Food & Drink

When Louise Dutton was diagnosed with a wheat allergy, she decided to create gluten-free bread that tasted yummy— not the imitation cardboard commonly found in commercial stores. About a year later, she thought, "Why stop at bread?" Now, Weezie's Gluten Free Kitchen (which incorporates her childhood nickname) cranks out chocolate chip pancakes ($6) and cinnamon bun waffles ($10), plus breads, cookies, pies, and cakes, all GF. Her café is open every day except Monday, offering breakfast and lunch to hungry diners with a gluten intolerance—or those who are just curious how good gluten free can taste.

Husband-and-wife team Mike Hampton and Christy Samoy dreamt of building a cozy, from-scratch kitchen serving internationally inspired soul food. Let's just say their dream came true. Every day Hampton heads to the market to garner inspiration for the day's eight or so special menu items. From there, a pair of talented chefs work alongside him to create epic collaborations, often with an Asian or Indian flair. Since opening three years ago, the 54-seat restaurant has also offered a rotation of "hit singles"—dishes that were once specials, but became so popular the couple had no choice but to keep them on the standard menu for fear of disgruntled regulars. Case in point: the mushroom manchego toast ($6/$12), a popular appetizer of toasted French bread points layered with a decadent combination of melted manchego cheese atop a pile of onion- and brown cream sherry sauce-smothered mushrooms. There's also the gnocchi with oxtail ($12/$22), a signature entree Hampton has been preparing since day one. The first thing the kitchen is tasked with preparing each day, an entire oxtail is braised for six hours in a rich vegetable stock until the meat falls from the bone, served with a basic San Marzano tomato sauce flavored with garlic, onion, and basil over a bed of pillowy soft homemade gnocchi. A rotating selection of boutique wines and craft beers completes the multicultural vibe.

Readers' choice: The Rusty Hook Tavern

They say the best things come in small packages. That's certainly true of Jimmy's Bistro in Delray Beach, a pint-sized eatery serving up an innovative New American-Italian menu. Despite its location in the heart of downtown Delray Beach, the six-table boutique establishment and wine bar has so far managed to fly under the tourist-trap radar thanks to its clandestine location off Swinton Avenue—but locals sure have found it. Even in the height of summer, regulars flock to chef-owner Jimmy Mills' eponymous eatery. A well-traveled, classically trained chef, Mills has done well over the years with a handwritten chalkboard in place of a handheld menu. Homemade pastas ($24) and a roasted half duck ($36) have become locals' favorites, and fish entrees change depending on what's supplied by Captain Clay and Sons Fish Market a few blocks north. Favorites include the housemade mozzarella ($12) served with locally grown tomatoes or glutinous ribbons of handmade fettuccine smothered beneath a rich tomato and meat ragu. All you need to complete the evening: a bottle of wine and some good company. And, of course, a reservation.

Readers' choice: Kapow! Noodle Bar

Ritz-Carlton is reinventing the typical hotel restaurant. The oceanfront Burlock Coast is a café, market, restaurant, and bar all rolled into one, and it entices locals as well as tourists. It offers a marketplace for artisanal goods, grab-and-go lunches, retail bottles of small-batch rums, and a formal restaurant. The emphasis here is on locally sourced ingredients, from raw bar offerings like king crab cocktails to mains like New York Strip steaks ($46), plus a tomato bruschetta made with Little Pond Farm heirloom tomatoes. In the restaurant's carefully curated marketplace, patrons can find breads made by revered Miami baker Zak Stern (aka Zak the Baker), a hot cup of Panther Coffee, or charcuterie from Miami Smokers. And on top of all the local goodness, cocktail lovers can build their own drinks using a selection of Caribbean, French, and Spanish rums.

