Culinary in Greater Fort Lauderdale
Greater Fort Lauderdale boasts a mouth-wateringly tempting menu: we’re talking barbecued feasts, succulent seafood, Peruvian and Japanese cuisine, prime steak, flavour-packed burritos and more. Begin days here by grabbing coffee or brunch at one of the popular cafés and end them by dining barefoot on the beach at the Fort Lauderdale Marriott Beach Resort & Spa, or enjoying American coastal cuisine at Point Royal, run by celebrity chef Geoffrey Zakarian. Some other favourites include: laid-back Beach House Pompano, which has a view-toting rooftop; Monkitail for modern Japanese food, courtesy of top chef Michael Schulson; Italian perfection at Louie Bossi’s; and elegant Terra Mare for sophisticated sharing plates. Adventurous gourmands should try TRP Taste’s culinary-driven events, from interactive pop-up dinners with renowned guest chefs to test-kitchen extravaganzas.
Isn’t it time you sampled Floribbean cuisine? Florida’s cuisine draws on a cultural melting pot, with Southern staples such as black-eye peas and biscuits enlivened by lemongrass and ginger, tropical fruit, peppers and other ingredients that nod to far-flung lands. A thriving immigrant population has helped to colour and shape the region’s diverse menu, with strong contributions from Spain, South America and the Caribbean. Floribbean cuisine stars fresh produce, fish and meat, served with zingy, healthy sauces. A good place to try Floribbean dishes is Aruba Beach Café.
For a truly Floridian experience, ‘Dock and Dine’. In other words, cruise towards the restaurant of your choice along the Intracoastal Waterway in a boat (on-loan, or your own) and drop anchor for a dockside feast. Seafood-centric menus and stellar views are guaranteed; popular waterfront choices include fine dining at GG’s, the Boatyard Restaurant, Billy’s Stone Crab, 15th Street Fisheries and Coconuts, which is just steps from the beach. Burger-lovers should visit Le Tub, reputed to serve the best burger in the country. If you prefer surf ‘n’ turf, try Naked Crab at the B Ocean for succulent stone crab and silver steak.
You’ll be thirsty after all that seafood and grilled rib-eye. Luckily, Greater Fort Lauderdale’s craft beer scene is booming: a clutch of brilliant new breweries have recently opened. The area has also nurtured some new craft beer bars, offering an enticing array of taprooms serving all different kinds of craft brews. Thirst-quenching favourites include: Tarpon River Brewing, a brand-new gastro-pub, housed in a former stable,that brews its craft beer on-site; Laser Wolf brewery, which has a rotation of 12 changing draft lines; Khoffner Brewery, which champions German-style brews; LauderAle nano brewery; and Funky Buddha a locals’ favourite!
Barflies are spoiled for choice here, especially when it comes to sunset cocktails: toast the sea and skies at Diplomat Beach Resort’s ravishing bar, or the city skyline from Rooftop @1WLO. Other stellar drinking dens include: Apothecary 330, which has an impressive cocktail list and eye-pleasing interiors; industrial-chic Social Room on Harrison Street; and colourful El Vez, on the first floor of the W Fort Lauderdale, which aces margaritas and tacos.
With over 4,000 restaurants and the Greater Fort Lauderdale Ale Trail, there’s something for everyone!
