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Fried shrimp tastes better when the boat that caught it might be tied up a few yards from your table. Florida’s Gulf Coast still has a handful of old-school fish shacks where the seafood is local, the seating is simple, and the shrimp basket is the main event.
This list runs from the Panhandle docks of Destin and Carrabelle down to the fishing village of Cortez, the sponge docks of Tarpon Springs, and the quiet waterways of Everglades City. Some spots close by mid-afternoon, a few have picnic tables instead of tablecloths, and at least one will cook the fish you caught yourself.
None of them are fancy, and that is the point. If you like your seafood fresh and your dining room open to the breeze, save this list for your next Gulf Coast road trip.
1. Star Fish Company, Cortez, FL
Cortez is one of the last working fishing villages on Florida’s Gulf Coast, and Star Fish Company sits right on its commercial docks along Sarasota Bay. Part fish market and part casual eatery, it keeps things simple with outdoor picnic-table seating beside the boats.
The fried Gulf shrimp is the reason to come, along with peel-and-eat shrimp for anyone who likes to work for lunch. Grouper sandwiches, smoked fish spread, and a stone crab claw meat chowder round out the menu, and the market side carries local catch like snapper, grouper, and pompano.
Keep an eye on the water while you eat. Birds and dolphins are regular visitors around the docks, and manatees show up now and then.
Timing matters here. Hours run 11:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Tuesday through Saturday, but only until 3 p.m. on Sunday and Monday, and weekday afternoons and evenings get busy.
2. Seafood Shack, Carrabelle, FL
Lunch is the only shift at this Carrabelle stop, so plan your Forgotten Coast drive around it. The Seafood Shack opens daily from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Fresh local grouper and shrimp lead the menu, seasoned and fried with a light, crunchy coating. Catfish and flounder are also on hand, and portions run generous.
I like this one for budget-minded travelers, since meals typically land around $10 to $20 per person. That is a rare number for a seafood platter anywhere near the coast these days.
The setting is rustic and roadside, with a patio where dogs are welcome. Families will find a kids’ menu, parking is free and usually plentiful, and the shack even accepts reservations, which helps on busy summer days.
3. Dewey Destin’s Seafood Restaurant, Destin, FL
Destin has no shortage of seafood spots, but this one sits on a wharf overlooking Crab Island and Choctawhatchee Bay. The Calhoun Avenue location is the bayside sibling of Dewey Destin’s Harborside, which sits on Destin Harbor.
Order at the counter and grab a seat with a view of the boats. The Fried Shrimp Basket with Fries is a menu staple, and the fried seafood platter adds fish, scallops, and mahi-mahi with slaw, hush puppies, and sweet tea.
Not in a fried mood? Smoked tuna dip, gumbo, grilled snapper, and a market fish sandwich are all options.
Expect a wait at busy times, since reservations are not accepted. Doors open daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., and sunset hours are the prime window for the view.
4. City Seafood, Everglades City, FL
Frog legs and gator nuggets share menu space with shrimp baskets at City Seafood, which tells you exactly what corner of Florida you are in. Everglades City is a small fishing town at the edge of the western Everglades, and this waterside spot fits right in.
Fresh seafood baskets anchor the counter-service menu. Stone crab claws, fried oysters, conch fritters, soft shell crab sandwiches, and fish and chips are also here, with key lime pie to finish.
Seating is at wooden picnic tables overlooking the water. Breakfast is served too, since the doors open at 8 a.m. every day.
Closing time comes early, at 4 p.m. on weekdays and 5 p.m. on weekends. Saturday and Sunday afternoons are the busiest stretch.
5. Rusty Bellies Waterfront Grill, Inc., Tarpon Springs, FL
Sponge boats and fishing vessels line the view at Rusty Bellies, a family-owned grill on Dodecanese Boulevard in Tarpon Springs. The sponge docks area is one of the most distinctive waterfronts in the state.
Shrimp shows up in several forms here, including fried, steamed, and a shrimp bisque. The menu also lists Jack’s Shrimp Trio for anyone who cannot pick just one style.
Grouper fans get plenty to choose from, including grouper tacos and Cajun grouper. Stone crab, ceviche, and gumbo fill out a menu that runs larger than a typical shack.
Indoor and outdoor seating are both available, with live music on the schedule. Note that it is closed Mondays, and weekend afternoons usually bring a wait.
6. Cortez Kitchen, Cortez, FL
Two fish shacks from the same small village made this list, and that says plenty about Cortez. Cortez Kitchen fronts the bay just down the road from Star Fish Company, with a more sit-down, stick-around setup.
The fried shrimp here comes large and crisp. A popcorn shrimp basket and a seafood sampler basket give you more ways to go, and the hush puppies are a reliable side.
Grouper is another strong pick, whether fried in a sandwich or tossed in buffalo sauce. Mac and cheese and key lime pie keep the comfort food theme going.
Live music adds to the casual, historic dockside setting. It opens at noon daily and stays open later than most on this list, until 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday.
7. Triad Seafood Market & Cafe, Everglades City, FL
Bring your own catch, and the kitchen at Triad will cook it. That small detail sums up the old Florida personality of this riverfront market and cafe in Everglades City.
The menu covers fried or grilled seafood, with grouper and crab among the regulars. Burgers and pies are there for anyone in the group who skips seafood.
Seating is outdoors right on the water, which makes the setting as much of a draw as the food. Everything leans fresh and simple.
Early risers win here. It opens at 7 a.m. most days, 7:30 on Tuesdays, and closes at 4 p.m., so pair it with a morning airboat ride or paddle nearby and you will finish your day with a full Gulf Coast shrimp tour behind you.
