English Bulldog Puppies for Sale in Fort Lauderdale, FL

The writer was invited to this location as part of a paid press trip opportunity. All thoughts and opinions expressed herein are their own and not influenced by the developing company in any way.

If you’ve ever dreamed of ditching the car keys and gliding across Florida in comfort and style, Brightline delivers on that fantasy. Connecting Fort Lauderdale and Orlando in under three hours, this high-speed train has redefined how Floridians and visitors alike can experience the state; seamlessly, stress-free, and with a touch of luxury. On my first ride from Fort Lauderdale to Orlando, I tested both worlds: Premium on the way up and Smart on the way back. Let me say that the experience on either side of the train might make me consider other forms of travel from now on.

First Impressions of the Brightline

Riding the Brightline from Fort Lauderdale to Orlando for the first time felt like stepping into the future of Florida travel. As someone used to the grind of I-95 traffic, spending up to two hours in the car, I wasn’t sure what to expect—would it really be as smooth, fast, and comfortable as everyone claimed? Spoiler: it absolutely was.

Premium Brightline Service Reigns Supreme

I started my journey in Fort Lauderdale’s sleek downtown station, which feels more like an upscale airport lounge than a train terminal. Checking in was a breeze: no long lines, no TSA shuffle, just a quick scan of my ticket, my carry-on through their security machine, and I was through. I was lucky enough to be in the Premium cabin on the way up, which meant I was invited into the Premium Lounge, where complimentary snacks, coffee, and even mimosas were waiting. Granted, it was about 8 in the morning, so I wasn't partaking in any libations at the time (my logic faltered later, more on that). The atmosphere was relaxed and refined, with travelers chatting quietly or working on laptops in cushy seating areas. It felt indulgent but not pretentious—a pleasant surprise before boarding. Who would've thought trays of scrambled eggs and hashbrowns, cereal options, and hot sausages were at the ready in this little lounge?

Once aboard, the difference in Premium was immediate. Spacious seats, wide windows framing Florida’s palm-lined scenery, and attentive service offering light bites and drinks throughout the ride. I settled in with a coffee I grabbed in the lounge and watched the cityscape give way to wetlands and farmland, occasionally catching glimpses of small towns along the route. The stewardess came around asking if I'd like anything to eat, and I opted for the overnight oats and a fruit cup, both free and very fresh.

The train glided effortlessly at speeds up to 125 mph, making the three-hour journey feel shorter than most commutes I’ve taken across Broward County. The best part for me here was the fact that I had zero flight anxiety (yes, I hate flying, not advantageous for a travel editor), I was able to read my book, and I was able to text, browse the web, and get some work done, without having to pay for WiFi.

Arriving at Orlando International Airport’s Brightline station was equally seamless. The modern terminal connects directly to the main airport complex, which makes it incredibly convenient for travelers flying in or out. After a few days of Orlando adventures and exploring, I boarded the southbound train back to Fort Lauderdale—this time opting for Smart, the regular cabin, to compare experiences.

Riding Back Smart

It should be said first that I had a later train to Fort Lauderdale, but was at the airport station early enough to try to catch one leaving within half an hour. Thankfully, the customer service at the desks was superb (shoutout to Kiara), and she swiftly changed my ticket to allow me to leave sooner, avoiding waiting at the station for up to 2 hours. I was still in Smart seating, toward the back of the train, but I didn't mind.

While Smart didn’t include the lounge or free in-seat service, it was far from basic. The seats were still comfortable and spacious, with charging ports, Wi-Fi, and a menu offering snacks and drinks for purchase. The vibe felt more casual—families heading home, solo travelers scrolling through photos, the low hum of conversation mixing with the rhythmic sound of the tracks.

By the time we pulled into Fort Lauderdale, I realized I hadn’t once missed my car. The Brightline wasn’t just a convenient alternative—it was a genuinely enjoyable way to travel. Whether you’re in Premium or Smart, the experience offers something Florida’s highways never could: time to relax, recharge, and actually enjoy the ride.

For anyone planning a Florida getaway, this isn’t just a mode of transportation—it’s part of the adventure. The Brightline captures the excitement of modern travel while reminding us that getting there can be just as memorable as the destination itself.

