Lime green timbers and pink shutters adorn the exterior of this famous restaurant and watering hole. Tables, shaded by green awnings, line the dock, and there's also a covered, outdoor Chickee Hut Bar, where the rock and reggae bands frequently perform. If dinner's on the agenda, crowdpleasers like peel'n'eat shrimp, crab cakes, margarita pizza and hand-cut sirloin should satiate your cravings. This is a great place to come watch a sporting event, soak in rays by the dock and indulge in delicious key lime pie. If you are a boater, be sure to have this joint as a stop on your travel itinerary.
Recommended for Seafood because: The Old Key Lime House is a great place to chug suds, watch sports and slurp clams.
Kristopher's expert tip: A seafood/watering hole mecca for people who like to experience The Keys outside of The Keys
When it comes to ocean-front dining, one can't get much closer than Benny's on the Beach. With the restaurant sitting on the Lake Worth Pier, it's easy to be completely immersed in the nautical vibes. Sitting so close to the water means it's no surprise that seafood makes up the bulk of the menu. The lobster benedict and raspberry French toast are decadent splurges for the most important meal of the day. Stop in seven days a week for breakfast or lunch and then walk it off on the pier or sandy beaches. Benny's is also open for dinner Thursday - Sunday, just plan ahead to enjoy one of their creative cocktails.
Recommended for Seafood because: Jove Kitchen & Bar has a pumpkin swordfish entree that is unlike anything you've ever had.
Kristopher's expert tip: Have to pay to park, but its economically priced
PBCatch has made a splash thanks to Thierry Beaud and executive chef Julian Gremaud of Pistache in West Palm Beach. The restaurant opened in January 2012 and caught on immediately, the reputation of its management preceding it.
Gremaud is a native of the southern coast of France and brings a Mediterranean twist to his offerings. Among his truly delightful original recipes is plantain-crusted white tuna with truffle-scented white asparagus puree. The char-grilled black grouper with sliced heirloom tomato, arugula, shaved fennel and ginger aioli combines textures and flavors to create art for the palate. Locally caught yellowfin tuna appears not only as an appetizer but an entrée. Oysters are the highlight of an extensive raw bar.
Diners praise the quick and efficient wait staff. The dark wood, white chairs and nautical theme create a crisp and sophisticated, but not stern, decor.
Recommended for Seafood because: PBCatch is an upscale seafood restaurant with top notch service.
Kristopher's expert tip: The aura of the place is amazing - it feels like you are eating on a giant boat
Guanabanas in Jupiter is one of the top nightlife destinations on Florida's east coast. The tiki jungle like atmosphere is enchanting, and adding in live music and fruity drinks only enhances the ambiance. Everyone is super laid back here, and the whole facility is open air. Sit back and enjoy a tropical rum drink while taking in the acoustic soundings of a national act. Slow dance in your lovers arms while you emulate Jimmy Buffet when ordering a cheeseburger. Banyan trees provide shade from the judging moon. Water borders one side of the establishment, where you can sneak away with a special someone to lock gazes and perhaps lips. There is even a fire pit in the center of the place for smore cookin'!
Recommended for Seafood because: Amazing freshly caught seafood available daily at Guanabanas. Ask your waiter what's best on a particular night.
Kristopher's expert tip: Come here after the sun sets, the ambiance gets even better.
Tasty and affordable, the grub at this West Palm Beach seafooder is tough to pass up. Dig into the macadamia nut-crusted snapper or spicy barbecued Chilean sea bass, with garlic mashed potatoes and cheesy spinach. Coconut shrimp, crab cakes, calamari and lobster tail add to the kitchen's bounty. Tropical décor, from beach umbrellas to a giant fish on the wall, accents the dining room and bar. This Okeechobee favorite accepts reservations, which are needed because the place is always packed. Don't bother coming if you don't like a rambunctious atmosphere - everyone inside treats each other like family, which can lead to across table convos and camaraderie. Eat inside or out, and prepare to feast.
Recommended for Seafood because: Bimini Twist is great because they accept reservations, and never run out of king crab legs.
Kristopher's expert tip: Hog snapper - sounds interesting, tastes even better
The location isn't prime, lines can be long, and the decor isn't jaw-dropping, but the food, by all accounts, is amazing. If you don't have the fortitude to wait for a table, it's only your loss. Seafood of all sorts monopolizes the menu, and it's prepared in both traditional and unconventional ways, inspired by recipes from the world over. Appetizers and entrees are both sizeable, so if you're a big eater, you'll probably be challenged; if you're a light eater, prepare for a doggy bag. Grilled fish, tasty shrimp, luscious pastas, and terrific crab cakes provide indication of the fare, but the temptations on the menu will have you agonizing over what's best to order. Don't worry — everything's good.
Recommended for Seafood because: Capt. Charlie's Reef Grill is a divine seafood joint with uniquely prepared fish and delicious, filling appetizers.
Kristopher's expert tip: It looks dive-y, but everything is super fresh - and there is a great value wine selection
Schooner's located in Jupiter, FL is a local seafood institution. It's the type of joint that looks like a shack on the side of the road - the type where you know fresh fish is cut and battered daily. The place used to be a gas station, until Chef Joe Ruddy took over. Now, conch chowder, grouper fingers and yellowtail snapper dominate the menu. All the meals here are cooked using a minimalist approach, letting the seafood itself make up the taste. Eat outside, knowing that the Jupiter Lighthouse is watching over you. The place has a real Old Florida vibe to it - come here enough and you will quickly feel like family.
Recommended for Seafood because: Schooner's is that hole in the wall, seafood shack-type of restaurant where you just know everything is going to be scrumptious.
Kristopher's expert tip: Though it may look it at first glance - Schooner's is neither a gas station nor seafood market.
Its doors thrown open to the breezes, Spoto's enjoys the scent of the ocean, both from the water and the fresh seafood it serves. Brick floors, mirrored walls, and a ceiling adorned with copper squiggles on a teal background give the place immediate character. The cuisine makes it eminently worthy of notice. The raw bar features several varieties of oysters and clams, and the rest of the menu follows their inarguable excellence. Pan-seared sea scallops, bahamian conch chowder, Thai shrimp, trout pecan meuniere, and dolphin with a macadamia nut crust illustrate the range of dishes, and all fish can be poached, sauteed, broiled, blackened, or grilled to your specification. A long bar on the right makes libations convenient, and the outdoor tables are popular. Great any time of day!
Recommended for Seafood because: Spoto's Oyster Bar is THE spot for oysters in the Palm Beach vicinity
Kristopher's expert tip: Complimentary salmon dip with pita chips right out of the gate