DOCKSIDE SEAFOOD

Oh, am I excited for this one! The #11-ranked best seafood restaurant in the country? Yes, you heard that right. Dockside Seafood claims the number 11 spot on the list of Best Seafood Restaurants in the United States (don’t worry, I double-checked). Tucked just off Beach Boulevard with an awesome waterfront view, Dockside was one of those spots I’d been dying to try for ages. I’m not even exaggerating—I probably showed up at least five times last year only to bail because the line was too long for me. But this time, I finally nailed it. We went on a Sunday night around 8 p.m. and only waited about 25 minutes. Worth it? Absolutely.

We kicked things off with the fish dip, which was super creamy and light. It had that smoky, ocean-fresh flavor without being too salty or heavy. Spread over crackers with a little squeeze of lemon? Perfection. A new personal favorite.

Next came the calamari. It was good, classic, exactly what you want it to be. Golden and crispy. But the real star here was the dipping aioli that leveled everything up. A solid seafood starter for sure, though the fish dip still holds the crown in my book.

For the main event, we went with the Mahi Mahi special. It was blackened, with an aioli drizzle, fried onions, and roasted peppers. The seasoning was bold and flavorful, though the fish itself was a bit on the dry side. Overall, it was tasty, but honestly not the best piece of fish I’ve ever had, especially considering that top-tier ranking. On the side, we had fries and hushpuppies served with two different sauces—a thick white sauce and another rich aioli. Pro tip: mix them together. That combo was pure magic.

But let’s talk about the true highlight. The KEY LIME PIE. Not even kidding, this is the type of pie I dream about. If you’re a fellow key lime pie lover, this one will absolutely not disappoint. It was just the right size for one person or perfect to share. I genuinely wish I could go back every day just for that pie. The crust was light and not too thick, the filling was creamy and airy, and the whipped cream on top was perfectly balanced. It melted in my mouth in a way no other key lime pie ever has.

And to top it all off, you’re enjoying everything with a breezy waterfront view. It’s casual and relaxed, the kind of place where you could easily spend hours sipping a drink, watching the boats drift by, and maybe even ordering a second slice of pie.