Feast for the Senses: Dine Out Lauderdale Returns

If it’s your first time visiting Greater Fort Lauderdale, and you’re unsure where to grab a bite, check out some of the region's classics, like Casa Sensei on Las Olas Boulevard. This spot is known for its bold Latin-Asian fusion dishes and idyllic canal views. Stop by for lunch or dinner to savor crispy blue crab rangoons, Kung Fu chicken lo mein and the signature Truffle Butter Roll. The beloved American bistro Foxy Brown in downtown is another great option, especially when its Dine Out options include the famous patty melt on rye.

For juicy steaks, visit Mastro's Ocean Club, a high-end steakhouse in Fort Lauderdale serving everything from a pork chop with apple pecan brandy sauce to bone-in ribeye with decadent enhancements, like lobster mac. Don’t forget to order the signature warm butter cake. You also can’t go wrong with Mai-Kai, which recently underwent a four-year renovation. You’ll still find all your favorite tiki cocktails paired with authentic cuisine and everyone’s favorite Polynesian show.  Dine Out Lauderdale is the perfect excuse to check it out.

A few newcomers worth visiting include the New American kitchen and wine bar Sixty Vines, which offers wine country-inspired cuisine paired with 60 wines on a sustainable tap system, and Livia Bar and Grill. While the latter is tucked under an apartment building, its modern Italian cuisine and happy hour have earned it a top spot for locals. Be sure to book a reservation at Catch & Cut, where the upscale Las Olas setting pairs perfectly with luxe dinner offerings like a 6-ounce filet, whole branzino or a chef-curated sushi platter.

Just a few minutes south sits the laid-back beach town of Dania Beach — a vibrant food destination boasting a mix of local flavors and international cuisines. One Dine Out Lauderdale experience not to miss? Unseen Work at MAD Arts (Aug. 29, Sept. 12 and Sept. 26). This $195 experience includes dinner, drinks and same-day access to MAD Arts exhibitions. The immersive culinary installation blends storytelling, design and fine dining into one unforgettable evening created by artist Jaime Reyes and chef Sam Diaz. Guests will gather around a glowing digital table where each course reveals the untold stories of the kitchen.

Ethos Greek Bistro is a must-visit for its diverse and seasonal menu featuring a fusion of Mediterranean delights. Plus, you’ll be in Wilton Manors, a lively town known for its trendy bars and nightclubs, art galleries, boutique shops, and culinary gems. 

Make your way up to Pompano Beach to visit the stylish Oceanic, a longtime local favorite with rooftop seating and a seafood-focused menu. This year’s Dine Out Lauderdale offerings include entrées like mahi-mahi, pan-roasted half chicken and shrimp scampi — each served with a side of ocean views.

Whether you need a quick bite or are not in the mood to get too fancy, check out some of the area’s best Dine Out Lauderdale casual spots. Craving cheesy goodness? Head to Patio Bar & Pizza in Flagler Village for brick oven pies, made-to-order salads and tall brews. The Dine Out Lauderdale menu includes your choice of appetizer — such as kale Caesar salad, heirloom tomato and mozzarella or brick oven-baked meatballs with Calabro ricotta — followed by a 14-inch pizza, from signature cheese with up to three toppings to options like Margherita, vegetable or spicy Hawaiian. Finish it off with mini cannoli or tiramisu for dessert. It’s a great deal, especially if you’re traveling with friends and want to split a pie.

Nearby, tucked away in a strip mall, sits the Cantonese favorite Wan’s. The family-run spot has been serving up traditional Chinese food for dine-in and take-out for nearly 60 years.

Whether you’re craving a late-night bite or a hearty meal any time of day, The Floridian on Las Olas delivers. This classic diner is a go-to for comfort food — and its Dine Out Lauderdale menu doesn’t disappoint. Start with conch chowder, chili or a tossed salad. Entrées include corned beef and Swiss on rye, a Philly cheesesteak or grilled or blackened mahi mahi with two sides. Finish with Key lime pie, red velvet cake or New York cheesecake. A non-alcoholic drink is included.

Further north, you’ll find Tacocraft Taqueria & Tequila Bar in Coral Springs. The trendy eatery (with numerous locations across Greater Fort Lauderdale) offers Mexican favorites and margaritas in a colorful space with outdoor seats. 

