Fort Lauderdale is a mere 40 minutes north of Miami, and it’s a city full of history, breathtaking canals, and gorgeous seaside views. Known as America’s Venice, Ft. Lauderdale is rich with delicious tastes and sounds, offering a vast selection of activities – like a cruise down the New River – that fulfill the ultimate summer dreams. Fort Lauderdale also harbors a magnificent selection of restaurants for foodies and lovers of exquisite meals! Be it casual eating spots, upscale dining for special occasions, or the best local Mexican food, Fort Lauderdale has something for everyone! To help you out on your eating adventure, here are our top five restaurants in the city.
1. Kaluz Restaurant, The New American Restaurant
Kaluz is a must-go-to on this list. Everyone will leave completely satisfied with a wonderful variety of dishes, from sweet calamari to filet kebobs. Happy Hour wine starts at a mere $7, and the dinner menu is exciting and tasty. With a variety of appetizers and entrees, from the casual ahi tuna steak to the lux scallops pomegranate, Kaluz delights all the senses, with a gorgeous canal as its background.
2. Aruba Beach Cafe, Dine by the Sea
Located directly on the beach, Aruba is ideal for a meal and a show. With live music and entertainment, Aruba glows with fun performances and tasty dishes. The restaurant’s Caribbean-style menu is as delish as it is diverse. Bite into the crunchy baked stuffed shrimp, serves with a silky garlic lemon butter sauce, or delight in the zesty seafood quesadilla, full to the brim with fresh seafood, cheeses, and served with tangy guacamole. Mouthwatering? We know!
3. La Bamba, Casually Delectable Mexican Food
La Bamba offers a beautiful marriage between Mexican and Spanish cuisine. Lunch specials are under $10 and go from 11 AM all the way to 2:30 PM. This spot offers all the Mexican staples we love, from savory chicken flautas to delightful steak tacos served with traditional toppings (chopped onions, fresh cilantro, and crumbled cojita cheese.) All meals are served with rice and beans – essentials! – and both restaurant locations offer vegetarian replacements for their dishes. If you’re seeking comfortable, authentic Mexican meals, this is your place!
4. Blue Moon Fish Company, A Seafood Gem
This luxurious seafood restaurant is built on the water, and it serves inventive, premium dishes for your special date or celebratory dinner. Blue Moon’s star is the fresh ingredients used in all their meals, ensuring the finest selections of seafood in Fort Lauderdale. The raw bar offers an exciting array of clams, octopus, shrimp cocktails, shellfish, and more. The entrees are gorgeously prepared seafood creations; the yellowfin tuna and shrimp pad tai are served with flavorful veggies and toasty cashews, while the pan-seared halibut debuts with a maple butternut puree, grilled asparagus, and lovely poblano relish. Come for the abundant plates and the flavorful innovation.
5. Padrino’s Cuban, A Florida Staple
We can’t talk about Ft. Lauderdale cuisine and not mention Cuban Food. Florida is home to the largest Cuban population outside of the island country, and it’s had a massive impact on the state’s cultural, architectural, and culinary identity. To talk about some of the best Cuban food in the city, we must talk about Padrino’s Cuban, a restaurant chain that serves the same recipes passed down since the 1930s. The menu’s full of the typical and expectedly delicious Cuban fare; stacked Cuban sandwiches, juicy marinated pork, the most decadent skirt steak with homemade chimichurri sauce, the classic ropa vieja, and tons more. At Padrino’s, great tastes and tradition abound!
Fort Lauderdale is a gorgeous city with wonderful foods, attractions, and wonders. Come enjoy these and other delectable restaurants today!