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Top 10 Waterfront Restaurants in Key Largo

By: Author Hannah

Posted on Last updated:

Top 10 Waterfront Restaurants in Key Largo

There is something special about eating outside and looking off into the ocean. On our Florida Keys road trips, we always eat at waterfront restaurants in Key Largo. Living in Wisconsin, our outdoor dining days are limited…

Key Largo is full of adventure and opportunities for having fun. As a result, some of the best restaurants in Key Largo are on the waterfront. There’s nowhere better to dine than in a restaurant on the water.

Catch a sunset, devour exquisite food, and watch the activities on the ocean. Check out these top 10 waterfront restaurants in Key Largo next time you are in the Florida Keys.

Buzzards Roost Restaurant in Key West

1. The Buzzard’s Roost

The Buzzard’s Roost is our favorite place for waterfront dining in Key Largo. This establishment is perfect for lunch with friends, afternoon drinks, or dinner with the family.

Whether you’ve come for seafood or not, they’ve got you covered at The Buzzard’s Roost. There are so many seafood appetizers that you may struggle to decide. We recommend the Conch Fritters (you can’t go wrong with the conch). The Corny Blue Crabcakes, Seared Ahi Tuna, and Seafood Sampler are also excellent options.The Vegetarian Platter is a suitable entree for non-meat eaters. It’s a delicious blend of black beans, yellow rice, and vegetables du jour. They’ve got sandwiches, quesadillas, and lots of a la carte choices too.

Keys Fisheries restaurant in Marathon

2. Key Largo Fisheries

Try this Key Largo seafood restaurant for an authentic taste of the Florida Keys. Key Largo Fisheries offers an all-around dining experience that is bound to please.

Generous portions, well-seasoned food, and a great ambiance define this restaurant. What more could you ask for? Oh yeah, this is one of Key Largo’s restaurants on the water.

We always order one of their seafood sandwiches. The Key Largo Lobster Philly or the Lobster BLT are to die for. The Lobster BLT is served on a butter croissant with homemade spicy mayo.

For the kids, there’s a Schoolie Menu. They’ve got Grilled Cheese, Quesadillas, the Shrimp Boat, and more. For dessert, you can’t go wrong with the Mango Cheesecake or Key Lime Pie.

Outside of Snappers Oceanfront tiki bar in Key Largo.
Photo Credit via Snapper’s Facebook

3. Snappers Oceanfront Restaurant & Bar

Another of Key Largo’s waterfront dining spots is Snappers. This restaurant offers laid-back sophistication in both its atmosphere and dining. This is a go-to place for a date night or an evening with friends.

First things first, you’ve got to order one of their signature cocktails. They’ve got alcoholic and non-alcoholic options, so no one is left out. They also have a popular ‘You Hook ‘Em… We Cook ‘Em’ option. Spend the day fishing in Key Largo, then have your catch cooked just the way you like it.

Seafood lovers, make sure to order the Apple-Smoked Bacon Wrapped Scallops. These scallops are served with the most delicious Sweet Thai Chili Sauce. You cannot go wrong with their popular Seafood Enchiladas. This signature dish is served with rice, guacamole, pico de gallo, and sour cream. It’s utterly moreish!

Dinner at Sol by the Sea - Seafood platter - Places to eat of a Key West Road Trip

4. Sol by the Sea

Head to Playa Largo Resort & Spa, and you’ll find Sol by the Sea. Sit out on their covered patio and enjoy expansive ocean views. If you want to watch a sunset, this fantastic waterfront restaurant in Key Largo has amazing sunset views.

The pastel tones of this restaurant give off a chic and Bohemian vibe. As you watch the sky turn orange, definitely order a cocktail. The Amante Buck features bourbon, ginger, orange, and ginger beer.

For food, begin with the Lobster & Shrimp Cakes. Next, why not order the Line Caught Whole Fish or Seafood Mac-N-Cheese? Round off a delicious seafood-inspired meal with the Turtle Cheesecake or an Espresso Martini.

