We often hear locals and visitors alike lament what they see as our area’s shortage of waterfront dining options, but after combing our coastline and tracing our local rivers and creeks, we were able to identify dozens of restaurants—46, to be exact—that offer beautiful water views.

Whether you’re hoping to dine adjacent to the Gulf of Mexico, the Intracoastal Waterway or the Manatee River, or you’re looking for a romantic evening out, a sunny spot for lunch with the kids or an Old Florida throwback, we’ve got you covered and then some. Think we don’t have a lot of waterfront restaurants? Think again.

Top of the Line

Fine Dining With a Side of Views

Charthouse

This national chain rests above a small lagoon near New Pass. The restaurant is best known for its epic salad bar and impeccable service. It also has a great happy hour, with loads of discounted appetizers and value-priced beverages, uncommon in most upscale restaurants. 201 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, (941) 383-5593, chart-house.com

Marina Jack

One of Sarasota’s longest continually operated restaurants, Marina Jack offers casual dining downstairs on its patio and more upscale options on the second floor. Guests can also take to the seas for a meal on the restaurant’s yacht, the
Marina Jack II. While the water views are the star here, we're partial to the braised short ribs served with a classic mushroom demi-glace. 2 Marina Plaza, Sarasota, (941) 365-4232, marinajacks.com

Ocean Prime

Although the original Sarasota Quay was demolished in 2006, a resurgence is underway. Rebuilt in the same location as the previous iteration, The Quay Sarasota has added a premier restaurant in Ocean Prime. Gone are the days of driving to the Tampa location for an indulgent date night. Here, you can expect prime steaks, seafood and an incredible warm butter cake with stunning Sarasota Bay views. (Heck, just go for the cake and a cocktail.) 501 Quay Commons, Sarasota, (941) 404-1024, ocean-prime.com

Island Ocean Star

Before Ocean Star opened its Anna Maria location, it gained a loyal following
on the mainland. The island waterfront location, however, further elevates the restaurant’s high-quality sushi with a swanky setting on the tip of Anna Maria.
If sushi isn’t your cup of tea, the eatery also features hibachi, curries and noodledishes. 902 S. Bay Blvd., Anna Maria, (941) 251-6940, islandoceanstarfl.com

Ringside

Shrouded by a red velvet curtain with a host standing out front, Ringside’s entrance opens to a corridor lined with intimate, semi-circular dining booths with red-drenched walls and even more red velvet curtains. Past the private booths, the restaurant opens into a spacious dining room with a black-and-white harlequin floor and floor-to-ceiling windows that look out onto Lido Beach. Lean into the view with a “Levitate” cocktail made with white and coconut rum, banana syrup, pineapple and tart lime juice. It’s both tropical and light, a difficult balance to achieve. 233 Benjamin Franklin Drive, Sarasota, (941) 388-5555, opalcollection.com

Jack Dusty Editor's Pick

Located inside Sarasota’s Ritz-Carlton hotel, Jack Dusty is a common meeting spot for the community’s movers and shakers. And it’s no wonder, with its outstanding cocktail selections and chef-driven menu. Opt for the perennial
favorite Siren cocktail, made with gin, St-Germain and prosecco. After that, tuck into a wide selection of oysters or even a seafood tower if you’re feeling
extra indulgent. Inside The Ritz-Carlton, 1111 Ritz Carlton Drive, Sarasota,
(941) 309-2266, ritzcarlton.com

CW Prime

The St. Regis Resort Longboat Key has brought chef Drew Adams, formerly of Adeline, in to helm CW Prime, its Art Deco-inspired steakhouse. Adams, who honed his craft at Michelin-starred restaurants, is set to bring his unique culinary perspective to the restaurant, where you should start with the seafood tower and follow it with Japanese wagyu steak topped cooked on a high-end Josper charcoal grill and topped with shaved truffles. Yes, this is a place to splurge. 1601 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, (941) 233-9036, cwprime.com

