From cozy and elegant, to casual and cool we are sure that one of the following eateries will guarantee to put a little love in your heart and your tummy as well! Here's my top ten for fun and romance in Fort Lauderdale.
CAFÉ CLAUDE 1544 SE Third Ct, Deerfield Beach, FL 33441 (954) 421-7337
Hours: (Tues - Sun) 5:15 pm -10:00 pm; Holidays: Closed: Fourth of July
Evoke the spirit of Paris with a trip to this small, elegant café located in Deerfield Beach. The soft lighting, greenery, snowy linens and warm smell of garlic add an air of international romance to the evening. Enjoy the crusty bread as you look through the menu. While not for every palate, the pate is a house specialty. Scallops, when available, are always a good choice. The café's table d'hote selections are an excellent way to keep the overall cost down. Each selection offers a full dinner and provides a broad range of flavor sensations. Reservations, especially during season, are suggested.
Estimated cost per person: $25-$35
SEA WATCH 6002 North Ocean Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308 (954) 781-2200
Casual and upscale, this beachside spot has been a romantic favorite for over 20 years. In fact, the restaurant celebrates marriage proposals like some other establishments celebrate birthdays! Beach lovers love to sit on the breeze-cooled patio, where the ocean provides a constantly changing view. The seafood here is the main attraction. The combination platter, loaded with Florida grouper, scallops and shrimp, is a house specialty. Tables can be hard to come by during tourist season. However Sea Watch is loyal to local residents. During the less crowded summer months, the dinner at dusk, a complete meal offered at very reasonable prices, is one of the best deals in town.
Hours: (Mon –Fri) 11:30 am-2 pm, (Sun –Wed) 5:00 pm -10:30 pm, (Thurs –Sat) 5:00 pm –11:00 pm Holidays: Closed at the discretion of Management
Enter a world of Oriental romance when you step through the doorway of this popular Asian restaurant. The rooms glow with the light of many candles, and the accent pillows and rattan tables and chairs shimmer and shine. A huge salt-water aquarium is the focal point of the main room; diners love to see the brightly colored fish flash through the water. The restaurant takes its name from the galanga root, a common ingredient found in Thai food. Accordingly, most Thai favorites are found on the menu, along with fresh sushi and some Asian-themed American dishes. Be sure to sample the sweet-hot house chili sauce. Reservations are strongly suggested.
Estimated cost per person: $25-$35
TRINA 601 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304 (954) 567-8070
Hours: (Sun – Thurs) 7am-10pm, (Fri – Sat) 7am -11pm Holidays: Open All Holidays
A visit to Trina is a real treat! Located on the ground floor of The Atlantic Hotel on Fort Lauderdale beach, the restaurant serves breakfast, lunch and dinner. The food here is rich and sumptuous, no matter which time of day you dine. Breakfast is a lavish affair and can set the tone for a truly romantic day. Save room for lunch and the tapas served later on. Trina's dinners are showstoppers, with house specials like Spice Rubbed Rack of Lamb and Pan-Seared Snapper sharing center stage. A specialty French Kiss cocktail promises to end a romantic evening on just the right note.
Estimated Dinner cost per person: $20-$30
RENDEZ-VOUS BAKERY & BISTRO 1576 E. Oakland Park Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33334 (954) 563-2228
Hours: (Tues – Thurs) 7 am-10 pm, (Fri – Sat) 7 am –11 pm, (Sun) 7 am-3 pm Holidays: Closed: Christmas Day, New Years Day
Who says bigger is better? Rendez-Vous Bakery & Bistro offers customized service in a small, personalized setting. Need a special romantic touch? The folks here will be happy to help. Intimate tables and friendly staff set a loving mood that's hard to duplicate. The classic French menu offers spectacular sauces and spices that flavor everything from eggs to meats. Salads dressings are so tasty you're bound to ask for more. Only the hardiest souls can pass the pastry case without buying something for later. Baked in-house and sized for sharing, Rendez-Vous' signature pastries sell out fast. Dinner reservations during tourist season are encouraged.
