By Madison Hansen
Waterfront dining is a unique experience in itself. People who travel know that the actual traveling is only half of the experience, the other half is the dining. Restaurants are an essential part of our everyday lives. Food by itself, if prepared right, is enough to attract customers, but food with a view will go even further. Florida offers great local food with a perk of free waterfront views. These restaurants are often found along local beaches along the coast and can attract tourists from all over the world just looking to get a taste of the fresh comfort food they have to offer.
Farlow’s on the Water, Englewood
Farlow’s on the Water is a local favorite for many of the residence in Englewood. Farlow’s is known for using some of the freshest seafood and meats in their menu. With their large variety of fresh catches and local cuisine, as well as providing vegetarian options, this restaurant has quickly became a favorite for many tourists.
Farlow’s also has a unique herb and spice garden that diners are allowed to tour. On these tours, diners are encouraged to admire the aromatic smells and beautiful greenery of the garden. This beautiful restaurant sits aside the Lemon Bay Aquatic Reserve and transforms the restaurant from grill by day, to romantic getaway by night.
Pop’s Sunset Grill, Venice
Pop’s Sunset Grill is a casual restaurant that caters to everyone and at any time, “waterfront bar and dining, indoor bar and dining, tiki, fire pit tables, courtyard, shaded, temperature-controlled…etc”. This makes Pop’s Sunset Grill accessible all year long to the public, no matter the circumstance.
Pop’s is also known for their muses; with live music and a dance floor tempting even the most stubborn diners, Pop’s provides an ‘old Florida’ feel for tourists and locals alike while dining on fresh catches or grilled specialties. As the afternoon starts to come to an end and evening approaches, Pop’s Sunset Grill invites you to have a meal with a view as the sun sets over the beautiful Intracoastal Waterway. Almost three decades after its opening, Pop’s is still a local favorite tucked away in Venice, Florida.
Fin’s at Sharky’s, Venice
Sharky’s really is the restaurant that can do it all. After a long day at the beach, it offers a casual, fun place to eat good food with friends and family. Their seating is offered both inside and outside on the boardwalk and can often be found if you just listen for the live music.
If you’re looking for a fancier dining experience, Sharky’s also pulls off a beautiful dining room with a sophisticated menu. Everything on the menu is made fresh and tasty daily. Since Sharky’s is located right on the boardwalk of the beach, every night is a beautiful night as customers get an up-close view of the breathtaking sunset along with the faint sound of waves crashing on the sand.
Seabreeze Island Grill and Bar, Redington Shores
This waterfront restaurant is located in beautiful Redington Shores, Florida which offers a large variety of food to satisfy any craving customers might have. Some items include “fresh fish, hand-cut steaks, delicious specials, and daily happy hour.” Seabreeze also caters to vegetarian and gluten-free alike.
Seabreeze Island Grill pairs their fresh food with live music; their contemporary dining style along with live music make Seabreeze a more than pleasant dining experience. While dining and enjoying the music, Seabreeze invites you to sit back and feel the breeze from the Gulf and indulge in a pleasant meal.
Whether dining for the food or the experience, eating at a waterfront restaurant offers an atmosphere that is hard to replicate at any other. While other coastal states can offer a waterfront dining experience, Florida’s beautiful beaches and fun atmosphere is what makes their waterfront dining different from any other. It offers a unique experience that encourages the night to live on that many other mainland restaurants cannot offer.
