50 Great Reasons to Eat & Drink in South Florida, from the Food, Wine & Spirit Issue

Breakfast, brunch, beer and bread pudding are as much a part of life here as beaches and boats. And there is something delightful for everyone and every appetite. If the idea of discovering the best of the best boggles your mind, check out this list of superlatives we’ve compiled to make your life easier — and your belly happy.

Breakfast

1. Fresh First is the place for those who wake up hungry but don’t want to load up on heavy breakfast foods (not that there’s anything wrong with that). All Day Breakfast offerings include a lighter version of Eggs Benedict (think turkey bacon and a vegan waffle in place of the traditional ingredients) and Egg & Quinoa Hash, with sliced tofu instead of egg. Juices, smoothies, bowls and more are available not just in the morning but all day. 1637 SE 17th St., Fort Lauderdale, freshfirst.com.

2. Juice Mafia This Kosher/vegan juice bar makes brekkie into a colorful, delicious experience, from açai bowls like the Nutty Professor (strawberries, blueberries, bananas, granola, pistachios, coconut flakes and almond butter) to the super-fresh Fruity Sunrise cold wrap rolled with peanut or almond butter, granola, strawberries, mango and blueberries. 801 N. Federal Highway, Hallandale Beach, thejuicemafia.com.

3. Ooh, la la! Amy’s French Bakery & Bistro is your go-to for a taste of France, from a simple, perfectly executed French omelet to a scrumptious Nutella Melt on toast with bananas and, of course, a host of sweet and savory crêpes and croissants. 1441 S. Dixie Highway, Pompano Beach, amysfrenchbakerybistro.com.

4. Savor a taste of the Mediterranean with non-traditional offerings to start the day at Thanks to Harrison, such as Lazy Varenyky (Ukrainian dumpling stuffed with potato and fried onions) with custard and strawberries, croissant with truffle scramble and morel mushrooms, and mini pancakes with raspberry jam and sabayon cream. 2001 Harrison St., Hollywood, thankstoharrison.com.

Brunch items at Casa Sensei.

Sunday Brunch

5. Brunch is the best when you can’t decide between sweet and savory, but the range of tasty treats on the menu at Prezzo may just encourage you to order both. After all, how is one to choose between Challah-based Crème Brûlée French Toast Bake and the tomatoey temptation of Shakshuka with caramelized onions? It’s almost unfair to expect you to. 5560 N. Military Trail, #100, Boca Raton, eatprezzo.com.

6. Noshers and nibblers need not apply when it comes to the robust, Asian-inspired selections at Casa Sensei. Go with a handheld like the Casa Sensei Luxe Burger, an umami bomb of ground wagyu topped with foie gras, house apple chutney, provolone and arugula, or Togashi Fried Chicken and Waffles with sriracha maple syrup. Bonus: Bottomless mimosas, bellinis and Bloody Marys for 30 bucks. 1200 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, casasensei.com.

7. Three words: Baked Churros Alaska. That’s what’s for brunch at Rooftop @1WLO, along with a super-savory Kobe Beef Hot Dog on a toasted brioche bun with “kimchup” and crispy potato, Buffalo chicken empanadas with creamy blue cheese and mirepoix; and, should you choose, bottomless Moët Champagne and Whispering Angel rosé for $40. 1 W. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, rooftop1wlo.com.

8. There’s no way to shortlist the brunch offerings at Java & Jam, so here’s a highlight reel: Banana Bread French toast with homemade mango compote and coconut butter; Taco Eggs with peri-peri sauce; Grilled Cheese Soupwich, toasted sourdough with creamy tomato bisque (pro tip: add the bacon for $2). 301 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, java-jam.com.

9. The Foxy Brown started out in a li’l tucked away spot and eventually had to expand to accommodate its growing fan base. It’s easy to see why. Deliciousness in the form of a S’Mores Waffle, Short Rib Benedict, and, for the heartiest of appetites, the Cluck and Moo — two eggs with an 8-oz. ribeye and toast — are top draws. 476 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale, foxybrownftl.com.

Mussels at Foxy Brown.

