Where to Dine on Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale

Part sports bar, part restaurant, it’s always a lively scene at American Social, especially on the weekends when dinner often turns into a late-night social affair. The restaurant focuses on indulgent comfort food, with bragging rights to shared plates such as rich dips, mac & cheese, smoked wings, stacked sandwiches and burgers, and large plates like guava-barbeque chicken. Sports fans flock here to catch their favorite teams playing on the massive TV screens and imbibe in over 40 craft beers on draft and handcrafted cocktails. From American Social’s famous Monday night $5 AMSO burgers to their go-to Happy Hour and over-the-top weekend brunch, every day of the week is a culinary event.

It’s all about decadence here, with lavish chandeliers, gold crown molding, purple uplighting, and intricate design patterns. But the real star, of course, is Bombay Darbar’s  delicious Indian cuisine.

Start off with a Taj Mahal or Kingfisher beer from India and an order of samosas and dal, then move onto favorites like chicken tikka masala, chicken vindaloo, lamb roganjosh, a collection of vegetarian dishes (vegan dishes are clearly marked on the menu), and finish it off with sweet gulab jamun.

Brazilian steakhouse Chima resides at the far end of Las Olas, where things are a little quieter, and the ocean is just at your fingertips. Order from the menu or go for the rodizio experience, where gauchos roam the dining room to bring guests cuts of Brazilian picanha, New Zealand lamb chops and leg of lamb, filet mignon, sausage, aji chicken, cajun ribeye, and other decadent meat offerings. Add some romance to the evening by sharing a few drinks at the outdoor bar under the banyan trees strung with lights.

If you’re exploring the world of tequila and mezcal, this is the place to be. El Camino boasts 300-plus tequilas and over 100 mezcal options to help you find your favorite spirit. More of a cocktail person? Try one of their 16 margaritas. While the drinks may lure you into this Mexican hotspot, the lively atmosphere, floor-to-ceiling murals, and food will keep you there. Think tacos (pork belly, barbacoa, barbecue mushroom, and more), fajitas, quesadillas, tamales, and chicharrones.

The name says it all, as the second oldest house in Fort Lauderdale (the first is Stranahan House) was reimagined as a restaurant. Formerly the Bryan Home, guests can dine under the stars and a canopy of trees along the New River. Or, head inside and dine surrounded by vintage flair. No matter where your table, though, diners have a selection of American and European coastal dishes such as whole branzino, chianti-braised short rib, charred octopus, and roasted carrots. For grab-and-go options, visit the Everyday Bakery Cafe for French pastries. Finally, don’t forget to make reservations for Saturday high tea.

Known as a restaurant with longstanding success, Luigi’s Tuscan Grill has been around since 1996 thanks to authentic Italian food, staff that treats you like family, and a dreamy waterfront al fresco experience. Tucked away on a canal, this is a place to spoil yourself with homemade pasta, hearty steaks, Margherita pizza, a tender veal chop, or fresh local seafood—and don’t forget to ask about the nightly specials. The restaurant also boasts music from a concert pianist and an award-winning wine list, and while you can choose to sit in the cozy dining room, the patio overlooking the canal is where you’ll want to sip the night away.

The eponymous restaurant of Chef Louie Bossi is a fan favorite, not only for the traditional New York Italian dishes but also the many photo-worthy moments. From the cherry red Vespa and exposed wood beam ceilings to the painted signs with vintage flair, it’s the ideal backdrop to enjoy pasta, pizzas, and meats that have been dry-aged on-site. Out in the back is a covered courtyard with a coveted wrought iron gazebo, bocce lanes, and a brick walkway—perfect for Sunday brunch or special events like baby and bridal showers.  

The always-bustling Moxie’s is a dining workhorse—the perfect setting for a lunch break, happy hour, business dinner, or grabbing drinks for a night out. The restaurant is spacious, with two indoor-outdoor bars as well as outdoor dining space for some people-watching. The menu is just as expansive, featuring salmon and avocado cobb salad, sushi cones, poutine, steaks, short rib bolognese, southern fried crispy chicken sandwich, as well as a vegetarian and plant-cased section (and clearly marked vegetarian-friendly dishes throughout the menu).

Most restaurants call out a few vegetarian or vegan dishes on their menus, but at Planta Queen, it’s the entire selection. On the dinner menu is a large selection of sushi (watermelon often serves as a substitute for fish) as well as Dan Dan noodles with Szechuan kamut, a bao slider made with chick’n, spinach shiitake dumplings, or kimchi egg fried rice. For the busy downtown working set, check out the Plant Power Lunch with a starter, signature dish, cookie, and dessert for a set price.

This riverside restaurant is on the roster of five-time James Beard semifinalist Chef Jose Mendin, offering up a global take on seafood. The menu includes innovative dishes such as prawns and grits, seafood nachos, ceviche taquitos, and crispy whole snapper with tostones and kimchee al ajillo. Raw bar fans will have to indulge in the Rivertail Tower, a collection of one dozen market oysters, one dozen mussels, 10 peel-and-eat tiger shrimp, and house ceviche. During happy hour, take advantage of the restaurant’s 99-cent oysters deal! Whether your reservation is for brunch or dinner, Rivertail’s lush setting makes for an elevated yet fun experience, from the hanging lanterns, tropical greenery, and punches of yellow and cobalt blue. When dining alfresco, guests have a front-row seat to the parade of yachts and boats making their way up and down the New River.

A fixture on Las Olas, Timpano has been renovated into a sleek yet moody eatery with wallpaper adorned with golden ginkgo leaves and wispy peacock feathers. Guests can also opt to sit outside among the greenery and bougainvillea blooms. Try the bucatini al pesto (prepared tableside), grilled swordfish, truffle arancini, and other modern Italian favorites. Be sure to leave room for dessert—the menu is presented in a tarot card reading to help you decide which treat will close out the meal.

Is it a Gothic cathedral or a bar and restaurant? You can find that out yourself when you dine at Voodoo Bayou, where everything from brunch and happy hour to lunch and dinner serves up delectable dishes to enjoy alongside photo-worthy stained glass arches. Think cajun meatballs, chicken and biscuits, shrimp and grits, raw oysters, and creole mustard salmon, finished off with a dessert of beignets and monkey bread. Voodoo Bayou also books bands for some live music to enjoy, along with a selection of cocktails from the bar.

Longtime staple YOLO is a popular spot where a well-heeled and often corporate crowd gathers around the two bars or the fire pit for happy hour, couples enjoy an intimate dinner inside, or friends soak up the sun on the open-air patio for Sunday brunch. YOLO is known for its contemporary American cuisine and open-style kitchen, where you can watch as the chefs churn out favorites like the oak-grilled artichoke halves with lemon aioli dipping sauce, the Asiago salmon, or Freebird Farms chicken. Brunch is just as decadent with steak and eggs, angry fried shrimp, smoked salmon “benedict” flatbread, and bottomless drinks. Thanks to inventive cocktails and good music, the restaurant is always a happening spot well into the night.