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Exploring | Beaches | Where to Eat | Where to Stay | Nightlife and Performing Arts | Shopping | Sports and the Outdoors
Like many southeast Florida neighbors, Fort Lauderdale has long been revitalizing. In a state where gaudy tourist zones often stand aloof from workaday downtowns, Fort Lauderdale exhibits consistency at both ends of the 2-mile Las Olas corridor. The sparkling look results from upgrades both downtown and on the beachfront. Matching the downtown’s innovative arts district, cafés, and boutiques is an equally inventive beach area, with hotels, cafés, and shops facing an undeveloped shoreline, and new resort-style hotels replacing faded icons of yesteryear. Despite wariness of pretentious overdevelopment, city leaders have allowed a striking number of glittering high-rises. Nostalgic locals and frequent visitors fret over the diminishing vision of sailboats bobbing in waters near downtown; however, Fort Lauderdale remains the yachting capital of the world, and the water toys don’t seem to be going anywhere. Sharp demographic changes are also altering the faces of Greater Fort Lauderdale communities, increasingly cosmopolitan with more minorities, including Hispanics and people of Caribbean descent, as well as gays and lesbians. In Fort Lauderdale, especially, a younger populace is growing, whereas longtime residents are heading north, to a point where one former city commissioner likens the change to that of historic New River—moving with the tide and sometimes appearing at a standstill: “The river of our population is at still point, old and new in equipoise, one pushing against the other.”
Getting Here and Around
The Fort Lauderdale metro area is laid out in a grid system, and only myriad canals and waterways interrupt the mostly straight-line path of streets and roads. Nomenclature is important here. Streets, roads, courts, and drives run east–west. Avenues, terraces, and ways run north–south. Boulevards can (and do) run any which way. For visitors, boutique-lined Las Olas Boulevard is one of the most important east–west thoroughfares from the beach to downtown, whereas Route A1A—referred to as Atlantic Boulevard, Ocean Boulevard, and Fort Lauderdale Beach along some stretches—runs along the north–south oceanfront. These names can confuse visitors, since there are separate streets called Atlantic and Ocean in Hollywood and Pompano Beach. Boulevards, composed of either pavement or water, give Fort Lauderdale its distinct “Venice of America” character.
The city’s transportation system, though less congested than elsewhere in South Florida, suffers from traffic overload. Interstate 595 connects the city and suburbs and provides a direct route to the Fort Lauderdale–Hollywood International Airport and Port Everglades, but lanes slow to a crawl during rush hours. The Intracoastal Waterway, paralleling Route A1A, is the nautical equivalent of an interstate highway. It runs north–south between downtown Fort Lauderdale and the beach and provides easy boating access to neighboring beach communities.
To hop around Fort Lauderdale for free, catch an orange-bottomed, yellow-topped Sun Trolley, running every 15 minutes. Sun Trolley has expanded its presence with several routes, covering downtown, Las Olas, the beaches, and Galt Ocean Mile. Sun Trolley’s popular Las Olas and Beaches route passes from downtown through Las Olas and then north on A1A. Wave at trolley drivers—yes, they’ll stop—for pickups anywhere along the route. It’s best to review the Sun Trolley map online, and identify the designated stops to be sure they stop where you are going, before using this as your means of transportation.
Meters in Yellow Cab taxis run at rates of $4.50 for the first mile and $2.40 for each additional mile; waiting time is $0.40 per minute. There’s a $10-fare minimum to or from seaport or airport, and an additional $2 service charge when you are collected from the airport. All Yellow Cab vehicles accept major credit cards. Uber has a large presence in Fort Lauderdale much to taxi drivers’ chagrin. Though there’s constant talk of eliminating Uber in Broward County, it is still going strong.
Transportation Contacts
Sun Trolley. | 954/761–3543 | www.suntrolley.com.
Yellow Cab. | 954/777–7777 | www.yellowcabbroward.com.
Tours
Honeycombed with some 300 miles of navigable waterways, Fort Lauderdale is the home port for about 44,000 privately owned vessels, but you don’t need to be a boat owner to ply the waters. For a scenic way to really see this canal-laced city, take a relaxing boat tour or simply hop on a Water Taxi, part of Fort Lauderdale’s water-transportation system. See why the city is called the “Venice of America.”
Carrie B Harbor Tours.
Board a 300-passenger day cruiser for a 90-minute sightseeing tour on the New River and Intracoastal Waterway. Cruises depart at 11, 1, and 3 daily November through May and Thursday–Monday between June and October. The cost is $22.95. TIP Book ahead online for discounts. | 440 N. New River Dr. E, off Las Olas Blvd. | 954/642–1601 | www.carriebcruises.com.
FAMILY | Fort Lauderdale Duck Tours.
Quack, quack! The famous 45-passenger amphibious Hydra-Terra tours, which first gained popularity in Boston, have arrived in Fort Lauderdale. Ninety-minute tours include lots of of land/water family fun, cruising and driving through Venice of America neighborhoods, historic areas, and the Intracoastal Waterway. Several tours depart daily and cost $32 for adults and $18 for kids. Schedule varies and ducks sometimes don’t run in low season, so check ahead of time. WARNING: The website shares its booking engine with the Duck Tours South Beach, so be sure to book for the correct location! | 17 S. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., at Beach Pl. | 954/761–4002 | www.fortlauderdaleducktours.com.
Jungle Queen Riverboat.
The kitsch Jungle Queen riverboat seats more than 550 and cruises up the New River through the heart of Fort Lauderdale, as it has since 1935. It’s old school and totally touristy but that’s half the fun! The daily sightseeing cruises at 11:30 and 1:30 cost $21.95, and the 6 pm all-you-can-eat BBQ dinner cruise, which runs Wednesday to Sunday evenings, costs $44.95. | Bahia Mar Yachting Centre, 801 Seabreeze Blvd. | 954/462–5596 | www.junglequeen.com.
FAMILY | Fodor’s Choice | Water Taxi.
A great way to experience the multimillion-dollar homes, hotels, and seafood restaurants along Fort Lauderdale’s waterways is via the public Water Taxi, which runs every 30 minutes beginning at 10 am and ending at midnight. There are more than a dozen regularly scheduled pickup stations in Fort Lauderdale, including Las Olas Riverfront, the Shops of Las Olas, Bahia Mar, Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, and Gallery ONE near the Galleria Mall. An unlimited day pass serves for both a tour and a means of transportation between Fort Lauderdale’s hotels and hot spots, though Water Taxi is most useful when viewed as a tour. It’s possible to cruise all afternoon while taking in the waterfront sights. Captains and helpers indulge guests in fun factoids about Fort Lauderdale, white lies about the city’s history, and bizarre tales about the celebrity homes along the Intracoastal. A day pass is $26. Water Taxi also connects Fort Lauderdale to Hollywood, where there are seven scheduled stops. | 954/467–6677 | www.watertaxi.com.
Visitor Information
Greater Fort Lauderdale Convention and Visitors Bureau.
| 101 NE 3rd Ave., #100 | 954/765–4466 | www.sunny.org.
Exploring
Downtown and Las Olas
The jewel of downtown along New River is the small Arts and Entertainment District, with Broadway shows, ballet, and theater at the riverfront Broward Center for the Performing Arts. Clustered within a five-minute walk are the Museum of Discovery & Science, the Fort Lauderdale Historical Museum, and the Museum of Art—home to stellar touring exhibits. Restaurants, sidewalk cafés, bars, and dance clubs flourish along Las Olas and its downtown extension. Tying these areas together is the Riverwalk, extending 2 miles along the New River’s north and south banks. Tropical gardens with benches and interpretive displays fringe the walk on the north, boat landings on the south.
Top Attractions
FATVillage.
Inspired by the Wynwood Arts District in Miami, The Flagler Arts and Technology Village or FATVillage comprises several square blocks of a former downtrodden neighborhood in downtown Fort Lauderdale, now inhabited by a number of production studios, art studios, loft-style apartments, and a fabulous coffee shop. Similar to Wynwood, on the last Saturday of every month, FATVillage hosts an evening art walk, where businesses display eclectic art from local talent and serve libations, and the village erupts into one giant, culture-infused street party. Most tourists come simply for this monthly affair, but if visiting by day, check out Fort Lauderdale’s coolest coffee shop—Next Door Cafe at C&I Studios—adorned with antique nods to the literary world, tufted couches, and an eerie 1972 Airstream trailer and serving Black Cat Classic Espresso from Intelligentsia Coffee. | 17 N.W. 5th St. | 954/760–5900 | www.fatvillage.com.
Fort Lauderdale History Center.
Surveying city history from the Seminole era to more recent times, the Fort Lauderdale Historical Society’s museum has expanded into several adjacent buildings, including the historic 1907 King-Cromartie House (typical early 20th-century style Fort Lauderdale home), the 1905 New River Inn (Broward’s oldest remaining hotel building), and the Hoch Heritage Center, a public research facility archiving original manuscripts, maps, and more than 250,000 photos. Daily docent-led tours run on the hour from 1 to 3 pm. | 231 S.W. 2nd Ave. | 954/463–4431 | www.oldfortlauderdale.org | $10 | Tues.–Sun. noon–4.
Historic Stranahan House Museum.
The city’s oldest residence, on the National Register of Historic Places, and increasingly dwarfed by high-rise development, was once home to businessman Frank Stranahan, who arrived in 1892. With his wife, Ivy, the city’s first schoolteacher, he befriended and traded with Seminole Indians, and taught them “new ways.” In 1901 he built a store that would later become his home after serving as a post office, a general store, and a restaurant. Frank and Ivy’s former residence is now a museum, with many period furnishings, and tours. The historic home remains Fort Lauderdale’s principal link to its brief history. Note that self-guided tours are not allowed. | 335 S.E. 6th Ave., at Las Olas Blvd. | 954/524–4736 | www.stranahanhouse.org | $12 | Tours Oct.–Aug., daily at 1, 2, and 3.
Fodor’s Choice | Las Olas Boulevard.
What Lincoln Road is to South Beach, Las Olas Boulevard is to Fort Lauderdale. The terrestrial heart and soul of Broward County, Las Olas is the premier street for restaurants, art galleries, shopping, and people-watching. From west to east the landscape of Las Olas transforms from modern downtown high-rises to original boutiques and ethnic eateries. Beautiful mansions and traditional Floridian homes line the Intracoastal and define Fort Lauderdale. The streets of Las Olas connect to the pedestrian-friendly Riverwalk, which continues to the edge of the New River on Avenue of the Arts. | E. Las Olas Blvd. | www.lasolasboulevard.com.
FAMILY | Fodor’s Choice | Museum of Discovery & Science/AutoNation IMAX Theater.
With more than 200 interactive exhibits, the aim here is to entertain children—and adults—with the wonders of science and the wonders of Florida. Exhibits include the Ecodiscovery Center with an Everglades Airboat Adventure ride, resident otters, and an interactive Florida storm center. Florida Ecoscapes has a living coral reef, plus sharks, rays, and eels. Runways to Rockets offers stimulating trips to Mars and the moon while nine different cockpit simulators let you try out your pilot skills. The AutoNation IMAX theater, part of the complex, was renovated in 2014 and shows mainstream and educational films, some in 3-D. Off-property and during summer, the museum hosts sea turtle night walks along Fort Lauderdale beach with high chances of witnessing an enormous female loggerhead turtle laying eggs. These walks require reservations weeks, if not months, in advance. | 401 S.W. 2nd St. | 954/467–6637 museum, 954/463–4629 IMAX, 954/713–0930 sea turtle walks | www.mods.org | Museum $14, $19 with 1 IMAX educational screening | Mon.–Sat. 10–5, Sun. noon–6.
NSU Museum of Art Fort Lauderdale.
Currently in an Edward Larrabee Barnes–designed building that’s considered an architectural masterpiece, activists started this museum in a nearby storefront more than 50 years ago. Now part of Nova Southeastern University and under the leadership of Chief Curator Bonnie Clearwater of MOCA (Museum of Contemporary Art Miami) fame, the museum hosts world-class touring exhibits and has an impressive permanent collection of 6,000 works of 20th-century European and American art, including pieces by Picasso, Calder, Dalí, Mapplethorpe, Warhol, and Stella, as well as works by celebrated Ashcan School artist William Glackens. TIP The lobby-level store and café combo, Museum Café, is a cool, local hangout. | 1 E. Las Olas Blvd. | 954/525–5500 | www.moafl.org | $10 | Tues., Wed., Fri., and Sat. 11–5, Thurs. 11–8, Sun. noon–5 | Closed Mon.
Riverwalk.
Some lovely views prevail on this paved promenade on the New River’s north bank. On the first Sunday of every month a free jazz festival attracts visitors; other days, you’ll be sharing the Riverwalk with Fort Lauderdale’s prolific homeless population. From west to east, the Riverwalk begins at the residential New River Sound, passes through the Arts and Science District, then the historic center of Fort Lauderdale, and wraps around the New River until it meets with Las Olas Boulevard’s shopping district. | www.goriverwalk.com.
Quick Bites: Kilwins Ft. Lauderdale.
The sweet smell of waffle cones lures pedestrians to the outpost of this old-fashioned confectionery chain in the heart of Las Olas Boulevard that also sells hand-paddled fudge and scoops of homemade ice cream. | 809 E. Las Olas Blvd. | 954/523–8338 | www.kilwins.com/ftlauderdalelasolas.
The Ghosts of Stranahan House
These days the historic Stranahan House is as famous for its nighttime ghost tours as it is for its daytime history tour. Originally built as a trading post in 1901 and later expanded into a town hall, a post office, a bank, and the personal residence of Frank Stranahan and his wife, Ivy Cromartie, the historic Stranahan House was more than plagued by a number of tragic events and violent deaths, including Frank’s suicide. After financial turmoil, Stranahan tied himself to a concrete sewer grate and jumped into New River, leaving his widow to carry on. Sunday night at 7:30, house staff reveal the multiple tragic tales from the Stranahan crypt during the River House Ghost Tour ($25) and help visitors communicate with “the other side.” Using special tools and snapping photos to search for orbs, guests are encouraged to field energy from the supposed five ghosts in the house. Given the high success rate of reaching out to the paranormal, the Stranahan House has become a favorite campground for global ghost hunters and television shows. Advance reservations are required.
