Dec. 18, 2025Updated Dec. 19, 2025, 12:27 p.m. ET
Whether you've got Jimmy Buffett's iconic "Margaritaville," Zac Brown's "Toes" or maybe "Beer in Mexico" by Kenny Chesney playing in your head, making the dream of waterfront drinks and dinner complete doesn't have to be a fantasy in South Florida.
We've got the swaying palm trees, cooling sea breezes and, from Tequesta down to Jupiter, more than a dozen excellent restaurants where you can watch the water, have a great meal and enjoy a few of those frosty beverages that can make life just a little sweeter.
From upscale coastal steakhouses and celebrity-backed venues to tiki huts and even one or two spots that trace their roots back to true locals-only dive bars, go and check them out and live the dream.
Tiki 52
The water view: Intracoastal Waterway
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With a Caribbean feel, this open-air restaurant and bar offers great views of the Intracoastal Waterway. Listen to live music under the tiki hut and feel like you're on vacation while enjoying dishes from their seafood-dominant menu. They also offer prime burgers and Caribbean flatbreads. Like to fish? In addition to their great menu, they will cook your catch for you.
Details: 18487 SE Federal Highway, Tequesta. 561-744-9113; tiki52tequesta.com
Blue Pointe Bar and Grill
The water view: Intracoastal Waterway
Situated on a narrow point, this bar and grill is all about the waterfront experience and features sweeping views of the Intracoastal Waterway while surrounded by palm trees. The menu offers appetizers, salads and a good mix of seafood, flatbreads, sandwiches and a selection of hearty entre?es. They feature live music multiple nights a week.
Details: 18701 Federal Highway, Tequesta. 561-406-6270; bluepointebarandgrill.com
1000 North
The water view: Loxahatchee River
Featuring four dining areas, all with views of the Jupiter Lighthouse, Jupiter Inlet and Intracoastal Waterway, this restaurant offers modern American cuisine — think prime steaks and fresh seafood — delivered with panache, and the wine list is first rate. In addition, the popular restaurant recently earned a spot on The New York Post's list of the 10 best celebrity-owned restaurants. (1000 North is co-owned by NBA legend Michael Jordan.)
Details: 1000 U.S. 1, Jupiter. 561-570-1000; 1000north.com
Jetty’s
The water view: Jupiter Inlet Waterway
Enjoy an amazing view of the Jupiter Lighthouse and watch boats pass by from their massive wooden deck. Offering dinner seven nights a week and a Sunday brunch, Jetty's signature menu items include fresh fish and shellfish, certified angus steaks and ribs for dinner, along with eggs, salads, sandwiches and much more for brunch.
U-Tiki Beach
The water view: Jupiter Inlet Waterway
With a mix of open-air and indoor seating, this popular restaurant features views of the Jupiter Lighthouse. Guests can literally have their toes in the sand if they like while enjoying menus packed with seafood options and sushi along with Prime burgers, Caribbean flatbreads, salads and much more.
The Beacon
The water view: Jupiter Inlet Waterway
With a newly revamped menu, this popular destination is now serving coastal Italian cuisine. Some of their dishes include cioppino capellini, spicy lobster rigatoni, lobster rolls, steak frites, coal roasted swordfish and more.
Topside at the Beacon
The water view: Jupiter Inlet Waterway
Offering some of the area's best Jupiter Lighthouse views, this rooftop bar has a new, renovated look and menu that blends coastal Italian dining with fresh local seafood. Dishes range include calamari fritti, duck tostadas, classic shrimp cocktail, their smash burger and more.
Details: 1107 LIghthouse Road, Jupiter. 561-532-3270; topsidejupiter.com
Lucky Shuck
The water view: Jupiter Inlet Waterway
The restaurant's signature Gulf Coast cuisine includes the freshest shellfish and Southern fare that includes the Southern chopped cobb, crispy shrimp po'boy, baby back ribs and the smoked half chicken with hot honey & garlic and cheese grits. Its list of over three dozen beers, many from local craft breweries, and cocktails like the Lychee Lagoon, Sailor's Scurvy Elixir and Afternoon Delight will make everyone happy.
Details: 1116 Love St., Jupiter. 561-532-3331; luckyshuckjupiter.com
The Square Grouper
The water view: Jupiter Inlet Waterway
Hiding under palm trees at the end of Love Street, the Square Grouper "officially" opened in 2003. The hugely popular, yet laid-back restaurant has actually been serving locals and the boating community for decades. They feature live music every night. In addition, the local watering hole was featured in Alan Jackson's hit video "It's Five O'Clock Somewhere" which included the late, great Jimmy Buffett.
Details: 1111 Love St., Jupiter. 561-406-6417; squaregrouper.net
Guanabanas
The water view: Intracoastal Waterway
This island-themed bar and restaurant is 100% open-air with woven tiki huts and banyan trees so thick you feel like you’ve stepped in a tropical rainforest. Opened by Jupiter surfers as a sandwich shop in 2004, its signature pastel Adirondack chairs and lush foliage soften the wait for a table. The bar offers live entertainment, especially reggae, on weekends. The seafood-centric menu combines fresh-catch entrees with wild-caught Atlantic shrimp, and other local fish. More of a land lover? Don't worry, they've got plenty for you as well like Hawaiian BBQ chicken breast, Mama's meatloaf, steaks and more.
Details: 960 N. A1A, Jupiter. 561-747-8878; guanabanas.com
Calaveras Cantina in Harbourside Place
The water view: Intracoastal Waterway
Drawing heavily from Mexican culture, this eatery makes all its drink mixes and pure?es from scratch every day for wonderfully fresh beverages. If you crave a margarita, this may be your ideal destination. Dig into tacos, ceviches, small plates and much more. Their savory guacamole prepared tableside.
The Jupiter Grill in Harbourside Place
The water view: Intracoastal Waterway
The restaurant features premium cuts of meats and fresh seafood in creative dishes. A few of these include the Wagyu beef empanadas, Cajun Delmonico ribeye, the Wagyu beef meatloaf and the lobster bucatini. They also feature creative cocktails, over 140 wines to choose from and a sommelier to help patrons make the perfect choice.
Details: 149 Soundings Ave., Jupiter. 561-768-9582; thejupitergrill.com
Dive Bar
The water view: Jupiter Yacht Club Marina
Located at the Jupiter Yacht Club Marina, the Dive Bar is a one-of-a-kind waterfront dining experience. With a South Florida raw bar feel, it’s got the bar food you’d expect, with a twist. Dig into appetizers like coconut macadamia shrimp, Bahamian conch fritters, grilled kimchee and beef tenderloin tips; entrees like their sweet potato-encrusted grouper or seafood bacon mac n' cheese; and their extensive sushi and sashimi menu. The open-air bar area features a giant saltwater aquarium. A large, al fresco patio dining area overlooks the Jupiter Inlet and public docks.
Details: 318 S. U.S. 1, Jupiter. 561-747-4767; divebarrestaurant.com
Eddie Ritz is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at [email protected]. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.