Waterfront dining combines culinary excellence with breathtaking views, offering a
feast for both the palate and the eyes. Across the United States, from coastal
seafood shacks to upscale riverside bistros, waterfront restaurants provide unique
dining experiences that celebrate their locations.
Here’s a look at 25 of the best waterfront restaurants in the U.S., each offering its
blend of delicious food and stunning aquatic vistas.
The Marine Room, La Jolla, California
Nestled on the shores of La Jolla Cove, The Marine Room offers fine dining with
waves crashing just beyond the windows. During high tides, diners can experience
‘Oceanfront Breakfasts’ where the surf splashes against the restaurant’s windows.
River Café, Brooklyn, New York
Located under the Brooklyn Bridge, River Café offers panoramic views of the
Manhattan skyline and the East River. The Michelin-starred restaurant serves New
American cuisine with an emphasis on local ingredients and exquisite presentation.
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Mama’s Fish House, Paia, Hawaii
Set on a secluded beach on Maui’s North Shore, Mama’s Fish House is renowned
for its ultra-fresh seafood and tropical ambiance. The menu even lists the name of
the fisherman who caught each day’s fish.
Fleet Landing, Charleston, South Carolina
Housed in a 1940s naval building on the Charleston Harbor, Fleet Landing offers
waterfront dining with a side of history. The restaurant specializes in Lowcountry
cuisine, featuring fresh seafood and Southern favorites.
Canlis, Seattle, Washington
Perched above Lake Union, Canlis offers sweeping views of the lake and the
Cascade Mountains. This fine dining institution has been serving innovative Pacific
Northwest cuisine for over 65 years.
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Latitudes, Key West, Florida
Located on Sunset Key, a short boat ride from Key West, Latitudes offers a romantic
island dining experience. Guests can dine with their toes in the sand while enjoying
fresh seafood and breathtaking sunset views.
Chart House, San Francisco, California
Situated on PIER 39, Chart House offers stunning views of San Francisco Bay,
Alcatraz, and the Golden Gate Bridge. The restaurant is known for its seafood and
prime rib, complemented by an award-winning wine list.
Rusty Pelican, Miami, Florida
Offering panoramic views of the Miami skyline and Biscayne Bay, Rusty Pelican is a
local institution. The menu features modern American cuisine with a strong emphasis
on fresh seafood.
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Boat House Waterfront Dining, Tiverton, Rhode Island
Overlooking the Sakonnet River, Boat House offers New England coastal cuisine in
a sophisticated yet relaxed setting. The restaurant’s deck and floor-to-ceiling
windows provide beautiful water views from every table.
Duke’s Waikiki, Honolulu, Hawaii
Located on Waikiki Beach, Duke’s offers stunning ocean views and a laid-back
Hawaiian atmosphere. Named after surfing legend Duke Kahanamoku, the
restaurant serves Hawaiian-inspired dishes and tropical cocktails.
The Boathouse at Rocketts Landing, Richmond, Virginia
Situated on the James River, The Boathouse offers panoramic water views from its
dining room and rooftop deck. The menu focuses on seafood and locally sourced
ingredients, complemented by an extensive wine list.
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Waterbar, San Francisco, California
With floor-to-ceiling aquariums and views of the Bay Bridge, Waterbar offers a
unique dining atmosphere. The restaurant specializes in sustainable seafood and
has an impressive oyster bar.
Riva Crabhouse, Chicago, Illinois
Located on Navy Pier, Riva Crabhouse offers stunning views of Lake Michigan and
the Chicago skyline. The restaurant is known for its fresh seafood, particularly its
king crab legs and lobster.
The Lobster, Santa Monica, California
Perched at the entrance of the Santa Monica Pier, The Lobster offers panoramic
views of the Pacific Ocean. As the name suggests, lobster is the star of the menu,
but the restaurant also offers a variety of other seafood dishes.
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Boat House Tiki Bar & Grill, Cape Coral, Florida
Located on the Caloosahatchee River, this casual tiki bar offers a laid-back Florida
dining experience. Guests can enjoy fresh seafood and tropical drinks while
watching boats and manatees pass by.
Ray’s Boathouse, Seattle, Washington
Offering views of Puget Sound and the Olympic Mountains, Ray’s Boathouse is a
Seattle institution. The restaurant is known for its Northwest seafood, including its
famous blackened salmon.
Coast Guard House, Narragansett, Rhode Island
Housed in a former Coast Guard station, this restaurant offers panoramic views of
Narragansett Bay. The menu features fresh local seafood and farm-to-table
ingredients, with a focus on New England classics.
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Pier W, Cleveland, Ohio
Designed to resemble the hull of a luxury liner, Pier W juts out over Lake Erie,
offering stunning water views. The restaurant is known for its seafood and its popular
Sunday brunch.
Sam’s Chowder House, Half Moon Bay, California
Overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Sam’s Chowder House offers fresh seafood in a
casual, New England-style setting. The restaurant is famous for its lobster rolls,
named one of the top five sandwiches in America by NBC’s Today Show.
Ophelia’s on the Bay, Sarasota, Florida
Situated on Little Sarasota Bay, Ophelia’s offers waterfront dining with floor-to-ceiling
windows and an open-air patio. The menu features contemporary American cuisine
with an emphasis on fresh seafood.
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The Oasis on Lake Travis, Austin, Texas
Perched on a cliff 450 feet above Lake Travis, The Oasis offers spectacular sunset
views. The multi-level restaurant serves Tex-Mex cuisine and is known locally as the
‘Sunset Capital of Texas.’
Saltwater Grill, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
Located in Christiansted Harbor, Saltwater Grill offers Caribbean-inspired seafood
dishes with a view. Diners can enjoy fresh local catch while watching boats come
and go in the picturesque harbor.
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Seascape Restaurant, Trinidad, California
Situated on a bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Seascape offers stunning coastal
views. The restaurant specializes in fresh seafood and local ingredients, with a menu
that changes seasonally.
The Crow’s Nest, Santa Cruz, California
Located at the Santa Cruz Yacht Harbor, The Crow’s Nest offers views of Monterey
Bay and the Santa Cruz Mountains. The restaurant serves fresh seafood and
American classics, and features live music on its heated, dog-friendly patio.
Louie’s Backyard, Key West, Florida
Set in a Victorian home overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, Louie’s Backyard offers
Caribbean-American cuisine in a romantic setting. The restaurant’s three-level deck
provides stunning ocean views and is a perfect spot for watching Key West’s famous
sunsets.
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Best Waterfront Dining Experiences
These waterfront restaurants offer more than just meals; they provide memorable
dining experiences that engage all the senses. From the crash of waves to the call of
seagulls, from the smell of salt air to the taste of fresh seafood, these establishments
celebrate their proximity to water in unique and delicious ways.
These restaurants prove that location is indeed everything when it comes to creating
the perfect dining atmosphere.
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