Casually elegant neighborhood spot with excellent food and friendly atmosphere.
Jerk Machine specializes in Jamaican Style Jerk Cuisine and has become famous for its smoky, spicy, Jerk Chicken and other delectable dishes like Jerk Pork, Oxtails, Curry Goat and of course, Jerk Machine’s own favorite, Jerk Stew Peas.
Chef Dario De Pasquale was born in Battipaglia, Italy, and from a young age developed a love for pizza. Before coming to America he worked as a chef in different parts of Italy including Capaccio, Salerno and along the Amalfi Coast. Menu items at his new locale reflect that experience and include homemade meatballs, capriciosa (tomato sauce, fresh mozzarella, salami, ham, mushrooms, artichokes and olives) and gnocchi alla Sorrentina, as well as a full pizza menu.
A lively place to kick back along the New River, the historic Downtowner is a casual bar-restaurant offering live music Thursday and Saturday nights and during Sunday’s blues brunch. This watering hole with a view dishes up wings, burgers, salads, and sandwiches. Specials like Monday’s “rib night” and Tuesday’s “tacos and trivia” attract fun-loving locals aplenty. Wine bottles typically max out at around $30, and there are ample brews available in bottles or on tap.
Owners of the Pirate Shop and Pirate Bar on Fort Lauderdale Beach, Roberto and Claudia Guerios jumped at the opportunity to pillage, er, purchase the dilapidated property a few years back and have since transformed it into a full-scale pirate’s lair draped with skull-and-crossbones flags and decked out in a decor reminiscent of wooden pirate ships. You’ll find an array of seafood specialties, including sweet and sour shrimp, conch fritters, and herbed chardonnay-shallot mussels.
Traditional pub fair as well as seafood (Guinness barbecued shrimp) served indoors and out, though most people love sitting on the outside terrace filled with nautical paraphernalia. You can watch the traffic on the New River, as well as whatever games are playing on the TVs, and, at night, enjoy the live music. Water accessible.
As the first Fort Lauderdale outpost by James Beard-nominated chef Jose Mendin, Rivertail delivers an incredible culinary experience. The seafood restaurant features outdoor seating with a covered patio overlooking the New River as well as a raw bar and Caribbean décor throughout. Menu items include Bahia-style Brazilian Stew (cod, shrimp, mussels, clams, calamari, dende oil and cashews, served with coconut milk, citrus and cilantro) and Curry Striped Bass (green curry, red curry and aromatic herb salad).
Yet another stylish and sophisticated restaurant has landed on the Boulevard and is right at home with its equally compelling neighbors. Seafood and steak dishes are paired with wines and cocktails. Menu items include South African lobster (two tails broiled, drawn butter), bacon wrapped filets “Oscar” style with king crab (with grilled asparagus and béarnaise) and sides like crab fried rice with mushrooms and scallions.
The popular sushi spot has multiple Miami-Dade locations; now they’re laying down roots on the Boulevard. And they’ve brought fan favorites with them. These include the Fifty (shrimp tempura, crab salad – MSC certified Alaskan pollock, masago cream cheese, avocado, chili-lime mayo, eel sauce and crispy shallots) and Might Shroom Roll (multigrain rice, spinach, shiitake mushroom teriyaki, avocado, radish sprouts and sriracha mayo).
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).
Toss Up Salads brings flavor without sacrificing health. That means hormone-free chicken or organic fresh produce (no added preservatives) with a side of freshly squeezed juices. The vast menu features dips, soups, acai bowls, energy shots, wraps, smoothies, grain bowls and, of course, salads.
Fresh-faced 26-year-old executive chef Stanton Bundy helms the kitchen within this pork-centric powerhouse in the former Samba Room space. An open kitchen with a rotisserie pumps out plates of brown sugar-brined jerk chicken wings, pulled duck nachos, and grilled free-range turkey meatballs. Poultry aside, this place is all about pork, so go for the rotisserie ribs or barbecued pulled pork sliders with fried pickles, cheddar, spicy mustard, and cabbage slaw. For those craving “lighter” fare, try the warm spinach salad with balsamic bacon vinaigrette, candied walnuts, and Shropshire blue cheese.
Sushi has been available on Las Olas for over two decades now, but Thai food is relatively new. Here the menu mixes Japanese and Thai favorites – gyoza and spicy beef salad, miso soup and tom ka kai – and then throws in some twists, like filet mignon green curry. There are over three dozen basic and specialty rolls to choose from.
Pizzeria serving wood-fried pies with a patio and a speakeasy attached.
