Nothing goes better with that favorite meal than a view of the water and South Florida’s got plenty of options.
Claim your own piece of paradise and grab breakfast, lunch or dinner while overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway, the Atlantic Ocean, or any body of water that promotes serotonin release and serenity.
From Palm Beach Gardens down to Rivera Beach, check out more than a dozen waterfront dining destinations and discover glorious sunrises and sunsets, sparkles on the water and pair those peaceful, easy feelings with fabulous coastal cuisine and some killer cocktails.
You’re on the coast in South Florida, get out there and own it! Find that great restaurant with water views and live a little.
Waterfront restaurants in Palm Beach Gardens
The River House, Palm Beach Gardens
The water view: Intracoastal Waterway
Situated on the west side of the Intracoastal Waterway, this destination offers an eclectic mix of seafood and homestyle favorites that includes crab cakes, prime meatloaf, filet mignon, braised short rib, sushi rolls and salads. The River House has something for everyone and offers it during dinner, lunch and even brunch. That brunch features elevated classics like their brioche French toast and shrimp & grits along with homemade donuts with fresh créme anglaise, hot fudge and raspberry dipping sauces on Sundays. The tiki bar is a popular spot for a cocktail and a quick bite, like the deviled eggs & sugar bacon or Shanghai shrimp served with a spicy dipping sauce.
Details: 2373 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens. 561-530-4313; theriverhousepbg.com
Angry Moon Café, Palm Beach Gardens
The water view: Soverel Harbour Marina, Intracoastal Waterway
Open for breakfast and lunch, this eatery combines old world European flare and features dishes like pain perdu (French toast), quiche, crepes, multiple varieties of eggs benedict including classic, Florentine and their Benedict of the Seas, and more.
Details: 2401 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens. 561-694-7945
Seasons 52, Palm Beach Gardens
The water view: Intracoastal Waterway
Located on the east side of the Intracoastal Waterway, guests can enjoy sunset views while indulging in the restaurant’s brick-oven flatbreads (including Philly cheesesteak, pesto chicken & fresh mozzarella, lobster & avocado and more), starters like their ahi tuna tartare or lump crab cake, soups and salads or lavish entrées like caramelized grilled sea scallops, wood-grilled shrimp & grits and more. They’ll also match any dish with one of the eatery’s 52 wines by the glass.
Details: 11611 Ellison Wilson Road, Palm Beach Gardens. 561-625-5852; seasons52.com
The Waterway Café, Palm Beach Gardens
The water view: Intracoastal Waterway
Just south of the PGA Boulevard bridge along the Intracoastal Waterway, the Waterway Café has been a beloved go-to waterfront dining destination for residents and visitors since 1986. The restaurant covers some ground and offers starters like Korean BBQ skirt steak brochettes and lobster guacamole along with entrées including pistachio-encrusted grouper, crab stuffed yellowtail snapper, the 12-ounce bone-in teriyaki pork chop and more. The restaurant completed a major renovation in January 2025 that included a new roof, new kitchen, new parking area, new floating bar and a new seawall along the east and south sides.
Details: 2300 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens. 561-694-1700; waterwaycafe.com
North Palm Beach waterfront restaurants
Paradise Tavern, North Palm Beach
The water view: South Lake
Describing themselves as a “coastal-inspired dive bar where great food, cold drinks, and easy vibes meet” this restaurant along South Lake offers a relaxed, laidback atmosphere. Guests can enjoy cold beers, seltzers, wine and cool cocktails like the Captain Ron’s Swizzle made with rum, lime, mango and bitters, along with menu items like coconut shrimp with strawberry Fresno aioli, the double smashburger, Baja fish tacos and more.
Details: 766 Northlake Blvd., North Palm Beach. 561-517-6831; paradise-tavern.com
Frigate’s Waterfront Bar & Grill, North Palm Beach
The water view: Earman River
Named for the beautiful frigatebird, this North Palm Beach hot spot offers fabulous indoor, outdoor and right-on-the-waterfront seating plus a menu that celebrates the best of Florida coastal cuisine. Vibrant and approachable, the menu is packed with delicious options ranging from hand-rolled sushi, fresh oysters and peel & eat shrimp to lobster mac with three-cheese cream sauce, macadamia snapper, the tomahawk for two and much more. Want the full experience? Grab a seat at their tiki bar, enjoy an ice-cold beverage and watch the boats come and go.
Details: 400 U.S. 1, North Palm Beach. 561-855-7497; frigatesnpb.com
Palm Beach Shores/Singer Island restaurants
Ona Coastal Cuisine, Riviera Beach
The water view: Atlantic Ocean
Ona Coastal Cuisine can be found at Palm Beach Marriott Singer Island Beach Resort & Spa, and features warm colors and driftwood accents that give it a relaxed, sophisticated beachside ambience. Ona is well known for their seafood, steaks, poultry and vegetarian dishes crafted using fresh, local ingredients. For breakfast indulge in the Singer Island omelet with rock shrimp, lump crab, caramelized shallots and smoked gouda or maybe the lemon ricotta pancakes; lunch lovers can delight in the butter poached lobster roll and the Prime rib dip; and finally for dinner local grouper or the Creekstone Farm beef tenderloin might be calling.