Readers' choice: Boatyard

At Grato, which opened in January, chef-owner Clay Conley (owner of Buccan) is going rustic Italian for the first time just a few miles away from his familiar Palm Beach stomping grounds. Conley calls the area around the Norton Museum of Art "an underserved market" into which he hopes to breathe some life. The restaurant is already attracting huge crowds; any night of the week, a troop of valets must manage the flood of patrons who swarm for happy hour. Dinner service seems as though all of Palm Beach has shown up, packing Grato's industrial-sized room wall to wall with a handsome crowd of guests. The focal point is the exposed wood-fueled oven painted Ferrari red. Patrons can sit at the kitchen bar to watch chefs shuffle pies and meats in and out from open to close. The best part of Grato, however, is devouring any of Conley's handmade extruded pastas. True bliss is twirling a forkful of fat paccheri smothered in a pork-riddled Sunday gravy, stabbing a single bucatini smothered in pasty-thick carbonara sauce seasoned with a heavy dose of fresh-cracked black pepper; or piling a spoonful of tender, dumpling-like ricotta gnocchi that seem to be held together by nothing more than the force of the Palm Beach pasta prince's will. It makes for a restaurant that is equal parts social hotspot and culinary tour de force.

Readers' choice: Boca's Best BBQ and Smokehouse

Fort Lauderdale is not a city lacking in restaurant options, so proclaiming a certain establishment the best is a tall task. Thankfully, Cafe Martorano—brought to us by a South Philly export, the big-mouthed and bigger-muscled Steve Martorano—makes it a little easier to call. Linguine and clams ($28), chicken cutlet broccoli rabe ($34), and veal parmesan ($42) are just a few of the Italian classics that keep loyal Martorano customers (and celebs like Dwyane Wade) coming back to this mainstay for more. Martorano's "gravy" (don't call it sauce!) is to die for, and his meatballs are so renowned that Jimmy Kimmel once booked Martorano on his show to demonstrate how to make them. The open kitchen provides a front row seat to the action, while mafia movies showing on TV provide a welcome tongue-in-cheek respite from the oh-so-serious farm-to-table joints around these days.

Readers' choice: Scolapasta Bistro

The Hollywood restaurant scene is a beast that is always changing, especially since Margaritaville flung open its doors. The Tipsy Boar stands out among the rest as one of the restaurants that doesn't need to change too often, because what it is doing is already as good as it gets. Looking for a quick martini and bite to eat after work? Tipsy's menu includes a delectable goat cheese croquettes dish ($7) that pairs perfectly with a stiff after-five drink. Looking for something a little lighter on a hot South Florida day? Grab an IPA and some lobster BLT tacos ($15). Whatever mood you're in, if you're in Hollywood, the Tipsy Boar is your surest bet.

Readers' choice: Le Tub

After graduating from Johnson & Wales University in 1999, Alex Becker jetted off on a globetrotting adventure that would bring him from Michelin-starred Ristorante Gardenia in Turin, Italy, to Japan for a seven-year career at world-renowned Nobu, where he acted as executive chef for restaurants in New York, Hawaii, and Los Angeles. Later, he served as corporate executive chef for equally well-respected Katsuya in Los Angeles. Today, he's Kuro's executive chef as well as the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino's creative culinary director. The chef sources exotic items for the restaurant's new-style Japanese creations—dishes grounded in tradition and executed via a unique kaiseki (carefully prepared multicourse experience). The idea: Offer a menu where no two dining experiences are alike, each tailored to a patron's specific preferences. Fish for sushi is delivered three times a week and stored in a subzero freezer. The bar is stocked with several Japanese whiskeys, shochu, and more than 20 different sakes. Dishes feature four varieties of miso, several types of wasabi, and several types of soy sauce, and exotic produce including yuzu, mushrooms, and lotus root comes from overseas. If it's a taste trip you're looking for, Becker is the man to give it to you.

Readers' choice: Angelo Elia of Casa D'Angelo

As soon as you arrive, your table is ready, napkin neatly folded into a half-moon and ready to be draped across your lap. Minutes after you order your tom kha gai ($6.95), it spins out of the kitchen, piping hot and closely followed by a tray of spices with flavors ranging from "Sweet Odin's Raven!" to "Honey, Why Are You Sweating?" With a menu so extensive (more than 30 entrees!), it helps to have a knowledgable staff who can assist you when deciding between the Chicken Cashew Nut Thai Style ($15.95) or the Choo Chee Chicken ($18.95). And let's be honest: Even if the food is stellar, bad service can ruin your appetite for coming back. Since Siam House has been around since 1981, you know they're doing something right.

