12 Best Waterfront Dining Restaurants In Fort Lauderdale, Florida - Updated 2024

1. Rendezvous Bar and Grill

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At this waterfront bar in Fort Lauderdale, appetizers tantalize the senses with choices such calamari and beef satay. The bacon-wrapped scallops unite smoky bacon with succulent scallops, creating a harmonious duet. The lobster and shrimp linguini is a medley of oceanic delights, enveloped in creamy pasta, while the cajun chicken penne pasta ignites the palate with a spicy flair.

When it comes to entrees, the 1-lb (0.45-kg) king crab reigns supreme, served steamed and ready to be savored. The mahi can be prepared to your liking - grilled, blackened, or fried, ensuring a taste that suits your preference. The shrimp po’ boy, a Southern favorite, combines crispy shrimp with fresh lettuce, tomato, and a flavorful remoulade sauce. Those seeking a comforting bowl of soup can try the rich and creamy New England clam chowder and the savory delight of French onion.

Rendezvous Bar and Grill

Address: 2525 Marina Bay Dr W, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312, United States

Website: Rendezvous Bar and Grill

Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 9am - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 9am - 11pm

2. Boathouse At The Riverside

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Start your gastronomic journey at Boathouse At The Riverside with hot appetizers, such as the tantalizing honey Brussels sprouts that offer a harmonious blend of sweet and savory. The whiskey-glazed wings are a flavor-packed delight, perfect for those craving a touch of heat. For a refreshing beginning, the chilled appetizers include the sesame-seared ahi tuna and classic guacamole that’s a fresh, zesty favorite.

Seafood lovers are in for a treat with the snapper chimichurri and the scallop risotto, both showcasing the freshest catch. The rosemary-infused flatbreads offer a medley of flavors, and the Korean stir fry and southwest chicken pasta add an international flair to the menu. Steak lovers will revel in the succulent Hawaiian ribeye. To end your meal on a sweet note, indulge in the decadent chocolate truffle cake or the classic key lime pie.

Boathouse At The Riverside

Address: 620 SE 4th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301, United States

Website: Boathouse At The Riverside

Opening hours: 11am - 10pm (daily)

3. Aruba Beach Cafe

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Aruba Beach Cafe offers Caribbean-style drinks and good food amidst swaying palm trees - the perfect spot after a day on the beach. Experience the islands with three friendly bars where live island music is played. This casual restaurant offers both indoor and outdoor dining with a menu of soups, salads, steaks, and burgers, not to mention a range of entrees and desserts. There is a good range of wines and other drinks to help wash down your meal.

Aruba Beach Cafe

Address: 1 Commercial Blvd, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, FL 33308, United States

Website: Aruba Beach Cafe

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 11am - 1am; Sun: 10am - 1am

4. Coconuts

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Coconuts waterfront restaurant is right on the beach. You can moor your boat at their dock and enjoy the relaxed, fun atmosphere while tucking into delicious dishes and choosing drinks from the best wine list. Tuesday and Friday nights, tuck into Nelson’s outdoor setting or enjoy a Sunday brunch. At this Fort Lauderdale restaurant on the water, menu items include a range of seafood dishes, burgers, steaks, and salads. Seasonal vegetable dishes are available for vegetarians.

Coconuts

Address: 429 Seabreeze Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA

Website: Coconuts

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 11:30am - 10pm; Sun: 10am - 10pm

5. Blue Moon Fish Co.

Blue Moon Fish Co. offers up a fusion of Florida’s catch of the day with Louisiana flavors. This beachfront restaurant in Fort Lauderdale has been running for 20 years. Serving lunch, dinner, and Sunday Brunch, this waterfront restaurant offers a variety of seafood, steak, burgers, and tasty chicken dishes, along with salads and the best desserts, including key lime pie. There is also an impressive wine list to browse for the best accompaniment to your meal.

Blue Moon Fish Co.

Address: 4405 W. Tradewinds Ave., Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, Florida, USA

Website: Blue Moon Fish Company

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 11:30am - 10pm; Sun: 11am - 3pm, 6pm - 10pm

6. Kaluz

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Kaluz is one of the best ocean-view restaurants in Fort Lauderdale. Serving lunch, dinner, and cocktails, Kaluz is right on the waterfront. A selection of entrees, flatbreads, salads, and side dishes complement the fish, chicken, and beef dishes, along with burgers, pork chops, and Danish ribs in this romantic restaurant with oceanfront views. Choose from a mouth-watering selection of desserts and an impressive wine list to complete your waterfront dining experience.

