Like many places in Florida, Fort Lauderdale has the benefit of being very close to the water. It is known for being a harbor city, and this means they are in very close proximity to the sea. As such, this puts them in a prime position for fresh seafood, every single day.
As you can imagine, this is a seafood lovers paradise, and even better considering some of the best oysters are found on this very coastline. With this in mind, it makes sense to let you all know exactly where you can find the best oysters Fort Lauderdale has to offer.
I will be reviewing four of the best oyster joints I tried when I visited Fort Lauderdale, letting you know exactly what makes them so awesome! So, if you are planning to visit Fort Lauderdale, or even if you are a local looking for a new oyster joint, this could be the perfect article for you.
Wild Sea Las Olas
620 E Las Olas Blvd Riverside Hotel, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301-2235
954-467-2555
wildsealasolas.com
Wild Sea Las Olas is much loved by locals and tourists alike. They attract hotel visitors and people who live close by every night, and the atmosphere is always busy and bustling, a true testament to how good it is.
Prices are very affordable, which is a pleasant surprise when you see how classy the restaurant itself is - it feels like you could be in a five-star eatery in New York!
Of course, thanks to being located right by the water in Fort Lauderdale, seafood is a heavy feature of the menu, and those oyster obsessives among us will delight in the wonderful raw seafood options which include the much loved raw oysters on the half shell.
You can also get baked oysters which come with different stuffing and topping options to choose from.
However, if you happen to be dining with people who don’t like seafood...for whatever weird reason that may be… there are plenty of other options on Wild Sea Las Olas’ menu to keep everyone happy.
Don’t forget to check out the daily specials to see what has been caught fresh that day!
In terms of atmosphere, you will certainly find Wild Sea Las Olas a pleasure to dine in. It is chic and modern, but with a friendly, comfortable atmosphere achieved by the helpful servers.
You will love the views and the fantastic setting of the restaurant since it is right on the trendy Las Olas Boulevard so you can really soak up the culture! A must-see restaurant (or should that be a must-taste?) for oyster lovers and foodies alike!
Coconuts
429 Seabreeze Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316-1621
954-525-2421
coconutsfortlauderdale.com
Coconuts is a part of the be nice restaurant group and I’ll be honest, ‘nice’ is too much of an understatement to describe the restaurant. Relaxation, casualness, and comfort are the name of the game for this waterfront dining experience.
This is definitely not just hearsay either, they actually let you roll up on your boat and dock it right outside! That being said, you definitely should not confuse the relaxed atmosphere for bad quality grub and crappy service!
Quite the opposite in fact. The food is divine, and the staff friendly and attentive!
Now, let’s get down to the reason you’re all here… the food! Well, namely, the oysters! Well, Coconuts just so happens to be owned by the same company as one of Fort Lauderdale’s best oyster bars - G&B Oyster Bar!
They are placed next door to each other, and so you can order from either menu. As such, you can eat off the G&B menu at Coconuts every day from 5 pm!
How awesome is that?! This means that if you are heading to Coconuts purely for the oysters, you should make sure to book after 5 pm!
The oysters in question are incredible. They come in many different serving options, to suit all appetites and flavor preferences.
The choice is smaller in comparison to what G&B offers when you sit in at their establishment, but you can still get the popular oyster dishes - Grilled Oysters and Crispy Oysters.
This way you can whet your appetite in Coconuts at lunchtime with just a taste of oysters, and then head on over to G&B for a slap-up oyster meal for your evening meal.
I will be exploring G&B Oyster Bar in more detail in just a minute, but for now, suffice to say that the options are tremendous, and there is something to suit seafood lovers and everybody else!
Coconuts is more of an experience, and the relaxed, laid-back atmosphere makes for a fun place to dine as a family or with friends. It is certainly not a restaurant to be missed, and you will adore every second (and every bite) you have there!
G&B Bar
429 Seabreeze Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316-1621
954-525-2421
gandboysterbar.com
So, now we are onto the famed G&B Oyster Bar. as you may know if you read my review above on Coconuts Restaurant, G&B Oyster Bar is the neighbor of Coconuts, and so they share menus, allowing you to order from either or.
However, the menu when you sit inside G&B Oyster Bar is much wider than if you were to order from inside Coconuts. There is even more in the way of choice from G&B themselves, with oysters and other seafood featuring heavily, in comparison to the more inclusive menu at Coconuts.
You can eat coconuts in any way imaginable in this seafood focused restaurant. Whether you want them raw on the half shell, fried and made into a Po Boy, an oyster Rockefeller, or even oyster gumbo, there is something to suit everyone.
Everything is fresh, tastes authentic, and packed full of flavor. Of course, there is more than just oysters on the menu. Whatever seafood you can think of, you will likely find it on G&B’s menu.
There are even some quirky dishes like Alligator Ribs, G&B Hoppers (these are frog’s legs!), and a Vodka Oyster Shooter (yep, exactly what it sounds like).
The overall atmosphere is similar in some respects to Coconuts (which is understandable since they have the same owner and are located next door to each other), but it is perhaps more suited to private dining, perhaps as a couple or even alone!
The staff are still very friendly and make you feel super comfortable, and it boasts those same wonderful views as Coconuts. This is certainly not a restaurant to be missed, and you may find that you want to keep coming back night after night!
Southport Raw Bar & Restaurant
1536 Cordova Rd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316-2125
954-525-2526
southportrawbar.com
Something of a hidden gem, Southport Raw Bar and Restaurant has truly got something for everyone.
When they say ‘Raw Bar’ they don’t just mean a handful of raw dishes, they go all out! There are also lots of cooked seafood options, along with non-seafood-related dishes such as sandwiches, chicken, and grilled food to suit even the pickiest eaters in your group.
The restaurant is situated right on the harborside, giving you gorgeous views of the waterfront, and promising deliciously fresh seafood, caught that very same day. If the weather allows for it, ask if you can be seated outside to get the full experience.
Of course, the reason you are even reading this article is that you are just as oyster obsessed as I am, and so it is only fair that I first explore what sort of oyster dishes Southport Raw Bar and Restaurant has to offer.
Since it is a raw bar, there are going to be raw oysters on the list, and Southport just so happens to have the freshest, tastiest little salty morsels ever! They are also available steamed if you prefer yours cooked! They are also served on the half shell for true authenticity.
If you prefer to try something new, you can taste their signature oyster dish, simply known as Oyster Southport. Be prepared for a boozy treat since this dish contains Pernod!
Of course, even oyster lovers like to try other dishes, too, and there is certainly a lot of tasty stuff to choose from, from seafood to sandwiches! They even cook up any of your catches too - perfect after a day of boating!
Southport Raw Bar and Restaurant has a wonderful atmosphere, and whilst the inside requires some updated decor, it is clean and has friendly, attentive staff! What more could you wish for? Certainly not one to be missed.
In Summary
Overall, I was very impressed by the seafood scene in Fort Lauderdale. It was not difficult to come by raw food bars, all of which had at least a few oyster dishes on offer. The four I have explored in this article were the best by far, and you will not be disappointed if you try any of them!