Best Restaurants in Fort Lauderdale

by The OpenTable Team

Updated December 15, 2021

Fort Lauderdale sits on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean and is close to popular beaches, glamorous hotels and waterfront resorts. Like many cities in Florida, Fort Lauderdale is a popular spot for tourists looking to enjoy water sports and outdoor activities like canoeing, sailing, swimming, and golfing. When visiting this coastal city, diners will have the option of a variety of settings from casual to fine dining. Whether the diner wants to splurge on a fancy meal or is on a tight budget and needs to find some good but low-cost eats, they'll find it in Fort Lauderdale. In Fort Lauderdale, there are numerous top seafood restaurants, steakhouses and cafes. Around the city of Fort Lauderdale, diners will find some of the best oyster bars, sushi bars and fish markets. Their menus include casual dishes like fish tacos and fried shrimp as well as less common seafood recipes like grilled octopus, caviar and fried alligator. Diners looking for a romantic ambiance or to celebrate a special occasion will enjoy dining at one of Fort Lauderdale's waterfront restaurants. There are also several casual beachfront hangouts where diners can kick back in shorts and a t-shirt after a day of jet skiing, snorkeling or playing a little beach volleyball. Dress up and go out to one of Fort Lauderdale's posh restaurants where diners will be served by professional waiters and waitresses dressed in vests or tuxedo uniforms. Grab the kids and head to a restaurant that has a special kid's menu with child-friendly activities and fun foods like spaghetti, burgers, pizza, and macaroni and cheese. No matter the type of restaurant, the style of food or the budget for a meal, Fort Lauderdale has a restaurant that can meet your expectations. Its food scene will not disappoint.

Andy's Live Fire Grill

4.6

4.6 (826)

$30 and under

American

Poinciana Park

About the restaurant

Andy's Live Fire Grill is located in one of Fort Lauderdale's most iconic buildings. Its menu is centered around meats from its grill such as its portobello mushroom burger, cast iron chicken and creole snapper. Side dishes prepared on the grill such as blistered kale and appetizers like lollipop lamb chops are another specialty. At Andy's, diners can try a new dish from its featured daily specials. Some of its daily specials include chicken pot pie, oysters and fried chicken. During the week, the restaurant hosts a Happy Hour with drink and appetizer specials. Diners eating here can choose to eat in the dining room where they can look out on the water. There is also a bar area for casual dining and enjoying cocktails. Takeout and delivery is also available. Andy's Live Fire Grill is owned and managed by experienced restaurateurs. Its Executive Chef, Kyle "Big Dog” Dowgiewicz, is a Fort Lauderdale native with a passion for grill recipes. He even named a burger "the big dawg" after himself. Chef Big Dog has several YouTube videos that show off his grilling skills and give viewers a glimpse into dining at Andy's Live Fire Grill. This restaurant was established in 2018.

Top review

NadineFloyd

Dined on Apr 1, 2023

Always a great experience at Andy’s. This time we celebrated a birthday while watching the Final Four tournament game. We all had such an amazing experience!

Anthony's Clam House

4.7

4.7 (1240)

$31 to $50

Italian

Landings

About the restaurant

The chefs at Anthony's are professionally trained in Italian cooking. This restaurant serves both lunch and dinner and was established in 2019. There is also a weekday Happy Hour with daily drink and food specials. Its regular menu features a variety of seafood, pasta and grill items. Some of its most popular dishes include shrimp scampi, bruschetta, spaghetti and meatballs, chicken marsala, and salmon picatta. Freshly made pizza with a variety of toppings is another one of this restaurant's specialties. After dinner, diners can indulge in a sweet treat like ricotta cheesecake or one of its signature cocktails. The dining room at Anthony's is divided into sections (including a bar area) making for more intimate dining. Diners will also appreciate its sophisticated decor including a black and marble top bar, a decorative ceiling with backlighting, light wood floors, and mounted televisions on which diners can watch their favorite teams, like the Miami Dolphins and the Miami Heat, compete. Anthony's Clam House is conveniently located off of I-870 and I-1. Its chef, Walter Hernandez, is passionate about cooking with fresh, quality seafood.

