Las Olas and Riverwalk Dining Guide
Sidewalk tables on the boulevard, riverside patios downtown and ocean views at the beach.
Most of the neighborhood's restaurants are on three stretches: the shopping blocks of East Las Olas, where almost every place has outdoor seating; the downtown end of the boulevard near the river and the arts district, popular before shows and after work; and the beach, where hotel restaurants and old beach bars face the ocean across A1A. Seafood, Italian food and steakhouses dominate, with Latin American kitchens and casual cafes filling the gaps.
Weekend evenings in the winter season are busy, especially on art fair weekends and when there is a show at the Broward Center. Book the dinner places ahead, or eat early. Lunch and weekday dinners are much easier, and many of the boulevard's restaurants have happy hours at the bar.
East Las Olas Shopping Blocks
The busiest dining stretch, with sidewalk tables from Federal Highway toward the Intracoastal.
A big, lively Italian restaurant known for house-made pasta, Neapolitan-style pizza and a garden courtyard out back.
A loud, popular spot for tableside guacamole, tacos and a long list of tequilas.
Florida stone crab in season, prime steaks and a sushi bar led by a veteran sushi chef.
An Argentine grill for steaks, parrillada platters and empanadas.
A large, polished bar and restaurant with a broad menu of steaks, bowls and seafood and a busy patio.
A European-style cafe for coffee, pastries, light meals and people-watching from the sidewalk.
Wine country cooking with dozens of wines poured on tap, plus pizzas and shared plates.
A casual Italian trattoria and bakery for breads, panini and pasta.
A sports-friendly bar and restaurant with a large patio, shareable plates and weekend brunch.
A long-running neighborhood diner known for big breakfasts served at any time of day.
Downtown and the Riverwalk End
Restaurants on the west end of the boulevard, close to the river, the museums and the Broward Center.
A stylish downtown restaurant and lounge with an outdoor patio, popular for happy hour and pre-theater dinners.
A modern Italian restaurant with handmade pasta and classic veal and chicken dishes, a long-time downtown favorite.
An upscale seafood restaurant for whole fish, lobster and a raw bar.
The Riverside Hotel's raw bar and grill, with oysters, seafood specialties, steaks and sidewalk seating.
The Las Olas Isles and the Beach
From the islands to the ocean at A1A, with water views on most tables.
A churrascaria where servers carve skewered meats at the table, with a large salad bar.
A casual waterside restaurant on the Intracoastal just south of Las Olas, known for seafood and dockside tables.
A Fort Lauderdale Beach bar since 1938, with live music and an upstairs view of the ocean.
Sun, Surf and Sand: an oceanfront restaurant with shared plates, sushi and a big bar facing the beach.
An oceanfront steakhouse in the W hotel, with prime steaks, seafood and a raw bar.
A Prohibition-themed seafood restaurant with rum cocktails and an oceanfront terrace.
An oceanfront restaurant a short walk north of Las Olas, with outdoor tables facing the beach and a varied menu.
Restaurants change hours, menus and ownership often — check with the restaurant before you go. Listings are editorial picks, not paid placements.
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Get free trip quotes »Las Olas and the Riverwalk Dining — FAQ
Which part of Las Olas has the most restaurants?
East Las Olas Boulevard between Federal Highway and the Intracoastal Waterway has the densest concentration, almost all with sidewalk seating. Downtown near the river has a smaller group popular before Broward Center shows.
Do I need reservations on Las Olas?
For dinner on winter and spring weekends, and on art fair or show nights, yes. Weeknights and lunch are usually easy to walk in, and bar seating often opens up without a booking.
Are there restaurants on the water near Las Olas?
Yes. Coconuts sits on the Intracoastal, several downtown places are steps from the New River, and the hotel restaurants at the beach end of Las Olas face the ocean across A1A.