NEW ENGLAND REGION
Ballard’s, New Shoreham, RI
Established in 1956, Ballard’s is a longtime favorite for live music, local seafood and a classic Block Island atmosphere. Located close to the Block Island Ferry, the restaurant and beach attract day-trippers as well as boaters staying for a few nights. Ballard’s Marina features Mediterranean-style floating docks with reservations accepted and amenities such as ice, showers and laundry. The menu highlights locally sourced oysters, lobster, fish and clams—its award-winning chowder won top honors at the 2019 Block Island Maritime Institute ChowdaFest.
DiMillo’s, Portland, ME
DiMillo’s sits on Portland’s Old Port waterfront, amid cobblestone streets and historic brick buildings converted into boutiques, breweries and eateries. A local institution since the mid-1960s, DiMillo’s is renowned for lobster in many preparations—steamed, baked, fried, on a roll or folded into mac ’n’ cheese. The floating restaurant operates alongside Maine’s largest Travelift, offering priority service for cruisers having boat work done while they sample the menu.
Diamond’s Edge Restaurant & Marina, Portland, ME
Great Diamond Island is a car-free retreat reachable by ferry or private boat, and Diamond’s Edge Restaurant & Marina provides a welcoming harbor for arriving cruisers. The marina accommodates vessels up to roughly 110 feet and offers a provisioning market with prepared foods, wine, beer and picnic lunches. The restaurant serves fresh-caught seafood, Maine lobster and specialty dishes such as crab ravioli with a truffle-scented scampi sauce—perfect for a relaxed waterfront meal.
Scales, Portland, ME
Located on the historic Commercial Street, Scales is a seafood-focused restaurant and raw bar housed in a large warehouse-style dining room. The menu features inventive small plates—think fried-squid-and-cherry poppers and smoked bluefish pâté—alongside classic shellfish and fish entrees. With about 150 seats and a substantial bar, Scales fills up quickly; reservations are recommended to avoid a long wait.
Salt Wharf, Camden, ME
Salt Wharf, located at the Lyman-Morse marina in Camden Harbor, is a contemporary addition to Midcoast Maine’s dining scene. With panoramic harbor views, attentive service and a menu that blends refined flavors with regional ingredients, the restaurant has impressed visitors with dishes such as Wagyu steak tartare and yellowfin tuna tabbouleh. Reservations are advised during the busy summer season.
Red 36, Mystic, CT
Perched at Noank Shipyard and Seaport Marine near the mouth of the Mystic River, Red 36 is popular for both its waterfront setting and approachable seafood fare. The outdoor deck faces the river and is ideal for warm-weather dining, with menu highlights that include fried oysters, lobster rolls, clam flatbread and cheddar mac ’n’ cheese. Nearby attractions such as Mystic Seaport and the historic drawbridge make it an appealing stop for boaters.
Lobster Landing, Clinton, CT – EDITORS’ CHOICE
Set in a casual seaside shack on Long Island Sound, Lobster Landing embodies classic Connecticut shoreline dining: family-friendly, unfussy and focused on simple, satisfying fare. The menu centers on staples like lobster rolls, hot dogs and sweet Italian sausage. Owner Enea Bacci fosters a welcoming atmosphere, and guests often enjoy the restaurant’s relaxed dockside ambiance.
Belle’s Café, Newport, RI
Tucked inside Safe Harbor Newport Shipyard, Belle’s Café is a convenient spot for boaters and visitors alike. The café offers indoor and outdoor seating plus takeout, and serves breakfast and lunch favorites such as Eggs Benedict, pancakes, lobster rolls and clam chowder. Dining here provides a front-row view of one of the region’s most impressive shipyards and the yachts berthed there.
22 Bowen’s Grille, Newport, RI
This year-round waterfront steakhouse in downtown Newport is known for attentive service and a robust wine list. Signature dishes include Delmonico steak, filet mignon, garden salads and classic sides like mashed potatoes. Floor-to-ceiling windows showcase wharf views, and the restaurant’s central location puts shops, docks and museums within easy walking distance.
Rowayton Seafood, Norwalk, CT
On a narrow stretch of the Five Mile River, Rowayton Seafood delivers refined coastal cuisine and scenic water views. Slip availability is limited, but docking adds a memorable element to a visit. The menu highlights include hamachi crudo, popcorn shrimp, porcini-crusted yellowfin tuna and a well-regarded lobster roll; desserts feature local Longford’s ice creams and sorbets. After dining, a stroll to the Rowayton Historical Society offers a quick dose of local maritime history.