Coming in hot

10. The Katherine: James Beard-nominated chef Timon Balloo and his wife, Marissa Katherine, are the culinary chops behind this cozy neighborhood spot with an ever-changing menu and a beverage program focusing on natural and organic wines. 723 E. Broward Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, thekatherinerestaurant.com.

11. The Food Republic: A bit of Greek, a bit of Italian, a lot of Mediterranean influence — it’s all here in a cozy, comfy atmosphere awash in warm woods, art and books, perfect for sharing dishes and sipping wine. 1910 E. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, thefoodrepublic.com.

12. The (rebirthed) Mai-Kai: An $8.5 million renovation set to restore this legendary spot born in the 1950s is expected to be complete this month, with all of its Polynesian theme, fancy rum-based libations and scantily clad entertainers. 3599 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale, maikai.com.

13. Casa Monarca: Who doesn’t love authentic Mexican eats with a tequila bar to boot? This place has both, and amazing happy hour specials 4-7 p.m. Monday-Friday and 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Monday-Sunday. Olé! 2980 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale, casamonarca.com.

Sparrow bar at The Dalmar, Fort Lauderdale.

Rooftop Bars

14. Escape at The Shorebreak: Their motto says it all: “Serving up sunsets.” That, and daily Sunset Specials on sips, perched atop the Kimpton Shorebreak Hotel. Cheers! 2900 Riomar St., Fort Lauderdale, shorebreakfortlauderdale.com.

15. Nubé Rooftop: It’s a scene indoors and out with a fabulous view of Fort Lauderdale, plus Instagrammable cocktails and some seriously good bar food. 505 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., 26th Floor, Fort Lauderdale, nuberooftop.com.

16. Sparrow: Talk about a cool vibe. It’s made the list of a bunch of superlatives in Broward, but this high-in-the-sky gathering spot deserves every accolade. Add it to your date-night shortlist. The Dalmar Fort Lauderdale, 299 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale, sparrowbar.com.

Lobster Bar Sea Grille, on Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale.

Romantic

17. Timpano Las Olas: Legendary, old-school Italian specialties are served up in a plush ambience that’s been drawing locals back again and again since it opened in 1999. 450 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, timpanolasolas.com.

18. Corvina Seafood Grill: Atmosphere is everything, something this Boca Raton seafood spot knows and lives by. That, live music and fresh-from-the-sea treats. Reserve now. 110 Plaza Real South, Boca Raton, corvinabocaraton.com.

19. Ocean2000: The location: Seaside. The design: Coastal modern. The menu: Fresh seafood and top-notch tipples. Indoors or out, the experience is memorable. In the Pelican Grand Beach Resort, 2000 N. Ocean Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, pelicanbeach.com.

20. Lobster Bar Sea Grille: Wood tones and plush white furnishings beneath a glittery ceiling make for an elegant setting in which to enjoy super-fresh seafood and clink glasses in a toast to la dolce vita. 450 Las Olas Blvd., Suite 190, Fort Lauderdale, lobsterbarseagrille.com.

21. La Nouvelle Maison: Quel charme! Everything about this lovely spot whispers of romance, from the interiors to the authentic French menu, with classics perfect for sharing: think Caviar with Brioche toast points, blinis and créme fraiche; Holland Dover Sole; and soufflés such as Grand Marnier and Bananas Foster. 455 E. Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton, lnmbocaraton.com.

Lester’s Diner baked goods.

Coolest Diners

22. Lester’s Diner: A legendary South Florida spot, it still has the desserts on display in the dining room — talk about a throwback. Four locations in Broward, lestersdiner.com.

23. Moonlite Diner: Pancakes, burgers, milkshakes and all manner of traditional diner treats are the stars here, against a backdrop of rock ’n’ roll paraphernalia and posters. 6201 N. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale, and 3500 Oakwood Blvd., Hollywood, moonlitediner.com.

24. Mom’s Kitchen: It’s been around for more than 50 years, and still going strong. Jukeboxes and an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet keep loyalists coming back for more. 1940 NE 45th Street, Fort Lauderdale, momskitchenrestaurant.com.

