Greater Fort Lauderdale Outdoor Dining Spots

One of Fort Lauderdale’s newest dining destinations is Marina Village, an open-air entertainment venue along the eastern edge of the famous Bahia Mar Fort Lauderdale Beach - a DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel peninsula. The Promenade at Marina Village is where you’ll find the open-air food hall with culinary kiosks offering everything from sushi rolls and tacos to lobster rolls and Detroit-style pizza. Across the way is The Shorely, the perfect perch for enjoying libations and soaking in the sunshine. 

Whether you’ve visited Pier Sixty-Six before or it’s your first time, this iconic destination is a must-see. Its recent billion-dollar renovation has transformed the property, now featuring over a dozen restaurants. You can’t miss Sotogrande, which draws inspiration from Southern Spain and the Eastern Mediterranean. Think: sampling shareable plates in a lively atmosphere that captures the essence of coastal dining.

On the Las Olas Riverwalk, The Wharf Fort Lauderdale unfolds along the banks of the New River with nautical-themed bar and dining spaces inspired by summers in the Hamptons. Think communal tables under blue-striped umbrellas and local Fort Lauderdale pop-ups helmed by some of the city’s best chefs.

15th Street Fisheries is a Fort Lauderdale staple where waterfront dining meets fresh seafood and a side of dockside charm. Whether you're feeding the tarpon, savoring a seafood tower, or watching the yachts glide by, this beloved spot serves up the perfect taste of coastal Florida.

On Fort Lauderdale beach, you’ll find countless fine dining spots like Japanese-Korean fusion Takato and trendy taquerias like Lona Cocina & Tequileria (definitely order the lobster quesadillas). 

Along the Intracoastal, locals often post up dockside at no-frills seafood spot Coconuts and for the raw bar and brunch at upscale Boatyard.

Just north of Fort Lauderdale, Deerfield Beach offers sandy beaches perfect for family outings. After a day of swimming, building sandcastles, and collecting seashells, check out some of the best oceanfront restaurants to savor.

JB’s on the Beach has been a local favorite since 2002, serving flavorful seafood with ocean views. Drink local at The Cove Brewery, Deerfield Beach’s first brewery, which celebrates the iconic location and, as they put it, actually "feels like Florida." Even the beer cans showcase an Old Florida vibe. Oceans 234 offers fresh seafood, a relaxed atmosphere, and direct views of the legendary Deerfield Beach International Fishing Pier, which is currently under construction.

Think of Hillsboro Beach as your ultimate coastal escape — a slender slice of paradise wedged between the Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean. Just three miles long and 900 feet wide, this intimate town delivers pure beach bliss along its single road, Hillsboro Mile. While you might come for some of the most peaceful shorelines in Greater Fort Lauderdale, you'll want to stay for the alfresco dining spots.

Getting to Cap’s Place Island Restaurant is half the adventure. This hidden gem requires a boat ride to reach your dinner table. Once a Prohibition-era speakeasy, this landmark retains its Old Florida charm, and the fresh seafood tastes even better with water views.

Nauti Dawg Marina Cafe at Lighthouse Point Marina is a go-to spot for laid-back dockside dining with waterfront views. Enjoy fresh seafood, a standout brunch, and waterfront views — plus, your pup is welcome to join.

This Greater Fort Lauderdale beach town has recently entered a renaissance era, thanks to new waterfront eateries and a reimagined Pompano Fisher Family Pier. 

The Fishing Village is a walkable beachfront hangout with favorite outdoor dining spots, including Oceanic, which resembles a boat. The fine dining outpost offers a main dining room plus rooftop seating and a seafood-heavy menu, featuring everything from ceviche to cashew-crusted salmon. Beach House Pompano’s panoramic second-floor seating offers stunning views, pairing well with modern surf-and-turf dishes.

Also in the Fishing Village is Baresco, a fusion hotspot blending California and Mexican flavors, conveniently located near the pier. For a toes-in-the-sand experience, head to Lucky Fish Beach Bar & Grill, where you can enjoy a cold beer and beach bites in a breezy, tiki-style setting.

Visitors love this cozy village for its Florida charm and midcentury-style architecture. Its main street is a must for checking out quaint shops and an ice cream — or two — along the way.

Aruba Beach Cafe is a popular destination for locals and tourists who enjoy seafood, steaks and live music daily. Blue Moon Fish Co. is open for lunch and dinner, but its award-winning Sunday brunch is a must-try. Diners can enjoy stunning Intracoastal views and a buffet-style brunch featuring small plates available to order from the menu, such as lamb chops and oysters Rockefeller with shrimp.

Rustic Inn is a local go-to for its laid-back dockside seating in Dania Beach, along the canal. It's the kind of place where getting messy is encouraged (thus the paper-covered tables), and dining is an experience complete with bibs and mallets meant for cracking the restaurant’s “World Famous Garlic Crabs.”

For that perfect post-beach bite, slip into Quarterdeck—a local favorite where flip-flops are always welcome. With spots scattered throughout town, these casual hangouts serve everything from just-caught seafood to loaded burgers, best enjoyed with a frosty drink. 

Pull up by boat or wander in from the street. Either way, Paradise Tiki feels like stumbling upon a local's best-kept secret. This waterfront hideaway nails that authentic Florida vibe, where fresh seafood and cold drinks flow freely, live music fills the air and nobody's in a hurry to be anywhere else.

If you’re strolling along the 2.5-mile-long, brick-paved Hollywood Beach Boardwalk, you’ll come across nearly 50 different restaurants. 

One of which is 5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar & Grill at Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort (also a Water Taxi stop). Other Hollywood restaurants include GG’s Waterfront Bar & Grill, where patio seating looks out at the Intracoastal Waterway and its famous yachts, and Le Tub Saloon, a local institution offering prime dockside seating across the street from Hollywood Beach.

At the southern end of Greater Fort Lauderdale, just south of Hollywood, Hallandale Beach combines small-town charm with big-city energy.  

Popular outdoor dining spots include ETARU, a contemporary Japanese robatayaki restaurant inside Hyde Resort & Residences. Oceanfront dining pairs well with robata grill dishes, sashimi and modern Japanese cuisine.

Equally romantic is Mia Oceanfront. This sophisticated spot blends European, Japanese and Georgian flavors while the sound of live strings, soulful saxophone and ambient beats fill the terrace.