8 Best Waterfront Restaurants in Naples Florida
Naples is a lovely beachside town that is home to some of the finest restaurants in the United States. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the US and is known for its beautiful beaches, amazing food, and great weather. There are over 700 restaurants in Naples, and we have meticulously put together a list of the best waterfront restaurants in Naples Florida, all of them offering mouth-watering food, perfect views of the beach or bay, and excellent service. We hope this list serves as your go-to resource while you are visiting this Florida’s Paradise Coast.
1. Gumbo Limbo
Address: The Ritz-Carlton, 280 Vanderbilt Beach Rd., Naples, FL 34108 United States
Hours: Lunch:11am – 5pm, Dinner: 5pm – 8.30pm
Located at The Ritz-Carlton, Gumbo Limbo is a casual seafood restaurant that offers a spectacular view of the beach. It is indeed one of the best places to eat in Naples, Florida, and is open for both resort and local guests.
Gumbo Limbo features an ever-changing menu of lunch and dinner dishes, paired with an impressive cocktail list. If you ever decide to visit this waterfront restaurant, don’t forget to try Grouper Taco (made with delicious corn tortillas, lime cabbage slaw, green tomato salsa, red tomato salsa, and guacamole) and Gumbo Burger (a handcrafted burger with lettuce, tomato, pickle choice of cheese), two of the crowd favorites.
2. The Bay House
Address: 799, Walkerbilt Rd, Naples, FL 34110, United States
Hours: Thursday – Sunday: 5pm – 9pm, Friday-Saturdays: 5pm – 10pm
Are you looking for a waterfront restaurant that offers a sweeping view of the Cocohatchee River? Then, The Bay House is the perfect place for you. It is situated directly on the river and offers an unparalleled view of the Cocohatchee river and wildlife preserve.
The Bay House prides itself on its gracious hospitality and friendly service. It has a few dining options you can choose from: the formal dining area, waterfront deck with outdoor dining right on the river, side porch, creekside dining area, and casual outdoor seating on the front patio. It also has a live music stage (Live Bait) and its own version of a raw seafood bar, The Claw Bar. All these features make The Bay House one of the best waterfront restaurants in Naples Florida.
The cuisine in The Bay House includes all types of seafood as well as southern-inspired dishes and regional fare. These dishes are lovingly made with locally sourced and grown ingredients. One of the most famous delicacies offered by The Bay House is its Chilled Seafood Towers. Don’t forget to try them out during your visit!
3. Baleen Naples
Address: 9891, Gulf Shore Dr, Naples, FL 34108, United States
Hours: Breakfast: 7:00am – 11:00am, Lunch: 12:00pm – 2:30pm, Dinner: 5:30pm – 9:00pm
Brunch (only on weekends): 12:00pm – 2:30pm
Baleen Naples, the fine dining restaurant at the La Playa Beach & Golf Resort, is known as one of the best restaurants in Naples, Florida. It offers a great culinary experience, combined with exquisite views of the beach, the Gulf, and stunning sunsets.
At Baleen’s, you can enjoy a wide range of cuisine. Delicious crab Benedict, Gulf grouper tacos, lobster Cobb salad, king crab & charred corn, and truffle risotto cake are some of the all-time favorites its menu offers. You can also arrange a private beach dining experience by contacting the staff before your visit and making a reservation.
4. Flippers on the Bay
Address: 8767, Estero Blvd, Fort Myers Beach, FL 33931, United States
Hours: Sunday – Thursday: 11am – 9pm, Friday – Saturday: 11am – 10pm
If you are looking for an open-air restaurant that offers all three meals, Flippers on the Bay is a good option for you. Flippers on the Bay overlooks the back bay waters of Estero Bay and has a casual, laid-back ambiance you’d normally expect from a beach restaurant. But it offers international-inspired cuisine with exquisite wine and cocktails. Cruz Quesadilla, GF Tuna Ceviche, Cruz Crab Cake, Flippers Burger, and Lovers Key Wrap are some items on the menu you must absolutely try out!
The combination of the casual ambiance and the exceptional cuisine has made Flippers on the Bay one of the best places to eat in Naples, Florida.
