South Florida restaurants: Now open, coming soon and closed
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Now Open
Proper Ice Cream, Boca Raton
Hoping to bring a “foodie” experience to a dessert crowd, scratch-made ice cream is churning here with flavors including blueberry muffin, caramelized fig and chocolate covered honeycomb. Plant-based options include Golden milk, peanut butter, and deep chocolate cookies and cream. Sorbet is also available along with freshly made pastries. 5560 North Military Trail, Unit 312, propericecream.com.
Batch, the Cookie Company, Plantation
This Flagler Village-spawned gourmet cookie shop and milk bar will now cater to late-night cookie cravings in Plantation, where its second location opened in mid June. The confection shop, which comes from Fort Lauderdale pastry chef Max Santiago and business partners Adam August and Nick Hicks, dishes cookie flavors such as iced oatmeal, molten chocolate lava, peanut-butter chocolate chunk and the all-vegan, gluten-free blueberry-lemon swirl. 801 S. University Drive, Suite G-101, Plantation; 954-533-8200, BatchCookieCo.com
New York Diner of Fort Lauderdale
The old Andrews Diner has new owners, a new name and a new location on Cypress Creek Road in the former home of Duffy’s Diner. 925 NE 62nd St.
RGS Brazilian Steakhouse, Pompano Beach
This all-you-can-eat Brazilian eatery replaces the former Burgers & Suds location on McNab Road. Gauchos (carvers) will serve cuts of beef, pork, chicken, lamb and Brazilian sausage straight from the grill. There is also a buffet of salads and hot items. 360 E. Mcnab Road; 954-889-4669, rgssteakhouse.com
Jeremiah’s Italian Ice, Boca Raton
The Orlando-based frozen treats shop has opened another location in South Florida. Each location offers over 40 flavors of Italian ice that can be combined to find your favorite. Their Jeremiah’s Gelati features layers of Italian Ice swirled with thick, homemade Soft Ice Cream. 8170 Glades Road, Suite K2, Boca Raton; jeremiahsfranchise.com
Läderach - chocolatier suisse, Fort Lauderdale
The largest Swiss chocolate retailer has opened at The Galleria mall in Fort Lauderdale. Each store offers 85 or more varieties of artisanal chocolate directly from Switzerland. The company is taking over several Godiva stores across the country. 2414 E. Sunrise Blvd., us.laderach.com
Kurafuto, West Palm Beach
Clematis Street’s new addition brings Asian-inspired small plates and craft cocktails with a sultry, modern vibe. 340 Clematis St., @kurafutorestaurant
Toasted Bagelry & Deli, Fort Lauderdale
The short-lived Greek-style diner formerly known as “Toast” closed last winter after owner Gus Halmoukos died. Now Toast has become Toasted Bagelry & Deli, a Miami-born mini-franchise with locations in Brickell and Coral Gables. There’s little else in common beyond the name: Toasted is a breakfast-lunch bagel shop serving breakfast sandwiches, deli sandwiches, paninis and salads. A fourth location will also debut in Midtown later this year. 3020 N. Federal Highway, Suite 1, Fort Lauderdale; 954-533-2420, ToastedBagelry.com
Guacamole Station, Dania Beach
Tacos and guacamole are replacing the ice cream, hot dogs and poutine once served at the former Dairy Belle location on Federal Highway. Barbacoa, carne asada and pastor de pollo (chicken) are some of the taco selections at the location that makes their tortillas in house. Mexican bottled soda is available. 118 N Federal Highway, Dania Beach; 954-544-2259
Nomad@Sean Rush, West Palm Beach
Palm Beach interior designer Sean Rush has transformed his Dixie Highway art studio into a global wine bar-slash-art gallery, which features boutique vintages from family-owned wineries by the bottle and glass, wine-and-chocolate flights, aged cheeses, bespoke charcuterie boards and a small-bites menu of ricotta crostinis, burrata salads and lamb fritters. 3700 S. Dixie Highway, West Palm Beach; 561-621-3700, Nomad.SeanRush.com.
