​​Where to Celebrate Valentine's Day in Greater Fort Lauderdale

Hold the box of chocolates. This Valentine’s Day, it’s all about a “choose-your-own-adventure” kind of love in Greater Fort Lauderdale. You and your partner are in for a treat, thanks to the region’s world-class restaurants, miles of sandy beaches, entertainment venues galore, casual cruises, and natural beauty that stretches from the sand to the swamps.

Spend Feb. 14 relaxing at one of the area’s beachfront resorts or flying high on a helicopter ride. Whatever plans you make while in town, you’ll have plenty of ways to spark romance and make Valentine’s Day, or even the entire weekend, one to remember.

Romantic Restaurants 

One of Fort Lauderdale Beach’s most intimate meals to share can be found at Wine Garden in North Beach Village. Cozy up by the fireplace in the winter or dine al fresco in the garden year-round while enjoying slices of pizza and handmade pasta paired with wine.

Wow your special someone by booking a seat at the Chef’s Counter at MAASS, located inside the Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Fort Lauderdale. Watch chefs in action as they bring your dishes to life during this interactive experience, then cap off the night at ViceVersa, mixologist Valentino Longo’s limited-time aperitivo lounge, ranked no. 56 on North America’s 50 Best Bars. Sip Milan-inspired cocktails as an intimate DJ transforms the lobby into a romantic after-dinner escape, now through May 2026. Book reservations early to snag a seat at this beachside eatery, which earned Fort Lauderdale’s first MICHELIN star.

You’d never guess there’s a swanky steakhouse housed inside a restored 1930s Lutheran church in downtown Fort Lauderdale. But once inside, you’ll be amazed by the arched windows and stained glass still intact. Jay’s Steakhouse surprises and delights with old-school steakhouse swagger, where caviar bumps and a prime rib “trolley” set the scene for a lavish meal. Don’t forget a nightcap of Jay’s espresso martini, made with Frangelico and Maldon sea salt.

Get ready to feast on an indulgent five-course prix fixe dining experience with your loved one at Daniel’s, a Florida Steakhouse in downtown Fort Lauderdale. Start with the house bread service, followed by an appetizer and an elegant lineup of entrées paired with two sides for the table. Order one of each dessert for the ultimate MICHELIN Guide-recommended dining experience.

What could be more romantic than a working fireplace, wooden ceiling beams, a spiral staircase, and terrazzo floors dating to the 1920s? That’s what you’ll find when dining inside Casablanca Cafe, overlooking Fort Lauderdale Beach. The historic property transports guests with a modern take on New American and Mediterranean fusion. You can’t go wrong booking a reservation here, as seating is plentiful. Choose between the main or upstairs dining area or the outdoor patio with sweeping ocean views.

Book a reservation for an oceanfront Valentine’s Day soirée at Oceanic in Pompano Beach, promising romance from start to finish. The afternoon begins with a local saxophonist serenading guests during a four-course prix fixe menu, featuring panoramic ocean views from Oceanic’s rooftop ballroom and terrace. Menu highlights include crab-encrusted grouper and Oceanic’s signature chocolate trilogy dessert.

Whether you live locally or are visiting from out of town, book a room at Pier Sixty-Six for an evening of bliss. The coastal retreat’s main attraction is Pier Top, perched on the spire-crowned tower’s 17th floor with rotating, 360-degree views overlooking Fort Lauderdale Beach. It’s a prime spot to imbibe champagne and indulge in caviar service, or you can head to one of the other globally inspired restaurants on the property. Ordering room service and relaxing in your lavishly updated suite isn’t a bad option, either.

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood offers a range of global dining and entertainment options, including Japanese-inspired Kuro and the upscale Korean restaurant Bae Korean Grill. Don’t forget to book a room at The Guitar Hotel, the perfect escape when you’re ready to call it a night. In the morning, plan your day around lounging in a cabana at the 4.5-acre lagoon-style heated pool.

 

For Craft Cocktail Aficionados 

After a sun-soaked day by the water, ease into the evening with cocktails in the sky. Head to Las Olas Boulevard and settle in at Rooftop @1WLO, where the open-air lounge offers sweeping views of Fort Lauderdale’s skyline. Claim a high-top near the fire pits during golden hour. From there, it’s all about grazing on bar bites and sipping craft cocktails as the city lights come alive.

For another elevated nightcap, make your way to Sparrow, perched atop the 25-story The Dalmar. Fort Lauderdale’s skyline is in plain sight, whether you’re settled on the breezy, coastal-chic terrace or inside the lively, 1960s-inspired space. The menu leans into Asian inspired bar fare, including sushi rolls, pillowy bao, lobster mac and cheese, and dumplings, all meant to be shared between sips of tropical-inspired cocktails.

