These Florida Seafood Platters Are Meant To Be Shared (But Never Are)
Florida’s coastal restaurants serve up seafood platters so massive they could feed a small army. These towering mountains of fried goodness come loaded with shrimp, fish, scallops, and all the fixings that make your mouth water.
Restaurant owners swear these platters are designed for sharing, but anyone who’s ordered one knows the truth. Once that golden-brown bounty hits your table, sharing becomes the last thing on your mind.
Platter For 2 At St. Marys Seafood & More In Jacksonville Mandarin
Don’t let the name fool you because this “Platter for 2” rarely makes it past one hungry diner. St. Marys loads this beast with golden fried shrimp, tender scallops, and flaky fish fillets.
The hush puppies alone could serve as a meal, but they’re just the opening act. French fries pile high alongside coleslaw that actually tastes fresh instead of soggy.
Your server will bring extra plates, but good luck using them when faced with this crispy mountain of coastal perfection.
The Captain’s Platter At The Crab Trap In Fort Walton Beach
Captain’s orders at The Crab Trap mean business, and this platter proves why locals keep coming back for more. Jumbo shrimp practically overflow the plate while perfectly seasoned grouper melts in your mouth.
Snow crab legs require some work, but cracking them open reveals sweet meat worth every effort. The restaurant provides mallets and bibs, though most folks forget about looking neat.
Sharing sounds reasonable until you taste that first bite and realize you’re in this battle alone.
Seafood Platter At Goodrich Seafood & Oyster House In Oak Hill
Goodrich has been serving hungry folks since way back, and their seafood platter shows decades of perfected recipes. Fresh oysters arrive still sizzling from the fryer alongside plump shrimp that snap when you bite them.
The catfish comes from local waters and tastes nothing like those farm-raised imposters. Sweet potato fries add a nice touch that regular fries just can’t match.
Two people might tackle this together, but someone’s definitely getting shortchanged on the good stuff.
Dee’s Fried Seafood Platter At Dee’s Hangout In Panama City Beach
Beach vibes meet serious eating at Dee’s Hangout, where this platter arrives looking like a golden treasure chest. My cousin ordered this last summer expecting to share, but ended up guarding it like a dragon.
The shrimp come butterflied and crispy while the fish practically falls apart from being so tender. Onion rings stack up like edible bracelets begging to be devoured.
Sharing becomes impossible when everything tastes this fresh and perfectly seasoned with just enough spice to keep things interesting.
The Ultimate Feast At Florida’s Seafood Bar & Grill In Cocoa Beach
They named this one perfectly because it truly represents the ultimate test of your seafood appetite. Coconut shrimp arrives alongside traditional fried varieties, giving you sweet and savory options.
Mahi-mahi gets the royal treatment with a light coating that lets the fish flavor shine through. The portion sizes here don’t mess around, and neither should you.
Bringing a friend means watching them eye your plate while pretending they’re full from their own smaller order.
Captain’s Platter At Surf Hut In Destin
Surf’s up and so is your appetite when this monster platter hits your table at the Surf Hut. Gulf shrimp taste like they jumped straight from the water onto your plate.
Red snapper gets fried to perfection with a coating so light it practically floats. The portions here lean generous, which means leftovers rarely make it home.
Destin knows seafood, and this platter proves why tourists keep flooding back to this particular spot year after year for authentic coastal flavors.
Captain’s Platter At Shells Seafood In Tampa And Other Locations
Shells brings consistency across Florida with their Captain’s Platter that never disappoints hungry seafood lovers. The chain might have multiple locations, but quality stays rock solid.
Popcorn shrimp pile up like tiny golden nuggets while larger shrimp provide substantial bites. Fish fillets come flaky and moist, proving that chain restaurants can nail seafood when they try.
Sharing becomes tricky when everything arrives hot, fresh, and perfectly seasoned with just the right amount of coastal flair.
Captain’s Platter At Backwaters On Sand Key In Clearwater Beach
Sand Key location means fresh catches daily, and Backwaters takes full advantage with their loaded Captain’s Platter. Grouper chunks arrive tender and flaky, practically melting on your tongue.
The view competes with the food for attention, but once you start eating, scenery becomes secondary. Scallops get seared just right, creating that perfect contrast between crispy outside and soft center.
Two plates seem reasonable until you realize someone’s getting stuck with just the side dishes while the other hoards the good seafood.
Captain’s Platter At Capt’n Jack’s Waterfront Grill In Tarpon Springs
Greek influence meets Gulf Coast seafood at Capt’n Jack’s, creating something special on every Captain’s Platter. The sponge docks nearby guarantee fresh daily catches that taste like the ocean.
Tarpon Springs knows seafood traditions, and this platter respects those roots while adding modern touches. I watched a family of four attempt sharing one platter last spring.
That experiment lasted exactly three bites before everyone started protecting their favorite pieces like treasure hunters guarding their loot from hungry pirates.
Seafood Combo Platter At The Fish Company In Atlantic Beach
Atlantic Beach means serious seafood, and The Fish Company delivers with their combo platter that covers all the bases. Local catches rotate based on what boats bring in daily.
Flounder arrives light and flaky while shrimp come in multiple preparations to keep things interesting. The restaurant focuses on simple preparations that let natural flavors shine through.
Combo platters suggest variety for multiple people, but variety also means more delicious options for one very satisfied customer who claims the whole thing.
Fried Captain’s Platter At The Back Porch In Destin
The Back Porch takes fried seafood seriously, and their Captain’s Platter proves why Destin earned its reputation for coastal cuisine. Everything arrives golden brown and crispy without being greasy.
Amberjack makes regular appearances alongside more common catches, giving adventurous eaters something special to try. The restaurant’s location right on the beach means ingredients travel mere yards from boat to plate.
Fried perfection like this demands full attention and appreciation from one dedicated diner rather than casual nibbling from multiple people.