Sun-chased afternoons along Florida’s coast mean one thing: fried shrimp baskets vanish fast. If you crave crispy, golden bites with tangy slaw and hushpuppies, these beloved shacks deliver the goods before the sun dips.
Expect picnic tables, paper plates, and the salty breeze that makes everything taste better. Come hungry, because the best baskets rarely last until dark.
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Star Fish Company – Cortez, Florida
You can hear the skiffs bump the dock while the fryer sings. Star Fish Company keeps it simple, serving shrimp just-caught, lightly battered, and fried to a shattering crunch.
A squeeze of lemon and a dash of hot sauce, and suddenly the paper plate feels like a feast.
Grab a picnic table overlooking the working fleet, where pelicans glide past like regulars. The basket usually arrives with slaw, fries, and hushpuppies that disappear faster than intended.
Order early, because the line forms before the sunset starts painting Cortez Bay.
Prices stay fair, portions generous, and the mood is pure Old Florida. No frills, no fuss, just seafood you can trust.
Blink, and your shrimp basket is gone.
Singletons Seafood Shack – Jacksonville, Florida
Singletons feels like stepping into a seafood time capsule, in the best way. The fried shrimp come crisp outside, sweet and briny inside, proving freshness is the secret.
Add a side of creamy slaw and a hushpuppy or two, and the tray is suddenly empty.
Expect wood-paneled walls, maritime knickknacks, and views of the boat traffic slipping by. The batter is light, never greasy, letting the shrimp taste shine.
Pair it with a cold tea and catch the glow across the river.
Portions are hearty, but share at your own risk. Locals know to order before the dinner rush crushes inventory.
When the sun drops, those baskets vanish like tidewater.
DJ’s Clam Shack – Key West, Florida
DJ’s Clam Shack may be famous for clams and lobster rolls, but the fried shrimp basket deserves its own applause. Each bite is snappy and tender, cloaked in a golden shell that stays crisp.
A splash of house hot sauce turns it into island fireworks.
Stand at the counter, breathe in garlic and ocean air, and watch baskets fly out. Seating is casual, the mood effortlessly friendly, and the line moves fast.
You blink, and your shrimp are gone, leaving only salt on your lips.
Key West sunsets demand quick decisions. Order early, then wander Duval with your prize.
The basket will not survive the walk, and that is the point.
Fish Shack – Lighthouse Point, Florida
Fish Shack is tiny, loud, and exactly what you want after a beach day. The fried shrimp are lightly seasoned, perfectly fried, and piled high.
Dip them in tartar or cocktail, then try not to race through the basket.
Inside, tables are close and conversations overlap, creating that neighborhood buzz. Portions are generous, fries are hot, and the staff moves like clockwork.
The chalkboard specials are worth a glance, but shrimp is the star.
Expect a wait during peak hours. It is worth it, especially if you like your seafood no-nonsense and fresh.
Blink once and you will be ordering a second basket.
Safe Harbor Seafood Restaurant – Atlantic Beach, Florida
Safe Harbor sits beside the source, and you can taste it. The fried shrimp come crisp, clean, and ocean-sweet, with a batter that complements not smothers.
Add crinkle fries and a pickle spear, and suddenly the plate is quiet.
Grab a seat outside and watch shrimp boats idle in the harbor. The vibe is family-friendly, fast-paced, and proud of its Mayport roots.
Order the larger basket if you are sharing, because you will lose count quickly.
Seasonings lean classic, sauces are zesty, and everything tastes better in the salt air. Evenings get busy, so arrive before sunset.
Here, freshness wins every time, and baskets vanish accordingly.
O’Steen’s Restaurant – St. Augustine, Florida
O’Steen’s is legendary in St. Augustine, and the shrimp prove why. Lightly breaded and fried to a delicate crunch, they pair beautifully with the famous pink sauce.
Add Minorcan notes from the datil pepper if you like a little heat.
Lines form early, and for good reason. The seafood tastes like history preserved on a plate, simple and proud.
Hushpuppies and slaw round out the basket, leaving little for tomorrow.
The room is cozy, filled with chatter and memories. Time your visit before dusk if you want guaranteed shrimp.
By nightfall, the baskets are a rumor and a craving.
The Original Crabby Bill’s – Indian Rocks Beach, Florida
The Original Crabby Bill’s keeps the beach energy alive from lunch through last call. The fried shrimp arrive golden and generous, seasoned just right for a squeeze of lemon.
Cocktail, tartar, or hot sauce turn each bite into pure boardwalk joy.
The dining room spills into the night with music and sandy feet. Portions are big enough to share, though you probably will not.
Fries are hot, coleslaw crisp, and the pace brisk.
