9 Best Fort Lauderdale Beach Restaurants

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Between the salty smell of fresh sea air, the balmy breezes, and the soft soundtrack of waves lapping at the sandy shore, Fort Lauderdale beach restaurants are the best place in town to relax and enjoy a great meal. Whether you’re a beach bum or a lady who lunches, you’re sure to find a place that will please your palate with a side of scenic views.

Fort Lauderdale Beach Restaurants

With 23 miles of coastline in the area, there’s no shortage of Fort Lauderdale beach restaurants to choose from. Let the following list help you narrow it down.

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Casablanca Cafe

Date night is more charming than ever at the Mediterranean-themed Casablanca Cafe. Patio tables are hard to come by, but it’s worth waiting for one so you can soak in the scenery while you savor roasted eggplant ravioli with goat cheese or chili-dusted sea scallops with crispy plantains and chipotle-orange caramel sauce. Even if you end up sitting inside, the ambiance is charming; the building dates back to 1927, when it was the very first house built on Fort Lauderdale Beach.

Burlock Coast Seafare & Spirits

Burlock is a fascinating blend of Prohibition-era irreverence and waterfront ambiance stuck into the upscale surroundings of the Ritz-Carlton. Floor-to-ceiling windows bring the ocean-kissed horizon indoors, much to the delight of diners tucking into their Mamajuana Old Fashioneds and roasted striped bass with eggplant confit. There’s even a “Temperance Movement” section on the menu that highlights booze-free drinks such as the Celery Mule (ginger beer, lime, celery bitters, and a celery reduction).

Steak 954

Between the glowing jellyfish tank, the striking green decor, and the jaw-dropping beach views from the patio, it’s hard to know where to look when you’re dining at Steak 954. Luckily, it’s pretty easy to keep your eyes trained on your plate when the chef is serving up dishes like big-eye tuna with foie gras tacos or prime dry-aged bone-in ribeyes.

S3 Restaurant

S3’s motto is “where the sun, surf, and sand meet,” and that’s reflected in the eatery’s laid-back vibe. The dress code is casual, the decor is anything but stuffy, and the menu focuses on coastal cuisine with a few fun twists. The Scottish salmon comes with a quinoa apricot pilaf and shishito peppers, and there’s a tuna pizza, but perhaps the biggest surprise is how hard it’ll be to leave the colorful couches surrounding S3’s patio fire pit.

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Coconuts

The fact that you can drive your boat right up to Coconuts’ dock says it all. This place is all about fun and great food. The staff is welcoming, the view is framed by towering palm trees, and there’s a tiki bar where you can nosh on conch fritters and grilled jerk wings. Drop by on Tuesdays and Fridays for the outdoor paella special, or visit for Sunday brunch—the house Benedicts are some of the tastiest items you’ll find in all of the beachfront restaurants in Fort Lauderdale.

Shooters Waterfront

Shooters is outdoor dining at its best. Cozy cabanas intermingle with traditional tables on a lush green lawn that sits between the restaurant’s patio and the beach. There are lanterns to cast light on couples sharing a romantic dinner and palm trees to provide a little shade from the hot Florida sun, but the menu is the real draw. From the garlic-drenched artichoke hearts and sundried tomatoes in the Bucatini Mi Amore to the herbaceous punch of the Thai beef salad, Shooters is a culinary delight.

3030 Ocean

3030 Ocean has a lot going for it, starting with a chef—Adrienne Grenier—who knocked out the competition on Food Network’s Chopped and ending with dining room views of the waterfront. Surrender control to Grenier and her cohorts by opting for the chef’s Surprise Tasting Menu, or create your own four-plate tasting by choosing from dishes like albacore crudo, sauteed head-on Key West pink shrimp, Palmetto Creek Farm pork loin, or coriander-roasted swordfish.

Lulu’s Bait Shack

Let the good times roll at Lulu’s, a downhome joint that adds a little Creole spice to the roster of Fort Lauderdale beach restaurants. It’s swapped Bourbon Street for a spot on the beach, but fun and fishbowl cocktails are still on the menu. Sit at one of the high-top tables by the bar, order up the crawfish etouffee or jambalaya, and appreciate how great it feels to have good music at your back and a panoramic beach view in front of you.

Thai on the Beach

One of the best Fort Lauderdale beach restaurants is easy to miss, hidden away above a pizza place. But make the effort to find Thai on the Beach and you’ll be amply rewarded with memorable takes on authentic Thai dishes like nam sod—a zesty mix of ground chicken, ginger, chili, onions, peanuts, and lime juice—and coconutty green curry. There are a few Japanese-inspired picks, too, including a salmon tempura roll and a few versions of seaweed salad.

More from SmarterTravel:

• Fort Lauderdale Travel Guide
• The 6 Best Hotels in Fort Lauderdale
• The 5 Best Cheap Hotels in Fort Lauderdale
• The 7 Best Fort Lauderdale Beach Hotels
• Top 10 Fun Things to Do in Fort Lauderdale
• The Top 9 Must-See Fort Lauderdale Attractions
• 9 Best Fort Lauderdale Golf Courses
• 10 Best Fort Lauderdale Restaurants
• Best Cheap Eats in Fort Lauderdale
• What to Wear in Florida
• What to Pack for Florida

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