Heading to Naples, Florida soon and looking for the best Naples restaurants on the water?
Naples has tons of great restaurants worthy of a top spot on your Florida bucket list.
But lunch or dinner with a view is an essential part of any tropical vacation in Naples, Florida and there’s nothing better than dining on a delicious meal in paradise gazing out on the water — it’s one of our favorite things to do!
Naples Restaurant Scene
As food writers and Naples locals, we’re often asked about our favorite places to eat in Naples.
Many restaurants in Naples are top ranked in the country, making Naples one of the hottest US destinations for food. Needless to say, we spend a lot of our time dining out in Naples, or searching for the perfect beach bars if all we want is a cold one with our feet in the sand.
With over 700 restaurants just in Naples alone, we’re never at a loss to recommend some of the best. Some restaurants have a great view or prime 5th Avenue or 3rd Street location.
Or the food is fabulous but the strip-mall location isn’t exactly what you had in mind for your tropical vacation.
If your heart is set on one of Naples’ waterfront restaurants, these are 8 great ones you’ll love.
Is it possible to have it all? Perfect waterfront location, excellent cuisine for lunch or dinner, and great service? We know it is.
If you’re looking for the best waterfront restaurants Naples FL has to offer, here are our recommendations. Some are directly on the beach, while others are situated on the quiet back waters off Naples Bay.
Read Also: Our Favorite Italian Restaurants in Naples, Florida
Best Naples Restaurants On The Water
1. THE TURTLE CLUB
9225 Gulf Shore Drive North, Naples
The Turtle Club is one of those Naples Florida restaurants on the water (right on the beach) that has it all — consistently excellent food, good service, and a true toes in the sand setting — just a three minute walk to Vanderbilt Beach, one of the best beaches in Naples. The seafood is always fresh and the creative presentations are always Instagram-worthy — try the Shrimp and Crab Napoleon.
By all means, don’t wear heels. You’re in Naples after all — that’s what dress flip flops are for! The Turtle Club is right on the sand, unless you opt for an indoor table. Either way, it’s popular, so reservations during the season are a must.
Lunch and Dinner Daily 11am – 2:30pm, 5pm – 9pm
2. BALEEN NAPLES
9891 Gulf Shore Drive, Naples
BALEEN, the restaurant at the La Playa Beach & Golf Resort is the ultimate in fine dining at the beach and one of the best Naples FL restaurants on the water.
BALEEN is elegant, tropical dining with one of the prettiest beachfront settings in Naples. Grand doors open onto the terrace with tables overlooking the sand and sea.
For barefoot co*cktails on the sand before dinner or any time of day, grab a table or seat around the fire pit and watch the sunset glow by torchlight.
Try the chef’s signature dish — Blackened Gulf grouper with king crab and a charred corn truffle risotto cake.
To book a romantic "toes in the sand" beachfront table, call BALEEN Naples for advance reservations.
Dinner Daily 5pm – 10pm
Brunch: Sat - Sun 11:30am – 2:30pm
3. THREE 60 MARKET
2891 Bayview Drive, Naples
Visitors will find this unique waterfront gem to be one of the best waterfront restaurants in Naples and a local’s restaurant secret.
Located on Haldeman Creek off Bayshore Drive in East Naples across from the popular Celebration food truck park, Market Three60 is the owned and operated by the same owner as the popular food trucks.
The combo market and eatery offers a fantastic selection of wines as well as cheese and charcuterie platters, deli salads, and made-to-order burgers and sandwiches, flatbreads, soups, and creative salads.
It’s a perfect place for brunch in Naples and a must-stop for boaters to stock up on gourmet food for a day on the water.
Or you can grab a table or a seat at the bar and enjoy breakfast, lunch, or dinner inside, or out on the patio overlooking the water.
So named after the eatery’s original concept — featured wines are priced at cost plus $3.60 — the Market is one of those places you’ll feel right at home whether you go for wine and a snack, dinner, or an occasional weekly wine tasting.
