7 Florida Seafood Spots Perfect For Tourists & 7 That Locals Keep Quiet
Nothing beats fresh seafood when visiting the Sunshine State!
As a Florida native who’s spent years exploring coastal eateries, I’ve discovered both the tourist hotspots and hidden gems that serve up the ocean’s bounty.
From stone crabs in Miami to grouper sandwiches in the Keys, Florida’s seafood scene offers something for every palate and budget.
Ready to discover where to find the most mouthwatering seafood during your Florida adventure?
1. Joe’s Stone Crab: Miami’s Century-Old Seafood Institution
Last summer, I waited two hours for a table at Joe’s, and let me tell you—worth every minute! This Miami Beach landmark has been serving their legendary stone crabs since 1913, making it practically prehistoric by South Florida standards.
The stone crabs arrive with their signature mustard sauce, creating a flavor combination that’s become the stuff of culinary legend. Their key lime pie deserves its own fan club too.
Celebrity sightings are common here, but nobody’s looking around—all eyes stay fixed on those glorious crab claws. Just remember they’re closed during stone crab off-season (May-October), and they don’t take reservations, so arrive early or prepare to wait!
2. Salt Shack On The Bay: Tampa’s Waterfront Paradise
Pinch me, I must be dreaming! Salt Shack sits directly on Tampa Bay with the kind of sunset views that make you forget to check your phone for hours. The open-air design means every table feels like waterfront dining.
My go-to order? Their grouper sandwich with a side of hush puppies and a cold craft beer. The seafood here tastes like it jumped straight from the water to your plate.
Dolphins occasionally make guest appearances while you dine, adding free entertainment to your meal. The restaurant’s dock allows boaters to pull right up for dinner, creating a perfect blend of casual Florida vibes with surprisingly sophisticated seafood. Arrive before sunset to snag the best tables!
3. Big Fin Seafood Kitchen: Orlando’s Upscale Catch
Who says you need a coastline for amazing seafood? Tucked away in Orlando’s Restaurant Row, Big Fin became my celebration spot after landing my dream job. The elegant dining room balances upscale atmosphere with zero pretentiousness.
Their seafood tower—a multi-tiered extravaganza of oysters, shrimp, lobster, and crab—makes for an Instagram moment that actually tastes as good as it looks. The Maine lobster comes perfectly cracked so you don’t wrestle with your food.
What truly sets Big Fin apart is their ability to accommodate dietary restrictions without sacrificing flavor. My gluten-free sister finally got to enjoy fried calamari thanks to their special batter! Despite being inland, everything tastes ocean-fresh thanks to their daily deliveries.
4. Estiatorio Milos: Mediterranean Flair In Miami Beach
Holy moly, I still dream about the grilled octopus at Milos! This Greek-inspired seafood haven brings Mediterranean magic to South Beach with a fish market display that’ll make your jaw drop. You literally select your dinner from a bed of ice.
Price tags here might cause mild heart palpitations, but their lunch special offers a taste of luxury without the financial commitment. The whole fish, deboned tableside with theatrical flair, transforms dining into a performance art.
Celebrities flock here during Miami’s busy season, but the real star is the impossibly fresh seafood. My insider tip: order the grilled vegetables—they’re grown specially for the restaurant and might upstage your main course. Their outdoor terrace offers prime people-watching on Collins Avenue.
5. Florida’s Seafood Bar & Grill: Cocoa Beach’s Casual Gem
After catching waves at Cocoa Beach last spring, I stumbled upon this unassuming spot that looks more like a dive bar than a seafood paradise. Boy, was I wrong! The paper-covered tables and plastic bibs telegraph exactly what you’re in for—gloriously messy, finger-licking seafood.
Their garlic blue crabs became my instant obsession—newspaper-covered tables quickly transform into battlefields of empty shells. The smoked fish dip, served with saltines, disappears faster than you can say “another round.”
Don’t expect fancy presentation or white-glove service. This place is all about fresh-caught seafood prepared without fuss or pretension. Families, surfers, and NASA employees all rub elbows here, creating a perfectly authentic Space Coast experience that won’t drain your wallet.
6. Steamers: Clearwater’s Beachfront Seafood Paradise
Barefoot and sandy after a beach day? No problem at Steamers! I’ve happily wandered in post-swim countless times. This casual Clearwater spot sits so close to the Gulf you can practically feel the sea spray while munching on their legendary coconut shrimp.
The restaurant’s steamer pots—overflowing with crab legs, mussels, clams, corn, and potatoes—are designed for sharing, though I’ve been known to tackle one solo. Sunset brings a free show as the sky explodes with color over the water.
Live music creates the soundtrack for your meal most evenings, with local musicians playing everything from Jimmy Buffett covers to original Florida-inspired tunes. Their key lime colada—a frozen concoction that would make Buffett proud—perfectly complements the salt air and seafood. Perfect for families but equally beloved by couples.
7. Mussel Beach: Fort Lauderdale’s Belgian-Inspired Seafood Haven
“You’ve gotta try the coconut mussels!” insisted my local friend when dragging me to this Fort Lauderdale gem. Skeptical about mussels and coconut together? I was too—until that first bite changed my entire worldview.
Mussel Beach offers over 20 different preparations of these bivalve delights, from traditional white wine and garlic to more adventurous curry or tequila lime variations. Each pot arrives with a mountain of crispy frites perfect for soaking up those magical broths.
Beyond mussels, their seafood paella feeds two hungry adults with leftovers to spare. The restaurant’s playful name matches its atmosphere—sophisticated enough for date night but casual enough that nobody raises an eyebrow when you use bread to sop up every last drop of sauce. Their Belgian beer selection perfectly complements the European-meets-Florida menu.