25. Lucille’s American Café: Comfort food at its finest, from a hot honey fried chicken sandwich to Lucille’s Homemade Bread Pudding and more. 2250 Weston Road, Weston, lucillescafe.com.

Three Cheese Baked Macaroni at Lucille’s American Cafe. (STAFF PHOTO BY TAIMY ALVAREZ)

Sweet Stops

26. Fireman Derek’s Bake Shop: Sate your sweet tooth with ex-firefighter and football player Derek Kaplan’s cakes, cheesecakes, cookies, brownies, flan and their renowned Key lime pie, voted Best Key Lime Pie by the Miami New Times. 250 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale, firemandereks.com.

27. Yo Mama’s Ice Cream & Pops Corn: Remember the days of “make your own sundae”? They’re back at Yo Mama’s, along with homemade ice cream and waffle cones, sorbets, fresh-baked cookies and flavored popcorn. 901 Sunrise Lane, Fort Lauderdale, yomamasicecream.com.

Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Cake from Sweeter Days.

28. Pan’e Dolci Italian Bakery: Turn around in this tiny gem of a bakeshop and you’ll bump into a case filled with crisp, delicate sfogliatelle and cannoli, or, if you’re lucky, a tray of fresh-from-the-oven crusty loaves. 3341 E. Oakland Park Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, facebook.com/panedolciftl.

29. Sweeter Days: Fluffy cupcakes, chewy cookies and mile-high cakes are among the temptations, but special mention goes to the Chocolate Salted Pretzel cake, a tower of chocolate cake layers slathered with caramel and chocolate buttercream, sprinkled with sea salt and trimmed with pretzels. 1497 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale, sweeterdaysbakeshop.com.

30. MO&MA Cookies and Pies: Strawberry shortcake cookie? Cinnamon roll cheesecake? A $38 giant Funfetti cupcake? Yes, yes, yes! And if you’re into Tea Time, you can enjoy that, too — just make a reservation online. 21302 St. Andrews Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, momacookiesandpies.com.

Cocktails at Twice Removed.

Cocktails

31. Apothecary 330: Concoctions galore feature a mix of housemade syrups and “elixirs” that make drinks the star of the show. 330 Himmarshee St., Fort Lauderdale, pizzacraftpizzeria.com/apothecary.

32. Lona: Dip in from the sweltering SoFlo heat and lift a glass of refreshing white or red sangria — or a delicious mocktail: Que Chingon combines seed lip agave, fresh watermelon and mango lemonade. 321 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, lonarestaurant.com.

33. Here & Now: This craft cocktail kitchen offers up a host of well-thought-out, original offerings, like the Cheeky Fox: Stoli, Peach Schnapps and Lemon Sparkling Almond Pineapple soda. 433 NW First Ave., Fort Lauderdale, hereandnowfl.com.

34. Twice Removed: Drink specials and happy hour every day from 4 p.m.-6 p.m. lure the locals, along with LGBTQ Tuesday, Wino Wednesday, Thirsty Thursday and “Friyay” Friday — all excellent opportunities to try concoctions like the Peanut Butter Old Fashioned or the Drunken Gummy. 3302 NE 33rd St., Fort Lauderdale, twiceremovedftl.com.

35. The Standard: Dive in and enjoy craft cocktails from classics like an Old Fashioned to a refreshing Cucumber Crush, a blend of Hendrick’s gin, St. Germaine, cucumber and basil, plus there are wines and craft beers and a long list of snacks and entrées to enjoy with your drink. 187 SE Mizner Blvd., Boca Raton, thestandardboca.com.

Top Hat Deli has opened in Fort Lauderdale at 415 NE Third St.

Welcome Relief from High Prices

36. Temple Street Eatery: Dumplings, noodles and rice, oh my! Where else can you get a Bulgogi Cheesesteak for $13? Bonus: You can purchase their spicy chino Latino crisp and garlic soy sauce for your kitchen. 416 N. Federal Highway, Fort Lauderdale, templestreeteatery.com.

