The 67th annual Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show sails into town from October 28 through November 1, showcasing the latest and greatest watercraft and more. Much of the show takes place along Fort Lauderdale’s beautiful waterfront, making it the perfect place to spend the day – or the entire weekend. Since you’ll be working up an appetite, here are some of the best restaurants for a meal, a snack, or a cocktail.
A Very Venetian Evening
No boat? No problem. At Casa Sensei, guests can pair dinner with a private Riverfront Gondola Tour for one of the most unique ways to experience Fort Lauderdale from the water. Guests can enjoy the restaurant’s signature Pan-Asian Latin fusion cuisine, from sushi boats to Korean BBQ favorites, aboard a traditional Venetian-style gondola for a scenic cruise along the Himmarshee Canal and Las Olas waterways. It’s an easy way to enjoy the city’s waterfront without owning a boat, whether for date night, a celebration or simply a different perspective of Fort Lauderdale. 1200 E Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale; casasensei.com.
Lobster Rolls, Cocktails, and a Ride on the Water
Skip the Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show traffic and arrive by water instead. Start at Shooters Waterfront for dockside dining and cocktails, with a menu ranging from oysters and sushi to chicken wings and lobster rolls. Then hop aboard the Water Taxi for the short ride along the Intracoastal to the show. On Fridays, extend the experience with the Sunset Music Cruise, which starts with happy hour and live music at Shooters before a sunset cruise through Fort Lauderdale’s waterways. Guests receive a complimentary champagne toast onboard, plus a $10 Shooters credit to use before or after the cruise. Shooters Waterfront, 3033 NE 32nd Avenue, Fort Lauderdale; shooterswaterfront.com.
Michelin-Worthy Mediterranean
Set inside the Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Fort Lauderdale, Evelyn’s brings Mediterranean flavor and coastal elegance to the oceanfront. The Michelin-recommended restaurant draws inspiration from the Levant, with a menu built for sharing. Expect mezze and spreads, fresh seafood, house-baked pita, and wood-smoked meats and fish. Dinner choices include wood-smoked vegetable skewers, grilled whole branzino, and 1 16 oz. Black Diamond Delmonico steak, while an extensive wine list complements the menu. Evelyn’s. 525 N Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard, Third Floor, Fort Lauderdale; evelynsfortlauderdale.com.
Sun, Surf, Sand, and Supper
S3 — short for Sun, Surf & Sand — makes the most of its prime location directly across from Fort Lauderdale Beach. The S3 also stands for the restaurant’s three specialties: seafood, steak and sushi, so there’s something for everyone. The shareable menu blends New American and Asian influences, with dishes including Korean fried chicken bites, grilled octopus, bang bang shrimp, and smoked Wagyu carpaccio. Seafood choices range from crispy whole branzino to Chilean sea bass, while steak lovers can opt for filet mignon or a dry-aged New York strip. Sushi is a major part of the experience, with creative rolls, crudos, and omakase selections made with premium fish, including seafood sourced from Tokyo’s Toyosu Fish Market. S3. 505 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale; s3restaurant.com.
Sunsets, Cocktails, and Dreams
For cocktails with a serious view, head 26 stories above Fort Lauderdale Beach to Nubé Rooftop. Located atop Beach House Fort Lauderdale, a Hilton Resort, the rooftop restaurant and lounge offers panoramic views of the Atlantic, city skyline, and Intracoastal from its indoor lounge and open-air Sky Terrace. The menu is made for sharing, with choices including crispy tuna tacos,flatbreads, and “caviar in the clouds”. Cocktails play off the sky-and-sea theme, with creative choices including the Smoke Cloud and the tequila-based Nubé topped with sea-salt air foam. A weekday happy hour is offered from 2 to 6 p.m., so get there early for the deals and tay for the sunset. Nubé Rooftop, 505 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard, 26th floor, Fort Lauderdale; nuberooftop.com.
