Cornucopia

A coastal Italian concept by Chef Fabio Viviani, Riviera recently opened in the Hotel Maren on Fort Lauderdale Beach. From the veranda-style patio to the delectable food, the Italian authenticity is felt throughout. You can also take in the salty air and sea-and-city views as it is located on the rooftop of the hotel.

Located on the eastern side of the Gateway Shopping Center, this restaurant mixes Japanese and Thai food. Signature sushi rolls include Dancing Eel, Red Dragon (built around tempura shrimp), Yamu (broiled salmon) and Monster Lobster. Also available are fried rice, pad Thai and a variety of teriyaki dishes.

Former Miami Dolphin Kim Bokamper and partners’ latest venture is a two-story restaurant and bar located right on Fort Lauderdale Beach. The restaurant features fresh local seafood, a signature wood-fired oven, a good cocktails list and more. Oh, and did we mention two floors of ocean views?

Southwestern American cuisine with international undertones mixes with a seductive ambiance at this Fort Lauderdale culinary oasis. Chef Chris Wilber leads a talented team that prepares detailed dishes like blue corn fried oysters, barbecued shrimp tostadas, and scallop ceviche with popcorn. Standouts include: swordfish with Swiss chard-white bean ragout, tomato-avocado salsa, and green chili chorizo crumbles; and filet mignon with poblano pesto, goat cheese, zinfandel sauce and cilantro potato mash.

The lunch menu at this Italian restaurant offers sandwiches, brick oven pizzas and pasta dishes, while the dinner menu includes pasta, meat and seafood specials. For dinner, the restaurant also offers anelli, folded pizza crusts with savory fillings, and calzones.

This ’80s pizza parlor features free retro video games – as well as gourmet pizzas like the Godfather (steak tips, caramelized onions, Gorgonzola blue cheese, mozzarella and cheddar cheese) and Cheeseburgerlicious (burger pieces, pickled onions, bacon and tomato, over Thousand Island dressing, mustard, mayo, ketchup, topped with mozzarella and cheddar cheese and finished with lettuce). Other menu items include salads, wraps, subs, wings, stromboli and calzones.

Chicken marsala, veal picatta, meatballs, and Milanese are what’s for dinner at owner and Chef Marco Vico’s Fort Lauderdale fixture, voted one of America’s 1,000-best Italian restaurants by Zagat. Indulge in hearty bowls of pasta fagioli, lasagna that features a mix of meat sauce and béchamel. The ambiance is like a resplendent Tuscan villa, complete with walls adorned with old family photos.

Owner and Chef Angelo Elia has created a South Florida restaurant empire out of his original North Federal location. His dishes are punctuated by an attention toward great ingredients, like the branzino, so fresh it needs nothing more than a light butter sauce. The outstanding antipasti includes truffle-lemon carpaccio and pancetta-wrapped tiger prawns over broccoli rabe, and the fresh pasta is made in-house. Or go big with the oak-grilled NY strip, marinated in olive oil, garlic, and rosemary.

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.

Located inside the DoubleTree at Bahia Mar and open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Oceanfront meals – in the dining room or on the veranda – include Sunday brunch. Executive chef Todd Lough does Floribbean: roasted Cuban pork shank with onion mojo and natural jus, guava barbecue ribs with Latin slaw, Florida yellowtail snapper a la plancha. For lunch try the churrasco steak nachos.

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.

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.

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).

Seafood lovers, dive in with no strings attached at the Naked Crab. This upscale casual seafood house from longtime Miami restaurateur Ralph Pagano serves up surf in the newly renovated B Ocean Resort, formerly Yankee Clipper. Expect to see plenty of seafood classics like oysters Rockefeller, baked clams and of course, plenty of crab dishes. This vibrant restaurant offers daily catches and daily crab specials, as well as sushi available at the seafood bar. But if you can’t choose between steak and seafood try the Menage A Trois, a 10oz filet mignon with stuffed crab, shrimp and garlic shrimp. Meanwhile, customers can enjoy a wide selection of drinks from signature cocktails to an extensive wine list.

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).

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.

Having already made a good name for themselves in Coconut Grove, the founders of Bombay Darbar decided to take their talents to Las Olas Boulevard. This Indian restaurant offers authentic cuisine featuring classic staples like lamb, tandoori dishes and naan. And if you want to wash it down with something different, here’s the place if you’ve never tried Indian beer.