Sunny days, warm waters, beautiful views... and eats under $10. At Giorgio's Bistro & Market, dine with a waterfront view of Florida's Intracoastal Waterway without breaking the bank. The restaurant—open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner—offers everything from French toast ($6.50) and omelets ($5.95), to Mediterranean cheese platters ($9.95) with feta and brie, to chicken crepes ($9.50). It's known for its freshly baked breads and pastries, and it also offers an extensive wine list with glasses starting at $4.95. The restaurant's motto is, "You'll never have to cook again." With Giorgio's nearby, why would you?

Broward County's shorelines are no Miami Beach. But the opening of Hyde Beach Kitchen + Cocktails in Hallandale suggests that the all-night, over-the-top soirees typically found 20 miles south might just be coming our way. The two-story chic building oozes a 305 vibe. Neon lights, swank design, eclectic food, and occasional DJs fill the SBE Hospitality Group's newest eatery. But the real draw is the location: situated on the sand overlooking the ocean without an obstruction in sight, making guests feel like they're dining (and partying) on a private island. The contemporary-American restaurant draws influence from Asia, India, Italy, Greece, and Latin America, resulting in a 30-dish menu. Nosh on freshly baked pumpkin butter rolls ($7), Niman Ranch short rib with Yukon mashed potatoes ($26), and mushroom gnocchi ($15) as you gaze into the sea. Hyde guests can legally drink on the sand, so once you finish dinner, grab that cocktail and dip your feet into the water.

It's not exactly the easiest thing to find a family-friendly restaurant these days. Either an eatery is packed full of people slamming down happy hour drinks or so quiet that any sound your kids might make will cause the other, uptight guests to scoff. Bru's Room is a good compromise: Kids won't stare at their iPhones or want to leave the entire time. Games and TVs provide some entertainment, and for Mom and Dad, if it's been a long day, hey, the bar is right around the corner. Ex-Miami Dolphin Bob "Bru" Brudzinski has grown the Bru's Room brand in South Florida to the point where we've dropped the "Room" from the title and just ask the family if they want to go to Bru's—that's how you know this place has arrived.

What's better than a restaurant on the water? A restaurant situated on a pier overlooking the water. It's like the culinary equivalent of an infinity pool. A really, really big infinity pool. A pool so big, entire ecosystems can live in it. And in those ecosystems, there are fish. Fish made entirely of sushi. Sushi so big, it takes a sushi boat to serve it. Fortunately, that sushi boat docks nicely atop Quarterdeck's outdoor bar (and pairs well with one of the many craft beers on tap). Unfortunately, on the menu that boat is named the Titanic ($130 and feeds four). But this story has a good ending: happy hour, all day, every day.

At this adorable brunch spot, man and man's best friend alike can come enjoy pancakes or paninis under the colorful umbrellas on the outdoor patio. The omelets are fluffy and mimosas fresh at the Boca Breakfast & Lunch Club, where your pup can enjoy the sunshine and a treat right by your side. The staff will kindly bring out a water bowl for your furry friend. Breakfast is served until close at 3 p.m., and everything on the menu is under $15. The French toast is particularly delectable, but fresh salads and crisp sandwiches are available too, if lunch is more your style.

As the host, you'd like to find a respectable place that won't break the bank, but you're not sure grandma will appreciate Hooters. The kids can't be trusted in a chi-chi setting, so options are limited... until you remember Deck 84. The food is well-presented and skews slightly fancy (pear-and-brie flatbread wows 'em every time). Most importantly, there's something for everyone, including options that will please the young'uns, like sweet potato fries ($6) and popcorn shrimp ($12). Spacious outdoor seating means you won't bother anyone when you're gossiping on about Cousin Jack, while views of the water distract your spawn and keep them from punching one another.

