Fort Lauderdale isn’t just a city of beaches, bars, and boats; it’s also a city with a rich history, and nowhere is that more evident than in its restaurants. Across Broward County, tucked alongside streets, waterways, and boulevards, you’ll find old-school institutions that have been serving South Floridians for decades, like the great Anthony’s Runway 84. These aren’t just places to eat; they’re living landmarks, each with stories that trace back to the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s, when Fort Lauderdale was still finding its identity as a growing city by the sea.
From the rustic, rum-running hideaway of Cap’s Place, founded in 1928, and the steakhouse traditions of Tropical Acres Steakhouse, founded in 1949, to the neon glow of Lester’s Diner, founded in 1967, and the garlic-crab feasts at Rustic Inn Crabhouse, founded in 1955, these restaurants have withstood fires, hurricanes, and massive waves of development. Yet they continue to thrive, beloved by generations of locals who return again and again for familiar dishes and a taste of nostalgia. They are the places where families have celebrated milestones, where visitors have been introduced to Fort Lauderdale’s character, and where time seems to slow down just enough for you to feel the history in the walls.
On August 1, New Times went searching for these legends — the restaurants that locals still call their favorites after decades of dining. We turned to Facebook groups like Let’s Eat, South Florida, and Foodies Who Review South Florida, and the response was overwhelming: more than 1,000 comments from people eager to share their most beloved old-school restaurants. What we found is that these old-school restaurants aren’t just surviving in a city that’s constantly changing, but they’re defining it, giving Fort Lauderdale and Broward a unique flavor that no glossy newcomer could ever replicate. Below, in alphabetical order, explore the fascinating history of 14 of these historically significant Fort Lauderdale-area restaurants.
The Ambry – Opened in 1981
3016 E. Commercial Blvd., Fort Lauderdale…