Coconuts — Restaurant in Fort Lauderdale

After reflecting on our experience at Coconuts, I feel obligated to share a truthful and serious warning to others—particularly locals—about how this establishment treats its guests.

My partner and I drove over an hour from Miami to dine at Coconuts, a visit she had been looking forward to for months. We arrived with our small, 8-pound Brussels Griffon, who was recovering from a back injury and safely strapped into a stroller. The dog is also a registered emotional support animal with proper documentation. Before entering, I specifically asked the host if dogs were allowed, even pointing directly to the stroller. I was told, “Yes, we are dog-friendly, but only at the outside tables.” We agreed and were seated outside.

From the start, our primary server was kind, attentive, and even expressed sympathy over what would later unfold. He treated us with respect, and after the situation escalated, he personally apologized and even shook my hand—clearly uncomfortable with how his superiors were handling things. Unfortunately, his professionalism was overshadowed by the disgraceful behavior of others, including the general manager and several other staff members.

The issues began subtly but escalated quickly. While our dog sat quietly in his stroller—never barking, never begging, and not touching anything—another server approached us and told us we could not place his small, collapsed water bowl on the table. We complied immediately without complaint.

Later, after being served our entrées, a different server informed us that the dog was not allowed to stand in his stroller. We explained that due to his injury, he occasionally shifted position but remained fully secured and contained. There was no disruption of any kind. Yet, we were met with repeated interruptions and arbitrary enforcement of rules that were never communicated beforehand. If dogs in strollers are not allowed, do not tell patrons they are. I asked clearly. I checked the website. There was no ambiguity on our part.

Eventually, a third person—whom we understood to be the general manager (wearing a neck brace)—approached in a hostile, condescending manner. He not only repeated the demands but added insulting and dismissive remarks, showing no interest in listening or de-escalating. His demeanor was aggressive, and he made us feel unwelcome, embarrassed, and targeted—openly and publicly in front of other guests. Several patrons around us looked equally perplexed by the staff’s actions. Ultimately we decided to leave and the manager said "good get out of here". I then stated I would not pay anything for this and he said "fine leave".

To add to the insult, service throughout the meal was subpar. Our appetizers took over 20 minutes to arrive. Our main courses took almost an hour. And yet, they chose to harass us while we were trying to eat—not at the start, not before seating, but mid-meal. That timing speaks volumes.

The food itself was mediocre at best—bland, overpriced, and not remotely comparable to other finer, more respectful restaurants in South Florida. If the experience wasn’t enough of a disappointment, the quality of the food sealed the deal.

As locals born and raised in South Florida, we were left wondering if we were targeted simply for looking like locals or for our Hispanic background. The conduct felt less like enforcement of policy and more like systematic discrimination.

Coconuts markets itself under the slogan “Be Nice.” What we experienced was the exact opposite—rudeness, hypocrisy, and a clear disconnect between their public image and internal culture.

To anyone considering this place: think twice. Especially if you value kindness, transparency, or simply being treated with basic human decency. We will...

TL:DR visited on February 1st 2025 Excellent food with generous portions Good Service Valet Parking for $5 Patio on the water Casual atmosphere Has Gluten Free options marked Get the Lobster Club Sandwich or have missed out on one of the greatest sandwiches of all time!

The restaurant has been around for a long time and they are still killing it!

High quality seafood at not a too expensive for the location but not cheap either price.

It's a popular location so expect a bit of a wait the good news it's very close to the beach and you can remotely monitor your spot on the wait list so you can explore until your table close to ready or they have a connected bar (G&B Oyster Bar) that you can grab a drink at while you wait. Inside lots of tables and service is quick so the list moved fast. Atmosphere is very casual and I saw people with dogs so no problem showing up after the morning/afternoon at the beach.

Valet parking is $5 but if you go off property it becomes beach rate parking which I think is $25. Parking without valet would be terrible so I would suggest using it.

The food we had

Drinks

Be Nice Punch - very tasty, would order again

Pina Colada - one of the best ones I have had. Lots of coconut. A++

Appetizers

Oysters - They had 4 varieties between $3-4 a piece. We tried 3 types they came identified which is often not the case and was appreciated. All tasted fresh and were full of their liquour (a sign they are fresh and handled properly) and came with lemon, cocktail sauce and horseradish all of which I skip because I want to taste the oyster not just cocktail sauce.

Scoobies - One of the items they are known for it is snow crab claws in garlic butter. They are good and they give you a good amount. Order the bread on a side dish for GF

Conch and Shrimp fritters - Fresh from the fryer and really nicely done, beautiful golden brown and not greasy at all. My only thought is that I would have preferred just conch fritters as I feel the conch was lost to the shrimp.

Conch Soup - I didn't try but the person who had it loved it.

Mains

Coconut Shrimp Platter - These are coconut Shrimp done right. A huge pile of plump flavorful shrimp breaded nicely with great flavor

Local Mahi Sandwich - I didn't try it but the person who did loved it. They had it blackened and without the bread as they are GF. (Sadly no GF bun option)

¡LOBSTER CLUB SANDWICH!

(technically off the bar menu but they give you both menus)

Full stop this is the GOAT sandwich. I will dream about this sandwich and in my dreams I will dream about this sandwich!

They take a whole 1lb freshly steamed lobster, shell it, stick the whole thing on toasted brioche bread with what seems like a whole avocado, thick smokey crispy bacons slices, extra thick juicy tomato slices, and a good portion of crispy lettuce. When it was delivered I literally said Dammmmmnnnnnn! My only problem was that my mouth is not big enough. I saw someone use a fork and knife and honestly that might be the best bet. But if you aren't getting a little messy eating your food are you really enjoying it?

Side of deviled eggs - good traditional deviled eggs, if it ain't broke don't fix it.

Service was great. Very friendly and attentive for how busy the place was. Was great to see FOH staff working together so well.

I can't...

This service review has nothing to do with the wait staff and everything to do with the manager, Max.

On Sunday, we went to G&B, not realizing that these were two different restaurants (the restaurants open into each other). On the G&B side, there is a sign that says "seat yourself at G & B." My party wanted to sit closer to the water and walked through the connected restaurants and ended up on the Coconuts side. We chose a seat, sat down and realized we didn't have menus, asked a nice waitress I she could get us menus and she asked if the host sat us? Apologetically, we realized we had bypassed the host stand due to how we entered. She was nice enough to check if the table was available and returned with menus. She even started to get us water when Max rudely came to the table and said "Ladies, the host didn't seat you here, you need to move because I have people who have been waiting for this table". He was dismissive when we told him the waitress said it was okay. The waitress ended up mouthing to us, sorry. We got up without incident and went to the host stand. When there we pointed out the guy and asked if he was the manager, the host stated yes, and we got a business card to the restaurant as we "put our name on the list." In less than two minutes, we were seated at a table adjacent to where we had seated ourselves at first. Upon further inspection of the sign at G&B, I realized they were/were not the same restaurant, and the seat yourself sign was exclusively for the G&B side. Once seated, we were provided two menus, one for Coconuts and one for G&B, again further solidifying our understanding of it being one establishment with the same rules for seating. The "Be Nice" shirts worn by the staff must skip management. If we hadn't already paid $25 to park, we would have definitely taken our money elsewhere. Max is rude and condescending and should not be in food/customer service with that attitude. I hope for G &B/ Coconuts' sake, they make a change in leadership.

The food was amazing we enjoyed everything we had. Conch fritters had plenty of Conch in them, the scubbies were flavorful, and the oysters were amazing. Didn't care for the drinks, sent them back, and got beers.

Do better,...