Check website for seasonal hours
4. THE BAY HOUSE
799 Walkerbilt Drive, Naples
If it’s seafood you crave and raw bar fare fresh from the local waters, The Bay House is the place for you. With one of the prettiest waterfront locations in North Naples along the Imperial River and tranquil Cocohatchee Bay, the extensive menu is heavy on fresh seafood and casual, Southern-inspired choices for everyone.
The Seared Scallops are always perfect and the housemade ceviche is unique.
But the real standouts for raw favorites are the Chilled Seafood Towers.
Live entertainment later in the week and on weekends makes the atmosphere lively enough to keep you dining and chatting for hours, indoors or out on the comfy patio with spectacular views of the Bay. Can you say sunset photo ops?
Dinner Mon – Sun 4 – 9 pm
Brunch: Sun 10:30am – 2pm
5. THE DOCK AT CRAYTON COVE
845 12th Ave S, Naples
The Dock at Crayton Cove has been a favorite Naples restaurant and consistently top-rated since it first opened in 1976. After many years, the long-time owner recently sold it to a long-time patron in the best of circ*mstances, who is now at the helm continuing the long-standing tradition of serving casual, fresh cuisine in one of Naples’ best waterfront locations.
We’re frequent guests at The Dock especially when visitors come to town. Their seafood tower is a must and the Bloody Marys don’t get much better. The Dock is a walk-in restaurant does not take reservations.
Lunch and Dinner Daily Mon – Sat 11am – 9pm, Sun 10:30am – 9pm
6. BAYSIDE SEAFOOD GRILL & BAR
4270 Gulf Shore Blvd N, Naples
Definitely one of the prettiest spots in Naples year round (but especially over the holidays too with beautiful Christmas lights everywhere!) the Village on Venetian Bay has some of the best waterfront dining Naples Florida has to offer, and there are several good restaurants to choose from.
The Village on Venetian Bay is divided by Park Shore Drive coming in off Rt. 41. If you’ve never been here before, there are parking areas, shops, and restaurants on both sides. Part of the shops and restaurants are on one side of the road, and some are on the other. But all of the restaurants here have an enviable waterfront location and killer views.
Bayside Seafood Grill & Bar is one of the best Naples seafood restaurants on water — it’s been in business since 1990 and is a Naples institution.
The Cafe: Daily 4pm – 10pm
The Grill: Lunch 11:30am – 2pm, Dinner 5 – 9:30pm
The Upper Deck: Lunch 11:30am – 2pm, Dinner 5 – 9:30pm
The Upper Deck Bar & Outdoor Lounge: Opens at 11:30am
7. CELEBRATION FOOD PARK
2880 Becca Ave, Naples
If it’s great food, fun, and killer waterfront vibes you’re seeking, the relatively new Celebration Food Truck Park is the place to be. Here, everyone will have their choice of nearly a dozen food trucks with a wide variety of food.
You’ll find everything from Greek, Indian, New England lobster rolls, fresh seafood, decadent fried beignets, pizza, and authentic Mexican food. There are games for kids of all ages and a relaxed atmosphere. Celebration is the new fun hangout in Naples.
Open Daily 11am – 10pm
8. GUMBO LIMBO
280 Vanderbilt Beach Road, Naples
Located at the Ritz Carlton Naples, Gumbo Limbo is a favorite spot for watching sunset with a pretty umbrella co*cktail. Surrounded by lush greenery, both Gumbo Limbo and The Sand Bar (a bit more casual) are casual eateries with good food, co*cktail specials, and one of the best views in Naples.
You don’t have to be a guest at The Ritz Carlton Naples to enjoy two of the best beach bars Naples Florida has to offer. They serve up well-crafted co*cktails and a good selection of micro brews.
The coconut shrimp at Gumbo Limbo are some of the best we’ve ever had!
Lunch and Dinner Daily 11am – 5pm and 5 pm – 8:30pm
Have we missed your favorite waterfront restaurant in Naples? Let us know in the comments below!
Where to Eat
Lori Sorrentino
Naples, NaplesFL2, restaurants
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