Dining on Cloud Nine

By Katie Ogletree | Photography courtesy of The Restaurant People

Perched high above the shoreline, Nubé invites guests to experience Fort Lauderdale from a vantage point that feels as though it floats somewhere between the ocean and the sky. This rooftop destination has captivated guests with its sweeping views and blend of atmosphere, design, and cuisine, creating a uniquely immersive experience by the Atlantic.

From the start, the vision behind Nubé was clear: create something elevated, in every sense of the word. The team at The Restaurant People set out to design a destination where the setting itself would be as compelling as the menu and where guests arrive not just to dine, but to take in panoramic views of the ocean and the city skyline. Once the rooftop location revealed its full potential, the concept naturally followed. The name “Nubé,” derived from the Spanish word for cloud, became a fitting reflection of the restaurant’s perspective, both literal and experiential.

Nubé entered the scene in April 2024 with the weight of The Restaurant People’s nearly three decades of hospitality experience behind it. Founded in 1997 in Fort Lauderdale, the group has played a defining role in shaping the city’s modern dining and nightlife culture, developing more than seventy concepts that range from energetic waterfront restaurants to design-forward social hubs. Led by partners Tim Petrillo, Peter Boulukos, and Alan Hooper, the company has built its reputation on a highly integrated approach. It’s where location, design, and culinary direction are conceived in tandem rather than as separate elements. That philosophy is evident in Nubé, which follows a familiar yet ever-evolving menu and event offerings, building an experience-driven concept around a standout setting and creating a space that sets the stage for great food.

In a city celebrated for its waterfront dining, Nubé nevertheless offers a refreshing shift in perspective. Sitting twenty-six floors up—the highest rooftop bar on Fort Lauderdale Beach—it trades the sandy shoreline for sheer altitude. The result is an environment where you can watch sunsets stretch across the horizon, and the energy of the city feels both vibrant and distant. It’s this balance, between escape and engagement, that helps define Nubé’s place within the local dining and nightlife scene.

That sense of place is paired with a broader industry shift that Nubé fully embraces: the move toward experience-driven hospitality. Here, dining extends into evening tones, set by DJs, themed events, and curated moments that feel exclusive yet sharable. The menu reflects that same philosophy, with fresh, coastal-inspired plates meant for the table rather than the individual. Presentation plays a key role, with dishes and cocktails crafted to be as visually striking as they are flavorful.

The cocktail program, in particular, embodies the restaurant’s sky-high identity. The signature Nubé cocktail arrives in a swirl of dry ice, creating a cloud-like effect that drifts around the glass. It’s a playful nod to the concept’s celestial roots. Made with cucumber jalapeño-infused tequila, citrus, watermelon, and a light sea-salt foam, it’s refreshing and theatrical. Similarly, the “Caviar in the Clouds” dish captures the restaurant’s ethos in a single presentation: indulgent caviar paired with airy manchego foam, served on a mirrored tray that reflects the sky above.

Despite these creative flourishes, the culinary approach remains all about accessibility, aiming to offer something for everyone. The kitchen strikes a careful balance between innovation and familiarity, building dishes around recognizable flavors while elevating them through technique and presentation. The menu feels exciting without becoming intimidating to the customer, perfectly aligned with the restaurant’s social, open atmosphere.

Tim Petrillo, Co-founder/CEO of The Restaurant People

Staying fresh in a fast-moving hospitality landscape requires constant evolution, and Nubé approaches this through both programming and menu development. Seasonal ingredients, global influences, and team collaboration all play a role, while events, like full moon celebrations and other themed experiences, keep the experience dynamic.

Still, everything ties back to the core identity: sky, clouds, and the feeling of being suspended above it all.

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Visit NubeRooftop.com to learn more or make a reservation and TheRestaurantPeople.com to see the group’s other concepts.