Waterfront Dining: Hidden Gems Across the South

Pulling up a seat with a waterfront view is one of the summer’s sweetest treats. We all have our beachfront favorites, but in the spirit of adventure, we rounded up a few waterfront restaurants that are off the beaten path. Read on to gather road trip ideas or find a new neck of the woods to explore — these spots serve up fresh seafood, crafty libations, vibrant sunsets, and views for days. We stuck mainly to spots on lakes and rivers since there are just so many incredible options perched on the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Enjoy!

The Kingstide
Wando River | Daniel Island, SC

Located along the Wando River, you can’t ask for a better waterfront view of Charleston‘s sidekick, Daniel Island! The Kingstide is an airy, coastally clad restaurant with just-caught raw bar offerings like oysters on the half shell, steamed clams, and boiled shrimp. Enjoy an upscale seafood experience on the main floor and camera-ready cocktails and bites on the rooftop.

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Kowaliga Restaurant
Lake Martin | Alexander City, AL

Known by Lake Martin lovers the South over, this tucked-away eatery welcomes both boats and cars year-round. Taste some hearty Southern comfort food and enjoy the breathtaking scenery from an Adirondack chair on the beach. Brought to you by the team behind two well-loved Alabama culinary staples, SpringHouse and Catherine’s Market, the Kowaliga name and history date back to when Hank Williams visited the lake in 1952 and wrote a song about a wooden Indian, Kaw-Liga. Oh, and it’s pronounced, surprisingly, kah-lie-ja.

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Cap’s On The Water
Matanzas River | St. Augustine, FL

Tucked away on the Intracoastal Waterway down an unassuming residential street is a St. Augustine gem worth seeking out. Cap’s features an “Old Florida” atmosphere and tasty cuisine like daily fresh catch, she-crab soup, risotto, jambalaya, and — of course — a full raw bar. Dine in the romantic indoor dining room or out on the rustic wooden deck. There isn’t a seat in the place that doesn’t show off canopies of mossy limbs, breathtaking sunset views, and peaceful coastal charm.

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Palmetto’s On The Bayou
Bayou Bonfouca | Slidell, LA

With a setting that’s nothing short of spectacular, this culinary gem hovers over a network of boardwalks amidst a dreamy, moss-drenched Louisiana bayou. The rustic, warmly decorated dining room and 5,000-square-foot covered porch offer sounds and sights of wildlife. The food is out-of-this-world, too.

“It’s a dream come true to work in this spectacular waterfront setting surrounded by cypress and oak trees,” Chef Ross Dover writes in his online welcome. “It’s the perfect setting to enjoy classic Louisiana dishes such as our duck and tasso gumbo, inspired by my grandmother’s recipe, or our contemporary take on fried gulf oysters served with a sweet chili aioli.” If you can, be sure to book the jazz brunch on Sunday and enjoy dishes like steak frites, chicken and waffles, and an array of sinful desserts.

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Port City Club
Lake Norman | Cornelius, NC

Port City Club is a stylish 13,500-square-foot waterfront restaurant located on North Carolina’s largest reservoir, Lake Norman. Lake adventurers and locals alike flock to this esteemed restaurant to enjoy scratch-made dishes in a cheery and casually chic atmosphere. Pasta and bread are made daily in-house, and meat and produce are sourced as locally as possible. The covered deck is enclosed and heated for year-round enjoyment, and when it’s warm, there is a sandy lounge area with comfy sofa seating and firepits for alfresco cocktail hangs.

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The Mermaid Cafe
Lake Caroline | Madison, MS

Culinary treasures await in Mississippi‘s Madison Country, at a funky little culinary oasis called The Mermaid Cafe. Deemed “Lake Caroline’s Hidden Gem” by many, this unassuming eatery serves up seafood favorites like grilled redfish, gulf shrimp, and Mississippi-grown thin-fried catfish. Get an icy margarita or a glass of crisp white from their impressive wine list to wash it all down.

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Boathouse Rotisserie & Raw Bar
Tennessee River | Chattanooga, TN

A longstanding neighborhood joint along Chattanooga’s popular Riverwalk, “The Boathouse” has a loaded menu of much more than just seafood. In fact, they are actually one of the busiest oyster bars in the United States. If sea creatures aren’t your thing, try their famous Lawton’s Margarita (they sold a whopping 50,510 in 2019) and enjoy expansive views of the Tennessee River’s stunning canyon-like gorge.

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Fish N’ Pig
Lake Tobesofkee | Macon, GA

Perfect for casual dining, local live music, and endless views of Lake Tobesofkee, Fish N’ Pig is a must-visit if you’re ever in the buzzy town of Macon. The owners of Satterfield’s Restaurant and Catering and Jim Shaw’s Seafood Restaurant joined forces to open Fish N’ Pig in 2005. The name says it all: Fresh seafood and hickory-smoked barbecue are the specialties here. There’s a full bar, and the newly opened Will’s Bandstand welcomes musical acts to the waterfront stage throughout the summer.

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River House Restaurant & Raw Bar
Ohio River in Louisville, KY

Chef John Varanese’s vision for this riverfront dining destination was about 15 years in the making. Housed in a sprawling space formerly used for boat storage, River House boasts floor-to-ceiling windows in the dining room, a lively courtyard with fire pits, and ample riverfront hang space. Aside from the restaurant’s regional cuisine and the raw bar’s fresh catches, the Levee Bourbon Bar also has an impressive library of curated spirits.

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Cheers to toasting with a view!

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