Top review

LoriVIP

Dined 5 days ago

The food, drinks and service is always great! Price is reasonable. You should make a reservation or get to the bar early because it's always busy.

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Barefoot Dining on the Beach by Marriott Harbor Beach

4.7

4.7 (67)

$50 and over

Seafood

Harbor Beach

About the restaurant

Barefoot Dining on the Beach by Marriott Harbor Beach offers a special dining experience in Fort Lauderdale. The hotel and restaurant is steps from and provides beautiful views of the water and the beach. At Barefoot's, diners can enjoy a meal while listening to the waves crashing and relaxing with their feet in the sand. Along with beachfront dining, there is a spacious deck with patio tables and umbrellas where diners can eat. Adding to the special ambiance, are tiki torches and a fire going strong in a safe fire pit. All of these small touches give the beach and dining space an even more romantic flair. The chefs at Barefoot Dining have put together a four-course dinner with dishes like tomato flatbread, a Greek salad, seafood and risotto, and key lime pie for dessert. The dishes are served family-style which allows for diners to taste all of the dishes served. A select wine is also chosen to pair with the meal. Barefoot Dining on the Beach is steps from the water making this a perfect way to propose marriage to that special someone. Smaller groups who are celebrating a special event like a sorority/fraternity reunion will also find this restaurant experience an ideal way to commemorate their date. Although the restaurant serves hotel guests, everyone is welcome to dine here. However, advance reservations are required. The Marriott Harbor Beach was established in 1984.

Top review

AllysonL

Dined on Jul 2, 2024

Great night. The food was delicious and our waiter, Michael was great. I would recommend!

Cafe Martorano

4.8

4.8 (4865)

$50 and over

Italian

Galt Mile

About the restaurant

Cafe Martorano opened its doors in 1993. It is owned and managed by Chef Steve Martorano of Philly, nicknamed "the Godfather of Italian-U.S. Cooking". Diners will have the option of ordering from a menu of traditional Italian dishes like linguine with white clam sauce, veal cutlet, pork chops, red snapper, mussels in wine sauce, and Sicilian pizza. Chef Martarono takes pride in using the freshest ingredients and preparing each dish homestyle. To enhance the experience, this restaurant offers DJ entertainment and live music by local musicians. Cafe Martorano has been recognized by several media outlets including the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, Fort Lauderdale Illustrated and the Philadelphia Inquirer. It is off of I-816 and the popular North Ocean Drive. It is also a few blocks from the waterfront and the beach. This restaurant is open for dinner and late-night dining Tuesday through Saturday. Takeout orders are also welcome.

Top review

Heather

Dined 7 days ago

Amazing atmosphere, excellent staff, top notch 10/10!

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candela restaurant - wine bar - tapas

4.7

4.7 (364)

$30 and under

Tapas / Small Plates

Wilton Manors

About the restaurant

Candela Restaurant is located in the village of Wilton Manors which is a few minutes from Fort Lauderdale. Its menu features Spanish meals and tapas or small plates for sharing with family and friends. Some dish items include fried yucca, artichokes, shrimp, and clams. Full entrees like seafood stew and lasagna are a good choice for heartier appetites. Along with food, Candela's has an extensive wine, beer and cocktail list. Candela Restaurant has a traditional look featuring vintage furniture such as wood dining tables, tall back wood dining chairs, brass mirrors, retro leather dining chairs, sconce lighting, and wood china cabinets. This restaurant is open Wednesday through Saturday for dinner. Drink and appetizer specials can be enjoyed at its Thursday Happy Hour. Take-out orders are also welcome. Candela's Restaurant was established in 2007. It is chef-owned by Armando Vega.

Top review

Yolimar

Dined 3 days ago

Excellent restaurant highly recommended, very authentic Spanish food, good service and reasonable price. The Spanish decorations is very inviting! This was my third time going to Candela with friend and family and I am always satisfied! We’ll go back for sure.

