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    The Whale's Rib

    4.0 (1.9k reviews)
    Closed 11:00 am - 11:00 pm

    The Whale's Rib Photos

    Business Info

    THE WHALE'S RIB ATMOSPHERE

    What's the vibe?
    Moderate noise
    Divey
    Casual
    Good for kids

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    Recommended Reviews - The Whale's Rib

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    Crab cake
    Rebecca L.

    Back here again with friends on a Saturday night. We arrived around 6:30 pm, had to wait about 20 minutes to be seated. Parking is a big issue here. We were lucky that there was one spot at their parking lot available when we arrived. I had a garden salad with blackened shrimp this time. There were 6 shrimps, the portion of salad is a lot, I finished the shrimps of course but I couldn't finish all of the salad, I had to take it home to enjoy it. Hubby had tuna salad and crab cake, he liked it.

    Crab Cake
    Oliver L.

    Let me cut to the chase, it's crab legs on crab legs on crab legs for a great price. They're so tasty and sweet that you don't even need the butter they provide. The clam chowder is done to perfection and the crab cake is a great way to start your meal. Not pictured are the delicious whale chips which are must when dining here. The service is always efficient and the restaurant is large with plenty of seating. They don't take reservations but they usually get guys in and out quickly to where you won't wait too long on busy nights. The parking onsite is free as long as it's not too busy which is clutch since you are right on the beach and have to pay for other restaurants around the beach.

    Shrimp
    Lore G.

    This isn't my first time here, but I had a friend visiting and I knew this was a must-stop. There's so much history in this place, and my friend absolutely fell in love with it. We enjoyed the fried shrimp with home fries . she was obsessed with the homemade spicy garlic red sauce. The dolphin sandwich was also delicious, super fresh and flavorful. Our server was friendly and really helped us choose, which made the experience even better. No complaints at all. If you're in the area, definitely come here. The beach is nearby, the vibe is great, and it's one of those spots you just keep coming back to. Love this place.

    Individual Soda Pitcher
    Lora G.

    This place was so neat! The long wait was well worth it! Rumy, our waitress was friendly and attentive. The chips with "whale juice" are so good. We shared lots of apps - all delicious. They were out of a lot of things in their raw bar, so I ended up getting the lobster salad sandwich. It did not disappoint!

    10 Chicken Wings
    Ilene F.

    It has been years since I had been to the Whale's Rib and happy we went. We all enjoyed our food. You MUST get the whale chips! Sooooo good! Everyone enjoyed their food. The only downside is parking. Managers don't just stand around. When they saw my husband's drink empty it was immediately refilled by the manager. Our server was super friendly and attentive. We will definitely be back.

    Lobster Bisque
    Ali R.

    A chill restaurant in walking distance from the beach. Outside seating was the best as it was sunny and warm on this particular day. My friend and I enjoyed cups of soup. I had lobster bisque and he had clam chowder. We also ordered oysters, Rock Shrimp and a Blackened Dolphin Sandwich (fries not needed). A very filling and quite delicious meal that would definitely have again on another warm beach day. The server was fine. Not great but not terrible. Our food came out the way it was supposed to and he was always around when necessary so great on that front.

    House salad with shrimp
    Mark B.

    This is my third time to this restaurant. The staff is really good at your job. It's a very popular place, especially due to the location to the pier. Their specialty is seafood and there's a couple of different fish that are awesome. We really like the fried potato chips as in an appetizer. And the crab cakes I had today were very good. I'd recommend it.

    Gabriel B.

    Finally writing a review after years of coming to Whale's Rib, because they deserve the love! Popped in over Memorial Day Weekend and despite the crowds, the wait was surprisingly short...maybe 15 minutes tops. Not bad at all for a holiday weekend. We feasted like we meant it. Standouts were definitely the escargot and steamed clams, absolutely fav's on the menu. Seriously, don't sleep on the escargot, it's buttery, garlicky perfection! MUST HAVE! I went with the blackened dolphin for my main. It was a little overcooked this time around, but still tasty and full of flavor. Nothing a little lemon and some dipping sauce couldn't fix. Whale's Rib has been a go-to spot for years, and it never disappoints. Solid seafood, laid-back beachy vibe, and always a few great daily specials. If you know, you know.

    Madai P.

    Service was exceptional! Our server was on it! Even the manager came around to check on everything. Food was fresh and delicious! I recommend the conch fritters with whale fries. Ambiance is casual beach vibes. The place was very nice inside and out. Indoor and outdoor seating available. Just a short walk from the beach! Highly recommend.

