6 Restaurants to Try Near the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show

6 Restaurants to Try Near the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show

By Caitlin Robinson   October 12, 2021

What is the number one thing you need after yacht shopping and being on your feet all day? Someplace where you can sip on a cocktail or snack on some conch fritters while you sit and think over your potential purchase. With Bahia Mar being a location for one of our offices, some of our staff have become familiar with the local restaurants and hot spots. Based on their recommendations, as well as some glowing reviews, we’ve put together a list of spots with some noteworthy menu items. Consider this your unofficial guide to some of the best spots for a bite to eat near the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show.  

Pictured is their Lobster Green Goddess Salad. Photo courtesy of Coconuts.  

First on the list is Coconuts, which is a simple seven-minute walk and conveniently close to the epicenter of the boat show. If you don’t feel like walking, there is complimentary valet parking available. With an expansive menu, ranging from classic Fish Tacos to Jambalaya, there is something for everyone. Speaking of the Jambalaya, this is a menu item that is quite popular with customers here and quite a few reviews mention it, so it might be worth trying! Something to be noted here is that Coconuts only takes reservations for parties over four, otherwise it will be first come first serve and dock seating cannot be reserved.  

Photo courtesy of S3 Sun Surf Sand 

End your day of shopping with a happy hour at S3 Sun Surf Sand from 4 pm to 7 pm (weekdays only). This falls right around the time you’ll be leaving the show on Wednesday, Thursday, or Friday, so stop in and enjoy a specialty cocktail or an entrée. Sun Surf Sand has an incredible menu that features a lot of steaks, seafood, and sushi. Their Instagram will have you wanting to order the whole menu! Offering an upscale but casual, laid-back vibe, this is the spot to relax and enjoy the beautiful oceanfront view. Many customers have taken to leaving some rave reviews here, giving this restaurant almost a five-star rating, some describing the food as “SENSATIONAL”.

Photo courtesy of Cafe Martorano's

A spot frequented by celebrities, Café Martorano’s Famous Homemade Meatball was voted by Gourmet Magazine as “Best in the World”! This venue is said to be an unforgettable dining experience that blends Italian-American food with music and movie entertainment. If you’re looking for a more relaxed night with a tranquil ambiance, make sure to pop in a bit earlier in the night. If you’re looking for a party, stop in after 10 pm on a Friday or Saturday night and dance to the upbeat music the live DJ will be spinning. And yes, that is the owner pictured with Jimmy Kimmel.

PhotosCourtesy of Boatyard

Boatyard offers a gorgeous waterfront view of the marina which gives way to a sophisticated but laidback vibe. A five-minute drive from the show, this location embraces the city’s yachting culture with a “eat local, be coastal” philosophy. Their eclectic but seafood-centric menu has led this restaurant to be a hit with locals and travelers alike. Stop in during their happy hour for a delicious, specialty cocktail. If you order right, you’ll see this chic-but-upscale venue includes orchid petals in the ice cubes of some of their craft cocktails – a nice touch!  

Photo courtesy of G&B Oyster Bar

A sister company to Coconuts, G&B Oyster Bar is right next door. These two venues are connected by a door. This restaurant features some of the finest, freshest seafood available in the area. Their oysters are sourced from both the east and west coast, which you can learn more about on their website. Opened in January of 2012, G&B Oyster Bar has been serving Fort Lauderdale for almost ten years and has acquired a loyal group of customers and many admirable reviews.  

Photo courtesy of Anthony's Runway 84

Last but not least, dine to the familiar tunes of the Beatles or Frank Sinatra at this family-owned restaurant—Anthonys Runway 84. As reviewed, the food is phenomenal, the service is exceptional, and the experience is pure luxury from start to finish. It’s said that for some travelers and loyal customers, this is their first stop when they arrive in Florida. While this restaurant skips the traditional “happy hour” you can join Anthony’s Runway 84 on Thursdays for Meatballs and Martini’s where you can feast your heart out on complimentary meatballs and enjoy $6 cocktails.  

Any of these fine establishments are going to be great for food, cocktails, ambiance, and service. It’s not easy to earn nearly five stars which all of these restaurants have, so let the reviews of other customers before you speak for these first-rate restaurants. As a reminder, the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show runs from Wednesday, October 27th to Sunday, October 31st. We look forward to seeing you there!  


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