14 Remote Florida Restaurants Totally Worth The Long Drive
Some of the best meals in Florida hide at the end of long, winding roads where GPS signals get weak, and the landscape starts looking more like wilderness than vacation spots.
These remote restaurants do not show up on glossy tourist guides, but locals know them by heart and road trippers chase them down for a reason.
The drive might take you past swamps, rivers, and tiny towns that barely register on the map, but once you pull into the gravel parking lot and taste what is coming out of the kitchen, every mile suddenly makes sense.
Since I am writing about them, you can guess that I have a lot of experience when it comes to eating in them.
I can tell you that each one delivers honest cooking, waterfront views, and the kind of unhurried atmosphere that makes you want to stay all afternoon.
1. Joanie’s Blue Crab Café, Ochopee
On long drives across the Tamiami Trail, the miles blur together until the little roadside shack of Joanie’s Blue Crab Café suddenly appears with its hand-painted signs and screen doors.
This Everglades classic sits at 39395 Tamiami Trl E, Ochopee, FL 34141, surrounded by sawgrass, alligators, and endless sky.
Inside, the creaky floors, mismatched tables, and old photos make it clear that nobody here is trying to impress city folks with polish.
I once stopped in after a sweaty morning exploring Big Cypress and watched my entire table go silent over platters of blue crab, fried green tomatoes, and gator nuggets.
Service can be laid back, but the portions land with the kind of generosity that makes you forget how far you have driven.
The menu leans into local seafood and Southern sides, so you get real Old Florida flavors instead of tourist bait.
Anyone chasing that feeling of having reached the very edge of civilization before lunch will find Joanie’s absolutely worth the miles.
2. Stumpknockers on the River, Dunnellon
Just before the bridge over the Withlacoochee River, Stumpknockers on the River finally comes into view and my appetite switches to high alert.
The restaurant is at 13821 SW Highway 200, Dunnellon, FL 34432, tucked under tall trees beside the slow-moving water.
Wooden decks, simple dining rooms, and river views keep the atmosphere relaxed while boats glide past as if they are part of the entertainment.
I once watched an entire thunderstorm roll across the river from my table while working through a plate of fried catfish, hush puppies, and coleslaw that tasted exactly like roadside Florida should.
Locals praise the fried seafood baskets, frog legs, and generous platters that never seem shy on portions.
Service is friendly in that unhurried, small-town way that assumes you have nowhere urgent to be.
When winter crowds pack Florida’s busier towns, a long drive out to Stumpknockers feels like sneaking off to your own riverside hideout.
3. Ouzts Too Oyster Bar & Grill, Newport
Road trips along Coastal Highway get a lot more interesting the moment Ouzts Too appears beside the marsh with its weathered sign and gravel parking lot.
This laid-back seafood joint sits at 7968 Coastal Hwy, Crawfordville, FL 32327, in the tiny community of Newport just south of Tallahassee.
Picnic tables, open decks, and a small indoor space give you plenty of ways to settle in while the staff keeps trays of oysters moving.
I still laugh about the afternoon I promised myself a light snack here and somehow ended up sharing multiple trays of baked oysters and a basket of shrimp before I even thought about leaving.
Live music shows up often on weekends, but the real headliner is the seafood pulled from nearby waters and cooked without unnecessary fuss.
The crowd skews local, with plenty of characters who clearly treat this as their riverfront living room.
People who enjoy destinations where GPS feels confused, and the parking lot is mostly pickup trucks, will find Ouzts Too an easy yes.
4. Riverside Café, St. Marks
Quiet little St. Marks rarely shows up on vacation brochures, which is exactly why Riverside Café feels like such a refreshing stop at the end of a long drive.
You will find it at 69 Riverside Dr, St. Marks, FL 32355, right where the St. Marks and Wakulla rivers meet near the Gulf.
The building backs right up to the water with a big deck, simple indoor dining area, and plenty of boat traffic providing constant scenery.
One chilly afternoon I watched mullet jump in the river while I tackled a grouper sandwich and a basket of perfectly seasoned fries that made me seriously consider a second order.
The menu leans on seafood baskets, burgers, and daily specials that match the relaxed, coastal energy of the town.
Locals pop in straight from their boats, and visiting road trippers blend right into the mix without any fuss.
Anyone craving a remote-feeling waterfront hangout where the biggest decision is inside or outside seating will be very happy with Riverside Café.
5. Fiddler’s Restaurant and Resort, Steinhatchee
Down in Steinhatchee, life already feels like the end of the road, and Fiddler’s Restaurant and Resort adds the kind of comfort that turns the trip into a tradition.