Every adult person should enjoy the supremely liberating experience of dining alone. You can choose to eat lazily—and messily—while reading your new book or playing on your phone and no one will judge you or be offended. Alternatively, you can experience your food. That means you taste and savor every bite, without distraction. It's the perfect opportunity to treat yourself to something new and adventurous that none of your boring friends are up to try. Lemongrass Hot Pot is the perfect spot for dining alone. Hot pot could be compared to fondue, but that would be selling it short. Each guest is given a pot of broth—hence the name—ranging from mild to hot and spicy which sits in a slot on the table that will quickly bring it to a boil. Noodles and veggies move past you on a conveyor belt, a remnant of the floating sushi bar that used to call this location home. Proteins are presented buffet style and vary from the familiar chicken and beef (cut lean for quick cooking in your broth) to the more exotic pork brain, blood clot, and tripe, as well as tofu. Have no fear: The staff is knowledgable and happy to help you make your dining decisions. Once you've got all your mix-ins, set your soup to cooking. Now's a good time to hit the sauce bar for some garlic chili oil. Then, tuck in—but make sure to let your creation cool or make sure you've got a cold glass of water nearby.

Part of the glory of letting someone treat you to a fancy dinner is just sitting back and letting them do all the work. This includes making the reservations, and when it comes to Six Tables in Boca, you'll be glad you let the other guy figure that one out. It's not that the staff isn't accommodating and helpful, it's just that with only six tables (yes, the name is literal) and one dinner seating only three nights a week, making reservations at this highly acclaimed and beloved-by-locals spot is a challenge. The American-French restaurant serves a five-course prix fixe meal for $89 with its lone seating at 7 p.m. Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. The menu changes seasonally but will likely include traditional French fare like roast duck and at least one dish served with Bordelaise sauce, followed by decadent chocolate desserts. The restaurant doesn't post available slots on Facebook (with so many private events, you just have to call and roll the reservation dice), and the wine list is also purposefully vague, since the chef personally selects wines to go with the menu and buys only a few bottles of each; thus, they run out quickly. Prices are $50 to $95 on average, or you can BYOW for a $30 cork fee. With all this mystery and intrigue, you might be wondering whether it's all worth it. It is.

When Monroe Udell opened his ice cream shop in 1956, it was a modest storefront. But in the 1960s, Udell expanded by opening up the back dining room and began collecting American antiques and memorabilia. More than 800 license plates currently line the walls of this beloved restaurant (the earliest a 1911 plate from Pennsylvania), and guests are always bringing in more to add to the collection. Though Udell died in 2014 at age 86, his venture remains ever popular with families lined out the door late on summer nights. Among the antiques are old telephones, a photo of Ronald Reagan in the 1950s from an issue of LIFE magazine, and Udell's favorite: a gramophone built in the 1920s from an English dance hall. All of this is fun to peruse as you sit in the same metal cafe chairs Udell bought more than 50 years ago and savor the best banana split you've ever had.

This South Indian restaurant in a strip mall off Oakland Park is 100 percent vegetarian—and also 100 percent delicious. The $9.99 all-you-can-eat lunch buffet is packed with value. Fill up with vegetable medleys, soups, salads, and chutneys. To really explore the variety of the kitchen, it's best to order off the a la carte menu. Dosas (crepes made of rice and lentil batter) are exceptional, with fillings like fresh vegetables, flavorful chutneys, and cottage cheese. Indo-Chinese dishes meld Chinese seasoning and cooking techniques with Indian tastes, as with the baby corn chili and Tofu Manchurian—both standouts. Save room for dessert: homemade mango or pistachio ice cream, or a banana split.

