21 Waterfront Restaurants... St. Johns River, FL

Day Trip Ideas Featuring Eateries in "Old Florida"

Looking for something off the beaten path? Enjoy eateries and entertainment along Florida's historic St. Johns River. Here are some great day-trip ideas, all with E-Z Google maps and photos.

Many venues retain an "Old Florida" feel, with river views, fresh air, and wildlife. Here we report on 21 restaurants along the St. Johns (and tributaries), grouped geographically into 4 River Regions, each with its own unique characteristics and flavor. In many cases, State and National Parks, Forests and Preserves are located nearby, offering options for outdoor recreation to make a day of it. Going with the flow (from south to north), we start near the River's headwaters outside Melbourne, FL and follow the current north to the Atlantic Ocean at Mayport.

5 Restaurants - South Region

The South Region is dominated by flood plain & open vistas. 5 former fish camps are now food & fun venues. Airboat tours are popular here. Plenty of alligators here. In hunting season, some may wind up on the menu.

Camp Holly
Melbourne, FL (Limited eats last check)

Lone Cabbage
Cocoa, FL

Loughman Lakeside Restaurant & Bar
Mims, FL

Jolly Gator
Geneva, FL

Black Hammock
Oviedo, FL

*Map of Restaurants
South River Region

5 Restaurants - South Central

This region offers 5 venues for food, drink & festivities along the south shore of Lake Monroe, Sanford, FL, just north of Orlando. The St. Johns Rivership Barbara Lee is a unique feature, with lunch and dinner cruises.

Gators Riverside Grill
Sanford/Osteen, FL

St. Johns Rivership
Sanford, FL (Shown in photo)

St. Johns River Steak & Seafood
Sanford, FL

520 on the Water
Sanford, FL

Cabana Live
Sanford, FL

*Map of Restaurants
South-Central Region

6 Restaurants - North Central

Here the river forms the eastern boundary of the Seminole State Forest and Ocala National Forest. Nearby springs and ecotourism are draws. Tall oaks, Spanish moss, pleasure boats, bass fishing.

Swamphouse Grill
DeBary/Sanford, FL

St. Johns River Grill
DeLand, FL

The Old Sugar Mill Pancake House
DeLeon Springs, FL

Drifters Riverfront Bar & Grill
Astor, FL

Renegade's on the River
Crescent City, FL

Corky Bell's Seafood
Palatka, FL

*Map of Restaurants
North-Central Region

5 Restaurants - North Region

The river in this region becomes wider and deeper, flowing through Jacksonville and eventually into the Atlantic. Eatery options include reinvented old fish camps to fresh caught from docks near the sea.