It’s about time I featured the city that I visit the most — and that's the beautiful city of Fort Lauderdale. Between the warm weather, accessible beaches, incredible dining options, and the fun-yet-laid-back vibes, Ft. Lauderdale truly has so much to offer.
To note, Ft. Lauderdale is close enough to other popular south Florida cities that I travel to often, including Miami, Weston, and West Palm — however, those recommendations will come in a separate guide so that you can get the full effect of Ft. Lauderdale!
When it comes to my breakfast or lunch choices in Ft. Lauderdale, I love opting for the small cafes that have local ingredients, unique aesthetics, and hole-in-the-wall vibes.
Brunch
Bulegreen Cafe Yard
This is one of my favorite spots to dine at with my family when in Ft. Lauderdale — and yes, it serves brunch all day long! You’ll see why this cafe emphasizes “food with heart” and “made freshly with love.” Their food is homemade, the coffee is done right, and the atmosphere is cool, quaint and cozy.
Bluegreen Cafe Yard has an extensive menu that highlights fresh, tropical flavors which includes the mango iced coffee, a long list of fresh juices, and local fruits being incorporated into almost every dish. To drink, if you have a sweet tooth, I’d highly recommend trying Bulegreen Cafe Yard's Moo Moo iced, which is their special house coffee mixed with condensed milk, cinnamon, cocoa and whipped cream. If you like your coffee with no frills, order the Bule, which is their signature old-fashion style poured water over freshly grinded special coffee.
When it comes to food, definitely order their Brazilian-style cheese bread balls for the table. And when it comes to the entree, my personal favorites are the breakfast pillow, which is a tortilla with eggs, sausage, bacon, cheese and mayo as well as their chicken salad sandwich, which is pink and made with shredded white chicken, mayo and a special dressing . I mean, can a meal get any more bold, colorful, and fresh than this?
Magnolia Caffee
This is a quaint cafe off the beaten path that is so worth a visit. Part cafe and part gallery, Magnolia Caffee offers food only made from scratch, such as baked-on-premise cakes and desserts (the carrot cake is divine!), paninis and salads, kombucha, coffees and high-quality teas. I absolutely love their turkey pesto panini that is grilled perfectly. This is also the type of spot you’d want to bring people who appreciate antiques because the cafe is decked out in odd and quirky items that are so enjoyable to peruse.
There’s a laid back vibe with indoor and outdoor seating. The staff is warm and engaging, and it’s a wonderful spot to kick-back at with a sandwich and beverage by yourself or with a small group. Be sure to get a photo at the entrance that is as bold and eye-catching as the inside decor. This place is truly a gem!
Brooklyn Water Bagels
For New Yorkers like myself (or just bagel appreciators) who are in need of a good bagel when in south Florida, I’d recommend stopping by Brooklyn Water Bagels. I’ll preface that these aren’t quite as perfect as the New York bagels I’ve had, but they are the best quality bagels I’ve found while in Florida.
This is probably because their bagels are boiled in their proprietary “Brooklynized” water and then baked freshly at their stores. I typically order egg salad on a pumpernickel bagel, and I can attest that these bagel are, in fact, crunchy on the outside and chewy on the inside. I mean, a water system that replicates the water that flows from the Catskills into Brooklyn homes? You can’t get much more New York than that.
I always order the iced coffee cubsta, which is Brooklyn Water Bagels’ version of an iced coffee that is also made with that proprietary “Brooklynized” water as well as ice cubes made directly from their fresh coffee. You can prepare your iced coffee at the make-your-own iced coffee station, which is my favorite part of the Brooklyn Water Bagels experience. You can choose between medium, dark, infusion (with kahlua flavoring) and decaf coffee and lots of coffee creamers and syrups to customize to your liking. This is such a great way to start your weekend!
Press & Grind
This cafe is a coffee and juice bar that has every option that you can wish for in a breakfast or lunch item. Between the coffee, pressed juices, smoothies, acai bowls, soups, salads, and sandwiches, every type of eater can find something flavorful and fresh at Press & Grind.
If you're craving fruit, I love the classic acai bowl, which is topped with fresh bananas, blueberries, granola, chia seeds and coconut flakes, and if you're going for a more savory lunch, their vegan burger with black beans, arugula, and aioli on a baguette hits the spot. Press & Grind is a great stop when you’re with a group craving something quick and tasty because there’s something for everyone!
Fresh First
This all gluten-free cafe is one of my absolute favorite meals to get for a work lunch because their food is absolutely delicious and satisfying, and their cold brew is one of the smoothest I’ve ever had. Established as the first 100% gluten-free eatery and juicery in Ft. Lauderdale, Fresh First is one of the best spots for any breakfast, lunch or beverage you’re looking to fuel you for the day. There are also lots of vegan and vegetarian options at this spot, so it’s perfect for all types of eaters.
