Besides experiencing the 19 miles of beautiful shorelines in Palm Coast and the Flagler Beaches, the culinary scene is something else you’ll want to dig in, especially its fresh seafood. Whether you like it fried, blackened, grilled or raw, you’ll find it on the menu here, with stunning ocean vistas on the side. Start planning your foodie adventure today to one of these top sea-to-table restaurants to taste the dishes that locals love.
Golden Lion Café
Just a seashell’s throw from the beach, the Golden Lion Café has been serving delicious seafood with a view for more than 25 years. Relax on the rooftop deck with a cold drink and the seafood tower stacked high with mussels, shrimp, oysters, clams and lobster. Both the restaurant and raw bar menus serve raw or steamed shellfish. If you’ve never experienced Florida stone crab claws, this is the place to have them. Be sure to try the Golden Lion’s famous fish ‘n’ chips. Light and flaky with an irresistible crunch from the Golden beer batter, it comes with french fries and house made coleslaw. And if you can’t get enough of the key lime tartar sauce or spicy cocktail sauce, you can buy a bottle to take home. Kids can order from the Lion’s Cub menu; the Golden Lion is one of the area’s many family-friendly spots. The restaurant also has a daily happy hour from 3 to 6 p.m. with live music.
Break-Awayz at the Beach
Fresh fish, cold brews and an ocean view, it’s all at Break-Awayz. The laid-back beach bar keeps customers returning for more to enjoy its delicious food. Seafood is served tapas style, perfect for sampling and sharing. Must-try dishes include the tuna poke nachos and the tuna sliders made with sushi grade ahi tuna. Wild line-caught mahi-mahi is on the menu, and the blackened mahi bites are very popular. Pair them with one of the more than 100 bottled and draft beers, wine or sake. You can also shoot a round of pool on the outdoor pool table. Break-Awayz hosts evening events including live music, comedy night and sushi night. There is a daily happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m. The food and fun continue well after sunset because Break-Awayz is open until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays and until midnight Sunday through Thursday.
Flagler Fish Company
Just a couple of blocks from the beach is Flagler Fish Company. This restaurant is known for having high-quality fresh fish, with a selection that changes based on what is caught at sea. Pick your fish, then have it grilled, blackened, sautéed, seared or steamed. Or treat yourself to a trio of fish tacos. The North Side has fresh veggies and avocado topped with a spicy creamy chipotle salsa, and the South Side has grilled onions, mushrooms, sour cream and an avocado herb sauce. The Red Light has avocado, tomato, cilantro, sour cream and a mild salsa verde. As a “Fresh from Florida” and Slow Foods recognized restaurant, Flagler Fish Company sources its ingredients locally whenever possible. Parents take note: The kids’ menu is ideal for introducing picky eaters to seafood. Not in the mood to dine out? The fish market at Flagler Fish Company offers the daily catch to go. Cook it in your vacation home or have the chef par cook it for you. The fish market sells sides, soups and salads for a gourmet beach feast. You can also purchase bottles of Flagler Fish Company’s house seasoning, which locals say goes with everything except ice cream.
High Tides at Snack Jack
Any closer to the water and you’d get sand in your shoes at this casual Old Florida eatery. Located on the beach, High Tides at Snack Jack has been a longtime favorite with locals and visitors. Though it has changed a bit since then, the restaurant dates back to 1947. The surfside-chic décor, wooden tables and benches keep the focus on the food and the view. Start with classics like conch fritters or the wild caught spiced steamed shrimp, served by the pound or half-pound. The fish tacos are always a good choice, and the fish Reuben is delectable. Fried, grilled, blackened or jerked, the fish is served on rye bread with Swiss cheese, coleslaw and Thousand Island dressing. Parking is easy with the complimentary valet, and the outdoor patio is dog-friendly, so feel free to bring your pups.
Funky Pelican
No trip to Palm Coast and the Flagler Beaches is complete without a visit to the iconic Flagler Beach Municipal Pier. You don’t have to go far for great sea-to-table eats; Funky Pelican is right there to satisfy your cravings. The outdoor deck offers panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, and the recently renovated interior provides a break from the Florida heat. Funky Pelican opens at 7 a.m. every day, and there’s no better place for breakfast. Watch the sunrise over the ocean while enjoying a seafood omelet or Maddie’s shrimp and grits. The grits are prepared in a Cajun cream sauce with mushrooms and tomatoes and topped with blackened shrimp. Maddie’s shrimp and grits are on the all-day dining menu, in case you prefer to sleep in. For lunch or dinner start with the ahi tuna tower, which comes with Asian slaw and pineapple mango salsa. Another highlight is the catch of the day, which is the freshest fish of the day prepared to your liking and served with yellow rice and vegetables. The restaurant also has food and drink specials during its daily “funky hour” from 4 to 6 p.m.
Palm Coast and the Flagler Beaches is your destination for the freshest fish and shellfish. Hungry for more? Check out more Restaurants and Bars in Palm Coast and the Flagler Beaches.
