Top 5 Places to Eat in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea

Aruba Beach Café

1 Commercial Blvd, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, FL 33308

✅ Takeout - ✅ Dine-in - ✅ Outdoor Dining 

While some restaurants serve meals, Aruba Beach Café serves an unforgettable experience.

Known as a Lauderdale-by-the-Sea institution, this bustling dining spot has perfected the art of combining fresh seafood, oceanfront views, and live island beats into a dining adventure that feels like a quick (and delicious) getaway from reality. 

Think beachfront location, salty air, an irresistible Caribbean charm, and a menu packed with ocean-fresh catches, from crisp conch fritters and savory blackened mahi-mahi to Aruba's famous Bahamian bread, served warm with honey butter — and that's just a preview!

Aruba Beach Café also features a prime selection of juicy burgers, hearty soups, fresh salads, and flavorful pasta dishes.

And yes, you guessed it, cocktails too!

With three fully stocked bars, Aruba Beach Café knows how to mix the perfect tropical drink, whether you're craving a classic rum runner or a refreshing piña colada.

Come for the food, stay for the vibes — live island music keeps the energy going long after the sun sets, making Aruba Beach Café the perfect place to eat, drink, and dance your way into the night.

Blue Moon Fish Co.

4405 W Tradewinds Ave, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, FL 33308

✅ Takeout - ✅ Dine-in - ✅ Outdoor Dining 

In Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, seafood is almost always part of a hearty meal, and when it comes to doing it right, Blue Moon Fish Co. stands as one of the town's most celebrated spots for fresh, locally caught seafood.

We're talking about buttery lobster tails, seared scallops, succulent grilled fish, Cajun-style shrimp, and more — Blue Moon Fish Co.'s menu is a masterclass in ocean-to-table dining, with its award-winning Sunday Brunch leading the charge!

Yes, "foodies," this next-level feast features a raw bar, carving station, made-to-order omelets, fresh salads, charcuterie platters, and an irresistible dessert spread.

Charcuterie on a Sunday? Weekends never sounded better!

All that paired with Blue Moon Fish Co.'s robust collection of old-world and new-world wines?

You'll have no trouble finding the perfect pour to complement your meal.

Need we say more?

Billy Jack's Shack

218 FL-870 Suite 102, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, FL 33308

✅ Takeout - ✅ Dine-in - ✅ Outdoor Dining - ✅ No-contact delivery

Add a dash of fun to your favorite comfort food at Billy Jack's Shack, a Lauderdale-by-the-Sea hotspot where burgers, chicken sandwiches, seafood, and hot dogs get an extra dose of creativity.

Hold your horses, ladies, and gents!

If you think this is just your typical bar & grill, you're bound for a delicious surprise!

You see, Billy Jack's Shack takes Classic American eats to the next level with its extensive menu of stacked burgers, crispy chicken sandwiches, fresh oysters from the raw bar, and funky desserts alongside rotating draft and craft beers, a full-service bar, and an energetic vibe.

It's no wonder Billy Jack's Shack is packed almost every day of the week, especially on weekends when they serve their famous Bottomless Brunch with overflowing mimosas and Bloody Marys.

Not sure where to start? Kick things off with a BJ's Caesar salad, then go all in with their spicy Nashville chicken and homemade chips.

Vinnie's by the Sea

106 Commercial Blvd, Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, FL 33308

✅ Takeout - ✅ Dine-in - ✅ Outdoor Dining - ✅ No-contact delivery

Dress down and come as you are at Vinnie's by the Sea, a famous Lauderdale-by-the-Sea dining spot known for its effortlessly cool vibe, undeniably authentic flavors, and unforgettable dishes!

Offering a full-service cocktail bar, raw bar, and wood-fired pizzas, Vinnie's by the Sea delivers the best of fresh seafood and classic Italian fare, all wrapped in a mid-century modern setting exuding style and comfort.

The genius behind it all? Vincent Foti, a well-known name in Fort Lauderdale's restaurant scene, and Head Chef Vincent Salzano, whose time at Kitchenetta Trattoria Tipica Italiana set the bar for high-quality, traditional Italian cooking. 

Together, they make magic happen — one perfect pizza and fresh-shucked oyster at a time.

Expect Italian favorites that hit all the right notes, from the simple perfection of a Margherita pizza to the bold, spicy kick of a Calabrese pie. 

And for those craving something from the Sea, Vinnie's raw bar serves some of the freshest clams and oysters in town.

Needless to say, everything at Vinnie's is *chef's kiss,* so sip, savor, and get ready to BUON APPETITO!

Kaluz Restaurant

3300 E Commercial Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308

✅ Takeout - ✅ Dine-in - ✅ Outdoor Dining - ✅ Curbside pickup

While the breathtaking views already warrant a visit to Kaluz, it's not the only thing that will keep you hooked.

On the contrary, it's only the beginning.

Welcome to Kaluz, a Fort Lauderdale dining spot just 2 minutes from Lauderdale-by-the-Sea.

Perched along the Intracoastal Waterway, this upscale New American restaurant delivers a scenic waterfront dining experience that banks on exceptional food and top-tier service. 

And that menu? It's a treasure trove of unforgettable bites, from wood-fired steaks and fresh seafood to artfully crafted salads, sandwiches, and flatbreads, all designed to impress!

Select your dish of choice and settle at Kaluz's elegant dining room, or soak in the coastal breeze from their gorgeous patio and bar.

And if you need help deciding, don't worry; the staff knows the menu inside and out and will happily guide you toward the perfect meal (our favorites are their Bell & Evans Roasted Chicken or the Kaluz Chilean Sea Bass, by the way).

Pair that with Kaluz's impressive wine list, and you'll plan to come back soon after your first bite!