Top Overall
Ford’s Lobster Restaurant, Noank, CT
Red 36, Mystic, CT
Abbot’s, Noank, CT
Chart Room, Cataumet, MA
The Oar, New Shoreham, RI
Top Family Restaurant
Ballard’s, New Shoreham, RI
Ford’s Lobster Restaurant, Noank, CT
DiMillo’s, Portland, ME
Belle’s Café, Newport, RI
Back Eddy, Westport, MA
Top Location for Date Night
22 Bowen’s, Newport, RI
The Moorings, Newport, RI
Fresh Salt Restaurant, Saybrook Point Resort, Old Saybrook, CT
Diamond’s Edge Restaurant and Marina, Portland, ME
Red 36, Mystic, CT
Top Location Based on Quality of Food
Ford’s Lobster Restaurant, Noank, CT
Rowayton Seafood, Norwalk, CT
Royal River Grill House, Yarmouth, ME
Scales, Portland, ME
Dog Watch Café, Stonington, CT
Top Location for Location
The Moorings, Newport, RI
Dead Eye Dicks, New Shoreham, RI
Chart Room, Cataumet, MA
DiMillo’s, Portland, ME
Nazbar at the NASWA Resort, Laconia, NH
MID-ATLANTIC REGION
Pusser’s, Annapolis, MD
On Compromise Street near the Annapolis Yacht Basin and Yacht Club, Pusser’s Caribbean Grille—adjacent to the Annapolis Waterfront Hotel—offers indoor and outdoor waterfront seating and a retail shop with branded apparel. The beverage list features Caribbean-style favorites such as the signature Painkiller, made with Pusser’s rum and traditionally served in a souvenir tin mug, alongside fruity rum punches.
The Cove, Glen Cove, NY
The Cove Restaurant & Oyster Bar sits on Glen Cove Creek near Safe Harbor Glen Cove and reflects the city’s long waterfront heritage. Casual by day and more polished by night, The Cove is a popular sunset destination with an active outdoor bar and DJ. Menu highlights include whole fish and hearty pastas such as seafood spaghetti with octopus, shrimp and clams in a white-wine sauce with Calabrian chili.
Cantler’s Riverside Inn, Annapolis, MD
Known locally as the place “where the watermen gather,” Cantler’s Riverside Inn occupies a waterfront point between Mill Creek and Martin’s Cove and offers free dockage on a first-come, first-served basis. The restaurant specializes in Maryland blue crabs sold by the dozen or by the crab, alongside classic Chesapeake preparations and generous family-style portions.
Chesapeake Inn Restaurant & Marina, Chesapeake City, MD
Located on Back Creek just off the Elk River, Chesapeake Inn is a dock-and-dine marina serving lunch, dinner and brunch along with a sushi menu and deck-side seating. The marina accepts daily and overnight guests and provides a water taxi for boaters anchored in the basin. Live music frequently accompanies the dining experience, creating a lively waterfront atmosphere.
The Tides Inn, Irvington, VA
The Tides Inn is a waterfront resort on the Rappahannock River with a marina offering slip options for transient boats. The resort emphasizes regional seafood such as Eastern oysters and maintains a substantial wine list to complement meals at its Chesapeake Restaurant and Terrace—an appealing pick for leisurely brunches, lunches and dinners.
Showfish, Montauk, NY
At the eastern tip of Long Island, Showfish anchors the Safe Harbor Montauk Yacht Club and showcases daily wild-catch menus and locally sourced ingredients. With a marina that accommodates large yachts, Showfish is a popular choice for memorable date-night dinners and seafood-centric meals before or after fishing and island excursions.
Harbor Shack, Rock Hall, MD
Rock Hall’s Harbor Shack blends indoor and open-air seating, live weekend entertainment and a menu of approachable favorites—burgers, seafood and seasonal dishes—popular with families and groups seeking a casual waterfront night out.
The Island Hideaway, Solomons, MD
Set on Back Creek near Solomons Island Yacht Club, The Island Hideaway delivers a relaxed yet refined waterfront dining experience. The menu features Chesapeake classics like cream of crab soup alongside homemade pastas and hearty meat entrees. Outdoor seating overlooks the water, and the venue offers after-dinner cocktails such as espresso or chocolate martinis.
