For the better part of a decade, the bar and restaurant has been one of the go-to spots at the northeast corner of the Galleria Mall – the bit of the shopping center that’s been redeveloped into an upscale dining and nightlife hub. It’s a little spot mostly given over to upmarket national chains – Capitol Grille, Seasons 52, P.F. Chang’s. (Blue Martini is headquartered in South Florida, which is also where four of its six locations are.)
Then there’s the weekly fun, such as Wednesday-night ladies night – a fairly recent addition that includes half-off cocktails all night, $5 Tito cocktails all night for everybody and complimentary cocktails and champagne from 9 to 11 p.m.
THIS INCREASINGLY POPULAR chain recently brought its brand of bird preparation to Fort Lauderdale. Chicken Kitchen prides itself in providing a fresh and healthy menu. Try their world famous “Chop-Chop” by choosing a combination on the menu or creating your own. Chicken Kitchen offers take-out, dine-in and delivery. You can even get them to cater an event.
Located in cool, laid-back North Beach Village, the wine garden offers beachgoers a place to “wine” down after a long day in the water or on the sand. Feel the ocean breeze while indulging in pizza, pasta, dessert and wine. Their pasta choices include salmon livornesa (linguine pasta with tomato sauce, olives, capers, onions, Italian parsley and fresh diced salmon) and one of their dessert options consists of yogurt Nutella chocolate mousse.
The popular Cuban bakery and café has opened its first Broward location and has been attracting foodies looking for a Cuban coffee and pastelito fix. Owned and operated by a third generation Cuban-American, the food is authentic and offers a twist on classics. Be sure to try the arroz con pollo bites (chicken, yellow rice, mozzarella fritters and sazon aioli).
The Conrad’s Cornucopia is just that—a plentiful amount of fruits and vegetables all in one place. Located at the lobby, the gourmet market and bakery is ideal for a quick bite to get your day going or an evening snack right before you wind down. The morning menu includes fresh pressed juices, bacon and cheddar frittata and a huevos rancheros pizza. Finish your day with a selection of meats and cheese from the charcuterie menu or a green eggs “pizzetta.”
As the name suggests, Tropical Smoothie Café is known for its plentiful selection of smoothies. The menu also features bowls, wraps, sandwiches and breakfast items. Their app includes a rewards program and also allows you to order ahead. Catering and delivery are offered as well.
Located on the fifth floor pool terrace of the Atlantic Hotel and Spa, SKY Bar offers the same easygoing vibe of the hotel’s restaurant, Coastal. It features a variety of appetizers and entrees, including Bimini coconut shrimp, a local mahi sandwich and a Mediterranean pita pocket. They even serve bananas Foster french toast as part of their brunch on Sundays. In addition, they partnered up with SKYY Vodka to create a specialty drink menu. The bar is open to guests and anyone with a day pass.
The Atlantic Hotel and Spa recently unleashed their newest dining concept, Wild Thyme Oceanside Eatery. With oceanside views, the inviting atmosphere is perfect for an intimate dinner setting or large parties. The food includes land and sea – from lobster to rib-eye Philly cheesesteaks to whole charred octopus, you’ll find it all here.
Located on the sixth floor of the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort, Ilios is open from 6:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Executive Chef Sean McDonald serves up Mediterranean cuisine with a Floridian influence. The Chef’s Three Course Tasting Menu showcases the restaurant’s current specialties.
YOLO on the beach (in the Hilton).
STEAK 954 is a luxury boutique steakhouse inside the W Fort Lauderdale that faces the ocean. The restaurant features dry aged beef from hand-picked ranches, Tajima Kobe from Australia, locally caught seafood, and the finest wines and spirits with selections from all over the globe.
Mario’s Catalina Restaurant is named for its flamboyant chef/owner Mario Flores, who puts equally strong emphasis on creating an elegant ambiance and providing outstanding service and cuisine. White linen tablecloths contrast with an assortment of colorful paintings with ornate frames and Mario’s collection of tchotchkes. The food is a combination of Cuban and Spanish favorites, like roasted pork with caramelized plantains, white rice and black beans, vaca frita, and garlic shrimp.
Founders Robert and Abby are longtime surfers and beach lovers. They were inspired by their many trips to exotic beach locations including Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Puerto Rico, California and Hawaii. Each destination featured its own spin on acai or pitaya bowls. When they came back home, they were inspired to recreate their versions of some of their favorites. The menu features a wide variety including banana bowls like the Nica Bowl (banana blend topped with granola, banana, cocoa nibs, walnuts, strawberry and peanut butter).
El Vez, from James Beard Award-winning restaurateur Stephen Starr, offers a menu by chef Steven Menter that features Mexican favorites such as classic guacamole, crispy Mahi Mahi, tacos al carbon and others. The 300-seat Mexican eatery is located on the first floor of the W Fort Lauderdale and includes indoor and outdoor bars and an expansive lounge area. The W’s signature artistic décor and style are present and include a unique beer can wall art installation. If art’s not your thing, there’s also cornhole and shuffleboard.
Located inside the W Fort Lauderdale hotel, the quick and casual plant-based restaurant features healthy but tasty cuisine. They offer salads, power bowls, hot dogs and sausages, fries, shakes, coffee, beer and wine. Notable menu items include the buffalo bowl (crispy buffalo tenders, cherry tomatoes, diced carrots, celery, kale/quinoa blend and spicy blue cheese dressing) and the queso burger (SoBe Vegan cheese sauce, pico de gallo, fresno chili, crispy tortillas and lettuce).