Arrive by Boat

Great Options for Dockside Dining

Tide Tables Restaurant & Marina

Any restaurant with “marina” in the title is a safe bet for boaters. You’ll find traditional waterfront options here, like conch fritters, a grouper sandwich, fresh fish served fried, grilled or blackened, and fish tacos. 12507 Cortez Road W., Bradenton, (941) 567-6206, tidetablescortez.com

The Point Restaurant

Situated near marker 38 in Osprey’s Intracoastal Waterway, The Point has ample boat slips, and it’s a good thing, because this place is enormous. But don’t let its size intimidate you. The service is warm and friendly, and the food is oh-so-good, like the fish ‘n’ chips, which wowed us on a recent visit. 131 Bayview Drive, Osprey, (941) 786-3890, eviesonline.com

The Crow’s Nest Restaurant, Tavern & Marina

Venice Island’s Crow’s Nest is so boater-friendly that it even has a harbor
master who will help direct you to a nearby slip. That’s helpful, because this
place is busy. For those days when you’re donning shorts and a tank top, head into the downstairs tavern for one of the best burgers around. Feel like something a little more dressed up? Slip on your Sperrys and head upstairs, where the
menu skews more formal. 1968 Tarpon Center Drive, Venice, (941) 484-9551,
crowsnest-venice.com

White Elephant Pub

Situated between Englewood Beach and a small marina, the White Elephant is ultra-casual and describes itself as “chill.” Light bites go great with a crisp draft beer, but the entrée offerings are slim. 1855 Gulf Blvd., #5729, Englewood, (941)
475-6801, whiteelephantpub.com

Pelican Alley

The parking lot at Pelican Alley can be a madhouse, so we always recommend boating to this Nokomis spot. While the outside looks like a fish shack, the interior is light and airy, with a white and teal color palette. Order the crab fritters
with the creamy lobster sauce and thank us later. 1009 Albee Road W., Nokomis, (941) 786-3616, pelican-alley.com

Anna Maria Oyster Bar

As the name indicates, Anna Maria Oyster Bar’s oyster selection is a highlight.
Raw bivalves from around the country are served with either cocktail sauce or chimichurri, while roasted oysters are served in five different styles. Which one is best? You decide. (The restaurant has multiple locations in the area; the Bradenton Beach spot is the one you want if you’re looking for water views.) 200 Bridge St., Bradenton Beach, (941) 778-2662, oysterbar.net

Pop’s Sunset Grill Editor's Pick

Part tiki bar, part dock and plenty family-friendly, Pop’s is a Nokomis icon. Dolphins play in the adjoining Intracoastal Waterway, which makes it the perfect boat-up location. And while the food (like the caviar flatbread) is fantastic, it's the
staff that makes this spot a pleasure to dine at. 112 Circuit Road, Nokomis, (941) 488-3177, popssunsetgrill.com

Bring the Family

Where to Take the Kids

The Old Salty Dog

Sarasota County is privileged to have three Old Salty Dogs, but only two boast waterfront locations, with one in Venice and the other on City Island, north of Lido Key. Each one is expansive, with an approachable menu. If you’re sick of seafood, give the signature “Salty Dog” a try. To make it, the chefs wrap a quarter- pound hot dog in bacon and deep fry it. While you’re there, sip a bloody Mary, which we’d argue are the best in town. 1485 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice, (941) 483-1000; 1601 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, (941) 388-4311; theoldsaltydog.com

Dry Dock Waterfront Grill Editor's Pick

Stare across Sarasota Bay at the Ringling museum and New College of Florida while counting the boats speeding by. Dry Dock has multiple levels, but dining outside on the patio and adjacent lawn is a great way to let the kids run around
while you kick back with a glass of wine. The food is also great, especially the lobster roll. And while we always opt for French fries, give the coleslaw a try;
it’s out of this world. 412 Gulf of Mexico Drive, Longboat Key, (941) 383-0102, drydockwaterfrontgrill.com

