Best Restaurants for People Watching in Lauderdale by the Sea

Price

$$
$$$
$$$$

Cuisine

AmericanSteakhouseSeafoodTapas / Small PlatesGrillAsian

Regions

Fort Lauderdale CentralFort Lauderdale East

Neighborhoods

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

11 restaurants available nearby

1. 101 Ocean

4.3

Awesome(194)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• American • Lauderdale by the Sea

Booked 1 time 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(7895)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Seafood • Lauderdale Beach

Booked 212 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.

3. Burlock Coast

4.7

Exceptional(1574)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Farm-to-table • Central Beach

Booked 39 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.

4. Cafe Ibiza

4.6

Exceptional(281)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Mediterranean • Central Beach

Booked 8 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.

5. Lulu's Bait Shack

4.1

Excellent(15)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Grill • Central Beach

Booked 6 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 Sparrow Rooftop Fort Lauderdale restaurant

6. Sparrow Rooftop Fort Lauderdale

4.2

Awesome(841)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Asian • Flagler Village

Booked 44 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.

7. YOT Bar & Kitchen

4.7

Exceptional(1292)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • River Oaks

Booked 54 times today

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

A photo of Big City Tavern - Las Olas restaurant

8. Big City Tavern - Las Olas

4.6

Exceptional(2540)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• American • Colee Hammock

Booked 39 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!

9. The Terrace Grill

4.4

Awesome(780)

$$$$Price: Expensive

• Mediterranean • Flagler Village

Booked 7 times today

Trendy. Tasteful. Familiar. Our city is all of these things, and The Terrace Grill presents it in its purest form. Join us at our Fort Lauderdale restaurant and take a seat; whether you sit inside or outside, dining on a starry night. Our modern dining room, friendly staff, and savory classics are ready to impress.Don’t worry about getting lost: Set in trendy Flagler Village, you can find The Terrace Grill on the ground floor of The Dalmar, half a mile north of Las Olas.

A photo of Wild Sea - Las Olas restaurant

10. Wild Sea - Las Olas

4.4

Awesome(1120)

$$$$Price: Moderate

• Seafood • Colee Hammock

Booked 14 times today

Overlooking Fort Lauderdale’s bustling Las Olas Boulevard, Wild Sea Las Olas is the perfect restaurant for savoring delicious cuisine throughout the day at affordable prices. Enjoy breakfast, lunch, brunch, & dinner in an upbeat, chic and contemporary ambiance while watching life go by on one of the trendiest thoroughfares in Fort Lauderdale. The modern ambiance of the restaurant reflects the upscale energy of Las Olas Boulevard, with the indoor dining space featuring chic furnishings and designer touches. Guests may also dine on the sidewalk terrace that offers a great spot for people-watching. Located in the historic Riverside Hotel, Wild Sea Las Olas is a favorite gathering place among visitors and Fort Lauderdale locals alike.

See what locals rave about

From verified diners like you

D
Diane
Fort Lauderdale •1 review
4.0
Dined 4 days ago
Very pleasant lunch and very good service. Thank you
More info
Shooters WaterfrontPrice: Expensive• Seafood• Lauderdale Beach
•
4.5
OT
OpenTable Diner
Fort Lauderdale •3 reviews
5.0
Dined 4 days ago
Experience was wonderful and will definitely be back!
More info
Burlock CoastPrice: Expensive• Farm-to-table• Central Beach
•
4.7
I
IraVIP
New York City •74 reviews
4.0
Dined on Mar 2, 2025
The food was excellent. The restaurant is right on the sidewalk in a very lively part of Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd and the noise level is expectedly high. The live music and dancer was a nice distraction. Service was good until our waiter disappeared. I had to go to the hostess to ask for a bill. Beware of discounts. Although the menu offers a 2 for 1 Bloody Mary, you cannot get that offer if you want to use a Marriott Guest Privilege card. There is no warning in the menu. I ended up sending the second drink back when the waiter tried to explain this. The 2 drinks still appeared on the bill which had to be corrected.
More info
Cafe IbizaPrice: Moderate• Mediterranean• Central Beach
•
4.6
D
deniseVIP
Chicago / Illinois •187 reviews
5.0
Dined on Feb 10, 2025
Love the peel and eat shrimp. Great open sir window seat overlooking ocean/beach. Fabulous location!
More info
Lulu's Bait ShackPrice: Moderate• Grill• Central Beach
•
4.1
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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