8 Must-Try Waterfront Restaurants in Cape Coral, FL
With miles of canals and waterways, Cape Coral is sometimes called ‘the Venice of Florida.’ This coastal city has over 400 miles of navigable waterways, perfect for leisurely cruises or sunset dining.
In this blog post, we’ll highlight some of the top waterfront restaurants in Cape Coral. Whether looking for a place to enjoy sunset drinks or a romantic dinner, these restaurants have something for every palate.
These restaurants showcase the best coastal dining with delectable fresh seafood, stunning marina views, and a laidback Florida vibe. From casual tiki bars to upscale seafood eateries, these spots offer delightful dining with a waterfront view.
Waterfront Restaurants in Cape Coral
The Boathouse Tiki Bar & Grill
The Boathouse is an American restaurant and bar at Yacht Club Community Park in Cape Coral. You can chill at The Boathouse with a sunset drink and watch the boats cruise by.
They serve some of the best seafood, wings, burgers, and cocktails. There are also fresh fish, yummy soups, salads, and generous portions. The food mixes flavors nicely.
Along with martinis, creative cocktails, and draft beers, live music performances enhance the atmosphere. With its laid-back outdoor setting in front of the water, The Boathouse offers a fun, casual dining experience with a relaxed Florida coastal vibe.
Check out this place if you’re visiting Cape Coral and want great food with fantastic waterfront views.
Rumrunners
Are you looking for a memorable dinner with steaks and seafood? How about an attractive view of the Gulf of Mexico too? Then Rumrunners is the spot for you.
This place has a classy but chill vibe. They have a full bar and a massive patio for hanging out after a day at the beach. It’s also great for parties, weddings, and other events.
The menu at Rumrunners has something for everyone – salads, steaks, and seafood. Try their popular dish Rumrunners Roll, which includes crab cake, carrots, jicama, and cucumber, topped with avocado, Thai chili aioli, and lemon zest.
And make sure to take advantage of their frozen cocktails like the Rumrunner – light and dark rum mixed with blackberry, bananas, key lime, and grenadine.
For incredible food, drinks, and views at reasonable prices, Rumrunners is one of the best waterfront restaurants in Cape Coral. Come check it out and have an epic time!
Fathoms Restaurant & Bar
Fathoms is a casual waterside restaurant at the Cape Harbour Marina in Cape Coral. The place serves up fancy pub grub and rocks, a sweet outdoor bar.
Parisian chef Fabrice Deletrain leads the kitchen. He has extensive experience cooking at famous restaurants like Les Bookinistes and Le Bistro de L’Etoile.
Fathoms is open for lunch and dinner every day. From Tuesday to Friday, they serve up special bar snacks too.
The restaurant has indoor and outdoor seating for a romantic vibe. They also have live music. Fathoms prepares daily Asian tuna, crab, egg rolls, shrimp items, and tasty desserts. You can get various drink deals here – beer, house wine, cocktails (Pina Colada, Bloody Mary), and more.
The restaurant looks out on a luxurious boating scene on the Gulf Coast, so the views are sublime while you eat. Fathoms hosts live events like trivia and music shows. You can make reservations or order delivery or takeout.
Pinchers
Pinchers is a must-visit for seafood lovers visiting Cape Coral. This local seafood shack chain knows for its fresh catches and shore favorites served in a casual, tropical vibe.
Located on The Westin Cape Coral Resort, they offer outdoor waterfront seating with views of the marina and passing boats.
Inside, Pinchers decorate brightly with a beachy, nautical theme. The menu features appetizers, including their popular Pinchers Claws and Crab Rangoon. They also serve sandwiches, burgers, and salads for any landlubbers at your party.
The service goes fast and friendly, with an emphasis on providing a lively, casual dining experience.
After a long day of shopping in Cape Coral, Pinchers makes a great place to kick back and enjoy fresh, locally-sourced seafood and beautiful waterfront views.
The Nauti Mermaid Dockside Bar & Grill
The Nauti Mermaid offers a relaxed yet fun eating spot in The Westin Cape Coral Resort at Marina Village.
