{"id":3649,"date":"2025-10-15T00:39:33","date_gmt":"2025-10-15T00:39:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/3649\/"},"modified":"2025-10-15T00:39:33","modified_gmt":"2025-10-15T00:39:33","slug":"14-best-old-school-restaurants-in-fort-lauderdale","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/3649\/","title":{"rendered":"14 Best Old School Restaurants in Fort Lauderdale"},"content":{"rendered":"

Fort Lauderdale isn\u2019t just a city of beaches, bars, and boats; it\u2019s also a city with a rich history, and nowhere is that more evident than in its restaurants<\/a>. Across Broward County, tucked alongside streets, waterways, and boulevards, you\u2019ll find old-school institutions that have been serving South Floridians for decades, like the great Anthony\u2019s Runway 84<\/a>. These aren\u2019t just places to eat; they\u2019re living landmarks, each with stories that trace back to the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s, when Fort Lauderdale was still finding its identity as a growing city by the sea.<\/p>\n

From the rustic, rum-running hideaway of Cap\u2019s Place<\/a>, founded in 1928, and the steakhouse traditions of Tropical Acres Steakhouse<\/a>, founded in 1949, to the neon glow of Lester\u2019s Diner, founded in 1967, and the garlic-crab feasts at Rustic Inn Crabhouse, founded in 1955, these restaurants have withstood fires, hurricanes, and massive waves of development. Yet they continue to thrive, beloved by generations of locals who return again and again for familiar dishes and a taste of nostalgia. They are the places where families have celebrated milestones, where visitors have been introduced to Fort Lauderdale\u2019s character, and where time seems to slow down just enough for you to feel the history in the walls.<\/p>\n

On August 1, New Times went searching for these legends \u2013 the restaurants that locals still call their favorites after decades of dining. We turned to Facebook groups like Let\u2019s Eat, South Florida<\/a>, and Foodies Who Review South Florida<\/a>, and the response was overwhelming: more than 1,000 comments from people eager to share their most beloved old-school restaurants. What we found is that these old-school restaurants aren\u2019t just surviving in a city that\u2019s constantly changing, but they\u2019re defining it, giving Fort Lauderdale and Broward a unique flavor that no glossy newcomer could ever replicate. Below, in alphabetical order, explore the fascinating history of 14 of these historically significant Fort Lauderdale-area restaurants. <\/p>\n

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Beloved German-American spot The Ambry has been a Fort Lauderdale institution since opening in 1981<\/p>\n

The Ambry \u2013 Opened in 1981<\/p>\n

3016 E. Commercial Blvd., Fort Lauderdale
954-771-7342
ambryrestaurant.net<\/a>The Ambry has been a beloved Fort Lauderdale institution since 1981, first opened by the late, famed German footballer Gerd\u00a0M\u00fcller\u00a0(who passed away in 2021 at the age of 75) before being taken over by the Huber family, who still run it today. Known for its authentic German cuisine, Bavarian-style d\u00e9cor, and cozy castle-like exterior, it\u2019s one of the most unique dining experiences in the city. Inside, guests find dark wood corridors, private rooms with warm hearths, and a bar decked out in German soccer memorabilia and decorative steins reserved for loyal regulars. With house-made sausages, hearty prime rib, and frothy German beers, the Ambry has built a legendary reputation as one of Fort Lauderdale\u2019s most cherished old-school restaurants.<\/p>\n

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Anthony\u2019s Runway 84 is a legendary Fort Lauderdale restaurant founded in 1982<\/p>\n

Anthony\u2019s Runway 84 photo<\/p>\n

Anthony\u2019s Runway 84 \u2013 Opened in 1982<\/p>\n

330 W. State Rd. 84, Fort Lauderdale
954-467-8484
runway84.com<\/a>Anthony\u2019s Runway 84 has been a legendary Fort Lauderdale landmark since 1982, known as the city\u2019s ultimate Italian-American red-sauce joint. Founded by Anthony Bruno and his father, the restaurant quickly became a magnet for athletes, celebrities, and locals who loved its old-school charm and classic dishes. Nearly 40 years later, Runway reinvented itself with a glamorous new supper club vibe, live music, and a refreshed interior while keeping the same beloved hospitality and signature plates like chicken Parm and veal chops. With its mix of nostalgia, star power, and true Italian-American flair, Anthony\u2019s Runway 84 remains one of the most iconic old-school restaurants in South Florida.<\/p>\n