    Gary F.

    The last time we tried to eat here this place had just been on Dinners Drive Inns and Dives and it was next to impossible to get in. Here we are a few years later and we around the corner and decide to try again. This time success! It's Busy but not crazy busy and we get seated immediately. First the brought us drinks, the largest glass of soda I've ever gotten in a restaurant, served in a 32 ounces pitcher with a straw. We started out a couple of soups. My daughter had a cup of lobster biquisk and I had a cup of clam chowder. Both were very good. Afre that we shared a basket of whale fries, a thick cut potato chip, but not fried to a crisp, served with their whale juice "honny mustard" It was different but really good and we all seemed to enjoy it. For lunch we all had different things my daughter got chicken wings. I didn't get to take a photo but they looked really good! Now my wife had a grouper wrap with a baked potato. The wrap must have been really good since she ate the whole thing. The baked potato, she it was one of the best potatoes she has ever had. She said it was cooked perfect!! As for me I had the California chicken sandwich, I got it blackened. The blackened seasoning was very good, it also had cheese, sprouts, avocado, tomatoes and onions. It was an enormous sandwich, the chicken was cooked perfect and it was really good. The service, it was just as good, not only our server, but everyone we encountered. Even the manager, we were at the table next to his office and evertime he walked by he did something for us. Drink refills ect. The only negative thing I have to say is the parking. It sucks, I think they have some valet parking but if you need park in another place they charge you. What suck is you have to pay for four hour when you need only two hours. Not the restaurant s fault.

    Fried Rock Shrimp
    Paul J.

    This is your Deerfield Beach stop for seafood! Everything is fresh and prepared quickly. We split the fried rock shrimp, each had a bowl of lobster bisque, and then split the blackened wahoo sandwich. The rock shrimp was served with spicy mayo with a light batter, the bisque was creamy with some lobster chunks, and the sandwich was fresh and had a great sauce too. A local gem, don't miss it!

    Fried oyster basket. Plump, juicy, light batter. Oh the whale fries!!!!!  Delish!!
    Karen G.

    Always a great meal with good service. We're seafood lovers and every time we eat here, it does not disappoint. Consistent food quality and friendly service.

    Emma B.

    Such a great restaurant! Would recommend to anyone. The whale chips are delicious, they're a must. When I went, we got the sampler of oysters and loved the Parmesan ones the most. Wasn't too big of a fan of the Rockefeller oysters because of the tomato but still good. The mussels appetizer is delicious and worth getting as well. Inside is also cool and staff is lovely.

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    24 days ago

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    7 days ago

    Great rock shrimps the whale fries are a must. The fish sandwich is excellent . What ever u order it's great.

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    1 year ago

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    23 days ago

    Great food! Services was good. With the beach down the block, this place is a great vibe.

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    6 months ago

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    1 month ago

    I devoured my lobster bisque! Would order again , highly recommend. Service was outstanding as always. Ambiance laid back and relaxing.

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    7 months ago

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    3 months ago

    Great food and excellent friendly service. Loved the wahoo fish fingers and whale fries.

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    The Whale's Rib Reviews in Other Languages

    Ask the Community - The Whale's Rib

    What are the vegan options? Even the veggie wrap has cheese...

    Have the cheese removed from the sandwich and that is your vegan option. Also the potato chips minus the sauce it comes with. It is ultimately a seafood bar in Florida, my expectations for veg food are not high.

    Is there a parking lot?

    Yes. Very small though

    Is there a happy hour today, if so, the times. Do you serve fresh oysters?

    Happy Hour is Monday through Friday.

    Is this place kid friendly?

    Yes.

    View All 6 Questions

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    Papa's Raw Bar

    4.5(1.1k reviews)
    2.3 mi
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    Definitely come to Papa's Raw Bar! It was family dinner night and I had a craving for some seafood…read more The ambiance was very relaxed and family friendly, with enough space to maneuver a stroller and welcoming to my 3-month old. There was a dj outside setting some good vibes and inside was nice a calm. Highly recommend bringing a jacket, the air conditioning inside kept the place pretty chilly when it was on and then comfortably warm when off. The food was fresh and delicious. I would say it rivals Joe's Stone Crab in Miami Beach. Everything was to perfection. My favorites were the fried calamari and the whole fried fish (didn't get a pic). A little lemon juice and nothing more was needed. Our server Mimi was delightful and had great menu knowledge. Especially appreciated her suggestion of spicy mayo with my blackened lobster sandwich rather than the sauce it comes with. Looking forward to coming back!

