Best Waterfront Restaurants in Key Largo: Where to Eat, Drink, and Watch the Sunset

Key Largo is the first island in the Florida Keys and one of the best spots for waterfront dining. Whether you are looking for a casual tiki bar with live music or an upscale seafood restaurant with sunset views, Key Largo has something for every palate. This guide covers the best waterfront restaurants in Key Largo, what to order, and what makes each one worth visiting. For a full overview of dining across the Keys, the Florida Keys official food and drink page is a great starting point for visitors and new residents alike. For a broader look at dining neighborhoods, our Key Largo community guide covers the area in depth.

Top Waterfront Restaurants in Key Largo

Sharkey's Waterfront Restaurant & Bar

Located on the Port Largo Canal at 522 Caribbean Drive, Sharkey's Pub & Galley Restaurant is a local favorite for casual waterfront dining. The outdoor deck offers direct water views of the canal, and the menu features fresh seafood, burgers, and tropical cocktails. The atmosphere is relaxed and unpretentious, exactly what you expect from a Keys waterfront spot. Live music on weekends makes it a popular destination for both locals and visitors. The grouper sandwich and the shrimp basket are reliable choices, and the cold beer on tap pairs perfectly with a warm Keys afternoon. Sharkey's is the kind of place where you can dock your boat, pull up a chair at the outdoor bar, and stay for the sunset.

Sundowners Waterfront Restaurant

Sundowners at Mile Marker 104 on Florida Bay is one of the most popular waterfront restaurants in Key Largo, and for good reason. Established in 1985, Sundowners sits directly on the water with outdoor seating that faces west over Florida Bay, offering some of the best sunset views in the Upper Keys. The menu focuses on fresh Florida seafood: the catch of the day, lobster tail, and their signature coconut shrimp are standout dishes. The sunset happy hour draws a lively crowd, and the atmosphere is festive without being overwhelming. Sundowners also has a well-regarded sushi and raw bar for those who want something lighter. If you visit once, go for sunset and order the coconut shrimp with a rum runner.

Snooks Bayside Restaurant & Grand Tiki Bar

Located at Mile Marker 99.9 on the bayside, Snooks Bayside Restaurant & Grand Tiki Bar is an open-air tiki dining destination. With an expansive tiki deck right on the water, Snooks serves upscale-casual seafood with some of the best sunset views in Key Largo. The atmosphere is tropical and lively, perfect for a memorable evening on the water. The catch of the day and their specialty cocktails are the standouts. Snooks is the place to go when you want sunset views, a strong cocktail in hand, and fresh seafood prepared with a Keys touch. Arrive early to grab a table on the tiki deck and watch the sun sink into Florida Bay.

Key Largo Fisheries

Part seafood market, part waterfront fish counter, Key Largo Fisheries is where locals buy their seafood and where visitors go for the freshest catch in town. You can eat at the waterfront counter while watching boats come and go from the marina, or take fresh seafood home to cook yourself. The smoked fish dip is a local legend, and fresh stone crab claws (in season from October through May) are exceptional. The informal, working waterfront atmosphere is part of the appeal. Key Largo Fisheries represents the authentic Keys dining experience that many visitors are looking for.

The Fish House / Pilot House

Two spots that belong on any Key Largo dining list: The Fish House at Mile Marker 102.4, bayside, serves excellent fresh catch in a classic Keys seafood house setting. For a different atmosphere, Pilot House Restaurant & Marina sits on a canal with outdoor dining and direct dock access, making it popular with boaters. Both are excellent options for a seafood-focused meal in a relaxed waterfront setting, whether you are arriving by car or by boat.

Key Largo Restaurant Quick-Guide Table

Quick Rules of Thumb for Key Largo Dining

A few simple rules will help you make the most of your dining in Key Largo:

• Sunset = Bayside: Always pick a restaurant on the Bay side (west) for sunset dining. Canal and marina spots (like Sharkey's or Key Largo Fisheries) are great during the day, but won't give you that direct sunset-over-the-water view.
• Book Bayside Early: Bayside tables fill up fast between November and April. Plan to arrive 30-45 minutes before sunset if you don't have a reservation.

While You Are Here: Other Dining Options

Not every meal needs a water view. Num Thai Restaurant & Sushi Bar is a great option for an indoor sit-down dinner, whether you are craving sushi or curry after spending the day on the water. It is located in a strip center along U.S. 1 (Overseas Highway), so it is not a scenic waterfront dining spot, but the food is consistently excellent and well worth a visit when you want something different from seafood.

What to Expect at Key Largo Waterfront Restaurants

Waterfront dining in Key Largo follows a few consistent patterns. Fresh, locally sourced seafood is the star at most spots. The catch of the day is almost always the best thing on the menu. Outdoor seating with water views is standard, and a casual dress code applies at nearly every establishment. You will see people in fishing gear, boating attire, and resort casual wear at the same tables.

Live music is common on weekends at popular spots like Sharkey's and Sundowners. The music tends to be acoustic or Caribbean-style, adding to the relaxed atmosphere. Signature Keys cocktails are a must-try. The rum runner is the classic Keys cocktail, made with rum, fruit juices, and grenadine. Key lime pie martinis and frozen mojitos are also popular choices. Most bartenders make a strong pour, so pace yourself through a sunset session.

Sunset dining is best reserved in advance during peak season. The best tables on the water fill quickly, especially at Sundowners where the west-facing view over Florida Bay is the main attraction.

Best Time to Visit

Peak dining season in Key Largo runs from November through April, when snowbirds and seasonal residents fill the island and the weather is at its best. Reservations are strongly recommended during this period, especially for weekend sunset dining. Summer offers fewer crowds and warmer evenings, making outdoor dining at its peak, though afternoon thunderstorms can roll through. The storms typically clear by early evening, leaving behind spectacular sunset conditions. Weekdays are more relaxed than weekends at every restaurant. For the best sunset experience, arrive 30 to 45 minutes before sunset to settle in, order a drink, and watch the sky change over Florida Bay.

Tips from a Local

After 30 years in the Keys, I have picked up a few things about waterfront dining in Key Largo. Call ahead for weekend reservations, especially during season. Ask about the catch of the day before you order, it is usually the freshest option and the chef's best preparation. Many restaurants offer boat dock access, so you can arrive by water. Sharkey's and several marina-adjacent spots accommodate boaters. Do not skip the smoked fish dip. It is a Keys staple and every restaurant has its own version. The best sunset views are on the bayside (west-facing) restaurants, so check the orientation before you book. For more insider tips on Keys living, the Conley Sales Group blog covers everything from market updates to boating guides.