A Local’s Guide to the Best Seafood in Fort Lauderdale

There are so many things to love about Fort Lauderdale, Florida. More laid back and low-key than Miami, its better-known sister city to the south, Broward’s biggest metropolis offers just as many beautiful beaches, a bustling waterfront, a thriving nightlife scene, great shopping, and a world-class restaurant and bar scene.

Any foodie will tell you that one of the best things about living in Fort Lauderdale is the quality of its seafood. From stone crabs to succulent lobster to delicious, just-shucked oysters and clams offered cheap during happy hour, Fort Lauderdale offers an abundance of laid-back waterfront restaurants and high-end eateries spotlighting fresh fish.

If you’re planning on moving to South Florida’s most easygoing seaside city, there’s no denying Fort Lauderdale has some of the best seafood restaurants the Sunshine State has to offer. Here’s where you can find 13 of the best seafood restaurants in Fort Lauderdale:

1. Pirate Republic Seafood & Grill
2. Billy’s Stone Crab
3. Blue Moon Fish Company
4. 3030 Ocean
5. 15th Street Fisheries
6. Kelly’s Landing New England Seafood
7. Eddie V’s Prime Seafood
8. Boatyard
9. Coconuts
10. Burlock Coasts Seafare & Spirits
11. 411 South Bar & Grill
12. G&B Oyster Bar
13. Mancora Ceviche Bar

Let’s get started!

1. Pirate Republic Seafood & Grill

Pirate Republic is a vibrant, pirate-themed waterfront restaurant featuring all types of seafood, including bacalao, octopus, and one-of-a-kind island-style dishes you won’t find anywhere else. This seafood-centric restaurant’s Mediterranean-Caribbean menu offers a wide variety of specialties, including an Italian-style cioppino rife and the restaurant’s famous Pirate Bowl (mixed seafood with clams, calamari, shrimp, and mussels). And, its unique theme makes it one of the coolest places to dine in the city—especially if you bring the family along.

If you’re planning a night out with friends, don’t forget to check out the Republic’s drink menu, which features Caribbean cocktails, Brazilian cocktails, and the restaurant’s own specialty drinks. From classics like margaritas to eclectic creations like the Caribbean Sunset, this Fort Lauderdale seafood restaurant has something for everyone.

Pirate Republic Seafood & Grill is located in the city’s Tarpon River neighborhood, just west of bustling Andrews Avenue and right on the banks of the New River.

2. Billy’s Stone Crab

Billy’s Stone Crab has brought an eclectic vintage vibe to the quaint seaside town of Hollywood, Florida, for nearly 40 years. The two-story eatery features an outside dining area, with options for fine dining or a more casual atmosphere. If you’re craving stone crab, Billy’s is the spot for you, and hands down one of the best seafood restaurants in the area. Every night, seven days a week, you can order an all-you-can-eat meal—as long as they haven’t run out!

3. Blue Moon Fish Company

Blue Moon Fish Company is a popular upmarket seafood restaurant with a romantic vibe, outdoor deck, and Sunday buffet brunch. Known as Fort Lauderdale’s “freshest seafood by the waterway,” Blue Moon offers a premier dining experience, with menu specials ranging from fresh ceviche to tuna poke.

Since its inception over 20 years ago, this Intracoastal Waterway eatery has won numerous local awards, from Best Waterfront Dining to Best Seafood Restaurant. With an all-inclusive brunch, one-of-a-kind raw bar, budget-friendly happy hour, and seafood-focused cooking classes, it’s clear why the restaurant continues to thrive after two decades in business.

4. 3030 Ocean

Widely recognized as one of the best seafood restaurants in the city, 3030 Ocean has earned countless awards over the years, from Best Chef in 2009 to Best Restaurant in Fort Lauderdale in 2006. It’s without a doubt one of the best places to dine in the city, especially if you’re a seafood lover.

Locally famous for its modern approach to seafood, 3030 Ocean’s menu features all kinds of native fresh and specialty meats prepared in a way that highlights individual ingredients. Whether you order Florida-farmed pork or a locally caught delicacy, 3030 Ocean offers a creative combination of flavors and a casual beach-chic atmosphere.

5. 15th Street Fisheries

Centrally located on southeast 15th Street, this 30-plus-year-old seaside restaurant is a prime spot for people-watching and admiring the boats cruising along the water. Nestled next to the Fort Lauderdale Marina, 15th Street Fisheries‘ menu features some of the freshest catches Fort Lauderdale has to offer.

Locals and visitors alike love 15th Street’s unique dishes, especially their conch fritters. This restaurant is also one of the few in Fort Lauderdale that sell Florida lobster. To kick back and relax with the locals, be sure to stop by 15th Street during happy hour, which runs on weekdays from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.

6. Kelly’s Landing New England Seafood

Located in the area’s quaint Harbordale neighborhood, Kelly’s Landing boasts impressive ratings and reviews online—and it totally lives up to the hype. Spotlighting a menu of New England-style favorites, the restaurant is best known for its specials. These include broiled twin lobster tails on Mondays, followed by a “Two for ‘Twosday'” special featuring two one-pounders for $30 or a two-pounder for $45, triple Maine lobster tails for $15 off on Thursdays, and a head-spinning list of wines to pair with every bite. Order online or sit down to dine indoors or outside.

