Everyone knows of the white sand beaches, boating canals, and luxury hotels that line the oceanfront in this Florida city. But do you know which are the best restaurants near Fort Lauderdale Airport? There are plenty of good restaurants to choose from. And yes, seafood and shellfish reign supreme for obvious reasons. But there is plenty to discover, from laid-back breakfast restaurants to steakhouses to a grilled cheese sandwich joint.
Fort Lauderdale is located on Florida’s southernmost coast. So it’s no wonder that fresh seafood and Latin-inspired eateries are popular among locals and tourists alike. People travel from all over the world to enjoy the stunning beaches and the fantastic laid-back holiday ambiance.
Outdoor eating, ocean-fresh seafood, and bustling restaurants abound in Fort Lauderdale’s food scene. Almost every restaurant offers a fantastic happy hour. That makes them ideal spots to unwind after a hard day of travel. Restaurants near Fort Lauderdale Airport have everything, whether you want delicious seafood with a water view or Instagram-worthy meals. So here’s our list of the top 10 restaurants near Fort Lauderdale Airport.
Best restaurants near Fort Lauderdale Airport
Coconuts, 429 Seabreeze Blvd.
Coconuts is an informal seafood restaurant by the water that welcomes children and families. The restaurant is just a few feet from Las Olas Beach. It is a pleasant spot to enjoy delicious local food while watching yachts go by.
Coconuts is well-known for its fresh seafood dishes, including crab claws, coconut shrimp, lobster rolls, conch fritters, and other selections. Bring the whole family and get ready to experience an incredible South Florida ambiance. Its outdoor bar has one of the best sunset views in Fort Lauderdale. So make sure you get a seat there. It is the ideal location for lunch and a relaxing stroll to shake off your jet lag.
Gilbert’s 17th Street Grill, 1821 Cordova Rd.
Gilbert’s 17th Street Grill’s atmosphere is relaxed and family-friendly. The restaurant serves excellent comfort cuisine. This quaint restaurant in Fort Lauderdale, near the Harbor Shops, has a lot to offer.
Gilbert’s is a family-run restaurant. It is known for its warm and inviting atmosphere. It is also known for its burgers, wings (both grilled and fried), ribs that fall off the bone, and handmade desserts. They update their specials on the chalkboard every day. Also, remember Mrs. Gilbert’s famous key lime pie is consistently a bestseller.
The Foxy Brown, 723 E. Broward Blvd.
With its enticing name and a slew of favorable reviews, The Foxy Brown is a must-visit in Fort Lauderdale, whether you’re there alone or with company. The Foxy Brown is a trendy comfort-food restaurant where everything tastes as if it came straight from your mother’s kitchen.
Their classics are delicious, and some of their originals are intriguing and seem strange until you try them. The grilled cheese banana bread may sound like an unusual combo, but it’s worth the journey for that alone.
Start your dinner with tempura-battered hearts of palm fries topped with Sriracha aioli, which are sure to be a hit. Fresh seafood abounds on the menu, with delicacies like poke bowls, pan-seared scallops, and mussels served as the chef sees fit that day. Every day, the restaurant serves lunch, dinner, and a delectable brunch on Saturday and Sunday.
El Tamarindo Café, 233 FL-84, Fort Lauderdale
El Tamarindo has devised a smart plan to entice every Latin food lover within 100 miles. They provide meat and vegetables prepared in the style of Cuba, Argentina, Uruguay, El Salvador, Honduras, or Mexico.
A sampler of appetizers includes pupusas stuffed with loroco buds, or beans and cheese, served with curtido, a tangy slaw, and baleadas filled with chicken, served with a sweet-sour cream. The kitchen creates its own salted fresh cheese, and tortillas are prepared upon request. For $11 or less, you may have grilled skirt steak, palomilla, the fried fish of the day, or sautéed shrimp. The white tables and sweet, modest service make for a soothing atmosphere.
Hot tip: Book your FLL Airport parking spot ahead of time so you can explore the food scene stress-free.
OCEAN2000, 2000 N Ocean Blvd.