Kraft Bistro Deli, Fort Lauderdale
This bistro and deli has opened in the former location of Brown Dog Eatery with a menu of deli sandwiches and smoked meats, as well as bistro fare like seafood pasta, steak Diane and shrimp and grits. 2701 E. Oakland Park Blvd.; 954-669-1000, kraftbistrodeli.com/
SeaSpray Inlet Grill, Boca Raton
The SeaSpray Inlet Grill at Waterstone Resort & Marina is the only dock-and-dine waterfront restaurant in Boca Raton that isn’t a private club. The menu offers fresh seafood and Florida fare. 999 E. Camino Real, 561-368-9500, SeaSprayBoca.com or WaterstoneBoca.com.
Hamburger Mary’s, Wilton Manors
This drag-themed restaurant known for over-the-top hamburgers, hand-cut fries and queens who perform and mingle with the crowd, has opened on Wilton Drive, replacing the space formerly occupied by Rumors Bar & Grill. 2426 Wilton Drive; HamburgerMarys.com
Rocco’s Tacos, Palm Beach Gardens
Brisket nachos and birria tacos are just part of what’s new at the Mexican eatery recently reopened and renovated during the pandemic. New cocktails with vegan options will also bring some changes to the beverage menu at the 4500 square foot location that hosts Happy Hour, Late Night Happy Hour, Mezcal Mondays, Taco & Tequila Tuesdays and Saturday and Sunday bottomless brunch. 5090 PGA Boulevard; roccostacos.com
The Great Greek Mediterranean Grill, West Palm Beach
A fast-casual Mediterranean food concept continues to expand down to South Florida. Traditional options including gyros, lamb, steak, and chicken souvlaki platters are made in-house and can be served with feta fries. Four signature house-made dips include: hummus, tzatziki, melitzanosalata and tirokafteri (spicy roasted red pepper). 7038 Okeechobee Blvd., TheGreatGreekGrillFranchise.com
R Bistro, Hallandale Beach
This Mediterranean grill and tapas bar near the Intracoastal featuring belly dancing, flamenco and caviar nights, flaming kebabs and paella, debuted with a grand-opening party on June 7. 2500 E. Hallandale Beach Blvd., Hallandale Beach; 954-399-9241, RBistroFL.com
Fish ‘N Bubbles Seafood & Grill, Fort Lauderdale
This seafood- and wine-focused restaurant, which replaces the short-lived Da Livio Ristorante Italiano, comes from Filomeno and Kremena Giannino, who also own EaTapas and Dal Contadino Trattoria in Fort Lauderdale. 2822 E. Commercial Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 954-999-0612, Fish-N-Bubbles.Business.Site
Cafe Vico, Fort Lauderdale
After a quick coat of paint and switching out a few photos, the high-end Italian restaurant’s second location is now open in the former home of Nick’s Italian Restaurant on the Galt Ocean Mile. The original Vico on North Federal Highway remains open. 3496 N. Ocean Blvd., cafevicorestaurant.com
Pink Donuts & More, Oakland Park
Lemon pie and dulce de leche merengue topped doughnuts, and Nutella stuffed monkey bread are a few of the options at this bakery. The family owned business also serves empanadas and assorted, cream-filled croissants. Locally roasted coffee is also available along with vegan and health conscious baked items. 827 E. Oakland Park Blvd., thepinkdonuts.com
Warren, Delray Beach
From Damn Good Hospitality CEO Jeff John, Warren is an “American bistro with a world flair,” under the direction of Chef Jen Knox. But whiskey may be the star, with more than 1,000 bottles of hard-to-find scotch and bourbon. 15084 Lyons Road, Delray Beach; WarrenDelray.com
Mystic Lobster Rolls, Boca Raton
A beachside eatery boasting whole Maine lobster rolls with no fillers. The restaurant, founded in New Jersey, brings its well-known lobster bisque and lobster mac-n-cheese down to South Florida. 771 E Palmetto Park Road, Boca Raton; mysticlobsterrolls.com
Foxy Brown, Fort Lauderdale
The intimate and unassuming downtown Fort Lauderdale favorite from Be Nice Restaurants group has moved to a new location, the former Good Spirits space. It has more parking, a bigger bar and larger outdoor patio. The popular weekend brunch continues. 476 N. Federal Highway; 754-200-4236, MyFoxyBrown.com
Coming soon
Lickie Stickie BBQ, Sunrise
