For such a small, modest North American city, it’s surprising just how many superb restaurants and local take-out joints there are in Lauderdale Lakes, Florida. From world-class Vietnamese and Chinese restaurants to top-of-their-game classic American diners, there are dozens of delightful establishments to keep locals and visitors well fed. Check out our 10 favorites here.
Silver Pond Restaurant
Restaurant, Chinese, Asian, Vegetarian
A hugely popular Chinese restaurant, the Silver Pond Restaurant offers diners an extensive menu of typical Hong Kong cuisine. Forget sweet and sour chicken balls with a side of chips; this is the place to go to try some real Chinese food. Most dishes are available in large portions (perfect for sharing) and customers are encouraged to order a few items for the table to enjoy family-style. The squid and the spare ribs are both particular favorites, and the hot and sour soup is highly recommended, too. A great place for groups of friends looking to enjoy a sociable meal that’s a little different from the normal fare.
Whether you choose to pick up some Middle Eastern treats to take home or sit down to enjoy a feast of freshly cooked dishes from the deli, the Sahara Grocery and Bakery will certainly impress. A terrific lunchtime spot, the dishes here are fuss-free, filling, and un-fancy but absolutely full of flavor. Pitas are whipped up right in front of hungry customers, and the hummus and tabbouleh dips are so popular that the staff are constantly having to make fresh batches. Diners after something heartier should go for the beautifully seasoned chicken kebabs or try the Middle Eastern version of a meat pie, you won’t regret it.
Gou Lou Cheong BBQ
Restaurant, Chinese, Asian, BBQ
Despite its modest size, Gou Lou Cheong BBQ remains one of the most popular food joints in Lauderdale. Head here to feast on crispy pork, roast duck, spare ribs, sesame balls, and fried rice to your heart’s content. The only downside? This much-loved hole in the wall isn’t a sit down restaurant. Proving just how tasty the fare is, many people happily drive over forty miles to Lauderdale for the sole purpose of filling their coolers up with enough crispy duck to last them for a few weeks before they make the pilgrimage again. Heavenly.
Singh’s Roti Delight
Restaurant, Caribbean, Vegetarian, Indian
This cheap and cheerful West Indian restaurant serves delicious home-cooked food and imported beers seven days a week. Singh’s Roti Delight is loved for its flavorsome Trinidad favorites, such as doubles, rotis, parathas, and salt fish. The ambiance is very low key, the service fast and efficient, and the Caribbean music playing quietly in the background is the perfect finishing touch to the holiday-vibe Singh’s creates. Whether you’re with a group of loud friends or alone with a travel guide or a newspaper, you’ll feel right at home here with a hearty plate of food.
Kenji Japanese Fusion
Restaurant, Japanese, Peruvian, Sushi, Fusion
The unusual fusion of Japanese and Peruvian cuisines on the menu at Kenji draws curious diners through its doors time after time. Loved for its sushi, seafood, and unusual flavor combinations, this is one restaurant that undoubtedly deserves a place on any tourist itinerary. Start with the Japanese ceviche or the pork gyoza and follow with a selection of delicious sushi rolls and sashimi. Or go for the Peruvian option of a hearty steak. There’s no alcohol license in place, but diners are welcome to bring their own drinks.
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Commercial Point Café a classic diner, should be your destination of choice for classic breakfast, brunch, and lunch dishes. Favorites include build-your-own omelets, sweet buttermilk pancakes, challah French toast, grilled burgers, and toasted cheese melts. The menu may sound simple, but the food is beautifully cooked, the portions more than generous, and the service is second to none. A great place for families with young children, as well as couples and groups of friends, Commercial Point Café is a winner with all ages. Closed Saturdays and Sundays.
Saigon City Vietnamese Restaurant
Serving some of the best Vietnamese dishes for miles around, Saigon City Vietnamese Restaurant is an informal, family-run business specializing in delicious, fresh food. Tempting items on the menu include rare beef phở, barbecue pork sandwich, soft crab tempura, sugar cane shrimp, and deliciously tender short ribs. As with most Asian restaurants, it’s a great idea to order a selection of dishes to share with the table; a side dish of special fried rice is an absolute must, too. With a very loyal following, Saigon City can get busy, but it is open for both lunch and dinner, so there is ample opportunity to try some of the fantastic food.
Renowned for its Philly cheese steak egg rolls, World Famous is the Lauderdale locals’ favorite hangout for proper American comfort food. If you’ve had a busy day touring the city and are far too tired to think about cooking, but have a big appetite, this is the place to go. The menu is full of tempting delights, such as indulgent waffles, cheeseburgers, French fries, crispy chicken, and surf ‘n’ turf. Much more than just a low-key take-away joint, World Famous is the best in its game for both service and food.
Noodle House
Restaurant, Vietnamese
Noodle House is a simple restaurant offering terrific food and generous portions for a great price. Noodle House specializes in Vietnamese cuisine; favorite dishes on the menu naturally include spring rolls, big bowls of steaming phở and plates of tasty fried noodles. A very accommodating joint, this is a great place to go for those who are new to South-East Asian cuisine, as the staff is very happy to help explain the menu and recommend dishes. For a small snack or a light lunch, the Banh Mi (a type of Vietnamese sandwich) are unbeatable; for something heartier, choose the vermicelli noodles with grilled pork.
Spoons Grill
Spoons Grill serves breakfast Southern style and is famed for its huge plates and wholesome brunch specials served all through the morning and into the afternoon. Pay a visit to Spoons to tuck into stacks of pancakes; to work your way through a delicious mound of eggs, smoked sausage, and grits; or to tackle one of the much-loved hot lunch specials, including smothered chicken wings or a club sandwich. Open from 7am until 2pm each day, a meal at Spoons Grill is the perfect way to start any day in Lauderdale Lakes.
Chloe Hay is a 24-year-old food obsessed Londoner who spends her days thinking, talking and writing about food. When she's not scurrying around her home city seeking out the next hottest deli or underground speakeasy, she's likely to be on the hunt for the best local eateries abroad. To see what she's been up to this month, check out her website or follow her on Twitter.