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Long overshadowed by Miami, Fort Lauderdale has quietly transformed into one of Florida’s most dynamic food cities. In the past year alone, the city on Florida’s southeast coast earned its first Michelin stars and seen many other spots lure eager diners to the table.

Fort Lauderdale is much more than a beach town too, and visitors staying on the water would do well to venture further afield. That’s not to say you can’t find great food with an excellent view! Fort Lauderdale has many oceanfront establishments that aren’t simply mailing it in with the food and banking on the gorgeous sunset to keep guests happy.

Here is our list of the best places to eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner in one of the Sunshine State’s most popular places to visit. Oh, and be sure to save room for dessert!

Best Breakfast Spots in Fort Lauderdale

Start the day on Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale’s main drag. It’s an easy drive—or bike ride—for visitors staying along A1A at one of the many hotels overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. There’s a grab-and-go option including all manner of pastries, coffee drinks, and granola for those in a hurry, but there’s plenty more to satisfy heartier appetites if you have time to sit and stay awhile. Try the cheddar herb biscuit, an eggs Benedict dish made with wilted spinach, tomato, bacon, and hollandaise.

java-jam.com, 301 East Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301; 954-353-3250

The order? Havana Hangover: scrambled eggs, bacon, ham, Swiss cheese, marinated onions and fried potato sticks on a Cuban roll. Paired with a café con leche—iced or hot—and you’ve got yourself a mighty fine breakfast from this modern Cuban spot tucked into a stretch of new(ish) buildings on North Federal Highway. While you’re here, you might as well get a few pastries for the road. Our favorites are the beef and the guava and cheese.

coladacubancafe.com, 525 N Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301; 954-368-4705

If you just can’t tear yourself away from the beach, rest assured you can enjoy a fantastic breakfast with those waterfront views at The Westin’s all-day restaurant, Lona. This casual spot does brunch on the weekend and daily lunch and dinner, but the Tinta breakfast is delicious in its own right. Here, it’s not your run-of-the-mill avocado toast. It’s tequila-cured smoked salmon avocado toast with all the fixings: telera, greens, tomato, pickled onion, toasted chile morita, and cilantro. Those more interested in a sweet start to the day have lots of options, but a standout is the cinnamon swirl cream cheese glaze pancakes.

lonarestaurant.com, 321 N Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304; 954-245-3069

Best Lunch Spots In Fort Lauderdale

As the main restaurant at The Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale, Evelyn’s offers three meals a day plus brunch on Saturday and Sunday, and while all food is of high quality, the spot really shines during the midday meal. Mediterranean dishes like Evelyn’s chicken shawarma wrap with tahini, pickled sumac, onion garlic toum, cilantro, harissa and the grand mezze plate composed of smoked eggplant, charred red pepper, classic hummus, house-pickled vegetable, petite vegetable crudité, house fermented hot sauce should follow a dozen oysters and perhaps a Bloody Mary. Ideally, you’ll save room for dessert because the pistachio mille-feuille topped with cardamom ice cream is the stuff of your sweetest dreams.

evelynsfortlauderdale.com, 525 N Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304; 754-336-3100

This waterfront dining destination gets points for its expansive, uninterrupted views of Fort Lauderdale’s intracoastal waterways, but that’s not where it stops earning wins. Start out with crispy, lightly sweetened coconut shrimp and the smoked fish dip before moving on to one of the handhelds. Fish tacos are a local favorite and for good reason, but if you’re craving a burger, Tim’s Backyard Burger will do more than suffice. Both coconut cake and key lime pie make for fine finales.

coconutsfortlauderdale.com, 429 Seabreeze Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301; 954-525-2421

Technically, this modern Mexican restaurant inside the W Hotel, offers brunch (not lunch) daily, but we see nothing wrong with this. Not when choices include huevos con carne frita made with crispy brisket, scrambled eggs, flour tortilla and queso mixto; chilaquiles featuring salsa verde, tortilla chips, queso fresco, crema, avocado, and sunny side eggs; and huevos rancheros with salsa ranchera, black beans, sunny side eggs, guacamole, crema, and queso fresco. Sip a cold Jarritos, Mexican soft drink that El Vez carries in multiple enticing flavors, or go for something stronger like a mezcal and beer pairing and see why see why restaurateur Stephen Starr was one of the first to put Fort Lauderdale on the food lovers' map.