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This is a photo of the bar inside Cap\u2019s Place in the late 1940s or 1950s. Al Hasis built the bar after forming a lifelong friendship with Captain Theodore \u201cCap\u201d Knight, its founder, when he was just 16 years old. The Hasis family still owns the restaurant today.<\/p>\n

Cap\u2019s Place \u2013 Opened in 1928<\/p>\n

2765 NE 28th Ct., Lighthouse Point
954-941-0418
capsplace.com<\/a>Cap\u2019s Place, tucked away in Lighthouse Point just north of Fort Lauderdale, is one of the oldest and most storied restaurants in all of Broward County. Established in 1928 by Captain Theodore \u201cCap\u201d Knight, it began as a rumrunner\u2019s hideaway only accessible by water during Prohibition. Between the 1930s and 1940s, it was a supper club and gambling casino called Club Unique, even though gambling was\u00a0illegal in Florida at the time. Private memberships to the \u201csupper club\u201d were sold for twenty-five cents, slot machines lined the hallway between the dining rooms and kitchen, and windows were covered to keep prying eyes away.\u00a0Over the decades, it transformed into the legendary restaurant we know today, and has hosted everyone from locals and tourists to Winston Churchill and Franklin D. Roosevelt (during the war in 1942,\u00a0 where they dined in the \u201cyellow room\u201d), the Vanderbilt family, Joe DiMag\u00adgio, and countless celebrities. Nearly a century later, Cap\u2019s Place remains a historic landmark, celebrated for its rustic charm, fresh seafood, and role as a living piece of South Florida history. Interesting fact:\u00a0Knight\u2019s name made the newspapers in 1962 when he was arrested and charged with possession of illegal turtle eggs used in the making of \u201cTurtle Egg Pancakes,\u201d which he had served at Cap\u2019s for 36 years, according to his wife, Lola\u2026he passed away two years later, and this practice hasn\u2019t taken place since.\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

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The Floridian has been a Fort Lauderdale staple on Las Olas Boulevard since 1937<\/p>\n

The Floridian \u2013 Opened in 1937<\/p>\n

1492 E. Las Olas Blvd.,\u00a0Fort Lauderdale
954-463-4041
thefloridiandiner.com<\/a>The Floridian Restaurant has been a true Las Olas Boulevard staple since 1937, making it one of Fort Lauderdale\u2019s oldest dining landmarks. For more than eight decades, it has welcomed locals and tourists alike with hearty meals served in a nostalgic, vintage diner setting. Open 24 hours, the Floridian has built its reputation as the go-to spot for everything from all-day breakfast to late-night bites. Its long-standing tradition and warm hospitality have made it a beloved gathering place for generations of Fort Lauderdale faithful.<\/p>\n

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Frank\u2019s Italian Restaurant is a Broward instiution founded in 1972<\/p>\n

Frank\u2019s Italian Restaurant photo<\/p>\n

Frank\u2019s Italian Restaurant \u2013 Opened in 1972<\/p>\n

3960 W. Hallandale Beach Blvd., Pembroke Park
954-983-2342
franksitalianrestaurant.com<\/a>Frank\u2019s Italian Restaurant has been a beloved South Florida staple since 1972, when Frank, his wife Anne, and their three sons relocated the family business from Staten Island. Originally founded in 1960 on Victory Boulevard in New York, the restaurant carried its old-school Italian recipes and warm, family-run charm down to Florida. Frank, who hailed from Fondi, Italy, built a legacy rooted in tradition, authenticity, and hospitality. Today, his son John and the family continue to carry on that legacy, making Frank\u2019s one of the most legendary Italian restaurants in the region.<\/p>\n

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Vintage photos of the Georgia Pig BBQ & Restaurant in Fort Lauderdale, featuring an image of the Andersons at the bottom right<\/p>\n

Georgia Pig BBQ & Restaurant photos<\/p>\n

Georgia Pig BBQ & Restaurant \u2013 Opened in 1953<\/p>\n

1285 S. State Rd. 7, Fort Lauderdale
954-587-4420
georgiapig.com<\/a>Georgia Pig BBQ & Restaurant has been a Fort Lauderdale staple since 1953, when the Anderson family brought their barbecue traditions down from Jesup, Georgia. Known for its smoky, no-frills Southern-style barbecue, it quickly became one of the most legendary old-school spots in South Florida. Generations of loyal customers, including many who have since moved away, still make it a point to return for a taste of \u201cThe Pig.\u201d More than 70 years later, Georgia Pig remains a beloved landmark, celebrated for its timeless flavors and community roots. In 2020, it celebrated its 67th anniversary, with its founder\u2019s daughter, Susan Anderson, writing on Facebook, \u201cHappy 67th Anniversary to the Georgia Pig BBQ & Restaurant in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. [Thank you to] my parents who began this dream, my siblings who lived it, my brother and sister-in-law who worked it and kept it alive, and to Luke, Robert, the Mormon family, and all you amazing people who are carrying it forward.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Jack\u2019s Old Fashion Hamburger House is one of the most old-school restaurants in Fort Lauderdale, dating back to 1972<\/p>\n

