For years a popular locals’ place,located in Southport Shopping Center this casual restaurant specializes in New England and local seafood dishes like “lobstah” scampi, fried clams, shrimp, oysters, crab cakes and scrod. New England clam “chowdah” is offered daily, along with rotating seafood soup specials.
This restaurant in the Marriott Renaissance Hotel serves up an assortment of American and French-inspired items. Early arrivers can indulge in omelets, French toast, and interesting offerings like alligator eggs Benedict with blackened alligator medallions and orange hollandaise sauce. Small plates like shredded pork sliders with pineapple barbecue and chicken lettuce wraps with sesame ginger dressing are served as midday snacks. For dinner, it’s all about the filet with port wine cherry reduction. For dessert, there’s warm bread pudding with vanilla and caramel or the Florida Key lime pie with chopped fruit and orange Grand Marnier sauce.
In the new 47,000- square-foot Whole Foods on 17th Street, Sushi Maki is serving their rolls, poke bowls and wok-fired dishes straight from the grocery store. On their menu, you’ll find volcano fries (seasoned fries topped with kanikama salad, spicy mayo and eel sauce), Aji Amarillo Poke Bowl (salmon, avocado, edamame, mango, serrano, crispy noodles, aji amarillo sauce, togarashi, sweet mayo and sushi rice) and bento boxes.
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.
Valentino’s cheaper cousin (and occupying its former space), this warm, neighborhood place offers an array of pizzas (including prosciutto with shaved Parmesan and arugula) as well as other tempting Italian dishes. The eggplant sliced thin, fried and layered like lasagna is a popular item.
Chef Stefan cooks up chicken Marsala with spätzle, wiener rostbraten, Hungarian goulash and Holstein schnitzel. With the warm décor, and the music, it always feels like Oktoberfest inside. The large, attractive bar next to the dining room is a cozy place to sit with a mug of German beer.
Arrive by boat or auto at this seafood mecca tucked inside Lauderdale Marina to experience breathtaking views of the 17th Street Causeway drawbridge. Seafood dominates here, from shrimp ‘n’ grits with trugole cheese and applewood-smoked bacon to wild blue crab cakes with double mustard cream, scallions, tropical slaw, and yuzu tobiko. Waterfront cocktails are a major draw here, but don’t leave the kids at home – they can help feed the tarpon that crowd the dock while you order another round of margaritas.
Anthony Bruno, of Runway 84, opened this pizza joint in 2002 because he couldn’t find the “well done” pizzas of his native New York here in Fort Lauderdale. The flagship location has since become a nationwide chain. Ashy flavor permeates the crust of pies like the “Paul & Young Ron,” piled with meatballs, sausage, ricotta, and hot or sweet peppers. Oven-roasted chicken wings and salads round out the menu, and beer and wine are served.
Local pizza joint with fast delivery.
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.
Owners Sean and Blaise McMackin revamped the former Brownie’s Bar location with this eco-friendly gastropub known for American craft beer, bourbon, and artisanal burgers. Many unique dishes are offered, such as tuna-watermelon sashimi with jalapeno and lime, and Berkshire crispy pork belly with huckleberry jam and farro. Burgers come with surprising toppings like fried green tomatoes, beets, Bibb lettuce, apples, and Rogue River blue cheese.
The first thing you receive, after the warm welcome, is a basket of warm bread and a small bowl of garlicky chimichurri sauce to dip it into. Run by Salvadorans, the restaurant has a cozy elegance and serves generous portions of everything, including ceviche, mariscada soup and churrasco.
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.
Made-to-order subs, salads and sandwiches.
Located in the Pier 66 marina, this handsome restaurant has waterfront views and a menu featuring Caribbean seafood chowder, Bahamian conch fritters, giant all-beef hot dogs and a jerk chicken sandwich. Watch the sunset while sipping a specialty drink.
A unique 50s-style restaurant that has been around for over 40 years. Be sure to try their infamous 14oz coffee cup if you need a quick pick-me-up!
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 Fort Lauderdale staple since 1982, this Italian-American eatery will bring you back to Sunday dinners at your Nana’s house – if you’re Italian, that is. Expect Sinatra to play in the background as Chianti flows and platters of shrimp oreganata, veal Francaise, and zuppa di pesce are shared family-style. Intimate meals also work inside Runway’s setting, with its low lighting and mellow atmosphere. Don’t miss the Sicilian stuffed peppers (served cold with red wine vinegar and stuffed with bread crumbs, capers, olives, anchovies, and grated cheese), and the plump meatballs with marinara. Big-time diners will want the surf and turf entree, a combination of New York strip and South African lobster tail.
Casually elegant neighborhood spot with excellent food and friendly atmosphere.
This new Pan-Asian/Latin restaurant features waterfront dining and private dinner gondola cruising. Other notable features include a zen garden, fire globes and a full “freestyle sushi bar.” The restaurant takes the place of Bao Bar + Asian Kitchen but pays homage by keeping some menu favorites. Specialty dishes include lobster guacamole, Chinese sticky ribs and Asian-inspired popcorn given to all guests who want it as a small appetizer.
Friendship Café is an extension of The Friendship Circle of Fort Lauderdale, a not-for-profit organization that offers training and education for those with developmental disabilities. Menu items include falafel, pita, pizza, wraps, sandwiches and vegan food. The café also serves breakfast.