The restaurant anchors the property at 1306 S Riverside Dr, Steinhatchee, FL 32359, just off the river in a pocket of town that stays pleasantly sleepy even in busy seasons.
Inside, you get wood accents, mounted fish, and a lively dining room, while outside areas pick up breezes from the nearby water.
I once checked into a room here on a whim, then ended up eating three straight meals downstairs because the seafood platters, steaks, and homestyle sides were too easy to justify.
Regulars brag about the shrimp, fresh fish, and hearty daily specials that reward anyone willing to cross rural Taylor County to get here.
The attached lodge and marina mean you can park the car, forget the clock, and just let the kitchen set the pace of your visit.
When your idea of a remote Florida getaway involves both a plate of seafood and a soft bed nearby, Fiddler’s delivers.
6. Salt Creek Restaurant, Suwannee
On certain afternoons, a random turn toward tiny Suwannee and Salt Creek Restaurant becomes exactly the kind of impulsive decision I crave.
This Nature Coast favorite is located at 23458 SE 349 Hwy, Suwannee, FL 32692, right where the highway finally gives way to docks and marsh grasses.
The building overlooks the water with big windows and a deck that collects sunset views along with hungry guests.
I once arrived just as the sky started turning orange and ended up staying long after my fried shrimp basket and fish Rueben vanished because the glow off the creek was too good to leave behind.
Seafood dominates the menu, with grilled, fried, and blackened options plus hearty platters for anyone who came in truly hungry.
Locals talk up the Sunday plate specials and the cook your catch option that turns a fishing trip into a full meal.
For drivers willing to follow the road until it practically drops into the Gulf, Salt Creek feels like the perfect payoff.
7. Star Fish Company Market & Restaurant, Cortez
Old fishing villages are getting rare in Florida, and every time I wander into Cortez for a meal at Star Fish Company I feel grateful this one is still working hard.
The restaurant and market share a waterfront spot at 12306 46th Ave W, Cortez, FL 34215, in a neighborhood where weathered boats and net sheds still dominate the view.
Most of the seating is outside on the deck or dock, so you eat surrounded by pelicans, fishing boats, and the smell of the bay.
I once stood in line here behind a fisherman who casually pointed out which fish on the menu had come off his boat that morning, then proceeded to order it for himself anyway.
Plates arrive in simple baskets loaded with fried mullet, shrimp, and other fresh catches, along with unfussy sides that do their job without drawing attention.
The market sells fresh seafood to-go, which makes it very tempting to overcommit and bring home a cooler full of dinner.
Anyone who loves driving into a working fishing village for a paper-plate feast should put Star Fish Company high on the list.
8. Catfish Johnny’s, Lake Panasoffkee
Rolling into Lake Panasoffkee and spotting the big sign for Catfish Johnny’s after miles of quiet countryside always gives me a happily nostalgic thrill.
This longtime favorite sits at 2396 N County Road 470, Lake Panasoffkee, FL 33538, not far from the lake and surrounded by low-key fishing camps.
Inside, you get a comfortable country dining room with wood paneling, local photos, and the steady hum of regulars catching up over big plates.
I once watched a whole table of anglers celebrate a successful day by ordering catfish every possible way, which inspired me to abandon my plan for a salad and follow their lead.
Catfish, shrimp, and classic Southern sides dominate the menu, with all-you-can-eat catfish nights that draw serious appetites from across the region.
Staff move quickly but never rush anyone, since lingering over dessert and coffee seems to be part of the experience.
When a timeless roadside catfish feast is what you are chasing after a long, quiet drive, Catfish Johnny’s does the job perfectly.
9. Gator Joe’s Beach Bar & Grill, Ocklawaha
Lake Weir feels wonderfully removed from city noise, and Gator Joe’s gives you a place to eat right on the sand while your GPS wonders where you disappeared.
The restaurant spreads out at 12431 SE 135th Ave, Ocklawaha, FL 32179, sitting directly on the north shore with a long wooden pier and sandy beach.
Wood decks, picnic tables, and a laid-back dining room keep the mood relaxed, with swimmers and boaters drifting past as live scenery.
I once spent an entire afternoon here waiting for the rain to pass and somehow turned that excuse into multiple baskets of fried shrimp, gator bites, and onion rings shared around a crowded table.
The menu leans toward Florida comfort food, emphasizing seafood, sandwiches, and crowd-pleasing appetizers built for sharing.
Families, anglers, and locals all blend together, giving the place a friendly, beachy energy that feels more small-town than tourist strip.
Anyone willing to tack a few extra turns onto a Central Florida road trip gets rewarded at Gator Joe’s with sand between their toes and a full plate.