8. The Rusty Pelican: Key Biscayne’s Scenic Fine Dining
My parents celebrated their anniversary here, and I finally understood why when I saw that Miami skyline view! Perched on the edge of Key Biscayne, The Rusty Pelican offers a panorama of downtown Miami that turns magical as city lights reflect across Biscayne Bay.
Yellowtail snapper, prepared Florida Keys-style with capers and lemon butter, showcases simple preparation that lets quality ingredients shine. Their lobster mac and cheese has ruined all other versions for me—creamy, decadent, and studded with generous chunks of sweet lobster meat.
Sunday brunch here has become my special occasion tradition, with bottomless mimosas and a bloody mary bar that doubles as a meal. While definitely splurge territory, the combination of impeccable seafood and that million-dollar view makes it worth every penny for milestone celebrations or impressing out-of-town guests.
9. The Crab Plant: Crystal River’s No-Frills Seafood Market
“Where do we get the good stuff?” I asked a weathered fisherman at Crystal River. His knowing smile led me to The Crab Plant—part seafood market, part hidden restaurant that locals guard like buried treasure.
Don’t expect fancy menus or table service here. You’ll order at the counter from a chalkboard listing whatever came off the boats that morning. Stone crabs arrive still dripping with Gulf water, and the smoked mullet dip comes from a family recipe that should be classified as a state secret.
Grab your food in styrofoam containers and head to the weathered picnic tables outside. Blue herons sometimes wander close, hoping for scraps. The deviled crab—a spicy, breaded crab mixture—is worth the drive alone. Cash only, no reservations, and definitely no pretension—just the freshest seafood you’ll ever taste.
10. Little Moir’s Food Shack: Jupiter’s Eclectic Seafood Fusion
“What exactly is Bahamian-Asian-Florida fusion?” I wondered before my first visit. One bite of their sweet potato-crusted fish answered that question deliciously! Tucked into an unassuming strip mall in Jupiter, Food Shack has zero curb appeal but infinite food appeal.
The daily specials board changes constantly based on what local fishermen bring through the back door. Their signature dish—fish topped with crispy sweet potato strands—creates a textural masterpiece that locals line up for. The tiny open kitchen lets you watch culinary magic happen.
Reggae music and colorful surfboards create a laid-back vibe that belies the sophisticated flavors. Don’t miss their “Indoroni”—a mac and cheese variation with Indian spices that somehow perfectly complements seafood. No reservations means early dinner or prepare to wait, but nearby bars make the wait time fly by.
11. The Lazy Flamingo: Sanibel Island’s Hidden Hangout
“Are we lost?” I asked my husband as we pulled up to what looked like someone’s garage with a neon flamingo sign. Turns out, we’d found Sanibel’s best-kept secret! The Lazy Flamingo embodies Florida’s authentic island spirit—unpretentious, slightly quirky, and serving seafood that makes you close your eyes in bliss.
Their grouper sandwich—blackened, grilled, or fried—comes straight from local waters to your plate. The buffalo shrimp pack enough heat to make your forehead sweat, perfectly cooled by their homemade blue cheese dressing.
License plates and fishing photos cover nearly every inch of wall space, creating a museum of local fishing history. The bartenders remember regulars’ names and drinks after just one visit. Locals deliberately misdirect tourists elsewhere to keep tables available, which I feel slightly guilty about now that I’m spilling their secret!
12. Star Fish Company: Cortez Fishing Village’s Dockside Treasure
My first bite of grouper at Star Fish ruined me for all other fish sandwiches! This cash-only market and dockside restaurant in historic Cortez fishing village serves seafood so fresh it was swimming that morning.
Pelicans perch on nearby pilings while you devour your food at weathered picnic tables overlooking the water. The blackened grouper sandwich arrives simply dressed with lettuce and tomato on plain white bread—because when fish is this good, anything else would be a distraction.
Fishing boats unload their daily catch at the adjacent dock, sometimes right before your eyes. The hush puppies, crispy on the outside and pillowy inside, have a hint of sweetness that perfectly complements the savory seafood.
13. Owen’s Fish Camp: Sarasota’s Southern Seafood Sanctuary
The massive banyan tree out front should’ve been my first clue that Owen’s is something special. Named after Sarasota’s founding father, this downtown gem captures Old Florida’s spirit in a backyard-party atmosphere that feels like stepping into a family gathering.
Mason jars of sweet tea and local beer wash down their legendary low country boil—a newspaper-covered feast of shrimp, crab, sausage, corn and potatoes. The tiny indoor dining room quickly fills with locals, but the backyard area—with twinkling lights, live bluegrass, and a tire swing—creates the perfect setting for seafood indulgence.
Their smoked fish spread on saltines makes the perfect starter while deciding between fresh catches. The restaurant’s connection to local fishermen means menu items change daily based on what’s biting. No reservations means weekend waits, but the nearby bar serves their full menu too—a secret only regulars know.
14. Singleton’s Seafood Shack: Mayport’s Authentic Fishing Dock Eatery
“You smell that?” my friend asked as we approached what looked like a dilapidated fishing shack. That intoxicating aroma of frying seafood led us to Singleton’s—a Jacksonville institution since 1969 that’s deliberately avoided modernization.
The ramshackle building sits directly on Mayport’s working waterfront. Weathered fishing nets and buoys hang from ceilings while boat captains discuss the day’s catch at nearby tables. Their datil pepper hot sauce—a St. Augustine specialty—adds the perfect kick to already impeccable fried shrimp baskets.
Mayport shrimp, a local variety known for exceptional sweetness, stars in most dishes. The minorcan chowder, loaded with datil peppers and locally harvested clams, carries enough heat to clear sinuses. Expect plastic utensils, paper plates, and some of the freshest seafood in Northeast Florida. Don’t miss their smoked fish dip—it disappears quickly for good reason!