A part of the Ocean Manor Beach Resort, this casual spot serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. There’s brunch on Sunday, followed by a late-afternoon Caribbean pig roast buffet. Mondays are dedicated to Italian food, and parties are held whenever the moon is full.
Waterfront dining with seafood cuisine.
An eclectic dining experience with artsy vibes serving gastro cuisine in tapas style or larger portions.
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.
They offer a premium selection of fresh fish and seafood. they will gratefully grill, fry, blacken or sautee any of your favorite seafood or fish, even both if you can’t decide. A friendly and knowledgeable staff is waiting to assist you with your purchase and tips on cooking. Everything you need for a fabulous seafood dinner!
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.
Enjoy a cocktail overlooking the ocean while listening to live music. This beachside bar and bistro offers small bites at the bar, while the main dining room serves lunch, dinner, brunch and sushi with selections including honey soy glazed salmon, a dolphin sandwich, and lobster, shrimp and crab omelets.
The vast domain of the Atlantic Ocean blends with the post and beam design, rugged planting and marine breath of this special sea side dining place. In ancient days the beaches knew only of swirling gulls and lumbering turtles. An occasional Spanish galleon passed by on the Caribbean blue horizon. Join us in a toast to those gentle days. The Sea Watch is your connection to the past and present. It exists for all to enjoy.
A local favorite, Fishtales offers an indoor / outdoor full liquir bar. the patio offer a great view of 33rd street. Live entertainment and dinner specials are offered every night of the week. Come enjoy the food, fun and friends at “Fishtales on 33rd.”
Located inside the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Pompano Beach Resort and Spa, AND Fish Kitchen and Bar offers a nautical-themed seafarer’s dream. Blue Point Oysters and Island Seafood Stew in Thai Curry Broth over Coconut Rice are a couple of the seafood specialties. Land-based options include the Chairman’s Dry-Aged Bone-in Rib Eye with Compressed Yukon, Rainbow Chard and Bone Marrow Butter with a Red Wine Reduction. They also offer an extensive wine list (with recommendations for the perfect wine-pairing) and cocktails.
Suddenly, traditional Hawaiian poke is everywhere. The latest Fort Lauderdale entrant is Poke Lolo, which features signature poke bowls, create-your-own bowls and even poke in a waffle. Located in the MASS District, the restaurant is the perfect stop for lunch or an early dinner. Signature items include Passakos (white rice, tuna, red onion, cucumber, bean sprouts, seaweed salad, sriracha peas, jalapeno and mango wasabi sauce) and a tofu bowl.
Modeled after classic taverns of New York and Chicago, BCT has high tin ceilings, wood floors, brick walls, and a patio overlooking the heart of Las Olas. The bar offers an extensive selection of libations, from California wines to locally brewed craft beers. The menu includes pan-seared Chilean sea bass with seasonal greens, and rigatoni Bolognese with Chianti-braised beef and veal topped with Grana Padano cheese. For lunch, stop in for a griddled burger with parmesan-truffle fries, or snag a stout-braised short-rib grilled cheese on sourdough with smoked maple cheddar. The late-night menu (Friday and Saturday from 11 p.m. to midnight) features pizzas, paninis, salads, and appetizers.
Located just 50 yards from the fishing pier, 101 Ocean takes advantage of beach breezes with an open bar that spans inside and out. It’s rare to see those bar stools empty, occupied by both tourists and locals. The menu offers a mélange of international offerings in a classy-yet-casual setting. Find a bit of everything, including pizza, pasta, flatbread, sandwiches, steaks, salads, seafood, and chops. There’s also a decadent raw bar with shrimp, mussels, oysters, and lobster tail.
A familiar face on the local restaurant scene has brought a new place to Lauderdale-By-The-Sea. The name Vincent Foti will be familiar to many. Now the restaurateur behind longtime Federal Highway favorite Kitchenetta is taking his talents to East Commercial with a place that’s aiming to do something a bit different. Vincent’s By The Sea will offer many of the Italian favorites that Foti’s built his reputation on. But this time, they’ll come with more American flare in a casual place where diners can have a beer, watch the game and relax Lauderdale-By-The-Sea style. In keeping with the its location just in from Anglin’s Pier, the restaurant will offer a raw bar. There’s also a pizza bar if you want to keep up on your pie as it’s being made – and a number of TVs if you’re more concerned about the Marlins’ playoff chances than your meal prep. If you need a more ample serving, the “Big Shot” menu is there for your outsize needs.
Stylish restaurant serving cooked seafood that is known for their freshly shucked oysters.
The owners have come a long way from New York, and we don’t blame them. Fort Lauderdale’s more of a seafood town, anyway. This unique walk-up kitchen and outdoor dining concept is perfect for socially distanced dining. Menu items include New England-style lobster clambakes (steamed fresh lobster, clams, shrimp, mussels, corn on the cob and potato), fish fry baskets, buckets of mussels or clams, sandwiches, pasta and more.
Occupying the west side of the historic Riverside Hotel, this upscale restaurant has a changing menu heavy on seafood, though there is also back-40 honey brown ale-braised beef cheek. The raw bar is stocked with shellfish as well as royal red shrimp ceviche. Dinner only.
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.
YOLO on the beach (in the Hilton).
The two-story restaurant sits on Pompano Beach Pier and offers oceanfront dining. Executive chef Brian Cantrell has crafted a menu of locally sourced seafood. In addition, the custom-built, 5,000-square-foot outdoor bar shows off the stunning Atlantic views as you sip on a cocktail.