Turtle’s Restaurant

Turtle’s lauds itself as “the best family restaurant in Sarasota,” but from the outside, you might think the bayfront joint is a little fancy. Think again. The staff
welcomes big and little kids alike with a big smile and a high-five. Family-friendly
food dominates the menu, with dishes like coconut shrimp that are so good
you’ll be fighting for the last bite. 8875 Midnight Pass Road, Sarasota, (941) 346-2207, turtlesrestaurant.com

Spice It Up

Where to Eat When You're Looking for Love

Ophelia’s on the Bay

Heralded by Sarasota residents as the area’s most romantic restaurant, Ophelia’s has earned its reputation through its approachable yet well-executed menu, its white tablecloth service and its sweeping views of the Intracoastal. Enjoy
classic dishes like shrimp cocktail, a colossal wedge salad and a stunning half
duckling prepared à l’orange. 9105 Midnight Pass Road, Siesta Key, Sarasota,
(941) 349-2212, opheliasonthebay.net

Shore

Shore’s coastal casual atmosphere and stellar location in charming Longbeach Village could be enough to make the list, but its excellent food doesn’t hurt. The lobster, shrimp and crab Cobb salad is arguably the best dish on the menu, but guests also come for the local snapper, served on a bed of wilted spinach with an arancini cake and citrus butter. 800 Broadway St., Longboat Key, (941) 259-4600, dineshore.com

Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant Editor's Pick

This charming spot is nestled among towering sea grapes in Longbeach Village right next to Shore. Enjoy dishes like lemon and herb grouper and bacon-wrapped scallops with their toes in the sand, with ambient lights twinkling in the evening. Don’t miss the homemade tater tots, either. 760 Broadway St., Longboat Key, (941) 383-2391, marvistadining.com, marvistadining.com

Drift Kitchen at the Lido Beach Resort

Lido Beach Resort's eighth-floor restaurant Drift exudes coastal casual dining vibes with its 180-degree views of the water, optimized by a wall of floor-to-ceiling windows. It’s open for breakfast and dinner so that you can catch the sky’s pinks and purples at both sunrise and sunset. Dine on crispy crab cakes, pan-seared snapper over cauliflower risotto and the restaurant’s staple braised-beef short ribs over mashed potatoes. 700 Benjamin Franklin Drive, (941) 318-2161, opalcollection.com/lido-beach 

Rufa

The newest eatery at The Ritz-Carlton, Sarasota, Rufa’s menu is designed to encourage sharing in a leisurely environment that overlooks the adjoining marina. Guests can linger over craft cocktails and rare tequilas like Patrón El Cielo, El Alto and Burdeos. The drinks menu is curated by the Ritz-Carlton’s lead bartender, Heidi Finley, who recently won Marriott’s “Master of the Craft” competition, beating out other American and Canadian Marriott chefs. The dinner menu, meanwhile, is focused on small bites, with items like guacamole made with smoked avocado and fried garlic; beef tenderloin tacos with roasted corn salsa, Chihuahua cheese and flour tortillas; and grilled octopus enhanced with a bright tomato base, savory Mexican chorizo and a lightly spiced chipotle sauce. 1111 Ritz Carlton Drive,  Sarasota, ritzcarlton.com

Pier 22

This marina restaurant overlooking the Manatee River makes our list not only for its romantic main dining room but also for the high volume of weddings it hosts.
Guests can carry their relationship from engagement to nuptials to anniversaries
with a memorable menu that includes grouper artichoke gratin and honey macadamia shrimp. 1200 First Ave. W., Bradenton, (941) 748-8087, pier22.com

Beach Bistro Editor's Pick

Anna Maria Island’s (and Manatee County’s) most iconic fine-dining restaurant has been a date night mainstay for decades. The restaurant’s prix fixe menu includes “lobstercargots,” foie gras, Colorado lamb with a savory bread pudding and the restaurant’s famous bouillabaisse. Make your reservation
at sunset to wow your date. 6600 Gulf Drive, Holmes Beach, (941) 778-6444,
beachbistro.com

Get Sandy

Restaurants Located Right on the Beach

Sharky’s on the Pier and Fins at Sharky’s

This beachfront spot in Venice offers double the bang for your buck. You can sip frozen piña coladas outside at Sharky’s and enjoy the island vibe, or head upstairs to Fins at Sharky’s for a more formal date night. Either way, the Gulf views are outstanding. 1600 Harbor Drive S., Venice, (941) 488-1456, sharkysonthepier.com

