The Twisted Tuna – Port Salerno
Located in the heart of Port Salerno’s working waterfront, The Twisted Tuna is a favorite among residents and weekend visitors. The space started as a small marina restaurant and has expanded into a multilevel bar and grill with docks, live music, and open-air dining. Its menu leans heavily on local fish, often sourced from boats just steps away. Popular dishes include yellowfin tuna nachos, seared ahi bowls, and conch fritters that pair well with the house mojitos.
The atmosphere is lively without being chaotic, especially during sunset hours when the marina quiets down and the music picks up. Weekends can get busy, so arriving mid-afternoon helps avoid long waits. Seasonal specials often highlight mahi-mahi, snapper, and stone crab when in season.
JB’s Fish Camp – New Smyrna Beach
JB’s Fish Camp has a long history tied to Mosquito Lagoon, an area known for some of the best fishing in the state. This family-run bar and grill has been around for decades and still maintains a low-key, old-Florida charm. The menu features classics such as steamed shrimp, fried oyster baskets, and blackened grouper sandwiches, along with rotating catches depending on the season.
The real draw is the setting. Guests can eat on the deck overlooking the lagoon, rent a kayak, or stay to watch dolphins glide past in the evening. The camp-style vibe makes it a laid-back place where flip-flops and shorts fit right in. Insider tip: the clam chowder is a local staple, and weekday sunsets are some of the best in the area.
The Salty Pelican Bar & Grill – Fernandina Beach
Overlooking the Amelia River, The Salty Pelican has earned a loyal following since opening in historic Fernandina Beach. The building draws from the area’s maritime past, blending an open dining room with large windows and an upper deck that fills quickly during sunset. The bar’s specialties include peel-and-eat shrimp, smoked fish dip, and fish tacos served with house-made sauces. Their oyster selection rotates depending on availability, and the bartenders are known for generous pours and coastal-style cocktails.
A local favorite is the pelican wings, but seafood lovers tend to gravitate toward the blackened salmon salad and crab-stuffed flounder when it’s offered. The best time to visit is early evening when boats head in for the night and the river breeze picks up. On weekends, a table upstairs offers the best view of the harbor.
The Sandbar – Anna Maria Island
The Sandbar is located directly on the beach, giving diners front-row views of the Gulf of Mexico. While it’s well known for weddings and events, the main bar and grill area keeps the atmosphere casual and welcoming. The restaurant has been part of the island community for years, focusing on sustainable seafood and local ingredients. Popular dishes include Gulf shrimp platters, grilled grouper, and whole fried fish that reflects island-style cooking.
Eating here feels more like a relaxed beach outing than a typical meal out. Guests often remove their shoes to walk along the sand between courses, and the setting naturally encourages slow, lingering meals. Arriving before sunset is key since tables closest to the water fill up quickly. Seasonally, the kitchen features pompano, hogfish, and spiny lobster depending on availability.
Shucker’s Bar & Grill – Fort Myers Beach
Shucker’s sits right on the sand and has long been one of Fort Myers Beach’s go-to spots for seafood with a classic beach-bar feel. The venue has survived storms, rebuilds, and decades of tourism, keeping its laid-back spirit intact. Signature plates include coconut shrimp, calamari, and grouper bites that pair well with cold local beer. For heartier options, the seafood platters offer a mix of fried or grilled options, including scallops and locally caught fish.
Guests often praise the combination of live music and Gulf views, especially in the late afternoon when the beach is still active. Seats near the rail offer the best vantage point, but the indoor bar is a solid choice during summer storms. The staff often recommends visiting right after lunchtime for the quickest service.
🍴 Peg Leg Pete’s – Pensacola Beach
A landmark on Pensacola Beach, Peg Leg Pete’s has been serving locals and tourists since the 1990s. The theme leans playful, with pirate décor, a busy oyster bar, and a two-level layout that keeps the energy high. Seafood takes center stage with chargrilled oysters, crab legs, stuffed shrimp, and Cajun-influenced dishes that reflect the region’s blend of coastal and Southern cooking.
Despite the fun atmosphere, the quality of the seafood is consistently strong. Many visitors stop in specifically for the oysters, which are shucked to order and offered in various preparations. Evenings can be packed, so arriving earlier in the day helps secure a spot without long waits. The downstairs bar has a more relaxed feel for those who prefer a quieter visit.
The Deck Down Under – Port Orange
The Deck Down Under is a Dunlawton Bridge restaurant committed to fresh, well-prepared seafood served in large portions. On the menu-for those who share, there is fried shrimp, fish sandwiches, and grilled platters with hush puppies and slaw. The food is the chef's focus, as the plain, sailor-friendly decor is added to keep the visitor's attention fixed on the sights.
Sitting on the deck facing the Halifax River gives the opportunity of a calm and caressing setting, where breeze comes immitigably until the sighting of a dolphin. Blackened mahi sandwich and fried scallops are almost always recommended by the locals. The early part of the evening is the best time to go, especially on weekdays when the rhythm is slow.
Additional Tips for Seafood Dining in Florida
The seafood scene in Florida combines a little of the local ways, the coastal society, and a matter of ecological consciousness. Most guests find that usually, the freshest ingredients come from small, seasonal selection menus that change according to weekly fisherman hauls. Asking the waiters that day for details on daily catch is one of the better ways to enjoy local seafood. Several pubs and grills around town make use of snapper, grouper, shrimp, or mullet-wild species that are still legislated within Florida culinary heritage.
Sustainability all the way. There should be restaurants that purchase and select seafood responsible to the coastal environment. The best restaurants will work with local fisheries or indicate where their products come from. Simple dishes are the best indication of good quality-either grilled or blackened are good ways to start.
The Final Splash of Seafood Highlights
In Florida, one finds a high spirit for tasty seafood, outdoors, great views, and cheesiness. Each place tries to establish its own hip niche, be it a scene of sunsets far over the Atlantic, be it an outside, on-the-deck dance club, or a helluva beer-and-oyster upright bar where young folks entertain themselves all night. Every one of these venues might forever catch a sense of Florida's panache, of its sea-life trade, of the unique flavors and smells that come with celebrations in which Florida becomes a stopover.
Down-Home, Texas-Style Version
— TX Gulf Seafood (@TXGulfSeafood) November 18, 2025
Take it from Commissioner Sid Miller — nothing beats a plate of crispy, golden fried fish fresh from your own kitchen! All you need is finfish caught in Texas Gulf waters - and there are plenty of great species to choose from.#texasfriedfish pic.twitter.com/bKGDCRdQZe