Top Spots for Seafood Boils in Fort Lauderdale FL

The Best Seafood Boils in Fort Lauderdale

Fort Lauderdale is known for its beautiful beaches, luxurious yachts, and buzzing nightlife. But it's also home to some of the best seafood restaurants in South Florida. Seafood boils are a popular dish, consisting of shellfish, sausage, corn on the cob and potatoes boiled in a seasoned broth. The seafood is then drained and dumped onto a table lined with paper for a fun, hands-on eating experience. Fort Lauderdale has several restaurants serving up mouthwatering seafood boils made with fresh, local seafood. Here is a guide to the best spots to get your seafood boil fix in Fort Lauderdale.

Big City Tavern

Big City Tavern is located right on Las Olas Boulevard in the heart of downtown Fort Lauderdale. Their signature seafood boil has shrimp, lobster, clams, mussels, sausage and corn on the cob piled high over red skin potatoes. You can choose from a variety of broths like garlic butter or Bayou boil. Big City Tavern uses only the freshest seafood delivered daily from local fishermen. Their lively atmosphere makes it a great place to enjoy a seafood boil with friends and wash it all down with a few beers from their extensive selection.

Blue Moon Fish Co.

Blue Moon Fish Co. is a laid-back seafood restaurant with multiple locations throughout Broward County. Their seafood boils are loaded with snow crab legs, jumbo shrimp, clams, mussels, corn and potatoes. You can customize your boil with different broth flavors like garlic herb or spicy Cajun. Blue Moon uses seafood sourced from local fisheries when available and you can taste the freshness in every bite. Their casual vibe and patio seating overlooking the waterway makes Blue Moon Fish Co. a favorite local spot for seafood boils.

Rustic Inn Crabhouse

Rustic Inn Crabhouse is one of the most iconic seafood restaurants in South Florida. Located on the Intracoastal Waterway in Fort Lauderdale, Rustic Inn has been serving their famous garlic crabs since 1955. While not a traditional seafood boil, their garlic crabs are a must-try. Whole crabs are roasted in a garlicky butter sauce that is finger-licking good. Rustic Inn also does an excellent traditional seafood boil piled high with Dungeness crab, lobster tails, shrimp, clams and mussels. Get your seafood fix in a landmark waterfront restaurant at Rustic Inn Crabhouse.

Southport Raw Bar

Southport Raw Bar is located in Fort Lauderdale's historic fishing village and has been a go-to for fresh local seafood since 1973. Theirseafood boil has a Lowcountry influence, with shrimp, mussels, clams, sausage and corn simmered in a garlic and Old Bay seasoning broth. Southport Raw Bar gets seafood in daily right from the fishing boats at the docks. With picnic tables outdoors and a raw bar serving up oysters, clams and ceviche, Southport recreates the feel of a backwoods seafood shack right in the heart of Fort Lauderdale.

Things to Know About Seafood Boils

Seafood boils originating in the southeastern United States, where they were a way for fishermen to quickly cook up a tasty meal after a long day on the water. The tradition came from Louisiana Cajun culture and spread throughout the coastal south. Here are some key things to know about this delicious, hands-on seafood feast:

The Seafood

The most common types of seafood in boils are shrimp, crab, crawfish, clams, mussels and lobster. Oysters and crabs are also popular additions. The seafood is usually caught locally to ensure freshness. Regional differences impact what type of seafood is used, with crab and crawfish more common in Louisiana-style boils. In Fort Lauderdale, shrimp, lobster, clams and mussels tend to be the seafood of choice.

The Broth

The broth provides tons of flavor as the seafood simmers and soaks up the seasonings. Crab boils often use Old Bay seasoning, while shrimp boils may use Creole seasoning blends. Other popular broth flavors include garlic, lemon, cajun spices and bay leaves. The broth is what makes each seafood boil unique, so feel free to get creative with the seasoning combinations.

The Sides

No seafood boil is complete without accompaniments like corn on the cob, potatoes and sausage. The corn and potatoes soak up the flavors of the broth. Smoked sausage provides a meaty, savory contrast to the light seafood. Other popular sides are garlic bread and eggs. The seafood is often dumped over the sides once drained to create a flavorful feast loaded with seafood and fixings.

Eating a Boil

One of the best parts of a seafood boil is that it's communal-style eating. Once dumped onto the table, everyone digs in with their hands, peelings shells and getting their fingers dirty in the process. The table is covered in paper or plastic to make for easy clean-up. Don't be afraid to get hands-on cracking and peeling shells to get to the juicy seafood inside. Sit back with some cold beers and let the good times and seafood flavors roll.

Where to Find Seafood Boils in Fort Lauderdale

Here are some top options for places to enjoy seafood boils in Fort Lauderdale and Broward County:

The Rustic Inn Crabhouse

4331 Ravenswood Rd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312

Blue Moon Fish Co.

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

Big City Tavern

609 E Las Olas Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

Southport Raw Bar

1536 Cordova Rd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316

Quarterdeck Seafood Bar & Grill

1401 Cordova Rd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316

Cap's Place Island Restaurant

2765 NE 28th Ct, Lighthouse Point, FL 33064

Seafood boils are a South Florida favorite thanks to the abundance of fresh local seafood. Hit up one of these top restaurants in Fort Lauderdale for a delicious, fun feast. Just be ready to get your hands dirty peeling shells and soaking up the wonderful flavors.

FAQs

What is in a typical seafood boil?

A typical seafood boil includes shrimp, crabs, crawfish, clams, mussels or lobster. It also contains sides like potatoes, corn on the cob and smoked sausage. The seafood and sides are boiled in a seasoned broth.

What kind of seasonings are used in the broth?

Popular seafood boil broth seasonings include Old Bay, garlic, lemon, Creole seasoning, Cajun spices, onion, bay leaves and crab boil seasoning blends.

How do you eat a seafood boil?

Seafood boils are meant for communal, hands-on eating. Once cooked, the seafood and fixings are dumped onto a table covered in paper or plastic. People peel shells and use their hands to pick out the juicy seafood inside.

What are the best places for seafood boils in Fort Lauderdale?

Top spots for seafood boils in Fort Lauderdale include Rustic Inn Crabhouse, Blue Moon Fish Co., Big City Tavern, Southport Raw Bar and Quarterdeck Seafood Bar & Grill.

What is the best seafood to use for boils in Fort Lauderdale?

The best local seafood includes shrimp, Dungeness crab, spiny lobster, clams and mussels. Fort Lauderdale restaurants source fresh seafood right from Florida fishermen.