Interested in exploring the newest restaurants in Fort Lauderdale? From an Italian restaurant/pizzeria to a margarita bar, read on for a list of the newest hot spots to open their doors near you.
Pompei79
New to 2374 N. Federal Hwy. in Bal Harbour is Pompei79, an Italian restaurant and pizzeria.
On the menu, you'll find a large variety of Italian pizzas. Some come with grilled chicken, ham or pepperoni with cheese, toppings and spices. One comes with pears, mozzarella and gorgonzola cheese and another with seasonal vegetables. Notable main dishes include chicken Milanese, chicken piccata and linguini with clams.
Pompei 79 is off to a solid start with a 4.0 rating out of 5 reviews.
Cynthia G. noted, "The food was fantastic! The Caesar salad had perfectly--crisp romaine lettuce, creamy dressing and crunchy croutons. The Tartufata pizza with truffle oil, mushrooms and ricotta had the most delicious crust I have ever eaten in America!"
Michelle L. wrote, "I'm a chef and was pleasantly surprised by the food and the service. The Caesar salad was perfection. The wine was a good sized pour and not over priced. I can't wait to try the Bronzino fillet!"
Bar Rita
Bar Rita is a Mexican spot, that recently opened at 1401 S. Andrews Ave. in Poinciana Park.
Created by the founders of the Tap 42 gastropub next door, Bar Rita offers customers a two-story restaurant with a rooftop margarita bar and a menu with seven varieties of tacos, according to SouthFlorida.com. The eatery also has a guacamole bar and serves fajitas, burritos and appetizers like the carne asada fiesta fries.
The new addition has proven popular thus far, with a five-star rating out of 18 reviews on Yelp.
Olivia B., who was among the first Yelpers to review the new spot on Oct. 27, wrote, "This is seriously the hottest spot in Ft. Lauderdale! The art and aesthetic of the restaurant is gorgeous and so unique, there's nothing like it."
And LaShawnda E. wrote, "These were the best margaritas to ever cross my lips! The music, service, food and atmosphere were all top shelf."
Shake Shack
Now open at 2400 N. Federal Highway in Bal Harbour is Shake Shack, a spot to score burgers and hot dogs.
From humble beginnings as a hot dog cart in New York City, Shack Shack has grown into a gourmet fast food chain with offerings like the "ShackBurger," a cheeseburger topped with lettuce, tomato and the famous "ShackSauce" and a fried portobello mushroom burger, filled with melted muenster and cheddar cheeses.
For those craving something sweet, Shake Shack has milkshakes and floats that come in different flavors like caramel, peanut butter and strawberry. View the full menu here.
With a 3.5 star rating out of 23 reviews, Shake Shack is winning over fans, one burger at a time.
Judy C., who reviewed the restaurant on Nov. 4, wrote, "I had the Smoke Stack and loved the red pepper sauce on it! I also had the Chicken Stack, which was crispy and delicious. Finally, the black and white shake has vanilla custard mixed with fudge and it was so good."
V.P. shared, "Shake Shack has the best burger in town! The service is efficient and the burgers are fresh and delicious--every bite just melts in my mouth."