    Excellent service for Friday 3:00pm lunch. My brother , his wife and I were seated inside in the…read moreback. Great area, large area for groups and TVs to watch. We were the only ones in this area when we arrived but started to fill up when we left. A great room. I Started with a conch chowder cup. Excellent, lots of conch. Seasoned perfectly. A winner! Warm peel & eat shrimps were excellent. Fresh big ones. So good I ordered an extra order to take home. That good! A must have to share with the table. I came for Fish Tacos and ordered the fried beer battered red snapper. MP Choices were Mahi Mahi, red snapper, or Tile Fish. Excellent, excellent, wow! Too good! Will order again. My brother's wife got the Lobster Tacos and loved them. Overall a great visit. Will definitely be back for those fish Tacos.

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    Chef Dee's - Shrimp tempura roll

    Chef Dee's

    4.5(226 reviews)
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    Thank you Yelpers for leading me to,this,really great restaurant. In town and staying with locals…read morewho didn't know about this Italian Seafood establishment. I was searching Yelp for seafood, and this came up as highly rated. One of the people in our party of 5 adults and a toddler is not a huge fan of seafood, so having Italian options was great. He ordered the special eggplant parmigiana and said it was delicious. The sauce was very good and he cleaned his plate. . Everyone also enjoyed their salads with the ginger dressing. A few even added some balsamic and said the combo was delicious. The wahoo bites we had as an appetizer was crispy and flaky and lovely. Our 16 month old guest enjoyed them as well. I ordered the sesame crusted ahi tuna and Bahamian peas and rice side. The tuna was perfectly cooked and the Bahamian peas and rice were amazing!!! The spicy flavor and beautifully textured rice were the perfect side with the tuna! Others ordered the Linguine Alla Vongole - fresh clams in the shell with garlic scampi sauce and Crazy Bob's Shrimp and Calamari Fra Diavolo with angel hair pasta. There was a generous amount of clams, shrimp and calamari in the respective dishes enjoyed with the wonderful pastas. The generous amount of pasta was taken home. Our sever Agnes was a delight! Very kind and an absolute pleasure! While we were too full and content to have desserts those who live in town said they will need to come back and leave room for the key lime pie. The dining area was decorated with wonderful art and nautical treasures. A few tables exist for outdoor dining. Mostly for two or four diners. Highly recommend Chef Dee's restaurant!

    I come to Chef Dee's each time I visit this area and am usually impressed by their eclectic menu…read moreand family owned ambience. Tonight I had conch soup and cold stoned crabs which were excellent. Intrigued, I ordered as an entre Crazy Bob's shrimp and clams Fra Diavalo over angel hair. It arrived smothered in a red sauce so heavily laden with kimchi and red pepper flakes the dish was inedible. An hour later, my mouth was still burning. I have eaten in restaurants on every contingent except Antarctica and for the first time ever felt compelled to send a meal back. Instead of the chef coming out to apologize or find out what was wrong, the server became surly and wanted to challenge my impression of the meal. Her unprofessional attitude completely soured the experience. I will not be returning to this establishment.

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    Elysium Immersive Dining - Portugal

    Elysium Immersive Dining

    4.8(20 reviews)
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    This place is OUTSTANDING!!! The moment you step onto the red carpet you instantly feel like you're…read morein for a special experience! The ambiance is very upscale, welcoming, and sets the tone for a memorable visit. Joey the bartender was very professional, kind, extremely welcoming and very apologetic for the Happy Hour lounge being closed the day I visited which was bit disappointing. However, my friend and I still decided to stay and enjoy a cocktail. As we were leaving, we met Tommy the manager, who was just as nice & gave us a tour of the dinner area which I would love to try one day. He briefly chatted with us and gave us his business card. Everything about this place was top-tier. I'll definitely be back and highly recommend it to anyone looking for a classy night out with exceptional service or just a few appetizers & a cocktail.