Jack\u2019s Old Fashion Hamburger House<\/p>\n

Jack\u2019s Old Fashion Hamburger House \u2013 Opened in 1972<\/p>\n

4201 N. Federal Hwy., Oakland Park
954-565-9960
jacksoldfashionburgers.com<\/a>Jack\u2019s Old Fashioned Hamburger House has been serving Fort Lauderdale since 1972, making it one of the city\u2019s oldest burger joints. Founded by Jack M. Berry on North Federal Highway, it became known for its hand-pressed burgers, crispy fries, and classic milkshakes. Berry built the business not just on good food, but also on a strong work ethic, often hiring young employees to give them their start. More than 50 years later, Jack\u2019s is still going strong, even expanding with a second location in Pompano Beach.\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

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Laspadas Original Hoagies opened in 1973 in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea<\/p>\n

Laspada\u2019s Original Hoagies photo<\/p>\n

Laspada\u2019s Original Hoagies \u2013 Opened in 1973<\/p>\n

233 Commercial Blvd., Lauderdale-by-the-Sea
954-776-7893
laspadashoagies.com<\/a>Laspada\u2019s Original Hoagies has been a legendary Broward staple since 1973, when John LaSpada Jr., a third-generation sandwich maker whose grandfather opened his first hoagie shop in 1938 in Atlantic City, opened the first shop in Lauderdale-by-the-Sea. Known for its overstuffed sandwiches and no-nonsense style, it quickly became one of Fort Lauderdale\u2019s most famed spots for a hoagie fix. In 1978, LaSpada sold the business to Harry and Gale Kappes, who, along with their son Phil, still operate the brand\u2019s five South Florida locations. After more than four decades in its cramped original space, the shop moved in 2018 across Commercial Boulevard into a former hair salon, where it continues to serve more than 1,000 hoagies daily.<\/p>\n

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An original postcard of the founding Fort Lauderdale location of Lester\u2019s Diner in 1967, created by Tom Neel Color Cards in Fort Lauderdale in the \u201960s or \u201970s, and published online for sale by HipPostcards.com seller \u201cspinachetr.\u201d<\/p>\n

Photos by Tom Neel Color Cards via HipPostcards.com<\/p>\n

Lester\u2019s Diner \u2013 Opened in 1967<\/p>\n

250 W. State Rd\/ 84, Fort Lauderdale
954-525-5641
lestersdiner.com<\/a>Lester\u2019s Diner has been a Fort Lauderdale staple since 1967, making it one of the city\u2019s oldest and most beloved restaurants. Known for its retro vibes and classic diner fare, it\u2019s the spot where generations of locals have gathered for pancakes, burgers, and endless coffee refills. The original location on State Road 84 has become a landmark in its own right, famous for its welcoming atmosphere and that legendary 14-ounce coffee cup. More than five decades later, Lester\u2019s is still going strong, proving that comfort food and community never go out of style.<\/p>\n

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A vintage photo of the original Mai-Kai Restaurant & Polynesian show, taken in the 1960s along North Federal Highway<\/p>\n

The Mai-Kai Restaurant & Polynesian Show photo<\/p>\n

The Mai-Kai Restaurant & Polynesian Show \u2013 Opened in 1956<\/p>\n

3599 N. Federal Hwy., Fort Lauderdale
954-563-3272
maikai.com<\/a>The Mai-Kai Restaurant & Polynesian Show has been one of Fort Lauderdale\u2019s most legendary old-school restaurants since opening in 1956, dazzling guests with its immersive Polynesian theme. Founded by brothers Bob and Jack Thornton, the restaurant became famous for its authentic South Pacific d\u00e9cor, nightly Polynesian dance shows, and tropical cocktails crafted by tiki legend Mariano Licudine. Its collection of artifacts, some more than a century old, adds to the magic, transporting diners straight into the golden age of tiki culture. Recognized as a true cultural treasure, the Mai-Kai was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2014, cementing its legacy as an icon of Fort Lauderdale dining. After a multi-million-dollar renovation, the restaurant reopened in 2025 to massive fanfare. <\/p>\n

