Greater Fort Lauderdale, Florida: Dining, Shopping and Nightlife

From breakfast to late night, there’s plenty to excite your palate in the Greater Fort Lauderdale area. Embrace vacation mode and sleep in before refueling with brunch and a local craft beer at gastropub Tap 42 or a satisfying plate of comfort cuisine (think doughnut holes with cereal milk) at Foxy Brown. Later in the day, tour global fare at spots like Alexsandra’s Caribbean Restaurant, known for its Jamaican specialties. Or, head to the waterfront for a romantic date at home-turned-cozy Mediterranean bistro Casablanca Café or a sunset meal at Beach House Pompano (don’t miss the view from the upstairs bar).

Relax with drinks at some of the area’s favorite watering holes. Beer lovers can get into local culture with a range of options at breweries and taprooms. Enjoy a sour or wheat beer at Tarpon River Brewing, sip a Floridian Hefeweizen at Funky Buddha Brewery, or indulge in traditional European lagers at Khoffner Brewery, the area’s oldest craft brewery. Fancy a glass of wine instead? Order a cheese plate and some pairings at Vinos on Las Olas, listen to live music at 33rd Street Wine Bar, or go retro while enjoying boutique wines at Modern Sixties Wine Lounge.

Greater Fort Lauderdale is home to some of the world’s best shopping. Stroll Las Olas Boulevard, known as Fort Lauderdale’s “style mile,” for independent boutiques, sidewalk cafes and lounges. Tour the world’s largest discount and entertainment mall, Sawgrass Mills, which has more than 220,000 square meters of retail space. For more upscale shopping, head to The Galleria, which is packed with high-end stores and restaurants.

Here’s another reason to sleep in: You’ll want to stay up late to catch Greater Fort Lauderdale’s energetic nightlife scene. If dancing’s your thing, enjoy a craft cocktail while bopping to the DJ’s beat at Stache Drinking Den, feel like a VIP at Club Euro, or get in on the never-ending outdoor party at America’s Backyard. Hollywood’s Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino also features an ever-changing lineup of live music, comedy and special events at its venues, clubs and bars.

What better way to unwind than to clear your mind with some music on the beach. Each April, the Tortuga Music Festival brings three days of country music (with an ocean conservation mission) to Greater Fort Lauderdale. At the end of the year, head to the Riptide Music Festival for three days of classic rock and the latest hits. For year-round music, check out a concert at Revolution Live or get up close to the bands at standing room-only Culture Room.

In Greater Fort Lauderdale, you’re never far from the water. The area boasts 37 kilometers of beaches as well as a 265-kilometer network of canals that’s part of the Intracoastal Waterway. At the beach, take a pause for sunrise yoga or stand-up paddleboarding, or get your heart rate pumping with parasailing, diving and walk-in coral reef snorkeling. See the area from on the water by catching a ride on the Water Taxi or chartering a sailboat or powerboat.

Fly directly into Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), and rent a car or hail a ride to take you to your hotel.