17 Fantastic Fort Lauderdale Waterfront Restaurants To Visit
The best restaurants in Fort Lauderdale on the water will give you an incredible view with incredible food to boot! We’ve curated a list of 17 fantastic Fort Lauderdale waterfront restaurants that will have you salivating to plan your next Florida vacation in Fort Lauderdale!
With more than 50 restaurants lining the beautiful beachfront, you’ll find the best Fort Lauderdale waterfront restaurants for whatever you are in the mood for. Whether you’re looking for seafood, American cuisine or someplace romantic to take your date – there is no shortage of restaurants in Fort Lauderdale to choose from.
What makes Fort Lauderdale so unique? In the same way that Broadway actors love New York, celebrities and political figures love to hang out here!
The city is known for its prime location too, and there are many spectacular eateries right on the water.
The Best Waterfront Restaurants in Fort Lauderdale
These 17 waterfront restaurants are our go-to favorites when we visit Fort Lauderdale.
Burlock Coast
If you’re looking for an elegant or more luxe beach experience, the Ritz-Carlton’s Burlock Coast boasts seafood-intensive cuisine.
Enjoy a farm-to-table breakfast or Sunday brunch with glasses of champagne. Admire the turquoise water from the terrace.
The menu features locally sourced ingredients and delicious dishes.
It’s inside The Ritz-Carlton, 1 N Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd, Ft Lauderdale, Florida.
Southport Raw Bar & Restaurant
Southport Raw Bar & Restaurant is located in the center of Fort Lauderdale Beach and has been open for 50 years. It is best recognized for its innovative cuisine and exceptional service.
Its spectacular view and reasonable prices make it a popular restaurant with locals and tourists alike. In the mood for some juicy and succulent seafood? I recommend trying their Old Bay Shrimp or Fried Seafood Basket.
This is one Fort Lauderdale waterfront restaurant that will cook your fresh-caught fish upon arriving back from fishing any way you like it.
Enjoy waterfront dining here at Southport Raw Bar & Restaurant at 1536 Cordova Rd, Ft Lauderdale, Florida.
OCEAN 2000
Another favorite in Fort Lauderdale is OCEAN 2000. Located on the Atlantic Ocean, you can watch boats travel to and from the ocean while indulging in some of the best seafood on the east coast.
Enjoy fantastic food and a wonderful view of the Atlantic Ocean at OCEAN2000. There’s no need to look further if you’re searching for a seaside restaurant with fantastic seafood and exceptional service.
Ocean 2000 is located inside the Pelican Grand Beach Resort at 2000 N Ocean Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL.
El Vez
El Vez, a beachfront restaurant serving high-end Mexican cuisine with Baja-style dishes—it’s the ideal location to savor margaritas. Their menu for lunch includes Tacos al Carbon served with guacamole sauce that is, of course, simply fantastic!
Dine at 401 N Ft Lauderdale Beach Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL to enjoy a meal served by their amiable staff.
Ruth’s Chris Steak House
For a more traditional dining experience, head to Ruth’s Chris Steak House. Ruth’s Chris specializes in New York Strip steaks cooked over an open flame. It’s dinner that is delicious, and you’re guaranteed a top-notch dining experience.
This Fort Lauderdale restaurant has won numerous awards in the steakhouse industry, and it is, of course, well known for its seafood dishes.
Enjoy waterfront dining and cocktails here at 2525 N Federal Hwy, Ft Lauderdale, Florida.
Tinta
For a fun eating and dining experience during your stay in Ft Lauderdale, try Tinta, which serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Tinta offers a menu that changes daily and is perfect for weekend brunch. Try the machaca skillet and their crab omelette.
Find this perfect spot inside The Westin Beach Resort at 321 N Ft Lauderdale Beach Blvd, Ft Lauderdale, Florida.
Sea Watch On the Ocean
Right on the north end of the beachfront is The Sea Watch Restaurant. A dinner of fresh seafood or beef dishes? Well, they certainly don’t disappoint! The atmosphere, food, wine, and service, combined with the incredible views, make at Sea Watch our choice for one of the best romantic waterfront restaurants in Fort Lauderdale.
