Seafood Restaurants You Must Try in Greater Fort Lauderdale

By Christie Galeano-DeMott

Greater Fort Lauderdale’s dining scene is bursting with restaurants, each offering its own unique flavors. Thanks to our oceanside location, we’re proud to have a variety of eateries serving some of the best seafood around in diverse settings, from unobstructed ocean and mega-yacht views to posh hotels and swanky city haunts.

Yacht Views

Recognized as the yachting capital of the world, Fort Lauderdale has a slew of dining options where you can gaze on the water and enjoy a fresh catch. 

Boatyard, located on the 17th Street Causeway, offers contemporary seafood dishes in a sleek, nautical setting. The restaurant, which serves lunch, dinner, and a great bottomless brunch on Sunday, has plenty of indoor and outdoor seating and a fun dockside bar. 

Nestled inside the Lauderdale Marine Center, YOT Bar & Kitchen has a seafood-centric menu but also has plenty of dishes for everyone’s palate, from salads to burgers. The restaurant’s coolest feature is the dock bar that gracefully floats amongst glistening giant yachts.

Elsewhere, Miami’s celebrity chef Jose Mendin has ventured up to Fort Lauderdale to open Rivertail. The James Beard-nominated chef created a cool vibe at the riverfront eatery that pairs perfectly with its globally inspired comfort dishes. If you’re looking for something that is a little more relaxed, try Southport Raw Bar. The iconic Fort Lauderdale waterfront tavern specializes in shellfish in a casual atmosphere.

Oceanside

If you’re searching for seaside views with your meal, then Greater Fort Lauderdale is the place to be. 

Deerfield Beach’s casual waterfront restaurant, JB’s on the Beach is a great spot for a sunset happy hour, fun night out, or a sunny Sunday brunch. Regardless of what day you visit, count on beautiful ocean views and lively musical entertainment to complement your meal. 

Over on Fort Lauderdale beachSun Surf Sand, or S3 as it is known locally, serves a variety of internationally inspired shareable plates that pay tribute to its name. Think fresh sushi, wood-fired octopus, and salmon pad Thai.

If you’re searching for seafood in Pompano Beach, it’s booming with waterfront venues like the casual and fun Beach House Pompano. The two-story restaurant features two separate dining areas and a dynamic bar with stadium-seating that’s perfect for lazy Sundays. Also located near the pier, Oceanic serves lunch, dinner, and brunch in a sophisticated nautical setting with sprawling ocean views.

Posh Hotel Restaurants

Long gone are the days of drab hotel lobby restaurants. Greater Fort Lauderdale’s hospitality scene is thriving with trendy hot spots that capture the culinary imagination of both visitors and locals. 

In Hollywood, Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort has several dining options including the upscale JWB Prime Steak and Seafood and the more casual beachfront option LandShark Bar & Grill. A couple of miles south, Point Royal, featuring celebrity chef Geoffrey Zakarian’s contemporary coastal cuisine, graces the lobby of The Diplomat Beach Resort

At the beachfront Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa, 3030 Ocean serves classic American seafood dishes with a modern twist in a classy bistro setting. If you’re feeling adventurous try the chef’s surprise tasting menu—you won’t be disappointed. At the always trendy, W Fort Lauderdale, the house restaurant’s name may beckon to meat-eaters, but Steak 954 has an array of wonderful seafood selections including a towering seafood platter and raw bar.

Out on the Town

While waterfront dining may be an obvious choice here in Greater Fort Lauderdale, we have plenty of incredible restaurants that may not have a sea view, but offer a unique experience that should not be missed.

Lobster Bar Sea Grille is a gorgeous restaurant that’s located in the heart of Las Olas. It has a lively happy hour around its spacious bar and serves lunch and dinner. If you’re hungry, try the three-course lobster or seafood dinner; each comes with several tasty options to choose from. Also on Las Olas, Wild Sea offers oysters, lobster, and scallops, plus a kids' menu and lunch specials.

From the moment you step into The Capital Grille, the experience is one of comfortable elegance. Located on the first level of The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale, the restaurant serves the freshest seafood, masterfully prepared in recipes designed to engage all of your senses.

Tucked inside a shopping center on Oakland Park Boulevard, Café Seville will transport you to the land of seafood paella and sangria. The Spanish restaurant is a local favorite and features a nightly menu of specials that should not be missed.

If you’re looking for a wine experience to pair with your seafood, head over to Cooper’s Hawk Winery & Restaurant. Featuring a Napa-style tasting room for a fun wine tasting before dinner, the restaurant has a tasty seafood menu including signature dishes like pistachio-crusted grouper, blackened ahi tuna, and fish and chips.

With so many seafood restaurants in Greater Fort Lauderdale, there’s definitely something for everyone.