Burdines Waterfront: Marathon's Premier Waterfront Dining and Marina
Every Monday I shine a light on the local businesses that make the Florida Keys special. This week I am featuring a Marathon landmark that captures everything I love about island living: great food, cold drinks, and a front-row seat to the water.
Burdines Waterfront
Marathon is a place where the water is never far away, and Burdines Waterfront sits right at the center of that maritime lifestyle. Located at 1200 Oceanview Avenue near Mile Marker 49.5, this waterfront restaurant and marina has earned a loyal following among locals and visitors alike, boasting a 4.4-star rating from over 3,100 reviews. Whether you arrive by land or by boat, Burdines offers an authentic Keys dining experience that is hard to beat.
The menu at Burdines is built around fresh seafood and American comfort food with a Keys twist. Their Green Chile Cheeseburgers draw rave reviews, and the fresh fish sandwiches served fried, grilled, or blackened are a customer favorite. Tuna poke bowls, bacon-wrapped BBQ shrimp, and shrimp baskets with hushpuppies round out a menu that delivers quality without pretension. And for the anglers who pull up to the dock, the kitchen will clean and cook your catch right on the spot.
The setting is what really sets Burdines apart. The open-air tiki bar and grill sits on a high wooden deck overlooking Boot Key Harbor Waterway, with thatched umbrellas, string lights, and cornhole boards creating a relaxed, social atmosphere. Live music is a regular fixture, and the daily happy hour draws a cheerful crowd of boaters, residents, and travelers. On any given evening you will find people enjoying cold drinks at sunset while watching the boats pass through the channel.
In addition to the restaurant, Burdines operates a full-service marina with gas and diesel fuel, making it a convenient stop for boaters exploring the Middle Keys. The combination of great food, cold drinks, live entertainment, and a working marina makes Burdines a true community hub. It is the kind of place where conversations start naturally and friendships form over shared plates and sunsets.
What I appreciate most about Burdines is how it embodies the Keys spirit. It is unpretentious, water-focused, and genuinely welcoming. In a town like Marathon that sits at the center of the island chain, businesses like Burdines Waterfront keep the community connected and remind us all why we love this unique island lifestyle.
Why Compass Conley Sales Group stands out in Florida Keys
I am Steve Conley, Principal of the Conley Sales Group at COMPASS. With over 30 years of experience in the Florida Keys and more than $1.4 billion in career sales, I bring a level of local knowledge and market expertise that few agents can match. What truly sets me apart is my rare combination of three professional licenses: a Florida Real Estate Sales Associate license, a Florida State Certified Contractor license, and a Florida Home Inspector license. This means I evaluate properties from every angle, spotting issues and opportunities that other agents miss entirely. Whether you are buying a waterfront estate in Marathon or selling a canal home in Key Largo, you get an agent who understands not just the market, but the structure itself.
License #3232648 · Sales Associate / Contractor / Home Inspector · Florida Keys Board of Realtors
Explore More of Marathon and the Florida Keys
Want to learn more about life in Marathon? Visit my Marathon neighborhood guide for an in-depth look at the real estate market, lifestyle, and what makes the Middle Keys hub so special.
If you are planning a trip to the Middle Keys, check out my complete guide to fishing in the Florida Keys, which covers flats, reef, and offshore fishing around Marathon and beyond. You can also read my Keys market update for 2026 and my guide to the best waterfront dining from Key Largo to Marathon.
Have questions about the Florida Keys real estate market? Get in touch with me and let me help you find your slice of paradise.
Is Your Business the Next Spotlight?
I am always looking to feature the best local businesses in the Florida Keys. If you own or manage a business that deserves recognition, let me know.
Request to Be FeaturedOther Local Businesses in the Florida Keys
Check back next Monday for a new Community Spotlight featuring another outstanding local business across the Florida Keys. Each week I showcase a different category, from waterfront dining and marine services to local artisans, dive shops, and family-owned attractions.
As a lifelong Florida Keys resident and real estate professional, I take pride in showcasing the businesses that make our community thrive. Each Monday I highlight a local favorite so residents and visitors alike can discover the best of the Keys.
Discover More of the Florida Keys with Steve Conley
Whether you're relocating, buying a waterfront home, selling your property, or simply exploring everything the Florida Keys has to offer, I'm here to help. As a local Compass REALTOR, I provide expert guidance, neighborhood insights, and local market expertise throughout the Florida Keys.