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Legendary seafood and crab restaurant Rustic Inn Crabhouse has been a Fort Lauderdale institution since 1955<\/p>\n

Rustic Inn Crabhouse photo<\/p>\n

Rustic Inn Crabhouse \u2013 Opened in 1955<\/p>\n

4331 Anglers Ave., Fort Lauderdale
954-584-1637
rusticinn.com<\/a>The Rustic Inn Crabhouse is one of Florida\u2019s most legendary old-school restaurants, with roots dating back to at least 1913 when the space first opened as a different restaurant. In 1955, it transformed into the Rustic Inn Crabhouse, forever changing Fort Lauderdale\u2019s dining scene with its famous garlic crabs and hammer-on-the-table seafood feasts. Tucked along a waterway, it\u2019s been the go-to place for generations of locals and visitors who love messy, flavorful crab dinners served with mallets and plenty of butter. Decades later, Rustic Inn remains a true Florida classic, where tradition, seafood, and a lively atmosphere continue to draw crowds.\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n

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Sonny\u2019s Famous Steak Hoagies has been serving generations of families in Broward since 1958<\/p>\n

Sonny\u2019s Famous Steak Hoagies photo<\/p>\n

Sonny\u2019s Famous Steak Hoagies \u2013 Opened in 1958<\/p>\n

1857 N. 66th Ave., Hollywood
954-989-0561
sonnysfamoussteakhogies.com<\/a>Featured in Guy Fieri\u2019s Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives on the Food Network,\u00a0Sonny\u2019s has been a Broward institution since 1958, when Samuel \u201cSonny\u201d Nigro opened his humble sandwich shop after moving from Philadelphia. Known for its old-school charm and family-run tradition, the restaurant has been serving generations from the very same location for more than six decades (67 years to be exact). Everything is made from scratch, from the daily-baked bread and housemade sauces to the hand-sliced rib-eye steak, meatballs, and famous garlic rolls. With its unwavering commitment to quality and tradition, Sonny\u2019s remains one of the best old-school restaurants in Broward.<\/p>\n

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Southport Raw Bar & Restaurant has been a Fort Lauderdale insitution by the water since 1974<\/p>\n

Southport Raw Bar & Restaurant photo<\/p>\n

Southport Raw Bar & Restaurant \u2013 Opened in 1974<\/p>\n

1536 Cordova Rd., Fort Lauderdale
954-525-2526
southportrawbar.com<\/a>Southport Raw Bar & Restaurant has been a legendary Fort Lauderdale seafood spot since 1974, beloved for its casual dockside vibe and fresh raw oysters. Founded by New Yorkers Milton Kirtman and Carmine Ferrante, the restaurant quickly became a hangout for boaters, locals, and even celebrities. With stories of Tarzan actor Johnny Weissmuller letting out his famous call after a few beers, Southport\u2019s history is as colorful as its seafood platters. Owned by Buddy Sherman over the past few decades, it remains a true old-school institution, serving generations of diners along the waterfront.<\/p>\n

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A postcard or newspaper advertisement for the Tropical Acres location in Dania, Florida, on Broward Road, dating back to the 1950s or 1960s.<\/p>\n

Tropical Acres Steakhouse photo<\/p>\n

Tropical Acres Steakhouse \u2013 Opened in 1949<\/p>\n

2500 Griffin Rd., Fort Lauderdale
954-989-2500
tropicalacres.com<\/a>Tropical Acres Steakhouse has been serving Fort Lauderdale since 1949, making it one of the city\u2019s oldest and most enduring restaurants. Founded by Gene Harvey in a converted frame house on Griffin Road, it quickly became famous for its open-pit charbroiled steaks. Though the original restaurant was twice devastated by fire, first in 1964 and again in 2011, it was rebuilt each time, a testament to its resilience and loyal following.\u00a0At one point, it had other locations, including one pictured above in Dania, which have all since closed. Today, Tropical Acres continues to thrive, cherished for its tradition, longevity, and generations of employees and customers who have kept its legacy alive.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Fort Lauderdale isn\u2019t just a city of beaches, bars, and boats; it\u2019s also a city with a rich…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3650,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[249,251,250],"class_list":["post-3649","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-fort-lauderdale","tag-fort-lauderdale","tag-fort-lauderdale-headlines","tag-fort-lauderdale-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3649","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=3649"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3649\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/3650"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=3649"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=3649"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=3649"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}