Some meals are memorable because of what is on the plate. Others stay with you because of the setting. On the Bay at Matanzas brings both together with fresh seafood, a relaxed waterfront atmosphere and views across the back bay of Fort Myers Beach.
Located at 416 Crescent Street within Matanzas Inn & Resort, the restaurant is approximately 1.4 miles from the Key West Express Fort Myers Beach terminal. It is an inviting choice for lunch, dinner or drinks during a Fort Myers Beach stay.
Casual Waterfront Dining on Matanzas Pass
The restaurant sits along Matanzas Pass in the quieter side of the Fort Myers Beach entertainment district. Boats move through the back bay while guests settle in for a meal, making the water part of the experience without taking attention away from the food.
Guests can arrive by land or water. The adjoining Matanzas Marina offers boat access, while the Crescent Street location is convenient to Times Square, the beach and other downtown attractions. The atmosphere is relaxed enough for a casual afternoon meal but scenic enough for an evening out.
Fresh Seafood and Matanzas Favorites
Seafood leads both the lunch and dinner menus. Starters include coconut shrimp, a Bayside crab cake, house-smoked mahi-mahi fish dip, Key West conch fritters and a crab, lobster and artichoke dip. Matanzas Bay Bread—a combination of artichoke hearts, garlic butter, Spanish olives, tomatoes, onions and several cheeses—is another longstanding house favorite.
Lunch choices include the Crunchy Grouper sandwich, Mahi Tacos Veracruz and the house-original Matanzas Shrimp Burger. At dinner, diners can choose from Gulf grouper, mahi-mahi, local Florida lobster tail, catch of the day, crab cakes and the Matanzas Bay Seafood Bounty. Steaks, ribs, chicken, pasta, salads and vegetable selections give non-seafood diners plenty of alternatives.
Menus, ingredients and prices can change. Review the current On the Bay menus before visiting if a particular dish is part of your plans.
Petey's Upper Deck, Pizza and Live Music
Upstairs, Petey's Upper Deck offers a livelier bar atmosphere with elevated views of the bay. Its menu is built around Dave's Dockside Pizza, along with appetizers, sandwiches, salads and other casual choices. It is a good fit for guests who want to watch a game, listen to music or relax over drinks and pizza.
Live entertainment is featured throughout the week, with acoustic performers, DJs, trivia, karaoke and themed evenings appearing on the schedule. Performers and event times can change, so check the official live music and events calendar before choosing your visit.
Planning Your Visit
On the Bay and Petey's Upper Deck maintain different operating schedules. Current hours can also vary by day, holiday or special event, so confirm them on the official Matanzas on the Bay website or call 239-463-3838 before heading over.
The restaurant is approximately 1.4 miles from the Key West Express terminal at 1200 Main Street, or about a five-minute drive under normal conditions. Seasonal traffic around Fort Myers Beach can add travel time, so allow a comfortable margin when making plans.
Find additional local choices in our Fort Myers Beach restaurant guide.
Enjoy Fort Myers Beach Before Your Key West Adventure
A waterfront meal at Matanzas is an easy way to enjoy the flavor and atmosphere of Fort Myers Beach. When you are ready to turn your Southwest Florida stay into a Key West escape, book your Key West Express trip and cross the Gulf aboard a high-speed passenger ferry.
