Dining

Fresh seafood doesn’t get any closer to the source than here. In the Ten Thousand Islands, stone crab comes off the boat and onto your plate the same day. Mullet smokes over open flame the way it has for generations. And the fish tacos taste exactly like they should after a morning on the water.

This isn’t a restaurant row. Dining here is spread across a handful of small communities — each with its own personality. Everglades City has your waterfront classics and the kind of Old Florida charm that’s getting harder to find. Chokoloskee is small and local, the kind of place where the fishermen eat breakfast before dawn. Port of the Islands sits along the Tamiami Trail with marina-side dining and a relaxed resort feel. And Goodland is its own world entirely — laid-back, colorful, and proudly off the beaten path.

Anglers fit right in here — grab bait, coffee, and a big sandwich in the morning, then come back at sunset for a cold drink and a hot meal. Several places even offer “cook-your-catch,” turning your fresh catch into something delicious while you relax.

Most places are casual. Reservations are rarely needed. Dress code is whatever you wore on the boat. And the sunsets over the water are always free.
Stone crab season runs October through May — if you’re here during that window, don’t leave without them.

Planning your next adventure? Check our real-time Fishing Report and Tide Chart, build your perfect day with our Itinerary Planner, and keep everything handy with the EvergladesNews app.

Come on in, pull up a chair (or a barstool), and enjoy true Ten Thousand Islands hospitality. Browse the restaurants below or use the map to find your new favorite spot — we can’t wait to see you out there!