Best Authentic Italian Cuisine in Fort Lauderdale

Cafe Italia Restaurant
3471 N Federal Hwy
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33306
Call: (954) 561-3900

The Charm of Old Italy in this small local family owned Italian Restaurant Fort Lauderdale. Enjoy freshly served cooked-to-order best Italian food including Yellowtail Snapper, Veal Marsala, Risotto,Lamb, Seafood dishes the best authentic Italian food. Dine in or Curbside Pickup. Only using Extra Virgin Olive Oil EVOO

DIRECTIONS
From I-95
Take I-95 to Oakland Park Blvd East, then go to US-1 (Federal Hwy). Go North on US-1 for 1 block. Cafe Italia is on the left, on the first floor of the 6 story Roselli Building.

Fort Lauderdale Italian Restaurant Cafe Italia

The best Italian Restaurant Near Me! Customers come from Deerfield Beach, Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood, Miami, Boca Raton, Delray Beach, Weston and other surrounding cities. Please call for directions if needed (954) 561-3900
Thank you

Yelp Reviews

This is the greatest little hidden gem right in my home town. I recommend everyone to come in!! It's a fantastic family restaurant where everyday the owner will great you and recommend a great meal just for you. Five stars for sure!!! :)

Bree B.
5/17/2019

If you like authentic Italian pasta and food you are in the right place. We had an antipasti and since it was not mentioned on the menu we asked if we could get a Carpaccio. The Waitress said I will ask the Chef and when she came back it was acknowledged that the Chef was willing to make it for us. All tasted great and freshly made. Dinner was perfectly seared sea bass, fillet Mignon in pepper saus again on request since my wife does not like mushrooms. Freshly made Parpadella pasta with shrimps and spaghetti Carbonara. We enjoyed this dinner very much and the owner and his wife thanked us when we left. We will be back

Nico D.
12/06/2021

Cafe Italia really has what you would call old school charm! It's not much to look at from the outside (obviously located in one of Florida's Endless strip malls) but it's what's inside that counts!

We randomly decided to check out Fabio, the Venician wine bar, but they had stopped serving food so we walked next door and low and behold we found something excellent.

Francesco, the owner introduced himself at the door with his charming Italian accent and gave us a few recommendations. I ordered the penne with shrimp and broccoli and my bf ordered the veal Marsala. Both of our dishes were outstanding and so flavorful. The prices were also very reasonable and our server was very friendly and accommodating. The ambiance was also very minimalistic, but charming and there was even a live piano player.

Cafe Italia is my new neighborhood Italian go-to!

Lindsay Y.
5/06/2019

Home cooked food made to order. Ask them for the stuffed veal chop. Mom and pop restaurants but that is the best kind. Francesco the owner was great, greeted everyone properly and got to know them.Would definitely try again.

Kelvin N.
8/30/2019

My wife and I had discussed going here for some time and we finally made it. It's a nice little place and the staff was very friendly.

I'll start by saying my Zuppa Di pesce was very good and the pasta was cooked perfect. Unfortunately that's the only good thing I can say.

It was nice that they served sliced bread. It would have been even nicer if it was fresh and even nicer if we didn't have to worry about pulling a tooth out pulling at the bread.

The calamari appetizer was a small portion for the money and sadly was very bland. Not much flavor at all.

My wife had the lasagna Bolognese. Very nice portion, but not very nice food. The dish was definitely not fresh. The noodles were very mushy, almost pasty and everything about it reminded us of reheated leftovers.

Perhaps if I drank more it would have been better, but I couldn't even do that. They did not serve Pinot noir wine and the other wines were ok at best. We each had one glass of an unknown pinot Grigio which was only worth having one glass.

Ian S.
11/20/2021

The owners/chef couple take pride in the food and service they provide. Food is authentic, very tasty. Love the bread and olive. Every pasta dishes we ordered was outstanding. Food is not salty or overly greasy. The husband owner stopped by almost every table to chat with the customers and asked them if they liked the food. Very warm and friendly. The prices are very reasonable.

Skip the big chains or the fancy new restaurants in town and go to Cafe Italia. You will not be disappointed.

Web P.
7/08/2019

Everytime we come into this place it blows us away, literally the most amazing italian food I've ever had. Its never usually busy but everything is always so spectacular. The owner is always friendly and definitely cares about his patrons. I would give it ten stars if i had the option.

Orion P.
1/28/2021

Now I found this hidden gem of a real Italian restaurant. Im upset that I did not know about it sooner. This is the real deal spot on straight from Italy taste, it brings me back. Wow

Giovanni S.
1/08/2020

I had not eaten at this restaurant since over a year ago because of Covid... went back and am so happy I did.. still as good as ever.. don't miss this gem..wonderful food and service... can't wait to go back...

Eugene S.
5/03/2021

My husband and I were looking to find a quiet little, family run, Italian restaurant for dinner. When we walked in, there were plenty of tables with white linens, and even a baby grand piano in the corner.
The menu was lovely with all our favorites and much more. The food was delicious! Grouper with tomatoes, onions and olives, cooked to perfection! My husband had the spaghetti with lamb meatballs, all amazing!
The only unfortunate part for us was when the establishment ordered the large screen television turned on, along with the existing overhead music, then he added a phone playing a tv show with more loud music. It was overwhelming and my husband thought it to be rude. We deliberately avoided some of the more popular Italian spots due to the loud noise, televisions and difficulty in having a conversation during dinner.
Food and service and pricing was amazing, sensory overload not so much.

Mary D.
11/01/2021

TripAdvisor Reviews

The real test of a small restaurant is when a large party is to be served. As a group of 12, we were amazed at the quality of the food... read more

Charles T
October 30, 2021

We celebrated my nieces 17th birthday here and were blown away by the quality of food, service, and overall hospitality shown by not only the owners Francesco&Valerie but the entire... read more

Dagr811981
July 23, 2021

Wife and I both liked our dishes. Can’t say it was the best carbonara I ever had, but it filled me. Slow enough service that it seemed food was made... read more

jabberwo
May 28, 2021

Been in FLL for years and have never stopped in and we finally did last night for dinner. What a treat! We found our new Italian favorite! With little touches... read more

tjonc
May 21, 2021

With its friendly, attentive staff and a nice, reasonably priced wine selection, Café Italia is a neighborhood Italian restaurant that will win you over with its high quality, well prepared... read more

Eddiemack
August 14, 2019