Best Waterfront Restaurants in Marathon, FL

There’s nothing better than enjoying a fruity cocktail, some fresh local seafood, or a slice of Key lime pie while gazing into the dreamy blue-green waters of the Gulf. While there are plenty of great restaurants in Marathon, it’s hard to beat a waterfront view!

Whether you’re in the mood for crab cakes and conch fritters or comfort food and BBQ, Marathon restaurants have it all. You’ll also find top-quality steaks, sushi, and some exotic fare.

Here’s a look at Marathon's seven best waterfront restaurants, just minutes from your vacation rental, so you can walk, drive, or even take your boat out for a great meal!
 

Island Fish Company Restaurant and Tiki Bar

Photo Credit: Justgofamily

• Address: 12648 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL
• Website: islandfishco.com
• Price Point: $$
• Favorite Menu Items: Mango Crab Cakes, Coconut Fried Lobster Sandwich, and Key Lime Pie

With cool breezes, live music, and stunning views overlooking the bay, Island Fish Company serves up loads of fresh seafood the Florida Keys are famous for, plus burgers, steaks, pasta, brunch, and more.

There’s something for everyone on the menu. Can’t-miss favorites include their famous mango crab cakes and coconut fried lobster sandwich — both fried up golden brown and crispy with Key lime mustard sauce. You’ll also find other local favorites like Gulf oysters, conch fritters, and some of the best margaritas in the Keys.

Save room for dessert because Island Fish Company is famous for its Key lime pie. You may have a hard time choosing between the original or fried version drizzled with mango sauce for an extra sweet treat. Island Fish Company is full of good food, good vibes, and good times on the water!

Castaway Waterfront Restaurant and Sushi Bar

Photo Credit: Graig Cortelyou

• Address:1406 Ocean View Ave, Marathon, FL
• Website: castawayfloridakeys.com
• Price Point: $$$
• Favorite Menu Items: Lobster Enchiladas, Lionfish, and King of The Jungle Roll

Famous for fresh seafood and finding creative ways to serve up lionfish — Florida’s invasive yet tasty fish, Castaway Waterfront Restaurant and Sushi Bar is a must-visit. It’s garnered enough attention for its unique flair to be featured on The Food Network and in National Geographic Magazine.

While you’ll find plenty of unique, delicious dishes at Castaway, including its famous lobster enchiladas, the star of the menu is by far the Lionfish, which the owner, Captain John, catches himself.

You can order your Lionfish in a variety of ways, including blackened, Oscar-style, and coconut-fried. Or, try Captain John’s favorite with a garlic-lemon-butter sauce called “wreckdiver-style” — a nod to how these fish are caught. You can also try Lionfish sushi with the “King of The Jungle Roll.”

If trying Lionfish is not on your Keys vacation bucket list, there are plenty of other dishes to try, including steaks, chicken, pasta, and burgers. Castaway also features an impressive sushi menu, wine list, specialty cocktails, and a whopping 32 beers on tap.
 

Porky’s Bayside Restaurant and Marina

Photo Credit: Andriy Blokhin

• Address: 1410 Overseas Hwy, Marathon, FL
• Website: porkysbaysidebbq.com
• Price Point: $$
• Favorite Menu Items: Smokehouse BBQ Brisket Sandwich and Pina Colada Coconut Shrimp

A Keys staple since the 1950s, Porky’s Bayside Restaurant and Marina is known for its authentic BBQ, great waterfront views, and famous mini golf course. Porky’s features a menu of BBQ specials smoked fresh daily, including pulled pork, ribs, chicken, and more.

The Smokehouse BBQ brisket sandwich is a favorite among locals and visitors alike. Seafood lovers also have plenty to choose from, including fresh fish, sushi rolls, peel-and-eat shrimp, and their famous pina colada coconut shrimp.

Porky’s is the perfect place to grab a bite with family, play a round of mini golf, or even dock your boat and bring in your catch at the end of the day. Porky’s offers a “Hook and Cook” special where they’ll prepare your catch of the day so you can just reel it in and relax.

