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Restaurants with a Water View

Sussex
Level Contributor
29 posts
33 reviews
16 helpful votes
Restaurants with a Water View
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We will be visiting Marco Island in April. This is our first trip to Marco. What I am really looking for are good restaurants with a water view. Had thought of trying the Snook Inn, but having read some of the reviews I am not so sure anymore. We visited the Keys last year and found some super waterside restaurants, so really want something similar.

Any advice on where to go would really be appreciated.

We are staying in a rented house.

Mui Ne, Vietnam
Destination Expert
for Mana Pools National Park, Marco Island
Level Contributor
3,317 posts
56 reviews
65 helpful votes
1. Re: Restaurants with a Water View
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It must be said, for an island Marco is not over-endowed with waterfront eateries.

You have picked up on the obvious choice - The Snook, but as you observe, food / service is not always the best. I think it is somewhere I would choose to visit for a drink rather than a meal.

Another option with nice water views is Stilts - park of the Marriott Crystal Shores timeshare development. However whilst the view is fantastic (especially at sunset) the food is both expensive & pretty average.

There is an outside eating to be had in Esplanade, with nice views over Smokehouse bay - it isn't the Gulf, but it is a nice area with a choice of different places to eat.

If you have a car, I would recommend a trip to the Capri Fish House one evening (~15 min. drive from Marco) - informal, good food, reasonable prices and you pretty much eat on the beach.

Paris, France
Destination Expert
for Marco Island, Everglades National Park, Goodland
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5,385 posts
24 reviews
28 helpful votes
2. Re: Restaurants with a Water View
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I always go to Snook's Inn on a trip to Marco. I wouldn't miss it. Just don't expect white table cloth dining. It is a bar/restaurant. Nothing more nothing less.

I can't image many people that wouldn't like to view the water and have a nice glass of adult beverage.

There are a number of places on and around Marco you can have dinner or lunch on the water OR a view of the water.

Leicester, United...
Level Contributor
2,238 posts
140 reviews
99 helpful votes
3. Re: Restaurants with a Water View
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i would suggest popping down to Goodlands.. I cant remember the name of the large old restaurant that is down there.(maybe something like Old Goodlands Restaurant - family owned). but i am sure someone will... its a few years since we visited but will be definatley re visiting when we're over in september.... Fish in general of course.. sometime live entertainment (which wasnt great but "entertaining" if you get my drift) but you can see the water and if lucky watch the dolphins.....

Sussex
Level Contributor
29 posts
33 reviews
16 helpful votes
4. Re: Restaurants with a Water View
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Thanks for the suggestions. I have looked at Capri fish House on their website - looks good, so will try. Think I will still pay a visit to Snook Inn, if just for the atmosphere and view - been looking at their webcam.

Might also try Pelican Inn?

Chicago, Illinois
Level Contributor
24 posts
12 reviews
5 helpful votes
5. Re: Restaurants with a Water View
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The Sunset Grill at the Apollo Condominiums is on the beach. Open for Lunch & Dinner or just drinks. Very casual, I saw people walking up from the beach with their swim wear on. There is free parking is the designated areas of the condo's parking lot.

Exeter, Rhode Island
Level Contributor
2,575 posts
99 reviews
86 helpful votes
6. Re: Restaurants with a Water View
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We went to the Snook Inn over Christmas and enjoyed it very much...the fish was fresh and the menu has lots of choices...hubby loved fresh oysters there so much we went back for a second dinner.

We also enjoyed Little Bar in Goodland...again excellent fish and some nice water views

Leicester, United...
Level Contributor
2,238 posts
140 reviews
99 helpful votes
7. Re: Restaurants with a Water View
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The place I was talking about my husband thinks is The Old Marco Crab House... used to be in Old Marco but they moved down to Goodlands donkeys years ago!!!!

Knoxville, Tennessee
Level Contributor
4,653 posts
17 reviews
13 helpful votes
8. Re: Restaurants with a Water View
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I don't like Snook Inn at all! I think it is ridiculously overpriced and the food isn't very good (just my opinion all you Snook lovers). For example, my daughter and I went last summer for lunch. We had tried it a couple of times before and not been impressed, but we were boating and thought it would be a great place for my husband to drop us off as we were getting hungry - thought we'd give it another try. Our lunches (not very good, I must say) and one strawberry daiquiri/one virgin daiquiri came to $70 . . . What a waste!!

Here are some other suggestions:

Marker 8 in Goodland (10 minutes from Marco) - Hole in the wall, but BEST food I've ever had. We go at least twice a week throughout the summer and have NEVER been remotely disappointed. Prices are reasonable and they will let you order off the lunch menu for dinner. GREAT people, great view and most of all GREAT FOOD!!

Pelican Bend in Isles of Capri (10 minutes from Marco) - GREAT food and a very nice view, as well. We do like Capri Fish House as another poster mentioned, but we prefer PB, which is right next door.

The Old Marco Lodge which was mentioned before is pretty good, too. My husband loves OML, but I think it's too expensive.

Hope this helps!

Champaign, Illinois
Level Contributor
379 posts
18 reviews
42 helpful votes
9. Re: Restaurants with a Water View
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Goodland - Old Marco Crab House has a great view. Watched the sunset at Pelican Bend restaurant on Isle of Capri.

Snook Inn has nice drinks specials everything half off after 10 P.M. if you pay cash. :) Tons of happy hours all around the Island. Had great specials at the Sand Bar!

Level Contributor
40 posts
10. Re: Restaurants with a Water View
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@MarcoMomma- I have to agree with you. I do not like the snook inn either. The food quality is poor and the price is high. It is one of the major "tourist traps" as far as I am concerned.

Now- for a very elegant dinner- SALE E PEPE! High end dinning and a super view. Last year we had dinner at sunset and it was AMAZING!

Stilts is fun for a quick lunch- but not dinner.

Sunset Grill- I have to be in the mood for it. Can be nosey, smokey on the deck sometimes, and the food doesn't impress me, but I love being able to take my drink down to the beach for sunset and then come back to the table for dinner.

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