Some of the best restaurants in the U.S. can be found along the water. They offer food that’s just as memorable and picture-worthy as the sweeping ocean or harbor views. They may be a bit of a splurge, but it’ll be worth it on a vacation or for a special occasion. Here are some of the best beachfront restaurants across America that serve everything from pizza to — of course — fresh seafood.
Related: The Best Seafood Restaurant in Every State
1. Harbor House Inn
Elk, CA
This two-starred Michelin restaurant will wow anyone with its original, seasonal tasting menu and massive wine collection. Harbor House Inn has sweeping views of the Pacific from its perch on a hill. Make sure you take in the grounds, with its restaurant garden, hammock spots, and cozy fire-pit areas before or after your meal.
Related: Best Hole-in-the-Wall Seafood Shacks in Beach Towns Across America
2. The Marine Room
La Jolla, CA
The Marine Room is about as close to the sea as you can get without actually being on a boat. At high tide (there’s a tide timetable on the restaurant’s website) the waves actually crash onto the dining room’s huge picture windows for a one-of-a-kind experience. The menu focuses on seafood, natch, as it has since it opened in 1941.
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3. The Chimneys
Gulfport, MS
Southern hospitality meets the Gulf shore at The Chimneys. You’ll have great views of the beach from the palatial covered porch that exudes Southern charm. The seafood-focused menu has a Cajun touch, with items like gumbo and Creole pasta, and weekend brunch is a special treat when you order trout and eggs sardou.
4. La Mar
Miami
If anyone knows their hip beachside spots, it’s Miamians. La Mar, in the Mandarin Oriental Hotel, gives its diners a breathtaking view of both the water and skyline, so it’s especially gorgeous at night when the city is lit up. The menu is upscale Peruvian-Asian fusion with plenty of ceviche options and a killer pisco sour.
5. Mama’s Fish House
Maui, HI
An institution for locals and tourists alike, Mama’s Fish House was opened in the 1970s by a globe-trotting family that settled down on Maui. The menu changes daily based on what’s fresh, and it even lists the name of the boat or fisherman that caught each fish. You’ll find French, Polynesian, and Asian influences on the menu with plenty of macadamia nuts and local produce.
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6. Coast
Westerley, RI
Breezy, beachy, and elegant is what you’ll find at Coast, a restaurant in the grand Ocean House resort. It serves a prix fixe menu showcasing seasonal ingredients, in both a vegetarian and omnivore menu. You’ll never know what’s on the menu for sure until you eat there, but expect Dover sole, king oyster mushrooms, and bluefin sashimi.
7. The Obstinate Daughter
Sullivan’s Island, SC
Though it’s technically two blocks from the beach, every bit of The Obstinate Daughter‘s cozy, chic decor will make you feel like you’ve got your toes in the sand. The chef is a two-time James Beard Award nominee and prepares a light, seasonal Italian menu. Don’t miss the ricotta gnocchi with short ribs, peel-and-eat shrimp, or the Old Danger pizza with pancetta and eggs.
8. Nobu
Newport Beach, CA
One branch of Nobu, the world’s most famous sushi restaurant, is perched on Newport Beach’s marina. You’ll find the same food quality and some menu items as other locations, but this one is easier to get into. The black cod with miso is a signature dish, and the Nobu tacos with tuna or lobster shouldn’t be missed either.
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9. Redfish
Port Orford, OR
Redfish has some of the most stunning ocean views in the Pacific Northwest, and thanks to the owners also owning the art gallery next door, the interior decoration is top notch as well. The menu is unpretentious, with plenty of locally sourced seafood and meat. Shrimp cakes, crab mac and cheese, cioppino, and a hefty wagyu beef burger are all date-night worthy.