Ravioli? Check. Lasagna? Check. Caprese salad? Check. You can find all the typical Italian-American dishes at Sosta Caffe, but what sets this place apart are the more authentic eats. The family-owned and operated restaurant prepares all of its breads and pastas fresh daily. In the mornings, this rustic and homey café serves homemade pastries and Italian bagels known as taralli—savory bread seasoned with black pepper, hot red pepper, fennel, or anise seeds. Come lunch, try a panini or piadini (Italian flatbread) sandwich like the Toscano, a blend of herb-flecked chicken oreganato with fontina cheese, arugula, tomato, and a freshly whipped olive mayonnaise. For dinner, try the Ravioli Duo ($16.99): a few homemade three-cheese ravioli in a rich Alfredo sauce served beneath a braised beef bolognese sauce. And then there's always chef Maria's Italian meatloaf, her mother's recipe. Known in Italian as polpettone ($15.99)—a mixture of meats stuffed with a blend of herbs, spinach, cheese, and mortadella—it's delectable hot or cold. The recipe also makes for a stellar ciabatta de polpettone which, with a layer of melted provolone between two freshly baked ciabatta rolls, is perhaps the most flavorful meatball sub you'll ever get your hands on. For dessert, the homemade tiramisu arrives fluffy and decadent, but the Nutella cheesecake steals the show.

Readers' choice: Casa D'Angelo

It's becoming harder and harder to find good Asian food these days, with everyone trying to pull off some French-Filipino fusion nonsense. Luckily, Red Ginger in Coral Springs is still doing its (mostly Chinese) cuisine right. From sushi to comforting traditional entrees (garlic shrimp, $13.50) and perfectly spiced soups ($5), Red Ginger checks all the boxes—and then some. Dishes like the Chirashi Deluxe (bowl of rice mixed with fish, vegetables, and additional ingredients of your choice) make even the pickiest patron feel like they made the right choice. The Japanese wontons and Asian spice spare ribs are favorites of regulars.

For the uninitiated, eating at a Korean restaurant can be overwhelming. There are the barbecue restaurants where you're expected to cook your own meats and fish right at the table, or hot-pot spots where you do the same with a heated bowl of broth. Often the only drink besides water and beer is soju. And then all those tiny dishes come out at once, like tapas gone crazy. One might think, "Oh, I didn't order these!" or "These free appetizers are awesome!" Try Korean Bistro in Hollywood next time. Here, you aren't required to do anything but sit back, relax, and eat. Foods are prepared by a mother and daughter duo and served by a soft-spoken Korean server dressed in a whimsical printed apron. Everything is casual, from the simple décor and K-Pop on the TV to the mismatched plates. Each meal at U-Know begins with the usual arsenal of side dishes—AKA banchan—chosen to balance one another with taste, texture, and color. Try Korean-style steamed eggs and chap chae (long rice noodles and thinly sliced, stir-fried vegetables) or the popular dolt bibimbap (cooked rice with an assortment of vegetables, meat, or tofu topped with an egg and a dollop of hot red pepper paste). Crisp and spicy kimchi will offset anything oily or bland. At the end of your meal, the waitress will arrive with the check and a small, plastic container of sweetened probiotic yogurt known as Yakult for each guest. Don't ask; just drink it.

Forget Americanized fried rice, orange chicken, and wonton soup. Instead, steer yourself to Gou Lou Cheong BBQ for authentic Chinese dishes like roast duck ($14.95). The founding owner of this small, decade-old takeout spot was once the proprietor and chef for Hong Kong City BBQ in Tamarac, considered one of the area's best dim sum restaurants. Despite Gou Lou Cheong's diminutive size (standing room only), dining here is akin to walking into one of the best spots in New York's Chinatown—or perhaps an eatery in China itself—complete with whole ducks and slabs of pork hanging from the ceiling. Order the Xa Xiu Mat (honey roasted pork, $6.50), and you'll get a styrofoam container filled with slabs of freshly roasted meat served over a bed of rice. A mixture of honey, a five-spice powder, hóngfuru (red fermented bean curd), dark soy sauce, hoisin, and a touch of rice wine stain the meat's exterior layer a deep red, while a touch of malt sugar gives the chasiu its characteristic shiny glaze. A note: The restaurant is closed on Wednesday, and only accepts cash.