Another great pick is 26° Brewing in Pompano Beach, perfect for a laid-back lunch of craft beer and comfort food. Their Dine Out Lauderdale $35 lunch special includes an appetizer, entrée and dessert — with options like coconut shrimp, a double-patty smash burger and butterscotch bread pudding.

Greater Fort Lauderdale sure knows how to do things right, especially when it comes to awesome waterfront dining spots. You’re never too far from delicious bites and gorgeous views to pair. 

Choose from beachfront favorites like the vibrant Mexican hotspot El Vez or Nube , the chic rooftop oasis inside the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort — both offering a Dine Out Lauderdale dinner menu for $45.

The newly renovated Boatyard on the Intracoastal offers a $35 lunch and $65 dinner menu Monday through Thursday — the perfect chance to try its famous Bimini bread or a decadent surf and turf, served with a side of waterfront views. Another favorite on the Intracoastal is the laid-back outpost Olive & Sea, known for its captivating blend of Mediterranean flavors and locally sourced seafood.

Lauderdale-By-The-Sea is home to Backflip Beach Bar & Kitchen at Plunge Beach Resort — a laid-back, toes-in-the-sand favorite. For Dine Out Lauderdale, enjoy a $35 lunch or $45 dinner menu. Options include starters like crispy alligator nuggets or coconut shrimp; entrées such as beach tacos, a Backflip burger, lomo saltado or catch of the day; and desserts like key lime pie or churro bites.

For a wealth of oceanfront eateries, head to none other than Hollywood Beach. This captivating South Florida destination combines sun, sand, and an exceptional culinary scene. Looking for a gorgeous view while dining with your partner? Head to Latitudes on the Beach at the Hollywood Beach Marriott. Here, enjoy an appetizer, a surf and turf dinner, and your choice between two desserts. 

Dine Out Lauderdale is the perfect time to enjoy the region’s fine dining establishments. The Four Seasons Hotel & Residences Fort Lauderdale is home to Evelyn’s Fort Lauderdale, renowned for its Eastern Mediterranean cuisine with a coastal flair, and MAASS, a contemporary American restaurant recognized by the Michelin Guide for its open-fire cooking techniques.

Newcomer Daniel’s in downtown Fort Lauderdale has quickly earned a reputation as one of the city’s top classic steakhouses. The luxe Dine Out Lauderdale dinner menu includes pastrami bao buns and a Demkota Heritage Elite prime filet, with elevated add-ons like caviar service and wagyu flights.

For a fine-dining experience in Hollywood Beach, we recommend indulging at JWB Prime Steak and Seafood inside the beachy chic Margaritaville Hollywood Beach Resort. This outpost has been around for nearly a decade and continues to deliver, boasting a menu that features choice steaks, local seafood, and craft cocktails in stylish surroundings. 

Unwind after work or enjoy a night out and reap all the Dine Out Lauderdale happy hour benefits. Consider checking out Rooftop @1WLO for inventive libations and discounted bites or Vino’s on Las Olas for a chic wine pairing.

Get your happy hour fix at Rebel’s Wine Bar, an Oakland Park favorite, participating in this year's Dine Out Lauderdale. Enjoy many vino-forward events and discounts, including wine tastings, classes, wine flights, and blind tastings.

There’s also Patio Bar & Pizza for a laid-back pizza night with craft beer specials and Velvet Taco offering happy hour deals including $3 beers, $4 queso, and $5 margaritas. 

You’ll find plenty of Dine Out Lauderdale menus ending on a sweet note, but for those who want to skip dinner and go straight to dessert, Emack & Bolio’s Ice Cream in Pembroke Pines has you covered. This music-themed shop offers signature ice cream flavors in marshmallow-coated cones, along with banana “barges,” ice cream cookie sandwiches and more.

Lovelee Bakeshop in Fort Lauderdale returns this year with a hands-on cake decorating class led by pastry chef Lee Mazor. Guests will design their own trendy anti-gravity canvas cake using piping techniques, sprinkles and edible décor. For $55, the experience also includes sweet and savory bites, drinks and a gift-ready box to take your edible masterpiece home.