The 15 Best Seafood Dives In Florida

Sometimes, dinner warrants white tablecloths and lobster accompanied by porcelain ramekins of melted butter. Other times, it begs for checkered vinyl tablecloths, a pile of crab legs, loud music, and a few freshly steamed corn cobs. If you seek the former, these aren't the seafood spots for you. But if your main priority is delicious ocean fare, then we have you covered. We've rounded up our favorite seafood dives in Florida, which is really saying something, since seafood spots are as plentiful in the Sunshine State as sand is on the beach. We've done the vetting for you, so just pull up a chair and tuck a paper napkin in your shirt collar. Enjoy!

01 of 15

JB's Fish Camp

New Smyrna Beach

Ramshackle wood building, dirt parking lot, Miller Lite light fixture, a sign warning that unattended children will be used for crab bait—yes, here stands a classic dive. Anything fried is good, and the steamed rock shrimp are great. Same goes for the Key lime pie. Boat slips out back mean you can arrive by water, and outdoor tables let you watch for porpoises while you pig out.

859 Pompano Avenue, New Smyrna Beach, FL 32169, jbsfishcamp.com

02 of 15

The Back Porch Seafood & Oyster House

Destin

Giant open windows offer expansive views of white sand and emerald water. The Back Porch takes pride in popularizing amberjack, a firm white fish seldom found on menus before the restaurant began featuring it in sandwiches. (You can order the fish fried, chargrilled, bronzed, or blackened.) Another solid pick is the gumbo, which is packed with fish, shrimp, and crab meat. Top your meal off with a slice of tart Key lime pie.

1740 Scenic Highway 98, Destin, FL 32541, theback-porch.com

03 of 15

Schooners

Panama City Beach

The open-walled, right-on-the-sand, beach-party ambiance and live music alone would ensure this spot's popularity, but Schooners also nails it with its Southern-flavored food—including excellent grits made with smoked gouda and the spicy seafood gumbo. You also can't go wrong with seafood staples like seared crab cakes and grilled ahi tuna steak. Hang out on the sand after dinner for the nightly countdown to sunset.

5121 Gulf Drive, Panama City Beach, FL 32408, schooners.com

04 of 15

Dewey Destin's Seafood Restaurant

Destin

After getting lost at sea, proprietor Dewey Destin's great-great-grandfather founded the town of Destin, and he didn't just lend his name to the place: The family started a fishery. A couple decades ago, they pivoted from catching fish to selling it, eventually serving their seafood at this joint. There are two locations in Destin (and one in Navarre), but we prefer the original one, which the owners describe as "a shack on the water." Try the catch of the day fried or grilled, then watch the sunset over the water.

9 Calhoun Avenue, Destin, FL 32541, destinseafood.com

05 of 15

High Tides at Snack Jack

Flagler Beach

Although this casual surfer hangout has roots as far back as the 1940s, it offers some very 21st-century menu items. Think shrimp tacos, a Mahi Reuben, and a bloody Mary made with sake (plus plentiful organic options). Almost every table has an ocean view; outdoor seating guarantees one.

2805 S. Oceanshore Boulevard, Flagler Beach, FL 32136, snackjacks.com

06 of 15

Killer Seafood

Mexico Beach

This place is about as unpretentious as it gets, and the people are super-friendly, too. Did we mention the amazing—and incredibly messy—fish tacos? You'll be licking Killer Seafood Simmerin' Sauce from your fingers.

820 Highway 98, Mexico Beach, FL 32456, facebook.com/p/KILLER-SEAFOOD

07 of 15

The Old Salty Dog

Sarasota

Order the fresh Mahi Mahi or grouper sandwich—you decide whether it's deep-fried, charbroiled, or blackened—and watch the boats from the waterside deck at this classic spot right next to Longboat Key. Open since 1985, The Old Salty Dog now has three locations.

1601 B Ken Thompson Parkway, Sarasota, FL 34236, theoldsaltydog.com

08 of 15

The Point Restaurant

Perdido Key

Here, they know the secret to fabulous fried seafood: Go light on the batter. Fresh mullet and shrimp-and-crab bisque bring in visitors and keep the locals coming back. The bluegrass music doesn't hurt either.