5. M Waterfront Grill
Address: 4300, Gulf Shore Blvd N, Naples, FL 34103, United States
Hours: Lunch: 12pm – 2.30pm, Dinner:5pm – 9pm
M Waterfront Grill is a Naples waterfront restaurant that gives you the chance to enjoy the sights and sounds of the lovely Venetian Bay. In fact, it is part of the Village on Venetian Bay complex. All levels of this restaurant, including the main dining room, outside dining area, and the area around the bar, give you a view of the water and passing boats.
At M Waterfront Grill, you find continental cuisine with a focus on fresh seafood, homemade pasta, steaks, organics, and light lounge plates. Chicken Milanese, lobster roll, Scottish salmon, and Local dayboat fish are some of the most popular dishes everyone loves here.
6. Turtle Club
Address: 9225, Gulf Shore Dr, Naples, FL 34108, United States
Hours: Lunch: 11am – 2.30 pm, Dinner: 5pm – 9pm
Located inside The Vanderbilt Beach Resort, Turtle Club is a great place to relax, unplug, and unwind after a hectic day of walking around the city. It simply offers you a chance to enjoy high-quality food and wine in a simple and beautiful beachside setting. Turtle Club is also known for its Southern hospitality and service.
Pan-Seared Sea Scallops, Thai-Spiced Grilled Swordfish, And Roasted Lobster Tail & Petite Filet are some of the specialties you must definitely try out during your visit. Turtle Club attracts many tourists, so you will definitely need to make reservations if you are visiting during the high season (the restaurant only accepts reservations for dinner).
7. MiraMare Ristorante
Address: 4236, Gulf Shore Blvd N, Naples, FL 34103, United States
Hours: Sunday – Thursday: 11:30am–2:45pm, 5–9pm, Friday – Saturday: 11:30am–2:45pm, 5–10pm
If you make a list on “What is the best restaurant in Naples?” and note down the best restaurants in Naples, Florida, MiraMare Ristorante would definitely take top place in it. Located right on Venetian Bay, MiraMare Ristorante offers stunning waterside views at the Village Shops complex.
As you can guess from its name, this restaurant mainly focuses on Italian food. So you can order all your Italian favorites here, from sophisticated Italian fare to simple pizzas. MiraMare Ristorante is open for lunch and dinner.
8. Nosh on the Naples Bay
Address: 1490, 5th Ave S, Unit 101, Naples, FL 34102, United States
Hours: Tuesday – Sunday: 2pm – 9pm
Happy Hour & Small Bar Menu: 2pm – 6pm
Dinner: 5pm – 9pm
Closed on Monday
Overlooking the harbor and its yachts at Naples Bay Resort, Nosh on the Naples Bay is a lively but intimate restaurant with a craft cocktail bar and an open-kitchen design concept. After a busy day wandering around, you can relax in this cozy restaurant while enjoying the view of the picturesque bay while tasting good food.
It offers a great variety of global cuisine, and most of it comes in small plates, such as the miso caramel pork belly steamed buns, seared Hokkaido scallop atop sweet corn bisque, and foie gras pate topped with apple gelee. All food is painstakingly made with freshly caught seafood and home-grown produce.
What is the Best Spot in Naples to Eat on the Water?
Choosing the best waterfront restaurant in Naples Florida is not an easy task. Ultimately, it all comes down to your preferences.
- If you are someone who enjoys a fine dining experience, Baleen Naples would be a great option for you.
- If you are an Italian lover, you can head over to MiraMare Ristorante to enjoy a variety of traditional and modern Italian delicacies.
- If you prefer to have your meal while enjoying a river view, we recommend The Bay House, which offers a stunning view of the Cocohatchee river and wildlife reserve.
- If you want to experience magnificent views of the bay area and the boats on the water, M Waterfront Grill, Flippers on the Bay, and Nosh on the Bay are great choices for you.
- If you want to enjoy a scrumptious seafood platter right on the beach while experiencing the sound of crashing waves, then it’s time to head over to Gumbo Limbo or Turtle Club.
It’s difficult to pinpoint what is the best spot in Naples to eat on the water as there are several great restaurants offering different culinary experiences. We have listed the top 8 among them in this article. All of these offer great food, magnificent waterfront views, and top-notch service.