Just an hour and a half south of Miami lies Islamorada, our personal favorite place to visit in the Florida Keys. If you are driving to Key West from Miami, you’ll go right through town. We suggest stopping and having a meal. What better place to eat than at one of the many Islamorada Restaurants on the water?
Being the sport-fishing capital of the world means there is plenty of fresh seafood in Islamorada. If seafood isn’t your thing, there is something for just about everyone. We’ve put together this list of our favorite Islamorada restaurants on the water with great views and delicious food.
1. Lorelei Restaurant & Cabana Bar
This is our go to waterfront restaurant in Islamorada that has great sunset views. This is not a fine dining restaurant; there are plastic tables and chairs, but the views are great, the food & drinks are great, and there is live music every night.
Lorelei Restaurant is super popular with locals and visitors; if you want a table for sunset, you need to come at least an hour before sunset. It gets super busy for sunset and dinner service, and they don’t take reservations.
If you ask us what we think the best restaurant in Islamorada is, we’d say, Lorelei! The restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner and features daily specials. – View Menu
2. Wahoo’s Seafood Bar and Grill
Wahoo’s is known to have some of the best seafood in the Florida Keys. Located above Whale Harbor Marina, the restaurant has spectacular views. We like to sit outside and on one of the two oceanside decks, but there is also an air-conditioned dining room for those extra hot days.
With an award-winning chef, the restaurant is recognized for its cooking. One of the most popular dishes is the Chef’s Special of Lobster Scampi. Warm-water lobster grilled, basted, and delicately seasoned. Finally, it is covered in Scampi sauce, served over a classic Portofino linguini.
Everything is made fresh to order. If you are looking for the best happy hour in Islamorada, make sure to head to the bar that has happy hour specials on both drinks and foods from 4 pm to 7 pm. – View Menu
3. Hungry Tarpon – Robbie’s
Robbie’s Marina is an iconic stop in Islamorada, famous for its tarpoon feeding. Before or after heading out to the dock to feed the tarpoon, head to Hungry Tarpon for a bit to eat. We have eaten breakfast and dinner here multiple times. The menu has something for everyone and is a great option for families with small children.
This is another no-frills Islamorada restaurant on the water. Open seven days a week for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. A few menu items that stand out to us are the seared tuna slides in a steamed bao bun, crispy fried conch, coconut shrimp, and the Florida Keys Triple Tail sandwich. They also offer four different “Cook your Catch” options. Preparations include Sautéed, Blackened, Mingier and Du jour, all served with sides. – View Menu
Related Post: Best Breakfast in Islamorada
4. Islamorada Fish Company
As their name suggests, they have some of the best seafood around. What better place to have fresh seafood than at a restaurant on the water? Established in 1948, the Islamorada Fish Company knows what they are and has been around for over 75 years!
If you aren’t sure what to order, you can’t go wrong with their famous Islamorada fish sandwich or the seasonal blue crab. If you want to try several things or are looking for an appetizer to share, try the Island Sampler. You can even order fresh seafood online and have it shipped to your house- View Menu
5. Lazy Days
Another one of the best Islamorada restaurants with oceanside dining is Lazy Days. This multiple award-winning restaurant is located right on the beachfront. We enjoy eating at the tables right on the beach with our toes in the sand. There is also an outdoor patio and indoor dining room for additional seats.
Specializing in fresh seafood and offering traditional Keys-style dishes, Lazy Days also serves certified Angus steaks, pastas, sandwiches, and a kid’s menu. You can also bring your own catch of the day, and they will prepare it for you and serve it your choice of sides. Make sure to stop by the Lazy Days seafood market to check out the fresh seafood. – View Menu
6. Square Grouper
The Square Grouper Bar and Grill is located in the Islamorada marina. The Islamorada location is the second location, as the first Square Grouper was so popular. Every night, there is always a line outside waiting for the doors to open at 5 pm. They do not take reservations.
Known for its unique, innovative menu. Square Grouper is only open from Wednesdays to Sundays. Make sure to head up to the third floor to The Sunset Lounge, an adults-only 21+ lounge, to grab a drink and watch the sunset before heading downstairs for dinner. – View Menu
7. Pierre’s
Offering French Fusion cuisine, Pierre’s provides waterfront dining in a luxurious setting. With its old West African colonial style building there are two seating areas. Diners can admire the views of Florida Bay from the lounge or veranda.
It is probably one of the prettiest settings, with palm trees and tropical flowers lining the beach. You can expect five-star dining in an amazing location. The dress code is stated as ‘casual elegance’ although jackets and ties are not required. You can make reservations online. – View Menu
8. Marker 88
Established in 1967, Marker 88 is an iconic stop along the Overseas Highway. Set on one of the few natural beaches in the Florida Keys. The restaurant serves fresh seafood, hand-crafted cocktails, desserts, and locally brewed beers.
We usually come for a few drinks at sunset and have dessert. They have a large dessert menu, and their signature homemade Key Lime Pie is amazing. There is also live music seven days a week, which is great during sunset. Guests can enjoy lunch and dinner every day, and brunch is served at weekends. – View Menu
9. Atlantic’s Edge at Cheeca Lodge
Billed as Cheeca Lodge’s flagship restaurant, Atlantic’s Edge offers great cuisine. The menu highlights typical food from the Keys and takes inspiration from the Caribbean. Modern cooking takes you from Islamorada to Cuba, the Bahamas, and Turks and Caicos.
With panoramic views out over the Atlantic, the restaurant offers a wonderful ambiance. Along with some of the freshest local ingredients to be found. The restaurant provides a relaxed yet elegant resort-style dining experience. – View Menu
10. Morada Bay Beach Cafe
For a more relaxed dining experience at Pierre’s (#5 on this list), there is the Beach Cafe. Enjoy your meal right on the sand at a beachfront table with your toes buried in the sand.
Overlooking Florida Bay, the Morada Bay Beach Cafe has great service and award-winning cuisine. We’ve enjoyed lunch here many times. I love their Island Cobb salad and the Lobster Sliders. – View Menu
11. Hog Heaven Sports Bar & Grill
If you are looking for a fun sports bar like setting with good food and on the water, head to Hog Heaven Sports Bar & Grill. It is one of the best bars in Islamorada; not only is it a fun place to have a drink, but it serves great food, too.
Hog Heaven Bar and Brill is known for its hearty portions of BBQ, wings, seafood, and burgers. Grab a seat inside or outside on the covered patio or at one of the dockside tables. We always get an order of their famous conch fritters and either the ribs or the smoked brisket. The bar offers specialty cocktails, wines, beers, and an extensive list of spirits. – View Menu
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