Worth Noting
Fort Lauderdale Antique Car Museum.
Retired floral company owner Arthur O. Stone set up a foundation to preserve these eyepoppers. Nostalgia includes around two dozen Packards (all in running condition) from 1900 to the 1940s, along with a gallery saluting Franklin Delano Roosevelt. This sparkling museum sports everything from grease caps, spark plugs, and gearshift knobs to Texaco Oil signage, plus a newer wing and an enlarged library. | 1527 S.W. 1st Ave. | 954/779–7300 | www.antiquecarmuseum.net | $8 | Weekdays 10–4, Sat. 10–3.
Fort Lauderdale Fire and Safety Museum.
Following the harrowing fire of 1912, Fort Lauderdale residents pushed for more protection, finally opening what became known as Fire Station No. 3 (later No. 8) in 1927. This landmark, designed by architect Francis Abreu and retired from active duty in 2004, now functions as a historical, cultural, and educational facility with an expanding array of 1920s’ era equipment including a 1928 Ahrens-Fox piston pumper, as well as a 1942 parade engine. There’s also a vintage police car. Rumor has it the fire station is haunted. | 1022 W. Las Olas Blvd. | 954/763–1005 | www.fortlauderdalefiremuseum.com | Free; donations appreciated | Sat. 9–noon, Sun. noon–4.
Along the Beach
Fodor’s Choice | Bonnet House Museum & Gardens.
A 35-acre oasis in the heart of the beach area, this subtropical estate on the National Register of Historic Places stands as a tribute to the history of Old South Florida. This charming home, built in the 1920s, was the winter residence of the late Frederic and Evelyn Bartlett, artists whose personal touches and small surprises are evident throughout. If you’re interested in architecture, artwork, or the natural environment, this place is worth a visit. After admiring the fabulous gardens, be on the lookout for playful monkeys swinging from trees. Interesting factoid: The Bonnet House was the final stop in the 2005 season of CBS’s Amazing Race hit television show. | 900 N. Birch Rd. | 954/563–5393 | www.bonnethouse.org | $20 for house tours, $10 for gardens only | Tues.–Sun. 9–4; tours hourly 9:30–3:30.
Quick Bites: Casablanca Café.
For respite from the sun, duck in for a nice glass of chardonnay or a light bite while still enjoying ocean views. | 3049 Alhambra St. | 954/764–3500 | www.casablancacafeonline.com.
Steak 954.
Recover from a long day in the sun with a much-deserved, refreshing cocktail on the covered oceanfront terrace of this Fort Lauderdale favorite. | West Fort Lauderdale, 401 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd. | 954/414–8333 | www.steak954.com.
Wilton Manors and Oakland Park
Eucalyptus Gardens.
In the heart of Wilton Manors, this small, eucalyptus-laced urban oasis houses fewer than a dozen storefronts and functions as a cool place to simply hang out, sip coffee or wine, people-watch, and gather inspiration for your green thumb. Stores include Chateau D’Vine Wine Tapas and Cheese; The Alchemist Coffee Shop; Seed Of Life Bistro; and the Outdoor Design & Living Center. | 2430 N.E. 13th Ave., Wilton Manors and Oakland Park | Wilton Manors | 954/394–4322 | www.eucalyptus-gardens.com.
Western Suburbs and Beyond
West of Fort Lauderdale is ever-growing suburbia, with most of Broward’s golf courses, shopping, casinos, and chain restaurants. As you head farther west, the terrain takes on more characteristics of the Everglades, and you’ll occasionally see alligators sunning on canal banks. Eventually, you reach the Everglades themselves after hitting the airboat outfitters on the park’s periphery. Tourists flock to these airboats, but the best way of seeing the Everglades is to visit the Everglades National Park itself.
FAMILY | Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum.
A couple of miles from Billie Swamp Safari is Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Museum, whose name means “a place to learn, a place to remember.” This museum documents the traditions and culture of the Seminole Tribe of Florida through artifacts, exhibits, and reenactments of rituals and ceremonies. The 60-acre site includes a living-history Seminole village, nature trails, and a wheelchair-accessible boardwalk through a cypress swamp. TIP Guided tours are available daily, but call for exact times. Self-guided audio tours are available anytime. There are also children’s programs. | 34725 W. Boundary Rd., Western Suburbs and Beyond | Clewiston | 877/902–1113 | www.ahtahthiki.com | $10 | Daily 9–5.
FAMILY | Billie Swamp Safari.
At the Billie Swamp Safari, experience life in the Everglades firsthand albeit in a somewhat touristy setting. Daily tours of wildlife-filled wetlands and hammocks yield sightings of deer, water buffalo, raccoons, wild hogs, hawks, eagles, and alligators. Animal and reptile shows entertain audiences. Sixty-minute ecotours are conducted aboard motorized swamp buggies, and 20-minute airboat rides are available, too. The on-site Swamp Water Café serves gator nuggets, frogs’ legs, catfish, and Indian fry bread with honey. | Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation, 30000 Gator Tail Trail, Western Suburbs and Beyond | Clewiston | 863/983–6101, 800/949–6101 | www.swampsafari.com | Swamp Safari Day Package (ecotour, shows, exhibits, and airboat ride) $50 | Daily 9–6.
FAMILY | Fodor’s Choice | Butterfly World.
As many as 80 butterfly species from South and Central America, the Philippines, Malaysia, Taiwan, and other Asian nations are typically found within the serene 3-acre site inside Tradewinds Park in the northwest reaches of Broward County. A screened aviary called North American Butterflies is reserved for native species. The Tropical Rain Forest Aviary is a 30-foot-high construction, with observation decks, waterfalls, ponds, and tunnels filled with thousands of colorful butterflies. There are lots of birds, too; and kids love going in the lorikeet aviary, where the colorful birds land on every limb! | Tradewinds Park, 3600 W. Sample Rd., Western Suburbs and Beyond | Coconut Creek | 954/977–4400 | www.butterflyworld.com | $26.95 | Mon.–Sat. 9–5, Sun. 11–5.
FAMILY | Everglades Holiday Park.
Most episodes of Animal Planet’s Gator Boys have been filmed here, making this 30-acre “park” an extremely popular tourist attraction. The park provides a decent glimpse of the Everglades and Florida’s wild west circa 1950. Take an hour-long airboat tour, look at an 18th-century-style American Indian village, or catch the alligator wrestling. The airboats tend to be supersize and the experience very commercialized. | 21940 Griffin Rd. | 954/434–8111 | www.evergladesholidaypark.com | Airboat tour and gator show $26 | Daily 9–5.
FAMILY | Flamingo Gardens.
Gators, crocodiles, river otters, and birds of prey lie in wait at Flamingo Gardens, with a walk-through aviary, plant house, and Everglades museum in the pioneer Wray Home. A half-hour guided tram ride winds through a citrus grove and wetlands area; and the gift shop helps you ship Florida-grown citrus fruits back home. | 3750 S. Flamingo Rd., Western Suburbs and Beyond | Davie | 954/473–2955 | www.flamingogardens.org | $18; tram ride $4 | Daily 9:30–5.
FAMILY | Sawgrass Recreation Park.
A half-hour airboat ride through the Everglades allows you to view a good variety of plants and wildlife, from ospreys and alligators to turtles, snakes, and fish. Besides the ride, your entrance fee covers admission to an Everglades nature exhibit; a native Seminole village; and exhibits on alligators, other reptiles, and birds of prey. TIP The Everglades truly come to life at night. Sawgrass Recreation Park offers airboat night tours on Wednesday and Saturday at 8:30 pm. Reservations required. | 1006 N. U.S. Hwy. 27, Western Suburbs and Beyond | Weston | 954/389–0202 | www.evergladestours.com | $19.50; $40 night tours | Airboat rides daily 9–5.
Beaches
Fodor’s Choice | Fort Lauderdale Beach.
The same downy sands that once welcomed America’s youth-gone-wild (aka wild spring breakers) now frame a multimile shoreline of beachside sophistication. Alone among Florida’s major beachfront communities, Fort Lauderdale’s principal beach remains gloriously open and uncluttered. Walkways line both sides of the beach roadway, and traffic has been trimmed to two gently curving northbound lanes. Fort Lauderdale Beach unofficially begins between the B Ocean Resort (formerly the Sheraton Yankee Clipper) and the DoubleTree Bahia Mar Resort, starting with the quiet South Beach Park, where picnic tables and palm trees rule. Going north, the younger, barely legal crowd gravitates toward the section of sand at the mouth of Las Olas Boulevard. The beach is actually most crowded between Las Olas and Sunrise boulevards, directly in front of the major hotels and condominiums, namely in front of Beach Place, home to the Marriott time-share building and touristy places like Hooters and Fat Tuesday (and a beach-themed CVS Pharmacy). Gay men and women get their fix of vitamin D along Sebastian Beach, on Sebastian Street, just north of The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale. Families with children enjoy hanging out between Seville Street and Vistamar Street, between the Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach and the Atlantic Resort and Spa. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards; parking (fee). Best for: sunrise; swimming; walking. | A1A from Holiday Dr. to Sunrise Blvd.
Harbor Beach.
The posh neighborhood of Harbor Beach boasts Fort Lauderdale’s most opulent homes along the Intracoastal Waterway. Due east of this community, and just south of Fort Lauderdale’s South Beach Park, a stunning swath of beach has adopted the name of its neighborhood—Harbor Beach. This section offers some of the few private beaches in Fort Lauderdale, most of which belong to big hotel names like the Marriott Harbor Beach Resort and the Lago Mar Resort and Club. (Only hotel guests can access these beaches since they are considered private.) Such status permits the hotels to offer full-service amenities and eating and drinking outlets on their bespoke slices of sugarloafed heaven. Amenities: water sports. Best for: solitude; swimming; walking. | South Ocean La. and southern tip of Holiday Dr.
Hugh Taylor Birch State Park.
North of Fort Lauderdale’s bustling beachfront, past Sunrise Boulevard, the quieter sands of Fort Lauderdale beach run parallel to Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, a nicely preserved patch of primeval Florida. The 180-acre tropical park sports lush mangrove areas along the Intracoastal Waterway, and lovely nature trails. Visit the Birch House Museum, enjoy a picnic, play volleyball, or paddle a rented canoe. Since parking is limited on Route A1A, park here and take a walkway underpass to the beach (which can be accessed 9–5, daily). In July and August, the park teams up with the Sea Turtle Oversight Protection organization to conduct turtle walks on Tuesday and Wednesday nights, helping to release sea turtle hatchlings into the ocean. Amenities: toilets. Best for: solitude; walking. | 3109 E. Sunrise Blvd. | 954/564–4521, 954/770–2344 sea turtle walks | www.floridastateparks.org/HughTaylorBirch | $6 per vehicle, $2 per pedestrian; $25 turtle walks | Daily 8–sunset.
Where to Eat
Downtown and Las Olas
Fodor’s Choice | American Social.
$$ | MODERN AMERICAN | A charming slice of Americana in the heart of Las Olas Boulevard, American Social flaunts a sexy nerd vibe, packing the house nightly with Fort Lauderdale’s hottest twenty- and thirtysomethings. The intimate restaurant and bar are adorned with framed Life magazine covers and library books, fostering an ambience that is oh-so-Boston. The drinks here rock, and the modern American cuisine is equally awesome. Choose from 16 beers on tap or some tantalizing mixology (e.g., the Strawberry Honey Smash—vodka, strawberries, simple syrup, honey liqueur, and fresh lemon juice). Feast on the seafood mac-and-cheese skillet, shrimp pesto flatbread, and the full gamut of gourmet burgers with sides of Parmesan and truffle fries or sweet-potato fries. TIP Arrive early on weekends as the restaurant quickly reaches capacity. | Average main: $20 | 721 E. Las Olas Blvd. | 954/764–7005 | www.americansocialbar.com.
FAMILY | Big City Tavern.
$$$ | MODERN AMERICAN | A Las Olas landmark, Big City Tavern is a consistent spot for good food, good spirits, and good times. The diverse menu commingles Asian entrées like pad thai, Italian options like homemade meatballs and cheese ravioli in a toasted garlic marinara, and American dishes like the grilled skirt-steak Cobb salad. Don’t forget to ask about the crispy flatbread of the day, and make sure to save room for the homemade desserts. The pistachio brown-butter bundt cake with honey-roasted spiced peaches and pistachio gelato, the caramelized banana sundae in a mason jar, and the devil’s-food-cake ice-cream sandwich are all heaven on Earth. TIP Big City is open late into the night for drinks, desserts, and even offers a special late-night menu. | Average main: $25 | 609 E. Las Olas Blvd. | 954/727–0307 | www.bigtimerestaurants.com.
FAMILY | The Floridian.
$ | DINER | This classic diner is plastered with photos of Monroe, Nixon, and local notables past and present in a succession of brightly painted rooms with funky chandeliers. The kitchen dishes up typical grease-pit breakfast favorites (no matter the hour), with oversize omelets that come with biscuits, toast, or English muffins, plus a choice of grits or tomatoes. The restaurant also has good hangover eats, but don’t expect anything exceptional (besides the location and the rock-bottom prices). It’s open 24 hours—even during hurricanes, as long as the power holds out—and still maintains an old school “cash-only” policy. | Average main: $13 | 1410 E. Las Olas Blvd. | 954/463–4041 | www.thefloridiandiner.com | No credit cards.
Fork & Balls.
$$ | MODERN AMERICAN | It’s all about the balls at this metro-chic, meatball-centric eatery. And the libations, too. True, the restaurant’s name and signage had quite a few heads turning when it first opened in late summer 2014, but locals soon developed a new appreciation for meatballs of all flavors, shapes, and sizes. The menu centers around six different types—-beef, chicken, veggie, spicy pork, the house blend, and a daily special—and these round hunks of protein are served atop salad, pasta, as sliders, as subs, or simply alone with one of several savory sauces (from roasted tomato to Parmesan cream). There are appetizer salads and veggie sides to create somewhat of a healthy balance. In addition, the restaurant offers 20 wines on tap and some awesome craft cocktails, creating a bar scene beyond the regular dining scene. | Average main: $18 | 1301 E. Las Olas Blvd. | 954/771–2257 | www.forkandballs.com.
