Brian Nagele
Fort Lauderdale is one of the many gorgeous hotspots for tourism along the Atlantic Coast of Florida that people flock to from all over the world.
The city is full of attractions that draw in thousands of visitors every year like beautiful beaches and clear waters, not to mention the shopping malls and luxury resorts.
What made me fall in love with Fort Lauderdale is the restaurant scene, especially the waterfront restaurants.
Having a high-quality meal by the water is an unbeatable experience that everyone needs to have when they come to town.
In order to help out my fellow foodies that might be headed towards Fort Lauderdale, I decided to put together a list of what I think are the best waterfront restaurants in Fort Lauderdale.
Right down below, you’ll find a thorough guide ranking all the restaurants in Fort Lauderdale with waterfront views.
That way, you’ll know exactly where to go the next time you’re headed out to eat.
15th Street Fisheries
1900 SE 15th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
Phone: 954-763-2777
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Next up, it’s 15th Street Fisheries. This place is a long-time fixture of Fort Lauderdale that you really don’t want to miss out on.
As the name implies, you’ll find this waterfront spot off of 15th Street in the Lauderdale Harbors neighborhood, directly across the canal from the luxurious Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina.
When you get here, you simply have to get some of the fresh seafood since it was probably caught right offshore nearby.
Alternatively, if seafood doesn’t suit your fancy, there are plenty of other delicious options like a tender filet mignon.
Coconuts
429 Seabreeze Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Phone: 954-525-2421
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This next place is called Coconuts and they’re located off of Seabreeze Boulevard near Las Olas Beach, just north of the International Swimming Hall of Fame Museum and right across the street from the Courtyard by Marriott Fort Lauderdale Beach hotel.
What I find to be the most appealing about Coconuts is the open-air atmosphere of the restaurant and the wonderful view of the marina and the Intracoastal waterway where you can watch the marine traffic go by.
I recommend trying the local fish of the day when you get to Coconuts, either grilled or blackened. Either that or the jambalaya.
Casablanca Cafe
3049 Alhambra St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
Phone: 954-764-3500
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Casablanca Cafe is another great place to stop by for dinner anytime you’re in Fort Lauderdale.
This place is the perfect mixture of classy and fun, not to mention the food is simply divine.
You can find this incredible restaurant off of Alhambra street, right next to the Snooze Hotel.
So, if you’re staying nearby, this is the perfect place to do dinner!
Shooter’s Waterfront
3033 NE 32nd Ave, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308
Phone: 954-566-2855
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Shooter’s Waterfront is an immensely popular restaurant that you can find overlooking the Intracoastal Waterway in the Lauderdale Beach neighborhood.
If you’ve never been to Shooter’s, then you’re really doing yourself a disservice, but don’t worry, that’s easily fixed.
When you head on down to Shooter’s, I think you should give the brunch menu a try if you’re looking for a fun weekend experience.
They also offer lunch and dinner as well that’s equally spectacular.
My favorite thing to order from Shooter’s is a platter of fresh oysters complete with their delectable mignonette, horseradish, and cocktail sauce.
Kaluz
3300 E Commercial Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308
Phone: 954-772-2209
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This next place is called Kaluz and they’re right near the Landings neighborhood off of East Commercial Boulevard.
Kaluz is an extremely popular local spot for fresh seafood and top-notch steaks, so it’s easy to see why so many people love coming here.
I always opt to sit outdoors by the water when I eat here at Kaluz.
They have a beautiful and spacious outdoor dining area that provides phenomenal views of the water. However, the indoor dining room also offers a charming atmosphere.
I usually go for the Prime New York strip steak when I come to Kaluz, but not before starting with the tuna tartare.
Blue Moon Fish Co.
4405 W Tradewinds Ave, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, FL 33308
Phone: 954-267-9888
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Blue Moon Fish Co. is actually situated almost directly across the canal from the last restaurant, Kaluz, off of West Tradewinds Avenue in the Lauderdale-By-The-Sea neighborhood.
What I love about this place the most is the raw bar selection that they offer. It’s one of the best in town if you ask me.
You can get a seafood tower that consists of an assortment of their fresh, seasonal shellfish like oysters, clams, ceviche, jumbo shrimp, tuna poke, and a scrumptious lump crab cocktail.
If you want something other than seafood, they have some really interesting options I recommend like the Moroccan spiced rack of lamb.
Aruba Beach Cafe
1 Commercial Blvd, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, FL 33308
Phone: 954-776-0001
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The next place I want to mention on my list is called Aruba Beach Cafe. You’re going to love this place as much as I did, I think.
The restaurant is nestled right in the soft sugar sands of Lauderdale-By-The-Sea Beach, looking out into the Atlantic Ocean.
You couldn’t ask for a better view of the water.
It’s important to start with their famous Bimini Bread when you come to visit Aruba Beach Cafe.
They bake their bread fresh every single day and they put their signature Aruba glaze with whipped honey butter on it that will have you wanting more and more.
Boathouse
620 SE 4th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
Phone: 954-377-5494
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Right off of Southeast 4th Street, right across from the Riverside Hotel Fort Lauderdale, and close by to the Historic Stranahan House Museum is Boathouse.
A fitting name for a waterfront restaurant like this.
This place is a stylish New-American restaurant with a delightful Mediterranean influence that’s very apparent in their cuisine.
Everything on the menu here is delectable, so no matter what you get, you’re bound to be satisfied.
What I love most about Boathouse is that if you’re out on a boat and you get hungry, you can simply tie up to their dock and come in for a bite to eat!