5. Snooks Bayrise Restaurant & Grand Tiki

This open-air eatery is an excellent place to dine and watch the sunset. It is many people’s favorite restaurant in Key Largo. The service here is excellent, and the meals come out super quick.

The Colossal Crab Meat Cocktail is a great way to start your meal. For the main, the Coconut Mahi Mahi is hard to beat. It’s served with a delicious key lime sauce and dredged in coconut.

Make sure you save room for dessert. We recommend their Chocolate Toffee Mousse or the Chocolate Peanut Butter Pie.

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Skippers Dockside outside of Key Largo Tiki Bar

6. Skippers Dockside

Situated inside a vintage boathouse, you can’t get much better than Skippers. Of all the waterfront restaurants in Key Largo, this establishment offers that classic island life vibe. We like to come here after a day diving or snorkeling in Key Largo.

First, you’ve got to get some appetizers for the table to share. The Smoked Fish Dip is a real house favorite, as are the Dockside Nachos.

Few restaurants can beat Skippers Keys Mahi Sandwich. It comes either grilled or blackened with caramelized onions and pineapple relish. If you are not in the mood for seafood, try one of their land-based dishes. Sample the Chicken Pasta Linguini or the Grilled Filet Mignon.

This Mile Marker 100 restaurant offers effortless simplicity. It’s a place to stop in for a happy hour in Key Largo or for a meal.

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7. Pilot House Restaurant & Marina

This is one of those waterfront restaurants in Key Largo where there’s always something happening. Located right on the marina, you can dine outside and watch the boats in the harbor.

Not only does this restaurant have incredible waterfront dining views, but it also has a surprise feature. There is an epic glass-bottom patio!

The Steamed Mussels and Smoked Fish Dip are two exquisite appetizers. For a lighter meal, try one of their Fresh Artisan Salads. The Spinach Salad features bacon, mushrooms, tomatoes, onions, eggs, feta, and honey mustard. You can also add chicken, shrimp, or Mahi.

They offer a variety of sandwiches, including the Prime Rib Wrap and Crunchy Grouper Sandwich. You can also try their Grilled Churrasco Steak, a superb blend of Mexican flavors.

Bayside Grille Key Largo Stuffed lobster tail dish

8. Bayside Grille & Sunset Bar

This open-air Key Largo spot is excellent for food and evening drinks. Open daily for lunch and dinner, enjoy daytime cocktails or an enjoyable evening meal.

The Bayside Grille offers excellent seafood dishes as well as non-seafood and veggie options. The Ahi Poke Tuna Tower is mouthwateringly good. It consists of layers of tuna, a mango-ginger salsa, and housemade wonton chips.

Those wanting gluten-free options will be pleased to see their choices are clearly labeled. No more scouring the menu to see what food you can eat! The gluten-free Fish Trio includes Mahi, yellowtail, and the day’s fresh catch. Or how about the Island Seafood Curry?

9. Blackwater Siren

Another of the best waterfront restaurants in Key Largo is Blackwater Siren. This joint, which has tiki-style rooms and sea views, offers outdoor seating and sunshine.

This restaurant is situated right off the Overseas Highway. This is a great place to stop off on your way up or down the Florida Keys. The Coconut Onion Rings are a must-order side. The Spicy Shrimp Gazpacho and New England Clam Chowder are excellent choices, too.

fried coconut shrimp

10. Sundowner’s

As the name implies, this is one of the best restaurants on the water for sunset. This is a casual seafood eatery that has a glass-walled dining room.

This restaurant has been around for some time, opening in 1985. It prides itself on serving sustainably caught local seafood.

You can enjoy some of their local catches, including various choices. They’ve got tuna, Mahi, shrimp, yellowtail, and grouper. If you select the Choice of Catch, you can also choose your sauce. They’ve got Key Lime Caper, Pineapple Rum Glaze, Key Lime Butter, and more.

If you drive from Miami to Key West, don’t just drive through Key Largo! We usually spend two nights in Key Largo to break up the road trip and check out the attractions in Key Largo.

Here are some of our other Florida Keys articles to help plan your trip.