Fodor’s Choice | Gran Forno Cafe.
$ | CAFÉ | The gamble of importing an entire Italian bakery direct from Brescia, Italy, definitely paid off. Most days, the sandwiches, fresh baked breads, and pastries sell out even before lunchtime. All products are made fresh daily (except Monday), beginning at 4 am, by a team of bakers who can be seen hard at work through the café’s glass windows. Customers line up at the door early in the morning to get their piping-hot artisanal breads, later returning for the scrumptious paninis and decadent desserts. A second branch, five blocks east on Las Olas at 704 East Las Olas Boulevard, called Gran Forno Pronto, offers full service and a more extensive menu seven days a week and stays open until 11 pm. | Average main: $14 | 1235 E. Las Olas Blvd. | 954/467–2244 | www.granforno.com | Closed Mon.
Grille 401.
$$$ | STEAKHOUSE | Enveloped in panes of wine bottles, floor-to-ceiling glass windows, and masculine wood panels, seductive Grille 401 is part avante-garde steak house, part pan-Asian eatery, part chic lounge—all together 100% fabulous. With a diverse menu that includes Osaka-style pressed sushi, classic filet mignon, crispy crab fritters, wood-grilled lobster, as well as a “light and healthy” menu for the lithe and calorie-conscious, there’s something special for just about everyone. For the not-so-calorie-conscious, the homemade desserts, including a white-chocolate brioche bread pudding and a sublime carrot cake, are must-tries. By day, Grille 401 caters to a power-lunch crowd escaping the ordinary in the Las Olas financial district; by night, Grille 401 is all about sophisticated dining and excellent cocktails. | Average main: $30 | 401 E. Las Olas Blvd. | 954/767–0222 | www.grille401.com.
Le Café de Paris.
$$$$ | FRENCH | Serving French classics for dinner—and under the ownership of Swiss-born Louis Flematti since 1962—Le Café seats upward of 150 in several rooms but keeps everything cozy with comfort foods like crusty bread, onion soup, and savory crêpes, as well as duck, lamb, and beef dishes. A celebration dinner ($96 for two) includes a bottle of wine and baked Alaska. There’s also a mouthwatering pastry wagon as well as early-bird specials from 5 to 6 pm. | Average main: $31 | 715 Las Olas Blvd. | 954/467–2900 | www.cafedeparislasolas.com | No lunch.
FAMILY | Lester’s Diner.
$$ | DINER | Home to an endless pot of steaming coffee and great hangover eats, Lester’s on State Road 84 has stood as a 24-hour haven for the hungry and the late-night crowd since 1967. Truckers stop here on their way to Port Everglades, as do workers from the area’s thriving marine industry and sunburned visitors. Most likely you’ll patronize this place between the hours of midnight and 4 am, when the food tastes best after a long night of drinking. A stick-to-the-ribs menu includes breakfast anytime, homemade soups, sandwiches (try the Monte Cristo), salads, and dinners of generous portions. If your cholesterol count can take the hit, try the country-fried steak or the chicken-liver omelet. | Average main: $20 | 250 State Rd. 84 | 954/525–5641 | www.lestersdiner.com | Average main: $20 | 1399 NW 136th Ave. | Sunrise | 954/838–7473. | Average main: $20 | 4701 Coconut Creek Pkwy. | Margate | 954/979–4722
Fodor’s Choice | Lobster Bar Sea Grille.
$$$$ | SEAFOOD | A spectacular, high-design restaurant at the crossroads of Las Olas’s financial and shopping districts, Lobster Bar Sea Grille brings a much-needed infusion of sophisticated dining to the Fort Lauderdale scene. The intricately tiled archways and high ceilings of the restaurant recall New York’s Grand Central station while the nautical-inspired decor is meant to evoke an ambience of fine dining on a yacht. Mission accomplished. The seafood and fish selections here are sublime, specializing in simply prepared, fresh, whole fish and flash-fried lobster tails. There’s also a range of custom-aged prime steaks with the full gamut of sides from Parmesan-baked asparagus to cauliflower gratin. | Average main: $49 | 450 E. Las Olas Blvd. | 954/772–2675 | www.buckheadrestaurants.com/lobster-bar-sea-grille | Reservations essential.
FAMILY | Fodor’s Choice | Luigi’s Coal Oven Pizza.
$ | PIZZA | Hands down the best little pizza joint in South Florida, Luigi’s Coal Oven Pizza wows with every dish on the one-page menu, including of course the full gamut of pizzas served up by Italian native Chef Luigi DiMeo, but also phenomenal salads with homemade dressings, classics like eggplant parmigiana, and oven-baked, daily fish specials. There’s no substitutions or toppings allowed on the best seller—the Margherita Napoletana—a testament to the quality and flavors of the crust, cheese, and sauce of Luigi’s century-old Napoli recipe. The petite eatery only has about a dozen tables, contributing to a cozy and familial vibe. | Average main: $15 | 1415 E. Las Olas Blvd. | 954/522–9888 | www.luigiscoalovenpizza.com.
Morton’s The Steakhouse.
$$$$ | STEAKHOUSE | The South Florida steak-house craze has spawned some one-of-a-kinds, but it’s also paved the way for some old-school gems to move into the Fort Lauderdale area. Case in point: Morton’s The Steakhouse, which quietly took residence in a corner of downtown in 2010. The red-meat powerhouse doles out hefty portions of its internationally renowned meats and seafood, starting dinner with a freshly baked onion loaf and rich appetizers, moving on to a superb main course accompanied by a slew of indulgent side dishes. It’s worth saving room for the legendary ice cream sundae. Just order your cocktails from the “skinny” drink menu, and you’ll have less guilt finishing the mammoth dessert. | Average main: $56 | 500 E. Broward Blvd. | 954/467–9720 | www.mortons.com | Reservations essential | No lunch.
Fodor’s Choice | Old Fort Lauderdale Breakfast House.
$$ | AMERICAN | Undoubtedly the best breakfast/brunch joint in Fort Lauderdale, the O-B House has revolutionized South Florida mornings with its crave-worthy delights, exclusively using fresh and organic ingredients. An adaptive reuse of the old downtown Fort Lauderdale post office, this intimate eatery packs the house daily. Locals can’t get enough of the cheesy grits, the mega-pancakes with real Vermont maple syrup, the free-range omelets overflowing with day-caught mahimahi, and the incredibly fresh salads with Florida’s finest corn and house-made buttermilk ranch dressing. A handful of outdoor tables accommodate folks with pets in tow as well as those looking to simply enjoy a sun-kissed Fort Lauderdale morning/early afternoon. Service runs until about 2 pm. | Average main: $19 | 333 Himmarshee St. | 954/530–7520 | www.o-bhouse.com | Reservations not accepted | No dinner.
Fodor’s Choice | Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar.
$$ | MODERN MEXICAN | The busiest spot on the Las Olas strip, Rocco’s is more of a scene than just a restaurant. With pitchers of margaritas a-flowin’, the middle-age crowd is boisterous and fun, recounting (and reliving) the days of spring break debauchery from their preprofessional years. In fact, Rocco’s drink menu is even larger than its sizable food menu. Guacamole is made table-side, and Mexican dishes such as chimichangas and enchiladas have been reinvented (and made far less spicy) for the American palate. Expect a wild night and lots of fun. All-you-can-eat Tuesday Taco nights are particularly crazy! | Average main: $19 | 1313 E. Las Olas Blvd. | 954/524–9550 | www.roccostacos.com.
Royal Pig Pub.
$$$ | CAJUN | Fort Lauderdale’s coolest gastro-pub revels in doling out hefty portions of Cajun comfort cuisine and potent, creative libations. As the name implies, this is indeed the place to be a pig and unapologetically pig out on the beer and butter-soaked New Orleans–style BBQ shrimp; grilled fish-of-the-day atop cheese grits and mussel étouffée; sweet-potato fries with honey-cider drizzle; and grilled free-range turkey burgers loaded with exotic condiments. Plenty of folks come here just for the awesome drinks. In fact, it’s one of Fort Lauderdale’s busiest watering holes. The pub’s arched ceilings are lined with flat-screen TVs, and the bar occupies nearly half the restaurant. Rub elbows with Fort Lauderdale’s yuppies and hotties over dragon-fruit cosmos and spiked, cucumber, and mint-berry lemonades. | Average main: $22 | 350 E. Las Olas Blvd. | 954/617–7447 | www.royalpigpub.com.
Timpano Italian Chophouse.
$$$ | MODERN ITALIAN | Combine the likes of a high-end steak house with a typical Italian-American trattoria, and you’ve got yourself a successful recipe for an Italian chophouse. Timpano’s Italian-centric offerings include fresh pastas, flatbreads, and the full gamut of Parmesans, marsalas, and fra diavolos. Its steak-house identity plays out through a wide selection of aged beef and chops with decadent sides (including truffle mac-and-cheese). Regardless of whether you go carb or carnivore for the main event, the delicious salads are an essential component to the Timpano experience, namely the watercress-and-arugula salad and the chopped salad. | Average main: $21 | 450 E. Las Olas Blvd. | 954/462–9119 | www.timpanochophouse.net.
Wild Sea Oyster Bar & Grille.
$$$$ | SEAFOOD | In the heart of tony Las Olas Boulevard, this oyster bar and grille keeps things simple with a small menu focused on a beautiful raw bar and ever-changing preparations of diverse catches from Florida, Hawaiian, and New England waters. With everything filleted and/or shucked in-house, the just-caught freshness is evident in each bite. Make sure to try the ever-changing fresh-catch ceviche as well as the fruity West Florida grouper with Georgia peaches, heirloom tomatoes, and blackberry drizzle. | Average main: $43 | Riverside Hotel, 620 E. Las Olas Blvd. | 954/467–0671 | www.WildSeaLasOlas.com.
YOLO.
$$$ | AMERICAN | The now-overused term YOLO stands for “You Only Live Once,” but you will definitely want to eat here more than once. For Fort Lauderdale’s bourgeoisie, this is the place to see and be seen and to show off your hottest wheels in the driveway. For others, it’s an upscale restaurant with affordable prices and a great ambience. The restaurant, renovated in 2014, serves the full gamut of new American favorites like tuna tartar, fire-roasted corn dip, Tuscan kale salad, and crispy whole yellowtail snapper. Don’t miss the Szechuan calamari—flash-fried and then covered in garlic-chili sauce, chopped peanuts, and sesame seeds—or the blistered shishito peppers starter. | Average main: $26 | 333 E. Las Olas Blvd. | 954/523–1000 | www.yolorestaurant.com.
Along the Beach
Beauty & the Feast.
$$$ | MODERN AMERICAN | Don’t let the gimmicky name fool you. There’s nothing Disney or cheesy about this eclectic, oceanfront restaurant flanking the lobby of the sleek Atlantic Resort & Spa, serving up a diverse array of Southern-inspired, tapas-style small plates and hefty “feast” plates. The name of the game here is sharing, so expect family-style dining and ordering a little of a lot. Chow down on the divine sea scallops in porcini butter, scrape the bowl for the final spoon of the sherry-kissed Florida Crab Bisque, and feast on the short rib with a side of jalapeño-rich, grilled cream of corn. Wash it all down with some house-made sangria, made table-side with fresh fruits. Beauty also offers a fabulous weekend brunch menu, as well as a breakfast and lunch menu weekdays. Diners are entitled to complimentary valet parking, a rarity in South Florida. | Average main: $26 | The Atlantic Resort & Spa, 601 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd. | 954/567–8070 | www.society8.com.
Casablanca Cafe.
$$ | ECLECTIC | Located along A1A in the heart of Fort Lauderdale’s hotel row, Casablanca Cafe offers alfresco and indoor dining with a fabulous ocean view. The historic two-story Moroccan-style villa was built in the 1920s by local architect Francis Abreu. The menu at this piano bar and restaurant showcases a global potpourri of American, Mediterranean, and Asian flavors; however, the recommended “house favorites” focus on eclectic preparations of Florida fish. The food isn’t particularly delicious, but the location and ambience are excellent. Prepare for long waits to eat in the outdoor section; it’s incredibly popular morning, noon, and night with tourists and locals alike. | Average main: $18 | 3049 Alhambra St. | 954/764–3500 | www.casablancacafeonline.com.
Oasis Cafe.
$$ | AMERICAN | On a spit of land near Route A1A, this outdoor-only spot has swing-glide tables covered by green-striped awnings affording plenty of shade. The swinging tables are enticing, but the food you’ll get is just okay even for cheap, bar-style food (except the delicious key lime pie). Drinks are great though! Friendly staffers serve up libations and casual fare from burgers and wraps to salads and steak. Be aware that a gratuity is tacked on no matter what your party size. A free valet assists with cramped parking. | Average main: $18 | 600 Seabreeze Blvd. | 954/463–3130 | www.oasiscafefortlauderdalebeach.com.
Ocean 2000.
$$$$ | SEAFOOD | This waterfront restaurant and lounge at the Pelican Grand Beach Resort is a favorite of locals in the know, renowned for its stunning Atlantic Ocean views and excellent fish and seafood (prepared with a Latin flair). Expect succulent and savory dishes that include local fish ceviche, tuna “Poke” tacos, and Florida yellowtail snapper á la plancha (skillet-grilled). If indulging in the wildly popular Sunday brunch or a casual seaside lunch, make sure to request seating on the oceanfront patio, arguably the best seats in any house in Fort Lauderdale. Come nightfall, the slick dining room comes to life, illuminated by futuristic chandeliers, ubiquitous candles, and the moonlight over the ocean through oversize windows. | Average main: $32 | Pelican Grand Beach Resort, 2000 N. Ocean Blvd. | 954/556–7667 | www.pelicanbeach.com/ocean2000.
S3.
$$$ | SEAFOOD | S3 stands for the fabulous trio of sun, surf, and sand, paying homage to its prime beachfront location. Located on the ground floor of the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort, S3 flaunts a fun, fresh, sophisticated, beachside swagger. On any given night, you’ll have an even mix of locals and tourists loving life, taking Twitter pics of their S3 cocktail sampler—a tray of adorable miniature versions of the signature libations. The menu features a variety of Japanese-inspired raw dishes, sushi rolls, and small plates, all meant for sharing and delivered as soon as they’re ready. A few must-tries: the spicy Kamikaze roll, the crunchy mac and cheese with smoked Gouda and crispy prosciutto, and the shrimp toast from the wood-fired oven. | Average main: $29 | Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort, 505 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd. | www.s3restaurant.com.