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Casa D'Angelo - Fort Lauderdale

4.8

4.8 (5172)

$31 to $50

Italian

Lake Ridge

About the restaurant

C asa D' Angelo is an Italian restaurant in a strip mall in Fort Lauderdale's Lake Ridge neighborhood. Its menu includes homemade dishes like lasagna, spaghetti parmigiana, linguine in clam sauce, and veal chop. There is also a separate menu for kids which includes fun dishes like pizza, ravioli, burgers, and macaroni and cheese. Diners gathering here will meet in a cozy dining room with soft lighting. Its chef, Angelo Elia, is recognized as a leading chef of Italian cooking. His specialty is Tuscan-style cooking with many stew and soup recipes. This restaurant is open for dinner Monday through Sunday. Casa D' Angelo has been a staple in Fort Lauderdale for decades and hosts many community events such as its Wednesday Wine night. Diners who don't want to dine-in can request a take-out order. This restaurant was established in 1977.

Top review

David

Dined 4 days ago

Always a great experience. The 2016 Sossa was amazing

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Chima Steakhouse - Fort Lauderdale

4.6

4.6 (5714)

$50 and over

Steakhouse

Las Olas Isles

About the restaurant

Chima Steakhouse is a short drive from Las Olas Beach. This restaurant specializes in Brazilian steaks and rodizio meats such as top sirloin with garlic, filet wrapped in bacon and New Zealand leg of lamb. A list of Brazilian sides like creamy mashed potatoes, fried polenta and fried bananas are a few of the dishes that can be added to any meal. Chima Steakhouse opens its doors for dinner Monday through Sunday, and lunch on Saturday and Sunday. It has a charming and stylish Western-themed decor with a very large cowboy mural and an antique water urn fountain to welcome people at the entrance. A large patio with soft lighting and beautiful greenery is also available for outdoor dining. This restaurant was established in 2004.

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Lesley

Dined 1 day ago

Husband’s favorite restaurant for years. Came for his birthday which is on Christmas Eve’s Eve. More people than I expected for a Monday. Staff were great but limited. Restaurant was packed when we left at 8:00. Needed more wait staff for tables. But, food was good and of course we will be back.

Dal Contadino Trattoria

4.7

4.7 (989)

$30 and under

Italian

Coral Ridge

About the restaurant

Dal Contadino Trattoria opened its doors in Fort Lauderdale in 2016. Its menu specializes in Italian cooking with dishes like bruschetta, meatloaf, lamb chops, cannolis for dessert, and traditional pasta dishes like pasta primavera and linguine with clam sauce. Vegetarian and gluten-free diners will find menu options here. The interior at Dal Contadino Trattoria takes its diners to a small town in Italy. Some of its decor features include checkered print tablecloths, hanging plants, decorative plates on the wall, and terra cotta tile floors. Its location is ideal and is within walking distance of the beach. This restaurant is open Tuesday through Saturday during dinner. Takeout orders are welcome. The restaurant also hosts a weekly Happy Hour with special drinks and food specials like pasta, bean soup and carponata.

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Mariana

Dined 2 days ago

Excellent food,amazing ambience!! But too too noisy….

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Di Valle's Cucina Italiana & Wine Bar

4.5

4.5 (48)

$30 and under

Italian

Oakland Park

About the restaurant

Di Valle’s Cucina Italiana and Wine Bar is an Italian restaurant in the South Corals District of Fort Lauderdale. The menu at this neighborhood restaurant includes traditional recipes for eggplant parmiagana, canderdeli, spaghetti bolognese, and seafood dishes such as grilled octopus and lobster tails. The restaurant also offers an extensive list of both regular and sparkling wines. Di Valle's Cucina Italiana and Wine Bar has a classic dining room with tall ceilings, wooden floors, lots of greenery, kitchen-themed artwork, hanging pendant lights, and a table with white tablecloths and burgundy linens. This family-owned restaurant and wine bar was established in 1981. It is open for both lunch and dinner on Tuesday through Friday, and for dinner and late-night dining on Saturday and Sunday. Take-out orders are also welcome.

