18 Casual Florida Seafood Shacks Where You Can Keep Your Toes In the Beach Sand
Florida’s best seafood doesn’t come with linen napkins—it comes with salt on your sunglasses and a breeze that smells like the tide.
These are the places where you show up sun-warmed, order something messy, and eat it with your feet buried in the sand, pointed toward the water.
Some are perched on working docks where fishermen are still unloading. Others are beachy hangouts where boats idle nearby and the only “dress code” is don’t forget sunscreen.
What they all share: casual waterfront seating, seafood that tastes like it was swimming recently, and a vibe that makes you slow down without trying. If you’re chasing grouper sandwiches, oysters, smoked fish dip, and sunset views, start here.
1. Star Fish Company (Cortez)
Come hungry and a little patient—this Cortez classic runs on old-school dock rhythm, not hurry-up energy. You’ll order at the window, then snag a seat outside where you can watch boats bob in the working waterfront.
The vibe is pure fishing village: sun-faded signs, picnic-table simplicity, and locals who look like they’ve been eating here for decades (because they have).
The menu keeps it focused on what Florida does right—grouper sandwiches, peel-and-eat shrimp, and whatever’s fresh enough to make you reconsider your “I’ll just get something light” plan.
Go for blackened if you like a little swagger, fried if you’re leaning full beach day. Bring cash if you can, and go earlier to beat the line—sunset crowds know exactly what they’re doing.
2. Steamers Clam Bar & Grill (Cedar Key)
Out in Cedar Key, everything moves at island speed, and this spot fits right in. The dining setup feels made for decompressing: waterfront views, casual seating, and that pleasant soundtrack of gulls and boat motors.
Steamers is the kind of place where a cold drink makes sense at noon, and no one’s judging you for sandy ankles. The stars here are the local clams and oysters—briny, clean, and easy to demolish without ceremony.
If you’re new to Cedar Key clams, start simple and let the flavor do the flexing. Sunset is the power hour, when the sky turns into a watercolor and the waterfront tables become prime real estate.
Show up early, linger on purpose, and don’t be shocked if you “accidentally” order another round.
3. Indian Pass Raw Bar (near Port St. Joe)
Down a quiet stretch near Port St. Joe, this is the kind of place you hear about from someone who refuses to share their secret spots—until they do.
Indian Pass Raw Bar leans into the rough-around-the-edges charm: casual, friendly, and built for oyster people.
The vibe is more backyard party than restaurant, with a playful, anything-goes feel that somehow works perfectly on the Forgotten Coast. The oysters are the headline—icy, briny, and dangerously easy to keep ordering.
If you like your seafood with a side of story-time, you’ll love the cast of regulars and the “you’re family now” energy. Go with a group, claim a table, and settle in.
This is not a rush meal; it’s a hangout that happens to serve excellent oysters.
4. Hole In The Wall Seafood & Raw Bar (Apalachicola)
In oyster country, you don’t need fancy to be serious—and this Apalachicola favorite proves it. The name isn’t a gimmick; it’s a promise of no-frills seafood with the focus exactly where it should be.
Inside, it’s casual and lively, the kind of place where you can smell the salt and hear the clink of shells. If you’re craving oysters beyond the raw bar basics, this is your moment for baked options—especially anything leaning Rockefeller.
The menu keeps things approachable: fried baskets, shrimp, fish, and the kind of sides that don’t pretend to be anything else. Come with an appetite and leave room for a second order if you’re on an oyster roll.
It’s a great stop after wandering Apalachicola’s shops—flip-flops optional, but they’ll fit right in.
5. Dewey Destin’s Harborside (Destin)
Harbor views hit different when you’ve got seafood in front of you and boats sliding by like it’s a screensaver.
This Destin staple delivers that classic coastal Florida feel: casual tables, salty air, and a steady parade of families, locals, and people who clearly planned their whole afternoon around eating here.
The menu leans into familiar favorites—think fried, grilled, blackened, and “just bring me the seafood already.” If you’re indecisive, go for a platter and sample your way through.
The best seats are the ones where you can watch the harbor while you eat, especially late afternoon when the light turns golden and everything looks postcard-ready without trying.
Expect it to be busy, because Destin doesn’t keep good waterfront food a secret. Show up with patience and a real appetite.
6. Schooners – The Last Local Beach Club (Panama City Beach)
The sand is basically part of the floor plan here, and that’s exactly the point. Schooners is a beach institution with a fun, sun-warmed energy—equal parts seafood stop and “we might stay for sunset” hangout.
You’ll spot people in swim coverups, kids with sandy hair, and locals who know the timing for the best view.