Pitmaster Juliette Johnson’s popular Southern Caribbean food stand — and sellout brisket— is restaurant-bound. After setting up at farmers’ markets around Broward County every weekend for 7 years, Chef Juliette says she’s ready to offer her popular items all week long including: spare ribs, salmon, chicken, cheesy grits, collard greens and her homemade jerk and barbecue sauce. Her catering services will also continue. lickiestickiebbq.com; 954-638-2324
Batch New Southern Kitchen and Tap, Fort Lauderdale
Flagler Village will be home to a second location, after West Palm Beach, of the restaurant serving Southern favorites, craft cocktails and an “epic brunch party.” The 5,500 square-foot restaurant with an outdoor patio will open in the former location of Mellow Mushroom. The locally sourced farm-to-table, comfort food menu includes slow-smoked burnt ends, shrimp n’ grits and a BBQ jackfruit “pulled pork” sandwich. An extensive whiskey menu and garden-to-glass cocktails are also planned for the restaurant expected to open in fall 2021. 525 N Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale, batchsouthernkitchen.com
Eat District, Boca Raton
Build your own bowl with a mix of flavors across Asia. Bases include yellow turmeric rice and pad Thai noodles, topped with a choice of seasonal roasted vegetables. Protein options include Thai coconut chicken satay, Korean steak bulgogi, Vietnamese pork chop and sesame organic tofu. Asian teas are also available at the location opening at the Fifth Avenue Shops. 1914 NE Fifth Ave, eatdistricts.com.
P.F. Chang’s To Go, Boynton Beach
The chain’s only “to go” location in Palm Beach County will offer Asian style cuisine including wok-fired meals and dim-sum available for delivery, takeout or curbside pickup at their Compson Place at Renaissance Commons location. 1880 N. Congress Avenue, pfchangs.com.
Sabor Latino, Boynton Beach
A celebration of Latin American dishes from Mexico, Guatemala, Colombia, Cuba, Ecuador, Spain, Peru and Argentina, the restaurant is opening its third location in Palm Beach County. The 6,300 square foot space will be a new addition to Compson Place at Renaissance Commons. 1880 N. Congress Avenue, saborlatinorestaurants.com.
Marco’s Top Burgers, Pompano Beach
Marco and Ana Paula’s sandwich food truck has graduated into its first storefront in Pompano Beach’s Whispering Lakes office park, taking over the space once occupied by Cuban restaurant It’s a Cubano B. The restaurant, opening in early fall, specializes in Brazilian-style Angus burgers topped with old standards (bacon, sunny-side up eggs) but also catupiry (Brazilian soft cheese) and prato (a gouda-style cow’s milk cheese). 3350 NW 22nd Terrace, #400b, Pompano Beach; 561-562-3925, MarcosTopBurgers.com
Twin Peaks, Fort Lauderdale
Opening July 23, this mountain lodge-themed sports “breastaurant” chain will replace the former Walk-ons Bistreaux, which last year went bust in the pandemic. (The move effectively puts Twin Peaks next door to a direct competitor, Hooters.) The casual gastropub specializes in burgers, chicken wings and venison chili, along with beer-battered fish and chips, 13-ounce ribeyes and 29-degree beer. 6401 N. Andrews Ave., Fort Lauderdale; 954-741-3330, TwinPeaksRestaurant.com
Circle House Coffee, Oakland Park
The Flagler Village drive-thru coffeehouse owned by former NFL linebacker Stephen Tulloch will open a sister café on Oakland Park Boulevard this July. Along with Mojo Donut flavors, Circle House does CBD-infused coffee, breakfast sandwiches, empanadas, slushies, vegan cookies and guava cheesecake pie shakes. 119 W. Oakland Park Blvd., Oakland Park; 954-870-6456, CircleHouseCoffee.com
Buoy Bites, Fort Lauderdale
The first sister location of this Oakland Park roadside seafood shack will open sometime in August, taking over the space formerly occupied by Phat Boy Sushi & Kitchen. Buoy Bites features oysters on the half-shell, buckets of mussels and clams, crab cakes, fish-fry baskets, lobster clambakes and New England clam chowder. 4391 N. Federal Highway; 954-306-2775, BuoyBites.com.