10. Fish Camp on Lake Eustis, Tavares
Central Florida roadways can feel endless, so pulling into Fish Camp on Lake Eustis always feels like emerging into a secret little harbor.
This waterfront restaurant sits at 901 Lake Shore Blvd, Tavares, FL 32778, right on the shore with docks and outdoor seating over the water.
The building wraps around a deck lined with tables, so almost every seat gets a clear view of boats cruising past and birds working the shoreline.
I once arrived just before sunset and watched the sky shift through every shade of orange while working through shrimp and grits that made me seriously consider ordering a second round.
The menu balances seafood, burgers, and creative specials, with an emphasis on local ingredients and generous portions.
Service tends to be relaxed but attentive, which suits the lingering pace of guests who clearly did not fight traffic just to rush a meal.
For anyone who sees a peaceful lakeside table as the proper reward for surviving busy highways, Fish Camp on Lake Eustis makes perfect sense.
11. The Cove Pub & Grub at The Cove Resort, Inverness
Taking the smaller county roads out toward The Cove Resort near Inverness always feels like a little secret I am letting myself in on.
The restaurant is tucked at 1242 S Cove Camp Pt, Inverness, FL 34450, hidden down a narrow road on the shore of Lake Henderson.
Outdoor seating faces the water, while the indoor area adds just enough bustle to keep things interesting without overwhelming the laid back vibe.
I once stopped in just for lunch and somehow lingered through an entire afternoon, making my way from a burger to a seafood platter while watching pontoon boats come and go from the small marina.
The menu mixes sandwiches, seafood, and hearty comfort dishes that match the casual lakefront atmosphere.
Regulars treat the place as a community hub, drifting in from nearby campgrounds, RV parks, and hidden neighborhoods.
Travelers who prefer restaurants that feel more like a friend’s dockside hangout than a polished resort will find The Cove worth every extra mile.
12. Palms Fish Camp Restaurant, Jacksonville
Heckscher Drive runs along some wonderfully quiet stretches of marsh and water, and Palms Fish Camp feels like the relaxed heart of that route.
This seafood-focused spot sits at 6359 Heckscher Dr, Jacksonville, FL 32226, overlooking Clapboard Creek and the surrounding wetlands.
A big deck, casual dining room, and plenty of open-air seating give you wide views of passing boats and tall marsh grasses.
I once rolled in after a long beach day at nearby state parks and was convinced to stay longer than planned by a blackened fish sandwich that disappeared embarrassingly fast.
The menu highlights fresh local seafood, with platters, sandwiches, and daily specials that keep regulars coming back from all over the Northside.
Despite being technically within Jacksonville, the surrounding marshland and slow pace make it feel pleasantly removed from city noise.
Anyone craving a remote-feeling fish camp experience without driving completely off the map will be very happy parking at Palms Fish Camp.
13. Whitey’s Fish Camp, Fleming Island
Old-school Florida energy is alive and well at Whitey’s Fish Camp, which sits on a quiet stretch of Doctor’s Lake even though Jacksonville’s suburbs are not far away.
The restaurant is located at 2032 County Road 220, Fleming Island, FL 32003, down a slope from the road beside a busy boat ramp and marina.
Decks, docks, and multiple indoor areas give you a mix of river breeze, shaded tables, and lively conversation at almost any hour.
I still remember one early spring evening when I thought I was just stopping for a quick bite and ended up lingering through baskets of fried catfish, shrimp, and hush puppies while watching the last boats ease in for the night.
The menu covers plenty of seafood favorites along with burgers and other casual staples, so mixed groups never have trouble finding something.
Despite its popularity, the surrounding trees, water, and marina activity keep the whole place feeling more like a small resort than a city restaurant.
For anyone willing to cross a few bridges and wind through neighborhoods to reach their meal, Whitey’s repays the effort with honest coastal comfort.
14. Drifters Riverfront Bar & Grill, Astor
State Road 40 cuts straight through forest and river country, and just when you start wondering where everyone went, Drifters Riverfront Bar & Grill announces itself beside the St. Johns River.
This riverside restaurant stands at 55716 Front St, Astor, FL 32102, right at the bridge where the highway crosses the river.
The building has big windows and decks looking over docks, with boats tied up below and gentle river currents doing their thing.
I once pulled in here after a long, straight drive across the Ocala National Forest and felt immediate relief when a plate of fried shrimp, fries, and coleslaw landed in front of me.
The menu sticks to approachable comfort, with seafood baskets, sandwiches, and daily specials that suit both boaters and road trippers.
The combination of forest, river, and low-key chatter makes it very easy to forget that a highway is just a few steps away.
Road trippers who like drives that feel almost meditative and end with a relaxed riverside meal will find Drifters an easy favorite.