Beach House Waterfront Restaurant

Open since the mid-1990s, the Beach House recently underwent a massive renovation. But despite its refreshed interior and patio, the beachy feeling is strong, with a few tables even placed directly in the sand. The menu has something for everyone, from oysters and shrimp appetizers to soups, sandwiches, pasta, steaks and more. 200 Gulf Drive N., Bradenton Beach, (941) 779-2222, beachhousedining.com

Sandbar Seafood & Spirits

Located at the tip-top of Anna Maria Island and literally on the beach, here you’ll find modern, classic Florida fare. Unsure of what to order? We love the pulled pork mac ‘n’ cheese. Meat at a seafood joint may seem like sacrilege, but you won’t be disappointed. 100 Springs Ave., Anna Maria, (941) 778-0444, sandbardining.com

Gulf Drive Café Editor's Pick

This spot might be open all day and into the wee hours of the morning, but it’s the breakfast menu that keeps us coming back again and again. Keep it classic with scrambled eggs, pancakes and other accompaniments enjoyed right next to the Gulf of Mexico. 900 Gulf Drive N., Bradenton Beach, (941) 778-1919,
gulfdrivetiki.com

Going Upriver

Waterfront Dining Doesn't Have to Include Saltwater

Woody's River Roo

As you cross the Manatee River while cruising I-75, Woody’s River Roo beckons from below with big bold letters arranged across its roof. Instead of passing by this gem while hurrying to Tampa, take it slow and pull over. Shift your point of view upward at all those busy people and racing cars while you sip a daiquiri and enjoy a lazy day. 5717 18th St. E., Ellenton, (941) 722-2391, woodysriverroo.com

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Sarasota Magazine (@sarasotamagazine)

Linger Lodge Restaurant Editor's Pick

Wild, weird and wonderful are excellent words to describe Linger Lodge. Expect to be greeted by a room full of taxidermized creatures ranging from small to extra-large before you find your seat. This historic restaurant captures Old
Florida style by offering a no-frills menu with items like gator bites and frog legs. If you’re not feeling that adventurous, there are plenty of other wonderful options
suitable for every palate. 7205 85th St. Ct. E., Bradenton, (941) 755-2757,
lingerlodge.com

Mila’s on the Manatee

Mila’s screams “tourist trap,” but in a fun way. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to get out and see what the fuss is all about. Best of all, it’s got a killer weekend brunch buffet where you can chow down to your heart’s content for only $14.95. 955 Riverside Drive, Palmetto, (941) 212-6006, milasonthemanatee.com

Mattison's

Stroll downtown Bradenton’s 1.5-mile Riverwalk and end your scenic saunter at
Mattison’s. One of three Mattison’s in the area, the Riverwalk location offers a killer happy hour alongside the restaurant’s signature dishes, like artichokes Esther—crispy, fried artichoke hearts finished with lemon butter and shaved parmesan. 101 Riverfront Blvd., Suite 120, Bradenton, (941) 896-9660, mattisons.com

Riverhouse Waterfront Restaurant

This Manatee River behemoth is really three restaurants in one. The waterfront patio bar, called Snook Deck, features bar-friendly food like truffle wings and fried green tomatoes. Reef & Grill, meanwhile, is open for lunch and dinner with a casual all-American menu. At Second Floor, which is on, well, the second floor, dinner service is more formal, with oysters casino and a blue crab pot pie.
995 Riverside Drive, Palmetto, (941) 729-0616, riverhousefl.com

Farlow’s on the Water Editor's Pick

Ask the host to sit outside on Farlow’s charming patio, which overlooks a small
inlet connected to Lemon Bay. On the menu, you’ll find crab cakes, hush puppies and scallops, but also—thanks to the owners’ Kentucky heritage—shrimp and Kentucky cornbread anda classic Kentucky hot brown. We recommend ordering anything with the “house specialty” asterisk. 2080 S. McCall Road, Englewood, (941) 474-5343, farlowsonthewater.com