S3
505 N Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd Suite S, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
Phone: 954-523-7873
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Up next, we have S3 which stands for Sun Surf Sand. If you’re looking for a waterfront restaurant that’s also right in the heart of the action, you need to check this place out.
S3 is located in the Central Beach neighborhood where all the nicest places to stay in Fort Lauderdale are.
S3 itself is actually located inside the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort, right across the street from the W Fort Lauderdale.
I think you should try coming here for brunch on the weekends. I find that there’s really no better way to start the day than with a delicious waterfront brunch.
Sea Watch On the Ocean
6002 N Ocean Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308
Phone: 954-781-2200
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Just north of the Sea Ranch Lakes neighborhood on North Ocean Boulevard is a gorgeous standalone restaurant situated right on the shoreline of the Atlantic Ocean called Sea Watch on the Ocean.
This place has unbeatable views of the water from inside their incredibly cozy dining room.
This has to be one of my favorite places to eat dinner when I’m in Fort Lauderdale. I always go for “The Original Sea Watch Medley” main course.
It consists of white wine-broiled lobster tail, shrimp, and scallops all brushed with savory garlic butter. It’s got pretty much everything you need!
OCEAN2000
2000 N Ocean Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33305
Phone: 954-556-7667
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Up next is Ocean 2000 and this place has never disappointed me.
The view of the ocean from their spacious veranda really enhances the experience of dining here and enjoying the unique menu that they’ve concocted.
I really enjoy the breakfast here at OCEAN2000 because they have some Benedicts that are truly out of this world.
I’d say my favorite one is the blue crab cake Benedict.
Look for OCEAN2000 inside the Pelican Grand Beach Resort, right off of North Ocean Boulevard, not far from Hugh Taylor Birch State Park. It’s the perfect place to eat if you’re staying in the area.
Tinta
321 N Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
Phone: 954-245-3063
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Tinta is the next place I want to talk about and I think you’ll quickly see why I believe this is one of Fort Lauderdale’s best waterfront restaurants.
This place is amazing when you want to eat breakfast by the water, and be honest, when would you not want that?
Tinta is so laid-back and chill that you’ll want to relax there all day long, except they close at 11 AM, so you’ve only got a few hours!
I recommend trying the Yucatan omelet or the smoked salmon Benedict when you eat here, but there are so many other options to choose from.
Boatyard
1555 SE 17th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
Phone: 954-525-7400
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Next up, we have Boatyard. I love Boatyard because they have a wood-burning grill that they use to cook some of their dishes on and it makes all the difference in the world.
You can really taste the delicious smoky flavor from the wood that they use.
I usually go for either grilled fish or a grilled steak from Boatyard. I really like their selection of cuts like the NY strip and the flatiron steak.
Check out Boatyard off of Southeast 17th Street near the Renaissance Fort Lauderdale Marina Hotel, overlooking the canals of Lauderdale Harbours.
Burlock Coast
1 N Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304
Phone: 954-302-6460
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If you happen to have the pleasure of staying at The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale, then Burlock Coast is probably one of the first places you’re going to want to dine at.
Even if you’re not staying at The Ritz, though, this is still a place you should strongly consider the next time you want a delicious meal with a waterfront view of Sebastian Street Beach.
What stood out to me when I dined at Burlock Coast was the gorgeous ambiance and decorating style of the restaurant, but then the food quickly took the spotlight.
I had the whole fish of the day and it was incredible.
Southport Raw Bar & Restaurant
1536 Cordova Rd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
Phone: 954-525-2526
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Southport Raw Bar & Restaurant is up next on my list and this is not one you want to miss out on, especially if you want some fresh oysters.
You can get them grilled or just eat them raw with some hot sauce like how I prefer them.
This restaurant is located near the Lauderdale Harbours neighborhood and it’s perfect for any hungry mariners out there because of the restaurant-side dock that they allow their patrons to make use of.
Southport Raw Bar is a great place to grab lunch, but they also serve breakfast as well.
So, if you’re getting ready to head out on the boat for the day, stop by here to fuel yourself up first!
3030 Ocean Restaurant & Bar
3030 Holiday Dr, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
Phone: 954-765-3030
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Last, but surely not least, is the 3030 Ocean Restaurant & Bar that you can find inside the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa off of Holiday Drive, not far from where the Jungle Queen Riverboat comes to port.
What I recommend from 3030 Ocean is always the Chef’s Surprise Tasting Menu with a wine pairing, of course.
This one is for the entire table and it’s a whole experience unlike any other that you would get from a different restaurant.
Don’t worry, though, they have plenty of other delicious dishes like steak and whole grilled fish that I would recommend as well.
It should come as no surprise that a coastal gem of a city like Fort Lauderdale would be rich in waterfront restaurants.
You can even choose whether you want to look out at the Atlantic Ocean or the Intracoastal Waterway while you eat, there are that many options.
Hopefully, this guide will point you in the right direction for your next waterfront dining experience.
If none of these waterfront restaurants in Fort Lauderdale interest you, check out these seafood spots for even more great options!
Did we leave a restaurant out of this list? Make sure you leave us a comment and we’ll check it out!
The Deep is one of my most favorite ocean side restaurants.
I would recommend adding Casablanca to your list.
Casablanca should be at the top of the list.
Gonna have to hustle , only been to 4.
Looking forward to next trip , end of Sept.
Wish me luck trying many more .
And a ” Thank You ” too !
Anglins beach cafe on the beach outdoor dinning
Great food open for breakfast lunch and dinner
Great selections of craft beer best lobster roll
nice one,thank you