South Florida restaurants: Now open, coming soon and closed
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Now open
Patrizia’s, Fort Lauderdale
This family-owned Italian restaurant opened in the space that formerly housed Jackson’s Prime steakhouse. This will be the first location outside of the New York area. 3300 NE 32nd St. in Fort Lauderdale; Patrizias.com
Quore Gelato, Hollywood
Touting flavors like ricotta fig and Cognac and dulce de leche and tequila, this boozy scoop shop on the ground floor of the Costa Hollywood Beach Resort hotel blends high-end gelato with premium spirits such as Hennessy, Glenmorangie, Grey Goose and Moet & Chandon champagne. 777 N. Ocean Drive, #701, Hollywood; QuoreGelato.com
Crema Gourmet Espresso Bar, Davie
Crema, located at Tower Shops, is a “sophisticated breakfast place” with lunch and dinner options, a brunch menu on the way, breads and desserts, and an extensive menu of coffees, teas and juices. There is covered seating on a tree-lined patio that wraps around the side of the building. 2256 S University Drive, Davie; 954-514-7394, cremagourmet.com
Cuba Libre Restaurant and Rum Bar, Fort Lauderdale
This is the fifth nationwide location from co-owners Barry Gutin and James Beard Award-winning chef Guillermo Pernot, executing modern twists on traditional Cuban dishes. 800 E. Las Olas Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 954-314-6500, CubaLibreRestaurant.com
Jeremiah’s Italian Ice, Cooper City
For lovers of sweets who are indecisive, the eatery offers 40 different flavors of Italian ice including lemon basil, mango or Bahama freeze. You can also get a combo of Italian ice swirled into homemade soft ice cream. The location opened on April 1 at the new Cooper Square strip mall across from Cooper City High School. 9630 Stirling Rd., Cooper City; jeremiahsice.com
Rio Minas Brazilian Steakhouse, Fort Lauderdale
Chef-owner Oswaldo Neto, formerly of Pittsburgh’s Green Forest Brazilian Restaurant, brings this steakhouse to 17th Street with sandwiches, salads and all-you-can-eat Brazilian picanha. 1515 SE 17th St., Suite 103, Fort Lauderdale; 754-701-0236, RioMinasSteakhouse.com
Barrio, West Palm Beach
Originally named Barrio Sangria Bar, this downtown tapas-and-drinks bar from Big Time Restaurant Group (Rocco’s Tacos, Elizabetta’s) features charcuterie boards, a range of sangrias, wines from Spain and South America, and bites ranging from chorizo flatbreads to conch fritter bocaditos. 700 S. Rosemary Ave., second level; 561-366-0071, BarrioWPB.com
Legends Tavern and Grille, Plantation
The neighborhood gastropub opened its fifth Broward County location at the former World of Beer site. The menu offers Legends’ Creamy Brie & Bacon Burger, Tuscan Chicken Cutlet Sandwich, Falafel Wrap, and signature $4 Legendary Margaritas. Outdoor seating is available and dogs are welcome. 1387 S University Drive, Plantation; 954-652-1162, legendstavernandgrille.com.
Tap 42 Craft Kitchen & Bar, Davie
This is the eighth location in the chain of attractive dining-and-drinking establishments that debuted nearly a decade ago in downtown Fort Lauderdale. The space formerly occupied by Mash’d restaurant is located inside the Tower Shops Center. 951 S. University Drive, Davie; Tap42.com
Victor’s Indian Palace, Delray Beach
You can dig into some authentic Indian favorites at this family owned eatery that use to be known as Saffron and Curry. The name has changed but the menu still offers traditional cuisine including cheese pakora, mulligatawny soup, a variety of naan breads, chicken tandoori and lamb or goat vindaloo. 2222 West Atlantic Ave, Delray Beach; victorsindianpalace.com/
L-Dub Subs, Lake Worth Beach
A sub shop that promises to highlight the quirkiness of Lake Worth Beach, according to the husband and wife owners. Customers can order specialty subs or have their sandwiches custom made with locally sourced ingredients. 16 South J St.; facebook.com/ldub.subs
Munchie’s Pizza Barcade, Fort Lauderdale
This new downtown Fort Lauderdale pizzeria and sports bar inside the former Tarpon Bend space touts arcade games, 1980s-themed cocktails and creatively topped pies (such as pastelito pizza with cheesecake mousse and guava jam) fired with 24-hour fermented 00 Italian flour. 200 SW Second St., Fort Lauderdale; 954-395-8410, MunchiesPizzaBarcade.com.
Morelia Gourmet Paletas, Boca Raton
The gourmet Mexican popsicle shop is based in Miami with nine locations around South Florida. Mexican Paletas are hand-made with fruits or rich creamy ingredients, dipped and topped. Royal Palm Palace, 125 Via Naranjas #45A; paletasmorelia.com.