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Frank

Dined on Aug 6, 2021

The only restaurant where I can find true Italian, non reddish, dishes and suggestions in line with the concepts of Italian cuisine.

Doc B's Restaurant - Fort Lauderdale

4.7

4.7 (2291)

$30 and under

American

Victoria Park

About the restaurant

Doc B's Restaurant and Bar - Fort Lauderdale opened in 2017. This restaurant offers different places for dining including a large outdoor patio and a separate bar space. Its dining room has a chic decor with a wood slat ceiling, ceramic tile walls, a U-shaped bar, and hanging televisions for watching sports or other events. The menu at this restaurant focuses on local cuisine prepared with fresh and local ingredients when possible. Some of the dishes served here include small plates such as chicken wings, shrimp cocktail and candied bacon. Hungry diners at Doc B's can choose a more hearty meal like a full salad, burgers, fried chicken, and wok bowls. When dining with a few people, consider purchasing a family meal. It includes plenty of food for groups of four to six. Some choices for the family meal include barbecue ribs, chicken kebabs, steak, and fried chicken. With the family meal, the diner will also get side dishes like French fries, coleslaw, cilantro rice, or rigatoni with tomato sauce. Add-ons like dessert and wine will make this meal a real treat. Kid-friendly, its younger diners can order from a special menu and will receive fun activities to do while they wait. Doc B's is part of a national restaurant chain. Although it is not fast-food, this restaurant aims to serve meals fast, especially during lunchtime. It is open for lunch and dinner Monday through Friday. A Happy Hour is also held here in the late afternoons and early evening Monday through Friday.

Top review

danaVIP

Dined 2 days ago

Junior was an amazing server! Food great! Can’t wait to go back

Eatapas

4.7

4.7 (1197)

$30 and under

Tapas / Small Plates

Oakland Park

About the restaurant

Eatapas is a Spanish restaurant near the Central Corals District and is a few miles from Fort Lauderdale Beach. At Eatapas, diners will enjoy eating in a stylish restaurant with lots of natural light. It has a rustic decor with wooden tables and chairs, brass hanging lights, a wooden bar, and decorative animal head sculptures. The menu at this restaurant includes a variety of tapas such as meats and cheeses, grilled octopus, handmade tortillas, and pimento cheese soup. Diners can also order a plate of paella to share or to eat alone. With a kid-friendly menu, this is a good place for families to dine. Both modern and trendy cocktails such as their smoked old-fashioned or a glass of sangria or a sweet dessert like its molten chocolate cake with vanilla ice cream can be enjoyed alone or with a meal. Nightly, local artists will serenade diners with soft music while they are eating. Eatapas was founded by Chef Alberto Roche, a native of Spain, in 2020. It is open daily for dinner with an early Happy Hour on weekdays. Having been featured on Channel 7 News, Miami, this restaurant is always busy. Therefore, reservations are highly recommended.

Top review

Ludmila

Dined on Dec 14, 2024

The octopus was great, better than the ones I ate in Madrid. The fried calamari was good as well. The live music made a fascinating atmosphere.

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Popular dish

Croquetas de Jamon

Experience

7 days Happy Hour (Bar only)

Experience

Paella Tuesdays

Hardy Park Bistro

4.6

4.6 (79)

$30 and under

American

Tarpon River

About the restaurant

Hardy Park Bistro opened its doors in Fort Lauderdale in 2013. It is minutes from the Tarpon River and I-811. This charming restaurant offers intimate dining with several tables set for two. Its menu features contemporary local dishes such as poached eggs and duck confit, and casual foods like French toast and fish with chips. Add a glass or a bottle of wine to the meal to set the mood for date night or a romantic rendezvous. Follow Hardy Park Bistro on social media to learn about its seasonal drink specials like deals on sangrias to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Hardy Park Bistro is open for both lunch and dinner. Takeout and restaurant delivery is also available. Its chef, Chef Aaron Mohan, is part owner. He owns this restaurant in partnership with his mother.

