Dock and Dine: The Best Dockside Eateries in Jacksonville

Jacksonville is one of few destinations in Florida travelers can sail up on their boats, dock and dine at a variety of excellent waterfront restaurants. What’s not to love?

Notable, dockside eateries are all the buzz, specializing in daily, fresh-caught seafood, and the added perk of live music, full bars and truly infectious, laid-back vibes are here to stay. This dock and dine situation is incredibly unique (you can bet you’ll find the freshest Mayport shrimp here, too!), with ocean breezes and unbeatable waterfront views, so get thyself on a boat for this “only in Jacksonville” waterfront dining experience.

Intuition Ale Works

Intuition Ale Works has a convenient location to the Metropolitan Park Marina. Intuition Ale Works specializes in small-batch handcrafted ales and aims to create quality, flavorful, and creative beers in a wide range of styles.

Julington Creek Fish Camp

It’s a highbrow affair at Julington Creek Fish Camp (dock at Julington Creek Marina, Pier #3), helmed by Jacksonville-born Ben Groshell, a graduate of the acclaimed Culinary Institute of America. It’s quite refined for dockside dining, and foodies can order the ever-famous Mayport Shrimp & Grits and soft-shell crab.

Palms Fish Camp

The newest waterfront restaurant on the scenic Heckscher Drive on Jacksonville’s Northside is Palms Fish Camp, offers locally caught fresh seafood, pizza, sandwiches, tacos and stunning views. They are open every day of the week starting at 11 a.m. Palms Fish Camp was awarded JaxBest for the best place to dock and dine.

Safe Harbor Seafood Restaurant

Safe Harbor Seafood Restaurant is conveniently located at Mayport Village. This is a more casual, rustic approach to seafood in a cozy environment with indoor and patio seating. It’s all about community here (it’s a magnet for locals), who nom on excellent dishes like their famous oyster po’ boys and shrimp louie salad.

Wicked Barley

Also in Mandarin, Wicked Barley -one of the local craft breweries on the Jax Ale Trail- offers a full-service restaurant, a tap room, an outdoor covered patio, a full dock, and even a kayak launch area for visitors traveling on Goodby’s Creek. Wicked Barley is pet-friendly and offers 10 of their own beers on draft.

Hooter's

A delicious and familiar stop just off the St. John’s River at Goodby’s Channel, Hooter’s offers original wings on their pet-friendly patio. You can catch sports on the big screens or a manatee sighting. Aside from their standard menu of wings, seafood, burgers and salads this location tries to offer new weekly menu items making it a neighborhood favorite and boater’s delight.

Hurricane Grille & Wings

Already a well-known go-to spot on any given sports day, Hurricane Grille & Wings has a convenient location in the Julington Creek Marina. Join in on the heightened sports atmosphere or call ahead for a dockside delivery of any of their menu items that boasts of Tropical-themed menu of all your favorite game-day cuisine.

Whether by boat, kayak or car, Jacksonville has a delicious meal waiting for you to devour it!