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Greater Fort Lauderdale offers one of the best and most diverse dining scenes of any U.S. city its size. There are more than 4,000 eateries in Broward offering everything from new American and South American to pan-Asian cuisines. Go beyond the basics, and you'll find an endless supply of hidden gems.
Old Heidelberg is like a Bavarian mirage on State Road 84, with a killer list of German specialties and beers on tap. Classics like bratwurst, knockwurst, kielbasa, and spaetzle dovetail nicely with four types of Wiener schnitzel. And the beer stein–cowbell–cuckoo-clock decor adds to the authenticity.
The late Wayne McDonald started with a cozy one-room roadhouse in 1955 when this stretch of Dania Beach was a remote service road just west of the little airport. The still-rustic place brags that it's "still crackin'." The huge menu features garlic crabs (patrons bang crabs open with mallets on tables covered with newspapers) and peel-and-eat shrimp (either with garlic and butter or spiced and steamed). Finish off your meal with Key lime pie made from a family recipe.
S3 stands for the fabulous trio of sun, surf, and sand, paying homage to its prime beachfront location. The menu features a variety of Japanese-inspired raw dishes, sushi rolls, and dishes with a new American focus. Located on the ground floor of the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort, S3 flaunts a fun and fresh swagger. On any given night, you’ll find a mix of locals and tourists loving life while enjoying nightly themes, such as Wine Wednesday.
Japanese ramen, bao buns, Korean noodle dishes, and fried rice are what make up the menu at this family-owned spot. With nearly a dozen options in every section of the menu, favorites include shoyu ramen made with special homemade soy sauce, chicken broth, scallions, bean sprouts, seaweed, Hanjuku egg, bamboo, and a fish cake; and the homemade mango mochi.
You have to take the road less traveled to find Sea Level, a haven for fresh seafood. The indoor--outdoor restaurant overlooks the ocean from sea level at Marriott's Harbor Beach Resort & Spa, and its seasonal menu wows with daily specials and cocktails featuring ingredients from the chef's organic garden.
You can't go wrong at this unpretentious dive, where seafood reigns. Feast on raw or steamed clams, raw oysters, and peel-and-eat shrimp. Sides include Bimini bread, conch fritters, beer-battered onion rings, and corn on the cob. Follow the motto here, and you'll fit right in: "Eat fish, live longer, eat oysters, love longer, eat clams, last longer."
It's not just the steaks that impress at Stephen Starr's superstar spot inside the W Fort Lauderdale, the seafood selections shine, too. Order as many dishes as possible, like the lobster and crab-coconut ceviche, the red snapper tiradito, and the Colorado lamb chops. Fancy a side of tater tots? The hyperbolic tater comes in pancake form, stuffed with sour cream. There are sweeping views of the ocean and an intimate atmosphere in the dining room. Sunday brunch is busy, so arrive early for the best views. If you have to wait for a table, at least there's a giant aquarium with a smack of bioluminescent jellyfish.
Stork's Café stands out as a friendly coffeehouse and café for gourmet sandwiches and salads. In addition to brewing eight types of coffee, Stork's has excellent baked goods that range from croissants, tortes, cakes, and pies to "monster cookies," including gingersnaps and snickerdoodles. It's open until midnight every night of the week.
It's a Greek throwdown every night at this Hollywood institution. Expect a lively night of great eats (including authentic hot and cold mezes and wood-fire-grilled meats and seafood), tabletop dancing, and lots of wine. If you don't have a car, the restaurant is on the Intracoastal and accessible by water taxi.
Traditional Greek cuisine with a modern twist is served family-style at this bright-white restaurant, where the fish is beyond fresh and the grape leaves are stuffed to the brim. The vibrant setting is made complete with great service and a reasonably priced wine list. Popular dishes include branzino, lamb shoulder, and a collection of dips and spreads. Complimentary valet is offered.
Art Deco vibes with pops of pink, gold, and teal draw diners into this speakeasy-style restaurant. Serving classic Italian cuisine, the menu features plenty of antipasti options (don't skip the crispy squash blossoms), pastas made daily with flour imported from Italy (the spicy rigatoni has the perfect level of heat), large steaks, and a shareable chicken Parm. The brunch menu is creative and delicious with the signature Timpano Benedict (made with prosciutto cotto, soft eggs, hollandaise) as a highlight.
Big portions of dripping barbecue are dispensed at this chill spot for eat-in or take-out. Dinners come with two sides from a list that includes baked beans, collards, and mac and cheese. For lunch, Tom's pork, beef, and catfish sandwiches are a shortcut to satisfaction. Leave room for sweet-potato pie or peach cobbler. Heading to a park or the beach? Tom Jenkins's family samplers have enough ribs, chicken, beef, and sides to feed six hungry people.
Located in downtown Hollywood, this isn't your typical white-tablecloth Italian restaurant. Sure, there's penne alla vodka, carbonara, and Bolognese (all delicious), but the fun twist is a Romanian menu that features dishes like goulash or sarmalute in foi de varza (minced pork and rice in cabbage leaves served with polenta and sour cream).
For a casual, almost funky, nautical experience near the beach, look no further than this raw bar featured on Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. If you want to blend in, order a fish special with whale fries—thinly sliced potatoes that look like hot potato chips. (People come from near and far for these famous fries!) Those with smaller appetites can choose from salads and raw-bar favorites like steamed Ipswich clams.
Situated on 1¼ acres of the city's historic New River waterfront, this nautical-themed space with communal tables and two large bars is surrounded by five local pop-up restaurants and The PieFather, by award-winning chef José Mendin. Nightly events and activities make this the go-to spot for Sunday Funday and hanging out with friends.
In the heart of Las Olas at the Riverside Hotel, this seafood restaurant and bar keeps things simple with a small menu focused on a beautiful raw bar and ever-changing preparations of diverse catches from Florida, Hawaiian, and New England waters.