Sea Watch is a fine dining establishment that serves tasty meals. Their fresh lobster salad and scallop risotto are some of the most popular menu items!
This exquisite waterfront restaurant on 6002 N Ocean Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL, features stunning panoramic waterfront views, and an exciting menu, complete with fresh catches from the sea.
Listen to the water’s sound, and enjoy breathtaking vistas while dining on delicious food and sipping cocktails at this oceanside restaurant.
Casa Calabria
The most authentically Italian restaurant is Casa Calabria. You’ll leave happy with every meal, thanks to the wonderful wine, delectable food, and attentive service! Some excellent dishes to try are their Caprese Salad, Linguine Ai Frutti Di Mare and Tiramisu for dessert.
It’s on the Galt Ocean Mile and inside Ocean Manor Beach Resort at 4040 Galt Ocean Dr Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Wild Thyme Oceanside Eatery
Inside The Atlantic Hotel & Spa, Wild Thyme Oceanside Eatery is an eatery with an adult twist on a trendy boardwalk eating experience.
Steak and fresh seafood options are available for lunch and dinner. Dine on their Caprese salad and shrimp pasta — they’re both delish!
Go to 601 N Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL for great food, Wild Thyme Oceanside Eatery.
Riverside
15th Street Fisheries
Right in the heart of downtown on Las Olas Boulevard, 15th Street Fisheries is a fresh seafood eatery with a menu that changes daily.
Because of its proximity to the Port Everglades Inlet to the Atlantic Ocean, the waterfront views are amazing from here.
This modern eatery patio bar features a raw bar, sushi bar and a grill. People love the ceviche, oysters Rockefeller and traditional dishes such as lobster bisque and crab cakes.
The signature dish is lobster tails from their tank to watch them prepare in the open kitchen area.
You can find 15th Street Fisheries at 1900 SE 15th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL.
Boathouse at the Riverside
This is one of the finest restaurants on the water in Ft Lauderdale. The Boat House at the Riverside provides views of the New River and serves everything from filet mignon to jumbo shrimp scampi, all from a spectacular location.
Boat House Riverside restaurant has a vintage Florida vibe on the beach with wooden tables and chairs. Make sure you request one by the window so you can enjoy watching the boats go by while dining!
Their address is 620 SE 4th St, Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Casa Sensei
In the mood for Korean barbecue or hot pot? Have fun at Casa Sensei and savor their pan Asian menu selections in an outdoor terrace perfect for watching the sunset.
This pan Asian& Latin fusion establishment serves up Asian dishes such as sushi, Udon noodles and spicy Indian chicken while offering a variety of drinks.
Casa Sensei is at 1200 E Las Olas Blvd STE 101, Ft Lauderdale, FL.
Shooters Waterfront
Shooters Waterfront is one of Ft. Lauderdale’s Intercoastal waterway restaurants, and offers a beautiful environment to gather with your friends and have a wonderful waterfront dining experience. You’ll have ample time to admire the waterfront view of the Intracoastal waterway as you dine and chat with friends on their spacious outdoor area.
Shooters atmosphere is its greatest asset — the indoor spacious outdoor dining area the indoor dining room is large; outdoors, even bigger and has more seating. It’s both fine dining and a touch of the South Florida casual.
Happy hour is always a big draw, bringing in the after-work crowd looking for affordable eats with great drink specials to start the night.
Classic American food, but done very well and with high-quality local ingredients, is what makes Shooters Waterfront such a gem, and one of Fort Lauderdale’s.
The Ahi tuna entree has been among diners’ favorite dishes since Shooters opened in 2006. There are also steaks, seafood and salads for those who don’t love raw fish.
Get on a water taxi and stop at the restaurant at 3033 NE 32nd Ave Fort Lauderdale, FL.
Coconuts
Visitors and guests enjoy waterfront dining, breathtaking views of the Intracoastal Waterway and a tasty menu at Coconuts.
