There is something special about eating outside and looking out at the ocean. On our Florida Keys road trips, we always eat at beachside restaurants in Key Largo. Living in Wisconsin, our days for eating out are limited…
Key Largo is full of adventure and fun opportunities. As a result, some of the best restaurants in Key Largo are located on the waterfront. There is no better place to dine than at a restaurant on the water.
Catch a sunset, devour fine dining and watch the ocean activities. Check out these top 10 waterfront restaurants in Key Largo when you’re next in the Florida Keys.
1. The Buzzard’s Roost
Buzzard’s Roost is our favorite place to eat by the sea in Key Largo. This establishment is perfect for lunch with friends, afternoon drinks or dinner with the family.
Whether you’ve come for the seafood or not, they’ve got you covered at The Buzzard’s Roost. There are so many seafood appetizers that you may have a hard time deciding. We recommend the Conch Fritters (you can’t go wrong with conch). The Corny Blue Crabcakes, Seared Ahi Tuna and Seafood Sampler are also great options.
The Vegetarian Platter is suitable for non-meat eaters. It’s a delicious mix of black beans, yellow rice and vegetables du jour. They have sandwiches, quesadillas and many a la carte options.
2. Key Largo Fisheries
Try this Key Largo seafood restaurant for an authentic taste of the Florida Keys. Key Largo Fisheries offers a complete dining experience that is sure to please.
Generous portions, well-crafted food and a great atmosphere define this restaurant. What more could you ask for? Oh yes, this is one of Key Largo’s restaurants on the water.
You have to order one of the seafood sandwiches. The Key Largo Lobster Philly or Lobster BLT is to die for. The Lobster BLT is served on a buttery croissant with homemade spicy mayo.
For children, there is a Schoolie Menu. They have Grilled Cheese, Quesadillas, Shrimp Boat and more. For dessert, you can’t go wrong with Mango Cheesecake or Key Lime Pie.
3. Snappers Oceanfront Restaurant & Bar
Another of Key Largo’s waterfront places to eat is Snappers. This restaurant offers relaxed elegance in both its ambiance and food. This is an ideal place for a date or a night out with friends.
First things first, you must order one of their signature cocktails. They have alcoholic and non-alcoholic options, so no one is left out.
Seafood lovers, be sure to order the bacon-wrapped scallops with smoked apple. These scallops are served with the most delicious Sweet Thai Chili Sauce.
They also have a popular ‘You Hook ‘Em… We Cook ‘Em’ option. Spend the day fishing in Key Largo, then grill your catch just the way you like it.
You can’t go wrong with the popular Seafood Enchiladas. This signature dish is served with rice, guacamole, pico de gallo and sour cream. It’s totally more!
4. Sol by the Sea
Head to Playa Largo Resort & Spa and you’ll find Sol by the Sea. Sit on their covered patio and enjoy the endless ocean view. If you want to watch a sunset, this fantastic beachfront restaurant in Key Largo has amazing views of the sunset.
The pastel tones of this restaurant give off an elegant and bohemian atmosphere. As you watch the sky turn orange, be sure to order a cocktail. Amante Buck features bourbon beer, ginger ale, orange and ginger ale.
For food, start with the Lobster & Shrimp Cakes. Next, why not order the Line Caught Whole Fish or Seafood Mac-N-Cheese?
Complete a delicious seafood-inspired meal with Turtle Cheesecake or an Espresso Martini.
5. Snooks Bayrise Restaurant & Grand Tiki
This outdoor restaurant is a great place to dine and watch the sunset. It is many people’s favorite restaurant in Key Largo. The service here is excellent and the meals come out super fast.
The Colossal Crab Meat Cocktail is a great way to start your meal. For the main, the Coconut Mahi Mahi is hard to beat. Served with a delicious key lime sauce and dipped in coconut.
Be sure to save room for dessert. We recommend the caramel chocolate mousse or the peanut butter chocolate pie.
6. Skippers Dockside
Located inside a vintage boathouse, you can’t go much better than Skippers.
Of all the beachfront restaurants in Key Largo, this one offers the classic island vibe. We love coming here after a day of diving or snorkeling in Key Largo.
First, you need to get some appetizers to share at the table. The Smoked Fish Dip is a real house favorite, as are the Dockside Nachos.
Few restaurants can beat the Skippers Keys Mahi Sandwich. It comes either grilled or blackened with caramelized onions and pineapple.
If you’re not in the mood for seafood, try one of their land dishes. Try the Chicken Linguini Pasta or the Grilled Filet Mignon.
This Mile Marker 100 restaurant offers effortless simplicity. It’s a place to stop for happy hour in Key Largo or for a meal.
7. Pilot House Restaurant & Marina
This is one of those waterfront restaurants in Key Largo where there’s always something going on. Located right on the marina, you can dine outside and watch the boats in the harbor.
Not only does this restaurant have an incredible waterfront view, but it’s also a surprise feature. There’s an epic glass-bottom patio!
Steamed mussels and smoked fish are two fine appetizers. For a lighter meal, try one of their fresh handmade salads. Spinach salad contains bacon, mushrooms, tomatoes, onions, eggs, feta cheese and honey mustard. You can also add chicken, shrimp or Mahi.
They have a variety of sandwiches including the Prime Rib Wrap and the Crunchy Grouper Sandwich. Or try the Grilled Churrasco Steak, a delicious blend of Mexican flavors.
8. Bayside Grille & Sunset Bar
This open-air Key Largo spot is great for dining and evening drinks. Open daily for lunch and dinner, enjoy cocktails by day or a delightful evening meal.
Bayside Grille offers excellent seafood, as well as non-seafood and vegetable dishes. The Ahi Poke Tuna Tower is mouth-wateringly good. It consists of layers of tuna, mango-ginger sauce and homemade wonton chips.
Those wanting gluten-free options will be happy to see their options clearly labeled. No more searching the menu to see what food you can eat! The gluten-free Fish Trio includes Mahi, yellowtail and the fresh catch of the day. Or how about Island Seafood Curry?
For something hearty, devour the Southern Fried Chicken Sandwich or the simple but delicious Cheeseburger.
9. Blackwater Siren
Another of the best waterfront restaurants in Key Largo is Blackwater Siren. You can sit outside and enjoy the sun and waterfront views at this joint.
This restaurant is located just off the Overseas Highway. This is a great place to stop on your way up or down the Florida Keys.
The coconut onion rings are a must-order side. Spicy Shrimp Gazpacho and New England Clam Chowder are also great options.
With its tiki-style room and sea view, you will feel completely relaxed in this restaurant.
10. Sundowner’s
As the name suggests, this is one of the best restaurants on the water for sunset. This is a casual seafood restaurant with a glass-walled dining room.
This place has been around for quite some time, having opened in 1985. This restaurant prides itself on sustainably caught local seafood.
You can enjoy some of their local catch, including various options. They have Tuna, Mahi, Shrimp, Yellowtail and Grouper. If you choose the Catch option, you can also choose your sauce. They have Key Lime Caper, Pineapple Rum Glaze, Key Lime Butter and more.
If you’re driving from Miami to Key West, don’t just drive through Key Largo! We usually spend two nights in Key Largo to break up the road trip and check out the sights in Key Largo.
Here are some of our other Florida Keys articles to help you plan your trip.
