21 Waterfront Restaurants
St. Johns River, Florida
21 Day Trip Ideas, Maps and Photos
Food, Views, Old Florida
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South River Region... Dine with Gators
5 Waterfront Restaurants
Camp Holly
Melbourne, FL
Lone Cabbage
Cocoa, FL
Loughman Lakeside Restaurant & Bar
Mims, FL
Jolly Gator
Geneva, FL
Black Hammock
Oviedo, FL
Locator Map
South
River Region
(below)
Emerging from wetlands southwest of Melbourne, FL, the South Region (aka "upper section") of the St. Johns River was once a bass fishing mecca. The eateries here were once old Florida fish camps. Then drainage and farming destroyed much of the wetlands. Today, river restoration projects have been underway for years and conditions have improved dramatically. Former fish camps are now laid-back restaurants and entertainment venues, some with weekend music. Airboat eco-tours are popular.
Camp Holly... www.campholly.com 6901 U.S. 192, Melbourne, FL 32904 (2.8 mi. west of I-95)
Established in 1901, this is one of Florida's oldest fish camps. It's now undergone a reincarnation into an attractive facility with the Gator Grill restaurant, Tiki bar, gift shop, boat launch, observation deck, weekend music, airboat tours, parking and restrooms. On a weekend, the band was playing and the outdoor seating area was jammed. The Gator Grilll is decorated with numerous photos, taxidermied wildlife, and other items related to the camp's history. We snacked on the gator bites basket, with fries, coleslaw and side salad. We found the gator to be tender and tasty on this day at least, some of the best along the St. Johns. There's a full menu, we'll plan future visits to check out more plates. (Latest update: July 2024).
Lone Cabbage... www.twisterairboatrides.com/fishcamp.html 8199 SR 520, Cocoa, FL 32926
West of Cocoa, near Orlando and Disney, airboat tourism is big here. Great water view, weekend music, and a variety of inexpensive food make this a popular getaway with locals. Beer is cold. Wine comes in plastic cups; the two options are red and white. A few "old Florida" buildings remain, providing fond memories. Tip: On the opposite side of the highway is a County Park with sweeping vista (and maybe a gator), with boardwalk/fishing pier next to boat ramp.
Loughman Lakeside Restaurant & Bar... www.facebook.com/loughmanlakesiderestaurant 1955 Hatbill Rd., Mims, FL 32754
Featuring expansive views, this lakeside restaurant is a hidden gem, with a farm-to-table, southern inspired menu. An outdoor covered bar area overlooks the lake, which feeds into the St Johns. Open Friday-Sunday (may change at later date). We enjoyed the grouper, gator bites, chowder, and fried green tomatoes, and the generous portions. Friendly staff and great views - a fun daytrip.
Surrounded by a vast scenic preserve, this is easily the most remote restaurant in Central Florida. The upper St. Johns was once world famous for bass fishing, and in the 1950's a fish camp and lodge was built on the property. The last remnants of the original fish camp were removed when a new restaurant and store were built in 2010. The property is off the beaten path (see map), but worth a trip for the food and views.
Jolly Gator... www.facebook.com/thejollygator 4650 E. State Rd 46, Geneva, FL 32732
This location offers expansive, unobstructed views along the waterway. Here the river becomes slightly larger, as the Econlockhatchee River enters about a mile upstream (south). For eats, definitely try the swamp cabbage. We also enjoyed the gator, a rare opportunity for blackened not fried. Most locally raised, but wild gator too during hunting season (8/15-11/1), so occasional chewier pieces in season, but still tasty.) The jam sessions on the 1st and 3rd Sundays are fun. (Jolly Gator, 11/20/2017, 2 min. Jam Session Video , a "cornucopia of musical talent.") Independent airboat tours operate from County Park.
Black Hammock... http://www.theblackhammock.com 2356 Black Hammock Fish Camp Rd, Oviedo, FL 32765
Near Oviedo, located off the main river channel on Lake Jesup, this former fish camp has reinvented itself as a mini-attraction that kids of all ages will enjoy. Feed the parrots. Use a hot dog to "fish" for alligators. Take an airboat ride. Cool off in the bar and gift shop. Plus, a restaurant that uses real plates, metal utensils, and wine glasses. Civilization at last!
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