Cruising by boat to a waterfront restaurant, docking and enjoying the beautiful views is one of the pleasures of having a boat for people that live on lakes, rivers, canals and any other body of water. And If you’re in Florida and want to experience a dock-and-dine restaurant, we have compiled a list of 15 great restaurants to park your boat and have an excellent meal. Whether you are on a date, dining out with your family and friends, or a local looking for a casual place to eat dockside and grab some grub, Florida has something for everyone.
I put this list below of nice restaurants in South Florida that allow you to dock a boat and eat. Now this may be useful if you are renting a boat, a charter boat with friends, or if you live on the water and go for an evening ride for dinner. These restaurants are nice and offer the convenience of parking your boat.
Some of these restaurants have a dockhand that can help you dock, and some even have gas fuel service.
Check out below 15 dock and dine restaurants in South Florida.
We will start in Fort Lauderdale: Known as the Venice of America it has amazing waterways and great restaurants dock side.
Coconuts
429 Seabreeze Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Suppose you’re looking for a fun, upscale, but casual vibe, then you want to check out Coconuts. Located south of the trendy Las Olas Boulevard on the New River and the Intracoastal. You can find a menu filled with delicious options such as fish tacos, coconut shrimp platters, Caribbean conch chowder, herb-crusted local Mahi, key lime pie, and so much more. But There’s something for everyone to be found on the menu: from an upscale juicy steak to kids menu.
You can enjoy the beautiful views of the Intracoastal Waterway, alongside live music and happy hour specials. The restaurant faces west so amazing sunsets are seen from Coconuts. They do not take reservations so expect the wait lines on busy hours. There are seats for waiting though and you can get a drink. Their Google Maps description is on point: Chill, beachy hangout on the Intracoastal dishing seafood & Sunday brunch while yachts cruise by.
As for boating, there are about 3 boat spaces only. On busy hours it can get busy to dock. No dock hand help available.
Shooters
3033 NE 32ns Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Offering complimentary boat docking, you can make Shooters your go-to for lunch, dinner or even brunch on the weekends. It Sure is a favourite with waterfront seating, palm trees, live music and food to make your taste buds dance. The menu features a catch of the day, sushi, cajun shrimp pasta, veggie burgers, and so much more. If you are in Fort Lauderdale, Shooters is a must-stop spot for buffet brunch every sunday. Delicious with plenty of options.
Large waterfront and wide dock that fits about 10 boats. Because of that it gets very busy at lunch time and evenings. There is a dock hand available for helping you dock. Deep channel as this sits right on the intracoastal, Shooters is also a stop for the Water Taxi so you can take it there and eat then take it back to downtown if you don’t have a boat yourself. Obviously you can get there by car or Uber too 🙂
The restaurant is wide with bar seating options, tables, and sofas for group gatherings. Live music on the dock on evenings.
Bokampers sports bar and grill
3115 NE 32nd Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Suppose you’re looking for a dock-and-dine restaurant to watch the “big game,” whatever sport that may be. In that case, you will find it playing on one of Bokampers 100 HD plasma TVs—offering up an extensive menu including vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options. You are sure to find something you like.
Bokampers has a sports bar vibe but offers great food: from sushi to barbecue, seafood and deserts. It has amazing sunsets and the sun can set right on you as dine. The restaurant then lowers their curtains to keep the sun from hitting your table.
Great spot for some food and drinks and laid back fun.
Boathouse at the Riverside
620 SE 4th ST across from the Riverside Hotel, Fort Lauderdale, FL
This family-friendly dine and dock restaurant is located riverside in the lively Las Olas district. You can dine inside the restaurant or outside on the patio. A popular spot for locals and tourists can stop for happy hour or stay for a meal. The menu includes barge burgers, key west fritters, pan-seared scallops, charred Spanish octopus, and double chocolate Nutella brownies, to name a few.
No fee to dock and eat.
Kaluz
3300 E Commercial Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL
If you’re looking for a more elegant dine and dock experience Kaluz is right up your alley. With beautiful views and an impressive menu, you are guaranteed a magical experience. You will find shrimp cargot, key lime crab salad, cedar plank salmon, and ahi tuna steak on the menu. GETS GREAT REVIEWS FOR SERVICE AND FOOD.
Dock hands available for help with docking. Tip them and you are good to eat. On the picture below taken from the water you can have an idea of how many boat spaces are available.
15th Street fisheries
1900 SE 15th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL
You will not find better views in South Florida than you will at 15th street fisheries, also featuring a daily feeding of the giant silver tarpons you are in for an unforgettable experience. The menu is a sea-inspired delight with menu items like Bahamian-style conch chowder, Mahi tacos, lobster rolls and New England clam chowder.
Laid back with live music and families. Dock your boat and get fuel if needed. Another Water Taxi stop in Fort Lauderdale. Great for kids that love to feed the tarpon. You can buy bait at the marina store nearby.
The Pirate Republic seafood and grill
400 SW Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL
If themed restaurants are for your thing or are looking for an outside-the-box experience, this restaurant is a must for you. Located on the south side of the new river, this pirate-themed restaurant is sure to delight. With menu items like snapper, Mahi, salmon and octopus, you will be living the pirate life, at least for an evening.
A hidden gem, full of pirate figures for the kids. You can sit and eat right on the dock close to your boat. It can be busy and hard to sit on busy hours.
