A Fort Lauderdale and South Florida Insider’s Guide
Food scene
Great food, great service….a modern upscale version of fast casual (mostly sandwiches, salads, etc), beer and wine as an option.
Lunchroom - North
4520 N Federal HwyGreat food, great service….a modern upscale version of fast casual (mostly sandwiches, salads, etc), beer and wine as an option.
In a newly emerging “funky” part of town…FAT Village. Worth a look
19 locals recommend
Henry's Sandwich Station
115 NW 1st AveIn a newly emerging “funky” part of town…FAT Village. Worth a look
Walking distance and has great local beer and pizza. They have trivia night and drag queen bingo. They even have wine.
32 locals recommend
Gulf Stream Brewing Company
1105 NE 13th StWalking distance and has great local beer and pizza. They have trivia night and drag queen bingo. They even have wine.
Great happy hour. It's on Las Olas and perfect if you're looking for steak.
13 locals recommend
Del Frisco's Grille
501 E Las Olas BlvdGreat happy hour. It's on Las Olas and perfect if you're looking for steak.
Beautiful views! Salt 7 Fort Lauderdale is on the river. Happy hour gets very busy and is fun for people watching.
45 locals recommend
SALT7
500 East Las Olas BoulevardBeautiful views! Salt 7 Fort Lauderdale is on the river. Happy hour gets very busy and is fun for people watching.
MORÉA
701 North Fort Lauderdale Beach BoulevardMorea is new and on A1A. The food is delicious.
S3 is the ground level restaurant in the Hilton on Fort Lauderdale Beach. Known for happy hour and brunch. They have fire pits chilly winter evenings.
61 locals recommend
S3-Sun Surf Sand
505 North Fort Lauderdale Beach BoulevardS3 is the ground level restaurant in the Hilton on Fort Lauderdale Beach. Known for happy hour and brunch. They have fire pits chilly winter evenings.
Eatapas
4140 North Federal HighwayLive Music and happy hour - Spanish food
A great Mexican with amazing views and breezes - in the W Hotel.
290 locals recommend
W Fort Lauderdale
401 N Fort Lauderdale Beach BlvdA great Mexican with amazing views and breezes - in the W Hotel.
El Camino in the heart of Las Olas….it is busy…and the happy hour is also great!
103 locals recommend
El Camino Fort Lauderdale
817 E Las Olas BlvdEl Camino in the heart of Las Olas….it is busy…and the happy hour is also great!
Adorable coffee and flower shop with live music. They have a champagne vending machine and delicious baked goods. Perfect for people watching on Las Olas.
30 locals recommend
Ann's Florist Coffee & Wine Bar
1001 E Las Olas BlvdAdorable coffee and flower shop with live music. They have a champagne vending machine and delicious baked goods. Perfect for people watching on Las Olas.
Bo's Beach
600 Seabreeze BlvdGreat view!
Kaluz Restaurant
3300 E Commercial BlvdGreat view! Watch the boats go by.
They have over 100 plasma HD T.V.'s along with 2 of South Florida's largest HD T.V.'s. They play every sport, every game, every event. They have room for over 900 people. Stop by for lunch, dinner or just a drink and meet Kim Bokamper (former Miami Dolphin).
96 locals recommend
Bokampers Sports Bar & Grill
3115 NE 32nd AveThey have over 100 plasma HD T.V.'s along with 2 of South Florida's largest HD T.V.'s. They play every sport, every game, every event. They have room for over 900 people. Stop by for lunch, dinner or just a drink and meet Kim Bokamper (former Miami Dolphin).
Happy hour 7 days a week! Food is delicious and service is great
17 locals recommend
Phat Boy Sushi & Kitchen (1)
4100 N Federal HwyHappy hour 7 days a week! Food is delicious and service is great
Big City Tavern
609 E Las Olas BlvdBig City is casual American with great outdoor space
Coconuts
429 Seabreeze BlvdGreat seafood
In Dania Beach (a few miles south…the restaurant sits on a pier and has 270 degree ocean views). You must pay for parking
159 locals recommend
Quarterdeck Restaurants
300 N Beach RdIn Dania Beach (a few miles south…the restaurant sits on a pier and has 270 degree ocean views). You must pay for parking
If you want to have a very nice meal, we find Gastrotheque to be quite good. It’s a half mile east on Sunrise…..it’s a little small and the owner can be a little quirky, but the food (and wine selection) are great.
