TOP 10 Key Largo Restaurants on the Water

If you’re like me, one of the most important things to know before traveling to a new place is where you’re going to eat. Luckily, if you’re visiting the Florida Keys, there’s no shortage of incredible restaurants!

One of the best parts about visiting the Florida Keys, and Key Largo especially, is being able to dine on the water! There’s truly nothing better than enjoying fresh seafood and a local Florida Keys beer while watching the sun sink into the sea.

In this post, I’ll go over the top 10 Key Largo restaurants on the water, so you know exactly where to eat and drink on your vacation! All of these waterfront restaurants have something special to offer!

Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click an affiliate link or book through an affiliate program, I receive a small commission at no cost to you! 

Top 10 Key Largo Restaurants on the Water: A Complete Guide to Dining in Paradise

Pilot House Restaurant & marina

Sol by the Sea at Playa Largo

Address: 97450 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL 33037
Hours: Monday – Thursday, 5–10 pm & Friday – Sunday, 10am–3pm, 5–10pM
Price Range: $$$
What to Try: Yellowfin Tuna Tiradito, Blackened Snapper

If you are looking for a unique waterfront dining experience in Key Largo, I highly recommend checking out Sol by the Sea at Playa Largo Resort. This beachside Bohemiam shack is a wonderful place to grab weekend brunch or evening drinks.

It also takes the term “waterfront dining” to a whole new level. At some times during the year, you can book a “Toes in the Sand” table at Sol by the Sea, where you table is literally in the water! It’s a unique experience you won’t find at many other places in the Keys.

P.S. Playa Largo is one of my favorite resorts to stay at in Key Largo! Wondering what else makes the list? Don’t miss my blog post on the Best Hotels in Key Largo!

Snappers Oceanfront Restaurant

Address: 139 Seaside Ave, Key Largo, FL 33037
Hours: Monday – Friday, 4–10pm, 5-9:30pm & Saturday – Sunday, 11am–10pm
Price Range: $$
What to Try: Seafood Enchiladas, Dakota Hogfish

Another classic Key Largo restaurant on the water, Snappers is a great place to unwind and listen to local music while enjoying the waterfront. Popular with tourists and locals alike, they’ve got delicious food and good vibes. Plus, 3 different bars and a delicious Sunday brunch!

Snook’s Bayside Restaurant

Address: 99470 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL 33037
Hours: Sunday – Thursday, 11am–3pm, 5-9:30pm & Friday – Saturday, 11am–3pm, 5–10pm
Price Range: $$
What to Try: Pistachio Encrusted Yellowtail, Bacon Wrapped Scallops

Last time I visited Key Largo, Snook’s was not only the best Key Largo restaurant on the water we ate it, it was the best restaurant we ate at period.

Located completely outside, Snook’s has a large open-air tiki bar to sit under, as well as umbrella-lined tables, and bar seating that overlooks the ocean (as shown in the photos below)!

I recommend sitting in these seats so you’ll have a front-row seat to watching an incredible sunset, one of the top free things to do in Key Largo!

P.S. The famous Cruisin’ Tikis sunset cruise actually leaves right from the Snook’s dock! You can read more about this in my Guide to the Best Key Largo Sunset Cruises.

Bayside Grille & Sunset Bar

Address: 99540 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL 33037
Hours: Monday – Saturday, 11;30am-9pm & Sunday, 11am–9pm
Price Range: $$
What to Try: Havana fries, Seafood curry

Bayside Grille & Sunset Bar is another fabulous option to dine at when visiting Key Largo! The restaurant and bar set up is pretty unique, with an upstairs, open air dining room and an outdoor sunset bar on the water.

What I love about Bayside Grille is how unique their menu is. It definitely has a Hispanic/Miami flare with foods like Havana fries, baked elote, and Cuban osso buco. Plus, they have happy hour Monday-Friday from 4pm to 7pm and a speciality Sunday brunch menu!

Jimmy Johnson’s Big Chill

Address: 104000 Overseas Hwy, Key Largo, FL 33037
Hours: Sunday – Thursday, 11am-9pm & Friday – Saturday, 11am–10pm
Price Range: $$
What to Try: White truffle Mac ‘n cheese, Mahi bites

If you are looking for a casual place to hang out and grab a bite for lunch or dinner in Key Largo, Jimmy Johnson’s Big Chill is a great spot! Owned by the famous football player, Big Chill is located right on the bayside with a long dock where you can watch some epic sunsets! They also have daily live music and happy hour Monday-Friday.

In addition to a restaurant and bar, Jimmy Johnson’s Big Chill also has an onsite pool, cabanas, and a poolside bar. You can buy day passes to access the pool for $25 per adult & $15 per child.

Key Largo Fisheries Backyard Cafe

Address: 1313 Ocean Bay Dr Suite B, Key Largo, FL 33037
Hours: Monday – Saturday, 9am-7pm, Sunday, 11am–6pm
Price Range: $$
What to Try: Conch salad, Fish fingers

Looking for the freshest seafood in Key Largo? Check out Key Largo Fisheries Backyard Cafe! Here you’ll find a full service fish market where you can buy fresh caught, local seafood. In addition to the market, there is a “backyard cafe” on site. Here, you can order from their restaurant menu and take your food outside to eat with a lovely view of the marina!

Trust me when I say, you need to eat fresh seafood in Key Largo, and this is the best place to do it!

The Buzzard’s Roost

Address: 21 Garden Cove Dr, Key Largo, FL 33037
Hours: Monday – Saturday, 11:30am-9pm, Sunday, 10:30am–9pm
Price Range: $$
What to Try: Barbados Rum Conch Chowder, Filet Mignon

The Buzzard’s Roost is one of Key Largo’s best kept secrets! Located right after you arrive in Key Largo, it’s a great spot for lunch, dinner, or Sunday brunch. They have fresh seafood, delicious steaks, and a variety of homemade desserts.

Plus, you can sit inside or outside. The restaurant sits on the end of a canal so you’ll have great views and may even see some wildlife!

Pssst: Planning a trip to the Florida Keys? Don’t forget to check out my guide on the Best Time to Visit the Florida Keys or my Ultimate Florida Keys Travel Guide!

Sharkey’s Pub & Galley Restaurant

Address: 522 Caribbean Dr, Key Largo, FL 33037
Hours: Everyday, 7am – 12am
Price Range: $
What to Try: Grouper bites, Fish taquitos

Last but certainly not least, Sharkey’s Pub and Galley is the perfect casual, waterfront restaurant in Key Largo that’s open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late night. It’s definitely not a 5-star establishment but is great if you are looking for a quick breakfast or late night grub.

Located along the Port Largo Canal right next to Rainbow Reef Dive Center, there’s an upstairs and downstairs portion of the restaurant. Upstairs has more of a diner feel with downstairs being more of a sports bar. Their motto is “Come as you are”, so flip flops and t-shirts are encouraged!

Final Thoughts

That wraps up my guide to the best Key Largo restaurants on the water! As you can see, there’s no shortage of incredible places to eat in the Keys with a beautiful view. Of course, not every restaurant you go to has to be on the water, but it helps 😉

If you’re looking to watch an epic sunset, my recommendation is to head to Big Chill or Snook’s. But again, you can’t go wrong with any spot on this list!

Don’t forget to pin this post for future planning!