Fresh First’s chicken salad sandwich and tuna sandwich are my absolute favorites. Get this on their vegan waffle bread, and you can thank me later! The sweet potato burger, made with seasoned sweet potato, white beans, oats, and walnuts, is also one of my go-to choices because it’s so flavorful and a great consistency!
The soups that are made from scratch daily are on a rotating menu, so I typically select one of their soups as my side with the sandwich. If you’re not a big soup guy or gal, their red and sweet potato salad and hand-cut slaw are each really flavorful and make for great side options. If you’re looking for a take-home breakfast or lunch that will put the biggest smile on your face when it comes to flavor and the freshest, no guilt-ingredients, order from here.
Coffee
Brew Next Door
This coffee shop is so hip, so if you’re looking to bring a friend to a non-traditional coffee joint, bring them to Brew Next Door. This spot serves barista drinks and an assortment of pastries in a dark and swanky atmosphere that is surrounded by a massive collection of books. The cafe then turns into a bar for events, sports games, and concerts. Brew Urban Cafe is a fun and funky destination for a coffee sesh that is worth the visit.
The Alchemist
Ok, welcome to my absolute favorite spot on this entire list. (Yes, I had to ease us into the beauty that is The Alchemist.) Let’s begin with the aesthetic since you notice the charm of this cafe the second you enter. There’s a bright and spacious outdoor garden with beautiful greenery, wooden tables, and a rustic charm with the decor. There’s a pleasant scent of freshly brewed coffee in the air, since there’s a machine working on the brewing process at the entrance of the restaurant right where you order.
Now onto the fun part — what slicer to order with your Alchemist iced coffee! To back up, slicers are The Alchemist's version of an open toast sandwich on Tuscan bread, and there’s so many to choose from, whether it’s a fresh caprese, a turkey melt with pesto, swiss and leafy greens, or even avocado. I almost always choose the brie melt, which is topped with mouthwatering melted brie, slivered almonds and a drizzle of honey. You don’t even know how perfect this slicer is!
Then, when it comes to the beverage, the Alchemist iced coffee is the only right choice. This beverage consists of 24-hour cold brew, condensed milk (I ask for half the amount because #dairyintolerant), brown sugar, and whole milk (I replace this with almond milk!). I can’t even explain how delicious this beverage is and how high-quality their cold brew tastes. There’s also a bunch of other fun beverage options, but when this is your absolute favorite coffee in the world, there’s no time to try other drink options…
Ann’s Florist and Coffee Bar
I’m going to preface that Ann’s Florist isn’t one of my favorite coffee shops — however, its prime location, floral-focused decor and quality of offerings made me want to include this on the list. The problem is that it is very overpriced, but if location is your biggest priority, be sure to check it out.
This is the best coffee shop to go to when you’re planning on meeting up with someone on Las Olas. Ann’s Florist is part coffee shop, part wine bar, and part flower shop, and more often than not, you’ll find someone playing live music at the cafe that adds to the vibes. The outside seating is spacious, in the shade, and great for people watching while catching up with friends, while the inside is decorated with florals and neon signs that give it a bright touch. There’s a good assortment of coffees, pastries, and alternative milks, and their cold brew is strong and tasty.
Ella Cafe
Between the laid back cafe vibes, the incredible assortment of syrup flavors and alternative milk options, and the presentation of the food and beverages, Ella Cafe is the best spot to hang out with the fam over a coffee. Each item is served on a beautiful wooden board with Ella engraved into the shape of a heart. And for the beverage orders, there’s a heart-shaped or checkered short-bread cookie that is paired with your choice of coffee.
Even though there’s really fun flavor options to experiment with, I typically go for the vanilla iced latte, served in a tall glass bottle that makes for such a comforting and enticing aesthetic. The food is also delicious and flavorful here, especially the paninis and baked goods. An afternoon at Ella is an afternoon well spent.
Circle House Coffee
This is a community-first coffee shop that brews delicious coffee and serves a variety of pastries and snacks for all types of eaters (yes, that means that GF and Vegan eaters can get in on this cafe!). This establishment offers both indoor seating and an outdoor patio and includes a drive-thru service. Yes, this place has it all…
When it comes to my order at Circle House Coffee, I’ve had the cold brew and the dirty chai latte to drink as well as some of their GF/Vegan pastries. The food and beverage list is extensive, where you can find everything from CBD drinks to vegan donuts to pie shakes.
Circle House Coffee was founded by Stephen Tulloch, a retired NFL athlete who has always had a love and commitment to give back to his community. You can feel the passion and dedication to the community when you arrive at Circle House Coffee, and this is a business that myself and my family will always try to support.
Activities
Your afternoons in Ft. Lauderdale will probably be spent at the pool or Ft. Lauderdale beach! However, if you need a few additional ideas for how to spend an afternoon down here, you’ve got some options.
