Greater Fort Lauderdale is a true melting pot, and our diverse dining scene is proof of that. On one side of town, you can eat your weight in paella, a Spanish rice dish, while watching traditional flamenco dancers perform an eye-catching routine. On the other, wash down fresh seafood with a pisco sour cocktail that'll leave you wanting more Peruvian fare.
While in Greater Fort Lauderdale, you don’t need to travel far to enjoy authentic global cuisine worthy of your taste buds and Instagram. Let’s take a look at where to find some of the most mouth-watering international dishes in the area.
European
Feel like you’re dining in Italy at Scolapasta Bistro and Pasta Shop residing in Fort Lauderdale near the Intracoastal Waterway. If you have trouble deciding between homemade dishes like gnocchi or rigatoni, order spaghetti with clams or mussels. Once you take a bite out of the seafood meal sauteed with white wine, garlic, olive oil, parsley, and tomato sauce, you’ll feel instantly transported. Top off the pasta dish with a glass of red or white wine.
For a masterfully done pizza, Heritage, located in Fort Lauderdale’s Flagler Village, delivers. Try The Bronx, a traditional New York-style cheese pizza, or the Patate, topped with whipped potatoes, a variety of cheeses, including ricotta, cheddar, provolone, and mozzarella, as well as smoked pancetta and chive roots.
Order the meat platter, best shared by two, at Taverna Opa in Florida’s Hollywood, which features waterfront dining that rivals the coast of the Mediterranean Sea. This meaty dish features everything you’d want in a Greek meal, including lamb chops and chicken, pork and beef tenderloin kebabs, potatoes, and rice pilaf.
Another deliciously unforgettable dish perfect for sharing is the paella at EATapas in Fort Lauderdale. Choose between a variety of paella dishes with meat or seafood; there is also a vegetarian option. Feast on paella while your eyes feast on flamenco dancers who perform at the Spanish restaurant on select nights.
Asian
Order a house special at Thai Spice in Fort Lauderdale and leave with a happy stomach. The restaurant’s 14 oz. rib-eye steak is a solid option and comes with sauteed bok choy and jasmine rice. All the steak dishes at Thai Spice are rubbed with a mix of secret herbs and a soy ginger garlic marinade and grilled on an open fire.
Travel to India, at least with your senses, when you dine at Bombay Darbar on Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale. You can’t go wrong with any of the meat and vegetarian entrees offered with customizable spice levels. Try the Chicken Tikka Masala served in tomato sauce with a side of basmati rice, or the Tandoori Chicken (half or whole) cooked in a clay oven and plated on a bed of onions and bell peppers.
Enjoy delicious cuisine from Lebanon and the Mediterranean at La Vie Lebanese in Pompano Beach. Start with a plate of hummus with house-made pita bread or grape leaves, and order a dish off the grill, like lamb chops or beef shawarma. Each entree comes with grilled vegetables and basmati rice.
South & Central American
Bravo Peruvian Kitchen, with locations in Wilton Manors and Coral Springs, has a variety of ceviche dishes you have to try. During your visit, order the trio of ceviches featuring a variety of peppers and traditional fish ceviches to share with your table. For your entree, opt for the Lomo Saltado, a tender beef dish accompanied with white rice and fries. No Bravo dish is complete without a craft pisco sour cocktail.
At El Rinconcito Colombiano in Hollywood, there’s a perfect dish for patrons who want it all. That dish is called the Bandeja Paisa El Rinconcito, which includes rice and beans, grilled steak, pork skin and sausage, fried egg, sweet plantains, a corn cake, and an avocado.
With gorgeous views of Fort Lauderdale beach, Lona Cocina + Tequileria’s dishes are just as visually appealing. Featuring countless Mexican dishes like enchiladas and fajitas, if it's your first time here, go for a taco dish (carne asada and Baja fish are just some of the options). For a large group, opt for the taco flights, which feature a selection of 15-20 tacos of your choosing. Begin any taco feast with an order of guacamole, traditional or specialty, with one featuring lump crab and the other bacon. Wash down your delicious appetizer and entree with any of the tasty craft margaritas off the cocktail menu.
For juicy cuts of fine Brazilian churrasco, you'll want to dine at Chima Steakhouse on Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale. Experience a traditional rodizio all-you-can-eat dining experience and try various samples of meat, from top sirloin to filet mignon and lamb chops, sliced right at your table.
Caribbean
Enjoy a traditional Cuban dish while upbeat salsa music plays in the background at Padrino’s with multiple locations across GFL, including Fort Lauderdale, Plantation, Dania Beach, and Hallandale Beach. We suggest ordering the churrasco or palomilla steak served with white rice and black beans, as well as sweet plantains. If you're craving pork, order the fried pork chunks or a pork chops dish. Chicken and seafood dishes, including a paella, are also available. And you definitely don’t want to say no to dessert, which includes flan or tres leches.
For more Caribbean flavor, go to Pompano Beach and dine at Calypso Restaurant & Raw Bar. If it’s your first time here, you want to order the Calypso Cutter (sandwich) featuring shrimp and mushrooms tossed in a garlic butter sauce, parsley, and cheddar cheese, all inside a Kaiser roll. Each sandwich entree comes with lettuce and tomato and side options like steak fries and potato salad, to name a few.
American
For an American culinary experience, stop by New York Grilled Cheese in Wilton Manors and order off the sandwich menu for a melt-in-your-mouth dish, like the Fifth Avenue grilled cheese. Combining Muenster and American cheeses with fried chicken (seasoned with sriracha and pepper jam), as well as bacon, the Fifth Avenue serves up cheesy goodness inside a country loaf bread.
A thick, juicy burger with all the fixings awaits you at The Foundry in Pompano Beach. For a sweet and savory American dish, order the Bourbon BBQ Burger, which features cheddar cheese and fried onions, with a side of parmesan truffle fries.
Andy’s Live Fire Grill + Bar in Fort Lauderdale knows how to wow patrons with Instagram-worthy dishes, including grill and specialty entrees, like the cast-iron chicken, a half chicken roasted with onions, potatoes, and a delicious pan sauce. Pair the savory dish with a craft cocktail or delicious red or white wine.
Wherever in the world you want your taste buds to go, you’ll find the dish(es) for you in Greater Fort Lauderdale.