5 Oceanfront Fort Lauderdale Restaurants
5 Oceanfront Fort Lauderdale Restaurants
(Perfect for any occasion)
There’s something refreshing about being by the ocean and it seems many times, South Florida natives take for granted how close we have the shoreline to us. Well, in the spirit of chasing good foods and even better atmospheres, I’ve listed some of my favorite oceanfront restaurant along the Fort Lauderdale coast. But don’t just take my word for it, just take a look at the food and views for yourself.
· Burlock Coast
Located inside of the Ritz Carlton on Fort Lauderdale Beach, Burlock Coast is nestled with a breathtaking view of the beach. Inside, the space is intimate, romantic. Outside, you have your relaxed environment perfect for lunch or dinner as the sun sets. Having experienced it myself, on non-other than a blood moon night, sunset outdoor seating on the beach is magical. The food is excellent. I stopped by to check out what the new Chef de Cuisine, Brooke Mallory, brought to the menu and let’s say she didn’t disappoint. If you’re a burrata lover like me, I recommend trying the chef’s Local Burrata Salad, served with golden raisins, arugula, an orange zest, and my favorite part, toasted pistachios giving the salad a wonderful texture. Now, a moment for one of the best fish dishes I’ve ever had: Roasted Cobia. WOW. Served with parmesan grits (made right, I could cry!), chorizo, key west shrimp and pickled onion vinaigrette. Dios mio, this dish was delicious. Your date may ask for more than one bite. (trust me, I know.) All of the food was incredible, the drinks were great and strong. This is a perfect date location, night or day.
· Kousine Peruvian Kitchen
Kousine is one of my favorite Fort Lauderdale restaurants, and its tucked in a beachside strip plaza along A1A… so don’t go by too fast or you may miss it.. The seafood is always fresh, and Chef Danny brings Chifa (Chinese x Peruvian food) to Fort Lauderdale that reminds me of being back in Peru. Dishes range from traditional to fun creations by Chef Danny that bring fun and crunch to traditional plates (ceviche topped with jalea, I love ya). If you’re looking for a waterfront Peruvian fix, this is it.
· Terra Mare
So far, I’ve only been to Terra Mar for brunch, but with the food being as good as it was, I know it’s good regardless of the time of day. They have a wonderful seafood tower that has a Fort Lauderdale favorite, oysters, and fresh lobster and shrimp. Although all of the seafood was delicious (I highly recommend the calamari if you like it with a little kick!), the burger was AMAZING. It was so well seasoned which I feel like many places miss with burgers. No extra toppings or sauce were needed, just a classic burger with all the flavor it needs to be great on its own. Very fun, beachy vibe, this is definitely a go to brunch spot.
· SteelPan
If you like Caribbean food like me, this is a great stop. I’d like to point out that the chef is actually Caribbean, this is an important factor for me. Located inside of the Sonesta along Sunrise and A1A, the restaurant begins indoor and flows into an ocean side patio. The transition from inside to outside is completely seamless and refreshing. The ambiance is relaxing, the dining is like fine dining, though way more laid back. I highly recommend the whole fried snapper, the flavor of spices used seeps through the entirety of the fish with delicious citrus accents that bring the flavor out.
· Dune
Dune has made its way in to one my common date night recommendations. The space is so quaint and beautifully designed, it gives a very romantic feeling in the air. As the hostess explained to me, Dune wants to bring you fine dining with a laid-back environment, and it really does that. Outside, there’s a large bar and more open space seating. One of my favorite things about this restaurant is that there’s a walkway from the patio directly to the beach. You could go from finishing dessert to toes in the sand in a matter of minutes. The food is excellent, with a nice variety of options on the menu and a great wine selection. I had Crab Spätzle for the first time here and it was a very intriguing and delicious plate. If you like crab, I recommend trying this, it’s a German dish of small dumplings and fresh crab. The snapper was excellent, crispy exterior, soft inside. 10/10 would recommend. Also, dessert is a must.