You get fantastic views of the marina and the Gulf of Mexico, making it the perfect chill waterside dining.
The menu uses high-quality ingredients to focus on classic American foods like sandwiches, salads, and fresh seafood such as fish tacos and Cajun shrimp.
You can enjoy live music at night while drinking refreshing cocktails, beer, wine, or coffee.
The bar area has a cozy fire pit and friendly atmosphere, great for hanging out with friends or ending a day in the Florida sun.
With pet-friendly outdoor seating, too, The Nauti Mermaid welcomes a come-as-you-are vibe.
Between the waterfront location, live music, and menu of familiar dishes and drinks, it’s no wonder this Cape Coral hotspot became a loved local gem for relaxed but tasty dining.
Cape Harbour Oyster Bar & Grill
Cape Harbour Oyster Bar & Grill is a family-owned spot on Cape Harbour Drive in Cape Coral. The indoor and outdoor seating lets you soak up the views or chill inside the sports bar vibe. The staff is super friendly and happy to make suggestions too.
The restaurant serves many seafood dishes like baked oysters, snow crab legs, and fish tacos. They also have a wine and beer bar where you can grab draft beers, wines, or margaritas.
This place is the only one that does oysters, and they have different kinds to pick from with subtle to bold flavors! But it’s not just oysters here. The Grouper tacos, Lobster Mac, and Cape Bang-Band shrimp are incredible dishes too.
The owners try to keep prices low so you can enjoy tasty seafood without emptying your wallet. Cape Harbour Oyster Bar & Grill is a top choice for fresh, affordable seafood in Cape Coral.
Gather
You can find Gather at Tarpon Point Marina in Cape Coral. This unique waterfront restaurant mixes international and traditional foods to make a special menu.
You can enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner at Gather. You can pair their meals with craft cocktails or beer.
The menu shows Mediterranean influences. Some standout dishes are smoked salmon tartine, lobster cake benedict, tarpon point breakfast, gnocchi, stone crab specials, and ahi tuna tartare.
Gather makes food that looks and tastes great. In addition to indoor seating, the eatery has a lounge area and outdoor seating overlooking the peaceful marina. For fresh flavors in a cool waterfront spot, Gather is a must-visit in Cape Coral.
Monarca’s
Monarca’s offers a fun waterfront dining spot for people who want authentic Mexican food.
Guillermo and Gina, the owners, opened Monarca’s in 2013. Since then, they have served tasty Mexican dishes to Cape Coral and Fort Myers.
The menu at Monarca’s has stuff like chimichangas, carnitas, and chorizo. You can enjoy delicious vanilla ice cream, flans, and churros for dessert.
They also have drinks like strawberry margaritas, draft beer, and tequila. Monarca’s is known for its award-winning margaritas.
Monarca’s has rustic, hand-carved furniture and colorful walls to make you feel cozy. Customers give this Cape Coral waterfront restaurant high ratings.
FAQs
What are some of the best waterfront restaurants in Cape Coral?
Some of the top waterfront restaurants in Cape Cape Coral include The Boathouse, Rumrunners, Cape Harbour Oyster Bar & Grill, Fathoms, and The Nauti Mermaid.
What kind of cuisines do the waterfront restaurants offer?
The waterfront restaurants in Cape Coral offer a variety of cuisines, including American, seafood, steaks and chops, Italian, Mexican, and more. Many restaurants focus on serving fresh local Florida seafood like grouper, snapper, shrimp, and oysters.
Do I need reservations for the Cape Coral waterfront restaurants?
Reservations are recommended, especially for dinner on weekends. The restaurants with the best views book up quickly. Calling or booking online in advance is suggested to get a waterside table.
Can I dine outside at the waterfront restaurants?
Almost all the waterfront restaurants in Cape Coral offer scenic outdoor patios or deck dining overlooking the water. It’s a great way to enjoy the Florida weather and views.
Note: Since all the information in this article is based on the date of publication, for some reason (health, economic, social), these businesses may be temporarily or permanently closed or moved to another location.
