The Cedar Key clam: Hard shell clams farmed in Cedar Key's clean Gulf shallows — sweet, briny, and smaller than New England varieties. Try them steamed, raw, or in chowder. Every restaurant in town serves them.
Cedar Key's Best Tables
WaterfrontSeafood
Annie's Cafe
A Cedar Key staple on Dock Street — unpretentious Gulf seafood at honest prices. The clam chowder and smoked mullet spread are not to be missed. Cash-friendly, always busy on weekends.
HistoricFull Service
Island Hotel Restaurant
Dinner in an 1859 building with original heart pine floors and a copper bar. The menu leans heavily on local seafood — Cedar Key clams, Gulf grouper, and Florida blue crab. Reservations recommended.
Gulf ViewsBar & Grill
Tony's Seafood Restaurant
Long-running family restaurant with waterfront views from the dining room. Reliable fried and steamed seafood, cold beer, and one of the best spots in town to watch the sun go down over the Gulf.
BreakfastBakery
Brown Pelican
The go-to for breakfast and lunch — locally beloved for fresh pastries, good coffee, and eggs with Gulf shrimp. Lines out the door on weekend mornings. Get there early.
