Escaping Winter One Scoobie at a Time
I’ve developed a bad habit over the last few years. Every time I come back from somewhere warm, usually Fort Lauderdale, I stop for seafood before heading home. It’s the only way to mentally prepare for going from 80 degrees and sunshine to 20 degrees and responsibilities.
You sit at a bar. You feel the breeze. You stare at the water. You order a martini and pretend winter doesn’t exist yet. This time, that stop was Coconuts, by Be Nice Hospitality, one of my tried-and-true favorites and a place I’ve been to more times than I probably admit publicly.
The Vibe: Marina Views and Zero Stress
Coconuts is not flashy, trendy, or trying too hard, and that’s precisely why it works. It’s a neighborhood favorite, full of locals, tucked just far enough off the beaten path to feel like a secret without actually being one.
The view isn’t oceanfront, but the marina does just fine, boats, sunshine, calm water, and the kind of atmosphere that immediately lowers your blood pressure. Everyone’s in T-shirts. No one’s rushing you. This is how marina dining is supposed to feel.
Pro tip: Lunch gets busy, so a reservation helps.
The Food: Simple, Comforting, and Exactly What You Want
The Lobster Club
I went straight for the lobster club, and yes, it’s as aggressive as it sounds.
Thick chunks of fresh lobster
Crispy bacon
Tomato, lettuce, avocado
Crinkle-cut fries on the side
For $34, this thing is enormous and absolutely worth it. The lobster is fresh and sweet, the avocado keeps it balanced, and the bacon adds just enough salt and crunch. I barely finished it, and that’s saying something.
The Legendary Scoobies
If you go to Coconuts, you get the Scoobies. No questions.
Scoobies are crab claws cooked in oil, garlic, and pepper, and they are pure comfort food. Are they fancy? No. Are they perfect with a martini and sunshine? Absolutely.
They’re messy, addictive, and one of the reasons I keep coming back.
The Drinks: Pre-Flight Mental Therapy
Two martinis happened. Naturally. Cold, clean, and exactly what I needed before airport chaos. This place understands the assignment when it comes to day drinking with dignity.
Dessert: Peanut Butter Wins Again
Even though the lobster club nearly ended me, I still went for the peanut butter pie.
It’s rich, creamy, and leans more toward peanut butter than toward chocolate, which I appreciate. Would I order it again? Yes. Did I finish it? No. No regrets either way.
The Bill: Surprisingly Reasonable
The total came out to around $120 to $130, which included cocktails, seafood, a massive sandwich, and dessert. For Fort Lauderdale waterfront dining, that’s more than fair.
Verdict
Coconuts is precisely what it should be: relaxed, reliable, and ridiculously easy to enjoy. The food hits, the martinis are cold, the marina view does all the heavy lifting, and there’s zero pressure to be anything other than comfortable.
The lobster club alone is worth the stop. The Scoobies are undefeated. And the overall experience is the perfect mental reset before heading back to winter and real life.
This isn’t a special-occasion flex spot. It’s a feel-good, no-regret restaurant you return to again and again, especially when you need one last hit of sunshine before reality kicks in.
Final score:
Would absolutely come back.
Would absolutely order the same thing.
I would delay my flight if I could.
As always, what do I know? I’m just a fat guy from Brooklyn trying to survive winter, one marina martini at a time. If you want more Top 10s steakhouses, burgers, restaurants, you name it click the words and keep going.