In Miami, check out these waterfront restaurants for dockside eating.
Rusty Pelican|
3201 Rickenbacker Causeway, Key Biscayne, FL
A warning: The Rusty Pelican is not a dock and dine restaurant with docking directly in front of it. You will have to dock on the Rickenbacker Marina nearby then walk over to Rusty Pelican. It is waterfront and have great views of the Miami skyline. To dock at the marina, there is a fee of 80 dollars with a maximum of three hours. To dock and eat at Whiskey Joe’s Bar and grill it is free docking.
On the picture below you can see the Rusty Pelican’s location compared to the marina where you will drop your boat. It also shows Whiskey Joe’s which is where you will leave the boat for a fee to eat at Rusty Pelican.
In the mood for some beautiful views, delicious food and maybe even a celebrity sighting? You need to have the Rusty Pelican on your list of restaurants to dine at while in Miami. A bit on the pricier side, it’s also stylish and upscale.
Whiskey Joe’s
3301 Rickenbacker Causeway, Key Biscayne, FL 33149
Whiskey Joe’s is not as upscale as the Rusty Pelican but it’s a nice open air restaurant with beautiful views of the bay and the marina. It’s a shorter walk from your boat and you don’t usually need a reservation even though there is a short wait.
If coming by boat, the Rickenbacker Marina has 4 slips available for diners at Whiskey Joe’s and if eating at Whiskey Joe’s you don’t have a fee to dock.
More laid back, and typical tropical restaurant that caters to boaters, and also people coming by car.
Casablanca on the bay
1717 N. Bayshore Drive, Miami, FL
Enjoy picturesque views of the Biscayne Bay while indulging in pasta, seafood, steak and a raw bar.
Open for lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch. Also, don’t miss out on the happy hour.
Monty’s Sunset
300 Alton Road, Miami Beach, FL
Enjoy live music, DJ’s or catch your favourite sports team on the picturesque docks of Miami Beach Marina. This restaurant has a casual environment and serves up fresh-caught local seafood, a raw bar, and some breathtaking sunsets. Menu items include sushi, conch fritters, she-crab soup, pan-roasted mussels, jumbo stone crabs, and so much more.
Tons of boats on a large marina. Not the best experience to dock and dine but it’s possible to contact the marina, dock and walk to the restaurant.
Tampa, Clearwater, Fort Myers: On the west Coast of FLorida check out these dockside restaurants
Bahama Breeze Island Grille
3045 N. Rocky Point Drive E, Tampa, FL
Are you looking for a more island life kind of experience? The Bahama Breeze restaurant is what you’re looking for. With Caribbean-inspired food such as jerk chicken, coconut shrimp or seafood paella, your tastebuds will delight. We can’t forget the famous collection of cocktails like the painkiller, the rum runner and the rum swizzle.
On the Tampa Bay, they have a dock for about 10 boats to dock at a time. The docks were updated a couple of years ago, so it’s much nicer now to tie your boat up. Being able to sit outside overlooking the water is a great addition to the overall experience
Island way grill
20 Island way, Clearwater, FL
Offering fresh-caught seafood, the menu is constantly evolving depending on what the catch of the day is. From Mahi, snapper and grouper, The Island way grill’s seafood is always fresh and cooked to your liking. You can enjoy the fresh-caught seafood on our patio while enjoying a beautiful sunset.
On the pricier side, it offers amazing food and can be upscale. Nice protected bay for boats with a large area for dockage.
Sea critters café
2007 Pass-A-Grille way, St. Pete beach, FL
This fun-filled family restaurant is an excellent experience for the whole family. You can feed the catfish right off the dock while you wait for your food. Menu items include locally caught seafood, pasta and sandwiches.
Docking is little tight just short of the bridge and with a crosswind it can get tough to dock, but the restaurant offers a dock hand.
The Getaway
13090 Gandy Boulevard N, St. Petersburg, FL
Waterfront dining and tiki bars bring the Caribbean to Tampa Bay, complete with sand and beach chairs. Offering an extensive menu from pizza, tacos, local seafood, salads and sandwiches, there’s something for everyone on this getaway.
The Google description nails it: Relaxed, colorful bayside Tiki Bar offering coastal favorites, tropical cocktails & craft beers.
Amazing location along Gandy just on the St Pete side of the bridge. Massive outdoor space with multiple bars and plenty of seating. Cold drinks and reasonable prices. Service at the bars was quick and friendly, but card only as an FYI. Also be warned- you may have a bit of a walk from where you park if it’s a busy night. However, you can always come by boat for the best parking (docking) spot on premises.
Bayfront bistro and bar
4761 Estero Blvd, Fort Myers, FL
Overlooking the docks and open for lunch, dinner and weekend brunches. Enjoy a lovely dining experience. The Bayfront bistro shares the Snook Bight Yacht and Marina location and features a menu with sea bass, filet mignon, pasta, and salmon.
Beautiful views!!
The view of the back bay with the marina and boat traffic is very nice and wild. You can even see dolphins. The vibe is upscale, and the dolphins and manatees come to chill out and even occasionally interact with guests from the docks; come well before Sunset and relax away from the noise on the private harbor and sanctuary mangroves in the quiet Back Bay of Estero Island.