    Elysium is not merely a restaurant. It's an experience that quietly transcends the boundary between…read moredining and storytelling. From the moment we walked in and were handed a glass of prosecco, it was clear this would be something different. There was an intentionality to everything--the pacing, the ambiance, the way each course was introduced. It didn't feel transactional. It felt ceremonial. Each of the six courses represented a different European destination (Portugal, Spain, France, Italy and Greece), and what made it extraordinary wasn't just the quality of the food--which was exceptional--but the way the environment transformed alongside it. Lighting, visuals, sound, and narration worked together in a way that made every dish feel contextual and meaningful, rather than simply plated. Every part of this immersive experience contained instruments working in harmony to amplify the meaning of each course. The courses were beautifully composed and balanced. Nothing felt excessive or forced. Each plate served a purpose in the broader narrative, and each wine or cocktail pairing elevated the dish rather than competing with it. What stood out most, though, was how present it made you feel. In a world where most dinners blur together, this one didn't. Time slowed down. You became immersed. Fully engaged. The service was impeccable--attentive, warm, and deeply knowledgeable without ever feeling rehearsed or overbearing. You felt guided, not served. Tommy (the owner/proprietor) and his staff were unquestionably five-stars. By the end, you remembered how it felt to be transported somewhere else without ever boarding a plane. It's worth every moment.

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    Pukara on the Beach  - Ceviche!

    Pukara on the Beach

    4.9(66 reviews)
    0.0 mi

    We were heading to Deerfield Beach and wanted a quick bite. We popped in here because I was in the…read moremood for some ceviche. It's a Peruvian restaurant. We asked which ceviche is their best and she recommended the Ceviche Mixto. It was ready just a few minutes after and we walked over to the beach to enjoy it. She packaged it nicely to make sure nothing spilled. And the crunchy corn was packaged separately so it wouldn't get soggy. Thoughtful! It was super delicious! Nice mix of different fish, it was citrusy, oniony, crunchy from the corn. Everything I wanted in a ceviche. Definitely recommend!

    Pukara is a family-owned Peruvian restaurant conveniently located within walking distance of the…read morebeach, with available parking. Our family tried a variety of dishes, starting with the Jalea, a fried seafood platter. While the portion was smaller than what you typically find at other Peruvian restaurants, the seafood was fresh. I just wish there had been more calamari, fish, shrimp, and fried yucca. We also ordered the Chicken (Pollo) Chaufa and the Seafood Chaufa. Both dishes came in small portions, and the seafood was only placed on top of the rice. Sadly, they lacked the distinctive Chaufa flavor and tasted a bit bland. The Lomo Saltado beef was tender but similarly lacked seasoning, and the Ají Amarillo was just okay. On a positive note, the service was excellent, and the ambiance felt warm and inviting. It seems the food might have been adjusted to cater to a more traditional or less adventurous palate. Peruvian cuisine is renowned for its rich flavors and Asian influences, and I believe it has the potential to be truly exceptional.

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    Lucky Lou’s Raw Bar - Grilled oysters

    Lucky Lou’s Raw Bar

    4.3(96 reviews)
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    Alyvia- outstanding in customer service very personable…read more appreciate her smile !! Thank you for the excellent customer service

    Conveniently located just a block from the Deerfield Beach Pier, this spot sits on the corner near…read moreone of the parking garages. After reading all the rave reviews about their happy hour, we decided to stop by on a weekday -- and overall, it was definitely worth checking out. The decor is stylish while still feeling like a true bar, without coming across as overly divey like some of the surrounding seafood spots nearby. We arrived about an hour before happy hour and were initially served by Am B, who was knowledgeable about the menu and very attentive to our requests. Once happy hour started, we moved to the high-top area since HH specials are only offered at the bar and surrounding high-top tables. Our second server, Andrew, was equally fantastic. As for the food, the fish dip was just okay. Based on other reviews, we expected larger chunks of fish throughout, but that wasn't really the case. Not pictured, but the kids' burger was surprisingly one of the best kids' burgers we've seen anywhere. The $1 oysters during happy hour are an unbeatable deal, especially since they're a decent size. The $5 hush puppies were also good, and the sauce definitely elevated them. For drinks, I loved that they offer wine on tap. My Sauvignon Blanc was crisp and refreshing after a hot beach day. That said, the happy hour drink selection was a little underwhelming. The beer and wine specials were only $1 off, and the $4 mixed drinks were basic well drinks. I also wish there were a few more food options included on the HH menu. One minor downside -- there were quite a few pesky flies lingering around and landing on the food, which meant we were constantly waving them away. Maybe adding small table fans could help minimize the issue. Overall, this is a great place to check out, and if you're an oyster fan, happy hour is absolutely the time to go.

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    The Whale's Rib - seafood - Updated May 2026

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