The speakeasy concept has made a mark on the city, with sultry spots like Rm. 901 inside the Hyatt Centric Las Olas. The hotspot transports patrons to the roaring 1920s with dim lighting, plush furnishings, antique carpets, retro-style lamps, and vintage artwork. Stop by for a pre-dinner drink or linger over a late-night pour, and don’t skip the cleverly named cocktails—like the Stormy Passion, a tropical-leaning mix of Coconut Cartel rum, ginger syrup, Chinola passion fruit, and fresh lime.

Slip into Swizzle Rum Bar & Drinkery, where deep red velvet curtains and golden-hued lamps set the scene for an intimate evening. Founder Danilo Bozovic brings his legendary cocktail craft to Fort Lauderdale with the same seated-bar service and speakeasy energy that made the original a Miami darling. Think plush leather seating, vintage brass fixtures, and a curated selection of more than 150 rums. 

 

Hands-on Activities 

Greater Fort Lauderdale is full of unexpected ways to spend Valentine’s Day, especially if you’re not into dinner and a movie. Switch things up with an immersive cooking class at Sistrunk Marketplace in Fort Lauderdale, where you’ll roll up your sleeves, learn a few basic techniques, and sit down to enjoy the meal you’ve made together. Class offerings change regularly, so check online to see what’s on the schedule.

Delight all your senses with a dinner resy at Elysium Immersive Dining in Lighthouse Pointe. The interactive dinner allows guests to travel the world bite by bite—all with the help of differing city projections setting the ambiance around them.

The intimate Oakland Park ceramics studio, Mingo Makes It, invites couples to try their hand at wheel throwing, shaping clay into something entirely their own. It’s equal parts playful and focused—the perfect way to connect and unleash your creativity together.

Mai-Kai immerses guests in Pacific Island culture with high-energy stage performances featuring live music, traditional dance, ornate costumes, and fiery spectacles. Toast the evening with an inventive rum-forward cocktail and try bites from the refreshed menu inspired by Polynesia’s bold, tropical flavors.

Take your romance to new heights with an unforgettable helicopter tour over South Florida.  Follow the curve of Fort Lauderdale’s shoreline, pass by the unmistakable Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, or drift west toward the vast, open landscape of the Everglades, while taking in breathtaking views of the Everglades. 

 

For the Sweet Tooth Lovers

It's Valentine's Day after all, so why not indulge with a little treat? Start the morning at Parlor Doughnuts in Flagler Village, and order one of the signature layered doughnuts in flavors like Carnival and strawberry shortcake. They’re rich enough to split but tempting enough to eat all by yourself. 

Any time of day calls for an ooey-gooey cookie. Chip City off 17th Street is rolling out a festive heart cookie alongside a new Strawberries N’ Crème Chewie-wich, stacked with strawberry and cream cheese filling between thin sugar and strawberry cookies. Stop here after a day at the beach or if you're enjoying dinner in the area. 

Lovelee Bakeshop makes it easy to take delightful desserts on the go, perfect for eating in your hotel room or posting up on the beach with a blanket. Order one of the cake tasting boxes, featuring four slices inspired by classic desserts—tiramisu, crème brûlée, key lime pie, and molten chocolate. 

 

For the Adventurous Couple

End your Valentine’s on Saturday evening with a sunset kayak or paddleboard tour on Dune Coastal Lake at Hugh Taylor Birch State Park. Tandem kayaks are available if you don’t want to split from your second half.  

With more than 76 artificial reefs lining the ocean floor, Greater Fort Lauderdale is a paradise for scuba divers. It’s also the only spot in the continental U.S. where living coral reefs are accessible straight from shore. A five-minute swim off the coast in Lauderdale-By-The-Sea and Hollywood places you right over the first reef.    

One of the area's oldest conservation areas, Tree Tops Park in Davie, winds through wetlands and oak hammocks, with trails suited for strolling side by side—or exploring on horseback for those who prefer to stay in the saddle. If you really want an adrenaline rush but can’t quite fathom jumping out of an airplane, you can spend the day “flying” at iFLY Fort Lauderdale’s indoor skydiving facility in Davie.

 

Spa Experiences 

Inspired by Florida’s natural springs, Mokara Spa at Omni Fort Lauderdale Hotel offers a quietly restorative setting for couples looking to unplug. Book a side-by-side massage and arrive early—each treatment includes access to the Ritual Pavilion, where Hammam steam, a sauna, and heated stone loungers ease the body into a deeper state of relaxation before the massage even begins.

Spend Valentine’s Day in full vacation mode at W Fort Lauderdale’s AWAY Spa, where romance comes with ocean views and a whole lot of indulgence. Book a glow-boosting facial or slip into the oceanfront couples’ suite for a lingering massage, complete with bubbly and chocolate-dipped strawberries.

Fort Lauderdale’s infinite waterways inspire The Spa at Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Fort Lauderdale, which is equally chic and calming. Find ultimate R&R with treatments like the Couple’s Hearts of Calm Massage, a delightful side-by-side Free Flow massage with upgrades available, including a warm sea salt stone to the cradle of life.