Last Updated on September 18, 2018 by Marybeth
Open Table just released its Top 100 Scenic Restaurants in the US for 2018, and 13 Florida restaurants are on the list! We’re so glad they did the exhausting research – combing through millions of reviews for over 28,000 restaurants. Cuisine, location, and ambiance are key – but not necessarily in that order.
For some of us location and ambiance are intertwined and are most important, because at the end of a long day, being seated at the perfect table with a stunning view invokes that “Ahhh… I so deserve this” feeling. There is just something about a view. You look around, and not only does everyone else look happy but your partner looks more appealing than ever. And then the drink arrives… need we say more? Open Table, please book for two a table here:
The Bay House
799 Walkerbilt Rd.
Naples
239-591-3837
Dining Room open Tues-Sat beginning at 5 pm
Tavern open Tues-Sat beginning at 4 pm
Photo courtesy of The Bay House
Located directly on the Cocohatchee River, with indoor and outdoor seating, The Bay House offers all types of seafood and Southern influenced dishes with much of it locally grown and locally sourced.
Blue Moon Fish Company
4405 W. Tradewinds Ave.
Lauderdale-by-the-Sea
954-267-9888
Lunch: Mon-Sat 11:30 am-3 pm
Dinner: Mon-Thurs 6-9 pm, Fri Sat 6-10 pm
Sun Brunch 11 am-3 pm, Dinner 6-9 pm
Photo courtesy of Blue Moon Fish Co.
Award winning and upscale, Blue Moon Fish Company overlooks the Intracoastal Waterway and serves gourmet seafood dishes as well as lamb, chicken, pork and steak. Burgers, tacos, pasta and big salads; something for everyone.
The Boathouse
Disney Springs
1620 E. Buena Vista Dr., Orlando
407-939-2628
Open 11 am-1:30 am
Photo courtesy of The Boathouse
Family-friendly (it is Disney, after all) dining with over 200 seats dockside, enjoy the water view and also their floating artwork: dream boats from the 30s, 40s and 50s. The gourmet menu serves steaks, chops, fresh seafood and raw bar.
Boatyard
1555 SE 17th St.
Fort Lauderdale
954-525-7400
Open Mon-Thurs 11:30 am-11 pm, Fri Sat 11:30 am-12 pm, Sun 10 am-10 pm
Photo courtesy of Boatyard
Overlooking the canal leading out to the Stranahan River, just minutes from the ocean (arrive by boat if you wish!) Boatyard is both sophisticated and laid back and a great place to people- and boat-watch. Sit inside, outside or dockside and enjoy items from the raw bar, steaks or seafood from their wood-burning grill, sandwiches, tacos and more. Many items are locally sourced – read their hook-to-table list of local fishermen!
Columbia Restaurant
1241 Gulf Blvd.
Sand Key, Clearwater
727-596-8400
Open 11:30 am-10 pm every day
Photo courtesy of Columbia Restaurant
The original Columbia Restaurant in Tampa is the oldest restaurant in Florida, and Columbia has been owned by the same family since they opened in 1905! The Clearwater location continues the tradition of multiple awards for the Spanish and Cuban cuisine, wine offerings, the famous 1905 Salad, and the family’s philanthropy (read about their other 15 or so awards on their website.) Enjoy waterfront views of the Intracoastal Waterway from the indoor dining room or the outdoor deck.
The Grand Marlin
400 Pensacola Beach Blvd.
Pensacola Beach
850-677-9153
Open Mon-Thurs 11 am-10 pm, Fri Sat 11 am-11 pm, Sun 9 am-10 pm
Photo courtesy of The Grand Marlin
“A casual, comfortable, top-notch restaurant on the Gulf, serving the finest seafood” was the aim of the group of friends who conceived the idea while killing time on a boat, waiting for a fish to bite. Eight years later the Grand Marlin – along with the North Drop Bar – offer stunning views of Santa Rosa Sound. Dine on the freshest seafood along with steaks, poultry dishes and more.
