Orlando's central location makes it a perfect starting place for making your way around the Sunshine State, which means we're never too far from a beach. And one of the best ways to enjoy a beach is with good food in one hand and a frozen cocktail in the other.
From the east coast to the west coast, Florida's beaches offer plenty of waterfront restaurants not too far from the City Beautiful. Here are 25 truly beachside restaurants worth a drive from Orlando.
25 truly beachside restaurants just a drive away from Orlando
By Orlando Weekly Staff on Wed, Jul 3, 2024 at 11:49 am
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Photo via Google Maps
Beachcomber
2 A St., St. Augustine BeachYou'll really feel the sunshine and sand between your toes at this St. Augustine beach spot. The vibes are casual, and the Beachcomber is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. If you're tired of the heat, there's also plenty of seating options inside.
Photo via Salty's Island Bar & Grille/Facebook
Salty’s Island Bar & Grille
5500 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete Beach
Located in the Tradewinds Resort, Salty’s offers games, serpentine sofas surrounding fire tables, hooded chaise lounges, Adirondack chairs and plenty of umbrellas for the ultimate chill experience on St. Pete Beach. The spot offers an all-day dining menu with specialties like sesame seared tuna and an exquisite drink selection featuring their best-seller, the Island Escape.
Photo via Squid Lips/Facebook
Squid Lips
2200 S. Orlando Ave., Cocoa BeachJust like its sister locations in Melbourne and Sebastian, Squid Lips Cocoa Beach offers seafood specials, drinks and picturesque ocean views in a laidback atmosphere. Try some of their unique takes on seafood like bacon-wrapped scallops, or dive into homegrown Florida classics like smoked fish dip.
Photo via Paradise Grille/Facebook
Paradise Grille
6850 Beach Plaza, St. Pete BeachThis restaurant couldn’t be any closer to the water, with tables just steps away from the Gulf of Mexico. There's only outdoor seating here, so make sure to slather on the sunscreen and bring some shades. On the menu, Paradise Grille offers classic American treats and a wide selection of drinks to choose from to cap off a picture-perfect beach day on Florida's Gulf coast.
Image via Google Maps
Crabby's
203 S. Atlantic Ave., New Smyrna BeachWith a waterside location and a menu bursting with seafood-focused dishes, Crabby's offers everything you need to enjoy some truly beachside dining in New Smyrna Beach.
Photo via Jimmy B's Beach Bar/Facebook
Jimmy B’s Beach Bar
6200 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete BeachLocated in the Beachcomber Hotel, Jimmy B’s keeps the Florida vibe alive with two stages for live music and recurring local artists like Phoenix, TL Jentgens and the Jeremy Thomas Band. Its wooden deck provides a space to either sit back and relax or dance it out with your friends (and probably some strangers, too).
Photo via Postcard Inn/Facebook
PCI Beach Bar & Snack Shack
6300 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete BeachIt's vacation mode all day long at the Beach Bar & Snack Shack that's part of the Postcard Inn in St. Pete Beach. The restaurant offers a variety of tasty options with poolside service and a solid tropical-inspired and classic drink selection.
Photo via Coconuts on the Beach Cocoa Beach/Facebook
Coconuts on the Beach
2 Minutemen Causeway, Cocoa BeachSitting right next to the Atlantic, Coconuts on the Beach is decked out in tropical tiki decor. Cool off inside or take advantage of the outdoor seating while you enjoy eats like conch fritters and satisfying burgers, as well as a selection of boozy buckets or draft beer in your very own souvenir cup.
Photo via Hurricane Seafood Restaurant/Facebook
Hurricane Seafood Restaurant
809 Gulf Way, St. Pete BeachColorful and vibrant infrastructure brings a tropical feel to life to this three-floor restaurant, which features a different specialized menu on each floor. Diners and beach bums can enjoy an epic rooftop sunset or an upscale dinner on the second level. Some of the spot's signature dishes include salmon, Old Bay peel & eat shrimp, and calamari strips.