Burdine’s Waterfront Marina Bar and Grill

Photo Credit: Arnaud RUTH

• Address: 1200 Oceanview Ave, Marathon, FL
• Website: burdineswaterfront.com
• Price Point: $$
• Favorite Menu Items: Homemade Hush Puppies, Three Cheese Keys Steak, and Key Lime Pie

A casual waterfront grill serving up fresh fish and comfort food, Burdine’s is the perfect spot to dock your boat, grab a cold beer and bite, and enjoy the views. Burdine’s Waterfront Marina Bar and Grill is a favorite among local boaters and has a fully stocked marina.

The menu features lots of delicious comfort food like burgers, fries, and seafood platters, but Burdine’s is most famous for its homemade hush puppies and Key lime pie. If you’re in the mood for a sandwich, the three-cheese Keys steak is a must-try, featuring shaved ribeye, three cheeses, and housemade garlic mayo on ciabatta bread.

Burdine’s is great for a casual meal, cocktail, or quick stop to fuel up the boat and snag snacks. The outdoor seating area is also pet-friendly, so feel free to bring your four-legged friend along!
 

Lazy Days South

Photo Credit: Paul

• Address: 725 11th Street Ocean, Marathon, FL
• Website: lazydayssouth.com
• Price Point: $$
• Favorite Menu Items: Conch Chowder, Raw Oysters, and Grouper Lorenzo

Famous for its open-air dockside dining room with epic views, Lazy Days South is the perfect place to relax and enjoy some fresh seafood and tropical cocktails. The menu features plenty of Keys classics like coconut shrimp, crab cakes, conch chowder, and a raw bar with oysters and peel-and-eat shrimp.

If you’re trying to decide between crab cakes and fish, the grouper Lorenzo is calling your name. This dish features a sauteed grouper filet topped with a crab cake and finished with key lime butter — it’s a delicious win-win! If you’re not in the mood for seafood, Lazy Days South still has you covered with steak, chicken, pasta, vegetarian dishes, and more. There’s something for everyone on the menu.
 

Sunset Grille and Raw Bar

Photo Credit: Andriy Blokhin

• Address: 7 Knights Key Blvd, Marathon, FL
• Website: sunsetgrille7milebridge.com
• Price Point: $$
• Favorite Menu Items: Boom Boom Shrimp, Cheeseburger in Paradise, and Caribbean Paella

With stunning views of the Seven Mile Bridge, a great Happy Hour, and a cheeseburger Mr. Jimmy Buffet himself would be proud of, Sunset Grille and Raw Bar is a quintessential Keys eatery. The menu features plenty of fresh seafood, steaks, pasta, and Cuban and Caribbean-style dishes. The slightly spicy “boom boom” shrimp and Caribbean paella are popular among the seafood dishes, while the “cheeseburger in paradise” is a must-try for burger lovers.

Sunset Grille is also famous for its specialty cocktails, many of them beautifully layered, piled high with unique toppings, or served in fish bowls and coconuts. The Jaws Attack, Tsumani, and Electric Margaritas — all served in souvenir cups are especially insta-worthy!
 

Keys Fisheries Market and Marina

Photo Credit: Jodi R

• Address: 3502 Gulfview Ave, Marathon, FL
• Website: keysfisheries.com
• Price Point: $$
• Favorite Menu Items: Key West Shrimp, Smoked Fish Dip, and Fried Seafood Baskets

A restaurant, market, and marina all in one, Keys Fisheries is your one-stop shop for great views and great food. Local favorites include the Key West shrimp, fried seafood baskets, and their famous smoked fish dip — which you can also buy to-go. In fact, almost anything you enjoy at Keys Fisheries can be ordered to go or even arranged to be shipped to your home after vacation. This is especially popular during stone crab season.

Keys Fisheries Market and Marina is the perfect spot to grab a bite, enjoy a beer, do some shopping, or even bring in your catch to be cooked at the end of the day. While you’re waiting, be sure to grab a seat on the laid-back patio for epic sunset views.
 

Unwind and Dine in Marathon

From fresh, seasonal seafood and Caribbean specialties to sushi, all-American BBQ, and some of the best Key lime pie around — Marathon has something to suit every craving.

Ready for a taste of Marathon? Plan your perfect stay with Coco Plum Vacation Rentals. From luxury homes brimming with amenities to cozy cottages, beachy bungalows, and oceanside condos, there’s a vacation home for every type of traveler.

With easy access to the Overseas Highway and local marinas, you’ll be just a short walk, drive, or even boat ride away from some of the best restaurants in the Florida Keys. Book your Marathon vacation rental now!