Best Restaurants for People Watching in Lauderdale by the Sea

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanItalianSeafoodPizzeriaTapas / Small PlatesGrill

Regions

Fort Lauderdale CentralFort Lauderdale East

Neighbourhoods

Central BeachColee HammockFlagler VillageLauderdale BeachLauderdale by the SeaPoinciana Park

Top Rated

CharmingGood for business mealsGood for groupsGood for special occasionsGreat for brunchGreat for craft beer

Dining Options

All dining options

Delivery only

Takeout only

Seating Options

BarCounterStandardHigh TopOutdoor

Accessibility

Wheelchair access

13 restaurants available nearby

1. 101 Ocean

4.3

Awesome(194)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• American • Lauderdale by the Sea

Booked 3 times today

Thanks for visiting the 101 Ocean website. Our restaurant is located right in the heart of picturesque Lauderdale by the Sea and we"re just 50 yards from the beach.Our goal is to provide quality food and service at very affordable prices in casual, relaxed and beautiful surroundings. 101 Ocean is a casual yet classy restaurant with excellent food and an atmosphere that's always fun and entertaining.We have a huge outdoor bar and inside we have a 10' HD Television Screen. Our restaurant welcomes everyone - we very much hope you'll visit us soon!*****Book your Christmas Eve and Christmas Day Reservations Now! - Please Call us for Groups of 6 or More.****We take reservations for inside seating only. Outside seating is on a strict first come first serve basis.

A photo of Shooters Waterfront restaurant

2. Shooters Waterfront

4.5

Awesome(7805)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Lauderdale Beach

Booked 247 times today

A lot has changed since 1982; but despite Fort Lauderdale’s evolution, one restaurant on the Intracoastal has been there every step of the way. With its dockside views, fresh seafood, and lively events — all served up in a relaxed environment — Shooters Waterfront is a Florida icon. There’s a reason behind our longevity: We invite you to see for yourself.

A photo of DUNE By Laurent Tourondel restaurant

3. DUNE By Laurent Tourondel

4.2

Awesome(4062)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Contemporary American • Lauderdale Beach

Booked 62 times today

DUNE by Laurent Tourondel, named 2022 Best Restaurant (Fort Lauderdale) by Miami New Times, is one of South Florida’s most desirable oceanfront dining experiences. Enjoy an inspiring new menu and newly designed space by the illustrious Alfredo Paredes Studio. DUNE by LT will become your new favorites, featuring unparalleled ocean views and covoted beachfront dining access. DUNE by Laurent Tourondel is South Florida’s only celebrity chef-driven oceanfront restaurant and special event venues able to accommodate social, corporate gatherings, beachfront weddings, and other special occasions from 10 - 500 people with customized menus by Chef Laurent Tourondel in addition to oceanfront meetings and events. A private wine room is available by reservation in addition to semi-private and private spaces and dining rooms with full audio/visual and sound capabilities for seamless presentations.We look forward to hosting you at DUNE. A WeChef Hospitality dining concept.

4. Burlock Coast

4.7

Exceptional(1548)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Farm-to-table • Central Beach

Booked 43 times today

Offering modern coastal fare with a distinctly local undercurrent, Burlock Coast is an innovative restaurant-cafe-market-bar that channels the creativity of Prohibition era rumrunners. At the helm of Burlock Coast is Culinary & Beverage Director Paula DaSilva delivering only the highest quality seafood and produce as well as hand-crafted cocktails. Chef de Cuisine Adrienne Grenier drives the menu and evolves it seasonally and with daily specials. Floor to ceiling windows and open-air bar, expansive patio seating and breath-taking views of the Atlantic Ocean, Burlock Coast has been named one of the best restaurants on the beach. 20% service charge for parties of 6 or more will be added to the check. Please adjust at your discretion. For intimate occasions, celebrations or entertaining clients, we invite you to host your event in one of our private dining rooms. Contact us at (954) 302-6430 or email steve.mulch@ritzcarlton.com for more information regarding our private spaces.

5. Cafe Ibiza

4.7

Exceptional(278)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Mediterranean • Central Beach

Booked 2 times today

Cafe Ibiza is the perfect balance of authentic flavors, warm hospitality, and an engaging atmosphere. Featuring an all-day menu of fresh seafood, homemade pasta, chilled salads, and entree sandwiches, our warm and inviting oceanfront restaurant offers patio and indoor dining. Slip in for a cocktail at the bar or spend the night enjoying some of the best live music on Fort Lauderdale Beach.

6. Lulu's Bait Shack

4.2

Awesome(15)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Grill • Central Beach

Booked 2 times today

Designed as an after work gathering spot each night of the week, Lulu's Bait Shack features live music and theme evenings that include industry nights for professional networking, wine nights, country western nights and more. Serving signature cocktails in bear shaped mugs and souvenir fishbowls, Lulu's Bait Shack also has a huge bar list with wines and beer to accompany the tasty foods.

