11 Best Italian Restaurants in Fort Lauderdale
Anthony’s Runway 84 photo
It only makes sense that Fort Lauderdale, famously nicknamed the “Venice of America,” would have a wonderful Italian restaurant scene to match its great seafood and romantic energy. (Check out the most romantic restaurants in Fort Lauderdale.) From white-tablecloth supper clubs and Sinatra-era throwbacks to buzzy newcomers spinning fresh takes on pasta, the city’s Italian spots are as delicious as a perfect lasagna. Las Olas may get much of the spotlight, but some of the most memorable bites are tucked into Flagler Village, along the beach, and in neighborhood favorites that locals swear by.
In this guide, we dive into the 11 best Italian restaurants in Fort Lauderdale, spanning old-school institutions and modern standouts alike. From martini-soaked supper clubs and family-run trattorias to inventive kitchens redefining classics, these are the places that consistently deliver on flavor, atmosphere, and heart. Consider this your go-to list for exceptional pasta, unforgettable date nights, and Italian meals worth lingering over. Buon appetito!
Anthony’s Runway 84 photo
Anthony’s Runway 84
Anthony’s Runway 84 is Fort Lauderdale Italian royalty, a legendary supper club that’s been serving martinis, jazz vibes, and crowd-pleasing pasta since 1982. After its glow-up, the room feels like a glamorous throwback fantasy, dim lights, live music, plush booths, and the unmistakable energy of a place where milestones are meant to be celebrated (just dress the part). Come for the vibes, stay for the chicken vodka parmigiana, tableside Caesar, and the kind of pasta, steak, and seafood that’s kept this spot iconic for more than four decades. 330 W. State Rd. 84, Fort Lauderdale; 954-467-8484; runway84.com.
Café Martorano
Café Martorano isn’t just one of Fort Lauderdale’s best Italian spots; it’s a full sensory experience where candlelight flickers, Sinatra croons, and the room hums with love and energy. Steve Martorano’s South Philly soul shows up in every bite, from the legendary meatball salad crowned with ricotta to gravy so rich it practically hugs the pasta. On weekend nights, when DJ beats pulse through the room, and regulars are welcomed like family, dinner turns into romance, celebration, and pure Italian-American joy all at once.3343 E. Oakland Park Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 954-561-2554; cafemartorano.com.
Casa D’Angelo
Adding to Casa D’Angelo’s charm is its unassuming strip-mall location, which gives way to a beyond-elegant dining room where Chef Angelo Elia often makes a warm appearance to greet guests. The menu balances tradition and creativity, from classics like housemade fusilli made from the chef’s mother’s recipe to standout dishes such as a 16-ounce veal chop finished in a rich wild mushroom Marsala. Polished service, authentic flavors, and thoughtful touches throughout make Casa D’Angelo an icon in Fort Lauderdale and a go-to for truly special occasions. 1201 N. Federal Hwy., Fort Lauderdale; 954-564-1234; casa-d-angelo.com.
Dal Contadino Trattoria is one of the best Italian spots.
Dal Contadino Trattoria photo
Dal Contadino Trattoria
A comparative hidden gem to many of its best Italian counterparts, this cozy Oakland Park Boulevard spot thrives with regular live jams and a killer happy hour. Daily from 4 to 6 p.m., there are $2 plates, an array of plates in the $6-8 range, and select wine running $6 a glass. Bargain prices don’t equate to a reduced experience on the taste front either – dabble in its slow-braised short rib with a gnocchi accompaniment, and you’ll get it. 2775 E. Oakland Park Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 954-900-2714; contadinotrattoria.com.
Etna Rosso in Fort Lauderdale
The Etna Rosso
Equally as tantalizing as its red roof and white-curtain front façade is what you’ll find inside. Southern Italian and Sicilian are front and center, with the puttanesca being a must-try – spaghetti layered in capers, olives, red onions, tomato sauce, and a dash of pecorino cheese. Its dining room is intimate, perfect for a hush-hush business dinner or date night with your boo. 3354 N. Ocean Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 954-530-7910; theetnarosso.com.