FAMILY | Fodor’s Choice | Sea Level.
$$$ | SEAFOOD | Finding this seafood-centric restaurant takes a bit a work, but there are handsome rewards for those taking the road less traveled. Nestling prime beachfront on the southern perimeter of Marriott’s Harbor Beach Resort & Spa, the indoor-outdoor Sea Level wows with its sublime farm-to-table and ocean-to-table menu that includes an ever-changing chalkboard of daily specials. Chef Jason Connelly is the brains behind this waterfront locale, where ingredients are sourced regionally from the docks of Miami to the farms of Orlando, and plates arrive artistically presented, leaving minutes later with nary a crumb in sight. Experience seafoodie fantasia savoring the day boat scallops with edamame risotto, the seafood paella, or Connelly’s crab cakes (he worked in Baltimore for years and does his former hometown proud). Even the libations uphold Connelly’s house-made-everything mantra, with vodkas infused in house and mixers like the sours made on the premises. Oh, and did we mention the killer views of the ocean? | Average main: $27 | Marriott’s Harbor Beach Resort & Spa, 3030 Holiday Dr. | 954/765–3041 | www.sealevelharborbeach.com.
Shula’s on the Beach.
$$$$ | STEAKHOUSE | For anyone who gets positively misty-eyed at the mere mention of Don Shula’s Miami Dolphins 17–0 Perfect Season of 1972, the good news is that this beachfront spot also turns out culinary winners just as handily. Despite dozens of new, trendy steak houses in Miami and Fort Lauderdale, Shula’s on the Beach remains staunch competition. Carnivores rejoice over the aged premium Black Angus beef grilled over a superhot fire for quick charring. The seafood is excellent, too, and served in generous portions. The jumbo sea scallops and jumbo lump crab cakes are indeed “jumbo” and überdelicious. For a more casual affair, check out the lively bar area adorned with sports memorabilia and large-screen TVs. | Average main: $52 | The Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort, 321 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd. | 954/355–4000 | www.donshula.com/shulas-on-the-beach-ft-lauderdale | No lunch weekdays.
Steak 954.
$$$$ | STEAKHOUSE | It’s not just the steaks that impress at Stephen Starr’s superstar restaurant. The lobster and crab-coconut ceviche and the red snapper tiradito are divine; the butter-poached Maine lobster is perfection; the raw bar showcases only the best and freshest seafood on the market; and the ice cream sandwiches are pure foodie fantasia. Located on the first floor of the swanky W Fort Lauderdale, Steak 954 offers spectacular views of the ocean for those choosing outdoor seating; inside, there’s a sexy, sophisticated ambience for those choosing to dine in the main dining room, with bright tropical colors balanced with dark woods and an enormous jellyfish tank spanning the width of the restaurant. Sunday brunch is very popular, so arrive early for the best views. | Average main: $55 | W Fort Lauderdale, 401 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd. | 954/414–8333 | www.steak954.com.
Fodor’s Choice | 3030 Ocean.
$$$$ | SEAFOOD | 3030 Ocean has been the talk of the town for decades. Previously under the direction of celebrity Chef Dean Max, Fort Lauderdale’s most legendary fish-and-seafood restaurant is now helmed by two other top chefs—local celebrity Chef Paula DaSilva and season 13 Hell’s Kitchen winner Chef La Tasha McCutchen. Constantly evolving with new flavors and fusions, 3030 Ocean gives plenty of great reasons to return time and time again. The ahi tuna ceviche—bathed in cilantro, jalapeño, aji amarillo, red onion, lime, olive oil—is so fresh, it melts in your mouth. The pan-seared roasted local corvina and sautéed Maine scallops over white corn grits are nothing short of experiential. The martini menu is also heaven sent, advancing mixology with its ever-changing list of martinis. | Average main: $39 | Marriott’s Harbor Beach Resort & Spa, 3030 Holiday Dr. | 954/765–3030 | www.3030ocean.com | Reservations essential.
Intracoastal and Inland
FAMILY | Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza.
$$ | PIZZA | Before this legendary “pizza well done” spread to more than 50 outposts across six states, Anthony’s original coal-fired oven was heating up Fort Lauderdale in a big way. The petite first location of the wildly popular pizza joint still packs the house nightly, serving a simple menu of coal-fired pizza, chicken wings, and salad. Vegetarians and nonvegetarians alike love the cheeseless Eggplant Marino pizza and the Roasted Cauliflower pizza, with olive oil and whole garlic cloves, bread crumbs, and Romano and mozzarella cheeses. | Average main: $17 | 2203 S. Federal Hwy. | 954/462–5555 | www.acfp.com.
Canyon Southwest Cafe.
$$$$ | SOUTHWESTERN | Southwestern fusion fare helps you escape the ordinary at this small, magical enclave, managed hands-on by executive Chef Chris Wilber. Order, for example, bison medallions with scotch bonnets, a tequila-jalapeño smoked-salmon tostada, coriander-crusted tuna, or blue-corn fried oysters. Chipotle, wasabi, mango, and red chilies accent fresh seafood and wild game. Cocktail lovers should start off with a signature prickly pear margarita or choose from a well-rounded wine list or beer selection. TIP On every night but Saturday, eat at the bar and ladies get the special price of $6 margaritas while both sexes enjoy half off small plates. | Average main: $31 | 1818 E. Sunrise Blvd. | 954/765–1950 | www.canyonfl.com | Reservations not accepted | No lunch.
The Capital Grille, Fort Lauderdale.
$$$$ | STEAKHOUSE | The Capital Grille is a rare example of a restaurant chain that has managed to uphold the superlative food quality and stellar service on which it was founded, regardless of expansion. Indeed, the Fort Lauderdale outpost of this American darling never fails to impress, every dish cooked being to perfection and meticulously presented. The dining room feels warm and welcoming, buzzing with the constant chatter of patrons raving about the food and ordering another round of Stoli dolis (Stoli vodka marinating in a tub of fresh-cut pineapples for two weeks and then served as a smooth martini). Though the steaks and sides are the main draw, the calamari appetizer, shrimp cocktail, sushi-grade tuna steak, and salmon should not be overlooked. They are all phenomenal. | Average main: $38 | Galleria Fort Lauderdale, 2430 E. Sunrise Blvd. | 954/446–2000 | www.thecapitalgrille.com | Reservations essential.
Fodor’s Choice | Casa D’Angelo Ristorante.
$$$$ | ITALIAN | Casa D’Angelo is packed year-round and for excellent reason. Owner-chef Angelo Elia has created a gem of a Tuscan-style white-tablecloth restaurant in Fort Lauderdale, and the city can’t get enough. All meals begin with the hearty plates of bruschetta, green olives, and Parmesan cheese. Next, choose from the myriad daily appetizer specials, but don’t miss the antipasto “Angelo,” an assortment of seasonal grilled vegetables, and the mouthwatering burrata. For the main course, Casa D’Angelo’s oak oven turns out plenty of sublime seafood and beef dishes, but it’s the ever-changing “fish of the day” that impresses most, simply yet exquisitely prepared. The pastas are also prepared to perfection. | Average main: $38 | 1201 N. Federal Hwy., No. 5A | 954/564–1234 | www.casa-d-angelo.com | No lunch.
Fodor’s Choice | Coco Asian Bistro & Bar.
$$$ | ASIAN | The best of Thai and Japanese cuisine unite under one roof at Coco Asian Bistro & Bar, a locally famous gastronomic gem in a jazzy Fort Lauderdale strip mall. Chef Mike Ponluang’s expansive menu spans authentic Asian to pan-Asian flavors more suited to the American palate to downright avant-garde interpretations of Asian cuisine. You’ll never go wrong with the traditional pad thai or the variety of classic curries; but there are also dishes like the Emerald Scallops, a decadent marriage of diver scallops, asparagus, and portobello mushrooms in a green curry, as well as the off-the-menu lobster pad thai served in the shell. The oversize sushi rolls are beautifully crafted, often mingling at least five flavors, fostering utter sushitopia. Try, for example, Mike’s Roll, a taste explosion of tuna, spinach, avocado, tempura flakes, and kampyo rolled in sweet, black, sticky rice and served with sweet chili sauce for dipping. The artisan cocktails are also excellent; don’t leave without having a lycheetini or two! | Average main: $27 | 1841 Cordova Rd. | 954/525–3541 | www.cocoasianbistro.com | No lunch weekends.
FAMILY | Ernie’s Barbecue.
$ | BARBECUE | Walls once plastered with philosophical quotes from a former owner have been scrubbed clean at Ernie’s, where the menu proclaims conch is king, barbecue is a way of life, and the bar is open late. Fortunately for patrons, barbecue platters of pork or beef and conch chowder are both large and cheap. Bimini bread, thick-sliced for sandwiches, is also sold by the loaf to go, along with racks of ribs and conch chowder by the quart. Seafood, salads, and burgers pass muster here, and there’s a children’s menu. Eat downstairs, or, if you don’t mind the Federal Highway traffic buzz, take the stairs to second-floor open-air patio tables near a pool table. | Average main: $14 | 1843 S. Federal Hwy. | 954/523–8636.
FAMILY | 15th Street Fisheries & Dockside Cafe.
$$$$ | SEAFOOD | A prime Intracoastal Waterway view is a big part of the allure at this two-story seafood landmark; the fresh seafood is the other. The old 15th carries on solidly with spicy conch chowder, grilled fish dishes, and homemade breads. There are two separate menus: a pricey dinner menu for more formal upstairs dining and a casual dockside menu served day and night. Kids love feeding the families of giant tarpon circling around the dock. | Average main: $37 | 1900 S.E. 15th St. | 954/763–2777 | www.15streetfisheries.com.
Giorgio’s 17th Street.
$$ | PIZZA | The delicious brick-oven pizza lures customers to this tiny restaurant, but it’s really the salads and sandwiches that impress. The blackened chicken Caesar salad and the monstrous grilled chicken sandwiches (with grilled peppers and fresh mozzarella on freshly baked bread) are both memorable. Nevertheless, the homemade seafood salad is still Giorgio’s best seller, a healthy mix of tender squid, shrimp, and scallops in a light vinaigrette. All meals are served with piping-hot rolls and homemade hummus. | Average main: $18 | 1499 S.E. 17th St. | 954/767–8300 | www.letseat.at/giorgios | No lunch Sun.
Kitchenetta.
$$$$ | ITALIAN | A modern Italian-American trattoria serving fresh Mediterranean favorites in a chic, loft-inspired setting, Kitchenetta has been pleasing Fort Lauderdale foodies since 2000. The outdoor seating area welcomes pet-lovers, who often dine with pooch in tow. Popular items fresh out of the open kitchen include the fried calamari, fusilli with escarole and cannellini beans, penne puttanesca, pollo scarpariello Siciliano, and a wide range of daily mouthwatering specials. | Average main: $36 | 2850 N. Federal Hwy | 954/567–3333 | www.kitchenetta.com | Closed Mon. No lunch.
Fodor’s Choice | Market 17.
$$$$ | MODERN AMERICAN | Using only the best ingredients from regional farmers and local fishermen, Market 17 leads the organic farm-to-table revolution in South Florida. The menu at this chic restaurant shifts daily, lending to an ever-changing kaleidoscope of mouthwatering creations. The daily “Market Ceviche” and fresh-catch preparations are always popular. The desserts, too, are outstanding and include homemade ice creams. For something awesome and different with a small group, Market 17 offers “dining in the dark,” where dinner is served in a blacked-out room, forcing you to rely on your senses of touch, taste, and smell to figure out what you’re eating and drinking. | Average main: $31 | 1850 S.E. 17th St., Suite 109 | 954/835–5507 | www.market17.net | Reservations essential | No lunch.
FAMILY | Old Heidelberg Restaurant.
$$$ | GERMAN | Likened to a Bavarian mirage plucked from the Alps and plopped along State Road 84 near the airport and seaport (about 3 miles from downtown, towards the western suburbs), the Old Heidelberg’s beer stein–cowbell–cuckoo-clock decor accents the Bavarian lamb shanks, various schnitzels, sauerkraut, and other specialties, from apple strudel to Black Forest cake. The restaurant boats a great selection of German beers on tap. | Average main: $25 | 900 W. State Rd. 84, Downtown and Las Olas | 954/463–6747 | www.heidelbergfl.com.
Fodor’s Choice | Pelican Landing.
$ | SEAFOOD | In this age of globalization and instant information, it’s nearly impossible to remain the city’s “best-kept secret,” but somehow Pelican Landing has managed to do exactly that. Located on a second-story terrace in the Pier Sixty-Six Marina and renovated in 2014, the serene outdoor restaurant serves mouthwatering beach-shack-style eats surrounded by picturesque panoramas of boats, sea, and sunset. The fish is caught daily, served simply blackened or grilled, and presented with sides. There’s also more modern ocean eats like fish tacos and ceviches; and the conch fritters are outstanding. Match these mouthwatering fruits of the sea with the innovative cocktail menu, and you’ll quickly reach a state of “paradise found!” | Average main: $15 | Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty Six, 2301 S.E. 17th St. Causeway, at end of main dock | 954/525–6666 | www.pier66.hyatt.com.
Ruth’s Chris Steak House.
$$$$ | STEAKHOUSE | Service at the Fort Lauderdale outpost of the steak-house juggernaut is outstanding and waitstaff are eager to guide you through the protein-rich menu. Steaks are served on a sizzling 500-degree plate to keep them piping hot and are dripping with melted butter. Appetizers include the “crabtini,” a generous portion of lump crabmeat lightly dressed in a chilled martini glass, and the sensational lobster bisque. TIP Save room for a decadent dessert: the caramelized banana cream pie and chocolate sin cake are off-the-charts delicious. | Average main: $38 | 2525 N. Federal Hwy. | 954/565–2338 | www.ruthschris.com.