Perfect for on-the-go professionals who need a quick pick-me-up throughout the day, Java and Jam sits on Las Olas Boulevard and offers a quick way to get your food fix. Their grab-and-go counter contains pastries, overnight oats, granola and more. For those who have time to dine in, all-day breakfast begins at 7 a.m. and lunch at 11 a.m. Menu items include Taco Eggs (white corn tortilla, two sunny-side-up eggs, bacon, avocado, roasted salsa verde, queso fresco and spatch peri-peri sauce), omelets, pancakes, salads, sandwiches and more.
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.
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 swanky restaurant at the office end of main street with a chef, Eric Baker, who has a Superior Diploma in French cuisine. The emphasis is on seafood, though there are steaks (filet mignon, NY strip, rib eye) as well as eight different types of fish served whole. The live lobsters, “steamed and cracked,” weigh in at two, three and four pounds.
Big red wines, martinis, bone-in steaks, and juicy chops combine with Chicago Supper Club sophistication at this high-end Italian-style steakhouse in the heart of downtown. Live music is performed at 7:30 p.m. every Tuesday through Thursday in Timpano’s Starlight Lounge, providing a backdrop for aged beef, savory flatbreads, and classics like calamari fritto misto and osso bucco.
Breakfast deli featuring sandwiches, hot dogs, salads, soups and more.
This snazzy downtown hotspot is routinely packed for lunch and dinner, offering contemporary American dining in a casual-elegant setting. The menu revolves around a wood-burning grill that imparts signature earthy flavor into dishes like grilled artichokes with lemon aioli and grilled grouper with coconut-conch stew and crispy yucca. Meat-lovers will be enchanted by the “forever-braised” short ribs, served with creamy potato risotto, roasted carrots, and crispy shallots.
Dockside dining is just one attraction at this eatery perched on the Intracoastal just south of Oakland Park Boulevard near A1A. The vibe is Florida-casual, and you can expect to see men in Hawaiian shirts disembarking from boats and strutting inside. Traditional bar bites, Floribbean fare, and international offerings comprise the menu, including crabcakes, fried calamari, coconut shrimp, seared ahi, and conch fritters. You can also order half-pound beef burgers, overstuffed wraps, and out-of-the-ordinary takes on fish, like the blackened mahi Reuben sandwich. Cocktails run the gamut, including fruity martinis, thick frozen margarita-like concoctions, and enormous fish bowls filled with fizzy, vodka-based drinks.
A New York-style deli during the day and bistro during the night – Kraft offers the best of both worlds. The deli (open from 11am-4pm) has got all you would expect, plus some unexpected items like the Adult Grilled Cheese (fontina, swiss, cheddar, mozzarella cheeses, bacon and onion on jam rye bread) and the Gangster specialty sandwich (salami, capicola, ham, pepperoni, lettuce, tomato, onions, fresh mozzarella, hot and sweet peppers and Italian dressing on a hoagie roll). The bistro (open from 4-10pm) features dishes like the Moroccan Chicken (tender chicken marinated with North African spices, dried fruit, garbanzo beans and veggies served over couscous) and the Steak Diane (beef tenderloin medallions, mushrooms and brandy demi-glace with a touch of cream served with mashed potatoes and sauteed spinach).
With its Alice in Wonderland décor and sprawling, perfect-for-live-music beer garden, this new spot on increasingly happening NE 13th Street impresses before you even sit down to the food and drinks. But thanks to an excellent beer and wine menu and tapas, tacos and other bites that come courtesy of a food trailer at the back of the beer garden, the funky ambience isn’t the only thing you’ll remember.
Sister restaurant to locals’ favorite The Mason Jar Café, this pub has all the comfort food you would expect. They’ve got wings, ribs, sandwiches and more bar-style eats. However, don’t get too comfortable because there are daily chef specials worth checking out. Notable menu items include the Poblano Chicken Milanese (on ciabatta with smashed beans, lettuce, tomato, avocado, Monterey jack cheese and poblano mayo) and the short rib burrito (with yellow rice, black beans, cheddar cheese and spicy kimchi aioli).
Get the best of both worlds at this restaurant that incorporates the cultural and culinary backgrounds of South America and Europe. The menu features modern American dishes served with Peruvian flair and Italian comfort. Notable menu items include the Crispy Pork Belly Tacos with pickled onion and aji verde sauce and the Spiced Cauliflower Steak with bleu cheese and roasted vine tomatoes.
Shrimp N’ Grits, chicken n’ waffles and pulled pork sandwiches are coming to Fort Lauderdale. Batch is bringing Southern comfort food to Flagler Village. Serving a farm-to-table menu, the kitchen gets its products from local farmers. Reservations are required for a taste of Southern, but delivery, take-out, and catering are also available.
A menu based around fries? Trust us on this one. This restaurant takes you on a tour of inspired alternatives to and takes on the humble fry. Their French fries come in all shapes and sizes, as well as different root vegetables. Try yucca fries, truffle fries, ropa vieja poutine and churrasco frites. Oh, and wash it down with a craft cocktail from a speakeasy-style menu.
