76. Lola’s on Harrison
City: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (954) 927-9851
Address: 2032 Harrison St.
Description: Glossy and upscale without attitude, Lola’s is a winner on this stretch of downtown Hollywood. A menu ranging from comfort food to sophisticated cuisine keeps the masses packing it in, from caviar and down-home po’boys to Coca-Cola ribs and salmon tartare. A superb cocktail list rounds out the experience and ensures it’s as popular for drinks only as it is for its food. Open Tues, Wed, Thurs, Sun 5 to 10 p.m.; Fri and Sat 5 to 11 p.m.; closed Mon.
77. Ocean Alley
City: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (954) 921-6171
Address: 900 N. Broadwalk
Description: Right on the corner, this open air space has two entire wall-free sides—inside, aqua murals depict underwater tropical fish and colorful coral. This is an excellent location on the Broadwalk, with exceptional views of the beach and the Broadwalk action. Great-value specials make this a wallet-friendly fave: For example, you get a free bottle of house wine with the purchase of two dinner entrees on Mon. Open daily for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
City: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Category: Restaurants
Address: 4331 Ravenswood Rd.
City: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Category: Restaurants
Address: 6002 N. Ocean Blvd.
80. Southport Raw Bar
City: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (954) 525-2526
Address: 1536 Cordova Dr.
Description: Since 1973, no-frills Southport has been dishing it up to locals who come for the mellow vibes, the freshly shucked raw oysters, and the sublime view of the Intracoastal. With its hopping happy hour (both early evening and late night versions), weekly karaoke night (Tues), and rockin’ live music, this restaurant-cum-bar attracts all ages and walks of life. Seafood and Cajun themes dominate the menu, or choose from their daily menu (usually seafood heavy). Whatever you eat, the staff will make you feel at home.
81. Trina Restaurant
City: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (954) 567-8070
Address: 601 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd.
Description: Ensconced in the trendy Atlantic Hotel, Trina is all minimalist deep brown furnishings, cool blue lighting, and exquisite taste. The refined clientele lounges with a superb water view while enjoying imaginative seafood dishes like lobster corn dogs, oven-roasted sea bass, and fresh Florida snapper; meat lovers won’t go hungry with the strip steak and filet mignon. Their islandlike outdoor terrace is bliss on a balmy summer night, where you can hear the waves and watch the pedestrian action one level down.
82. Canyon Cafe
City: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (954) 765-1950
Address: 1818 E. Sunrise Blvd.
Description: This innovative bastion of modern Southwestern cuisine fuses its dishes with Asian, Southern, and Central American undertones. Think chipotle, wasabi, ginger, cilantro, mango, lemongrass, basil, jalapeño, and hot chiles creatively used on fresh seafood and wild game. Low lighting, earth tones, and jazzy, upbeat music keep the feel contemporary but cozy, and service is consistently exceptional. They don’t take reservations, so come early or plan to wait with a cocktail in the snazzy designer bar bedecked with tequila bottles. Don’t leave without trying their famously addictive Prickly Pear Margaritas, made with cactus fruit marinated in blue agave tequila. Dinner is served daily starting at 5:30 p.m.
City: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Category: Restaurants
Address: 2768 E. Oakland Park Blvd.
84. Galanga
City: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (954) 202-0000
Address: 2389 Wilton Dr.
Description: The wow effect starts with the massive, 700-gallon fish tank (with awesome blue lighting) that greets you in the dining room. The impressive decor continues with the giant stone head in its leafy garden patio. Once you stop pausing at the exquisite Asian art gracing the walls, the food will command your attention: spicy tuna salad with a hint of Korean kimchee, delicate steamed dumplings, scallops with basil sauce, plus gorgeous curries, teriyakis, noodle dishes, and sushi (we like the Crunch and Sexy Roll—spicy salmon wrapped in soy paper with masago).
85. Jasmine Thai
City: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (954) 979-5530
Address: 5103 Coconut Creek Pkwy.
Description: It won’t win any design awards, but that doesn’t stop the faithful followers from returning decade after decade to this Margate Thai and sushi authority with a good selection of Chinese staples. We’re particularly fond of the Thai green curry and pad thai, whipped up with care—it is clear that each dish is lovingly and delicately prepared, bringing out the best of the flavors in each dish. The sushi bar always offers a great selection of spicy tuna rolls, expertly crafted hand rolls, and surprisingly flavor-packed California rolls—we think it is due to the fresh ingredients and excellent chefs who know how to create magic with simple ingredients.
86. Sukhothai
City: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (954) 764-0148
Address: 1930 E. Sunrise Blvd.
Description: It’s rare to find a classy restaurant this hospitable and authentic, but anyone who knows great Thai cuisine will be wowed by the flavors, both fiery and delicate. Traditional Thai dishes dominate, and they cleverly separate their menu into spicy and nonspicy. Don’t be surprised if you see the owners, Susie Komolsane and her son Eddie Watana, stroll through the dining room to greet regulars and newcomers. Lunch and dinner are served weekdays; dinner only on the weekend. Hours vary. Call ahead.
87. Istanbul Restaurant
City: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (954) 921-1263
Address: 707 N. Broadwalk
Description: Outstanding homemade hummus, spicy lamb kebabs, sticky baklava—it’s all delicious and made with care at this tiny Turkish gem on the beach. The tiny space is light on decor, but outdoor tables add a little extra room. If there’s no space you can pick up some food to go and enjoy it on the beach or a bench a few steps away.
88. Gourmet Greenhouse
City: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (954) 518-0551
Address: 5809 Hollywood Blvd.
Description: This raw food, vegan, and vegetarian cafe (with a tiny offering of meat items) serves sandwiches, salads, soups, and a small selection of entrees and weekly specials. Not hungry? Swing by for a fresh-squeezed juice or decadent smoothie. It’s bright and friendly, with yellow walls accented by rambling sunflower murals. On our visit, we were wowed by their weekly special (the raw pear and spinach salad with pine nuts and cranberries) and couldn’t get enough of the cinnamon ice cream with candied pumpkin seed swirl. They also offer changing cooking classes (vegan, raw, vegetarian). Closed Sun and Mon.
City: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Category: Restaurants
Address: 1431 N. Federal Hwy.
90. Basilic Vietnamese Grill
City: Fort Lauderdale, FL
Category: Restaurants
Telephone: (954) 771-5798
Address: 218 Commercial Blvd.
Description: The recent addition is all about pho, the large bowls of Vietnamese soup that hit the spot in healthy, delicious goodness. You can wash it all down with a refreshing Asian beer (the selection is impressive). It’s family-owned, and though the modern furnishings could be more inviting, the particularly hospitable service more than makes up for the slightly sterile vibe.