True Food Kitchen, West Palm Beach
Co-founded by integrative medicine expert Dr. Andrew Weil, foods that boost your mood and overall health is this eatery’s vibe. A rotating menu of seasonally inspired dishes, handcrafted cocktails and fresh pressed juices will be available for lunch, dinner or weekend brunch starting July 30 at Rosemary Square. 700 S. Rosemary Ave., Suite 112, truefoodkitchen.com
Gallaghers Steakhouse of New York, Boca Raton
The longtime Manhattan staple is opening a second location in South Florida replacing Madison New York Bar and Grill. The steakhouse is slated to open within six to nine months after a renovation that will make the venue look similar to its flagship location. 2006 NW Executive Circle, gallaghersnysteakhouse.com
Bolay, Boca Raton
Florida build-your-own-bowl chain Bolay will open its third Boca Raton location (and 19th overall) inside the rising Uptown Boca shopping village on Thursday, July 8. The fast-casual restaurant lets customers create protein bowls (some vegan-friendly, gluten-free) with teriyaki-glazed chicken, miso-glazed tofu and a variety of veggies and sauces. 9560 Glades Road, Suite 130, Boca Raton; 561-409-8745, Bolay.com
Calaveras Cantina, Boca Raton
A shrimp and calamari diablo with red chili butter and spicy lobster crema will be an option on the Mizner Park restaurant’s opening menu. The eatery’s second location is south of its Jupiter flagship but will have the same Day of the Dead themed setting. Indoor and outdoor seating will be available. 409 Plaza Real; calaverascantinas.com.
French Quarter Seafood Bar & Grill, Hallandale Beach
This New Orleans-themed seafood house from owner Melissa William hasn’t posted its menu yet but will specialize in gumbo, crawfish, po’boy sandwiches, shrimp creole, blackened redfish and crab claws. 105 E. Hallandale Beach Blvd., Hallandale Beach; 954-367-6037
El Camino, West Palm Beach
The fiesta continues to West Palm Beach where the popular Mexican location will open its third location at Rosemary Square later this year. The 6,500 square foot restaurant will offer indoor and outdoor seating along with Mexican beers and handcrafted margaritas. The food is described as “Mexican soul food.” Other locations are in Fort Lauderdale and Delray Beach. 700 S Rosemary Ave.; elcaminowestpalmbeach.com
Fat Tap Beer Bar, Oakland Park
The Oakland Park Boulevard craft beer bar will move to a new, expanded home the first week of July in warehouses on North Dixie Highway. One building will house a craft-beer taproom and kitchen, and a 2,000-square-foot beer garden behind the warehouses will connect to Fat Tap’s brewhouse, a nanobrewery whose one-barrel system can pump out 31 gallons of suds per batch. 3553-3555 N. Dixie Highway, FatTapBeerBar.com.
Los Bocados, Boca Raton
Robby Bushman and Anthony Hoff’s former gas-station taqueria, which opened its first storefront in April in Parkland, is expanding again. Los Bocados’ second outpost, opening this July in a Boca Raton office park, will serve barbecue brisket tostadas and burritos. 980 N. Federal Highway, Boca Raton; 7031 N. State Road 7, Parkland; 954-637-4984, LosBocados.com
Pig Beach BBQ, West Palm Beach
The first Florida outpost of this Brooklyn barbecue icon will open in October and dish smoked brisket and baby back ribs, cheddar-jalapeno sausage and homemade coleslaw. Pig Beach’s brisket-and-short-rib smash burger also won the People’s Choice and Best Dressed awards at South Beach Wine and Food Festival’s Burger Bash. 2400 S. Dixie Highway; PigBeachNYC.com
No Man’s Land, Fort Lauderdale
Restaurateur Memphis Garrett will turn his fast-casual Poke House into a ghost kitchen and convert the space into a No Man’s Land, a cocktail parlor and lounge. Opening in June, the lounge will offer a 10-item menu of small shareable plate dishes. 666 Federal Highway. NoMansLandFTL.com.
