Coconuts

Helmed by Be Nice Restaurants (Foxy Brown, Top Hat Deli), Coconuts is a Fort Lauderdale institution on the water that manages to strike just the right balance of relaxed and upscale. The American-style seafood menu is straightforward and locally sourced, with hints of Caribbean and Southern flavors, and the service is always friendly.

Come here in sandals and boardshorts after a day on the boat, or linens and caftans for a breezy brunch date. Beyond its chill factor and idyllic views of yachts floating down the Intracoastal, the coconut shrimp are among the best we’ve ever had. The New England-style lobster roll is packed with tender buttery chunks and the jerk wings are a fan favorite.

Coconuts doesn’t take reservations, and their Sunday brunch (10am to 1pm)  is one of the hottest tickets in town, so call ahead for approximate wait times and plan accordingly. For a true oyster bar experience, head next door to G&B, which is typically a bit easier of a drop-in and is run by the same group (they even share a kitchen).

Limited dockage space available on a first-come, first-served basis. There’s no dockmaster, so you’ll need to tie up on your own.