Readers' choice: Temple Street Eatery

Finding proper Vietnamese food is a win-lose situation. On one hand, once you've found yourself Vietnamese cuisine done right, sans shortcuts, it's amazing. On the other hand, now you can never have it any other way. Pho Brandon in Sunrise is the one joint that has graciously ruined us forever. Maybe it's their broken rice pork chop platters (which awesomely come with two chicken wings on the side). Maybe it's their top notch pho. Maybe it's their lovely family-style atmosphere. Whatever it is, it works, and it leaves us wanting more. And to boot, Pho Brandon has somehow mastered serving dishes in a speedy fashion, exactly like in Vietnam. Once you order, it feels like just a few minutes before you hear the kitchen bell ring, and there's your food!

Most Westerners don't know real Thai food. We think we're adventurous for ordering papaya salad (often made stateside without the nose-turning salty dried shrimp paste known as going haeng) or pad thai (what should be salty and spicy, not sweet, as it usually is here). But Moon Thai will make you forget all those safe Thai joints as it spirits you off to the streets of Bangkok in all its tongue-burning, sinus-clearing glory. Chef-owner Jack Punma has been offering his homeland's staples in a way that is neither fusion-style nor copycat. Take the larp ($12), a dish of finely minced meat or seafood seasoned with lime juice, fish sauce, chili peppers, and Thai basil served with a finely ground toasted rice—a traditional dish Punma had often as a child growing up in Phitsanulok. Likewise, the tom yum goong ($4.50)—a traditional hot-and-sour soup—is a generously herbed broth with the right balance of lemongrass, chili, fish sauce, and kaffir lime, the steaming stock dotted with whole prawns, straw mushrooms, and chopped green onion. It's mouth-puckeringly tart with a powerful, spicy kick, a downright cold-killing concoction. Perhaps the most traditional of all, however, is the mango sticky rice, Thailand's ode to the denouement of mango season. A glutinous, short-grained rice is cooked until it attains a gooey, opaque consistency. Still steaming, it's packed into a dense globe and drenched in a thick layer of coconut milk, then decorated with a rash of toasted sesame seeds.

Agave Taco Bar owner Ivan Alarcon has a beautiful way of sharing his memories of his native Monterrey, Mexico, through food. Start with the section of the menu dubbed "botanas," Alarcon's version of Mexican small plates, each made to order. It includes the alitas asadas ($10), grilled chicken wings the size of your fist smothered in a tangy sauce Alarcon created from scratch at home. Next, try his "favorites," three dishes he's customized to represent the flavors of his culture. The star here is the sopes del jefe ($7.49), two handcrafted corn cake cups cradling salsa-verde-smothered chicharron mixed with a velvety tuft of refried pinto beans, chopped cilantro, sautéed white onion, crema, and melted queso. In Mexico, however, you won't find menudo available all day, every day. It's typically served on Sundays or as a post-New Year's celebration dish, but you can order it anytime you like here. The blood-red broth is based on Alarcon's grandmother's recipe: beef tripe cut into small pieces and cured in lime for 24 hours before it's cooked for several hours in a three-pepper marinade. The best dish, however, is the signature tacos de trompo ($7.99): slabs of pork seasoned with spices and a blend of chilis that stains the meat a bright, near-fluorescent red. The outer layer, crackling and crispy, is shaved from the spit and often served with a handful of finely chopped onion, cilantro, and a slice or two of fresh pineapple.

Readers' choice: La Bamba

When you think of good Cuban food, the first thing that comes to mind usually isn't the parking. However, at the perennially packed 925 Nuevo's Cubano's, it's the first sign of a great meal. The Cuban restaurant only offers four or five parking spots behind the building. That's because the food is literally homemade—the restaurant is actually the front part of the house owner Luis Valdes, Jr. lived in when he was a child. With no other parking on this busy road, you may need to break the law to enjoy an incredible meal. Several cars (including the occasional law enforcement officer's cruiser) usually litter the sidewalk, parked illegally in the quest for a thick café cubano or flaky, spicy beef and chicken empanadas that are made every morning from scratch. Dining in means snagging a barstool out in front of the small kitchen, usually next to a Cuban-American looking for humongous sandwiches loaded with meats on freshly baked Cuban bread that cost about $8. Platters like the Puerco al Horno (Cuban-style roast pork, $10.50) come with traditional salty black beans, rice, and sweet plantains on the side. End your meal with cheesecake flan—rich, New York-style cheesecake topped with the sweet, spongy Cuban dessert.

