Known for its laid-back ambiance and tropical setting, restaurants in Florida tend to be easygoing. Serving local delicacies such as fresh seafood and coastal cuisine, the most sought-after dining options in the Sunshine State are not only beautiful on the interior, but typically offer a gorgeous landscape view from either an outdoor terrace or floor-to-ceiling window. From sparkling skyline views to beachfront hotspots, these are the most beautiful restaurants in Florida.
Latitudes Sunset Key, Key West
Located in Sunset Key Cottages, Latitudes Sunset Key is one of the best restaurants in Key West. Appealing to foodies, it offers outdoor dining and modern American cuisine. Once named the “#1 Best Overall Restaurant in Key West” by OpenTable and one of the “100 Most Romantic Restaurants in America”, its impressive resume speaks for itself. Dine on fresh, flavorful cuisine and capture breathtaking Gulf of Mexico views, as the ever-changing menu and Ernest Hemingway Room filled with photos of famous authors make this restaurant a one-of-a-kind dining experience. Perfect for those looking for a bit of luxury on a romantic date, here you can dig your toes in the sand and escape to your own private island from the ferry to Latitudes. To arrive at Sunset Key & Latitudes, you take the ferry from Key West to Sunset Key.
La Mar by Gaston Acurio, Miami
A popular waterfront restaurant in Florida, La Mar by Gaston Acurio in Miami is a contemporary restaurant where you’ll find an innovative menu of traditional Peruvian cuisine with an added twist. While this restaurant may be trendy, it serves up some authentic cuisine alongside its laid-back and chill ambiance. Those who like to try innovative dishes will find this restaurant appealing, but the biggest highlight here is the spectacular views. Beautiful from the inside and out, here you can lounge during the day and night and soak in the glitzy Miami skyline views as you sip on a cold pisco sour and dine on fresh ceviche.
Guanabanas Island Restaurant and Bar, Jupiter
Known for its lush, tropical atmosphere, this Jupiter-based restaurant is a hit with both locals and visitors alike. An overwhelming sight for the senses, Guanabanas Island Restaurant and Bar is an open-air waterfront restaurant that has beautiful foliage paired with tiki torches and thatched roof cabanas to make you feel like you’ve left Florida completely and found your own private slice of paradise. Considered an institution in Palm Beach County, visitors can count on finding great cuisine and refreshing cocktails that go perfectly with its tropical setting. Live music is found throughout the day, a perfect soundtrack for sipping on a famous “Juice of the Gods” and catching one of Florida’s gorgeous sunsets.
Caretta On The Gulf, Clearwater
It’s hard not to love Caretta On The Gulf, as its cozy yet classy atmosphere couples perfectly with the upscale dining and romantic ocean views. A top restaurant in Clearwater, it was named after the loggerhead turtles that grace the shores of the area, this restaurant is the only AAA Four-Diamond restaurant in Clearwater. Dine on the seasonally-inspired cuisine of duck confit, black grouper, or sushi, or sip on a glass of organic wine while you watch the array of sunset colors light up the sky above the Gulf of Mexico, as the view is worth the admission alone. With both indoor and outdoor seating, visitors can dine in style with the restaurant’s popular chef’s dinner tasting menu, which includes dessert and wine pairings carefully selected by professional sommeliers, or grab a specialty drink, such as a delicious watermelon cucumber martini in the evening.
Bayfront Bistro, Fort Myers
Once voted in the “Top 10 Waterfront Restaurant in America” list from Tripadvisor, Bayfront Bistro in Fort Myers is one of Florida’s most beautiful restaurants. Located smack dab in Estero Island, you’ll find a cozy waterfront ambiance paired with unbelievable views of the Florida mangroves. Perfect for soaking in the scenery, book a seat outside and enjoy a glass of wine while you catch a breezy view of the glimmering bay water and schools of dolphins and manatees that are known to roam the waters. The restaurant’s fresh seafood is a real highlight, along with its extensive wine list and wildlife views.
