The Best Beaches In Florida For Seafood Lovers

Though most flock to Florida to catch a glimpse of a sun-tanned Mickey Mouse at Walt Disney World, the Sunshine State offers more than just amusement parks. With miles upon miles of white sandy coastline, Florida is the perfect destination to plan a relaxing beach getaway, and what better way to end your day soaking up the sun than to enjoy a delicious seafood meal? Even better than that — a meal with a view! No matter which part of Florida your vacation planning takes you, each region plays host to its own unique seafood specialties. 

From grouper and stone crab in Cortez to spiny lobster and mahi-mahi in Key West, if there's one thing Florida won't have a shortage of any time soon, it's seafood. Whether you're on the hunt for the best of the best or simply looking to enjoy a nice dinner with a view, here is a drool-worthy list of Florida beaches offering up some delicious meals worthy of King Triton himself. 

Located about a 25-minute drive from popular Daytona Beach sits a great beach town getaway with even better seafood. New Smyrna Beach boasts 17 miles of white sandy beaches and excellent surfing. It's also home to some great waterfront restaurants to help with those munchies after spending the day relaxing. For some fabulous seafood and great views, head over to a popular divey restaurant set right up against the Indian River. Stop into JB's Fish Camp and Seafood Restaurant for some delicious bites like fried clam strips, alligator bites, or steamed rock shrimp — a favorite of patrons on TripAdvisor. Kayaks or paddleboats can also be rented next door to head out onto the water, and the restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor seating with fantastic river views. An added bonus is that they have live music on the weekends and a T-shirt shop — so you can commemorate your time slurping down shrimp.

Try another local favorite, Off the Hook Raw Bar and Grill, your go-to locale for fresh oysters, clams, crawfish, sea scallops, Alaskan snow crab, and shrimp — you get it, there are a lot of seafood options here. The menu includes house specialties you won't find anywhere else, such as seafood cavatappi (mixed clams, mussels, shrimp, and scallops in a light cream sauce with diced plum tomatoes and scallions over cavatappi pasta) and steamed and roasted Cedar Creek clams (with red pepper soffrito, bacon, and sherry, with plenty of freshly baked bread for dipping). With fabulous waterfront views from their outdoor patio, this restaurant is a great spot to enjoy some seafood and sea breeze. 

Panama City Beach is one spot for seafood lovers that can't be missed. With 27 miles of white sandy beaches, it's no wonder Panama City Beach is referred to as one of the "Seafood Capitals of the World." With seafood specialties like fresh grouper, oysters, and pompano – any of the many dining facilities located in this part of Florida will leave your mouth watering. 

For one of the best waterfront spots in the area, check out Schooners – a fun spot with great food and an even better atmosphere. Literally on the sand, this funky beach bungalow has southern-flavored comfort foods like their spicy seafood gumbo that keep guests coming back. Come for the food and stay for the fabulous sunset — there's no way you can go wrong by spending some time at this great Panama City Beach spot. For something a bit more upscale, check out the waterfront Saltwater Grill, another spot with not only great food but ambiance as well. The coolest part? A 25,000-gallon tropical saltwater aquarium sits as the centerpiece of the restaurant, so you can have dinner and a show!

Named No. 17 in the 2024 Travelers' Choice Awards for the top 25 best beaches across the United States, St. Augustine is a slice of paradise for the whole family. Located about an hour from Jacksonville, the beachfront city of St. Augustine is a great place to spend some time frolicking in the sand, learn some history, and even visit an alligator farm. Like most beachfront locations, St. Augustine offers lots of tasty options for hungry patrons to munch on, including, you guessed it, seafood. 

For a welcoming atmosphere in a charming setting, try out St. Augustine Fish Camp. With 4.5 out of 5 stars on TripAdvisor, St. Augustine Fish Camp delights diners with its seafood offerings, which are often described as fresh and flavorful. The restaurant's atmosphere is a hit, creating a lively and welcoming environment that's accentuated by efficient service. Winners of the Best of St. Augustine Competition every year since 2015, Salt Life Food Shack is a great restaurant that offers an idyllic dining experience steps away from the beach, complete with beautiful ocean views. A beachy atmosphere is complemented by live music and, of course, fantastic dishes like their charbroiled oysters and award-winning New England clam chowder. Not to mention, they have a fabulous happy hour. 

Looking for a fantastic vacation spot with fun beach activities, a cool aquarium, and a cute small-town atmosphere? Look no further than Clearwater Beach. Named the nation's No. 1 beach in 2018 by TripAdvisor, this fabulous part of Florida is a great, sunny escape for couples and families alike. Of course, we couldn't leave you hanging without mentioning what you're all here for — where to find some scrumptious seafood to munch. 

A lot of Clearwater Beach restaurants can be found right up along the sand, and with good reason, too. Once you step foot in the area, you won't want to drag yourself away from the clear blue waters and miles of white sand. Pair that with getting to enjoy fresh-caught seafood, live entertainment, and gorgeous sunsets — where's the sign-up sheet? For a place that combines all three of these vacation must-haves, try Frenchy's Rockaway Grill, where diners can enjoy freshly caught seafood on their beachfront patio, watch a colorful sunset, and listen to some relaxing island tunes. According to TripAdvisor, their famous She Crab soup, buttery grouper sandwiches, and garlic crab fries are must-tries, and if the stone crab is in season, it's a can't-miss. Next, visit Crabby's Dockside – with fabulous views and crave-worthy seafood. For some serious mouth-watering goodness, try their creamy crab and spinach dip, the oven-roasted Bairdi crab legs, or the peel-and-eat shrimp. 

Last but certainly not least on the list is one of Florida's most famed tourist spots — Miami Beach. Popular tourist destinations usually come with over-priced and not-so-fresh seafood options, with employees outside beckoning unsuspecting victims in to try their "catch of the day" (more like the catch of three days ago). Unfortunately, sometimes hunger strikes, and you enter the first spot you see, but for those of you with a bit more time to plan, here is a short list of recommended spots to ensure you leave Miami Beach full and happy.  

A famous South Beach attraction and first on the list is Joe's Stone Crab Restaurant, an institution since its opening in 1913. If you're lucky enough to be visiting from October through May, a must-try is their chilled stone crabs with special mustard sauce. For a delicious bar with a fun vibe and even better seafood, check out Stiltsville Fish Bar, whose claim to fame is fresh seafood straight from the docks. So, seafood fans -here you have a list of some of the best spots in Florida to dig your crab claws into — and this only scratches the surface! Pair any of these delicious seafood items with a piece of famed Florida key-lime pie, and you'll be happier than a clam. 

To come up with this list of which beaches in Florida are a must-visit for seafood lovers, we identified beaches with a high number of seafood restaurants and then consulted user reviews on sites like Yelp and TripAdvisor to determine which were the best of the best, searching for things like "top-rated," "freshest," and "must try." We also searched for locations with great atmosphere and which have won awards.