Kaluz Fort Lauderdale

Address: 3300 E. Commercial Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA

Website: Kaluz Fort Lauderdale

Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 11:30am - 10pm; Fri - Sat: 11:30am - 11pm

7. Shooters Waterfront

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Shooters Waterfront has been running on the Intracoastal Waterway since 1982. The restaurant is elegant and stylish with an eclectic menu of fresh seafood and inventive cocktails. Apart from private dining, the place also offers an outdoor dining concept with stunning waterfront views. Dock your boat in front of the restaurant and relax, enjoying brunch, lunch, or dinner. Besides the seafood, popular menu items also include soups and salads, burgers, and sandwiches. Don’t miss the bottomless drinks while you are here!

Shooters Waterfront

Address: 3033 NE 32 Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA

Website: Shooters Waterfront

8. Boatyard

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Boatyard is an attractively decorated restaurant with an outdoor terrace on the dockside and an upscale nautical vibe and with direct views of the Intracoastal Waterway. The restaurant has a raw bar and serves a selection of shellfish dishes and prime cuts of meat. Its outdoor seating lets guests enjoy their happy hour menu and delicious cocktails while watching the boats go by. Private dining is available in the restaurant as well. 

Boatyard

Address: 1555 SE 17th Street, Fort Lauderdale

Website: Boatyard

Opening hours: Mon - Tue: 11:30am - 10pm; Wed - Fri: 11:30am - 11pm; Sat: 10am - 11pm; Sun: 10am - 10pm

9. 15th Street Fisheries

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

15th Street Fisheries is located in Lauderdale Marina. This seafood restaurant is close to the 17th Street bridge and the Port Everglades inlet to the Atlantic Ocean, and it offers two levels of dining. Enjoy dinner upstairs in the restaurant and savor fresh seafood and other specialties, or have a more casual dining experience downstairs with dockside views. Every Sunday, 15th Street Fisheries offers a Liquid Brunch selection of cocktails.

15th Street Fisheries

Address: 1900 SE 15th St., Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA

Website: 15th Street Fisheries

Opening hours: 11:30am - 9:30pm (daily)

10. Sea Watch On the Ocean

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Sea Watch On the Ocean is a popular destination and historic landmark restaurant in Fort Lauderdale offering waterfront dining with incredible views. It also has outdoor tables and seating that overlook three acres of unspoiled beach. Renowned for its seafood, the restaurant is open for brunch, lunch, and dinner. Steamed clams and mussels, smoked salmon tartine, crab cakes, and a chilled seafood tower are just some of the dishes available. Soups, chowders, and salads are the ideal starters. Sea Watch On the Ocean also has an excellent wine list and a range of other drinks and handcrafted cocktails for your oceanfront dining.

Sea Watch On the Ocean

Address: 6002 North Ocean Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA

Website: Sea Watch On the Ocean

Opening hours: Sun - Thu: 11:30am - 3:30pm, 5pm - 9pm; Fri - Sat: 11:30am -3:30pm, 5pm - 10pm

11. Pelican Landing

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Pelican Landing is situated two stories up and offers beautiful views of Pier Sixty-Six and the Intracoastal Waterway. Amazing sunset views and freshly caught seafood are two things you can expect from this restaurant. They offer lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch as well as happy hours. Besides the seafood, they have meatballs, fish tacos, and brisket sandwiches to enjoy, along with a range of good wines and handcrafted cocktails at the rooftop bar. Invite your friends here for drinks and delicious food while in Fort Lauderdale!

Pelican Landing

Address: Pier Sixty-Six Marina, 2301 SE 17th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316, United States

12. Grille 66 and Bar

Editor’s note: Establishment is permanently closed

Grille 66 and Bar offers dining with a beautiful water view of the Intracoastal Waterway. Dine on the freshest seafood or prime, 28-day aged beef, along with appetizers, Maryland crabcakes, lobster, shrimp, and calamari dishes. There are also steaks, pork chops, and a variety of side dishes, appetizers, and seasonal desserts.

Grille 66 and Bar

Address: Pier Sixty-Six Marina, 2301 SE 17th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316, United States

Life on the waterfront in Fort Lauderdale

Whether strolling on The Strip​ or boating on the Intracoastal Waterway, there is nothing quite like waterfront dining in one of the romantic restaurants in Fort Lauderdale on the water. Check out any of these amazing restaurants on your next visit to this summer paradise! There are Asian restaurants and halal restaurants found in Fort Lauderdale that offer amazing dining scenes as well.