10 January 2-8, 2025 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com New Times | music | cafe | culture | Night+Day | News | letters | coNteNts | Month XX–Month XX, 2008 miaminewtimes.com MIAMI NEW TIMES | MUSIC | CAFE | FILM | ART | STAGE | NIGHT+DAY | METRO | RIPTIDE | LETTERS | CONTENTS | Northern Bites The 13 best restaurants in Fort Lauderdale. BY JESSE SCOTT S ure, Miami is getting all the buzz lately for being the hottest culi- nary city in the U.S., but you’d be remiss to forget its neighboring city just 15 miles north: Fort Lau- derdale, which is also home to some of the best bars in South Florida. From the white sand-edged A1A highway and restaurant-packed Las Olas Boulevard to the graffiti-splashed neighborhood of Flagler Village, the city is booming with culinary of- ferings, both old and new alike. Despite the longtime gems, it’s the unexpected spots in greater Fort Lauderdale that keep foodies on their toes, be it a tiny taco haunt in Oakland Park or a Thai gem in a strip mall. Naming the best restaurants in Fort Lau- derdale ain’t an easy feat, but let’s give read- ers something to discuss (argue) about. Listed in alphabetical order, here are the 13 best res- taurants in Fort Lauderdale. Anthony’s Runway 84: Pretty much every- one in Fort Lauderdale has enjoyed Antho- ny’s Runway 84. The iconic Italian-American restaurant and supper club has been serving the classics like steak, pasta, and seafood since 1982. But in 2023, the restaurant un- derwent a complete makeover. Now, it looks like Miami’s upscale Carbone, except here, the atmosphere is like coming home on a holiday. The dimly lit dining room has a rus- tic, 1960s-inspired decor where you can hear live music and can order a variety of marti- nis. You truly can’t go wrong at Anthony’s for date night or to celebrate any of life’s mile- stones. Just don’t show up in shorts; the dress code won’t allow it. 330 W. State Rd. 84, Fort Lauderdale; 954-467-8484; runway84. com. Call for hours. Casablanca Cafe: This private residence dating back to 1927 was morphed into a Mediterranean restaurant with open-air seating in the early ‘90s. It’s been a staple for date nights, piano bar jams, happy hours, and sweeping ocean vistas ever since. There is something so elegant yet unpretentious about the Casablanca experience – it’s the best of all worlds, certainly inclusive of its menu. Favorites include a blue crab-loaded Benedict during its weekend brunch and a damn good French onion soup come dinnertime. 3049 Alhambra St., Fort Lauderdale; 954-764-3500; casablancacafeonline.com. Open Sunday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 8:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. Casa D’Angelo: This upscale Italian spot has spread its wings to nearby Aventura and Boca Raton in recent years, but its flagship Fort Lauderdale location – a beloved community destination since 1998 – is a true winner on so many fronts. The service is meticulous, its wine cellar is celebrated globally and annually by the likes of Wine Spectator and, my God, the food. Take one bite of a fiori di zucca (a flower-shaped cut of zucchini with a ricotta and mozzarella filling) or the “Mamma Fusilli” (utilizing Chef Angelo’s mom’s fusilli recipe with a fresh tomato sauce) and you’ll understand its longevity. 1201 N. Federal Hwy., Fort Lauderdale; 954-564-1234; casa-d-angelo.com. Open Sunday through Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 5:30 p.m. to 11 p.m. Coconuts: In addition to ocean vistas, we have Intracoastal and canal vistas for dining, people. For that, Coconuts is a time-tested, chill favorite for a fresh catch and killer Sun- day brunch. Digging into the vibe, it’s pet- friendly and there is dockage available. On the menu, the “Scoobies” remain a local leg- end – blue crab fried in oil with as much gar- lic as humanly possible. 429 Seabreeze Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 954-525-2421; coconutsfort- lauderdale.com. Open Monday through Satur- day 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Daniel’s: Daniel’s may have just opened, but it’s already a hit among locals for its clas- sic steakhouse dishes with a focus on local ingredients from Florida farms. The dimly lit and sleek new spot is a passion project of Thomas Angelo, the founder of Gioia Hospi- tality Group and co-owner of New Times’ “Best Restaurant in Coral Gables,” Fiola Mi- ami. Executive chef Daniel Ganem has crafted a menu that features locally sourced ingredients, including prime steaks and American Wagyu from North Florida ranches, as well as an array of locally sourced fruits and vegetables. Highlights in- clude the hamachi crudo with strawberries, Florida burrata, Wagyu, and pearls, as well as the beef Wagyu tartare with Kaluga cav- iar, the Joyce Farms half-toasted chicken, and the braised Suwannee River Wagyu beef short rib. Some of Ganem’s recommenda- tions include the pastrami and bao buns made with Suwannee River Wagyu brisket and the foie gras crème brûlée. 620 S. Federal Hwy., Fort Lauderdale; 954-451-1200; dan- ielssteak.com. Open Tuesday and Wednesday from 5 to 10 p.m. and Thursday through Sat- urday from 5 to 11 p.m. El Guanaco: Amid endless bougie Mexi- can offerings throughout Fort Lauderdale, El Guanaco cuts through the clutter with an authentic and unassuming approach. It’s housed in a quaint building, surrounded by industrial operations in Oakland Park. On a given day, it’s a lunch hot spot, with $10 spe- cials like a steak burrito that comes with two sides and a non-alcoholic drink. The spot has Salvadorian selections, too, includ- ing eight types of on-the-spot-made pupu- sas. 331 NE 44th St., Oakland Park; 954-351-0792; elguanaco-oaklandpark.com. Call for hours. The Katherine: When beloved brunch des- tination Foxy Brown moved from 723 E. Bro- ward Blvd. in ‘21, we were all left wondering, What could possibly fill the address’ shoes? The Katherine, from husband-wife duo Timon Baloo and Marissa Katherine, has been a cozy godsend. With internationally in- spired fare, including roasted marrow bones with bacon marmalade, a red curry-dashed branzino, and unagi and corn-fried rice, there’s never a dull moment. 723 E. Broward Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 954-807-8022; katheri- nerestaurant.com. Open Sunday Through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Larb Thai-Isan: Sure, you can dabble in pad Thai at just about any Thai restaurant, but it is rare to find a restaurant that does true Northern Thai fare – Isan sausage, khao soi, and mok nho mai, oh my. Taking it to another level, few do it as pristinely as this strip mall ▼ Café Southport Raw Bar photo Oysters and clams are the specialty at Southport Raw Bar in Fort Lauderdale.
