A rundown of the best boater-friendly restaurants in Palm Beach County.
Guanabanas – Jupiter
The Dock. Navigate up the Intracoastal or through Jupiter Inlet. The dock is around the back of the restaurant, off the waterway side. As you pull up, you’ll spot the rows of colorful Adirondack chairs lining the back deck, a nice preview of the relaxing vibes to come. First-come, first served, same as everything else here.
AC’s Hook. Open-air tiki huts, banyan trees, tropical foliage, and a music calendar that draws both local favorites and national acts. Guanabanas has been a Jupiter institution since a group of local surfers opened it in 2004, and it earns that title on all fronts. Check the music schedule before you head out. Slip space fills up on big nights, and you’ll want to be there for it. The macadamia and coconut crusted fresh catch is the order. Don’t sleep on the rum selection either.
960 N. Highway A1A, Jupiter, FL 33477
U-Tiki Beach – Jupiter
The Dock. Tucked inside Jupiter Inlet Marina, with public docking available. Navigating through the marina requires a little attention, but nothing a competent boater won’t handle. The view of the Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse from the dock is worth the effort on its own.
AC’s Hook. U-Tiki is one of the better sunset spots in the county, and the lighthouse framing makes it easy to see why. Plan to time your arrival for sunset. The food is solid, the vibe is easy, and the lighthouse will do the rest of the work.
1095 N. Highway A1A, Jupiter, FL 33477
Square Grouper – Jupiter
The Dock. Right at the Jupiter Inlet on Castaways Marina. Transient slips are available on a first-come, first-served basis, and there’s a fuel dock on site. If you’re heading in from offshore, it’s one of the first stops you’ll see.
AC’s Hook. The whole property is 21 and up, no exceptions, which tells you most of what you need to know about the vibe. Sandy floor, live music, wide open views of the inlet and the Jupiter Lighthouse. Come for a post-run beer and stay longer than you planned.
1111 Love Street, Jupiter, FL 33477
Charlie & Joe’s at Love Street – Jupiter
The Dock. Sitting directly across the Intracoastal from the Jupiter Lighthouse, one dock gives you access to three different spots: The Beacon, Topside, and Lucky Shuck. There’s a small beach area alongside the dock you can hang out at while you figure out where you’re headed.
AC’s Hook. Three spots, three different energies, pick based on your crew. The Beacon handles upscale waterfront dining. Topside is the rooftop bar above it, worth the climb, with a daily happy hour from 5 to 7 p.m. that includes $2 shrimp and oysters. Lucky Shuck splits the difference with a raw bar and prohibition-inspired cocktails. One dock, plenty of options.
1000 North – Jupiter
1116 Love Street, Jupiter, FL 33477
The Dock. Heading in from the inlet, it’s just past the US-1 Bridge on your left. First-come, first-served, and worth calling ahead if you’re bringing a larger boat.
AC’s Hook. The most elevated stop on this list, with sweeping views of the Jupiter Inlet and the lighthouse to match. One thing to note before you pull up in board shorts, they have a dress code. No swimwear, tank tops, or flip flops. The Terrace works well for sunset cocktails, and the dining room is the right call if you’re making a night of it and you’re dressed for the occasion. Reservations recommended.
1000 N. US Highway 1, Jupiter, FL 33477
Deck 84 – Delray Beach
The Dock. Right off Atlantic Avenue on the Intracoastal with around 150 feet of dock space, first-come, first-served. The closest inlets are Boca and Boynton, both a fair distance from the dock, so plan accordingly.
AC’s Hook. A downtown Delray staple since 2010, with Intracoastal views and an extended happy hour running Monday through Friday from 3 to 6 p.m. Live music on weekends. Catch something worth eating? Bring it in. They’ll cook it.
840 E. Atlantic Ave., Delray Beach, FL 33483
Frigate’s Waterfront Bar & Grill – North Palm Beach
The Dock. Off the Intracoastal on the Earman River in North Palm Beach. Turn off the ICW and it’s tucked just off US-1. If you’re heading south from Jupiter or north from Peanut Island, it’s a natural stop along the way.
AC’s Hook. Laid-back tiki bar energy with more on the menu than you’d expect. Fresh seafood, sushi, and a raw bar alongside the classics. Happy hour runs Monday through Friday from 3 to 6:30 p.m. Get the macadamia and coconut crusted grouper sandwich.
400 US Highway 1, North Palm Beach, FL 33408
Waterway Cafe – Palm Beach Gardens
The Dock. Just south of the PGA Boulevard Bridge on the Intracoastal, with over 150 feet of dock space on a first-come, first-served basis. Watch for drawbridge traffic coming and going.
