My wife and I are spending a week in Pompano Beach - We have never been there before so we are looking for some good dining options/suggestions from the forum. We love good, creative cuisine in any form - We are only fussy when it comes to quality, not the genre or the establishment - bar dining to Zagat rated - we are extremely flexible (although I must confess we are more likely to sit at a bar!). Price is not a factor for the most part. And because my wife grew up in Northern Maine, outdoor venues are a bonus! Thanks in advance.....
Not outdoor dining, nor great for bar dining, but for creative, yummy menus that change daily, check out Cafe Marx in Pompano.
I've recommended Calypso Restaurant for years... it is casual Caribbean style seafood (and more). In a strip mall, but don't let that deter you. Try conch or jerk dishes for flavors you don't typically see in Northern Maine. Open appx 11AM to 10PM M to F only (no weekends - family operation!).
http://www.calypsorestaurant.com/caly...
Just about a block away, Cafe la Buca. Real-deal authentic family-run Italian... serious good food here. Tiny, call for res (or stop in beforehand). One catch: Despite super casual - there is no menu, and no prices - SOME people are unpleasantly surprised when the check comes and it is, shall we say, not so casual. But this place is a real treasure. You can bring your own wine btw.
More upscale, Cafe Maxx is another long-time winner, as Mr Zook recos below.
Houston's is a very good spot right on the Intracoastal Waterway on Atlantic. Yes it is part of a corporate chain, but forget that, it's just really good "American" food. Great cheeseburger, artichoke dip and lots of other good dishes. Sit out by the water and enjoy.
http://www.houstons.com/locations/pom...
If you search this board for Pompano you will no doubt find many posts that include these 4 recos, and many more, and a lot of them fairly recent.
I hope I'm not too late to add my 2cents. Gianni's of Pompano is a fabulous Italian spot. The food is great. It is a little crowded and a little noisy, but the food is excellent, I can't recommend it enough. It is on Atlantic Ave. Additionally, I would like to recommend a couple of places that aren't exactly in Pompano, but its all just one big conglomeration of cities around here anyway, hard to tell when one ends and the other starts. Thai Spice in Fort Lauderdale on Commercial is very good, I recommend the Chicken Basil, but everything is excellent. For a quick fun lunch, something to take to eat on the beach, I would recommend La Spada, just hoagies, but really good ones! If you pick them up at the shop on Commercial in Lauderdale by the Sea, you can walk to the beach from there. Again, in Fort Lauderdale on Ocean Ave. there is a very nice sea food place called Sea Watch. Excellent food, great atmosphere, and gorgeous view of the beach. Finally, and this might be too far to go but well worth the drive, there are a few places in Del Ray Beach that are excellent. J & J seafood on Atlantic (every town has an Atlantic Blvd, this isn't the same one that Gianni's is on) is really great and there is a place also on Atlantic, west of J & J and on the opposite side of the street, called The Office. Good for lunch, they serve some excellent mussels, as well as the best Brussel sprouts this side of Austin, Texas. You have to try the Brussel Sprouts! Hope those help, enjoy your trip.
Papa's Raw Bar- I love just about everything, but especially the conch chowder, fried rice with chili shrimp (not on the menu, and this is not an Asain restaurant), and the cracked and grilled conch. https://www.yelp.com/biz/papas-raw-ba...
Nawty Dog (lunch on the water). I totally love the shrimp po-boy. Ask for pickles and hot sauce https://www.yelp.com/biz/the-nauti-da...
Fish Shack. Total Dive. Like, no joke, total dive but fresh and delicious! https://www.yelp.com/biz/fish-shack-p...
Yakuza- Sit in the bar area - it has more vibe. Awesome sushi and Thai. I really love this place. https://www.yelp.com/biz/yakuza-moder...
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