A photo of Louie Bossi Ristorante - Fort Lauderdale restaurant

7. Louie Bossi Ristorante - Fort Lauderdale

4.7

Exceptional(6714)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Italian • Colee Hammock

Booked 204 times today

Louie Bossi's Ristorante, Bar & Pizzeria is a high-energy Italian eatery located on the famed Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale. Everything on the menu is made from scratch using only the freshest ingredients. Chef Louie Bossi serves delicious house made pastas, wood burning Neapolitan pizzas, home cooked Sicilian comfort food and of course, Chef Louie's famous house cured salumi. From the hearth baked bread and artisan jams to handmade pastas and pizza dough, gelato and crema di limoncello, everything is house made using the time honored methods of old world Italian chefs.

8. Sparrow

4.2

Awesome(834)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Asian • Flagler Village

Booked 9 times today

A sky-high urban hideaway located on the rooftop of The Dalmar, Sparrow Fort Lauderdale offers guests a one-of-a-kind cocktail and culinary experience in the heart of Fort Lauderdale. Sparrow is anchored by both a main bar and lounge indoors, and an outdoor bar with a mix of city and ocean views, both boasting deliciously inventive menus. Sparrow’s cocktail program includes a range of selections from easy-drinking aperitifs to tropical riffs on classics and large format group offerings, while the scratch ingredient-driven food program consists of creative, shareable plates.Large Parties greater than 6 guests:Please contact us directly at reservations@sparrowbar.comDress Code Policy:Your comfort is our main priority; however, to enhance the experience of all of our guests, we ask that you dress in a fashion that complements the atmosphere. Please avoid beachwear, athletic jerseys, and athletic shorts, as well as sleeveless shirts and sandals/flip flops.

A photo of Big City Tavern - Las Olas restaurant

9. Big City Tavern - Las Olas

4.6

Exceptional(2536)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Colee Hammock

Booked 28 times today

Big City Tavern is a busy, vibrant restaurant reminiscent of the great urban taverns of Chicago, New York and Boston. A stylish, classic American restaurant, Big City offers a varied menu featuring dry aged steaks, burgers, fresh seafood, salads and fresh house-made pasta of the day. Some of the more popular dishes are the Pan Roasted Salmon with Tomato and the House-Made Charcuterie. The desserts are all enticing, all house made and all delicious. The extensive wine list emphasizes California varietals by the bottle or glass. With its magnificent grand bar always busy, Big City has a constant din of energy and conviviality. Big City offers outdoor sidewalk dining in the center of the action on Las Olas Blvd. If you have special needs, require high chairs or need assistance please notify us. Please call the restaurant to make reservations for parties of 8 or more!

10. YOT Bar & Kitchen

4.7

Exceptional(1276)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • River Oaks

Booked 27 times today

YOT Bar & Kitchen is Fort Lauderdale's Hottest hidden gem located inside the Lauderdale Marine Center!

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

K
Karen
Manchester/Greater Manchester •5 reviews
5.0
Dined today
Lovely restaurant Reece was super helpful and even managed to get me fresh mint for my water! Enormous portions and delicious food
More info
Shooters WaterfrontPrice: Expensive• Seafood• Lauderdale Beach
•
4.5
L
LynneVIP
New York City •16 reviews
5.0
Dined 1 day ago
The food is delicious & our server Michael was excellent.
More info
DUNE By Laurent TourondelPrice: Expensive• Contemporary American• Lauderdale Beach
•
4.2
J
Jenna
Fort Lauderdale •1 review
5.0
Dined 3 days ago
We are a clearly visible lesbian and we were treated like any other couple and it was very reassuring and we felt safe and comfortable. We had a wonderful waitress who was very attentive and funny and even said we were a cute couple! I’ve been eating at Burlock Coast for a few years now with my family and now my partner and it’s always a positive experience.
More info
Burlock CoastPrice: Expensive• Farm-to-table• Central Beach
•
4.7
S
Sarah
Washington, D.C. Area •1 review
5.0
Dined 5 days ago
Great food and entertainment was fantastic! Guitarist was super talented and there was an incredible flamenco dancer! We brought a large family with kids there and everyone had a great time. It’s all open so you can see the water. Loved it.
More info
Cafe IbizaPrice: Moderate• Mediterranean• Central Beach
•
4.7
J
JaneVIP
Fort Lauderdale •29 reviews
5.0
Dined on Dec 5, 2024
Dinner was delicious. The table had the grilled cheese, Greek salad, sea scallops, fish sandwich and crispy duck. Everyone was happy. Jordan was our server and she is great. She even helped present a birthday cake to my parents.
More info
101 OceanPrice: Expensive• American• Lauderdale by the Sea
•
4.3

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