Details: 3800 N. Ocean Drive, Riviera Beach. 561-340-1795; onacoastalcuisine.com
Ayre by Karma, Riviera Beach
The water view: Atlantic Ocean
Ayre by Karma, at Amrit Ocean Resort, is helmed by chef Asif Syed who is known for besting a certain famous chef on “Beat Bobby Flay” along with appearances in “Guy’s Grocery Games” and “Cutthroat Kitchen.” This waterfront restaurant offers three-, five-, and seven-course tasting menus priced at $75, $105 and $145 respectively, each a curated progression of flavors. Savor dishes like the tellicherry pepper crab, Gucchi chicken, coconut sorbet and many more. Ayre by Karma redefines modern Indian dining blending timeless Indian flavors with global sophistication.
Details: 3100 N. Ocean Drive, Riviera Beach. 561-209-7259; ayrebykarma.com
Islander Grill & Tiki Bar, Palm Beach Shores
The water view: Atlantic Ocean
In the Palm Beach Shores Resort, this venue offers live entertainment and boasts bringing “the charm of the tropics right to your plate.” Frozen tropical drinks are encouraged, and the expansive menu has something for everyone, from soups and salads to sandwiches, burgers, seafood pasta dishes and more. They offer live music nightly and are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Details: 181 S. Ocean Ave., Palm Beach Shores. 561-842-8282; islanderpalmbeach.com
On the Rocks Pool Bar & Grill, Palm Beach Shores
The water view: Lake Worth Inlet, Atlantic Ocean
On the Rocks Pool Bar & Grill at the Marriott’s Ocean Point features American cuisine served poolside, with a distant view of the Atlantic Ocean. This is a great spot to enjoy lite bites, cool beverages and watch “the big game” on one of their televisions. Afterwards, wander this resort’s palm tree-shaded paths to its water features and play area, all brightly colored and lushly planted.
Details: 61 S. Ocean Ave., Palm Beach Shores. 800-845-5279; marriott.com
Sailfish Marina Resort, Palm Beach Shores
The water view: Intracoastal Waterway
With an amazing view of the Intracoastal Waterway, passing boats, and great sunsets, this Palm Beach Shores restaurant has been a destination for decades. Sailfish offers breakfast, lunch and dinner with daily specials, many of them inspired by the fresh catch from boats docked outside. A few of their dinner classics include macadamia grouper, Florida paella and gnocchi Thermidor. Love fishing, but maybe not cooking? Bring them your catch and they’ll prepare it for you.
Details: 98 Lake Drive, Palm Beach Shores. 561-844-1724; sailfishmarina.com
The Buccaneer Waterfront Bar & Grill, Palm Beach Shores
The water view: Intracoastal Waterway
Led by “Hell’s Kitchen” winner chef Paul Niederman, this iconic restaurant with a storied history was reborn in 2025. Originally opening in the 1950s and closing in the early 2000s, the location was given a complete renovation with much of the old restaurant’s history preserved. Reborn, “The Bucc” boasts a fabulous menu including pizzas done in their Italian brick oven, lamb lollipops with roasted garlic hummus, short rib grilled cheese, Floridian style crab cakes, teriyaki glazed salmon and much more. For dessert don’t miss the whimsical Fruity Pebble bread puddling or mango key lime pie.
Details: 142 Lake Drive, Palm Beach Shores. 561-360-1022; buccgrill.com
Rafiki Tiki Bar & Grill, Riviera Beach
The water view: Intracoastal Waterway
This family-friendly restaurant at the Riviera Beach Marina Village features indoor as well as plenty of outdoor, patio seating. With a ‘Floribbean’-influenced menu, they offer appetizers like Cuban spring rolls (filled with slow-roasted pork, ham and Swiss cheese), conch fritters, fried calamari and gyro fries; salads, burgers and sandwiches, like the Captain Crunch Sandwich (Captain Crunch-encrusted chicken breast with fresh jalapeño slaw); rice bowls, tacos; flatbreads and specialties like the churrasco steak and whole fried snapper. There are also several island-themed cocktails that must be tried.
Details: 190 E 13th St., Riviera Beach. 561-812-2240; rafikitiki.com
Eddie Ritz is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at eritz@pbpost.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: The best of waterfront dining from Palm Beach Gardens to Riviera Beach
Reporting by Eddie Ritz, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Eddie Ritz, Palm Beach Post | USA TODAY Network
