Greater Fort Lauderdale is more than its beaches and vibrant LGBTQ+ nightlife. The queer-friendly tourism hotspot with a cosmopolitan vibe has more than 4,000 eateries. You'll find a full smorgasbord of restaurants, dives, ice cream shops, and foodie joints featuring a mouth-watering array of international cuisines. Here are some of our favorites that showcase the diversity of the region's cuisine:
Courtesy The Rabbit Hole
Indulge in comfort cuisines without all the guilt at The Rabbit Hole in Pompano Beach. The menu, which is entirely plant-based, offers dishes like vegan meatloaf, Southern barbecue platter, loaded quesadilla, and classic comfort sides like cornbread and macaroni and cheese. Chef and owner Samuel Woods and his business partner, Emmanuel George, also pair their meatless menu with an atmosphere dedicated to showcasing Black history and artists.
Experience authentic Indian cuisine at Bombay Darbar. This charming restaurant, located on bustling Las Olas Boulevard serves classic Indian dishes with vegetarian and vegan options and is open for lunch and dinner.
With locations in Wilton Manors and now Coral Springs, Bravo Peruvian Kitchen serves Peru’s most treasured dishes made with authentic and fresh ingredients with a modern twist.
Courtesy Cleveland’s Old Fashion Ice Cream
Ready to be wowed? At Cleveland’s Old Fashion Ice Cream in Miramar, you will be after indulging in old-fashioned ice cream scoops in more than 50 different flavors, including a handful of vegan options served in a cup, sundae, or ice cream float. The shop’s founder, Cleveland Smith, has been making ice cream for nearly 40 years.
Chef Rose Jamaican Cuisine in the city of Sunrise is known for non-traditional, organic Jamaican fare and is only offered as take out. Helmed by chef Anthony Rose, the kitchen cooks up vegan, vegetarian, pescatarian, and traditional options
In Pembroke Pines,Islands in the Pines offers heaping servings of Jamaican goodness with fan favorites such has brown stew chicken, oxtail, cow foot and beans, and island soda favorites like Ting and D&G Soda.
Courtesy Cuba Libre
Located on Las Olas Boulevard is modern Cuban restaurant with two-time James Beard Award-winning Chef-Partner, Guillermo Pernot, putting his spin on traditional and cuisine. At Cuba Libre, you'll feel like you’ve stepped into old Havana as this restaurant and rum bar celebrates and explores its Cuban heritage, flavors, music, art and traditions.
A favorite restaurant among locals is Lotus Chinese Kitchen. Great for take-out or dining in, this Asian kitchen has been serving a menu of classic dishes and Mandarin specialties for decades.
Located in Lauderhill, Tataki Asian Bistro serves sushi with a modern flair. The restaurant is popular with locals for its outstanding cuisine in addition to the excellent service from the friendly staff.
Courtesy Katherine Restaurant
Run by husband-and-wife duo Timon and Marissa Balloo, the Katherine Restaurant was crowned one of Eater’s 2022 top new restaurants. Chef Timon Balloo was also named one of the 16 Black chefs changing the food in America by The New York Times and most recently was honored as a 2023 James Beard Award semifinalist in the Best Chef: South category.