37. Top Hat Deli: Named for founder Max Wolf’s treasured top hat that he brought with him to New York when he emigrated from his native Germany in the ’30s, this is your go-to for traditional treats like the Reuben, knishes, a Nova Lox sandwich and Matzo Brei. 415 NE Third St., Fort Lauderdale, tophatfl.com.

38. The Hen and The Hog: Freshly baked biscuits, platters of pulled pork and country-fried chicken steak and a smoked brisket melt are among the dishes that will fill up your belly and your soul (and most items on the lengthy menu are under $20). 3003 N. Federal Highway, Pompano Beach, thehenhog.com.

39. Pummarola: Naples, Italy native Rosa Donna Rummo drove around her hometown in a red Fiat 500 nicknamed by locals pummarola, or tomato. More than 40 years after she opened her pizza joint in Italy, her grandchildren opened locations around the world, serving the freshest, most authentic pizza outside the Boot. This one’s for you. 620 W. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, pummarola.us.

40. The Tipsy Boar: Who doesn’t love a gastropub — especially one that serves up yummy food for under $20 an item, including an amazing Eggplant Sandwich with balsamic glaze and a Millionaire Bacon Burger with orange rum barbecue sauce? 1906 Harrison St., Hollywood, thetipsyboar.com.

Seafood tower at Council Oak raw bar

Worth the Splurge

41. Council Oak Steaks & Seafood: A respite from the bells and whistles of the Hard Rock Casino where it’s located, the name bespeaks its specialties: stellar steak, seafood and lots of excellent wine choices. 1 Seminole Way, Davie, casino.hardrock.com.

42. Evelyn’s in The Four Seasons: Chef Brandon Salomon’s Mediterranean menu offers clean food that’s so good it tastes like you’re being bad, like Chilled Cucumber Soup with shabazi spice blend, pickled corn, labneh and avocado tartine and pomegranate-glazed Ora king salmon. Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Fort Lauderdale, 525 Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, fourseasons.com.

43. Mastro’s Ocean Club: Take in views of the Intracoastal while indulging in decadent starters — maple-glazed bacon steak and crispy garlic tuna sashimi are favorites — before moving on to fresh seafood or steak. 3000 NE 32nd Ave., Fort Lauderdale, mastrosrestaurants.com.

44. Runway 84: An old-school Italian supper club vibe has been perfected in Anthony Bruno’s redux of his legendary eatery, which takes Grandma’s classics — escarole and beans, stuffed artichokes, the “Sunday Feast” of meatballs, sausage, rigatoni, San Marzano Sunday sauce and ricotta — to whole new levels. 330 W. State Road 84, Fort Lauderdale, runway84.com.

45. Cap’s Place: This nearly 100-year-old landmark on an island off Lighthouse Point has hosted guests such as Meyer Lansky, George Harrison and Winston Churchill for simple but ocean-fresh seafood. Add yourself to that list. 2765 NE 28th Ct., Lighthouse Point, capsplace.com.

Chef and owner Angelo Elia and his Babka French Toast with black cherry gelato, gianduia chocolate, maple syrup and fresh berries.

Restaurateurs We Love

46. Clay Conley, whose culinary mastery brought Buccan, Imato and Grato to the Palm Beaches. Today he lives on a farm in Gainesville, where he grows fresh produce and raises pigs and chickens.

47. Angelo Elia, the acclaimed Salerno-born chef who learned to cook from his mother rather than a culinary institute, for bringing us Casa D’Angelo, Angelo Pizza Bar Tapas and Angelo The Bakery Bar.

48. Timon Balloo, the James Beard triple-nominated chef who soared to the top-chef lists with Sugarcane in Miami and, with his wife, Marissa Katherine, brought The Katherine to Fort Lauderdale for us Broward-dwellers.

49. Roberto Colombi, Italian native, globally trained sommelier and co-owner with his wife, Christie Tenaud, of Union Kitchen & Bar in Wilton Manors, a showcase of unique dishes and affordable wines.

50. Michelin-starred chef Takashi Yagihashi and his partner Jonathan Fox, who are set to open Kasumi in September 2024 in Waterstone Resort & Marina Boca Raton.