WOW! 11 Best Restaurants on The Water in Daytona Beach
There are tons of restaurants on the water in Daytona Beach and the surrounding area. Trust us. we’ve been to all of em’! And since we’re not big fans of crapping on hard-working businesses, we decided to make a list of our all time faves in the area. So grab your seafood bib and beer holders (your hands) and get out there!
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Riverside Restaurants on The Water in Daytona Beach
Daytona Beach is a haven for waterfront dining. We have the luxury of sitting both river side and ocean side. Enjoying different views for different days of the week. Here are the best riverside restaurants in the area:
Boondocks Restaurant
During high season, this place is usually pretty packed, and for good reason. Boondocks has something for everyone from fishing fanatics to beer lovers. This is an awesome and quaint place to sit and enjoy time with friends. While the appetizers are small, they are very tasty. Boondocks offers great view of the Halifax River, and a place to gaze at some beautiful fishing boats in the yacht club / marina next door.
Down the Hatch
If you love scallops, this is the place for you! Of all the places we’ve tried, they have the best made scallops in town. This is a great place in Ponce Inlet right where the Halifax River meets the ocean. Enjoy a drink and some seafood while watching boats take off and dock. This has been one of our go-to places for years. You will not be disappointed here!
Our Deck Down Under
Stiff drinks and awesome seafood. You likely won’t find a better restaurant on the water than Down Under. This is one of our many go-to spots due to the fresh seafood and breathtaking views. Tons of seating, whether inside or out, with views of the river. Come down quick because this place tends to fill up fast.
Jimmy Hula’s: A Wave of Flavors
At Jimmy Hula’s, it’s not just about biting into a fish taco; it’s about the rush of flavors that surf your taste buds with each bite. The atmosphere buzzes with a laid-back surf culture, and the ‘Fish 101’ taco is a lesson in taste you’ll want to enroll in again and again. This place has a great vibe to it with its inside / outside seating area. Come down here for a late evening beer and some Hawaiian inspired cuisine.
Pat’s Riverfront Cafe: Homestyle Comfort by the Water
Pat’s Riverfront Café literally looks like an old school home kitchen. But don’t let the look fool you. The food is GREAT and the Google ratings are through the roof! is like that warm, sunny spot on the porch that everyone fights over. It’s where the pancakes are so fluffy, they could float down the Halifax River, and the omelets are a canvas for your wildest breakfast dreams. This isn’t just a meal; it’s a morning ritual by the water’s edge, where every bite feels like home.
Chart House: A Symphony of Seafood and Scenery
The Chart House stands as a pillar of fine dining, where each dish is a crescendo of culinary excellence. Here, the prime rib is a tender testament to the chef’s craft, and the ‘Snapper Hemingway’ is a novel of flavors in itself. Dining here is like watching a sunset; no matter how many times you experience it, it’s breathtaking every single time.
Off The Hook at Inlet Harbor: Casual Eats and Unbeatable Beats
Off The Hook at Inlet Harbor is where the seafood is as fresh as the ocean breeze and the live music sways like the palm trees. It’s a place where the ‘catch of the day’ is always an adventure, and the sunset views are the perfect backdrop to a laid-back evening. This isn’t just a meal; it’s a slice of Daytona life, served up with a side of sea air. Making it one of the best restaurants on the water in Daytona Beach
Aunt Catfish’s On The River: Southern Comfort on the Waterfront
Nestled on the banks of the Halifax River, Aunt Catfish’s On The River offers a dining experience that’s as rich in Southern charm as it is in flavor. With servers who treat you like kin and a menu brimming with down-south river cookin’, it’s a place where the seafood is as fresh as the ocean breeze. Their “Fish Camp Fixin’s” bar and the famous Blue Jeans Sunday Brunch are local legends, and the outdoor dining with summertime entertainment makes every visit feel like a family reunion.
Ocean Side Restaurants on The Water in Daytona Beach Area
From Ormond Beach down to Ponce, The Daytona Beach area is host to some of the best ocean side restaurants west of the Caribbean. Let’s dive in!
Joe’s Crab Shack
Joe’s lies in the heart of Daytona Beach. Located on the Main Street pier, this place is huge! 2 floors, live music in the evenings and a great atmosphere. Joe’s Crab Shack is a fun time for anyone from families to bikers that frequent the area. We often don’t go down there for the food, more so for a relaxing sit down and a pitcher of Bud. Nevertheless, the times we’ve eaten there, no complaints!
Hidden Treasure Rum Bar & Grill in Ponce Inlet: A Pirate’s Bounty of Flavors
Right by the famous Ponce Inlet Lighthouse, Hidden Treasure Rum Bar & Grill is a treasure trove of flavors waiting to be discovered. With one of the largest collections of unique rum vintages in Florida and a menu that showcases authentic local flavors, it’s a casual, Key West-style haven. The twisted ancient oak growing through their outdoor dining deck adds to the unique ambiance, and the live music calendar promises good vibes and great times.
Landshark Bar and Grill: Your Beachfront Backyard
Nestled on the sandy shores, Landshark Bar and Grill is your go-to for a relaxed, beachfront dining experience. This is truly the best place to experience dining and the beach. The outdoor seating area is literally on sand. With a menu that’s a nod to the surf and the turf, you’ll find everything from crispy fish sandwiches to juicy burgers. It’s the kind of place where you kick off your flip-flops and sip on a frosty Landshark Lager. Let the ocean breeze carry your worries away.
Racing’s North Turn: A Toast to Racing Royalty
One of the best restaurants on the water in Daytona Beach, Racing’s North Turn pays homage to the glory days of beach racing with a side of scrumptious eats. Come down for the delicious grouper sandwich (which I enjoyed last time). Their menu races from classic American fare to fresh seafood, all while you’re surrounded by memorabilia that’ll have gearheads and history buffs alike revving their engines with delight.
Azure Oceanfront Dining: A Culinary Wave of Delight
Azure is a gem among Daytona’s dining scene, offering a menu that’s as refreshing as the ocean it overlooks. From the first sip of their craft cocktails to the last bite of their coastal-inspired dishes, Azure is a wave of culinary delight. It’s where you come to celebrate life’s special moments against the backdrop of the Atlantic’s endless blues.
Top of Daytona: Elevated Dining with a View
Perched atop the tallest building along the Atlantic, Top of Daytona offers a dining experience that’s quite literally above the rest. With a 360-degree view from the 29th floor, this luxurious restaurant is perfect for both special occasions and everyday dining. Their commitment to high-quality food, skillful cooking, and a grand ambiance ensures an extraordinary dining experience. The testimonials speak volumes, with patrons praising everything from the savory flavors to the tableside Flaming Banana Foster.
Mai Tai Bar
After a long walk down Main Street and on the boardwalk, Mai Tai is a great place to unwind. It’s got a very nice ambiance, with a dark, cozy setting with dimly lit tiki torches. It’s not 100% on the water. But you can see and feel the breeze when enjoying some Piña Colada outside on the patio. A great place for a quick sit down to enjoy some seafood inspired appetizers.