City: Fort Lauderdale, FL

Category: Restaurants

Telephone: (954) 922-0441

Address: 148 N. Federal Hwy.

Description: Jimmie’s Original Chocolate Shoppe, Florida’s oldest chocolate maker has been open for over half a century, so it’s no surprise that this cozy cafe, which opened in 2005, has caught on strong, too. Owned by two brothers who don’t skimp on anything, the cafe serves delicately prepared food (if it isn’t fresh, it won’t be on the menu) in a converted old house. In fact, sitting at the outdoor patio almost feels like dining in someone’s back yard. The cuisine is Floridian, Mediterranean, and Latin fusion; they always feature a fresh catch of the day and all their desserts come with chocolate, an ode to their original business. They’re also famous for their friendly, personal service and their sangria, which comes in chunky pitchers and goes down like lemonade on a hot day. Wed night is ladies’ night—all ladies enjoy two-for-one glasses of beer and wine.