Port Charlotte, in Florida, is famed for its beautiful waters, and many visitors come to the region for the opportunities to snorkel, cruise, kayak, and swim that it provides.
If you’re planning a trip to Port Charlotte with your family and want to experience what the area’s also known for – its amazing seafood – then keep reading for details of the region’s six best family-friendly restaurants, where everyone can get refueled after a fun-packed day!
Brother’s Fish House Restaurant
Brother’s is one of the most popular seafood restaurants in Port Charlotte, and staff are happy to welcome even the youngest of diners: high-chairs are available on request. The food, service, ambiance, and value for money are consistently rated highly here, with the generosity of portion sizes frequently cited by past guests.
The owners take pride in the attention to detail that goes into the preparation and cooking of every dish; every item on the menu is made from scratch on the premises, using fresh ingredients that are locally sourced where possible. All of the fresh fish is hand-seasoned to order, so diners can enjoy their meal exactly as they want it.
Popular menu choices include the Fried Oysters and Locally-Caught Clams, the Lobster Bisque – and the Coconut Shrimp is a particular hit with the kids!
Laishley Crab House
Kids and adults alike will appreciate the nautical theme of this unique crab house in Port Charlotte; the restaurant chairs and tables inside are wonderfully chunky and ‘weathered-looking, while there is ample outdoor seating, too, where diners can enjoy the beautiful waterfront view.
The service here is often highlighted for its professional and friendly nature; staff are very knowledgeable regarding all the items on the menu and are especially good at engaging with young diners.
The food at Laishley’s is fun, family-friendly, and fabulous: the menu features dishes such as Grouper Fish and Chips, Snow Crab Bucket, and Seafood Nachos, which tempt young and old alike.
Peace River Seafood
Another popular seafood eatery, Peace River, offers a relaxed, family-friendly atmosphere and an emphasis on locally sourced fare that’s served up to diners the day it’s caught. This restaurant opened over ten years ago and remains committed to supporting the local fishing industry; after enjoying a meal, guests can also visit the on-site fish market to take some delicacies home with them!
Over the years, Peace River has developed a strong, loyal local following, as well as becoming a ‘destination restaurant’ for visitors to the area. The establishment is home to regular live music and is also the perfect venue for parties and other celebrations.
Kids will have fun with the menu: they’ll be tempted by items such as the Pirate’s Choice (one dozen large blue crabs) or Frankie’s All You Can Eat Fried Mullet. They’ll enjoy the Build Your Own Smoothies, too, while there’s wine and beer on tap for the older members of the family!
Shark’s Fish House
This establishment is both family-run and family-welcoming, and diners can expect a laid-back dining experience here with reasonably priced but delicious seafood on offer. Since its opening in 2002, Shark’s Fish House has been committed to providing excellent food and great service in a family-friendly environment, and this mission remains central to the owners today.
Popular menu items include the classic Fish and Chips and the Ultimate Seafood Basket – the latter comprises shrimps, basa fingers, clam strips, Alaskan pollock fish filet, coconut shrimps, and crab cakes alongside fries and coleslaw.
Hurricane Charley’s Sushi, Raw Bar Grill
An eatery that’s a fantastic, fun experience for families, Hurricane Charley’s is a vibrant, lively establishment that benefits from a beautiful view of the Peace River. Now in its eighth year, the restaurant has enjoyed and continues to enjoy popularity with locals and tourists alike. The menu is eclectic, and the extensive range of fresh seafood dishes means that everyone will be able to find something (if not lots of things!) that they like. There’s a kids menu on offer, too, where littler diners can choose from, for example, Fried Fish with Tater Tots or Shrimp With Fries.
The quality of the sushi at this establishment is well-known: experienced sushi chefs create a wide selection of artistic raw and cooked sushi every day; and if diners can’t make up their mind which sushi to opt for, there’s a Sushi Sampler that’ll allow them to try a little bit of everything!
Another draw is the entertainment, which is on seven days a week at Hurricane Charley’s, allowing diners to enjoy some live music as they savor their meals.
Captain’s Table
Consistently ranked as one of the best seafood restaurants in Port Charlotte, the Captain’s Table offers diners fresh, exciting cuisine and stunning views of Charlotte Harbor. The establishment welcomes families, and those with children may particularly appreciate the Friday Night Seafood Buffet, which allows guests to try some of whatever takes their fancy!
As well as the generous portions and friendly service, the welcoming ambiance of this eatery is frequently cited by diners and is another reason that families flock here.