Top Overall
Claudio’s Waterfront, Greenport, NY
Waterman’s Crab House, Rock Hall, MD
Lobster House, Cape May, NJ
Pusser’s, Annapolis, MD
The Cove, Glen Cove, NY
Top Family Restaurant
Cantler’s, Annapolis, MD
Harbor Shack, Rock Hall, MD
Chesapeake Inn, Chesapeake City, MD
Schaefer’s Canal House, Chesapeake City, MD
The Clam Bar at Bridge Marina, Bayville, NY
Top Location for Date Night
The Tides Inn, Irvington, VA
Cantler’s, Annapolis, MD
The Oar Steak and Seafood Grill, Patchogue, NY
The Cove, Glen Cove, NY
Showfish, Montauk, NY
Top Location Based on Quality of Food
Lobster House, Cape May, NJ
The Cove, Glen Cove, NY
Claudio’s Waterfront, Greenport, NY
Harbor Shack, Rock Hall, MD
Crab Claw, St. Michaels, MD
Best Location for Location
Blue Iguana, Sea Cliff, NY
The Island Hideaway, Solomons, MD
Claudio’s Waterfront, Greenport, NY
Canal Café, Hampton Bays, NY
The Oar, Patchogue, NY
SOUTHEAST REGION
Coinjock Marina, Coinjock, NC
Located at Mile Marker 50 on the Intracoastal Waterway, Coinjock Marina is a favored stop for cruisers traveling the Eastern Seaboard. The marina offers a 12-foot mean water clearance, a fuel dock and maintenance services, and its on-site restaurant is best known for generous cuts such as the 32-ounce “captain’s cut” bone-in prime rib. Seafood and surf-and-turf options round out the menu for visiting boaters.
Lorelei Restaurant and Cabana Bar, Islamorada, FL
Perched at Mile Marker 82 in the Florida Keys, Lorelei serves breakfast, lunch and dinner with sunset views and nightly live music. The family-friendly menu includes shareable items like tuna nachos and bacon-wrapped shrimp, plus entrees to suit meat lovers, seafood diners and vegetarians. A locally loved key lime pie—available traditional or frozen with mango—is a popular way to finish a meal.
Shooters Waterfront, Fort Lauderdale, FL
An established Fort Lauderdale waterfront destination since 1982, Shooters Waterfront welcomes boaters via the Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi and offers takeout for meals on board. The restaurant features menus for kids and dogs and hosts happy-hour specials—making it a practical and lively stop for cruisers and locals alike.
Shrimper’s Grill and Raw Bar, Stuart, FL
Found in Port Salerno overlooking Manatee Pocket, Shrimper’s serves a variety of seafood preparations and offers a small-plate fee for any catch customers bring in. The restaurant runs a sunset menu with shrimp specials and reasonably priced entrees, and weekday happy-hour deals at the bar make it a popular evening choice.
Blackfins at Capt. Hirams, Sebastian, FL
At the confluence of the St. Sebastian and Indian rivers, Capt. Hirams Resort and Marina hosts Blackfins Riverfront Grill, which offers a full menu of raw-bar items, salads, sandwiches, daily fish specials and steak entrees. The location provides easy access for boaters exploring Pelican Island and the surrounding wildlife refuge.
15th St. Fisheries, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Located at Lauderdale Marina, 15th St. Fisheries delivers waterfront dining with upstairs seating offering a classic nautical ambiance and downstairs areas alive with music and energy. Upstairs specialties include King Crab Legs and Korean barbecue seabass, while the downstairs menu leans toward casual favorites such as burgers and fish tacos.
Little Palm Island Resort & Spa, Little Torch Key, FL
Little Palm Island is an adults-only private island resort on Little Torch Key with lush tropical grounds and a Dining Room that emphasizes refined island-casual cuisine. Reservations are required and resort guests receive priority seating; private beach dining can be arranged for special occasions.
Guanabanas, Jupiter, FL
Guanabanas began as a small sandwich shop and has become a lively waterfront venue featuring live music, signature cocktails and Adirondack seating overlooking the inlet. The menu offers salads, sandwiches, seafood and traditional favorites, making it a dependable stop for boaters and visitors enjoying the Jupiter waterfront.
Top Overall in Region
Coinjock Marina, Coinjock, NC
Cabbage Key, Pineland, FL
Lorelei Restaurant and Cabana Bar, Islamorada, FL
Shooters, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Coconuts, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Barefoot Resort Marina Bar and Grill, North Myrtle Beach, SC
Top Family Restaurant in Region
Coinjock Marina, Coinjock, NC
Lorelei, Islamorada, FL
Shrimper’s Bar and Raw Grille, Stuart, FL
Two George’s, Boynton Beach, FL
Capt. Hirams Resort, Sebastian, FL
Top Location for Date Night
15th St. Fisheries, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Kaluz, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Lorelei, Islamorada, FL
Boathouse at the Riverside, Fort Lauderdale, FL
The Boatyard, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Top Location Based on Quality of Food
Little Palm Island Resort, Little Torch Key, FL
Prime Catch, Boynton Beach, FL
Southport Bar, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Coconuts, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Kaluz, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Best Location for Location
Barefoot Resort Marina Bar and Grill, North Myrtle Beach, SC
Alabama Jacks, Key Largo, FL
Guanabanas, Jupiter, FL
Gilberts, Key Largo, FL
Bokampers, Fort Lauderdale, FL
This article was originally published in the July 2023 issue.