South Florida restaurants: Now open, coming soon and closed
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Now Open
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.
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
Val’s GF Cafe, Boca Raton
Valentina Suez’s 100% gluten-free cafe has pasta, pizza, hamburgers, fries, grilled chicken as well as Argentinian pastries from her homeland. 499 NE Spanish River Blvd., no. 5, Boca Raton; 561-617-5394. valsgfcafe.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
Kraft Bistro Deli, Fort Lauderdale
This bistro and deli from first-time restaurateur Paul Hugo 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/
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
CAO Bakery, Hallandale Beach
This Miami-grown franchise of Cuban bakeries, owned by Vicky Bakery scion Tony Cao, staged the grand opening of its 12th location on May 27. This outpost includes a drive-thru window and specializes in guava pastelitos, croquetas, empanadas, sandwiches, cakes and fresh-baked bread. 116 W. Hallandale Beach Blvd.; 954-367-5524, CaoBakeryCafe.com
Miyi la Cubanita, Deerfield Beach
If not by name, you might recognize this Cuban eatery because of the large rooster statue placed outside its Pompano Beach and Deerfield Beach locations. Now, there’s one more spot to grab their Cuban sandwiches, empanadas (beef, chicken or ham and cheese), and Latin pastries. 204 S Powerline Road; miyilacubanita.com/
Bang Shack, Hollywood
Owner Jason Hadley’s chicken-dip stall at the Yellow-Green Farmer’s Market was once spotlighted on ABC’s “Shark Tank,” and now Bang Shack is a brick-and-mortar fast-casual restaurant in downtown Hollywood. 120 S. 20th Ave.; 786-223-5395; thebangshack.com
Sushi By Bou Beach Club, Pompano Beach
The 10-seat sushi bar at Sushi By Bou Beach Club, an omakase-style restaurant from sushi master David Bouhadana, is now open at the the Marriott Residence Inn Pompano Beach. The rest of the 80-seat restaurant will open sometime in June. Other locations in New York, New Jersey, Chicago and Miami Beach, but this one will have a beachy vibe. 1350 Ocean Blvd.; sushibybou.com
Studio 404, Delray Beach
A new daiquiri bar in The Set neighborhood aims to revive West Atlantic Avenue, just east of I-95. The eatery opened in March and serves $2 tacos, $5 margaritas and colorful daiquiris in four flavors. There are also midnight brunches on Friday and Saturday nights. 404 W Atlantic Ave.; @studio404delray
Coming soon
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 will debut at noon Saturday, June 19. 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
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; calavarascantinas.com.
Jeremiah’s Italian Ice, Boca Raton
The Orlando-based frozen treats shop is opening another location in South Florida on June 29. 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
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
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 will also be a buffet of salads and hot items to accompany. 360 E. Mcnab Road; 954-889-4669, rgssteakhouse.com
Andrew’s Diner, Fort Lauderdale
After changing ownership twice since the pandemic began, Andrews Diner has moved off Andrews Avenue and onto Cypress Creek Road, where it will replace the former Duffy’s Diner when it reopens in June. The longtime Greek greasy spoon is best known for dishing gyro omelets and spinach pie, and for appearing on Food Network’s “American Diner Revival” in 2016. 925 NE 62nd St.
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
Dune, Fort Lauderdale
This stylish oceanfront restaurant closed in late May, the latest pandemic casualty 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
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
Taco Spot, Hollywood Beach
The oceanfront taco eatery under a tiki hut on the Broadwalk closed June 1. The restaurant made the closure official on Instagram (@thetacospothollywood) by posting, ”This journey was incredible and we are so proud of what we were able to accomplish.” 1500 N Broadwalk
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
Historic Dockers, Dania Beach
Since 1947 this waterfront dining destination inside Cozy Cove marina offered boaters, locals and tourists an at-home vibe with coastal fare. Extreme staffing shortages however closed the restaurant, according to an announcement on their Facebook page. The post also said they will be consolidating the team with their sister restaurant, Historic Downtowners in Fort Lauderdale, though they hope to reopen the Dania Beach location if they can secure the right staffing. 318 N Federal Highway; 954-925-5962, historicdockers.com
Cypress Nook, Pompano Beach
Ilsa Wettengel’s waterfront yellow cottage serving tradition German fare on the McNab Road Bridge since 1979 closed June 1. The city of Pompano Beach this summer plans to demolish the building to raise the McNab Road Bridge. 201 E. McNab Road.
Troy’s Barbeque, Boca Raton
After two years, Troy’s Barbeque has pulled out of Boca Raton. The original Boynton Beach location (1920 S Federal Highway) remains open, and coming soon is a new West Palm Beach restaurant (3950 Georgia Ave). 1198 N. Dixie Highway, Boca Raton; BBQTroys.com.
Madisons New York Bar & Grill Restaurant, Boca Raton
The upscale steak and seafood restaurant was sold after seven years to New York based Gallagher’s Steakhouse. 2006 NW Executive Center Circle
C.W.S. Bar & Kitchen, Lake Worth
After six years, the kitchen and bar closed May 23 “due to the unfortunate inability to reach an agreement with landlords,” according to a statement from Damn Good Hospitality. 522 Lucerne Ave.
