Best waterfront dining in north Palm Beach County from Gardens down to Riviera Beach

The perfect meal with friends and family at your favorite restaurant is always a nice afternoon or evening. What's even better is that same perfect meal with friends and family, but overlooking the water.

Whether it's the Atlantic Ocean, the Intracoastal Waterway, a lake or even a river, dining along the water is just something that makes the food taste better, the drinks more refreshing and the entire experience more of something to remember. Even the pics taken at these spots are just that much more IG worthy.

Here are more than a dozen waterfront dining options from Palm Beach Gardens down through Lake Park, Singer Island and Riviera Beach to enjoy dinner, lunch or brunch along the water:

Waterfront restaurants in Palm Beach Gardens

The River House

The water view: Intracoastal Waterway

The River House in Palm Beach Gardens lets diners relax with great food and fantastic views. Joe Forzano, The Palm Beach Post

With an eclectic mix of seafood and homestyle favorites that include bistro chicken, prime meatloaf, filet mignon, prime rib, sushi rolls and salads, this eatery has something for everyone and offers it during dinner, lunch and even brunch. That brunch even features homemade donuts on Sundays. The tiki bar is a popular spot for a cocktail and a quick bite, like the millionaire’s bacon and deviled eggs. 

FireFin Grill

The water view: Soverel Harbour Marina, Intracoastal Waterway

The outdoor patio behind the new FireFin Grill overlooks the Soverel Harbour Marina in Palm Beach Gardens.

This upscale restaurant and craft cocktail bar specializes in fine-aged steaks, award-winning sushi, seafood. The restaurant takes its name from beautiful, but highly-invasive species known as Lionfish. Found in our local waters, these fish are crafted into a delicious entrée by the chefs at FireFin. When it comes to lionfish their motto is 'you've got to eat'em to beat'em.' To complete the experience, FireFin regularly has top-notch live music and can accommodate private events.

Angry Moon Cafe

The water view: Soverel Harbour Marina, Intracoastal Waterway

Open for breakfast and lunch, this eatery hand selects the best meats, cheeses, fresh vegetables and all-natural, cage-free eggs to create dishes like pain perdu (French toast), quiche, multiple varieties of eggs benedict including classic, Florentine and their Benedict of the Seas, crepes and more.

Seasons 52 – Palm Beach Gardens

The water view: Intracoastal Waterway

Sitting comfortably dockside at Seasons 52, one can make a meal from the restaurant’s popular brick-oven flatbreads (including roasted mushroom, Philly cheesesteak, pesto chicken and fresh mozzarella, chipotle BBQ shrimp and more), starters, soups and salads without ever consulting the lavish list of entrées, many prepared over wood fire. Their options change regularly as design the menus to take advantage of what ingredients are in season. They’ll match any dish with one of the eatery’s 52 wines by the glass.

The Waterway Café

The water view: Intracoastal Waterway

Good things come to those who wait and after 18-months, Waterway Café is finally reopened. Following this multi-million dollar renovation, the beloved restaurant is once again open for business with a menu that packs significant seasfood and steak offerings. The entire property was remodeled, including the crumbling seawall and what the cafe boasts is Florida’s only floating bar. There was initial talk about changing Waterfront’s concept and name, but after the first week the new owners said they realized that idea was a no-go. “I probably spoke to 40 people who first met their spouse here decades ago, and now they were enjoying a drink with their adult kids. So many memories were created here, and that's a tradition we want to continue,” said Marc Mariacher, who owns and operates the restaurant with his wife Cindy. ~Diana Biederman

Waterway Cafe reopened Jan. 17 with a chic new look.

North Palm Beach waterfront restaurants

The Catch Seafood and Sushi

The water view: South Lake

The Catch Seafood and Sushi, in Lake Park, offers diners a view of tranquil South Lake which connects to the Intracoastal Waterway.

Located in the heart of North Palm Beach, this laid-back, tiki hut-style bistro is focused on creating delicious food with a beautiful presentation. Though they are known for seafood and sushi, there are also salads, sandwiches, soups and more. Top it all off with chill vibe, lake views from the al fresco back patio, friendly service and occasional live music.

Outclaws Seafood

The water view: South Lake

Outclaws Seafood restaurant market in Lake Park offers waterside views.

This market and restaurant boasts some of the freshest seafood in the area with the motto "straight from our boats to your throats." They are committed to sourcing local catches and even offer overnight delivery. At the restaurant they offer beautifully crafted dishes like yellowfin tuna poke, Old Bay peel & eat shrimp, mahi tacos, Thai seafood curry and more. Additionally, they are one of the go-to spots in the area for stone crabs when they are in season.