The Pelican Grand Beach Resort’s newest restaurant on the beachfront in Fort Lauderdale is called OCEAN2000.
Small, robust-flavored meals are served at “The Lounge,” which also has an oceanfront patio. There is also a substantial mixology menu offering “Classic Reinvented Cocktails” to accompany the food. OCEAN2OOO pays homage to the local foodways by committing to a perfect mixture of outstanding regional cuisine, pleasant times, and creative, innovative mixology.
Wild Sea on Las Olas, 620 E Las Olas Blvd.
Wild Sea Las Olas is the ideal restaurant for tasting delectable cuisine at any time of day, thanks to its prime location overlooking lively Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale. Dine in a lively, stylish, and cutting-edge setting for breakfast, lunch, weekend brunch, and supper while gazing out over one of the most fashionable thoroughfares in Fort Lauderdale.
The interior features sophisticated furniture and design details that represent the affluent energy of Las Olas Boulevard, which is reflected in the contemporary atmosphere of the restaurant. In addition, guests can dine on the sidewalk terrace, which is an excellent vantage point for viewing passersby.
Wild Sea Las Olas is a popular gathering spot for tourists and residents because it is housed in the historic Riverside Hotel. There is certainly something for everyone on the menu at Wild Sea, including gouda grits, monkfish, beignets, and chicken. The diversity makes the place one of the best restaurants near Fort Lauderdale Airport.
Canyon, 620 S Federal Hwy.
Canyon Southwest Café is a warm and inviting eatery with a menu that takes its cues from the cuisine of the Southwestern United States. It is in the heart of downtown Fort Lauderdale. Its menu contains a broad range of dishes and uses products sourced from the surrounding areas. The menu includes roasted swordfish, pork risotto, and poblano peppers coated in cornmeal.
Make sure you get one of the prickly pear margaritas or the chocolate bread pudding at Canyon Southwest Café, as both are quite well-known. If you are a fan of tequila, you won’t want to miss out on the large tequila and mezcal menu that features over 50 different selections.
Artesano Café & Lounge, 6 S Federal Hwy., Dania Beach
Visit this cafe after or before a long journey and eat deliciously prepared Italian sandwiches, chicken, or Italian focaccia. Then, wash it with a craft beer highly favored by customers. It’s conveniently located; you won’t have any trouble finding this restaurant. The word on the street is that the prices are reasonable.
Travelers love this location thanks to its exquisite furnishings and warm and inviting ambiance. Delicious food, excellent coffee, and friendly, helpful service from the personnel are just a few highlights of this restaurant. Because they provide breakfast, lunch, and dinner, you can stop by whenever you like for a bite to eat.
LaSpada’s Original Hoagies, 1495 SE 17th St.
It doesn’t matter if you’re searching for a speedy lunch or just a hearty bite that will keep you going for the rest of the day. That’s because Laspada’s will not let you down. Since its founding in 1973, this neighborhood chain of sandwich shops has been satisfying customers’ cravings for freshly made hoagies. You may also know hoagies as submarine sandwiches.
There is a wide variety of food available to choose from, ranging from salads to cold subs to deli sandwiches and everything in between. To ensure the freshest possible experience, bread is prepared from scratch every day. Also, their sandwiches are made to order. If you are going with a large group, order extra-sized hoagies. Trust us, it’s worth it. If you’re looking for a hearty sandwich, head to Laspada’s. They are consistently praised by a variety of sources. That’s the reason it’s on our list of the best restaurants near Fort Lauderdale Airport.
Hot Diggity Dogs & More, 2641 Griffin Rd., Dania Beach
Their chefs specialize in preparing traditional and delectable. At Hot Diggity Dogs & More, the crew is committed to providing clients with tasty food made with the highest-quality ingredients. You can choose from an all-beef hot dog, a Chicago-style dog, or a chili dog. All of these are cooked and brought to you immediately.
So don’t leave without trying one of their specialties, such as the New York-style dog or our chili dog with cheese.
Fanny Dorris is an author with four years of experience in travel and automotive topics. She provides readers with clear guidance on airport navigation, travel planning, and vehicle ownership.
