12 Drive-In Restaurants In Florida You Need To Try For Burgers, Boats, And Beach Views
Florida knows how to mix burgers with breezes, and its drive-in restaurants are proof. Picture this: sizzling patties, classic shakes, and ocean views or waterfront docks just steps away.
Whether you’re pulling up by car or coasting in by boat, these spots serve nostalgia with a side of sunshine.
It’s where retro charm meets coastal vibes, and every bite feels like a mini vacation. Bring your appetite, and maybe some flip-flops too.
1. MoonLight Drive-In – Titusville
Space Coast locals swear by the MoonLight’s rocket-sized burgers, served with a side of NASA history.
Parked just minutes from Kennedy Space Center, this retro joint lets you watch rocket launches while devouring hand-spun milkshakes.
The walls display signed photos from astronauts who’ve stopped by over the decades.
Arrive at sunset for the full experience – when the neon sign flickers to life against the darkening sky, you’ll understand why it’s called the MoonLight.
2. Coney Island Drive-Inn – Brooksville
Family-owned since 1960, this nostalgic spot hasn’t changed its recipes in over 60 years.
Regulars line up for their famous foot-long hot dogs smothered in homemade chili and their hand-cut onion rings that arrive stacked like golden towers. Car hops still deliver to your vehicle on busy weekends.
The orange and white striped building stands as a landmark on Broad Street, welcoming hungry travelers with the same friendly service that made it famous during the Kennedy administration.
3. Tally-Ho Drive In – Panama City
Hidden behind towering pines, this Panama City institution has survived countless hurricanes since 1949.
Their secret weapon? A griddle that’s never been replaced, seasoning each smash burger with decades of flavor. Surfers flock here after dawn sessions, still dripping saltwater on the checkered floors.
The owner, Miss Patty, remembers every regular’s order by heart and still makes her strawberry milkshakes from berries grown on her family farm just outside town.
4. Shake Pit – Bradenton
Crowds gather under the red-and-white awning of this cash-only landmark that’s been flipping burgers since 1959.
Baseball teams celebrate wins here, filling the picnic tables with trophies and chocolate-dipped soft serve cones.
The grill masters at Shake Pit cook everything in full view, the sizzle of fresh patties providing percussion to the oldies playing on the speakers.
Their signature move? Pressing a dimple into each burger before cooking – a technique that ensures juicy perfection every time.
5. Angel’s Dining Car – Palatka
Florida’s oldest diner hasn’t closed its doors since 1932, serving hungry travelers 24/7 through the Great Depression, world wars, and countless hurricanes.
The chrome-sided dining car gleams like a beacon on Reid Street, drawing in locals and road-trippers alike.
Truckers swear by their 3 AM breakfast special – three eggs with country ham cut thick enough to make your cardiologist nervous.
The waitresses call everyone “honey” regardless of age, and somehow your coffee cup never reaches empty before being refilled.
6. Dune Dog Cafe – Jupiter
Barefoot boaters tie up at the dock behind this open-air tiki hut, where ceiling fans spin lazily above picnic tables covered in brown paper.
Their New England-style lobster rolls bring a taste of Maine to the Intracoastal Waterway.
Dogs lounge under tables while owners debate which is better – the blackened mahi sandwich or the signature Dune Dog topped with mango salsa.
The bartender rings a ship’s bell whenever someone leaves a generous tip, causing the whole place to erupt in cheers.
7. El Cap Restaurant – St. Petersburg
Baseball legends and local politicians have been squeezing into the tiny booths of this sports bar since 1964.
Their World Champion Burger remains unchanged – a perfectly seasoned patty topped with melted American cheese on a soft white bun.
Autographed photos cover nearly every inch of wall space, documenting decades of famous visitors.
The bartenders pour stiff drinks with heavy hands, and regulars know to order the onion rings “extra crispy” – a secret menu hack that gets you the crunchiest batch from the fryer.
8. Dairy Joy – Tampa
Time stands still at this baby-blue ice cream stand that’s been cooling down Tampanians since 1958.
The walk-up window still features hand-painted signs advertising flavors that sound like they’re from another era – teaberry, maple walnut, and butter brickle.
High school students work the counters each summer, just as their parents and grandparents did before them.
The owner, Mr. Callahan, still makes banana splits the old-fashioned way, with three perfect scoops lined up in a boat and topped with real whipped cream he makes fresh each morning.
9. Roy’s Restaurant – Steinhatchee
Fishermen unload their daily catch directly to Roy’s kitchen from boats tied up at the adjoining dock.
This weathered cinder block building might not look fancy, but locals know it serves the freshest seafood on Florida’s Nature Coast.
The grouper sandwich arrives so massive it requires two hands and several napkins to tackle properly.
Grab a table on the screened porch overlooking the Steinhatchee River, where you might spot manatees gliding by during winter months or fishing guides pointing out perfect casting spots to their clients.
10. Burdine’s Waterfront – Marathon
Captains navigate their vessels directly to Burdine’s docks in the Florida Keys, where the motto “No Shoes Required” isn’t just suggested – it’s practically enforced.
The two-story restaurant offers panoramic views of Boot Key Harbor from its upper deck. Their famous fish tacos come with fish caught that morning, often by the customers themselves who proudly hand over their catch to be prepared.
The frozen key lime pie on a stick, dipped in chocolate and eaten while watching the sunset, has convinced many visitors to extend their Keys vacation by another day.
11. Cruisin’ Cafe Bar & Grill – Daytona Beach
Motorcycle enthusiasts roar up to this racing-themed restaurant across from the famous Daytona International Speedway.
Vintage racing memorabilia covers every surface, from checkered flags to signed helmets donated by NASCAR legends who frequent the place during race weeks.
The burgers arrive with tiny checkered flags stuck in the buns, and the “Pit Stop Platter” features enough food to fuel an entire racing team.
During Bike Week, the parking lot transforms into an impromptu motorcycle show, with chrome gleaming under the Florida sun and bikers swapping road stories over cold beers.
12. Le Tub – Hollywood
Salvaged bathtubs and toilet planters create the weirdest decor you’ll ever see at this former gas station turned burger joint overlooking the Intracoastal.
GQ once named their 13-ounce sirloin burgers the best in America, causing lines that stretched down A1A.
Finding Le Tub is half the adventure – there’s barely a sign, just a wooden fence covered in buoys and fishing nets.
The wait for food can stretch to an hour during peak times, but regulars know the secret: grab a drink from the dockside bar and watch the yachts cruise by while your burger cooks to perfection.