Fort Lauderdale is equal parts sun-warmed shoreline and after-dark hum—boats ghosting down the Intracoastal, clinking glasses on Las Olas, and kitchens that lean hard into seafood, Italian soul, and coastal comfort.
Locals know where the energy pools: patios with a breeze, dining rooms that hum without trying, menus that feel like they’ve lived here a while.
Coconuts
A waterfront classic with a local’s grin, Coconuts is where the day’s catch arrives with just enough flourish to feel special, never fussy.
Think conch fritters that actually taste of the sea, buttery mahi that flakes at a nudge, and the “Scoobies” crab claws that inspire table envy.
Sit outside if you can—watching yachts drift by while a Key lime tart cools the afternoon counts as a legitimate Fort Lauderdale pastime.
Louie Bossi’s
On lively Las Olas, Louie Bossi’s buzzes like a street party wrapped around a wood-fired oven.
The pies hit the table blistered and fragrant, pastas come with that handmade chew, and the charcuterie boards feel like a friendly dare to linger.
It’s rowdy in the right way—spritzes, laughter, a garden patio that seems to stretch time—Italian hospitality with South Florida swagger.
Boatyard
Part supper, part scene, Boatyard knows its strength: pristine seafood, a bar that’s always in motion, and a deck that glows at golden hour.
Raw-bar towers glitter with oysters and chilled shrimp, while a simply grilled swordfish might steal the show.
Cocktails skew beachy without being bashful; it’s the kind of place where a long lunch seamlessly becomes dinner.
Runway 84
A Fort Lauderdale institution reimagined, Runway 84 throws back to the days when red sauce reigned and a big night out required a little costume.
The classics land with confidence—baked clams, towering chicken Parm, a steak for the table—everything polished but generous, like the hospitality itself.
Dim light, vinyl banquettes, Sinatra on the speakers: the city’s Italian‑American heart, alive and well.
Rivertail
Chef‑driven but easygoing, Rivertail plays with Latin and Caribbean accents while keeping the seafood front and center.
Crispy whole fish gets showered with herbs and citrus, ceviches pop with tropical brightness, and the hot butter crab delivers the kind of richness worth sharing.
Grab a riverfront table and let the breeze do half the work; this is modern Fort Lauderdale on a plate.
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