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.
Pizzeria serving pizza, pastas, subs, chicken wings and more.
BRGR STOP’s second location has opened in Broward (the first is in Coconut Creek). The burger joint features boozy shakes and 18 burgers including the Peanut Butter Jelly Time (made with peanut butter tomato jam, cheddar cheese and candied bacon) and the El Chapo – fresh chorizo with taco seasoning, avocado lime crema, taco beer cheese sauce and pico de gallo. Grownup shakes include the Strawberry Shortcake (vodka, liqueur, Fruity Pebble milk, strawberry ice cream, strawberry jam and shortcake rim, topped with Fruity Pebble whipped cream, cereal, Twizzlers and Shortbread cookies).
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.
Located inside the DoubleTree at Bahia Mar and open for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
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.
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.
Fort Lauderdale Marriott Harbor Beach Resort & Spa recently debuted their take on light fares. Located on the beach walk level of the resort, HB Fresh serves freshly squeezed and cold-pressed juices, frozen yogurt, healthy snacks, wraps and acai bowls. The casual restaurant joins Sea Level, 3030 Ocean and Riva as dining options in the Marriott Harbor Beach complex.
The oceanfront restaurant has recently undergone a makeover, a three-month renovation to be exact. Under the direction of newly promoted executive chef Adrienne Grenier, a Hollywood native and a Chopped TV 3030 Holiday Dr., 3030 Ocean promises a super-fresh take on American cuisine. With an ever-changing menu, Grenier takes a creative approach to her seafood and special meats options evident in items like Florida rock shrimp curried corn risotto and charred octopus salad.
Sip a cocktail while enjoying a view of the ocean at this restaurant located in the Harbor Beach Marriott. Then choose BBQ chicken flatbread, Caribbean jerk chicken sandwich, paella, or rock shrimp and avocado cocktail. The happy hour menu is available from 4:30-7 p.m.
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.
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.
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.
Small, but popular Japanese place.
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.
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).
Don’t be fooled by the name, Tatts and Tacos Beer Garden isn’t a tattoo shop where you can also get your Mexican food fix. The relaxed hot spot will serve you authentic south-of-the-border cuisine while you play with one of their enticing outdoor games (Jenga, anyone?). If you’re not looking to eat, their wide variety of 40 craft beers on tap and full liquor bar might be what attracts you to this cool garden.
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.
Texas-based Mexican restaurant chain Fuzzy Taco Shop offers all the right food for those who wish to experience the fuzzy feelings one gets by consuming fresh tacos, frozen margaritas and chips with queso. Specialty items include shredded brisket tacos, tempura fish tacos and breakfast items like chilaquiles.
Among the favorites here are the Sonora Burrito, featuring chicken sautéed in homemade sour cream and lime sauce, and chilaquiles (aka Mexican lasagna). On Wednesdays the Top Shelf Ultimate Golden Margaritas, made with freshly-squeezed lime juice, are $5.99.
This Mexican restaurant specializes in family-style servings. Their recipes use homemade sauces and locally grown ingredients whenever possible. They’re best known for their tacos al pastor.
Mexican spot with a large tequila menu.
After a long four-year process, Bar Rita has finally opened its doors. The two-story, 5,500-square-foot restaurant serves up modern Mexican food with an eclectic margarita menu. You can enjoy rooftop city views alongside menu items such as build-your-own bodega bowls and a selection of tacos including truffle barbacoa and carne asada cheesesteak. Vegetarian and vegan options are also available.
Hip, modern Mexican place with urban cool.
With three other South Florida locations already proving successful, this trendy Mexican restaurant chain is trying Fort Lauderdale. They serve tacos, burritos, bowls and brunch. Menu favorites include the Phili Burrito (grilled rib eye steak, Mexican rice, Oaxaca cheese, rajas, black bean refrito, potato sticks and red chili crema) and the Late-Night Burrito (guajillo braised short rib, roasted pork, roasted chicken, Mexican rice, black bean refrito, Oaxaca cheese, mariquita sticks and salsa rosada).
This authentic Mexican restaurant will quench your hunger and satisfy your beer taste buds. It offers handcrafted Mexican delicacies such as burritos, fish tacos, shrimp ceviche tostadas and more. Their menu also features 22 different beers with local brews and happy hour starting at 3 p.m. If that’s not enough, once a month Quvo Tacos hosts a “craft beer bottle share” event where everyone’s invited to bring your own craft beer to share with others.
Festive Latin restaurant serving the essentials plus Spanish specialties.
Not to be confused with Tex-Mex, a taqueria primarily focuses on tacos themselves. Short rib, prime rib-eye carne asada and other premium cuts of meat are brined, smoked and braised then stuffed into homemade corn masa tortillas for an upscale version of Mexican staples. Did we mention there’d be tequila? TacoCraft has a collection of more than 100 varieties of tequilas — blancos, reposados, anejos, and super anejos — ranging from $8 to $100 per shot.
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.
Located in the heart of the Drive, Tulio’s Tacos & Tequila Bar brings a vibrant take on Mexican cuisine. The restaurant strives to be a place where friends and family can come together at a casual setting to enjoy top quality south-of-the-border food and handcrafted cocktails – after all, three longtime friends are behind the concept. On the menu, you’ll find the Gringo Burger (house blend of chuck, brisket and short rib served with lettuce, tomato, pickle and fries) and a grouper taco (crispy grouper with purple cabbage, pickled onion, pico de gallo and avocado jalapeño sauce).
This small, warm restaurant named for the artist Frida Kahlo enhances the typical Mexican menu with some harder-to-find dishes like chochinita pibil (roasted Mayan pork leg marinated in achiote citrus juice), fish Veracruz style and shrimp mole verde. The tortillas, like the guacamole, are homemade.
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).
This extremely popular Las Olas bar and restaurant offers traditional favorites: tamales, chimichangas, enchiladas and of course tacos. Guacamole is prepared table side, and 225 varieties of tequila are waiting to be tasted.
A modern take on Mexican food has hit Las Olas in a big way – 6,000 square feet to be exact. The highly anticipated Mezcal and tequila bar offers a modern take on “Mexican soul food” and also has more than 400 varieties of tequila and Mezcal along with specials like $3 margarita Mondays and $2 taco Tuesdays. Unique dishes include Swiss chard and hongos quesadillas (herbed mushrooms, Swiss chard, queso blanco and ranchero sauce), smoked brisket enchiladas and Nutella flan. They’ve also partnered up with Funky Buddha to create a New England-style IPA, which is available at the restaurant.
At this modern-day Mexican restaurant located in the heart of downtown, the menu includes everything you want to see on a Mexican eatery menu plus a barbecue pulled quesadilla, a buffalo chicken burrito and – wait for it – Nutella tacos (with strawberries and banana). They also serve up some tasty margaritas and craft cocktails.
A menu completely comprised of Latin and Mexican flavors is sure to give your taste buds a ride. The family-owned restaurant prides itself in using the freshest ingredients while serving Honduran specialties such as Pollo Chuco – Honduran-style fried chicken available in dark or white meat, served over fried plantains, cabbage salad and carrots topped with fresh onions and cilantro.