Photo via Harry's Beach Bar/Facebook
Harry’s Beach Bar
5300 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete BeachHarry's is a local favorite that offers live entertainment and signature cocktails like the Harry’s Hurricane and the Harry Navel, as well as a selection of craft beer and flavorful bites. Its direct waterfront views promise a good time either at the beach or at the pool of its home hotel, the Sirata.
Photo via Beach Bucket/Facebook
Beach Bucket
867 S. Atlantic Ave., Ormond BeachThis Ormond Beach spot will have you dining right up against the open sea, with plenty of seafood-centric dishes (for breakfast, lunch and dinner), drink specials and live music.
Photo via Google Maps
Whiskey Joe’s Bar & Grill
7720 W. Courtney Campbell Causeway, TampaWhiskey Joe's is the most beachside you can get on Florida's west coast. The spot is located on a private beach, so boaters can pull right up to the shore to enjoy drinks, eats and a designated party area.
Photo via Caretta on the Gulf/Facebook
Caretta on the Gulf
1738, 500 Mandalay Ave., ClearwaterCaretta serves all-natural, organic offerings with expertly paired wines. With both indoor and outdoor seating, Caretta’s vibrant atmosphere provides the perfect setting for an evening enjoying Clearwater Beach's sparkling blue waters.
Photo via The Oasis Tiki Bar
The Oasis Tiki Bar
313 S. Atlantic Ave., Daytona BeachSoak up the sun at this Daytona Beach tiki bar that really is its own little oasis. There's live music by a variety of local musicians, a solid selection of tropical drinks, and tons of classic salty, fried, beach-appropriate eats.
Photo via Woody’s Waterfront/Facebook
Woody’s Waterfront
7308 Sunset Way, St. Pete BeachThis casual seafood spot offers views of Blind Pass and the Gulf of Mexico. Grab a beer (or go all-out Florida with a frozen cocktail) and dive into one of their famous baskets of chicken, shrimp, clams or chicken wings. But make sure to bring the bucks, because this spot is cash only.
Photo via Rowe Bar/Facebook
Rowe Bar
3400 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete BeachLocated inside the Don CeSar Hotel, the Rowe Bar is one of the nicest places to eat and soak up access to a private beach. Grab a hand-crafted cocktail and a bite of the tuna tacos or goat cheese fritters while embracing the Gulf.
Photo via Caddy's Treasure Island/Facebook
Caddy's Treasure Island
9000 W. Gulf Blvd., Treasure IslandThis Treasure Island restaurant located directly on the beach is the perfect spot to sink your toes into some genuine Gulf of Mexico sand. Grab a cold one, play frisbee, or simply sit back and relax with an ideal sunset view. It also has private cabanas for a more exclusive feel to your beach day.
Photo via Google Maps
Bongos Beach Bar & Grill
5250 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete BeachGet your toes in the sand and a drink in hand at the Bellwether Resort’s Bongos Beach Bar & Grill. There's live music, cornhole and giant Jenga to enjoy while you wait for your food and take in the fresh sea breeze. Bongos is a great (and cheaper!) alternative to the Bellwether's other restaurant, Spinners Rooftop Grill.
Photo via Pier 62 Oceanfront Restaurant & Bar/Facebook
Pier 62 Oceanfront Restaurant & Bar
401 Meade Ave., Cocoa BeachThis oceanside tavern on the Cocoa Beach Pier serves up seafood, classic burgers, a full bar's worth of sushi and specialized sake cocktail offerings. Stroll in from the beach and take in the views from outdoor seating that has great views of the Atlantic and your fellow beachgoers.
Photo via Coconut Charlie's/Facebook
Coconut Charlie’s Beach Bar and Grill
6100 Gulf Blvd., St. Pete BeachCharlie’s promises killer tacos, delicious food, boozy slushies and live entertainment for all the beachgoers who stop in. It also has daily drink specials catered to each and every taste, and offers weekend brunch and live streams of NFL games on game days.
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