Dock ’n Dine

Take the boat to enjoy these restaurants ON THE ICW from Pompano Beach to Hollywood, Florida.

Cruising to a waterfront restaurant to admire the scenic beauty while dining is one of the pleasures of having a boat. Along the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), there are many restaurants that have waterfront access. Here are 13 great places in the Fort Lauderdale area where you can tie up to the dock and step ashore to enjoy a meal and the ambience of the water.

15^th Street Fisheries

You will not find better views in South Florida than you will at 15^th Street Fisheries located in the shadows of the 17^th Street Causeway at Port Everglades. The place has a casual vibe and serves up a sea-inspired menu that includes Bahamian-style conch fritters, Florida Fried Shrimp Tacos, and Joe’s Sizzler Skillet with fresh fish, scallops, and more. Adjacent to the Lauderdale Marina, there are fuel and supplies, if needed, and bait to feed the tarpon hanging under the docks. Check out the webcam for a live view. 15streetfisheries.com

Billy’s Stone Crab

A beautiful interior, great views, and fine dining greet every guest at Billy’s. On the Intracoastal in Hollywood, this seafood restaurant has dockside seating protected by awnings or at the covered glider tables at the water’s edge. All-you-can-eat stone crabs, specialty seafood entrées, and cocktails of your choice fill the menu. Billy’s Seafood Market offers fresh fish to take home or have shipped elsewhere. Take a virtual tour of the restaurant on its website. crabs.com

Blue Moon Fish Co.

Enjoy your dining experience inside or out on the dock at this Lauderdale-by-the-Sea stop. There’s more than 200 feet of dock space, and it’s recommended to let the hostess know the size of your vessel when making reservations. You can’t go there and not try the Blue Crab and Corn Roasted Grouper over mushroom and asparagus risotto. This is the dish you should aim for, but with a raw bar, seafood gumbo, lobster, lamb, and filet mignon, it’s a tough choice. bluemoonfishco.com

Boathouse at the Riverside

Along the New River in downtown Fort Lauderdale is the Boathouse at the Riverside restaurant, a favorite spot for family and friends. The lush, tropical patio welcomes boaters to dine outside or head inside where the tropical fish tank adds to the ambience. From brunch to lunch or happy hour to dinner, the menu satisfies all moods. Boathouse at the Riverside doesn’t take reservations, but with special “docktails” and “Mussel Mania,” there’s plenty offerings to enjoy while you wait for a table. boathouseriverside.com

Boatyard

A nautical-chic vibe is strong with this one, but the laid-back atmosphere makes guests feel comfortable and unpretentious. Located in the first waterway arm north of Port Everglades past the 17^th Street Causeway (around the Hilton), spacious indoor, outdoor, and dockside seating, two bars, and a local fare make this a favorite spot. Be sure to try the shareable Charred Octopus with kale, garbanzo, and chorizo vinaigrette. There’s also a special happy hour menu, so grab some friends to enjoy the waterfront. boatyard.restaurant

Bokampers Sports Bar and Grill

Next to the Oakland Park Boulevard bridge is the waterfront place for watching sports—all sports—not to mention great food, spirits, and an open-air atmosphere. More than 100 HD plasma TVs surround both the outside and inside dining areas that includes three full bars, an extensive menu featuring wings, salads, sushi, burgers, and seafood, along with vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options that are sure to satisfy your taste buds. Dockhands are there to help—when the Miami Dolphins play on a Sunday, boats are tied three deep. It’s a lot of fun. bokampers.com

Coconuts/G&B Oyster Bar

For a fun, upscale, but casual vibe, check out Coconuts just south of the Las Olas Boulevard bridge at the end of the Hall of Fame Marina docks. You will find a menu filled with delicious options, such as Crab Cake Salad and the Coconut Shrimp Platter as well as delights from the G&B Oyster Bar. There are only a few dock spaces and with seating on a first-come, first-serve basis, check in as you arrive. It’s a chill hangout that is only a block from the beach. coconutsfortlauderdale.com

The Diplomat Beach Resort

The Diplomat Beach Resort in Hollywood reopened on June 1^st after closing due to the pandemic in March 2020. The large beachfront hotel is accessible from the Diplomat Landing Marina that can accommodate yachts of most lengths for the day to enjoy the resort’s amenities, including dining. Playa is a beachfront Latino restaurant and bar featuring an extensive rum and tequila selection. Diplomat Prime is a luxury boutique steakhouse serving dry-aged steaks and local, in-season seafood. The Hotel Bar is the hub of the resort with indoor and outdoor living room settings and Atlantic Ocean views. diplomatresort.com

Kaluz

If you’re looking for a more elegant dock-and-dine experience, Kaluz is right up your alley. With the waterfront restaurant’s impressive menu, including Shrimp Cargot (with Havarti cheese), hardwood-grilled Kaluz Chilean Seabass, prime rib, and so much more, you are guaranteed a magical experience. Smart casual attire is required, reservations are accepted for indoor dining only, and dockhands are there to help tie up. From experience, the food in this upscale establishment is awesome. kaluzrestaurant.com 

Las Olas Marina 

There is no restaurant on-site at the Las Olas Marina (Suntex Marinas has elaborate plans for future development), but one block away is the “strip,” a plethora of bars and restaurants that line Fort Lauderdale Beach. Between 9AM and 4PM, you can tie-up at the floating docks and pay a day fee. If the boat is there past 4PM, you’re paying the overnight rate. Reserve a space by calling (954) 828-7200. lasolasmarina.com

Pirate Republic Seafood 

If themed restaurants are your thing or you’re looking for an outside-of-the-box experience, this place is a must. Located on the south side of the New River just past the railroad bridge (headed up river), this popular pirate-themed restaurant doesn’t have your typical fish fillet menu. Its signature dishes unite a variety of seafood sure to exhilarate your senses, such as the Asopado de Mariscos made with fish, shrimp, calamari, clams, and mussels with a blend of tomatoes, red and yellow sweet bell peppers, oregano, cumin, coriander, and brandy served with rice. Wow! piraterepublicseafood.com

Sands Harbor Resort & Marina

The Sands Harbor Resort & Marina is a waterside resort on the Intracoastal in Pompano Beach. It’s only two blocks from the ocean, but with a pool and two restaurants, it’s easy to stay right there. The full-service marina can accommodate yachts to 120 feet in length. The Sands Harbor Bar & Grill offers casual American fare and a full bar poolside while the Rusty Hook Tavern has an upscale atmosphere offering local fresh fish, pasta, and steaks. Try the Cheetos-crusted Mahi or the Graham Cracker Calamari. sandsharbor.com

Shooters Waterfront

A lot has changed over the years at Shooters Waterfront, but one thing that remains the same is the fun. A local favorite, it’s a go-to for brunch, lunch, dinner, and dockside cocktails. The outdoor and dockside patio areas are decorated with palm trees, rattan-covered seating huts, and greenery for a garden feel. Live music, special events (such as the sushi roll class and Yoga & Yolks), happy hour, and a well-rounded wine list and menu make Shooters Waterfront a must stop along the Intracoastal. Dockhands are available, and the lengthy dock can fit about 10 boats. shooterswaterfront.com 

-by Max Francisco