Southport Raw Bar.
$$ | SEAFOOD | You can’t go wrong at this unpretentious spot where the motto, on bumper stickers for miles around, proclaims, “Eat fish, live longer, eat oysters, love longer, eat clams, last longer.” Raw or steamed clams, raw oysters, and peel-and-eat shrimp are market priced. Sides range from Bimini bread to key lime pie, with conch fritters, beer-battered onion rings, and corn on the cob in between. Order wine by the bottle or glass, and beer by the pitcher, bottle, or can. Avoid the dimly-lit restaurant proper, and eat outside overlooking the Intracoastal. | Average main: $16 | 1536 Cordova Rd. | 954/525–2526 | www.southportrawbar.com.
Sublime.
$$ | VEGETARIAN | Paul McCartney, Alec Baldwin, Bob Barker, Alicia Silverstone, and their celebrity pals are not the only vegetarians that love this vegan powerhouse. The innovative pizzas, pastas, and meat-substitute products surprisingly can satisfy even carnivore cravings. All dishes are organic and void of any animal by-products, showing the world how vegan eating does not compromise flavor or taste. Standout items include: mushroom ravioli, Thai red curry, Florentine flatbread, and the chocolate nirvana. | Average main: $18 | 1431 N. Federal Hwy. | 954/539–9000 | www.sublimerestaurant.com | Closed Mon.
Thasos Greek Taverna.
$$$ | GREEK | A small, heavenly slice of the Greek Isles has floated ashore between Fort Lauderdale’s beach and the Intracoastal Waterway. Upon entering the Taverna, you’ll immediately think Greek chic, with the whitewashed walls, blue trim, streaming images of Greece on the walls, and the easy-on-the-eyes crowd. Plan on eating family style. Start with a variety of pikilia (Greek spreads), which include spicy whipped feta, divine tzatziki (a garlicky yogurt-cucumber dip), and melt-in-your-mouth taramosalata (whitefish caviar). Then move onto the mezedes (hot shared plates) that include shrimp Saganaki (fried with tomatoes, olives, and feta), stuffed grape leaves, and the oh-so-tender fire-grilled octopus. Finally, expand your waistline with a main course, including specialties like the traditional moussaka (souffle of ground lamb and eggplant). | Average main: $29 | 3330 E. Oakland Park Blvd., between N. Ocean Blvd. and N.E. 33rd Ave. | 954/200–6006 | www.thasostaverna.com | Reservations essential.
Tom Jenkins’ Bar-B-Q.
$ | BARBECUE | Big portions of deliciously dripping barbecue are dispensed at this handy spot for eat-in or takeout, similar in style and taste to the popular Sonny’s Barbeque chain found throughout the southeastern United States. Furnishings include an old Singer sewing machine and a wringer washer, and diners partake at picnic-style tables. Dinners for around $12 include two sides like baked beans, collards, or mighty tasty macaroni 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? Family samplers ($55.99) with pork spareribs, chicken, beef, and sides feed four to six. | Average main: $12 | 1236 S. Federal Hwy. | 954/522–5046 | www.tomjenkinsbbq.com | Closed Sun. and Mon.
Fodor’s Choice | Zona Fresca.
$ | MEXICAN | A local favorite on the cheap, Zona Fresca serves healthful Mexican fast food with the best chips, salsas, burritos, and quesadillas in town. Everything is made fresh on the premises, including the authentic salsas, presented in a grand salsa bar. Zona is busy seven days a week for both lunch and dinner and offers both indoor and outdoor seating. It’s likely to be your best (and cheapest) lunch in Fort Lauderdale. | Average main: $10 | 1635 N. Federal Hwy. | 954/566–1777 | www.zonafresca.com.
Western Suburbs and Beyond
FAMILY | D’Angelo: Pizza, Wine Bar, and Tapas.
$$ | PIZZA | Florida’s famous restaurateur and Tuscan chef Angelo Elia has opened an outpost of his casual pizza, tapas, and wine bar in the western suburbs of Fort Lauderdale to great fanfare. D’Angelo serves affordable small plates, salads, ceviches, and pizzas (based with either red or white sauce) and has quickly become a neighborhood favorite. Both kids and adults love the rotating selections of homemade gelatos. Don’t miss the zucchini flowers stuffed with mozzarella, the spinach gnocchi with four cheeses and pine nuts, and the sorrentina pizza with eggplant, mozzarella, fresh tomato, and basil oil. This is superb Italian comfort food! | Average main: $20 | Country Isle Shopping Center, 1370 Weston Rd. | Weston | 954/306–0037 | www.dangelopizza.com.
FAMILY | Georgia Pig.
$ | SOUTHERN | When heading out to the area’s western reaches, this postage-stamp-size outpost can add down-home zing to your day—if you can find it, that is (signage has been known to disappear), and if you don’t mind the somewhat gritty atmosphere. Breakfast, which includes sausage gravy and biscuits, is served 6–11 am, but the big attraction is barbecue beef, pork, or chicken, on platters or in sandwiches for lunch through dinner until about 8 pm. Alternatives include a spicy Brunswick stew and fried jumbo shrimp. There’s apple, peach, cherry, and pecan pie, and a small-fry menu. Order takeout or eat at the counter, at wooden tables, or at a half dozen or so booths. | Average main: $12 | 1285 S. State Rd. 7, U.S. 441, just south of Davie Blvd. | 954/587–4420 | No credit cards | Closed Sun. No dinner Sat.
Ireland’s Steakhouse.
$$$$ | STEAKHOUSE | Don’t let the name fool you. Ireland’s Steakhouse is not particularly Irish nor is it just a steak house. In fact, this restaurant is most popular for its sustainable-seafood menu. Promoting a holistic philosophy of green eating, the restaurant meticulously chooses its ingredients and the purveyors that supply them, while staying true to the international “Seafood Watch” guide. The restaurant is a warm and woodsy enclave in the back corner of the Bonaventure Resort & Spa. In keeping with trends of other steak houses, hearty mains (like the mustard-glazed king salmon and the 22-ounce bone-in rib eye) are paired with loads of decadent sides made for sharing (like lobster mac and cheese and lobster fries). | Average main: $45 | Bonaventure Resort & Spa, 250 Racquet Club Rd. | Weston | 800/327–8090 | www.bonaventureresortandspa.com | Reservations essential | Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch.
FAMILY | Swank Southern Kitchen.
$$$ | SOUTHERN | This hip, personality-driven eatery is the type of joint you’d expect to find in a big city, not in the suburbs. The farmhouse-chic restaurant is all about Southern hospitality, high-cal comfort food, and some darn good cocktails. First-timers are bound to start the night with “Swamp Water,” a mason jar filled with a greenish concoction of 100% blue agave tequila, blue curaçao, orange juice, and gummy worms. The eating frenzy often begins with fried green tomatoes and crab hush puppies before moving on to the chicken and waffles or the beer-can chicken (smothered in beer gravy). | Average main: $26 | 4198 S. University Dr. | 954/727–5497 | www.swanksouthern.com | No lunch.
FAMILY | Tropical Acres.
$$$ | STEAKHOUSE | The Studiale family’s sprawling restaurant has served up sizzling steaks from a fireplace grill since 1949—a millennium by South Florida standards. And the restaurant looks well much like it did in 1949. Juicy prime rib is big, but you can choose from more than 35 entrées, including sautéed frogs’ legs, rack of lamb, and boneless New York strip for two, or ask friendly servers for recommendations. This is a true slice of nostalgia in Fort Lauderdale’s western suburbs. | Average main: $24 | 2500 Griffin Rd. | 954/989–2500 | www.tropical-acres.com | No lunch.
Wilton Manors and Oakland Park
Eduardo de San Angel.
$$$$ | MEXICAN | Authentic chilies, spices, and herbs enhance classic seafood, meat, and poultry dishes at this inviting Mexican enclave known for its hospitality. The restaurant has packed the house for over 20 years, a testament to its popularity and excellent cuisine. Specialties are beef-tenderloin tips sautéed with portobello mushrooms and onions in a chipotle-chili sauce, terrific peppercorn-crusted Keys yellowtail snapper, and delicious cilantro soup. | Average main: $32 | 2822 E. Commercial Blvd. | 954/772–4731 | www.eduardodesanangel.com | Closed Sun.
FAMILY | D’Angelo Pizza, Wine Bar, and Tapas.
$$ | PIZZA | D’Angelo serves affordable small plates, salads, ceviches, and pizzas (based with either white or red sauce) and remains a neighborhood favorite. Both kids and adults love the rotating selections of homemade gelatos, a very necessary end to an evening at D’Angelo. Don’t miss the zucchini flowers stuffed with mozzarella, the spinach gnocchi with four cheeses and pine nuts, and the sorrentina pizza with eggplant, mozzarella, fresh tomato, and basil oil. This is superb Italian comfort food! | Average main: $20 | 4215 N. Federal Hwy., Wilton Manors and Oakland Park | Oakland Park | 954/306–0037 | www.dangelopizza.com.
Lips.
$$ | AMERICAN | The 1990s trend of drag dining is still alive and well in Fort Lauderdale. The hit restaurant and show bar Lips is a favorite for large groups celebrating birthdays, bachelorette parties, and other milestones. Expect some showstopping entertainment while you eat, peppered with quite a few embarrassing moments as the queens love to drag guests up on stage. TIP Locals tend to visit Lips on Sunday for Sunday Gospel Brunch, the only “church” service with unlimited sparkling wine. Besides the meal, there’s a show charge that ranges from $5 to $10. | Average main: $20 | 1421 E. Oakland Park Blvd., Oakland Park | 954/567–0987 | www.floridalips.com | Closed Mon.
FAMILY | Mai-Kai.
$$$$ | SOUTH PACIFIC | Touristy to some yet exciting to others, the South Pacific meets South Florida at this torch-lit landmark. It’s undeniably gimmicky, but droves arrive for the popular Polynesian dance review and fire shows, Peking duck, and umbrella-garnished exotic tropical drinks. The Pacific allure is maintained with freshly planted palms, thatch, and bamboo, and a wood-planked bridge rebuilt to make arriving cars sound like rumbling thunder. An expanded wine list embraces boutique vintages from around the world. Valet parking is available. | Average main: $39 | 3599 N. Federal Hwy. | 954/563–3272 | www.maikai.com.
Stork’s Café.
$ | CAFÉ | Wilton Manors’ legendary Stork’s Café stands out as a gay-friendly, straight-friendly, and just plain friendly coffeehouse and café, ideal for chilling out or catching up on a good read. Sit indoors or outside under tables with red umbrellas and indulge in a coffee and a sweet. The white-chocolate-pistachio cheesecake is a must-try. Baked goods range from croissants, tortes, cakes, and pies to “monster cookies,” including gingersnap and snickerdoodle. For lunch, try the Pilgrim (think Thanksgiving in a wrap) or the Hello Kitty (tuna salad on sourdough), or a made-from-scratch soup like vegan split pea. | Average main: $12 | 2505 N.E. 15th Ave., Wilton Manors and Oakland Park | Wilton Manors | 954/567–3220 | www.storksbakery.com.
Sunfish Grill.
$$$$ | SEAFOOD | The former Pompano Beach institution migrated south in 2009 and hasn’t looked back since. Quickly establishing itself in the Oakland Park area (albeit in a quiet strip mall), Sunfish Grill doles out beautifully presented contemporary American cuisine, namely well-executed, outside-the-box seafood and fish dishes. The spaghetti Bolognese is made with ground tuna instead of beef; the Sunfish Caesar with Maytag Blue Cheese instead of Parmesan; the “not the usual” key lime pie with coconut sorbet instead of whipped cream. The results of this ingenuity are fantastic. | Average main: $36 | 2775 E. Oakland Park Blvd. | 954/561–2004 | www.sunfishgrill.com | Closed Sun. and Mon. No lunch.
Where to Stay
Downtown and Las Olas
Pineapple Point.
$$ | B&B/INN | Tucked a few blocks behind Las Olas Boulevard in the residential neighborhood of Victoria Park, clothing-optional Pineapple Point is a magnificent maze of posh tropical cottages and dense foliage catering to the gay community and is nationally renowned for its stellar service. Amenities abound at this clandestine retreat, including four hot tubs and swimming pools, hammocks, a gymnasium, and gardens, all showered with touches of luxury and class. Units range from standard suites to individual three story homes, often attracting the power players of the LGBT community. Pros: superior service; tropical setting. Cons: difficult to find at first; need a vehicle for beach jaunts. | Rooms from: $298 | 315 N.E. 16th Terr. | 954/527–0094, 888/844–7295 | www.pineapplepoint.com | 25 rooms | Breakfast.
Riverside Hotel.
$$ | HOTEL | On Las Olas Boulevard, just steps from boutiques, restaurants, and art galleries, Fort Lauderdale’s oldest hotel (circa 1936) evokes a time bygone with historical photos gracing hallways, and guest rooms outfitted with antique oak furnishings, ornamental palm trees, and a bold tropical color palate with a Tommy Bahamas throwback flair. Guest rooms are in either the original Historic Tower or the more updated Executive Tower. Penthouse suites in the 12-story Executive Tower have balconies with sweeping views of Las Olas, New River, and the downtown skyline. Enjoy quiet moments in the spruced-up courtyard, try the brunch at Indigo, dinner at Wild Sea, or check out what’s happening on “the lawn”—20,000 square feet adjacent to the hotel sometimes hosting festivals and markets. The pool area is across the street along the Intracoastal Waterway. Pros: historic appeal; in the thick of Las Olas action; nice views. Cons: questionable room decor; dated lobby; small bathrooms. | Rooms from: $229 | 620 E. Las Olas Blvd. | 954/467–0671, 800/325–3280 | www.riversidehotel.com | 208 rooms, 6 suites | No meals.