This restaurant is one of Ft Lauderdale’s most famous beach bars, with live music every day from 1 PM-6 PM to get you in that relaxed vacation mood. This waterfront restaurant is bright and colorful, with a vibrant party vibe.
You’ll feel like you’re on a Caribbean island while dining at this restaurant. Their conch fritters, coconut shrimp, and crab cakes are some of the specialties they serve.
Coconuts is one of our top choices when visiting, and for us the draw is that it is one of many Intercoastal waterway dining experiences in Fort Lauderdale.
Coconuts is right next door to the International Swimming Hall of Fame and the city marina at 429 Seabreeze Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL.
Pelican Landing
Pelican Landing is on the second floor of a three-story building, with unbeatable views of Pier Sixty-Six and the Intracoastal Waterway. You can anticipate fantastic sunset vistas and freshly caught fish served by friendly staff.
They offer lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch, as well as happy hours.
It’s a great place to dine on tasty Bahamian Conch Fritters, Pelican Garden Salad which comes with sweet coconut vinegar dressing, fish tacos, and brisket sandwiches to select from, in addition to a variety of excellent wines and cocktails.
You can find Pelican Landing at Pier Sixty-Six Marina, 2301 SE 17th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL.
Rivertail Restaurant
Offering a wide variety of offerings, including alligator and frog legs, Rivertail is a hip eatery with a lounge vibe. It’s also conveniently located on the Intracoastal Waterway.
They have live music from 9 PM-1 AM every night for an exciting ambience while you dine on spicy homemade gumbo and the classic peel and eat shrimp.
You can enjoy a lovely meal by the water or sip on your favorite cocktail out on their lounge deck at 4 W Las Olas Blvd Ste. 120, Fort Lauderdale, FL.
Wild Sea on Las Olas
The Wild Sea on Las Olas, in the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, is a seafood restaurant with fantastic views of the Intracoastal Waterway.
The Wild Sea on Las Olas, in the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino, is a seafood restaurant with fantastic views of the Intracoastal Waterway.
If you like live music while you dine, Wild Sea at 620 E Las Olas Blvd, Ft Lauderdale, Florida, has live Blues on Thursdays and Rockin’ Blues on Sundays.
Beachside Dining in Fort Lauderdale
Beachside dining can also be fun. Whether you prefer fine dining or casual dining, dining beachside in Fort Lauderdale offers gorgeous scenery, just right for a gathering with friends.
Spicy sums up Lulu’s Bait Shack. With flavorful food, great service, fabulous drinks, live music and a killer view right on the beach! Casual dining.
Casablanca Cafe
Casablanca has been our go-to for over ten years! Located beachside in Fort Lauderdale, on A1A, Casablanca is casual upscale dining. They offer an extensive wine list, a diverse culinary offering that is always fresh and flavorful, and a fantastic view of the beach from the second-floor porch. Casablanca is one of those restaurants that just begs guests to stay and linger over dinner.
They are always busy, so it is best to call for reservations – and on weekends, call the day before! They are open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. My hands-down favorite dish on the menu is their jumbo shrimp scampi – it makes my mouth water just thinking about it!
Other Nearby Waterfront Restaurants Where Fresh Seafood is King
Lauderdale-By-The-Sea (about 17 minutes away)
Blue Moon Fish Company
4405 W Tradewinds Ave, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, FL
Mulligan’s Beach House
14C Commercial Blvd, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, FL
Aruba Beach Cafe
1 East Commercial Boulevard, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, FL
Pompano Beach (about 17 minutes away)
Brew Fish Bar and Grill
200 E McNab Rd, Pompano Beach, FL
McCoy’s Oceanfront
1200 North Ocean Boulevard, Pompano Beach, FL
The Best Waterfront Restaurants in Fort Lauderdale
The best Fort Lauderdale waterfront restaurants offer a variety of cuisines and atmospheres. Luckily, if you are in the mood for waterfront dining, there is a wide selection of oceanside and riverside waterfront restaurants in Fort Lauderdale.
For those who want to explore more of Fort Lauderdale, take a food tour or water taxi to learn about this fascinating city.
Which one of these waterfront restaurants would you most like to dine at?
