My first real po’ boy in Florida came from a plain little counter where I expected nothing and left with sauce on my sleeve and a grin I couldn’t shake. The shrimp were so plentiful the roll could barely hold them together, and I understood right then why people drive out of their way for a sandwich.
All over Florida, from breezy bayside spots to fishing-shack counters, cooks are stacking golden fried shrimp on crackling bread like it’s an art form. Grab a stack of napkins, because these nine shops make a sandwich worth chasing.
1. Cafe Nola, Gulf Breeze, FL
Walk in expecting simple digs and TVs, and you’ll be shocked by how serious the sandwich is. Sitting near Quietwater Beach with a view of the bay, this spot leans hard into authentic New Orleans cooking, and the shrimp po’ boy is the headliner.
The portions here border on ridiculous, with a mountain of fried shrimp piled onto delicious French bread. Regulars swear by the fried oyster and shrimp combo, and the fully dressed blackened version keeps things interesting for anyone who likes a little heat.
Beyond the po’ boy, the menu reaches into Creole gumbo, red beans, charbroiled oysters, and fried green tomatoes. There’s even a full vegan menu and beignets for those with a sweet tooth.
Prices land in the friendly $10 to $20 range, and the vibe stays casual and family-friendly. Come Monday through Thursday morning if you like it quiet, or brave the Saturday and Sunday crowds when the place hums.
Free parking and outdoor seating make it an easy Panhandle stop.
2. Fogarty’s, Key West, FL
Right on famous Duval Street, this casual bar and grill turns a beach-town lunch into something memorable. The shrimp po’ boy comes with a caper remoulade and a toasted bun, and the buttery, saucy result has fans returning again and again.
What sets it apart is the garden dining setting, a leafy little escape from the Duval Street bustle. Pair the sandwich with fries, and you have a meal that feels like a true Key West afternoon.
The fried shrimp here pile up so high the bread can barely fold over the top. If you want to branch out, the Key Lime Shrimp in creamy cocktail sauce and the conch fritters are local favorites.
Doors stay open every day from 11 AM to 11 PM, with live music and a lively crowd. Parking near Duval is tight and paid, so plan to arrive early or walk in from your hotel.
Expect to spend around $20 to $30 per person for the full experience.
3. Shooters Waterfront, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Boats drift by while you eat, and that alone makes this Intracoastal spot special. Perched on the water in Fort Lauderdale, it blends breezy views with a po’ boy that punches well above its laid-back setting.
The shrimp po’ boy arrives stacked with crispy fried shrimp on a fresh French baguette, dressed with lettuce, tomato, and a spicy remoulade that gives it real character. The fries alongside earn their own praise.
This place carries a slightly more upscale feel than a typical shack, with romantic sunset seating, live music, and even valet parking. Weekend brunch is popular enough that reservations are recommended, so book ahead if you can.
Hours stretch from late morning into the evening seven days a week, with the busiest windows falling Friday through Sunday afternoons. If you want a shrimp po’ boy with a genuine water view, this is where coastal Broward County shows off.
4. Tibby’s New Orleans Kitchen, Winter Park, FL
Colorful walls and a Louisiana soundtrack set the mood before your food even arrives. This Winter Park kitchen specializes in Cajun-Creole classics, and its shrimp po’ boy is a standout in the greater Orlando area.
Order it and you’ll find a soft hoagie roll overloaded with crispy shrimp, generous enough that half a sandwich still feels like a full meal. The dirty rice on the side carries big, bold flavor.
The menu wanders happily into gator bites, shrimp and alligator cheesecake, chicken and waffles, and beignets with brandy sauce. Fried green tomatoes with dipping sauces round out the Southern comfort spread.
Expect a lively, trendy room that draws college students, families, and groups alike. Prices run about $20 to $30 per person, and brunch reservations are a smart move on weekends.
With free parking and dog-friendly outdoor seating, it’s an easy detour off Aloma Avenue.
5. Restaurant NOLA, Pensacola, FL
Downtown Pensacola hides a Cajun gem that treats the po’ boy like a promise kept. On East Gregory Street, this Louisiana-style eatery serves comfort food with real Gulf Coast soul.
