perfection at Benny’s on the Beach
Perched at the edge of Lake Worth Pier, Benny’s literally suspends diners above crashing Atlantic waves. The wooden structure extends 1,000 feet into the ocean, creating the sensation of dining aboard a stationary cruise ship.
Fishermen haul in catches just yards from your table. The restaurant’s famous Lobster Benedict arrives with a side of dolphin sightings—no extra charge.
When nor’easters whip the sea into a frenzy, brave diners experience nature’s power as spray occasionally mists their mimosas.
12. Barefoot Paradise at Caddy’s Treasure Island
Sand floors, no walls, and Gulf views that stretch to forever—Caddy’s epitomizes Florida’s laid-back beach culture. Multicolored Adirondack chairs sink into sugar-white sand while servers navigate between them, delivering frozen concoctions.
The kids’ menu arrives as a frisbee they can take to the beach after eating. During my cousin’s wedding weekend, we spent three consecutive evenings here, toes in sand, watching different spectacular sunsets while debating which of their fresh fish tacos reigned supreme.
13. Pirate’s Paradise at Peg Leg Pete’s
Pensacola Beach’s beloved pirate-themed eatery delivers Gulf views with a side of swashbuckling fun. The sprawling wooden complex features multiple outdoor decks where salty breezes enhance their famous oyster platters.
Captain-hatted servers navigate between tables delivering rum-infused cocktails in souvenir coconuts.
During spring break 2019, my college roommates and I spent every sunset here, challenging each other to try increasingly exotic seafood while debating which beach bar offered the ultimate Florida experience. Pete’s won unanimously.
14. Historic Driftwood Dreams at Waldo’s Restaurant
Vero Beach’s architectural marvel resembles a shipwreck transformed into a dining destination. Built entirely from salvaged driftwood in 1935, the rustic structure seems to grow organically from the dunes, offering multi-level Atlantic views.
The interior feels like a museum—every beam and post tells a story of storms and survival. Their crab cakes arrive while pelicans dive just yards away.
Steel drum players create island vibes on weekends while the restaurant’s resident ghost (Waldo himself, according to staff) occasionally moves glassware when no one’s looking.