The menu plays nicely with the setting: seafood you can eat with your hands, cold drinks that show up right on schedule, and the kind of flavors that make total sense after a day in the Gulf.
Late afternoon is prime time, when the beach starts cooling off and the sky does its nightly show. Don’t overthink it—grab a table, lean into the casual chaos, and let the waves be your background music.
7. JB’s Fish Camp (New Smyrna Beach)
Tucked along the river in New Smyrna Beach, this place feels like it grew naturally out of the waterfront—because it basically did. JB’s has that “fish camp” personality: relaxed, a little quirky, and perfectly comfortable with being a local legend.
The setting is half the fun—water views, boats drifting past, and a breeze that makes your iced drink taste better.
The seafood lineup is broad enough for picky eaters but still anchored in what you actually came for: shrimp, fish, and fried things that pair suspiciously well with a cold beer.
If you’re the type who likes a side quest, keep your eyes open—this stretch of water is known for wildlife sightings, and it’s not unusual to spot something interesting while you’re waiting for your food. Come casual, stay longer than planned.
8. Grills Seafood Deck & Tiki Bar (Port Canaveral/Cape Canaveral)
Right in the Port Canaveral action, this spot nails the marina-side hang where boat-watching becomes part of the meal. The atmosphere is breezy and upbeat—tiki vibes without trying too hard—so it works for a quick lunch or a “let’s make this a whole afternoon” stop.
The seafood menu is built for coastal cravings: fish sandwiches, shrimp, and fresh options that feel especially right when you’re staring at masts and water.
If you time it right, you might catch cruise ships easing out of port, which is the kind of scenery that makes you order dessert just to keep your seat longer.
The crowd is a mix—locals, anglers, travelers—but everyone looks like they got the memo about flip-flops. Show up sun-ready, and don’t be surprised if you start planning your next visit mid-meal.
9. Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill (Clearwater Beach)
Clearwater has a certain beach-day buzz, and this open-air favorite plugs you right into it.
The scene is lively but not obnoxious: ocean views, a steady flow of hungry beachgoers, and that satisfying feeling that you’re exactly where you should be after a swim.
Food-wise, Frenchy’s is built for fun, fast satisfaction—think seafood that shows up hot, crispy, and ready to be eaten with sunscreen still on your hands (no judgment).
The menu has plenty of classics, but the real win is how well everything pairs with the setting: salty air, a cold drink, and the sound of the Gulf doing its thing.
Go early if you want a better shot at prime seating, or lean into the chaos and treat the wait like part of the Clearwater experience. Either way, you’ll leave happy and full.
10. Dockside Dave’s (Madeira Beach)
This is the kind of place locals bring out-of-town friends when they want a guaranteed win without any fuss. Dockside Dave’s keeps it casual, a little lively, and fully committed to the idea that good seafood doesn’t need a fancy introduction.
The vibe is straightforward: come as you are, grab a table, and get to the important part—eating.
Expect a menu that covers the greatest hits, especially if you’re in the mood for fried baskets, fish sandwiches, and seafood that feels tailor-made for post-beach hunger.
It’s also a solid choice when your group can’t agree on anything, because there’s enough variety to keep everyone from complaining. The best move is to arrive hungry and order confidently; this is not the place for timid meals.
Flip-flops are basically the uniform, and it’s hard to feel overdressed.
11. Sandbar Seafood & Spirits (Anna Maria Island)
Sandbar is the platonic ideal of toes-in-the-sand dining. Tables sit directly on Anna Maria’s powdery beach, so you can trace circles in the sand between bites.
The menu reads coastal and confident, with fresh fish, salads, and shareables that do not overpower the setting.
Sunset is the headline act, and reservations help, though the beachy lounge vibe softens any wait. Order something crisp and citrusy alongside a simply prepared fish, then go slow.
Bare feet under the table feel absolutely right here.
Parking can be tricky during prime hours, so consider arriving early or biking if you are staying nearby. Bring a light sweater for post-sunset breezes.
If the water is particularly glassy, plan a shoreline stroll between courses. It is special yet relaxed, a rare combo that delivers vacation energy even if you are just here for dinner.
12. Coconut Jack’s Waterfront Grille (Bonita Springs)
Waterfront dining in Bonita Springs comes with a certain easy swagger, and Coconut Jack’s leans into it in the best way. You’ll feel the tiki-style, dockside mood immediately—palms, breezes, and a view that practically asks you to slow down.
The menu is seafood-forward without being precious, which is exactly what you want when you’re dressed like you just stepped off a boat (or wish you did).
Expect a mix of local favorites—shrimp, fish, and the kind of sauces that make you lick your fingers and pretend it’s “for the full experience.” This is a strong pick for late afternoon when the light gets softer and the waterfront starts feeling extra cinematic.