Tiki Time

Thatched Roof Hangouts

O’Leary’s Tiki Bar & Grill

Although the line at O'Leary's may look long, it moves swiftly, and the piña coladas and beer-battered curly fries are well worth the wait. Live music provides a fun atmosphere as you watch kids and tourists play along the water’s edge. We’re not sure if you’re allowed to take your drink into neighboring Bayfront Park to enjoy the sunset on a park bench, but we won’t tell anyone if you do. 5 Bayfront Drive, Sarasota, (941) 953-7505, olearystikibar.com

Phillippi Creek Oyster Bar Editor's Pick

This entire restaurant is a massive tiki hut, with a massive menu to match. Fresh steamer pots are a hit for the whole family, but be sure to ask about the specials, because chef Pedro Flores loves to impress with his off-the-cuff creations. 5353 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, (941) 925-4444, creekseafood.com

Dockside Waterfront Grill

Underneath the Venice Island bridge is a secret tiki hut. Managed by Gecko’s
Hospitality Group, this spot operates like a well-oiled machine. Try the shrimp BLT for a fun spin on an old warhorse. 509 N. Tamiami Trail, Venice, (941) 218-6418, docksidewaterfrontgrill.com

Nokomo’s Sunset Hut

Another tiki bar in an area rich with them, Nokomo’s is located on Shakett Creek in Nokomis, which feeds into the nearby Intracoastal. That makes the water quiet and the atmosphere oh-so-chill. Live music plays every night, so bring your dancing shoes and your favorite Parrothead cap. 690 S. Tamiami Trail, Nokomis, (941) 488-1324, nokomos.com

Casey Key Fish House Editor's Pick

The best part about Casey Key Fish House is its proximity to one of Florida’s last remaining swing bridges. Or maybe it’s that you might catch a glimpse of novelist and nearby resident Stephen King, if you’re lucky. Either way, this place might look touristy, but trust us, it’s a hidden gem. 801 Blackburn Point Road, Osprey, (941) 966-1901, caseykeyfishhouse.com

Floridays Woodfire Grill & Bar

Speaking of Parrotheads, Floridays is located inside Compass by Margaritaville,
which captures the late, great Jimmy Buffett’s Florida spirit via a tiki hut that’s right on the water. The menu provides your standard waterfront fare, but there are a few fun surprises, too, like seafood gumbo and shrimp carbonara. 12332
Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, (941) 741- 8700, floridays-annamaria.com

Fish Shacks

For a Taste of How Things Used to Be

New Pass Grill

One might expect the best thing at a fish shack to be, well, fish, but at New
Pass Grill, the cheeseburger is the stuff of local legend. This low-key shack on City Island is easy to miss, so bust out the GPS to find it. We love its laid-back atmosphere and friendly service. 1505 Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, (941)
388-3050, newpassgrill.com

Star Fish Co. Editor's Pick

Nowhere, and we mean nowhere, has a better dockside fish sandwich than
Cortez’s Star Fish Co. Order your grouper sandwich and hush puppies at the counter and watch as local fishermen bring in their daily catch. Leave the credit card at home; this spot is cash-only. 12306 46th Ave. W., Cortez, (941) 794-1243, starfishcompany.com

Swordfish Grill

Also located in Cortez, Swordfish Grill offers an extensive menu sure to appeal to seafood lovers—think oysters, fried seafood baskets and fish sandwiches. Pro tip: Don’t miss the steamed clams. 4628 119th St. W. Cortez, (941) 798-2035, swordfishgrillcortez.com

Cortez Kitchen

If you’re sensing a Cortez theme, that’s because this historic fishing village features some of the best fish shacks in the area. Cortez Kitchen recently underwent a renovation, but still maintains its Old Florida bona fides. Prepare to get messy with peel and eat shrimp, or try the softshell crab sandwich, one of our favorites. 4528 119th St. W., Cortez, (941) 900-1506, cortezkitchenfl.com