Even Keel Fish Shack

My friend Kathy and I visited this place for drinks, but we didn’t have any food, so I can’t comment on that. However, the drinks were generously poured and very tasty. The outdoor setting is charming, located right by the beach in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. I’m still swooning over our waiter—he was absolutely stunning and incredibly friendly. He made our experience outstanding with his attentive and warm service. Thanks to him, we’re definitely planning to return. He won over these two ladies for good!

The restaurant has a fantastic beachside atmosphere with an open layout that includes several seating arrangements along the wall. The bar area is partially indoors, but you can also sit outside for a pleasant experience. I started with the raw oysters and was extremely pleased—they were plump and tasted incredibly fresh. I also tried the Rockefeller oysters, which were equally delicious. I ordered a Piña Colada, but it was just average compared to ones I've had at other places. I would definitely return to sample more of their menu options. Their oysters are a highlight, and I highly recommend them. I'm also eager to try their other drinks in hopes they’ll impress me more. The service was attentive and friendly, adding to the enjoyable experience. The atmosphere is clean, open, and nicely decorated—definitely worth a visit!

I sat at the bar and thoroughly enjoyed an amazing espresso martini, beautifully presented. I also had the adult grilled cheese, which was rich and delicious—definitely recommend sharing it. Andrew was an excellent server: polite and professional. It's a small restaurant, so I can imagine there might be a wait during the busy season!

My husband wanted to order a fish platter with various items, and the staff recommended something to us. I also ordered some shrimp. We decided to do take-out, enjoyed a couple of drinks during happy hour, and then headed back to our resort about a mile away. Once we unpacked the food at our resort, we were shocked by how inadequate my husband’s platter was. He received what was essentially a small chip, a seafood dip of some sort, and a tiny portion of fish—barely enough for an appetizer. Meanwhile, I had about seven medium-sized shrimp. Feeling unsatisfied, I ended up going down to our resort's restaurant and ordering him a cheeseburger and fries. In total, our experience between this seafood restaurant and the resort's dining options (excluding drinks) cost us around $120, which felt outrageous. I cannot recommend this seafood restaurant; it felt like a real rip-off. On a positive note, Fort Lauderdale itself was fantastic, as was our stay at Ocean Sky Resort. Oh, and parking was a hassle!

Our server, James, was outstanding—friendly and very helpful. The food was fantastic! We started with mussels, biscuits, and grilled oysters, all of which were delightful, and I highly recommend them. My daughters ordered the fish and chips and the blackened fish sandwich, both of which were excellent. My wife and I had the swordfish and the octopus, and they were absolutely amazing! We also received a complimentary shrimp cocktail and key lime pie, which were both delicious, so we treated the staff to a round of Miller Highlife in return. This is a great place with a wonderful staff, and it's definitely worth a visit!