Casablanca Café
3049 Alhambra St., 954.764.3500, casablancacafeonline.com
Housed in a historic Francis Abreu building, this longtime favorite provides some of the beachfront’s most unique charms. As the name indicates, the menu offers a few nods towards Morocco. But this is a place with a bit of everything, from the menu that offers equally of land and sea, to the expansive outdoor seating area out front, to the fun bar and excellent winelist.
Primanti Bros.
901 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., 954.565.0605, primantibros.com
Sometimes, you need a big fancy meal within earshot of the sea. And sometimes, you need a slice of pizza or a massive sandwich. This Fort Lauderdale institution does things Pittsburgh-style – and with all due respect to the Allegheny, Monongahela and Ohio rivers, the Atlantic is the body of water we’d rather consume this Pittsburgh fare next to.
Ocean 2000
Pelican Grand Beach Resort, 2000 N. Ocean Blvd., 954.556.7667, pelicanbeach.com
The upmarket restaurant in the Pelican Grand Beach Resort is the sort of place that works any time of day. One experience we’d recommend is the restaurant’s excellent Sunday brunch, an experience that offers everything from Nutella French toast to baked, stuffed red snapper to bloody marys, kir royales and several kinds of mimosas.
Tsukuro
225 S. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., 954.523.1407, tsukurofl.com
A slickly modern sushi place might not be the first thing you’d expect to find in the heaving heart of Fort Lauderdale Beach. But our main drag’s new, more grown-up look is on full display at this ultra-stylish purveyor of lovely seafood and great cocktails.
Steak 954
W Hotel, 401 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd. 954.414.8333, steak954.me
Sometimes you need a little turf with your surf. Overlooking the beach from the W Hotel, this place’s menu offers just what you want from a high-end steakhouse – all the best cuts, done straightforward. Fans of serious marbling will want to check out the American Wagyu steaks.
