Waterfront dining is one of the true pleasures of Venice life. Enjoying a meal with a breeze off the water and a view of the Gulf, can elevate the spirit. The Crow’s Nest Restaurant & Marina, celebrating 50 years in 2026, and Sharky’s on the Pier, serving diners since 1987, have made that experience an enduring Venice tradition.
The Crow’s Nest Restaurant & Marina
Situated along the Venice Inlet and Intracoastal Waterway, The Crow’s Nest has welcomed generations of diners since 1976. Manager Danielle Posniewski has seen plenty of that history herself. She started as a busser 16 years ago and worked her way up.
“This restaurant is a part of Venice’s history,” she said.
She regularly hears stories that prove the point. “I have had people tell me they used to come here with their grandparents as a kid, and now they want to bring their kids or even grandkids,” she said.
That continuity extends to behind the scenes. When its original owner sold the business after 40 years, much of the staff remained and many longtime menu favorites stayed put. “We knew we were doing something right, and we kept with that,” Posniewski said.
Part of The Crow’s Nest’s appeal is providing two dining experiences under one roof. Downstairs, the Tavern offers a casual gathering place for fresh fried seafood, sandwiches and its famous One Way Salad.
Upstairs, Posniewski said, “is where the romance is.” The restaurant offers casual fine dining, with seafood entrees, hand-cut steaks, an extensive wine list and broad views of the Venice Inlet and Intracoastal Waterway.
And with a full-service marina just outside, guests can arrive by boat as easily as by car. It all adds to The Crow’s Nest’s place in Venice: part restaurant, part gathering spot and, after 50 years, part of the city’s history.
Sharky’s on the Pier & Fins at Sharky’s
Sharky’s on the Pier has been family-run since Mike Pachota opened it in 1987. Today, his son Justin Pachota, president and owner of Venice Pier Group, carries on the tradition.
Nearly four decades on, Justin sees second- and third-generation guests returning to a place they remember as a classic Venice beach destination.
Set directly on the Gulf beside the Venice Fishing Pier, Sharky’s is casual, lively and “meant for everyone,” said Justin. Frozen drinks and cold beer, live entertainment and what he calls “elevated beach fare” fit naturally with the sand, Gulf views and come-as-you-are atmosphere.
It’s also more than a place to stop for a meal. A day here might include time on the beach, fishing from the pier and lunch at Sharky’s before moving next door for dinner at Fins at Sharky’s.
Opened in 2013, Fins expanded the experience with a “polished casual” alternative. Prime steaks, fresh seafood, sushi and handcrafted cocktails make it equally suited to date night or a special celebration, with expansive Gulf views keeping the waterfront front and center.
In all, Sharky’s and Fins offer two different ways to enjoy one of Venice’s best-known waterfront settings. Together with The Crow’s Nest, these area treasures are long-standing local traditions, bringing generations of diners back to Venice and onto the water.