10 Florida Seafood Shacks Worth Driving To This Labor Day Weekend
Florida’s coastline is dotted with seafood shacks serving the freshest catches straight from the ocean.
From buttery crab legs and plump shrimp to perfectly fried fish sandwiches, these hidden gems deliver flavor worth every mile of the drive.
Locals know that a trip to one of these spots is more than a meal. It’s a celebration of summer, sun, and seafood.
This Labor Day weekend, exploring these shacks promises delicious bites and unforgettable coastal vibes.
1. Ted Peters Famous Smoked Fish (South Pasadena)
Smoke billows from oak-fired pits at this 70-year-old institution where time seems frozen in the best possible way.
The smoked fish spread has converted even the most stubborn seafood skeptics.
Family-owned since 1951, Ted Peters keeps it simple with a menu that fits on a postcard. Their German potato salad provides the perfect tangy companion to that rich, smoky mullet or mackerel.
2. Star Fish Company Market & Restaurant (Cortez)
Pelicans watch hopefully as commercial fishing boats dock beside this no-frills market-restaurant combo.
Cash only and worth every dollar, Star Fish serves yesterday’s buzzwords (local, sustainable) without any pretension.
Perched on Sarasota Bay, plastic baskets overflow with grouper sandwiches and perfectly fried shrimp. The grouper cheeks – a local delicacy often overlooked – might be the best seafood secret in Florida.
3. Hunt’s Oyster Bar & Seafood (Panama City)
Shuckers work at lightning speed behind the counter of this Panama City institution, where regulars have favorite seats and favorite shuckers.
The daily haul of Apalachicola Bay oysters arrives so fresh they practically taste like the tide rolling in.
Mountains of empty shells pile up as locals and tourists alike slurp down dozens. Their secret weapon? The homemade cocktail sauce packs enough horseradish to clear sinuses three counties away.
4. Safe Harbor Seafood Restaurant (Mayport)
Navy sailors rub elbows with fishermen at this Jacksonville-area gem where boats unload their catch just yards from your table. The blackboard menu changes daily based on what swam into their nets.
Their seafood platters arrive piled impossibly high with golden-fried everything.
My personal obsession: the Minorcan clam chowder, spiced with datil peppers grown down the coast in St. Augustine, delivering a slow burn that complements the sweet clams perfectly.
5. Fish Shack (Lighthouse Point)
Blink and you’ll miss this tiny converted gas station where locals line up for what many consider South Florida’s best conch fritters.
License plates and fishing memorabilia cover every inch of wall space not occupied by photos of grinning customers holding enormous fish.
The smoked fish dip disappears faster than ice cream in August. Their crispy cracked conch sandwich – a Florida Keys staple rarely done right on the mainland – transports you straight to island time.
6. JB’s Fish Camp (New Smyrna Beach)
Kayakers paddle right up to the docks of this ramshackle riverside spot where blue crabs are caught off the restaurant’s own pier.
The screened porch offers front-row seats to dolphin shows that seem scheduled just for dinner entertainment.
Their crab races (yes, actual racing crustaceans) keep kids entertained while adults crack into piles of garlic blue crabs.
The datil pepper hot sauce bottles on every table should be mandatory on your freshly-shucked oysters.
7. The Whale’s Rib (Deerfield Beach)
Guy Fieri put their “Whale Fries” on the map during his Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives visit, but locals have packed this joint since the 1980s.
Surfboards hang from the ceiling while beach-goers stroll in with sandy feet and hungry bellies. Their “Whale Juice” (don’t worry, it’s just a magical dipping sauce) elevates everything it touches.
The dolphin sandwich – that’s mahi-mahi for non-Floridians – comes blackened to perfection and bigger than your face.
8. Keys Fisheries (Marathon)
Birthplace of the original Lobster Reuben sandwich, this working fishery supplies many Miami restaurants with stone crabs and lobster.
When ordering at the window, they’ll ask for your favorite celebrity name instead of a number – hearing “Brad Pitt, your order is ready!” never gets old.
Stone crab claws (in season) come pre-cracked and chilled to perfection.
Their lobster bisque might be worth the drive alone – velvety, rich, and studded with chunks of Florida lobster that were swimming just hours earlier.
9. The Fish House (Key Largo)
Conch Republic flags flutter above this Upper Keys landmark where Jimmy Buffett songs provide the perpetual soundtrack.
Their smoked fish dip recipe remains so guarded that employees reportedly sign non-disclosure agreements.
Matlacha Pass oysters arrive nestled in ice, demanding nothing more than a squeeze of lemon.
The yellowtail snapper – caught that morning and prepared Matecumbe-style with tomatoes, capers, and lemon butter – showcases Florida Keys cooking at its simple best.
10. Alabama Jack’s (Card Sound/Key Largo)
Motorcycle enthusiasts, boaters, and curious road-trippers converge at this middle-of-nowhere landmark perched on stilts over Card Sound.
Dollar bills and bras dangle from the ceiling while hungry patrons devour what many consider Miami’s best conch fritters.
Weekend clogging dancers (yes, really) perform on the makeshift stage.
The open-air structure catches perfect breezes, making even the hottest Florida days bearable as you sip a cold one and contemplate another basket of those legendary crab cakes.