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OpenTable Diner

Dined on Jul 16, 2022

Really amazing food! They seemed to be short staffed so the meal took a while. Not a unique issue for restaurants at the moment. We sat outside, which was nice. The street is fairly quiet and there’s a park across the street. Prices were reasonable for a quality meal. Overall, great experience and would go back.

Phat Boy Sushi and Kitchen - Oakland Park

4.6

4.6 (119)

$30 and under

Sushi

Oakland Park

About the restaurant

Phat Boy Sushi, Kitchen and Bar is in the Oakland Park suburb which is ten minutes from Fort Lauderdale. An open kitchen, extensive bar and large dining room with a tall ceiling make for relaxed dining at this sushi bar. Cozy seating at tall dining tables and lighting with basket chandeliers give its decor a modern-chic feel. Along with a menu of an array of sushi rolls such as a tuna roll, dragon roll, shrimp tempura, and kani su (with crab and avocado), it serves other dishes like black pork sausage and grilled squid with sides or appetizers like crispy bok choy, ramen noodles, miso soup, and fried rice. This restaurant is open daily for lunch, dinner and late-night dining. It also has a special menu during the restaurant's Happy Hour. Diners who don't want to dine in can place a take-out order. Phat Boy Sushi, Kitchen and Bar is in several locations in Florida. The Oakland Park restaurant opened in 2021 and is owned by restaurateurs Thuan Lam and Maser.

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OpenTable Diner

Dined on Jul 27, 2024

First time eating raw raw sushi and was great and loved the experience

Rainbow Palace

4.9

4.9 (1622)

$31 to $50

Asian

Coral Ridge

About the restaurant

Rainbow Palace provides upscale dining minutes from Lauderdale Beach. It is located in a grand building with plenty of parking for diners. This restaurant specializes in both traditional and modern Chinese cooking. Its decor features glass block framed windows, plush dining chairs and glitzy wallpaper. Each table is covered with white tablecloths and dinner is served on ornate china for a special touch. Adding to the dining experience is a well-trained staff of waiters dressed in tuxedos and providing personal service to each diner. The upscale menu at the Rainbow Palace includes shrimp and lobster dumplings, Hunan rainbow seafood, scallops in hot pepper sauce, and crispy steak served with side dishes like squash, sauteed asparagus and mixed greens. Traditional Chinese dishes like shrimp fried rice, vegetable lo mein, and spring rolls are other menu favorites. Complete any meal with one of their exquisite wine selections. Its chef, King Ng, is originally from Hong Kong and is one of its owners. Because of his culinary background, Ng is very involved in the day-to-day operations of the business. This restaurant is open for dinner Monday through Sunday. Lunch is also served here on Thursday and Friday. Take-out orders are also welcome. Rainbow Palace was established in Fort Lauderdale in the late 1990s.

Top review

LindaVIP

Dined 4 days ago

All was as usual wonderful. Can’t wait to go back.

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Popular dish

Crispy Steak

Popular dish

Hunan Country Chicken

Sette Bello

4.6

4.6 (783)

$30 and under

Italian

Imperial Point

About the restaurant

Sette Bello Ristorante is an Italian restaurant near the Imperial Point District. This restaurant's decor is inspired by Ancient Rome. Some of its decorative touches include large columns, a terra cotta color scheme, faux-painted walls, sheer drapes, and sconce lighting. The menu at Sette Bello includes traditional Italian dishes such as meatballs, fettuccine bolognese, potato gnocchi, and penne pesto. There are also numerous vegetarian options prepared here. Diners can enjoy both lunch and dinner at this restaurant Monday through Friday. It is open for dinner only on Saturday and Sunday. Sette Bello is chef-owned by Franco Fillipone. It was established in 2005.