AC’s Hook. Been here since 1986, and the floating boat bar is the reason to come by water. It’s a genuine island on the Intracoastal with a full menu and unobstructed views of the boats going by. Social hour runs Monday through Thursday from 3 to 6 p.m. and Friday from 3 to 6:30 p.m. Time it right and grab a spot at the boat bar before anyone else does.
2300 PGA Blvd., Palm Beach Gardens, FL 33410
Sailfish Marina Restaurant – Palm Beach Shores
The Dock. Sailfish Marina sits on the Intracoastal side of Palm Beach Shores. Easy to get to from Lake Worth Inlet, you’ll just need to navigate through the Peanut Island sandbar squatters.
AC’s Hook. Open daily from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and they offer a breakfast buffet every morning until 11:30 a.m. if you’re looking to fuel up before you hit the ocean. A South Florida institution since 1952, with fresh seafood sourced directly from their own boats when available. If you’re around on a Thursday, the Sunset Celebration along the seawall is worth timing your trip around.
98 Lake Drive, Palm Beach Shores, FL 33404
Old Key Lime House – Lantana
The Dock. Just southwest of the Ocean Avenue Bridge in Lantana, tucked in a small bay off the Intracoastal. Watch for jet skiers and moorings as you pull in.
AC’s Hook. Florida’s oldest waterfront restaurant, open since 1889. The largest tiki bar in South Florida sits right on the Intracoastal, live music, and the largest gator viewing site in the area. Fun fact: they’re also the largest Florida Gator club in the world, so if you bleed orange and blue, you’ve found your people. Head up to the Sky Bar on the second floor if it’s open for a great view of the sailboats in the bay. And we know it’s on the nose, but just get the key lime pie.
300 E. Ocean Ave., Lantana, FL 33462
Two Georges Waterfront Grille – Boynton Beach
The Dock. On the backside of the restaurant just north of Ocean Avenue in Boynton Beach. Watch for bridge traffic and boats entering and exiting Boynton Harbor Marina as you pull in.
AC’s Hook. A Boynton Beach institution for over 60 years, with the thatched roof, the catfish circling the docks, and the kind of waterfront energy that doesn’t need to try very hard. Happy hour runs weekdays from 3 to 6 p.m. Get the Fish and Chips.
728 Casa Loma Blvd., Boynton Beach, FL 33435
Banana Boat – Boynton Beach
The Dock. Located right next to Two Georges on Ocean Avenue. Plan your day ahead and make sure you leave enough time to no-wake your way there from the inlet.
AC’s Hook. A Boynton Beach landmark since 1978. Island-influenced seafood, waterfront views of the drawbridge and boat traffic from the side dock, and a happy hour that runs Monday through Saturday from 3 to 7 p.m. Reservations accepted, which is worth noting for the area.
739 E. Ocean Ave., Boynton Beach, FL 33435
Prime Catch – Boynton Beach
The Dock. Just south of the Woolbright Bridge on the Intracoastal. Watch for drawbridge traffic when pulling up. Also be sure you check the tides when pulling up to the inside slips at Prime Catch. There is a sandbar that gets exposed at low tides, and your boat can get stuck quickly if you’re not paying attention.
AC’s Hook. The most upscale stop in Boynton Beach, open since 2004 and Zagat’s Best New Restaurant in Palm Beach County in its first year. Prime Island is their outdoor bar, built over the Intracoastal with a bridgeway connecting to the dining patio. Snag a high top out there for the best seat and service in the house. Happy hour runs weekdays from 3 to 6 p.m. Reservations are suggested.
700 E. Woolbright Road, Boynton Beach, FL 33435
SeaSpray Inlet Grill at Waterstone Resort – Boca Raton
The Dock. Tucked just underneath the Camino Real Bridge at the Water-stone Resort and Marina, where Lake Boca meets the Boca Inlet. Watch for boat traffic, Lake Boca hooligans, and the shuttle that runs between The Boca Raton’s Harborside Club and The Beach Club as you pull in.
AC’s Hook. The only dock and dine restaurant in Boca Raton, which tells you something about the real estate. All outdoor seating, full bar, and views of the inlet that don’t require any convincing. Happy hour runs Monday through Friday from 4 to 6 p.m. Pro tip: stop at the Lake Boca sandbar on the way in during an incoming tide. The water clarity might surprise you.
999 E. Camino Real, Boca Raton, FL 33432
