Waterfront & Outdoor Dining on Fort Myers Beach
On Fort Myers Beach, the view is part of the meal. Eat with your toes in the sand on the Gulf, pull up by boat on the back bay, or catch the sunset from an open-air deck. Every restaurant below is a member of the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce.
Waterfront & Outdoor Dining Members
23 Chamber member restaurants, bars, and cafés with water views or outdoor seating. Select a name or More Details for hours, menus, and contact information.
Bonita Fish Co.
702 Fisherman’s Wharf, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
Dixie Fish Co.
714 Fisherman’s Wharf, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931
Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille
Come by boat or by car for great waterfront dining on Fort Myers Beach.
Where to Eat by the Water
On the Beach
The Gulf side of Estero Boulevard is where you’ll find true beachfront dining, with tables steps from the sand. Because the beach faces west, these are the best seats on the island for sunset.
Cabanas Beach Bar & Grille, at 2000 Estero Boulevard, sits right on the beach with live music, fresh seafood, and signature tropical drinks. The Whale, at 1249 Estero Boulevard, pairs panoramic Gulf views with daily live entertainment and local seafood. La Ola Surfside Restaurant, at 1035 Estero Boulevard, is known for its sunset views and live music, and The Beach Bar serves up all-day live music right on the sand.
At the Pink Shell Resort, Rae’s On The Beach and Bongo’s Bar and Grill put you on the water, with Bongo’s serving fresh seafood and tropical drinks poolside and on the beach. In the heart of the island, a short stroll from the sand, Smokin’ Oyster Brewery serves oysters on the half shell every day.
On the Bay
The back bay side, along Matanzas Pass, Fisherman’s Wharf, and Old San Carlos Boulevard, is home to working docks, shrimp boats, and dockside restaurants. Some welcome guests who arrive by boat, so call ahead to ask about docking.
Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille on Fisherman’s Wharf welcomes guests by boat or by car and is known for its Yucatan Shrimp. Next door, Bonita Fish Co. at 702 Fisherman’s Wharf offers fresh seafood and live music, and Dixie Fish Co. at 714 Fisherman’s Wharf started as a fish market in 1937 and keeps much of its original character. Snug Harbor Waterfront Restaurant, at 645 Old San Carlos Boulevard, serves fresh seafood daily with sunset harbor views, and Nervous Nellie’s pairs casual waterfront dining with live music on deck.
Just Off the Island
A short drive over the bridge, Bayside Sports Bar and Grille and Kava Culture, at 17979 San Carlos Boulevard, sit along San Carlos Boulevard. The Lighthouse Waterfront Restaurant, next to Port Sanibel Marina on Port Comfort Road, has direct Gulf access, sunset views, and live music every day. Across the river in Cape Coral, The Nauti Mermaid at Tarpon Point Marina offers free boat slips for diners, live music on weekends, and views of the Gulf and the Caloosahatchee River.
Good to Know
Waterfront seating fills fast in season and around sunset, so plan ahead or arrive early. Hours can change with the season and ongoing rebuilding, so check each member’s profile or call before you go.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Fort Myers Beach restaurants are right on the beach?
Cabanas Beach Bar & Grille, Rae’s On The Beach, Bongo’s Bar and Grill, The Whale, and La Ola Surfside Restaurant are all on the Gulf side of Estero Boulevard, just off the sand.
Can I get to a restaurant on Fort Myers Beach by boat?
Yes. Doc Ford’s Rum Bar & Grille on Fisherman’s Wharf welcomes guests by boat or by car, and several other back bay restaurants sit right on the water. The Nauti Mermaid at Tarpon Point Marina in Cape Coral also offers free boat slips for diners. Call ahead to confirm docking.
Where is the best place to watch the sunset while dining?
Fort Myers Beach faces west over the Gulf, so any beachfront restaurant along Estero Boulevard has a clear view of the sunset. Arrive early in season to get a table outside.
Are these restaurants Chamber members?
Yes. Every restaurant on this page is a member of the Fort Myers Beach Chamber of Commerce. Visit each member’s profile for hours, menus, and contact details.