The new location in Southport Shopping Center on 17th Street offers what customers have come to love from the first location on North Federal Highway. The Mexican restaurant is inspired by the food originating from the Baja Coast Peninsula, to be specific. They strive to bring light and fresh Mexican food that can be eaten every day to South Florida.
The healthy fast casual concept stays true to its local supply chain philosophy by sourcing much of its produce from J&J Family of Farms in Loxahatchee and herbs from Harvest Sensations in Miami. The name’s a bit of a misnomer; Just Salad also does wraps, smoothies, “warm bowls” featuring dishes like shawarma and umami, and soups.
This upscale casual eatery headed by chef Pablo Salas offers an eclectic, soulful menu that can be enjoyed outdoors with oceanfront views or indoors in an elegant dining room served in an a la carte manner. Located inside the Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort, the chic restaurant also features an outdoor bar and a special tequila tasting room.
Inside the Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort, Lona’s sister restaurant adds a Mexican-inspired breakfast experience. Tinta (which translates to “ink” in Spanish) serves breakfast from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. Headed by Chef Pablo Salas, the menu offers omelets like the Yucatan (lump crab, cream cheese, chipotle béchamel, cotija cheese, pickled onion and cilantro) and burritos like the Smothered Burrito (stuffed with scrambled eggs, chorizo, poblano, queso, salsa roja, avocado and refried beans).
Seasonal cuisine and an award-winning international wine list make this casual-chic chain at the Galleria a consistent draw for locals and out-of-towners. Nothing on the menu tops 475 calories, kept down either by portion control or careful ingredient selection. Flatbreads are popular, such as spicy chipotle shrimp with grilled pineapple, feta, and roasted poblano chilies, as are vibrant entrees like caramelized sea scallops, wood-fired pork tenderloin, and roasted artichoke-stuffed shrimp. Chef’s tables are available with an amuse bouche and a five-course meal with wine pairings for each course, as is private dining for special, intimate occasions. For dessert, go with guilt-free mini-indulgences – shot glass-sized sweet treats, such as Key lime pie, old-fashioned carrot cake, and chocolate peanut butter mousse.
White tablecloths, dark wood accents, and landscape and portrait paintings adorning dark red and brown dining room walls give this chain in the Galleria Mall a classic, sophisticated ambience, as do the food and lengthy wine and spirits list. Appetizers like Wagyu beef carpaccio with wasabi arugula and the cold shellfish platter with fresh lobster, jumbo shrimp, and oysters are perfect for kicking off any VIP dinner. Entrees like the Kona coffee-crusted, dry-aged bone-in sirloin with shallot butter and porcini-rubbed Delmonico with 12-year-aged balsamic further stamp the feeling of luxury. Seafood lovers should try the seared citrus-glazed salmon with haricot verts, asparagus, and roasted cipollini onions with a side of decadent lobster mac and cheese. For dessert, try coconut cream pie, flourless chocolate espresso cake, or the trio of house-made ice creams.
Located in the Gallery ONE DoubleTree on the Intracoastal, this restaurant offers contemporary cuisine overlooking the water and hotel pool. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner with seating indoors and on the 30-seat patio. Menu favorites include crab cakes, short ribs and swordfish.
This locally owned restaurant offers a wide selection of classic American dishes. The lunch and dinner menu includes Jamaican grilled wings, crispy walnut shrimp, orange chicken and a deep-sea tuna burger. On Saturdays and Sundays, guests can choose from a selection of made-to-order brunch dishes, including six styles of eggs Benedict.
Park & Ocean sits in a shady grove on the southeast side of Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, facing A1A and the ocean. Located in the park’s old, partially indoor beachside entrance, the place’s menu includes tacos, salads, burgers and fun bar food like the scrumptious, not-so-traditional grilled cheese sandwiches made with truffles, garlic shrimp and manchego cheese. There’s an extensive beer menu, including several local brewery favorites, as well as a good selection of wines and other beverages. You can also catch some live tunes – check the schedule, but Park & Ocean usually has live music on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. That’s not counting the music of the lapping waves while you enjoy a cool beverage.
Located at the North Beach Hotel in Fort Lauderdale Beach, serving gourmet American dishes and cocktails.
Located on the fifth floor pool terrace of the Atlantic Hotel and Spa, SKY Bar offers the same easygoing vibe of the hotel’s restaurant, Coastal. It features a variety of appetizers and entrees, including Bimini coconut shrimp, a local mahi sandwich and a Mediterranean pita pocket. They even serve bananas Foster french toast as part of their brunch on Sundays. In addition, they partnered up with SKYY Vodka to create a specialty drink menu. The bar is open to guests and anyone with a day pass.
STEAK 954 is a luxury boutique steakhouse inside the W Fort Lauderdale that faces the ocean. The restaurant features dry aged beef from hand-picked ranches, Tajima Kobe from Australia, locally caught seafood, and the finest wines and spirits with selections from all over the globe.
This upscale casual eatery headed by chef Pablo Salas offers an eclectic, soulful menu that can be enjoyed outdoors with oceanfront views or indoors in an elegant dining room served in an a la carte manner. Located inside the Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort, the chic restaurant also features an outdoor bar and a special tequila tasting room.