You can stroll Las Olas to check out some shops, get a cocktail or coffee, or walk along the river and take in the boats and the views. If you’re looking for some indoor entertainment, check out if there’s a Florida Panther’s game or production at the Broward Center for the Performing Arts happening while you’re in town.
If beers and local breweries are more appealing to you, Ft. Lauderdale is home to a bunch of fun, unique breweries that you can hop between. Some of the top breweries that I’ve tried myself or received great reviews from include: Funky Buddha, Invasive Species Brewing, LauderAle Brewery, Tarpon River Brewing, and Sistrunk Marketplace & Brewery.
Dinner
There’s a bunch of great dining options in Ft. Lauderdale, which made it difficult to choose just a handful to include. However, I’m listing some of my favorite Ft. Lauderdale restaurants that offer a strong combination of high-quality food, a great atmosphere, affordable menu items, and an experience that makes me want to come back every time I visit.
Louie Bossi’s
This Italian staple is the place-to-be when dining with friends in Ft. Lauderdale. Serving pizza, pastas, and all the Italian dinner staples, including a long Italian wine list, Louie Bossi's has everything you’re looking for in an Italian restaurant. There’s a lively energy throughout the restaurants as well as the beautiful patio out back. Be sure to make reservations in advance at Louie Bossi's because those OpenTable time slots go quick here!
Anthony’s Runway 84
This family-owned restaurant has been a staple for south Florida natives for nearly 40 years. You'll be able to get a sense of this once you see the entrance of the restaurant covered in throwback photos of celebrities who have dined there over the years. Decked out in airline decor and pure nostalgia, Anthony’s Runway 84 offers such a great family-focused dining experience.
You’ll enjoy complimentary mussels and fresh bread that is served with some of the best olive oil I’ve tasted, while enjoying the live music that plays through the lounge area. Since this restaurant is family style, we’ll usually order chicken parmesan and pasta dish, like the ravioli bolognese or rigatoni with cauliflower, and end with a cannoli or tiramisu. Also, Anthony's Runway 84 is very affordable if you order right, especially for a nice Italian spot, so I’d recommend treating yourself here!
Salt7
This restaurant is on the newer side, but it’s become super popular in a short amount of time, mainly because of the prime destination along the river on Las Olas. Salt7 has incredible happy hour deals that run until 7 PM, which include filet bites, sushi pizza, mahi mahi tacos, pork shoulders, and their house burger.
Their happy hour deal also includes $5 wines and specialty martinis! (And yes, you read the right.) The Key Lime Pie, Salt7 Mule, and Worthing Watermelon are some of the many martini options that you can snag from Salt7 for that price while sitting along the water in 80 degree weather. Can’t get much better than that!
Rocco’s Tacos
If you’re the type of person who craves a girls or guys night out that starts with a marg pitchers, tableside guac, and delicious Mexican food, then this is your spot. At Rocco's Tacos, the atmosphere is fun and energetic, the drinks are strong, and the food is absolutely delicious. Their chicken and cheese quesadillas are my go-to, since there’s something about how well-seasoned the pulled chicken is and how tasty and gooey the cheese is. Even though I can’t personally have the guac, their famous tableside guac is necessary for a group. Plus, the chips at Rocco’s Tacos are addicting on their own, since they’re smothered in delicious spices.
Rosie’s
This establishment is a bold, festive restaurant that feels like a party any time your there. The staff is sassy and so fun at Rosie's, the menu has all the colorful drink creations you can think of, and there’s endless comfort food options to choose from. This spot is super LGBTQ+ friendly, and you’re bound to have such a fun time in this mini tropical oasis. I usually pick one of the absolutely delicious salads from Rosie's, and just know that the portions are hefty, so you will be taking some of that home!
Greek Islands Taverna
This restaurant is also a family-owned restaurant that is a staple among Ft. Lauderdale residents, and this should be a stop for locals and visitors, alike. This spot is casual, authentic, and places a large focus on serving ingredient-first, fresh foods. Plus, Greek Islands Taverna is extremely affordable for what you’re getting.
There’s complimentary pita with hummus, which is what every bite of hummus should taste like. For an appetizer, the avgolemono (chicken soup with lemon, egg, and rice) is perfection, and the spanakopita is flavorful and addicting. For the entrees at Greek Islands Taverna, the grilled chicken and filet kebabs are perfectly cooked and seasoned, the sides of rice and potatoes have a beautiful lemon flavor, and the greek salad has some of the freshest veggies and feta that you can imagine.
You really cannot go wrong with the many incredible restaurants that Ft. Lauderdale has to offer, but hopefully you get a chance to try some of these during your next visit. Let me know if there are any go-to spots that I need to check out during my next trip there!