Heritage in Flagler Village wows well beyond its pizza.
Heritage
Flagler Village is on this coveted list thanks to Heritage. This hip spot, which opened in March 2020 and persevered thanks to wow-worthy dishes aplenty. Its pizzas get a lot of love (dear God, that Wagyu meatball concoction, y’all), but its pasta dishes dazzle equally as much. The spicy alla vodka rivals Miami’s Carbone, and that rigatoni pancetta piselli with sage brown butter is a chef’s kiss. 903 NE Fifth Ave., Fort Lauderdale; 954-635-2335; heritageftl.com.
Il Mulino is one of the best Italian restaurants in Fort Lauderdale.
Il Mulino Fort Lauderdale photo
Il Mulino
Although this spot is located at a wildly busy intersection (Sunrise Boulevard and Federal Highway), Il Mulino remains an Italian cuisine haven for locals and visitors alike. This family-owned destination has been a mainstay for nearly four decades for those living in Fort Lauderdale, and New Times can attribute its success to its ever-friendly staff, weekly specials, and its dreamy, buttery, garlic-heaped garlic knots. The restaurant also has a great catering menu. 1800 E. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 954-524-1800; ilmulinofl.com.
La Dolce Vita
La Dolce Vita is a hidden gem in the heart of Fort Lauderdale’s historic arts district, where classic Italian cooking meets a warm, intimate vibe. Everything here is made with intention, from fresh, house-made pasta to top-tier meats, seafood, and vegetables, with absolutely nothing frozen and bread baked fresh daily. It’s the kind of place where you can truly taste the care in every bite, making dinner feel both special and comfortingly authentic. 3331 NE 33rd St, Fort Lauderdale; 954-565-5707; ladolcevitaftl.com.
La Fuga is one of the best Italian restaurants in Fort Lauderdale.
La Fuga
The Kimpton Shorebreak Hotel on Fort Lauderdale Beach wows from top to bottom. Its rooftop bar, Escape Rooftop, has one of the best views of the skyline in town, and La Fuga, its ground-floor Italian restaurant, absolutely rocks. La Fuga is the creation of Michael Mayer, whose culinary talents have shone in Vail, Austin, and other major cities. Beyond the restaurant’s poolside and midcentury vibe, its housemade limoncello and risotto cacio e pepe with an oxtail topper are divine. 2900 Riomar St., Fort Lauderdale; 954-908-7308; lafugarestaurant.com.
Serafina is one of the best Italian restaurants in Fort Lauderdale.
Serafina Italian Restaurant photo
Serafina Italian Restaurant & Waterfront Bistro
Very much a romantic neighborhood favorite with riverside tables, this trattoria is an excellent experience from start to finish. Many are fooled by its quaint entrance, but it opens onto waterside Italian bliss within mere steps. The family-owned spot has roots in Northern Italy, but its menu is a true, broad Italian masterpiece. Longtime favorites include the spinach, prosciutto, and fontina cheese-stuffed chicken breast and the freshest of pasta dishes spanning from simple angel hair to rustic pappardelle. 926 NE 20th Ave., Fort Lauderdale; 954-463-2566; serabythewater.com.
Vitolo is one of the best Italian restaurants in Fort Lauderdale.
Vitolo
It’s easy to overpay for generic Italian on the beach, but then there’s Vitolo, bursting with flavor all around, from its glammed supper club ambiance to primo dishes. When hunger truly beckons, its chicken parmigiana and center-cut veal chop will serve two-plus equally. Pro tip and for a bargain: There’s a daily happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m. with aperitivos in the $10 to $14 range and select cocktails – like a prickly pear-dashed margarita – for $10. 551 N. Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 954-414-5127; vitoloitalian.com.