Along the Beach
The Atlantic Resort & Spa.
$$$ | HOTEL | The hotel that catalyzed Fort Lauderdale’s luxe revolution circa 2000 continues to be a beautiful and well-run gem, and the skyscraping, oceanfront beauty seems well positioned to stay at the top of her contemporary game for years to come. Interiors are modern and minimalist, from the marble and wood and beiges and browns of the lobby to the spacious, unfussy rooms, decorated with simple, dark-wood furniture, ample marble kitchen areas, creamy fabrics, and plush carpeting. The decor chooses to frame, rather than compete with, balcony views of city or ocean (choose the latter if available). On-premises amenities include a revamped European-style spa, a tony lobby-level lounge and restaurant, and a fifth-floor Ocean Terrace, with a sleek infinity pool overlooking the Atlantic. Pros: sophisticated lodging option; en suite kitchenettes; hotel received full renovation in 2011. Cons: no complimentary water bottles in room; expensive parking. | Rooms from: $350 | 601 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd. | 954/567–8020 | www.atlantichotelfl.com | 61 rooms, 58 suites, 4 penthouses | No meals.
Bahia Mar Fort Lauderdale Beach Hotel, A DoubleTree by Hilton.
$ | HOTEL | This nicely situated Fort Lauderdale beachfront classic received a long-overdue nip/tuck in 2011–12 that included cheery, refreshed guest rooms and rebranding as a DoubleTree hotel. Identical rooms are available in both the marina building and the tower building; however, the latter tends to offer superior vistas. Overall, rooms tend to be on the small side, starting at 250 square feet; but the boating crowd that patronizes this hotel doesn’t seem to mind. Note that the hotel fills up quickly for boating events, since they are often hosted along Bahia Mar’s megamarina. Most year-round snorkeling and boat outfitters are found directly on the marina; the water taxi also makes regular stops here. Pros: crosswalk from hotel to beach; on-site yacht center; easy to navigate Fort Laud with on-site water taxi stop. Cons: dated exteriors; small bathrooms; popcorn ceilings. | Rooms from: $189 | 801 Seabreeze Blvd. | 954/764–2233 | www.bahiamarhotel.com | 296 rooms | No meals.
B Ocean Resort.
$$ | HOTEL | Formerly the Sheraton Yankee Clipper Hotel, this Fort Lauderdale riverboat-shape beachfront landmark has been rechristened B Ocean Resort, the young “B” brand’s sophomore endeavor on Fort Lauderdale Beach (its first has now been rebranded a Sonesta—talk about hotel mambo!). In the most general sense, the blue-and-white seaside-inspired rooms are identical in all four buildings: cozy yet functional. It’s the views and beach access that differ. As the name implies, the Beach Tower sits directly on the beach, doling out superb views. The Main Tower offers balconies, which the other three buildings do not have. The legendary original boat-shape Marina Building remains, as do the boat-style windows in some rooms and common areas. Pros: Friday-night retro mermaid show in swimming pool; proximity to beach; excellent gym. Cons: small rooms; low ceilings in lobby; faded exteriors. | Rooms from: $239 | 1140 Seabreeze Blvd. | 954/564–1000 | www.boceanfortlauderdale.com | 486 rooms | No meals.
FAMILY | Fodor’s Choice | Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort.
$$$ | RESORT | This 26-story oceanfront sparkler features 374 tastefully appointed guest rooms and a fabulous sixth-floor pool deck, colorfully and whimsically decorated. Rooms glow with natural light and offer luxurious amenities like marble bathroom vanities and beautiful, high-thread-count linens. Although the lobby impresses with its high ceilings, gourmet market, and convivial atmosphere, it’s the pool deck where most of the fun happens. The futuristic red lounge chairs are oh-so-awesome with adorable drink and iPod holders. The family-friendly pool may have quite a few kids, but adults can easily sneak off to the prolific sunbathing areas flanking both sides of the hotel. The hotel’s S3 (Sun, Surf, and Sand) restaurant is a popular local hangout. Pros: excellent gym; most rooms have balconies; great location. Cons: charge for Wi-Fi; no outdoor bar; expensive valet parking. | Rooms from: $329 | 505 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd. | 954/760–7177 | www.fortlauderdalebeachresort.hilton.com | 374 rooms | No meals.
FAMILY | Lago Mar Resort and Club.
$$$ | RESORT | The sprawling, kid-friendly Lago Mar, owned by the Banks family since the early 1950s, retains its sparkle and a refreshed old Florida feel thanks to frequent renovations. Brilliantly colored bougainvillea edges the swimming lagoon, and you have direct access to a 500-foot private beach in an exclusive neighborhood. Most accommodations are spacious suites with pullout sofas and kitchens, making them ideal for families. Acquario serves northern Italian cuisine nightly and a divine filet mignon; kids and kids-at-heart gravitate toward the Soda Shop, a bakery and ice-cream parlor. Pros: secluded setting; plenty of activities; on the very private Harbor beach. Cons: not easy to find; far from restaurants and beach action. | Rooms from: $325 | 1700 S. Ocean La. | 855/209–5677 | www.lagomar.com | 52 rooms, 160 suites | No meals.
FAMILY | Fodor’s Choice | Marriott Harbor Beach Resort.
$$$ | RESORT | Bill Marriott’s personal choice for his annual four-week family vacation, the Marriott Harbor Beach Resort sits on a quarter-mile swath of private beach and bursts with the luxe beachfront personality of an upscale Caribbean resort. While the 1970s exterior of the hotel building remains, the resort’s 16 acres underwent a $50-million renovation in 2010 (an equally impressive interior renovation took place the year prior) and the hotel has maintained its fresh look since. The result is a wonderland of seductive lounges and firepits, sparkling swimming pools with chic lounge chairs equipped with flags to signal food and beverage service, and a quarter mile of full-service private beach, with the full gamut of sunbathing and water sports options. An excellent Kids’ Club keeps the young ones entertained throughout the day while parents enjoy some well deserved R & R. “Big kids” delight in the adults-only heated saline pool, where music can be heard underwater. Dining outlets include the famous 3030 Ocean, headlined by celebrity Chef Paula DaSilva, and the fun and funky Sea Level. Pros: excellent gym; all rooms have balconies; great eating outlets; no resort fees. Cons: Wi-Fi isn’t free; expensive parking; interiors are new but feel a little cookie-cutter. | Rooms from: $379 | 3030 Holiday Dr. | 954/525–4000 | www.marriottharborbeach.com | 650 rooms, 31 suites | No meals.
FAMILY | Pelican Grand Beach Resort.
$$$ | RESORT | Smack on Fort Lauderdale beach, this yellow spired, Key West–style, Noble House property fuses a heritage of Old Florida seaside charm with understated luxury; there’s renovated rooms upstairs, an amazing beachfront, an old-fashioned emporium, and Fort Lauderdale’s only lazy river. More than three-quarters of the guest rooms are spacious, one-bedroom oceanfront suites, each with a partitioned living room area. All oceanfront suites have balconies, except those on the second floor. The 500 feet of beach flush with the Pelican is considered private, allowing the resort to offer full-service beachside food and drink. The serene “Grand Veranda” spans the entire length of the property, with plenty of rocking chairs for gazing at the ocean and enjoying peace and quiet. Pros: free popcorn in the Postcard Lounge; directly on the beach; Ocean 2000 restaurant. Cons: high tide can swallow most of beach area; small fitness center. | Rooms from: $323 | 2000 N. Atlantic Blvd. | 954/568–9431, 800/525–6232 | www.pelicanbeach.com | 156 rooms | No meals.
Fodor’s Choice | The Pillars Hotel.
$$$ | B&B/INN | Once a “small secret” kept by locals in the know, this elegant boutique gem, sandwiched between Fort Lauderdale beach and the Intracoastal Waterway, rarely falls below capacity since it invariably lands on reader’s choice lists year after year. The design recalls the colorful architecture of 18th-century British colonial Caribbean plantations. Most rooms have views of the Intracoastal Waterway or pool, with French doors opening to individual patios or balconies. Rooms have rattan-and-mahogany headboards and antique-reproduction desks and nightstands; suites include wet bars with refrigerators and microwaves. The “Secret Garden” is an intimate restaurant for hotel guests only. Pros: attentive staff; lovely decor; idyllic pool area. Cons: small rooms; not for families with young kids given proximity to dock and water with no lifeguard on duty. | Rooms from: $325 | 111 N. Birch Rd. | 954/467–9639 | www.pillarshotel.com | 13 rooms, 5 suites | No meals.
Fodor’s Choice | The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale.
$$$$ | HOTEL | Inspired by the design of an opulent luxury liner, 24 dramatically tiered, glass-walled stories rise from the sea, forming a sumptuous Ritz-Carlton hotel with guest rooms that reinvent a golden era of luxury travel, a lavish tropical sundeck and infinity-edge pool peering over the ocean, and a Club Lounge that spans an entire floor. The sun-filled lobby and public areas sparkle with white-and-charcoal marble floors, crystal chandeliers, leather banquettes, and murals inspired by the work of French artist Jean Cocteau. The Lobby Bar, with a King Neptune mural, and the lobby level restaurant dole out superior ocean views through floor-to-ceiling glass windows. The Wine Room beckons with fine vintages from a 5,000-bottle collection. Luxury also awaits at the spa, with exotic therapies and a treatment suite for couples. The hotel’s Club Lounge is situated such that guests can watch both the sunrise and the sunset from the balcony. Golfers have privileges at the private Grande Oaks Golf Course, where Caddyshack was filmed.Pros: prime beach location; modern seaside elegance deviates dramatically from traditional Ritz-Carlton decor; views from Club Lounge. Cons: no complimentary Wi-Fi; expensive valet parking. | Rooms from: $649 | 1 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd. | 954/465–2300 | www.ritzcarlton.com/FortLauderdale | 138 rooms, 54 suites | No meals.
Sonesta Fort Lauderdale.
$$ | HOTEL | The Sonesta Fort Lauderdale merges trendiness with affordability in a 13-story U-shape tower overlooking the ocean, making it a smart choice for chic, clean, linear style guest rooms with pops of tropical colors and all the amenities you’d want in a youthful, beachfront hotel (though the exterior still harbors its original 1970s Holiday Inn architecture). The upside of the architecture: the outward facing U-shape facilitates ocean views from every room in the house. The hotel changed hands from the B Ocean Fort Lauderdale to the Sonesta Fort Lauderdale in 2014. Pros: all rooms have ocean views; trendy but affordable; nighttime fire pits. Cons: small pool area; lackluster exterior; small driveway. | Rooms from: $279 | 999 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd. | 954/315–1460 | www.sonesta.com/FortLauderdale | 240 rooms | No meals.
FAMILY | The Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort.
$$$ | RESORT | Smack dab in the center of Fort Lauderdale Beach and connected directly to the beach through a private overpass, the hotel once known as the Sheraton Yankee Trader has been transformed into a modern convention-centric Westin. The colossal resort caters to both leisure travelers and conventioneers, with a significant number of guest rooms and public spaces facing the ocean, including the gym. The pool area remains social and lively throughout the day. Guest rooms look fresh with warm cherrywood, hues of blue, and whimsical decor. There’s a great Kids’ Club on-site as well. If you get hungry, head downstairs to the locally renowned eatery, Shula’s on the Beach, or go lighter with the small but excellent Japanese restaurant, Amatsu Sushi & Sake. Pros: direct beach access; heavenly beds and spa. Cons: lengthy walks to get to some rooms; fee for Wi-Fi; lot of conventioneers. | Rooms from: $319 | 321 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd. | 954/467–1111 | www.westin.com/fortlauderdalebeach | 433 rooms | No meals.
W Fort Lauderdale.
$$$$ | HOTEL | Fort Lauderdale’s trendiest hotel—equipped with a rooftop see-through swimming pool, a wide range of contemporary rooms and suites, and an easy-on-the-eyes youthful crowd—boasts a vibe highly reminiscent of South Beach. The clubby W Fort Lauderdale rises over the Atlantic like a massive luxury boat at full sail, seducing with dramatic ocean and Intracoastal views and a party-all-the-time ambience. The daytime lounge–cum–nighttime club space, the Living Room, features a 20-foot bar and mattress-inspired seating, letting you peek at swimmers in the see-through pool via ceiling portholes. Rooms are appropriately classified as Wonderful, Spectacular, Fabulous, and so on, and suites range up to Wow or Extreme Wow. Between Whiskey Blue with its light fare and libations, Steak 954’s boutique dining, nearly 13,000 square feet of meeting space, and a grand ballroom for up to 300, don’t be surprised to encounter revelry. Pros: trendy and flashy; amazing pool; great spa. Cons: party atmosphere not for everyone; 2008 furniture looking a bit worn. | Rooms from: $439 | 435 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd. | 954/462–1633 | www.wfortlauderdalehotel.com | 346 rooms, 171 condominiums | No meals.
Worthington Guest House.
$ | B&B/INN | Located five minutes from gay Sebastian Beach, this hotel is one of Fort Lauderdale Beach’s 27 clothing-optional guesthouses for gay men. The fenced property flaunts beautiful landscaping that includes rare palms and beautiful fountains. Rooms are simple but clean, with hardwood floors and Old Florida decor. The Worthington shares its amenities—including two pools, a large hot tub, a great fitness room, and a shaded courtyard—with its neighboring sister property, the Alcazar. Most beds are kings, although some rooms have pairs of queen-size beds. All rooms have complimentary Wi-Fi. Guests also have access to the facilities of Villa Venice, another nearby guesthouse from the same owners. Pros: fresh-squeezed orange juice in the morning; nice pool area; ability to also hang out at sister properties Alcazar and Villa Venice. Cons: not on the beach; windows open towards fence or other buildings. | Rooms from: $175 | 543 N. Birch Rd. | 954/563–6819 | www.theworthington.com | 14 rooms | Breakfast.
Intracoastal and Inland
GALLERYone – A DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel.
$$ | HOTEL | A condo hotel favored by vacationers preferring longer stays, and named after its lobby art gallery, the residential-style GALLERYone rises over the Intracoastal, within short walking distance of both Fort Lauderdale Beach and the city’s popular Galleria Mall. The all-suite hotel is filled with furnishings that are simple yet functional. The water taxi stops directly behind the hotel. The excellent location and water taxi access makes this one of a few hotels in Fort Lauderdale where a rental car isn’t required. Pros: walking distance to both beach and supermarket; easy water taxi access; good for longer stays. Cons: pool area needs refurbishment; kitchens don’t have stoves; no bathtubs. | Rooms from: $239 | 2670 E. Sunrise Blvd. | 954/565–3800 | www.doubletree.com | 231 rooms | No meals.
FAMILY | Fodor’s Choice | Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina.