Come ready to linger; the atmosphere makes rushing feel weird. If you snag a seat with a view, you’ll understand why people “accidentally” stay for another drink.
13. Keys Fisheries (Marathon)
In the Keys, seafood isn’t a theme—it’s just Tuesday, and this Marathon mainstay gets that. The setup is part restaurant, part market, part marina hangout, which means it feels alive in a way polished places never do.
You’ll see boaters, locals, and people who clearly came straight from the water, all converging for one simple goal: something delicious and unpretentious.
The menu hits the Keys sweet spot—fresh fish, fried favorites, and crowd-pleasers that taste even better outside with the breeze coming off the docks.
If you like your meal with a side of people-watching, you’re in the right place. Go earlier if you want more breathing room; lunchtime can turn into a scene.
Either way, it’s a classic Keys stop where flip-flops don’t just fit in—they make sense.
14. Burdine’s Waterfront (Marathon)
You know that moment when you sit down, look out at the water, and immediately relax? That’s the Burdine’s effect.
Perched right on the marina, it’s a perfect “eat, sip, watch boats” spot where the view keeps you entertained between bites. The vibe is casual and friendly, with the kind of open-air feel that makes you forget what day it is.
Food-wise, you’re here for straightforward Keys seafood—fish sandwiches, shrimp, and plates that show up ready to be tackled without ceremony.
It’s also a prime place to time around sunset, when the marina lights start to glow and the sky does its neon thing.
Don’t be surprised if you end up chatting with the table next to you; it’s that kind of place. Show up in flip-flops, leave in a better mood.
15. Sparky’s Landing (Key Colony Beach/Marathon area)
A little music, a little marina breeze, and seafood that pairs perfectly with a long, lazy afternoon—Sparky’s Landing has the formula down.
The waterfront setting is front and center, with that classic Keys casualness where nobody’s trying too hard and everyone seems happy they showed up.
It’s the kind of place you choose when you want dinner to double as entertainment, because there’s often a soundtrack floating through the air along with the smell of something sizzling.
The menu leans into tropical-coastal comfort: seafood plates, sandwiches, and snacks that make it easy to keep grazing.
Come as the day starts cooling off, grab a seat near the water, and let the place do its thing. If you’re traveling with a mixed group, this is a crowd-pleaser—easy vibes for seafood lovers and non-seafood folks alike.
16. Lorelei Restaurant & Cabana Bar (Islamorada)
If your ideal meal includes a Florida Bay sunset that makes your camera work overtime, Lorelei is the move. The scene is classic Islamorada: open-air seating, salty breezes, and a crowd that looks like they planned their whole evening around golden hour.
This is one of those spots where you’ll want to arrive before the sky gets dramatic, because the good waterfront seats don’t stay empty for long.
The menu plays to the setting—seafood that feels right with a cold drink in hand—plus enough variety to keep the table happy.
What makes Lorelei special isn’t just the view; it’s how the vibe stays easy even when it’s busy. You can be dressed for the beach and still feel perfectly at home.
Stay through sunset, and you’ll understand why people talk about this place like it’s a tradition, not just dinner.
17. Alabama Jack’s (Card Sound Road, Key Largo area)
Somewhere along Card Sound Road, this legendary stop appears like a mirage for hungry Keys-bound travelers—and it’s absolutely worth pulling over. Alabama Jack’s is unapologetically casual, the kind of place where the atmosphere feels earned over decades of cold drinks and loud laughs.
You’re eating on the water, surrounded by mangroves and marina life, and it all feels delightfully far from “tourist polished.” The food is exactly what you want mid-drive: satisfying, flavorful, and happy to be eaten with your hands.
It’s a classic detour that turns into a memory, especially if you arrive when the place is buzzing and the whole dock feels like a party.
Timing can be everything; weekends get lively fast. Come patient, embrace the chaos, and consider it your unofficial gateway into Keys mode.
18. Hogfish Bar & Grill (Stock Island, near Key West)
Just outside Key West on Stock Island, this spot feels like the real deal—because it is. The marina-side setting keeps things grounded in working-waterfront reality: boats, bait, and people who look like they know exactly how to tie a knot.
Hogfish is the move when you want Keys flavor without the overly curated vibe, and the menu reflects that confidence.
If you’ve never tried hogfish, this is one of the best introductions you can give yourself—mild, sweet, and perfectly suited to simple preparations that let the fish shine.
The crowd is a mix of locals and in-the-know visitors, but everyone blends into the same relaxed rhythm. Go for an early dinner if you want it calmer, or lean into the evening energy and let the marina lights set the mood.
Flip-flops feel right, and so does ordering extra.