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JaniceSVIP

Dined on Jan 5, 2020

Another great meal at Sette Bello!! Truly a neighborhood gem!! Never disappointed!!

The Grill at Calvary Chapel of Fort Lauderdale

4.8

4.8 (528)

$30 and under

Contemporary American

Pompano Beach

About the restaurant

The Grill at Calvary Chapel of Fort Lauderdale is a family-friendly and relatively inexpensive restaurant in the Cypress Park area. Yes, it is located in a church, but it has a large dining room, an extensive menu, and everyone is welcome here. Keeping with the church's decor, the dining room is colorful and tastefully decorated with several grand light fixtures (the center one displays a dove sculpture), mirrored wall art, plant stands, and a light beige tile floor. It has bench seating and large tables that are ideal for group dining. This restaurant serves casual, local food and has an open kitchen which lets the staff show off their culinary skills. Open for breakfast and lunch, Monday through Friday, Saturday for dinner, and Sunday for brunch, some dishes diners can enjoy here include omelets, pizza, burgers with sweet potato fries, salmon salad, and biscuits with gravy. Sweet desserts like homemade bread pudding are also served. On Sunday, it features a special brunch menu including a combination of breakfast and lunch dishes such as French toast, salmon crepes, brisket hash, and a mojo pork burrito. Kids dining here for brunch have the option of chocolate chip pancakes or a traditional breakfast of eggs, toast and sausage. The Grill at Calvary Church of Fort Lauderdale opened to the public in 2006. It operates under the direction of Chef Kenny Velsor who is an experienced chef with lots of grill experience.

Top review

ArnoldVIP

Dined on Nov 24, 2024

Yet another wonderful meal at the Grill. Today I had my favorite starter, the coconut curry soup along with a house salad. Such a great atmosphere and respectful/attentive staff. Thank you!

Fish n' Bubbles Seafood & Grill - Permanently Closed

$31 to $50

Seafood

Landings

About the restaurant

Fish n' Bubbles is minutes from I-870. It serves a variety of raw and cooked seafood recipes. Some menu options include oysters, grilled octopus, crab cakes, and tuna tartare. The chef is always doing something quirky and entertaining like creating seafood creatures from food. This seafood restaurant has an eclectic and fun decor. Some of its cool, decorative touches include a turquoise color scheme, blue and yellow bucket dining seats, jellyfish-inspired lights, and a large aquarium with live lobsters. Diners who are ordering lobster can choose the catch from the aquarium and watch the staff prepare it for them. Often on the weekends, the restaurant features live performances by local musicians. In the front of the restaurant, there are a couple of seats for outside diners. This restaurant is open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday. Note reservations are required. A take-out menu is also available. Fish n' Bubbles Seafood and Grill was established in 2020.

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SteveVIP

Dined on Oct 9, 2021

This is one of the best seafood restaurants in the country, not just South Florida. The service was excellent and the food fresh and delicious. We highly recommend this new fantastic restaurant.

Gastrotheque

$31 to $50

Fusion / Eclectic

Victoria Park

About the restaurant

Gastrotheque is a festive place to dine or have a drink with friends. Its colorful decor and cozy seating match its Spanish and South American menu. Some dishes diners can enjoy here include short rib rissoto, Spanish octopus, filet mignon and treats like pecan sticky buns. Gastrotheque also offers a wide selection of wine, beers and cocktails. One of its specialties is its sakes which are served cold or hot. This restaurant is open for dinner Monday through Saturday. Although reservations are not required, they are recommended. During Happy Hour, diners can enjoy discount prices on several craft beers, cocktails, wine, and appetizers. Diners who don't want to eat-in can order take-out. Gastrothèque makes its home in the Victoria Park neighborhood of Fort Lauderdale. It has been in business since 2020. Its Executive Chef, Gastón Campana, has trained and cooked all over the world.

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CandiceC

Dined on May 27, 2023

Amazing food and service! Had a great time for our anniversary dinner.