Kaluz Restaurant
3300 E. Commercial Blvd.
Fort Lauderdale
954-772-2209
Open Sun-Thurs 11:30-10, Fri Sat 11:30-11
Photo courtesy of Kaluz
Casual/elegant dining in a modern setting, Kaluz overlooks the Intracoastal Waterway and bridge spanning the road to the nearby beach. Diners can watch appetizers, sandwiches, flatbreads, and wood-fire grilled steaks and seafood being prepared in the display kitchen. Sit inside, or out at a table or cozy couch and watch the boats go by.
Latitudes Restaurant
245 Front St.
Key West
855-995-9799
Breakfast is 7 am- 11 am, Lunch 11 am-2:15 pm, dinner Sun-Thur 5-10 pm, Fri & Sat 5-11 pm
Reservations required, attire for dinner is “country club casual”
Photo courtesy of Latitudes
Located on Sunset Key in the Sunset Key Cottages complex, reachable only by boat (which is fun in itself!) Latitudes has outdoor seating overlooking the water – perfect for sunset. You can dine indoors as well. The menu is seafood-forward with options from the land as well.
9105 Midnight Pass Rd.
Siesta Key
941-349-2212
Happy Hour 5-8 pm, dinner 5-10pm, Sunday brunch 11 am-2pm
Photo courtesy of Ophelia’s
Winning numerous awards over the years and overlooking Sarasota Bay, Ophelia’s is considered one of the only fine dining establishments in the area. Arrive by boat if you wish, and sit inside with views from the floor-to-ceiling windows, or outside on the patio by the water. The menu is based on the fresh catches of the day, much of it seafood but also offering steak, lamb, duckling and pork. Ophelia’s is also known for their signature desserts, so go ahead and indulge!
5250 Gulf Blvd.
St. Pete Beach
800-448-0901
Open 11 am-11 pm, lunch 11-4, dinner 4-11
Photo courtesy of Spinners Rooftop
Located on the 12th floor of The Grand Plaza Hotel, Spinners is the only revolving restaurant on Florida’s Gulf Coast. Romantic fine dining overlooking the beach and the Gulf of Mexico, Spinners offers a vast and varied menu. Choose from seafood, wraps, flatbreads, tacos, burgers, salads, sandwiches and entrees for lunch and seafood specialties, pasta, chicken, hand cut steaks, and surf and turf for dinner.
9225 Gulf Shore Dr. North
Naples
239-592-6557
Open Mon-Sun 11 am-2:30 pm and 5-9 pm
Photo courtesy of The Turtle Club
Sit beach side – your table will be actually in the sand! – at The Turtle Club located in the Vanderbilt Beach Resort. Dine on seafood, salads, chicken, burgers, pastrami or beef tenderloin for lunch, and seafood, petite filets, lamb, soups and salads for dinner.
1870 N. Highland Ave.
Tampa
813-999-4952
Open Sun-Thurs 11 am-10 pm, Fri Sat 11 am-11 pm
Photo courtesy of Ulele
Overlooking Tampa’s Riverwalk and the Hillsborough River, Ulele “celebrates the vibrant fusion of ingredients from Florida waters and land once home to Native Americans, including the young princess Ulele.” Perhaps the most unique menu of the restaurants on this list, the food is interesting and menu is ample. Native Loaded Chili, Alligator Hush Puppies, Jalapeno Cheddar Grit Cake, and Deconstructed Seafood Pot Pie were among the offerings that caught our eye.
Some of our favorites that didn’t make the list, but have epic views as well, in no particular order:
Squid Lips Overwater Grill, Melbourne
The Rusty Pelican, Key Biscayne
Hog Heaven Sports Bar & Grill, Islamorada
Away From the World Burger and Beer Bar, Cedar Key
Low Key Hideaway Tiki Bar, Cedar Key
Mulligans Beach House Bar and Grill, Sebastian
Captain Hirams Sand Bar, Sebastian
Sand Bar Waterfront Restaurant, Anna Maria Island
Bridge Tender Inn Dockside Bar, Bradenton Beach
The Twisted Tuna, Port Salerno
The Boat House Tiki Bar and Grill, Cape Coral
What are your favorite restaurants in Florida with scenic views? (And did you notice how many of our choices have the word “Bar” in them?!)