The traditional fried shrimp po’ boy comes loaded to the edges, and diners rave about how the sandwich holds a small crowd of shrimp on every bite. A grilled shrimp half offers a lighter twist for those who prefer it that way.
Around the po’ boy, you’ll find creole gumbo with just the right spice, shrimp and grits, muffuletta, charbroiled oysters, and beignets to finish. Brunch here is a local weekend ritual.
Hours run 11 AM to 9 or 10 PM most days, quieter on weekday mornings and busiest on Friday and Saturday afternoons. Prices sit around $20 to $30 per person, and there’s plenty of parking both free and paid.
It’s a natural stop for anyone exploring the Panhandle’s historic core.
6. Shrimp & Co. Restaurant, Tampa, FL
Red-checkered tablecloths and a fishing-shack feel tell you this Tampa spot cares about the food, not the frills. Sitting on East 7th Avenue in Ybor, it mixes Gulf seafood with a Cajun twist and a touch of Puerto Rico.
Hand-battered shrimp arrive crispy and generous on soft, warm po’ boy bread, topped with a special house sauce that keeps regulars loyal. You can also get it grilled if you want a different flavor entirely.
The menu goes deep with Louisiana steam pots, shrimp-stuffed mofongo, shrimp empanadas, and soft shell crab sandwiches. It’s the kind of place where a work-trip lunch turns into a standing tradition.
Closed Mondays, the shop opens Tuesday through Sunday with cozy, quiet weekday hours. Prices land around $20 to $30 per person, free wi-fi is available, and there’s usually plenty of parking.
Bring the family, since kids are well taken care of here.
7. Shuck N Dive, Fort Lauderdale, FL
Sports on the TV, a buzzing patio, and a serious plate of New Orleans cooking make this North Federal Highway joint a Fort Lauderdale favorite. It leans into Cajun-Creole flavors without ever taking itself too seriously.
The fried shrimp po’ boy stars a Cajun batter that gives every bite a little kick, and the fried shrimp remoulade version is another way to enjoy it. A side of hushpuppies makes the meal feel complete.
Look past the sandwich and you’ll spot oysters Bienville, crawfish etouffee, garlic crab claws, gator meat burgers, and collard greens for the vegans in the group. Many say it beats the fancier chain restaurants nearby.
Closed Mondays, the kitchen runs Tuesday through Sunday with lively Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday evenings. Expect $20 to $30 per person, free parking, and a dog-friendly setup.
It’s a relaxed pick when you want big flavor without a big fuss.
8. Coosh’s | Bayou Rouge Restaurant, Tallahassee, FL
Serving the capital city since 2001, this brick-fronted Tallahassee spot has built a loyal following on Cajun cooking done right. The po’ boy shows up in a large bread roll built to handle a real pile of shrimp.
Crispy, flavorful, and well executed, the fried shrimp po’ boy fits neatly among a menu that ranges far and wide. You can start early too, since breakfast is served several days a week.
Fried gator po’ boys, jambalaya pasta, shrimp and grits, peel-and-eat shrimp, and chicken and biscuits with gravy all make appearances. Onion rings, fried pickles, and fried gator tail keep the appetizer lineup fun.
Prices are gentle at $10 to $20 per person, one of the friendlier tabs on this list. Hours vary by day, with early openings midweek and later closes on weekends.
Free parking, good sports viewing, and easygoing service make it a reliable North Florida choice.
9. Big Ray’s Fish Camp, Tampa, FL
Squeeze into this compact counter serve and you’ll feel like you wandered into a genuine fishing shack. Down on Interbay Boulevard in South Tampa, it packs a huge reputation into a tiny space with limited indoor seating.
The shrimp po’ boy here gets called one of the best around, fresh and super tasty with a golden crunch. Order it with onion rings and you’ve got a plate that disappears fast.
Beyond the po’ boy, the menu shines with blackened and fried grouper sandwiches, grouper cheeks, conch fritters, deviled crab, oyster po’ boys, and a smoked fish dip worth talking about. Fried Oreos wait for dessert.
Closed Mondays and with shorter Tuesday hours, the camp runs Wednesday through Sunday and doesn’t take reservations. Live entertainment adds to the fun, and there’s plenty of parking.
At around $20 to $30 per person, it’s a delicious finish to any Florida po’ boy tour.