14340 Innerarity Point Road, Perdido Key, FL 32507, thepointperdido.com

09 of 15

Phillippi Creek Village Restaurant & Oyster Bar

You could sit for hours at a Phillippi Creek picnic table, feasting on a steamed combo pot: your choice of a dozen steamed clams, one pound snow crab, stone crab claws, one pound Alaskan king crab or 1/2 pound sea scallops; plus two dozen unshucked steame — Courtesy of Phillippi Creek Village Restaurant & Oyster Bar

Sarasota

As the former winter home of the Phillippi family, built in 1604, the oyster bar pre-dates Florida itself. You could sit for hours at one of the picnic tables, feasting on a steamed combo pot: your choice of steamed clams, snow crab, stone crab claws, jumbo king crab, or sea scallops, atop two dozen unshucked oysters, half a pound of peel-and-eat shrimp, two ears of fresh corn on the cob, onions and celery, and fresh-baked garlic bread. See what we mean?

5353 S. Tamiami Trail, Sarasota, FL 34231, creekseafood.com

10 of 15

Keys Fisheries

Key Fisheries Market & Marina — Robbie Caponetto

Marathon

The fun starts before you even sit down. When you walk up to order, you'll be asked the restaurant's question of the day—and you better pay attention to your answer, because that's the name they'll use to summon you when your food is ready. You'll be handed a cafeteria-style tray, filled with whatever delights you decided on: stone crab soup, conch fritters, coconut shrimp, only to name a few. We suggest the lobster Reuben, which makes a perfect sweet-and-tangy match out of seafood and sauerkraut.

3502 Gulfview Avenue, Marathon, FL 33050, keysfisheries.com

11 of 15

Le Tub

Hollywood

Housed in a former gas station, this spot is a prime place to fuel up. Try the seafood salad, which has a dill-goddess dressing and is served over a bed of lettuce, or beer-steamed shrimp. The charmingly ramshackle décor is about as local as you can get—the owner gathered most of it while jogging on Hollywood Beach. Come early if you have kids, since no little ones are allowed after 8 p.m.

1100 N. Ocean Drive, Hollywood, FL 33019, le-tub.com

12 of 15

Star Fish Company Market & Restaurant

Cortez

What started as a wholesale operation in the 1920s eventually spilled out onto the back dock as eight picnic tables. Now, this beloved local institution offers a view of one of the last working waterfronts in the Florida and mangrove islands, not to mention a menu of simple (yet memorable) food. Go for anything made with grouper and order a side of cheese grits or hush puppies. (And remember that they only accept cash.)

12306 46th Avenue W, Cortez, FL 34215, starfishcompany.com

13 of 15

Timoti's Seafood Shak

Fernandina Beach

Wild-caught seafood is the thing at Timoty's, a beloved local spot with breezy outdoor seating. While you can order standards like fried shrimp and clam strips, the menu offers more surprising (and delicious) offerings like a crab burger, and the Rice Box, which includes shrimp, fish, chicken or tofu served over coconut rice and topped with avocado, greens, pico fresco, sesame seeds, and the house-made Poké Sauce.

21 N. 3rd Street, Fernandina Beach, FL, timotis.com

14 of 15

Olde Bay Cafe

Dunedin

This outdoor waterfront cafe makes its philosophy clear right on its website: "Sorry, nothing fried here." Instead, you'll find Gulf seafood used in tacos, crab cakes, salads, and more. Locals also love this spot because of its great craft beer selection and laid back (dog-friendly!) vibe.

51 Main St, Dunedin, FL 34698, oldebaycafe.com

15 of 15

Stinky's Fish Camp

Santa Rosa Beach

Although the name might conjure a place that's a little rough around the edges, don't be fooled—the food at Stinky's is top notch. Try one of the po'boys like The Jimmy (Buffalo shrimp, debris gravy) or Catfish Meuniere with smoked tomato tartar sauce. Raw oysters are a good choice here too. Pair them with a glass or bottle from Stinky's extensive wine list.

5960 W County Hwy. 30A, Santa Rosa Beach, FL 32459, stinkysfishcamp.com

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