$ | RESORT | Since its $72-million renovation in 2011, the mammoth, 589-room, 20-boat-slip Hilton Fort Lauderdale Marina has maintained its modern edge without compromising its charming, old school Key West style. Upon your entry into the lobby, panoramic glass walls dole out incredible views of the marina and colorful accessories usher in tropical elegance. Guest rooms are in a main tower plus several low-rise buildings, all similarly appointed with smooth and stylish earth-toned furnishings, modern bathrooms, and most with balconies. The expansive deck and the heated Vegas-style mega pool teem with gregarious patrons, eager to soak up the Florida sun and enjoy poolside libations. Pros: sexy fire pit; outdoor bar popular with locals; easy water taxi access. Cons: no bathtubs in tower rooms; small fitness center. | Rooms from: $169 | 1881 S.E. 17th St. | 954/463–4000 | www.fortlauderdalemarinahotel.com | 589 rooms | No meals.
Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six Resort & Spa.
$$ | RESORT | Don’t let the 1970s exterior of the iconic 17-story tower fool you; this lovely 22-acre resort teems with contemporary interior-design sophistication and remains one of Florida’s few hotels where a rental car isn’t necessary. Guest rooms are spread between the principal tower and two-story bungalow buildings, called East Lanai and West Lanai. Regardless of location, each room has a balcony that offers views of the 142-slip marina, pool, ocean, or Intracoastal Waterway. The “deluxe lanai” rooms of the West building are exceptionally well appointed, with beautiful dark-wood furnishings, luxurious plantation shutters, and chic accessories, mirroring the stylish edge of the spacious lobby. With two full-size designer swimming pools, a 30-person hydrotherapy whirlpool, a 24-hour state-of-the-art gym, tennis courts, a decadent spa, a full-service aquatic center, and six restaurants, including the fabulous Pelican Landing, this is a true resort. Few patrons find it necessary to rent a car, given the complimentary shuttle to the beach and downtown, and the water taxi station at the resort’s dock. Pros: great views; plenty of activities; free shuttle to beach; easy water taxi access. Cons: tower rooms are far less stylish than Lanai rooms; totally retro rotating rooftop is used exclusively for private events. | Rooms from: $219 | 2301 S.E. 17th St. Causeway | 954/525–6666 | www.pier66.hyatt.com | 384 rooms | No meals.
FAMILY | Residence Inn By Marriott Fort Lauderdale Intracoastal.
$$ | HOTEL | Formerly the Il Lugano hotel, this all-suites condo hotel on Fort Lauderdale’s northern Intracoastal Waterway offers all the comforts of home (washer, dryer, kitchenette, fridge, sleeper sofa, huge terraces) with all the glamour of a hypermodern trendsetting hotel. The lobby is adorned with conversation-piece furnishings, like a shimmering stone counter imported from Israel, and introduces a sophisticated seaside color palate—hues of blues, tans, and whites—that carries throughout the boutique hotel. Handsome rooms channel waterfront elegance. To compensate for its non-beachfront, slightly off-the-beaten-path location, the hotel has a sand lounge and cabanas along the Intracoastal. This is an excellent choice for families and couples seeking longer stays. The water taxi stops directly behind the hotel. Pros: 800-square-foot rooms; easy water taxi access; good for longer stays. Cons: limited sunlight in pool area; need wheels to reach main beach and downtown area. | Rooms from: $289 | 3333 N.E. 32nd Ave. | 954/564–4400 | www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/fllne-residence-inn-fort-lauderdale-intracoastal | 28 suites | No meals.
Western Suburbs and Beyond
FAMILY | Bonaventure Resort & Spa.
$$ | RESORT | This massive suburban enclave—formerly a Hyatt Regency–flagged resort—targets conventioneers and business executives as well as international vacationers who value golf, the Everglades, and shopping over beach proximity; factor in the allure of the huge and soothing ALaya Spa and the “Choose Your Journey” package that includes a spa treatment with the room and you’ll see why. Spacious guest rooms have a light British-colonial look, with plentiful amenities such as iPod docks. Excellent golf and tennis facilities are adjacent. The expansive spa has 30 treatment rooms and the adjoining fitness center facilities for many sports. Pros: lush landscaping; pampering spa; great in-house restaurant, Ireland’s Steakhouse. Cons: difficult to find; in the suburbs; poor views from some rooms; rental car necessary. | Rooms from: $259 | 250 Racquet Club Rd. | Westin | 954/389–3300 | www.bonaventureresortandspa.com | 501 rooms | No meals.
Nightlife and Performing Arts
For the most complete weekly listing of events, check “Showtime!,” the South Florida Sun-Sentinel’s tabloid-size entertainment section and events calendar published on Friday. “Weekend,” in the Friday Broward edition of the Herald, also lists area happenings. The weekly City Link and New Times Broward are free alternative newspapers, detailing plenty of entertainment and nightlife options. For the latest happenings in GLBT nightlife, visit Mark’s List (www.jumponmarkslist.com), the online authority of all things GLBT in South Florida or pick up one of the weekly gay rags, GUY Magazine or Hot Spots.
Nightlife
Downtown and Las Olas
The majority of Fort Lauderdale nightlife takes place near downtown, beginning on Himmarshee Street (2nd Street) and continuing on to the Riverfront, and then to Las Olas Boulevard. The downtown Riverfront tends to draw a younger demographic somewhere between underage teens and late twenties. On Himmarshee Street, a dozen rowdy bars and clubs, ranging from the seedy to the sophisticated, entice a wide range of partygoers. Toward East Las Olas Boulevard, near the financial towers and boutique shops, bars cater to the yuppie crowd.
Fodor’s Choice | Laser Wolf.
Far from the main drag of Fort Lauderdale’s nightlife district, Laser Wolf celebrates the urban grit that is downtown’s other side of the tracks as a hipster and hippie infused, indoor-outdoor craft beer bar randomly located in an adaptive reuse building, bordering the railroad tracks. It’s actually one of—if not the—most popular watering holes for locals, consistently delivering great drinks, great music, and a great vibe. TIP Drive or cab it here. It’s not recommended to walk from the other bars off Las Olas and Himmarshee Street due to distance and safety. | 901 Progresso Dr., No. 101 | 954/667–9373 | www.laserwolf.com.
Maguire’s Hill 16.
With the requisite lineup of libations and pub-style food, this classic Irish pub is good for no-frills fun, fried eats, and daily live music. It’s famous locally as the oldest award-winning traditional Irish pub and restaurant in Fort Lauderdale. Live music is on tap every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday night. | 535 N. Andrews Ave. | 954/764–4453 | www.maguireshill16.com.
O Lounge.
This lounge and two adjacent establishments, Yolo and Vibe, on Las Olas and under the same ownership, cater to Fort Lauderdale’s sexy yuppies during happy hour and on the weekends. Crowds alternate between Yolo’s outdoor fire pit, O Lounge’s chilled atmosphere and lounge music, and Vibe’s more intense beats. Expect flashy cars in the driveway and a bit of plastic surgery. | 333 E. Las Olas Blvd. | 954/523–1000 | www.yolorestaurant.com.
ROK: BRG.
Downtown Fort Lauderdale loves this personality-driven burger bar and gastro-pub as it gives the grown-ups something to enjoy in the teenage-infested nightlife district. The long and narrow venue, adorned with exposed-brick walls and flat-screen TVs is great for watching sports and for mingling on weekends. Locals come here for the great cocktails and beer selection. Their burgers are also locally famous. | 208 S.W. 2nd St. | 954/525–7656 | www.rokbrgr.com.
Fodor’s Choice | Stache, 1920’s Drinking Den.
Inspired by the Roaring Twenties, this speakeasy style drinking den and nightclub infuses party-hard downtown Fort Lauderdale with some class and pizzazz. Expect awesome craft cocktails, inclusive of bespoke ice cubes, especially for old-school drinks like Manhattans and Side Cars. Most Friday nights offer a live burlesque show (check website for details). Late night on Friday and Saturday anticipate great house music and a fun, easy-on-the-eyes, young sophisticate crowd. | 109 S.W. 2nd Ave. | 954/449–1044 | www.stacheftl.com.
Fodor’s Choice | Tap 42 Bar and Kitchen.
With 42 rotating draft beers from around the United States, 50-plus bourbons, a few dozen original cocktails (including beer cocktails), and 66 bottled craft beers, awesome drinks and good times headline a typical evening at classy cool Tap 42. Although the indoor/outdoor gastro pub is a bit off the beaten path, it’s well worth the detour. The 42 drafts protrude from a stylish wall constructed of pennies, surfacing more like a work of art than a beer-filling station. The venue attracts large crowds of young professionals for nights of heavy drinking and highly caloric new-age bar eats. | 1411 S. Andrews Ave. | 954/463–4900 | www.tap42.com.
Tarpon Bend.
This casual two-story restaurant transforms into a jovial resto-bar in the early evening, ideal for enjoying a few beers, mojitos, and some great bar food. It’s consistently busy, day, night, and late night with young professionals, couples, and large groups of friends. It’s one place that has survived all the ups and downs of downtown Fort Lauderdale. | 200 S.W. 2nd St. | 954/523–3233 | www.tarponbend.com.
Along the Beach
Given its roots as a beachside party town, it’s hard to believe that Fort Lauderdale Beach offers very few options in terms of nightlife. A few dive bars are at opposite ends of the main strip, near Sunrise Boulevard and Route A1A, as well as Las Olas Boulevard and A1A. On the main thoroughfare between Las Olas and Sunrise, a few high-end bars at the beach’s show-stopping hotels have become popular, namely those at the W Fort Lauderdale.
Elbo Room.
You can’t go wrong wallowing in the past, lifting a drink, and exercising your elbow at the Elbo, a noisy, suds-drenched hot spot since 1938. It seems like nothing has changed here since Fort Lauderdale’s spring break heyday. The watering hole phased out food (except for light nibbles) ages ago, but kept a hokey sense of humor: upstairs a sign proclaims “We don’t serve women here. You have to bring your own.” | 241 S. Fort Lauderdale Blvd. | 954/463–4615 | www.elboroom.com.
Living Room at the W.
The large living-room-like space next to the lobby of the W Fort Lauderdale transforms into a major house-party-style event, mainly on weekends. There are plenty of plush couches, but it’s usually standing-room-only early for this South Beach–style throwdown, with great DJs, awesome libations, and an easy-on-the-eyes crowd. A breezy and beautiful outdoor area is idyllic for the overflow, as is the less popular downstairs lounge, Whiskey Blue (which is only open Thursday–Saturday). | W Fort Lauderdale, 401 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd. | 954/414–8300 | www.wfortlauderdalehotel.com/living-room.
McSorley’s.
This classic Irish pub offers standard pub fun—from a jukebox to 35 beers on tap to bar games—but remains wildly popular thanks to its location right across from Fort Lauderdale beach. Indeed it’s one of the few places on the beach to get an affordable drink and attracts its fair share of both tourists and locals. Upstairs, the pub has a second lounge that’s far more clubby and busiest on weekends. | 837 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd. | 954/565–4446 | www.mcsorleysftl.com.
Parrot Lounge.
An old-school Fort Lauderdale hangout, this dive bar/sports bar is particularly popular with Philadelphia Eagles fans, those longing to recall Where the Boys Are, and folks reminiscing about Fort Lauderdale’s big-hair, sprayed-tan, Sun-In-bright 1980s heyday. This place is stuck in the past, but it’s got great libations, wings, fingers, poppers, and skins. ‘Nuff said. | 911 Sunrise La. | 954/563–1493 | www.parrotlounge.com.
The Wreck Bar.
Like something out of an H.G. Wells novel, travel back in time to the 1950s at this nautical-inspired “under the sea” dive bar, enveloped in huge aquariums and a porthole view into the principal swimming pool, where live mermaids perform for your entertainment every Friday and Saturday at 6:30 pm. | B Ocean Resort, 1140 Seabreeze Blvd. | 954/564–1000 | www.boceanfortlauderdale.com.
Intracoastal and Inland
Bars and pubs along Fort Lauderdale’s Intracoastal cater to the city’s large, transient boating community. Heading inland along Sunrise Boulevard, the bars around Galleria Mall target thirty- and fortysomething singles.
Blue Martini Fort Lauderdale.
A hot spot for thirtysomething-plus adults gone wild, Blue Martini’s menu is filled with tons of innovative martini creations (42 to be exact!) The drinks are great and the scene is fun for everyone, even those who aren’t single and looking to mingle. | Galleria Fort Lauderdale, 2432 E. Sunrise Blvd. | 954/653–2583 | www.bluemartinilounge.com.
Kim’s Alley Bar.
Around since 1948, Kim’s Alley Bar is the ultimate no-frills South Florida dive bar, a neighborhood spot in a strip mall near the Intracoastal. It has two smoke-filled bar areas, a jukebox, and pool tables that provide endless entertainment (if the patrons aren’t providing enough diversion). | The Gateway, 1920 E. Sunrise Blvd. | 954/763–7886.
Wilton Manors and Oakland Park
Fort Lauderdale’s gay nightlife is most prevalent in Wilton Manors, affectionately termed Fort Lauderdale’s “gayborhood.” Wilton Drive, known as “the Drive,” has dozens of bars, clubs, and lounges that cater to all types of GLBT subcultures.
Georgie’s Alibi.
A Fort Lauderdale LGBT institution, Georgie’s Alibi is an anchor for the Wilton Manors gay community. The gargantuan pub fills to capacity for $3, 32-ounce Long Island Iced Tea Thursday, both the regular and blue varieties (from 9 pm ‘til close). Any night of the week, Alibi stands out as a kind of gay Cheers of Fort Lauderdale—a neighborhood bar with darts, pool, libations, offering a no-frills, laid-back attitude. | 2266 Wilton Dr. | 954/565–2526 | www.alibiwiltonmanors.com.
The Manor.
Inspired by The Abbey in West Hollywood, The Manor sought to offer a one-stop gay party shop in the heart of the Wilton Manors gayborhood. It didn’t quite work out that way, but the multifaceted two-story enclave is still open for the campy pop night Bubble Gum Friday and the circuit-party-style Saturday. | 2345 Wilton Dr. | 954/626–0082 | www.themanorcomplex.com.