Estimated Dinner cost per person: $15-$25
OASIS CAFE 600 Seabreeze Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316 (954) 463-3130 Hours: (Mon-Sun) 11 am-11 pm Now if you and your "sweetheart" want to just enjoy a casual evening by the beach, then here is your Oasis! The Oasis Cafe, with your host John Amadeo, is just across from the sand on the famous Fort Lauderdale strip. On any given night, you will find couples getting "cozy" in one of the many canopied swing-style booths under the stars. The sound of the surf and the ocean breeze are perfect for enjoying one of Oasis Cafe's tropical drinks for starters. Their daily specials and great salads are worth mentioning, my personal favorite is an incredible "duck salad" which I have never had anywhere else. Romance is in the salty night air at the Oasis Cafe.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $25 - $35
Holiday Schedule: Set by discretion of management
THE LEFT BANK 214 SE Sixth Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301 (954) 462-5376 Hours: (Sun-Thur) 6 pm-10:30 pm; (Fri & Sat) 6 pm-11 pm It has been voted as one of the top 100 restaurants in America, and Gourmet Magazine says it's the #1 spot in Fort Lauderdale and it's really no secret. The Left Bank is incredibly romantic. You and your lover will feel that you are spending the evening somewhere along the Seines! Much of the ambiance and incredible cuisine is attributed to the owner/chef, Jean-Pierre Brehier. As a writer of unforgettable culinary works, to numerous to mention, this chef excels at combining classic French tastes with Continental dishes as well.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $45 - $55
Holiday Schedule: Set by discretion of management
CASABLANCA CAFÉ 3049 Alhambra Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33305 (954) 764-3500 Hours: (Mon-Sun) 11:30 am-11 pm This isn't your typical restaurant layout. Casablanca actually looks like a big house where you and your loved one are welcomed guests any night of the week. But when you want something special, enjoy one of the tables on the terrace or inside as well they are equally romantic. I recommend you try any of the chef's suggestions you will not be disappointed. The same successful team that created Yesterday's made another winner with the creation of Casablanca Café.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $25 - $35
Holiday Schedule: Open for all holidays
CAP'S PLACE ISLAND 2765 NE 28th Court (Cap's Dock), Lighthouse Point, FL 33064 (954) 941-0418 Hours: (Mon-Sun) from 5:30 pm So how would you like to take your love one on a cruise this year? OK so maybe there is no time, but you can at least enjoy a boat ride to one of the neatest places in South Florida, Cap's Place. Park your car and hop aboard Cap's own boat that glides along a waterway adorned with some very beautiful homes. When you dock at Cap's place you feel as if you have landed on a Caribbean Island and this is a hideaway just for the two of you. Seafood and more Seafood is the favorite at Cap's place, your waiter will recommend a variety of chef's specials or relax and check out the menu, it's great! The atmosphere is "hideaway" and when you check out some of the vintage photographs on the wall and some of the notables who have dropped into Cap's you realize that at one time this may have truly been a place known only to a favored few.
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $30 - $40
Holiday Schedule: Open for all holidays
ANTHONY'S RUNWAY 84 330 State Road 84, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33315 (954) 467-8484 Hours: (Mon) Closed; (Tues-Thur & Sun) 12 am-10 pm; (Fri & Sat) till 11 pm Roll up to the terminal at Anthony's Runway 84 (No, it's not on an actual runway, but it is on State Road 84 and just about 1/2 mile from the airport, hence the name). This is ITALIANO and lots of it! My suggestion is to sit in the bar area to enjoy your dinner. Fashioned like the cabin of a sleek airliner this place is just romantically cool. Of course what would be Italian without some Frank or Dean playing on your overhead speakers, and you'll want to reach for the Oxygen mask when you see the portions, they are generous! My favorites are the spicy chicken or pasta dishes - they are out of this world! Sip some Chianti, listen to the tunes and take off with your love to wherever you want to go at Anthony's Runway 84!
Estimated cost per person for dinner = $35 - $45
Holiday Schedule: New Years Day-Closed, Valentines Day-Open, Easter-Open, Thanksgiving-Closed, Christmas Eve-Open, Christmas Day-Closed, New Years Eve-Open
As always, when writing any of these "top ten" lists of eateries, it is only a suggestion as to some of my favorites. Whether dining at any of these restaurants or having a quiet evening at home, I wish you nothing but love and happiness!
Until next time, Salute!
Estimated cost per person for dinner is based upon one entrée, one beverage, and 20% gratuity.
The Top List of Romantic Restaurants - Fort Lauderdale, FL