elvezftlauderdale.com, 401 N Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304; 954-414-8336

Although we know for many of you, there’s no such thing as too much delicious fresh seafood, in the event that you’re looking for some more international flavors in your Fort Lauderdale vacation, let us suggest detouring to this no-frills Thai restaurant. It’s a good spot for sharing a bunch of menu items like the classic northeastern Thai dish Isan sausage, Larb (spicy minced chicken or pork salad with fresh Thai herb and roasted rice powder), and papaya salad (shredded green papaya with dried shrimp and peanut topped with a spicy garlic and lime dressing).

larbthaiisan.com, 6234 N Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308; 954-368-8863

Best Dinner Spots In Fort Lauderdale

If we had to choose the one restaurant that’s truly catapulted Fort Lauderdale to a foodie destination, it would have to be this stunning Michelin-starred dining room at The Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Fort Lauderdale. For the ultimate dinner experience, book a spot at the chef’s counter, where you can take in the open kitchen and have a front row seat to the culinary genius behind Chef Ryan Ratino, who’s also the restaurant’s owner. In addition to delightful dish after delightful dish, tasting menu participants have the joyful experience of choosing their own chopstick holder and steak knife. Pacing is perfect and service is polished and warm, with an air of “let’s celebrate.”

maassftl.com, 525 N Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304; 954-256-0000

A pizza and pasta gem in the Fort Lauderdale arts district has been known to impress even the harshest New York pizza critics (hi, it’s me!), Heritage tests even the most decisive diners with its tempting array of appetizers—meatballs made with wagyu, stuffed sweet long pepper, and Italian chopped salad—and the aforementioned pizzas and pastas. They’re all good but we tend towards the more creative offerings, such as the pizza featuring sherry marinara, squash blossoms, cold pulled burrata, olive oil and basil or the house-made paccheri pasta with sausage, kale, radicchio, tomatoes, pancetta, cannellini beans, in a mascarpone garlic and rosemary sauce. Saving room for the olive oil cake is mandatory.

This globally inspired neighborhood bistro from James Beard-nominated chef Timon Balloo and his wife, Marissa Katherine (yes, the restaurant with its subtitle, ‘A love story’ is named after Marissa), The Katherine is at once intimate and sophisticated. Dishes like Hokkaido scallop crudo and zatar and yogurt rubbed swordfish kabob with eggplant, roasted tomato, and tahini are transporting and the unctuous roasted bone marrow is simply a must-have dish. It’s a good idea to save a little space to see what the daily whipped sweet special is, that is, if the vanilla bean “Torrejas” French Toast doesn’t call out to you.

katherinerestaurant.com, 723 E Broward Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301; 954-807-8022

The Michelin-recommended steakhouse does what it sets out to with excellence. If you’re in the mood for a steak, you’ve come to the right place, but Daniel’s also excels in the accoutrements and side department—something all steakhouse lovers know is key to this brand of fine dining experience. You can and should enhance your steak, whether it’s the Creekstone 35-day dry aged prime cowboy ribeye or the Demkota Heritage Elite prime filet mignon with truffle butter or perhaps seared foie gras. Add a side of creamed spinach, corn pudding, and truffled potato fonduta and wash it all down with a bottle of Cabernet off of the impressive wine list.

danielssteak.com, 620 S Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301; 954-451-1200

Eatapas is the place to go for, you guessed it: tapas! The only real problem with dining at this charming Spanish restaurant is figuring out what dishes to order off of the extensive menu. A good rule of thumb is to choose a couple of cold dishes like jamón iberico (Spain’s most prized ham) and the boquerones en vinagre (really good anchovies) and then load up on the calientes (hot dishes). Chorizo is always a good idea but it’s an especially wise choice here, and we are also big fans of the ham croquettes and the fried eggplant.

eatapasfl.com, 4140 N Federal Hwy, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33308; 754-779-7554