Fodor’s Choice | Rosie’s Bar and Grill.
Rosie’s is consistently lively, pumping out tons of pop tunes and volumes of joyous laughter to surrounding streets. The former Hamburger Mary’s has become an institution in South Florida as the go-to gay-friendly place for cheap drinks, decent bar food, and great times. Most of the fun at Rosie’s is meeting new friends and engaging in conversation with the person seated next to you. Drink specials change daily. Sunday brunch with alternating DJs is wildly popular. | 2449 Wilton Dr. | 954/563–0123 | www.rosiesbng.com.
Sidelines.
One of the most popular and consistently busy joints on the Wilton Manors “Drive” is this spacious sports and video bar that taps into the butch side of gay culture. The bar is often locally awarded the “Best Gay Bar in South Florida,” and its all-welcoming vibe draws crowds both young and old, men and women. Expect large crowds during major football and basketball games. | 2031-A Wilton Dr., Wilton Manors | 954/563–8001 | www.sidelinessports.com.
Village Pub.
Arguably the most consistently busy spot on “The Drive” in Wilton Manors, this gay pub delivers good times and cheap drinks nightly. Regardless of where you start or end your gay pub crawl in Wilton Manors, you’ll invariably end up here at some point. There’s a drink special or theme each night, like Show Tune Tuesday and 2-4-1 Saturday. | 2283 Wilton Dr., Wilton Manors and Oakland Park | Wilton Manors | 754/200–5244 | www.villagepubwm.com.
Western Suburbs and Beyond
Florida’s cowboy country, Davie, offers country-western fun out in the ’burbs. In addition, South Florida’s Native American tribes have long offered gambling on Indian Territory near Broward’s western suburbs. With new laws, Broward’s casinos offer Vegas-style slot machines and even blackjack. Hollywood’s Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino offers the most elegant of Broward’s casino experiences.
Round Up Country Western Club.
Round Up Country Western Club, South Florida’s hot country-music and nightclub venue, is in the heart of Broward’s horse country, offering great libations, dance lessons, large-screen TVs, and theme nights coinciding with drink specials (Whiskey Wednesday, Beer Pong Thursday, Friday Ladies Night, and the like). Open Wednesday through Sunday from 6 pm to 4 am; closed Monday and Tuesday. | 9020 W. State Rd. 84, Western Suburbs and Beyond | Davie | 954/423–1990 | www.roundupnightclub.com.
Performing Arts
Fodor’s Choice | Broward Center for the Performing Arts.
After a $40 million remodel and expansion in 2014, Fort Lauderdale’s 2,700-seat architectural gem is better than ever. More than 500 events unfold annually here, including Broadway-style musicals, plays, dance, symphony, opera, rock, film, lectures, comedy, and children’s theater. As part of the renovation, the theaters were brought up to the highest technological standards and new dining and entertainment areas were added, including the restaurant Marti’s New River Bistro. An enclosed elevated walkway links the centerpiece of Fort Lauderdale’s arts district to a parking garage across the street. | 201 S.W. 5th Ave., Downtown and Las Olas | 954/462–0222 | www.browardcenter.org.
Cinema Paradiso.
This art-house movie theater operates out of a former church, south of New River near the county courthouse. The space doubles as headquarters for FLIFF, the Fort Lauderdale International Film Festival, while still playing films year-round. FLIFF’s website is the easiest way to see what’s playing on any given evening at the cinema. Just click on the “Cinema Events” tab on the home page. | 503 S.E. 6th St., Downtown and Las Olas | 954/525–3456 | www.fliff.com.
Shopping
Food
Chef Jean-Pierre Cooking School.
Catering to locals, seasonal snowbirds, and folks winging in for even shorter stays, Jean-Pierre Brehier (former owner of the Left Bank Restaurant on Las Olas) teaches the basics, from boiling water onward. The enthusiastic Gallic transplant has appeared on NBC’s Today, among other shows. Choose from demonstration classes, hands-on classes, and a full series of cooking classes. Book ahead as classes often fill up. For souvenir hunters, this fun cooking facility also sells nifty pots, pastas, oils, and other great items. | 1436 N. Federal Hwy., Intracoastal and Inland | 954/563–2700 | www.chefjp.com | Starting at $65 per demonstration class, $125 hands-on class; “Cooking 101” and “Cooking 102” series $350 each | Store Mon.–Sat. 10–7; class schedules vary.
Malls
Galleria Fort Lauderdale.
Fort Lauderdale’s most upscale mall is just west of the Intracoastal Waterway. The split-level emporium entices with Neiman Marcus, Dillard’s, Macy’s, an Apple Store, plus 150 specialty shops for anything from cookware to exquisite jewelry. Chow down at Capital Grille, Truluck’s, P.F. Chang’s, or Seasons 52, or head for the food court, which will defy expectations with its international food-market feel. The mall itself is open Monday through Saturday 10–9, Sunday noon–6. The stand-alone restaurants and bars, like Capital Grille and Blue Martini Fort Lauderdale, are open later. | 2414 E. Sunrise Blvd., Intracoastal and Inland | 954/564–1036 | www.galleriamall-fl.com.
FAMILY | Fodor’s Choice | Sawgrass Mills.
This alligator-shape megamall draws 26 million shoppers a year to its collection of 400 outlet stores and name-brand discounters. The mall claims to be the second-largest attraction in Florida—second only to Disney World. Though that claim is probably an exaggeration, you should prepare for insane crowds even during nonpeak hours and seasons. | 12801 W. Sunrise Blvd., at Flamingo Rd., Western Suburbs and Beyond | Sunrise | www.sawgrassmills.com.
Swap Shop.
For those who grew up in Fort Lauderdale, the Swap Shop’s cheesy commercials of yesteryear will forever remain. “Where’s the bargains?” “At the Swap Shop!” The South’s largest flea market, with over 80 acres and 2,000 vendors, is open daily. Thankfully, they’ve done away with the awful circus after years of protests by animal-rights activists. While exploring this indoor–outdoor entertainment-and-shopping complex, hop on the carousel, try some fresh sugarcane juice, or stick around for movies at the 14-screen Thunderbird Swap Shop drive-in. | 3291 W. Sunrise Blvd., Western Suburbs and Beyond | 954/791–7927 | www.floridaswapshop.com.
Shopping Districts
The Gallery at Beach Place.
Just north of Las Olas Boulevard on Route A1A, this shopping gallery is attached to the mammoth Marriot Beach Place time-share. Spaces are occupied by touristy shops that sell everything from sarongs to alligator heads, chain restaurants like Hooter’s, bars serving frozen drinks, and a supersize CVS pharmacy, which sells everything you need for the beach. TIP Beach Place has covered parking, and usually has plenty of spaces, but you can pinch pennies by using a nearby municipal lot that’s metered. | 17 S. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Along the beach | www.galleryatbeachplace.com.
Fodor’s Choice | Las Olas Boulevard.
Las Olas Boulevard is the heart and soul of Fort Lauderdale. Not only are 50 of the city’s best boutiques, 30 top restaurants, and a dozen art galleries found along this beautifully landscaped street, but Las Olas links Fort Lauderdale’s growing downtown with its superlative beaches. Though you’ll find a Cheesecake Factory on the boulevard, the thoroughfare tends to shun chains and welcomes one-of-a-kind clothing boutiques, chocolatiers, and ethnic eateries. Window shopping allowed. | E. Las Olas Blvd., Downtown and Las Olas | www.lasolasboulevard.com.
Spas
Most of Fort Lauderdale’s upscale spas are located within elegant beachfront hotels but remain open to the public. During low season (September and October), top spas offer $99 treatments during the “Spa Chic” promotion (www.sunny.org/spachic).
Bliss Spa, W Fort Lauderdale.
The menu at this quiet respite matches that of other Bliss spas and features Bliss products. A local favorite is the carrot-and-sesame body buff, which includes a carrot mulch and hot oil rubdown, a warm milk-and-honey drizzle, a skin-softening wrap with a sesame-and-sea-salt scrub, and a Vichy shower. Body treatments include a variety of massages and reflexology. Beauty treatments include anti-aging and anti-cellulite treatments, facials, manicures, pedicures, and waxing. | W Fort Lauderdale, 401 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Along the beach | 954/414–8232 | www.blissworld.com.
The Spa at the Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale.
This expansive 8,500-foot hideaway exudes tranquility and relaxation, from the seashell-color palate to the magical hands of Fort Lauderdale’s top therapists. Massage options run the gamut, including Swedish, aromatherapy, stone, couples, deep tissue, hydrotherapy, reflexology, Thai, and prenatal. Dermatologist-developed skin-care treatments, anti-cellulite and anti-aging treatments, facials, manicures, and pedicures are also on the menu. | The Ritz-Carlton, Fort Lauderdale, 1 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Along the beach | 954/302–6490 | www.RitzCarlton.com/FortLauderdale.
The Spa Atlantic.
The 10,000-foot Spa Atlantic boasts a relaxed glamour and offers a menu of perfected core spa services. Many treatments are rooted in India, Arabia, the Orient, and the Mediterranean, but with modern, unconventional approaches like the health-boosting beer scrubs and hair treatments. Body treatments include a wide variety of massages, baths, body wraps, and body glows (exfoliation). Other beauty treatments offered include skin-care enhancements, anti-aging treatments, facials, manicures, pedicures, waxing, hair, and makeup. | The Atlantic Hotel, 601 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Along the beach | 954/567–8085 | www.atlantichotelfl.com/spa-atlantic.
Sports and the Outdoors
Biking
Among the most popular routes are Route A1A and Bayview Drive, especially in early morning before traffic builds, and a 7-mile bike path that parallels State Road 84 and New River and leads to Markham Park, which has mountain-bike trails. TIP Alligator alert: Do not dangle your legs from seawalls.
Broward B–cycle.
The big-city trend of “pay and ride” bicycles is alive and well in Broward County. With 40 station locations over 20 scenic miles, from as far south as Hallandale to as far north as Pompano Beach and Coconut Creek, bikes can be rented for as little as 30 minutes or as long as a week, and can be picked up and dropped off at any and all stations in Broward County. Most stations are found downtown and along the beach. This is an excellent green and health-conscious way to explore Fort Lauderdale. Please note, however, that helmets are not provided at the kiosks. | www.broward.bcycle.com.
Bird-Watching
Evergreen Historic Cemetery.
North of Fort Lauderdale’s 17th Street Causeway, amid a Gothic setting, lies an avid bird-watchers’ haven. The circa-1879 graveyard, shaded by gumbo limbo and strangler figs, doubles as a place of fleeting repose for Bahama mockingbirds and other species winging through urban Broward. Warblers are big here, and there are occasional sightings of red-eyed vireos, northern waterthrushes, and scarlet tanagers. | 1300 S.E. 10th Ave., Intracoastal and Inland | 954/745–2140 | www.browardcemeteries.com.
Fishing
Bahia Mar Marina.
If you’re interested in a saltwater charter, check out the offerings at the marina of the Bahia Mar Fort Lauderdale Beach Hotel, A DoubleTree by Hilton. Sportfishing and drift-fishing bookings can be arranged. Snorkeling and diving outfitter Sea Experience also leaves from here, as does the famous Jungle Queen steamboat. In addition, the water taxi makes regular stops here. | Bahia Mar Fort Lauderdale Beach Hotel, A DoubleTree by Hilton,801 Seabreeze Blvd., Along the beach | 954/627–6309.
Rodeos
Davie Pro Rodeo.
It may sound strange, but South Florida has a rather large cowboy scene, concentrated in the western suburb of Davie. And for over four decades, the Bergeron Rodeo Grounds has surfaced as Davie’s biggest tourist attraction. Throughout the year, the rodeo hosts national tours and festivals as well as the annual Southeaster Circuit Finals. Check the website for the exact dates of these rodeos. | Davie Pro Rodeo Arena, 4271 Davie Rd., Western Suburbs and Beyond | Davie | 954/680–8005 | www.davieprorodeo.com.
Scuba Diving and Snorkeling
Lauderdale Diver.
A PADI 5-Star Certification Agency, this dive center facilitates daily day trips on a variety of dive boats up and down Broward’s shoreline (they don’t have their own boat but work with a handful of preferred outfitters). A variety of snorkeling, reef diving, and wreck diving trips are offered daily as well as scuba diving lessons. | 1334 S.E. 17th St., Intracoastal and Inland | 954/467–2822 | www.lauderdalediver.com.
FAMILY | Fodor’s Choice | Sea Experience.
The Sea Experience I leaves daily at 10:15 am and 2:15 pm for two-hour glass-bottom-boat and snorkeling combination trips that explore Fort Lauderdale’s offshore reefs. The tour costs $28; $7 more to snorkel, equipment provided. They also offer beginner and more advanced scuba diving experiences. | Bahia Mar Fort Lauderdale Beach Hotel, A DoubleTree by Hilton, 801 Seabreeze Blvd., Along the beach | 954/770–3483 | www.seaxp.com.
Segway Tours
FAMILY | Fodor’s Choice | M.Cruz Rentals.
M.Cruz Rentals rents out just about everything pertaining to Fort Lauderdale fun-in-the-sun—Jet-Skis, kayaks, bicycle rentals by the hour—as well as offers guided Segway Tours of Fort Lauderdale Beach four times per day. The rental facility is at the beach entrance of Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, just north of hotel row. The Segway Tours leave from here as well. Staff are exceptionally friendly and accommodating. | Hugh Taylor Birch State Park, 3109 E. Sunrise Blvd., Along the beach | 954/235–5082 | www.mcruzrentals.com.
Tennis
Jimmy Evert Tennis Center.
With 22 courts (18 lighted clay courts, 3 hard courts, and a low-compression sand “beach” court), this is the crown jewel of Fort Lauderdale’s public tennis facilities. Legendary champ Chris Evert learned her two-handed backhand here under the watchful eye of her now-retired father, Jimmy, the center’s tennis pro for 37 years. | Holiday Park, 701 N.E. 12th Ave., Intracoastal and Inland | 954/828–5378 | www.fortlauderdale.gov/tennis/jetc.htm | $18 day pass (for Broward nonresidents) | Weekdays 7:45 am–9 pm, weekends 7:45 am–6 pm.