Like beachfront bistros or waterfront patios, bar & grill culture isn’t just popular in Fort Lauderdale; it’s woven into the city’s coastal identity. While Las Olas and the Intracoastal host the most famous spots, nearly every local has a favorite within walking distance. But not all grill marks tell the same story, nor does every meal come with that perfect ocean breeze. The best range from classic charcoal grills serving prime cuts to modern kitchens redefining coastal cuisine.
Lulu’s Bait Shack
$$ | (954) 463-7425 | WEBSITE
Lulu’s Bait Shack’s beachside vibe will have you kicking off your shoes and declaring Fort Lauderdale the capital of casual fun. Bring your crew, bring your kids, bring your thirst for frozen cocktails. Wooden picnic tables make this a perfect place to settle in for the batter fish—a generous plate of crispy, golden fillets, served with coleslaw and crinkle fries. Sip on blended drinks, dunk fries in tartar sauce, and fight over the last of the 2 for $20 Lulu specials.
Freddie’s Anchor Sports Grill
$ | (954) 462-7665 | WEBSITE
Watching the gentleman in Freddie’s Anchor Sports Grill’s kitchen carefully prepare red beans and rice with andouille sausage is like watching a seasoned captain steer a ship. Albeit a delicious one. The casual dive bar has a welcoming atmosphere with pleasant staff and a lot of space where you don’t feel crowded, but it’s the main area with many pool tables and poker games that we and other big groups of friends favour most.
It’s a reliable destination for affordable drinks and a nice selection of beers on draft—from domestic lagers to local craft brews—but it’s the Premier League Football on the screens that you’ll see tables cheer for. It’s a must-watch.
Flanigan’s Seafood Bar and Grill
$ | (954) 791-3942 | WEBSITE
At Flanigan’s, you can swing by, grab one plate, and walk out content. During lunch, the casual dining room fills with locals extending their midday break, or regulars quickly polishing off the generous, crispy rockin rib rolls. The dark wood booths and bustling bar area bring energy to the otherwise straightforward setting of Fort Lauderdale. And you should know that a bowl of New England clam chowder here is essential.
McSorley’s Beach Pub & Rooftop
$ | (954) 565-4446 | WEBSITE
Satisfying Fort Lauderdale beachgoers since its opening, this comfortable pub does the simple things well. Its rooftop space is all shades of blue and big tables of eight and, on an average Sunday when the Dolphins are playing, the deck is a sea of aqua and orange shirts with golden accents—be it a glistening pint of lager or a shimmering bottle of local IPA. An order of crispy-edged wings or piles of buttery fries never disappoint.
R Lounge
$$$ | (954) 626-1700 | WEBSITE
The chicken marsala at this Fort Lauderdale spot is tender and flavorful; the convenient location between two hotels will suit travelers and locals alike, with their varying schedules and cravings; and the hearty Sicilian chicken soup will make you utter satisfying descriptors like ‘comforting’, or better, ‘soul-warming’. R Lounge is a handy spot to know about for meals that fall on the more casual end of the reliable dining spectrum.
Tamarindo Harbor Bar & Grill
$$ | (954) 533-2206 | WEBSITE
Tamarindo Harbor Bar & Grill, a cozy, dimly lit spot on the harbor, is a certified gem. A meal here should be enjoyed with nothing less than a date or a small group, and a majority fill up on the generous cheese appetizer with terrific red sauce before lamenting fullness once churrasco steak or crab ravioli arrives.
The lasagna may not be the most intensely seasoned, nor the steak most succulent, but like most hidden treasures, Tamarindo is best-known for its reliable hospitality and reasonable prices.
Oceans Grille
$$ | (954) 565-7703 | WEBSITE
Oceans Grille serves seafood with memorable touches that deliver: the blackened Mahi sandwich is well-seasoned with a kick, and the shrimp and scallops come with a bright, citrusy sauce. The breakfast dishes are the standout feature so grab a friend for this open-kitchen Fort Lauderdale spot—one who’s ready to share the rich and savory ocean Benedict and the fantastic shrimp & scampi pasta.
Rooftop @1WLO
$$$ | (954) 523-1956 | WEBSITE
You can pretty much always snag a last-minute spot at Rooftop @1WLO in Fort Lauderdale. Friends gather over creative cocktails and the easy-going vibe, celebrating birthdays or just relaxing. Casual evenings unfold in the wonderful atmosphere, sipping on well-balanced drinks with breathtaking sunset views. It’s easy to spend a couple of hours enjoying the great drinks, taking in the beautiful surroundings, and generally soaking up the relaxed yet upscale vibe away from the city bustle.
Poorhouse
$ | (954) 522-5145 | WEBSITE
Poorhouse is nestled between two more upscale venues in Fort Lauderdale. This relaxed local bar may not have the extensive food offerings of its neighbors, but its live jazz music is perfectly balanced. Like any great neighborhood spot worth its salt, affordable drinks, clean bathrooms, and friendly bartenders create a welcoming atmosphere without fanfare.
This alone makes for a chill evening but adding the owner’s hospitality and those free Wednesday sandwiches in this lively space makes it truly enjoyable.
Black Rock Bar & Grill – Fort Lauderdale
$$ | (954) 368-2525 | WEBSITE
This Fort Lauderdale grill is in its element come dinnertime. Stone-cooking and with the welcoming aroma of sizzling steaks, you come to Black Rock Bar & Grill for one thing: the interactive experience. Wafts of grilling filet and swordfish, searing on hot rocks with a simple seasoning, is what fills the room and the plates you’ll enjoy. A squeeze of lemon is all that swordfish needs and the French onion soup is an excellent starter.
Sandbar Grill
$$ | (954) 565-5700 | WEBSITE
What Sandbar Grill lacks in white tablecloths and complimentary dessert, it makes up for with an unapologetic focus on superbly prepared seafood and bubbling, ocean-view atmosphere. The beachfront restaurant in Fort Lauderdale is more laid-back than some of its snazzier neighbours and we like it all the better for this reason, not least when a plate of warm, glowing shrimp wrap and an array of thoughtful, flavourful breakfast items hit the table.
Seafood is prepared expertly here and the mahi sandwich and the chicken nachos are particularly good.
The Fitz Bar & Lounge
$ | (954) 224-8022 | WEBSITE
You might know The Fitz from a rowdy Thursday poker night, where smash burgers and cocktails were downed in quick succession. Or you might know it from last weekend, when you drifted in from the Fort Lauderdale streets craving a lively watering hole. This is the local’s go-to bar and grill and it’s still a reliable favorite, whether for bartender McCalla’s attentive service or a fun evening with music videos and a pleasant crowd.