You could call Captain Charlie's Reef Grill a white whale. Many people will say they've heard about the restaurant and its great seafood. But have they actually been there? Do they know where it is? That's another story. Located in a strip mall on U.S. 1, Captain Charlie's is decorated with a lot of wood; fishing pictures hang on the walls. It's loud, yet friendly. The lines usually stretch out the door to the sister establishment Three Doors Up, where the restaurant offers lunch during the daytime and drinks at night while guests wait for a proper table. The menu, a handwritten photocopy penned anew daily, reads like a glossary of sea creatures: grouper cheeks, pompano, wahoo, and hog snapper. Pasta dishes like the ultrarich Rock Shrimp in a gorgonzola cream sauce or simple, fresh squid ink linguine satisfy any Italian seafood lover. You can watch everything made right behind the bar, where you can usually find owner Ross Matheson chatting with regulars. Prices range from $11 to $30, but Matheson's stories are free.

Born on the streets of Miami, over the past five years this cool-kid restaurant has expanded rapidly with locations in Miami Beach, in Wynwood, and now, on Las Olas Boulevard. Co-owners Aliosha and Andrei Stern wanted to offer patrons an approachable Peruvian eatery. A clever play on words, "Su" denotes the sushi portion of the menu, and "Viche" is a nod to the restaurant's many takes on the raw fish dish, ceviche ($7-$13.95). Start with the SuViche ceviche, diced whitefish marinated in lime juice and one of consulting chef Jaime Pesaque's original sauces, sweetened with coconut milk. Flip the menu for sushi. Rolls are presented with atypical ingredients like creamy lomo or vibrant cilantro sauce. The ultimate cultural climax: the La Cruda Verdad ($12.50), a sushi roll that marries salmon, mango, and avocado for a refreshingly light bite inspired by local ingredients. Topped with ceviche-style marinated whitefish, it's the equivalent of a culinary love child between Peru and South Florida. Wash it all down with a perfect pisco sour or one of the dozens of fruit-forward macerados (infused pisco) from the city's only pisco bar.

Some believe that Germans only eat four things: pretzels with mustard, sauerkraut, sausage with mustard, and beer. Well, Cypress Nook in Pompano Beach is where that myth goes to die a flavorful, succulent death. Walking into the 38-year-old restaurant feels like entering a small family cottage in Bavaria. The smell conjures up images of an old woman in the kitchen whipping up Deutschland's delights. The best of the wurst comes on the Deutsche Wurst platter, a German trio of bratwurst, weisswurst, and frankfurter. The breaded Wiener Schnitzel is tender and crispy. Top it with the Jager-style mushroom gravy (with bacon, shallots, and onions). The menu — with everything under $20 — features other traditional delights like Sauerbraten, a German pot roast, and spaetzle, an egg noodle. And while sauerkraut usually hogs the cabbage limelight, Oma's rich, creamy red cabbage could change your life.

Chef-owner Ryan "Curly" Golaub's 9-year-old restaurant has no sign and can be difficult to spot between the Duds 'n' Suds Laundromat and a barbershop. Come lunchtime, however, a revolving door of patrons place to-go orders or scarf down goodies at a counter by the window. The most popular items here are standard Jamaican dishes, all about $10: jerk chicken, ackee and saltfish, curry goat, and a stellar fried chicken—Goulab's own recipe. Hot soups ($4/$8) are on rotation: chicken flavored with pumpkin; beef; or a chowder-like conch. But on Friday, it's a traditional mannish water, or goat's head soup. And no Caribbean culinary escapade is complete without coconut water or fruit juice, here made locally by Fort Lauderdale's Da Jus Mon. Don't leave without a taste of the restaurant's rum cake, which is the consistency of fudgy brownies with a spicy, mellow flavor.

