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.
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.
Friendship Grill 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 tribute to classic American favorites and craft beers, BJ’s is a casual dine-in (or carryout) restaurant for self-proclaimed bacon lovers. The menu includes boxes of “sticky shrimps,” or “chicken nuggs,” and even “Chuck Norris” sandwiches that include pork, coleslaw, and melted cheddar cheese on wagyu buns . Billy Jack’s offers a large variety of drafts that change daily and range from local to international, in addition to the collection of bottles or cans.
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.
The dark mahogany interior and crisp white linens are trademarks of this upscale steakhouse. Begin the evening with the ahi tuna tower or oysters Rockefeller. Entrees include Chicago-style prime bone-in ribeye and Chilean seabass fillet a la nage. For dessert there’s Morton’s Legendary Hot Chocolate Cake or the Upside-Down Apple Pie.
This Mediterranean mecca in the Galt Ocean Mile area is known for Greek meze, or small plates, such as gyros, spinach pie, and pikilia, a sampler of four traditional spreads served with pita. The ambiance is that of a traditional taverna – festive and loud with a lively, casual feel. Red and white checkered tablecloths and Greek paraphernalia stand out within the interior, while diners can also opt for alfresco seating under a ceiling with fans if they want to escape the noise inside.
This traditional Italian place serves generous portions of familiar fare.
A Caribbean-influenced, casual and fun waterside food and drink stop. Pets are welcome.
Caribbean zest rules at this restaurant located right next to Funky Buddha Brewery. This food spot offers huge portions with a Haitian twist on dishes such as oxtail, fried fish and curry goat. Wash down your plate of spiced meats, red beans and rice, sweet plantains and a salad with the restaurant’s Haitian Martini for the full Caribbean experience, and enjoy your meal while watching a game or two on their giant projector TV.
A beautiful restaurant with a dark wood interior, high ceilings and large windows overlooking the Intracoastal. Tables on the terrace provide a more casual setting. Sweet ginger calamari comes with a chili ginger beer glaze and the filet mignon is served with chimichurri and a loaded baked potato.
Made-to-order subs, salads and sandwiches.
Well-regarded Chinese cuisine for lunch, dinner and take-out. Begin with the sesame scallops Grand Marnier or the Hunan popcorn squid before moving on to the salmon Gwin Jin, Hunan sesame chicken, or shrimp in Szechuan sauce. There is also an excellent selection of wine.
A popular watering hole for boat crews, this Irish pub offers Irish breakfast (all day), lunch, dinner and late-night fare. Try the fish & chips, corned beef and cabbage, chicken pot pie or Buffalo chicken wings. Then grab a pint.
Homemade pastas and gourmet pizzas.
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).
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.
Located west of the Himmarshee bars, this is the place to go for a rustic breakfast, featuring the best pancakes you can find in town. Made with buttermilk, organic flour, sour cream and fresh, free-range eggs, these pancakes come served in a cast-iron pan with Vermont maple syrup. Try the “Mexican Ship Wreck,” a play on huevos rancheros served with oven-roasted yukon gold potatoes or scrumptious cheese grits.
Oceanfront tavern serving fishbowl-size cocktails and Cajun-Creole bar bites.