For those of us navigating the bustling corridor of the Broward County Convention Center and the Port Everglades terminals, finding a dining sanctuary that combines convenience with culinary soul can be a tall order. Doris and I were recently treated to an evening at Olive & Sea, located adjacent to the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina at 1881 SE 17th St.

Positioned perfectly at the foot of the 17th Street Causeway, this spot is a rare find—so close to the convention center that you can practically see the entrance from the restaurant’s threshold. Furthermore, it is a stop on the Water Taxi F4/H2 Fort Lauderdale line, making it an incredibly convenient spot to drop in for lunch while staying within easy walking distance of the area’s top venues.

The Cocktails

We headed straight for the outdoor deck, where the views of the Intracoastal provide the perfect backdrop to unwind. Doris enjoyed a Capri Spritz, crafted with Le Moné aperitif and Prosecco—an overall great balance of flavors. I opted for one of the happy hour specials, the Limoncello Spritz. It was a very good pour where you could truly taste the limoncello, and the cut with the Prosecco made it just right. The atmosphere is vibrant yet composed, making it ideal for a sunset cocktail or a complete, leisurely dinner.

The Appetizers

We started our happy hour with three standout dishes:

  • Stuffed Grape Leaves: Served with a preserved lemon aioli, this was our table favorite. The presentation was artistic, and the flavor balance was absolutely on point.
  • Chicken Schnitzel Sliders: Featuring harissa aioli, arugula, and pickles on a fresh bun. They offered an awesome crunch and a depth of flavor that genuinely surprised us.
  • Braised Short Rib Pizza: Served with tomato, pickled red onion, and a harissa drizzle on pita laffa. It was a brilliant play on texture, using the laffa to tie the savory, tender meat and bright acidity of the plum tomatoes together.

The Main Event

Moving inside, we sampled the signature offerings to get a true sense of the kitchen’s capability. The star was undeniably the Beef Tenderloin Skewer. Shawarma-seasoned and served with a spiced tomato sauce, tehina, and a coriander-chili relish, this dish is, as our server Damian aptly put it, “fork-tender.” It was buttery, melt-in-your-mouth delicious, and so perfectly seasoned that the accompanying sauces, while excellent, were almost superfluous.

We paired this with the Olive & Sea Salad (mixed greens, goat cheese, roasted beets, caramelized walnuts, and pomegranate molasses vinaigrette). It’s the namesake dish for a reason—the balance of fresh cheese, earthy beets, and the acidity of the pomegranate is a perfect execution of flavor in every forkful.

The Sweet Finish: A FOMO Moment

We concluded with the Pistachio Ricotta Cake dusted with sweet dukkah spice, enjoyed alongside a perfect espresso. This was the true “FOMO” moment of the night; it is an absolute must-have that you don’t want to miss. It is highly reminiscent of the beloved cake from the former La Capricciosa in LBTS, and if you don’t save room for it, you’ll certainly regret it.

Final Thoughts

Between the impeccable service from Damian and the team, and the spectacular views of the yachts passing under the bridge, Olive & Sea is a destination that delivers. It’s a lively, polished space where the conversations flow as easily as the cocktails. We will certainly be returning, and we highly recommend it for your next visit to the 17th Street area.

Visit Olive & Sea

  • Located adjacent to: Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina
  • Address: 1881 SE 17th St., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316
  • Phone: (954) 527-6716
  • Menu & Info: oliveandseaftl.com