Get knowledge and access to top quality meats, poultry and game. This restaurant prides itself in sourcing the finest USDA Choice, Prime and wagyu beef available. The dinner menu includes the Delmonico rib eye, the foie gras burger, the Colorado bison burger and the Nebraska wagyu burger.
Botanic at the Goodland is the signature dining part of the newest hotel to open in North Beach Village, The Kimpton. The restaurant features a menu influenced by Latin and Caribbean flavors. Executive chef Rashaad Abdool, a native South Floridian, designed the menu heavy on ingredients from the farms, fields and waters of Florida.
Fried chicken and waffles have become a brunch staple and favorite. At Chick’nCone, they took it up a notch with their handheld air‑fried chicken and waffles. Not only is their chicken good quality, but their waffle cones are hand-rolled too. Plus, you have an assortment of sauces to choose from. They also offer a Chick’nSandwich and Chick’nTenders.
This spot, the new Fort Lauderdale location of a popular Delray Beach restaurant, offers an upscale, lively atmosphere and a brunch experience unlike many others. We can guarantee – you’ll come for the food (which is amazing) but you’ll stay for the party. Their dinner menu includes Chianti-braised short ribs (baby portobello mushroom risotto, winter squash, white truffle, pecorino Romano and natural jus), citrus-crusted ahi tuna (roasted jalapeno potato puree and grilled Japanese eggplant) and bone-in ribeye steak.
They’ve got Taco Tuesdays and brunch on the weekends, and the new craft bar and restaurant is making a name for itself as a fun, lively option. Favorite dishes include Oak’s Jerk Chicken Pasta and the Oak Burger (lettuce, tomato, onions and bacon with signature oak barbecue sauce), plus salads, desserts and more.
Almost any seafood you can think of is offered at Crafty Crab. The chain promises to use only the freshest seafood and most authentic food in the area. Menu items include crab meat fries, oysters, seafood boils and platters and much more.
Roxanne’s aims to be a locals’ watering hole with classic music and a cozy cool atmosphere. The bites menu features beer-battered onion rings (cilantro lime chili or Rod’s Cajun remoulade), sliders and wings. The cocktail list includes the Cuban Chica (vanilla-infused Bacardi chinola passionfruit liqueur, orgeat and lime) and the Respect Your Elders (Old Forrester bourbon, Frangelico hazelnut liqueur and Skrewball peanut butter whiskey).
This much-anticipated spot features an always-changing world cuisine menu that offers anything from Indian dishes to ramen to creative takes on American comfort food, including breakfast. There’s interesting local art on the walls and, as these things become more possible, local music and other events on the calendar. And if you like an adult beverage, get a rideshare over and sample from a craft cocktail list that matches with any flavor palate.
Here and Now’s FAT Village tapas and cocktail experience includes peach burrata, biscuit pot pie (chicken, carrot, peas, corn, celery and buttermilk biscuits) and mussels diavolo (spicy marinara and white wine with crostini). Among the crafted cocktails: Lucky 7 (New Amsterdam Vodka, blackberries, lemon juice, ginger, Orgeat and Peychaud’s Bitters and Fever Tree Ginger Beer) and CUT. IT. OUT (Misunderstood Ginger Whiskey, prickly pear, Amaro Montenegro, peach, lemon, Select Apiritivo and Fever Tree Sparkling Lemon).
This chain serving American food and steakhouse options has opened a location in Dania Pointe. They serve everything from hand-cut, aged steaks to seafood to burgers and pasta. Popular items include the Durango Burger (chile-spiced pepper jack cheese, pickles, fried onions, roasted garlic ranch dressing and brioche bun) and the Firebirds Chicken Pasta (spicy Asiago cream sauce, applewood-smoked bacon, green onions, tomatoes). They’re now doing takeout.
A unique concept consisting of bowling, dining and nightlife has opened in Dania Pointe. Bowlero is a blacklight bowling and retro-inspired destination with a menu that features oversized shareables and signature cocktails. Food options include the XXL Pretzel (a gigantic soft pretzel served with mustard and queso), Nacho Avalanche (corn tortilla chips layered with nacho beef, queso, jalapeños and pico de gallo, topped with sour cream) and Buffalo Chicken Melt (crispy tenders tossed in Buffalo sauce, mozzarella cheese with tomato and ranch dressing on sourdough).
The founder of Anthony’s Runway 84 and Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza, Anthony Bruno teamed up with restauranteur Michelangelo Mozzicato to open a casual restaurant with a Santa Maria-style grill as the centerpiece. The menu consists of American classics with a Florida twist – appropriate for a place in the old Dirty Ernie’s building.
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?