Lynora’s, Fort Lauderdale and Boca Raton
An Italian mother’s cooking is the inspiration behind the eatery expected to expand to a total of six locations between Palm Beach and Broward counties by the end of the year. The Abbenante family’s brand of traditional Italian recipes over the past 35 years includes dishes such as tagliolini alla carbonara, linguine alle vongole and cannelloni al forno. The Boca Raton and Fort Lauderdale locations are expected to open by year’s end. 2364 N. Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale; Uptown Boca plaza, 9560 Glades Rd., Suite 180; Lynoras.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
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. 17 SW First Ave., Dania Beach
Closed
Lunchroom South, Fort Lauderdale
A shop devoted to the sloppy simplicity of the humble handheld, Lunchroom South permanently closed in mid-June, about a month shy of its third anniversary. Restaurateur Elliot Wolf (Be Nice Restaurants’ Top Hat Deli, Foxy Brown) will keep his northernmost Lunchroom open on North Federal Highway and his Lunchroom stall at the Wharf Fort Lauderdale. Lunchroom specialized in sandwiches like pulled short rib and provolone, ramen burrito wraps, smoothies, grab-and-go yogurt cups and (more recently) sheet-pan pizza. 1824 Cordova Road, Fort Lauderdale; 954-530-5124, LunchroomSandwiches.com
SuViche Las Olas, Fort Lauderdale
These are the final days to visit the downtown outpost of this Miami-born Japanese-Peruvian restaurant before it permanently closes after six years and construction begins on its replacement: Mexican taqueria Coyo Taco. The 2,905-square-foot space featured an order window attached to its pisco bar and a menu of lomo saltado spring rolls, spicy aji de gallina, arroz chaufa and many types of sushi. SuViche operates six other locations from Aventura to Doral. 401 E. Las Olas Blvd., Suite 150, Fort Lauderdale; 954-656-3663, SuViche.com
Che, Delray Beach
After five years, the Argentine steakhouse announced it had closed on June 27 for “personal health reasons.” Founded in Argentina, the family-operated restaurant expanded to Spain before opening its U.S. flagship in Delray Beach.
Dune, Fort Lauderdale
This stylish oceanfront restaurant closed June 6 after two-and-a-half years inside the Auberge Beach Residences & Spa. The upscale surf-and-turf restaurant featured Japanese-style charcoal grills, New Zealand lamb chops, beef tenderloin, diver sea scallops and African lobster tail. Dune will be replaced by a restaurant from Michelin-starred chef Laurent Tourondel. 2200 N. Ocean Blvd.; DuneFL.com
Beverly Hills Cafe, Cooper City
The restaurant was a longtime suburban staple at the Countryside Shops strip mall. The cozy cafe was open in 1979 and was known for their scratch made rolls and salads. Their sister location in Miami Lakes is still open. 5544 S Flamingo Rd.; 305-558-8201
Carini’s Pizza & Pasta, Hallandale Beach
This 15-year-old Italian pizza-by-the-slice shop across the street from Mardi Gras Casino closed abruptly in early June after its owner decided to retire. The restaurant also featured zuppa de pesce, hot and cold sandwiches, calzones and pastas. 814 N. Federal Highway; CarinisPasta.com
It’s a Cubano B, Pompano Beach
Rob Menendez’s family operated restaurant closed June 12, he announced in a Facebook post. The small shop started as a food truck specialized in Cuban sandwiches and its Frita Burger topped with potato straws. 3350 NW 22nd Terrace #400b; 754-222-8711, cubanob.com
Nick’s Italian Restaurant, Fort Lauderdale
Since 1974 Nick’s has been the source of old-school Italian cuisine on the Galt Ocean Mile. Over the decades Nick’s hosted the likes of Adam Sandler, Frank Sinatra Jr. and Robert DeNiro. Last day of service was May 31, but on June 4 a second location of Fort Lauderdale favorite Cafe Vico reopened the doors. 3496 North Ocean Blvd.; nicksitalianonline.com
