Dock and Dine: 6 Restaurants to Visit by Boat in Tarpon Springs, Florida

Famous for its Greek heritage and unique sponge docks, Tarpon Springs is an excellent destination to visit from private boat slip rentals in Florida. Boaters can enjoy beautiful Gulf Coast views, stunning sunsets and shopping, dining and strolling along Dodecanese Boulevard in this charming town.

Let’s check out some fun dock and dine restaurants in Tarpon Springs. 

Capt’n Jack’s Bar and Grill

Photo: Capt'n Jack's Bar and Grill (Facebook)

Capt’n Jack’s Bar and Grill is situated on the Anclote River. With its dockside seating, boaters can sail right up to the establishment and enjoy live music and fresh seafood like peel-and-eat shrimp, chicken wraps, grouper tacos, pasta and other dishes while watching riverfront views. Dine indoors or out by the docks. 

Rusty Bellies Waterfront Grill

Photo: Rusty Bellies (Facebook)

Rusty Bellies Waterfront Grill is located near the sponge docks on the point near the intersection of Dodecanese Boulevard and Lutea Place. Menu items include fresh wild-caught Florida seafood, chicken, steak, sushi, sandwiches and tacos as well as lots of signature cocktail choices.

Family-owned and operated since 2005, it offers a tiki bar, live music and a dock for boats to pull up. Fresh Gulf shrimp comes from their own boat, the Julie Ann. They also have the Red Man, a grouper fishing boat, and the Crabracadabra, a stone crab fishing boat. The restaurant offers an authentic fishing village-type atmosphere and makes an excellent place to visit from a private boat dock rental. 

Tarpon Tavern

Photo: Tarpon Tavern (Facebook)

Situated near the Sponge Docks, the Tarpon Tavern dock and dine restaurant features a variety of dishes including seafood, wings, burgers, craft beer and more. The historic building was built in 1925 and is located near the waterfront and boat docks.

Miss Vicki's on the River

Photo: Miss Vicki's on the River (Facebook)

Miss Vicki’s on the River, located on the Anclote River next to the Anclote Village Marina, offers a mix of American and Greek cuisine. Choose from sandwiches, seafood, burgers, fish and chips platters, she-crab soup and cocktails. Enjoy live music and stunning sunset views.

The marina has a fuel dock, a bait house and rental pontoon boats, which makes it a convenient place to fuel up or stock up on bait from private boat lifts for rent. 

Tarpon Turtle Grill & Marina

Photo: Tarpon Turtle Grill & Marina (Facebook)

The Tarpon Turtle Grill & Marina has a waterfront location on Lake Tarpon near the Lake Tarpon Sail and Tennis Club. There’s a marina, making it possible for boaters to dock and dine (and fill up before heading back to a private boat dock rental). 

Enjoy indoor and outdoor dining along the docks as well as live music and Taco Tuesdays (Who doesn’t love a good Taco Tuesday?).  Docking is free for boats and jet skis. You can even call ahead and have your order delivered right to your boat. Choose from seafood, frozen cocktails, burgers, wraps, bourbon-glazed salmon, lemon pepper rainbow trout, Cuban sandwiches and plant-based burgers.

The Bistro

Photo: The Bistro (Facebook)

For a taste of Italy, Greece, Spain and other Mediterranean destinations, point the bow toward The Bistro. There’s a cozy bar, a tapas bar, indoor and outdoor seating. Choose from a wide variety of items such as pizza, calzone, chicken Parm, a Spanish rice bowl, oven-roasted fresh Gulf snapper and bistro burgers.

While not directly on the water, The Bistro (formerly known as the Tuscan Sun Italian Bistro) is located a bit inland, near Spring Branch cove off the Anclote River. The Tarpon Springs Yacht Club, near the Beckett Bridge, is also nearby if you don’t mind walking or bicycling for a few blocks.

We hope you’ve found some new dock and dine restaurants to check out from private boat docks for rent near Tarpon Springs. Let us know what’s good!