Coming soon
Planta, West Palm Beach
This upscale mini-chain from acclaimed chef David Lee and restaurateur Steven Salm will open its seventh location this month inside Rosemary Square in downtown West Palm Beach. The 200-seat restaurant will showcase (naturally) plant-based dishes such as coconut ceviche, Kelp Caesar, eggplant lasagna and pizza. 700 S. Rosemary Ave., Suite 142, West Palm Beach; PlantaRestaurants.com
Divieto, Coral Springs
Italian for “prohibition,” Divieto aims to takes diners back to the roaring ’20s in a new 5,907 square foot space expected to open at the end of the year. This is the restaurant’s fourth Florida location serving scratch-made Italian dishes, thin crust pizzas and era-inspired cocktails. 2729 N. University Drive; divietoristorante.com
Mystic Lobster Rolls, Boca Raton
A beachside eatery boasting whole Maine lobster rolls with no fillers. The restaurant, founded in New Jersey, is also bringing its lobster bisque and lobster mac-n-cheese down to South Florida. Owners say doors will open in April or May. 771 E Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton; mysticlobsterrolls.com
Sushi Garage, Fort Lauderdale
Replacing the former Etaru space when it opens mid-April on Las Olas Boulevard, this Japanese-sushi restaurant outpost comes from partners Jonas and Alexandra Millán (Juvia) and chef-partner Sunny Oh (Nobu), who operate Sushi Garage’s Miami Beach flagship. The menu, under corporate chef Kaoru Chang, will feature hot and cold appetizers, and entrees such as miso maple seabass and sliced tenderloin teriyaki. 500 E. Las Olas, Suite 100, Fort Lauderdale; SushiGarage.com
Kraft Bistro Deli, Oakland Park
This bistro and deli from first-time restaurateur Paul Hugo, opening this summer, replaces the former Brown Dog Eatery that closed last July. 2701 E. Oakland Park Blvd.
Sushi By Bou Beach Club, Pompano Beach
Sushi By Bou Beach Club, an omakase-style restaurant from sushi master David Bouhadana, will open in April at the the Marriott Residence Inn Pompano Beach. Other locations in New York, New Jersey, Chicago and Miami Beach, but this one will have a beachy vibe. 1350 Ocean Blvd. in Pompano Beach; sushibybou.com
Grampa’s Bagel Bakery Deli Café, Dania Beach
New York bagel-shop veterans Mark Fried (Bagel Boys Café) and Marc Goldberg (Goldberg’s Famous Bagels) plan to rebrand this 64-year-old bakery – closed since the beginning of the pandemic – as a New York-style deli serving New York water bagels, rugelach, housemade corned-beef brisket and other diner classics. Opening mid April. 17 SW First Ave., Dania Beach; facebook.com/Grampasbagelbakery01
Delray Beach Market
When it opens April 24, this will be Florida’s largest food hall, with 27 vendors. At four stories with 150,000 square feet of vendor spaces and entertainment/demonstration areas, it will be capable of handling 2,000 visitors a day. 33 SE Third Ave., DelrayBeachMarket.com.
Warren, Delray Beach
From Damn Good Hospitality CEO Jeff John, Warren will feature “American bistro with a world flair,” under the direction of Chef Jared Case, as well as more than 1,000 bottles of hard-to-find scotch and bourbon. 15084 Lyons Road, Delray Beach; WarrenDelray.com
Closed
Eddie’s Thai, Cooper City
A loyal following could not save Eddie Watana’s upscale Thai restaurant, the offspring of his family’s Sukhothai in Fort Lauderdale. He said a bankruptcy filing pre-COVID nearly ended his restaurant but the pandemic was the “final nail in the coffin.” 2571 N. Hiatus Road, Cooper City.
Franco & Vinny’s, Fort Lauderdale
This iconic Italian restaurant nicknamed the Pizza Shack, open since 1971 near Fort Lauderdale Beach, will permanently close sometime in April, prompted by owner Vincenzo Esposito’s decision to retire at age 79. 2884 E. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 954-564-9522, FrancoandVinnys.com
Doc’s All-American, Delray Beach
An iconic joint open since 1951 known for hamburgers, milkshakes and footlong hot dogs, Doc’s abruptly closed in late January. The restaurant had been in disrepair for years as its owner sought ways to sell the property. Developers say they plan to preserve and reopen Doc’s by seeking historic-designation status. 10 N. Swinton Ave.
Jimmie’s Chocolates, Dania Beach
The iconic chocolatier and old-fashioned cafe that has served up delicious confections since 1947 has permanently closed and its owners have put the business and land up for sale. Owners are searching for new ownership to update and run the aging confectionery. 148 N. Federal Highway.
Mai-Kai, Oakland Park
A flood and ceiling collapse has closed the 64-year-old restaurant known for it’s Polynesian style meals and entertainment. Owners are looking for investors to rebuild the kitchen in hopes of reopening. 3599 N. Federal Highway, Oakland Park; maikai.com
