Gator's Portside Port Canaveral — Restaurant in Cape Canaveral

Gators Dockside Restaurant Review, Port Canaveral, Florida

Ashley, our server, was friendly and attentive, and Chef Phil prepared a delicious meal for our group of friends. We enjoyed dining on the dock with views of the passing cruise ships and the occasional windy breeze.

Appetizer: We shared the Chivechi included with purple sweet potatoe served with tostones, a Latin American  Caribbean type dish of fried plantains. The purple sweet potatoe was a nice Chivechi and flavorful, and the tostones were crispy and delicious.

Main Courses: Jay and Agnes had Mahi Mahi Tacos, which they both enjoyed. The Mahi Mahi was fresh and tasty, and the tacos were a somewhat flavorfully seasoned. 2/3 Yums.

Chuck had the soup of the day, which was corn and shrimp chowder with French fries. The soup was creamy and flavorful, with plenty of shrimp served room temp. 2.5/3 Yums.

Buck had the Mahi Mahi sandwich with pineapple coleslaw. The Mahi Mahi was cooked to perfection, and the pineapple coleslaw was a refreshing and delicious accompaniment. The pinapple coleslaw was missing a sweetness to give it a little kick. 2/3 Yums

Overall: We had a wonderful dining experience at Gators Dockside. The food was delicious, the service was near excellent, and the views of the port and cruise ships departing were amazing.

Caution to the wind. The menus take flight with occasional gust. When our table next to us, there menu launched from the wind and knocked over our drinks, Ashley was attentive to quicky sop up the split beverage and replace it. 2/3 WooHoo's

We would definitely recommend this restaurant to anyone looking for a great meal in Port Canaveral. Overall 2/3 Yums with service, food and atmosphere on the deck overlooking dockside to Port Canaveral. We all give Gators Dockside 2 out of 3 WooHoo's for service, atmosphere and the dining experience was 2/3 Yum...

Gator’s Portside is an incredible spot to enjoy a delicious meal while also taking in some truly spectacular views. One of the best features of this place is its location right by the water, where you can watch the cruise ships depart. During my visit, I had the pleasure of watching the Disney cruise set sail, along with another impressive ship, which made for a unique and enjoyable dining experience.

Now, let's talk about the food. The BBQ ribs were absolutely fantastic. They were incredibly tender and juicy, with just the right amount of smoky flavor. The meat practically fell off the bone, making every bite a delight. The BBQ sauce was flavorful and not overpowering, complementing the ribs perfectly. It’s definitely a dish that stands out on the menu and one that I would highly recommend to anyone visiting.

The restaurant’s atmosphere is laid-back and welcoming, and the staff was friendly and attentive, ensuring that we had everything we needed to enjoy our meal. While the view of the cruise ships is already a highlight, the combination of good food, great service, and stunning surroundings makes Gator’s Portside a perfect place to relax and enjoy a great meal.

If you're lucky enough to visit when a cruise ship is departing, it adds a magical touch to your dining experience. Watching the ships drift off into the horizon while sipping on a cold drink and enjoying those perfectly cooked ribs is something I won't forget. It’s not just about the food; it's about the whole experience.

Overall, Gator’s Portside offers a great mix of tasty food, beautiful scenery, and a welcoming environment. I’ll definitely be coming back for more, especially to try the ribs again and catch another breathtaking view of the...

We visited Gator's Portside last night to celebrate my husband's last week for active duty training with the USCG. He retires from the reserves in October and this is my first time joining him, since we live on the other coast. The atmosphere at Gator's was so fun. We enjoyed the music, which was at the perfect volume, and people and dog watching. My Pirate's Cove drink was fun and tasty. My husband got the Coral Reef, which he said tastes like a Jolly Rancher. But the reason I'm writing the review was because our server, Kenzie, was phenomenal. She explained the menu with detail and, when they were out of the craft beer my husband wanted, she checked the bar and apologized that their craft beers had been somewhat depleted, leaving a very limited list, but listed the selection that was left. She also saw us get up to try to take a selfie by the rail, and came to us immediately to take our photo without us even asking. Finally, I asked for the Ahi tuna entre. She warned me it was raw, and it was served as a large piece of fish, not sliced. I said I knew the ahi came just seared, but thought it odd that it would not be served in delicate slices. I chanced it. Kenzie brought it, and while the flavor was good, the presentation was unappealing. I also needed a steak knife to slice it. I suggested that she let the manager know that the dish would be better served sliced. Finally, at her suggestion, we ordered fried Oreos to go. Probably not the best take-out dessert as they really should be eaten hot, but they were fun and she did pack the ice cream and sauces separately. Just wanted to give a shout out to Kenzie for her...