7. Eddie V’s Prime Seafood

If you want to plan the ultimate date night or celebration dinner, it doesn’t get better than Eddie V’s Prime Seafood restaurant. This upscale East Las Olas favorite offers a crave-worthy steak and seafood menu, plus a swanky cocktail lounge where you can enjoy a pre- or post-dinner drink while listening to live jazz.

The menu includes Petrossian caviar and a long list of East Coast and West Coast oysters to choose from. One of the best ways to kick off a meal here is to splurge on the $135 Big Eddy, an extravagant appetizer that comes with king crab, Maine lobsters, tuna poke, eight shrimp, and eight oysters.

8. Boatyard

Another great option for waterfront dining is Boatyard, an upscale yet easygoing restaurant on southeast 17th Street with a stunning dockside patio. It’s the perfect place to enjoy spectacular views while savoring seafood that’s just as wow-worthy.

The restaurant’s philosophy is “Eat local, be coastal,” and its menu definitely reflects that motto. Dishes revolve around the day’s fresh catches, and the restaurant’s raw bar and shellfish offerings are among the best in the city. Must-order dishes include the crisp calamari, the jumbo shrimp scampi, and the Florida paella—a veritable feast of shrimp, clams, mussels, calamari, local catches, house-made chorizo, and saffron rice.

9. Coconuts

Located right on the Intracoastal Waterway, Coconuts is another one of the area’s top seafood restaurants. This casual spot is a favorite among locals and guarantees a lively night any day of the week. Guests enjoy wide-open views of the water, and you can arrive by car or by boat. Dogs are also welcome, and valet is complimentary.

Standouts from the menu include their fish tacos, their New England-style lobster roll, and, of course, their coconut shrimp platter, with sweet, golden, and crispy fried shrimp. Pair your meal with a drink from Coconuts’s stellar cocktail list—the gin-forward Save the Whales and classic Dark and Stormy are legendary.

10. Burlock Coast Seafare & Spirits

For a true fine dining experience, check out Burlock Coast at the Ritz-Carlton Fort Lauderdale, located on Castillo Street and 1 N Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard. The waterfront restaurant was inspired by the Prohibition era, and you’ll see nods to this iconic period in the decor and the rum-forward cocktails.

Saturday and Sunday brunch is a fabulous affair, with a menu that includes steamed middle neck clams, a cold smoked salmon board, smoked fish dip, and bottomless mimosas, Bellinis, rum punches, and Bloody Marys. Dinner is equally tantalizing, serving up seafood dishes like crispy fish and chips, grilled swordfish, and a rotating catch of the day served grilled, whole, or seared.

11. 411 South Bar & Grill

Just across the street from Fort Lauderdale Beach, 411 South Bar & Grill beckons with string lights, great tunes, tropical drinks, and great seafood. For something light and fresh, try the 411 salad topped with blackened mahi, or enjoy the same in a taco. The fried fish sandwich is also a winner and makes for the perfect beach-day snack.

Pair your with an easy-sipping craft beer, like Kona Brewing’s Big Wave, or order up one of the restaurant’s frozen margaritas, piña coladas, or flavored mojitos.

12. G&B Oyster Bar

If oysters are your jam, head to G&B Oyster Bar. Just a five-minute walk from the beach, this elevated yet casual raw bar is owned by the same folks behind Coconuts. Guests here love the shareable seafood tour, the lobster fried rice, and the crispy snapper, but the real stars are the restaurant’s selection of shellfish and, of course, oysters. Enjoy them grilled, fried, crispy, or raw paired with a glass of vino from G&B’s thoughtful selection. Make sure you also ask about their weekly lobster boil and outdoor paella specials, too!

13. Mancora Ceviche Bar

You’ll find the best ceviche in Fort Lauderdale at Mancora Ceviche Bar. This Peruvian gem offers a staggering range of options, from shrimp-forward to fish-forward ceviches—and even a ceviche that spotlights fried seafood and one infused with pisco. Their tiradito, a Peruvian dish made of raw fish cut like sashimi, is also legendary. Mancora is located on Almond Avenue, across the street from Las Olas Beach.

Indulge in Fort Lauderdale’s eclectic foodie scene

Whether you’re planning to move to Fort Lauderdale or are checking out spots for your next vacation, you’ve probably already done your homework on the city’s lively food scene. While cities like Tampa and Miami have their own share of diverse cuisine and specialty seafood spots, Fort Lauderdale more than lives up to the competition.

Looking to live in Fort Lauderdale to explore this city’s amazing seafood scene? With Landing, you can find fully furnished apartments in Fort Lauderdale equipped with everything you need to enjoy your stay. With Landing’s flexible lease terms and no application fees or deposits, you can find the perfect apartment in your favorite foodie neighborhood. Browse our apartments in Fort Lauderdale today!