7 locals recommend
Gastrothèque
1428 Northeast 4th AvenueIf you want to have a very nice meal, we find Gastrotheque to be quite good. It’s a half mile east on Sunrise…..it’s a little small and the owner can be a little quirky, but the food (and wine selection) are great.
one of the most celebrated chef’s in the area and the dining experience reflects it!
28 locals recommend
Heritage
903 NE 5th Aveone of the most celebrated chef’s in the area and the dining experience reflects it!
Neighborhoods
Located on a barrier island that’s seven feet above sea level, the seaside town of Lauderdale-By-The-Sea features beach views that stretch for miles. Below the water, you’ll find a cool shipwreck snorkel trail where you can dive to see the SS Copenhagen, a British cargo steamer that struck a reef and sank in 1900.
If you want to stay out of the water, visit Anglin’s Pier for relaxing views of the sea and a prime spot to catch some fish. For a casual meal, visit Aruba Beach Café located just steps away from the sand.
324 locals recommend
Lauderdale-by-the-Sea
Located on a barrier island that’s seven feet above sea level, the seaside town of Lauderdale-By-The-Sea features beach views that stretch for miles. Below the water, you’ll find a cool shipwreck snorkel trail where you can dive to see the SS Copenhagen, a British cargo steamer that struck a reef and sank in 1900.
If you want to stay out of the water, visit Anglin’s Pier for relaxing views of the sea and a prime spot to catch some fish. For a casual meal, visit Aruba Beach Café located just steps away from the sand.
The ambience of the boulevard makes shopping even more of a pleasure. Have a leisurely brunch at a sidewalk café, browse and shop at fabulous boutiques, galleries, specialty stores and fabulous fashion houses and then spend a romantic evening dining at one of Las Olas' many wonderful restaurants!
318 locals recommend
Las Olas
The ambience of the boulevard makes shopping even more of a pleasure. Have a leisurely brunch at a sidewalk café, browse and shop at fabulous boutiques, galleries, specialty stores and fabulous fashion houses and then spend a romantic evening dining at one of Las Olas' many wonderful restaurants!
just 30-35 minutes down 95. Start in an area called Wynwood Walls, which is a converted warehouse section of town that is now the epicenter of art and culture in Miami...what started as graffiti on a number of buildings (amazing graffiti art, I should say) has become a true neighborhood with 10-15 bars and restaurants, not to mention shops, public art galleries, etc.
368 locals recommend
Wynwood Art District
just 30-35 minutes down 95. Start in an area called Wynwood Walls, which is a converted warehouse section of town that is now the epicenter of art and culture in Miami...what started as graffiti on a number of buildings (amazing graffiti art, I should say) has become a true neighborhood with 10-15 bars and restaurants, not to mention shops, public art galleries, etc.
Sightseeing
The only Urban Arts District in Fort Lauderdale populated with open artist's studios, galleries, live theatre, and a host of one of a kind events. Join us for the FAT Village Art Walk, which happens on the last Saturday of every month.
75 locals recommend
FAT Village Center for the Arts
531 NW 1st AveThe only Urban Arts District in Fort Lauderdale populated with open artist's studios, galleries, live theatre, and a host of one of a kind events. Join us for the FAT Village Art Walk, which happens on the last Saturday of every month.
15th Street Fisheries
1900 SE 15th StFun to feed the tarpon - kids and adults enjoy it
Rentals and tours. We rent Boats, Jet Skis, Scoot Coupes, Segways, Golf Carts, Scooters, Kayaks, Paddleboards Bicycles. We also offer a membership options where you save up to 80% on all the prices.
6 locals recommend
Fun Center Fort Lauderdale , Tours, Rentals. Segway, Scooter, Jet Ski, Boat, ...
1771 Bayview DrRentals and tours. We rent Boats, Jet Skis, Scoot Coupes, Segways, Golf Carts, Scooters, Kayaks, Paddleboards Bicycles. We also offer a membership options where you save up to 80% on all the prices.
City advice
Getting around
Recommended Beaches
Let’s start with beaches…we have four distinct choices for you. Fort Lauderdale Beach proper is the biggest…it’s just out Sunrise to A1A and south a couple of miles. It is the busiest and probably the youngest of all of our beaches. Next to the north is Sunrise which is fairly quiet (except during Spring Break…then it is busy and young) and closest to our house. Next beach north is Oakland Park beach, which is the quietest of all…nice if you are just looking for a little seclusion. Furthest north (maybe 2 miles) is Lauderdale by the Sea – second busiest and more family oriented.