Come early for happy hour and claim a picnic table. Watch the sky slow-burn over the Gulf while your basket shrinks.
This is Florida comfort food at full throttle.
Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill – Clearwater, Florida
Frenchy’s Rockaway Grill brings party energy to Clearwater Beach. The fried shrimp are crisp, well-seasoned, and generous enough to keep friends happy.
Add a frozen drink and you will forget the clock entirely.
Music drifts over the sand while trays hustle out the door. The basket disappears the moment conversation hits full swing.
Slaw and fries keep things classic, while sauces add playful heat.
Sunset crowds swell, so order before the sky turns cotton candy. It is loud, lively, and easy to love.
Expect to leave with sandy shoes, a satisfied grin, and nothing left on the plate.
Schooners – Panama City, Florida
Schooners calls itself the Last Local Beach Club, and the shrimp back it up. Lightly battered, fried crisp, and served hot, they pair with sea breeze like best friends.
Sides are old-school and satisfying, perfect for sandy feet and sunburnt smiles.
Grab a table overlooking the surf and let the band soundtrack dinner. The basket evaporates during a good chorus.
Order another round if the sky is still glowing.
Service is quick despite the crowds, and the atmosphere leans celebratory. Weekends get wild, so plan ahead.
If you want shrimp for sunset, beat the bell and go early.
Shrimp Landing Seafood – Crystal River, Florida
S hrimp Landing is the kind of low-key gem you find by following locals. The fried shrimp taste sweet and clean, like they barely left the water.
A crunchy coat seals the deal without weighing anything down.
Expect straightforward sides and quick service. Paper-lined baskets, plenty of napkins, and a squeeze of lemon make everything sing.
The hushpuppies are golden and vanish in a blink.
After a day on the river, this basket hits like sunshine. Arrive before dusk to avoid sellouts, especially on weekends.
By sunset, only happy crumbs remain and maybe a plan to return.
Dockside Seafood Restaurant Jax Beach – Jacksonville Beach, Florida
Dockside at Jax Beach serves fried shrimp that strike the balance between crisp and juicy. The batter crackles, the shrimp snap, and the fries keep up.
A chilled drink and that river view complete the moment.
Families, couples, and salty boaters crowd the deck by late afternoon. Portions are generous, but sharing feels risky.
Sauces lean tangy, and lemon wedges keep things bright.
Arrive early if sunset is the plan. Baskets move fast once the lights flick on and music starts.
You will leave with a clean tray and a satisfied grin.
Key Largo Fisheries Backyard Cafe – Key Largo, Florida
Key Largo Fisheries Backyard Cafe puts you beside the working docks. Fried shrimp come out hot, crisp, and tasting like the Keys.
The batter is light enough to let the sweetness shine through every bite.
Grab a picnic table under an umbrella and watch the harbor buzz. Add conch fritters if you are extra hungry.
The basket tends to vanish while you are busy pointing out boats.
Order before the evening rush when anglers return. Portions satisfy without slowing you down for a sunset stroll.
If you love dock-to-plate freshness, this is your happy place.
Alabama Jacks – Key Largo, Florida
Alabama Jacks lives for breezy afternoons and unfussy seafood. The fried shrimp are crunchy, salty, and gone before your second song from the jukebox.
Add conch fritters and a cold drink for full Keys happiness.
You will find bikers, boaters, and road-trippers all sharing picnic tables. The scene is classic, the service quick, and the portions friendly.
With mangroves in view, every bite tastes a little wilder.
Go early on weekends to beat the rush. By golden hour, baskets fly out and tables fill up.
Save a lemon wedge for the last shrimp, if it makes it that far.
The Station Raw Bar – Apalachicola, Florida
The Station Raw Bar turns a former garage into a seafood hangout worth lingering in. While oysters headline, the fried shrimp basket steals attention.
Each bite offers clean brine and a crisp jacket that stays crunchy.
Grab a high-top, order a local brew, and settle into Panhandle pace. Slaw and fries keep it classic, and the house sauces bring zip.
The soundtrack is conversation and the clink of bottles.
Apalachicola sunsets sneak up fast. Order before the rush if shrimp is non-negotiable.
You will finish the basket without noticing and still think about seconds.
Skipper’s Smokehouse – Tampa, Florida
Skipper’s Smokehouse brings a funky Tampa spirit with live tunes and serious seafood. The fried shrimp arrive hot, peppery, and perfectly crisp.
Between songs, the basket seems to disappear on its own.
Expect picnic tables, murals, and a crowd that actually listens. Sides are simple and satisfying, with fries and slaw pulling weight.
Add a squeeze of lemon and dive back into the music.
Night shows make the shrimp sell fast. Order before the opener if you are hungry.
You will head home humming, with nothing but napkins left behind.
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