Frigate’s Waterfront Bar & Grill

The water view: Earman River

Located along the Earman River just east of US1, Frigate's Waterfront Bar & Grill welcomes patron by both car and boat.

Named for the legendary frigate bird, this favorite spot for sport fishermen is a casual setting with refreshing beverages, filling food and music. A local gathering place for boaters, the outdoor bar hosts happy hour and the extensive menu runs from appetizers like cracked conch, lobster mac and crispy calamari to salads and soups, to entrees, sandwiches and more. Surrounded by tall palms, the place has old Florida charm.

Palm Beach Shores/Singer Island restaurants

Ona Coastal Cuisine

The water view: Atlantic Ocean

Opened in May 2024, Ona took over the space formerly occupied by 3800 Ocean Restaurant & Lounge. Completely renovated, the new look features warm colors, driftwood accents and woven textures that help create a beachside, yet sophisticated ambience. The kitchen was completely renovated as well. Striving to utilize fresh, local ingredients, Ona combines those with Mediterranean influences to create palate-pleasing dishes. A few favorites include the spiny lobster roll, potato gnocchi and the crispy arancini.

Islander Grill & Tiki Bar at Palm Beach Shores Resort

The water view: Atlantic Ocean

The Islander Grill & Tiki Bar is located at the Palm Beach Shores Resort.

Located in Palm Beach Shores Resort, this venue offers live entertainment and boasts true island hospitality. Frozen tropical drinks are encouraged, and the expansive menu has something for everyone, from soups and salads to sandwiches, burgers, seafood pasta dishes and more. Live music nightly. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

On the Rocks Pool Bar & Grill at the Marriott’s Ocean Pointe

The water view: Lake Worth Inlet, the Atlantic Ocean

Offering American cuisine served poolside, with a distant view of the Atlantic Ocean, this is a great spot to enjoy light bites, cool beverages and watch "the big game" on one of their televisions. Afterwards, wander this resort’s palm tree-shaded paths to its water features and play area, all brightly colored and lushly planted.

The Buccaneer Waterfront Bar & Grill

The water view: the Intracoastal Waterway

Opened in the mid-1950s and closed in the early 2000s, this iconic, Singer Island restaurant has been resurrected. Though the location required major renovations, the new owners worked hard to keep as much of the original as possible. They repurposed much of the original bar, saved many of the fixtures and even the original emblems that had the Buccaneer logo. "We tried to save as much as we could and weave it into the new design," said Sharfing Holdings Inc. partner Ryan Steely. Reopened on March 18, the new restaurant is helmed by Hell's Kitchen winner Paul Niedermann. It features a diverse menu with many dishes inspired by Niedermann's travels like the Mexican Street Corn pizza. Other dishes include the pan-roasted local mahi, lemon & rosemary brick oven chicken and local grouper cioppino. Palm Beach Shores Mayor Alan Fiers, said that in it's heyday "The Bucc was the place to be!"

Sailfish Marina Resort

The water view: Sailfish Marina and the Intracoastal Waterway

A rainbow arcs over the Intracoastal Waterway and Peanut Island as seen from Sailfish Marina on Friday, September 20, 2019. JOSEPH FORZANO / Palm Beach Post

With an amazing view of the Intracoastal Waterway, passing boats, and great sunsets, this Palm Beach Shores restaurant has been a destination for decades. They serve breakfast, lunch and dinner with daily specials, many of them inspired by the fresh catch from boats docked outside. Choices may include whole fried snapper, Florida dolphin, Florida spiny lobster and stone crabs. Love fishing, but maybe not cooking? Bring them your catch and they'll prepare it for you.

Riviera Beach

Rafiki Tiki Bar & Grill

The water view: Intracoastal Waterway at the Riviera Beach Marina

Featuring Floribbean cuisine, this family-friendly restaurant at the Riviera Beach Marina Village offers indoor as well as plenty of outdoor, patio seating. Their menu includes appetizers like chicken tenders, chips and salsa, croquetas de jamon, smoked fish dip, snapper ceviche and conch fritters; salads, burgers and sandwiches; rice bowls, tacos; flatbreads and specialties like the churrasco steak, whole fried snapper and Atlantic salmon platters. There are also several island-themed cocktails that must be tried.

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.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Best waterfront dining in north Palm Beach County from Gardens down to Riviera Beach