Sea Watch Restaurant - Unique holdout on Fort Lauderdale beach

Sea Watch Restaurant

6002 North Ocean Drive

Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33308

954-781-2200

Open Seven days

Lunch: 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.

Dinner – 5-10 p.m. Sunday -Thursday

              5-10:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday

Bar 11:30 a.m.-10 p.m.

www.seawatchontheocean.com

By Jane Feehan

Located on three ocean-side acres in northeast Fort Lauderdale, Sea Watch attracts both tourists and locals. It is, perhaps, the only upscale yet casual (no bathing attire) restaurant actually situated on the beach in Broward County. Ocean views and a plush, old-timey nautical interior make for a vacation-like atmosphere - if only for the duration of a meal.

Fruits of the sea – Gulf shrimp, Florida and Maine lobster, oysters, mussels and fish – top the menu but steaks are also available. Sea Watch works hard to please and its food is consistent. On some occasions, however, I’ve been annoyed with some frozen fish touted as fresh.  Given the quality of preparation, presentation and entire experience over the number of times I’ve been there since it opened in 1974, Sea Watch still earns my high recommendations.

Every year or so, especially during real estate boom times, rumors abound about the sale of Sea Watch. So far, rumors have been just that; they serve as reminder of the gift of this restaurant's seaside location. Visit during day light hours for lunch (excellent) or an “early bird” dinner to capture the beauty of the dunes and white sand framing South Florida's tropical blue-green ocean waters. 

Reservations recommended; it gets very busy.  A lively bar (beverages, no meals) on the second floor provides a great view. Venues for group events, including outdoor weddings, are available. Dinner entrees average $30.

Copyright ©2010 Jane Feehan. All rights reserved.

For the Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau, visit: www.sunny.org

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