Vue on 30a, Santa Rosa Beach
With beautiful views of South Walton and Santa Rosa Beach, Vue on 30a is one of the best restaurants in Florida’s small towns. Located directly on the Gulf of Mexico, the restaurant was once voted “Best Waterfront Dining” by Florida Travel + Life Magazine. A perfect spot for lunch or happy hour throughout the week, the award-winning panoramic views here are not only breathtaking but the vibrant menu of dishes inspired by the coastal landscape is worth the trip alone. From the Lobster Ravioli to the Jamaican Red Stripe Beer Batter Seafood Platter, the restaurant’s succulent choice of seafood is sure to leave your stomach happy.
Oystercatchers, Tampa
One of the cities best seafood restaurants, Oystercatchers in Tampa is nestled amongst lush tropical landscaping on the edge of Tampa Bay. While many come for the picturesque views and endless mimosas, they end up staying for the restaurant’s pleasant ambiance and world-class cuisine, from scallop fritters to a buffet of caviar, oysters, and smoked salmon. A delight for the eyes, this beautiful restaurant serves up flavorful dishes that please the palate, perfectly paired with colorful sunset views and impeccable service.
Beach Walk Cafe, Destin
An upscale restaurant located in Destin’s famous Henderson Park Inn, Beach Walk Cafe is a romantic choice for couples looking to indulge in both impressive views over Florida’s Emerald Coast and award-winning coastal cuisine. Soak in the salty breeze of the Gulf on the deck while you dine on tasty pecan-crusted grouper and New Zealand lamb chops, as this restaurant’s romantic waterfront setting is nestled along an undeveloped, private beach area neighboring Henderson Beach State Park. The Inn was once named the “Most Romantic Hotel in North America,” which makes it no surprise that the cafe has been given the title of the “Top 100 Most Romantic Restaurants in the United States” as well by OpenTable.
S3 Restaurant Sun - Surf - Sand, Fort Lauderdale
You simply cannot beat the pristine ocean views found at S3 Restaurant Sun – Surf – Sand in Fort Lauderdale. Pairing the picturesque surroundings with locally sourced ingredients, both foodies and culinary newbies can appreciate the restaurant’s range of mouthwatering dishes, from steak to seafood and sushi. For the ultimate oceanfront dining experience, come here for upscale coastal cuisine and soak in views of the Fort Lauderdale beach from as close as you can possibly get without getting in the water. With an island-chic decor and indoor/outdoor bar with a terrace, its lush outdoor patio and fire pits make for a cozy date night out.
505 N Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd suite s, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304, USA
Spinners Rooftop Grille, St. Pete Beach
One of the most glamorous seafood restaurants in the Sunshine State, Spinners Rooftop Grille will catch you by surprise with its 360-degree views from its dining room. Offering an unparalleled view of St. Pete Beach, climb to the 12th floor of the Bellwether Beach Resort to find the only revolving restaurant on the West Coast. A perfect mix of elegance and romantic ambiance, visit the restaurant to enjoy a delightful menu of locally caught seafood, fresh greens, and sweet treats as you enjoy breathtaking views over Florida’s beautiful sun-kissed beach.
Cap's On The Water, St. Augustine
Drive along Florida’s scenic A1A to find Cap’s On The Water, a waterfront restaurant located between Ponte Vedra and St. Augustine. Serving coastal cuisine mixed with traditional Southern and Mediterranean flavors, the restaurant’s large outdoor deck and sunset oyster bar offer an intimate dining experience. Widely recognized for its cuisine and incredible Intracoastal Waterway views, a visit to the deck beneath the leafy trees at sunset is a must. From sesame seared tuna to filet mignon and Belgian fries, the restaurant’s range of mouthwatering cuisine will have you coming back for more.
Columbia Restaurant, Ybor City
Coupling as both the most historic and most beautiful restaurants in Florida, Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City has been owned and operated by five generations for over 110 years. Said to be the oldest restaurant in Florida and the oldest Spanish eatery in the United States, this restaurant offers guests the chance to dine on fresh paella and sangria to the sounds of castanets and flamenco dancers. Occupying a full block in Ybor City, the restaurant has twelve dining rooms with original Spanish tile floors, high ceilings, and walls covered in period photos. Evoking a traditional Spanish inner courtyard, you’ll find Moorish architecture alongside a bubbling fountain and terraced balcony.
