As much as we love a good al fresco moment, waterfront dining offers an experience that is even more transcendent. Maybe it’s the sound of waves lapping nearby, the breeze brushing your skin, or simply a sense of unfiltered freedom that comes from dining outdoors, far from four walls and fluorescent lights.
This is what waterfront dining dreams are made of. (Photo Credit: @drinkseppi)
Whether you’re barefoot in the sand, perched above a coastal bluff, or nestled along a twinkling riverwalk, the setting will inevitably transform every bite into an unforgettable experience.
From the sun-drenched Caribbean to the banks of the Willamette River, these six waterfront restaurants at Kimpton properties around the globe prove that vacation dining should be as memorable as the destination itself. Because why should you sacrifice fresh air and moonlit dining for an indoor experience that you could otherwise get at home?
King Tide Fish & Shell: Portland, Oregon
When most people hear waterfront, they tend to associate it with sprawling bodies of water like lakes and ocean. In Portland, Kimpton RiverPlace Hotel reminds us that riverside is also a celebrated locale, which is why they designed King Tide Fish & Shell to offer prime seating along the Willamette River.
In Portland, grab a waterfront meal at King Tide Fish & Shell. (Photo Credit: @riverplacehotel)
Elevate your meal with riverside dining that feels worlds away from the bustling city. (Photo Credit: @riverplacehotel)
The menu of seafood classics is inspired by the casual yet comfortable fishing lodges of family vacations, offering laidback favorites like fish and chips and lobster rolls alongside luxuries like oysters on the half shell.
Where to stay: Kimpton RiverPlace Hotel
Coccoloba: Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
There are multiple dining venues with an ocean view at Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa in Grand Cayman. However, the most favored is — without question — Coccoloba, located right on Seven Mile Beach.
At Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa, swing by Coccoloba. (Photo Credit: @seafireresort)
This is your sign to never settle for indoor dining while on vacation. (Photo Credit: @holly_keylock)
In Grand Cayman, experience the day’s fresh catch with even fresher views. (Photo Credit: @restaurantgroupie)
The bar and grill is a mash-up of culinary influences that includes island spices and coastal Mexican flavors. The daytime vibe welcomes diners in swimsuits, and while guests may dress more formally during the evening, bare feet are still encouraged as the team turns up the music (with a live Mariachi band on Saturdays) in the hopes that you’ll join them on the beach for a dance.
Where to stay: Kimpton Seafire Resort + Spa
FishHouse Beach Style Restaurant: Koh Samui, Thailand
Designed to replicate the seaside stand of a fishmonger’s wife, FishHouse serves nothing but the freshest catch in a relaxed setting with booths and sofa seating.
In Thailand, the rule is simple — the fresher, the better. (Photo Credit: @tonifscher)
Their ocean-to-plate experience has been recognized by the Michelin Guide since 2024 with standout dishes like the lobster drizzled in zesty nam jim sauce, paella of the day, and the fisherman’s catch, prepared to your liking (baked, grilled, fried, or poached) with a selection of sauces like lemongrass and ginger or a Thai seafood sauce. Despite its accolades, it still boasts a wonderfully relaxed setting where you’ll want to linger long after your last bite.
Where to stay: Kimpton Kitalay Samui
Kahal: Todos Santos, Mexico
For a pure taste of Baja’s natural bounty, Kahal at Kimpton Mas Olas satiates with its freshly caught seafood, seasonally-sourced ingredients, and freshly snipped vegetables, herbs, and essences from their onsite garden.
In Todos Santos, experience dinner with a side of ocean breeze.
Perched above powdery sands and the sweeping Pacific coastline, this oceanfront restaurant serves up a double dose of scenery. While the natural vista is hard to beat, the open kitchen offers its own spectacle — where chef Sandro Falbo artfully slices crudo and plates just-picked produce with theatrical finesse.
Where to stay: Kimpton Mas Olas
The Drop Off: Bay Islands, Honduras
As one of two casual beachside bars, The Drop Off is a tiki-inspired venue right on the azure shores of the Caribbean where guests can pull up a bar stool or enjoy the sand between their toes at one of the beachfront tables.
Because meals just taste better with your toes in the sand.
Embrace the island life at The Drop Off. (Photo Credit: @rinabetancourt)
The menu leans into bold, wood-fired flavors with standout dishes like smoky shrimp tacos and crave-worthy jerk chicken wings. And if you’re lucky enough to visit on a Saturday between 12 and 4 pm, you’ll catch their weekly BBQ Bash — a lively, can’t-miss affair featuring a generous spread of grilled favorites, all served alongside tropical cocktails and laid-back island vibes.
Where to stay: Kimpton Grand Roatán Resort and Spa
Heaton’s: Vero Beach, Florida
Perched on a raised platform just above Vero Beach — which is renowned as one of the most pristine stretches of sand on Florida’s Atlantic Coast — Heaton’s serves up a chef-driven, coastally-inspired menu.
At Heaton’s, every table comes with a front-row seat to the sunset. (Photo Credit: @heatonsverobeach)
They serve lunch and dinner as well as a happy hour in between with discounted snacks and signature beverages. On chilly nights, their fire pits amp up the ambiance, so guests can come for happy hour and stay through dinner to really enjoy the locale’s front row seat to sunset and stargazing.
Where to stay: Kimpton Vero Beach Hotel and Spa
