Sweetwaters Targeting October Opening in Fort Lauderdale

Seafood, raw bar items, and coastal dishes will highlight the menu at this restaurant.

Image courtesy of Sweetwaters.

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL — Sweetwaters is targeting an October opening at 32 E Las Olas Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301, bringing a new full-service coastal restaurant to the waterfront corridor, general manager Ashley Ermus told Business Debut. The concept comes from Specialty Restaurants Corporation, led by owner John Tallichet, and marks a new ground-up build for the group.

Business Debut learned of this story first from What Now.

What to Expect

Sweetwaters is designed as a modern coastal, full-service restaurant with a focus on seafood and a setting that transitions throughout the day. Guests can expect an open, airy space connected to the water with both indoor and outdoor seating, totaling just under 300 seats, Ermus told Business Debut.

The restaurant aims to serve as a go-to destination for both locals and visitors, offering a relaxed daytime atmosphere that evolves into a more energetic evening experience. “The kind of place that you want to come back to over and over again,” Ermus told Business Debut.

The menu centers on chef-driven coastal cuisine with an emphasis on fresh seafood and approachable flavors. Guests can expect a mix of composed dishes and familiar favorites with elevated execution, Ermus told Business Debut.

Highlights include a full raw bar, a hot seafood tower, fresh fish selections, and dishes like lobster and shrimp risotto. “It’s really centered around fresh ingredients and approachable flavors,” Ermus told Business Debut.

The restaurant will also feature a full bar and cocktail program designed to complement the waterfront setting.

Behind the project is Specialty Restaurants Corporation, led by CEO, Chairman, and owner John Tallichet, the company behind concepts including Rusty Pelican. Ermus told Business Debut she has been with the company for more than three years, starting as director of special event operations at Rusty Pelican before growing into the general manager role at Sweetwaters.

A Miami native and Fort Lauderdale local, Ermus said that background is shaping how the team approaches the restaurant, with a focus on creating something that feels rooted in the community. “We’re so excited to bring Sweetwaters to Fort Lauderdale and really create a place that feels inviting and local,” Ermus told Business Debut.

Opening Timeline

The team is targeting a fall opening, with plans to debut in October.

Hours

Sweetwaters plans to operate seven days a week for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast will begin at 8 a.m. with a café-style, grab-and-go offering, followed by full-service dining for lunch, weekend brunch, and dinner. Closing hours are still to be announced but are expected to fall between 10 p.m. and 11 p.m.