Jamaica's official motto—"Out of many, one people"—works equally well to describe the nation's melting-pot cuisine. You can truly taste the country's history in its food, from jerk chicken and curry goat to stew peas and rum cake. Luckily, Jamaican expats looking for tastes of home have plenty to keep them satiated at Kersmon Cuisine in Greenacres. Here, chef-owner Althea Drummond, a Negril native, prepares everything that leaves her small kitchen daily. Regulars know to call ahead for larger orders or specialty dishes, as many take as long as two hours to prepare from scratch. The menu offers everything from poached snapper escovitch ($24) bathed in a heady citrus marinade to a yellow curry-spiced goat served with chunks of a sweet, homemade bread made with coconut milk. Harder-to-find traditional dishes include cow foot and a Rastafarian vegetable dish known as Ital stew. Drummond's jerk chicken ($12) is the best dish here—tender pieces of whole chicken submerged in a rich, gravy-like brown sauce with enough heat to flush your cheeks, each bite redolent of pimento, clove, cinnamon, garlic, and a fresh-grated ginger base.

Hidden in the back of an otherwise unremarkable strip mall, the Gem Eatery is well-named. Once you find it and make your way inside, the bustling kitchen and welcoming smell of freshly baked goods will reassure you. Breakfast and brunch options abound, from some of the best cheese grits you'll find in these parts to warm, fresh Belgian waffles. Order just about any combination of eggs, bacon, sausage, and hash browns you like, cooked any way you prefer. We recommend the Farmer's Omelet, made with eggs, heavy cream, onion, mushroom, pepper, potato, and your choice of ham, sausage, or bacon, along with a dollop of chive cream cheese. There's also the egg white omelet, if the Farmer's Omelet sounds a bit too caloric. You should really save your calories for the cinnamon bun anyway. Made fresh in-house, this gooey creation is topped with cream cheese icing. Bring friends and share it with the table if you have to, but whatever you do, don't resist it.

Anyone who tries to tell you "brunch is so over" is just trying to be annoyingly contrary. Brunch will never die, especially not around here where we have plenty to keep us out late on the weekends. Late risers need to recover, refuel, and recharge. But don't settle for just any breakfast-lunch hybrid. How about one that keeps the party going? Salt7's brunch goes a step beyond. You could walk in still wearing your clothes from the night before, having never gone to bed, and you'll fit right in with the girls dancing on tabletops to house music. Reservations begin at 11 a.m., and at 2 p.m. the automatic curtains roll down, the lights dim, and champagne bottles are delivered with sparklers. Sip on bottomless mimosas as fog rolls from machines. Or, if you're feeling really baller, order up a Sunday Communion punch to share with your friends—for $190-$240. You'll probably need to eat something to soak up the drinks, so go ahead and sample the butter-poached lobster or $37-a-plate filet mignon—or, you know, the $12 French toast. You will need reservations to get in, but the party lasts until 6 p.m., at which point you can stumble right out to start your night again.

The Sticky Bun could have also been awarded Best Breakfast as they certainly know how to make a good one. We recommend the egg, bacon, and cheese biscuit in particular. The biscuit, fluffy and crumbly in just the right proportions, is baked fresh on site, and the bacon has a nice caramelization, giving it a hint of sweetness to go with the salt. You'll also want the sticky bun that gives this joint its name. Baked fresh daily and then warmed before serving, you'll find a hot, gooey center beneath a sweet outside dotted with raisins and walnuts. But fear not, this won't be a sugar bomb. The sweetness is mellowed just enough by the pastry to leave you wanting more.

If you don't love a good diner, then just get out of America right now. The greasy spoon is a proud U.S. tradition, serving up strong coffee and good pie to weary travelers and late-shift workers. Ally's Comfort Cafe has the feel of a café more than the roadside diners of yore, but all the diner hallmarks remain. The menu is varied but consists mostly of casual, familiar fare: sandwiches, soups, burgers, and breakfast foods. A rotating offering of lunch specials ranges from quiche to pot roast. There's also evidence of South Florida's influence in the mahi mahi fingers and the matzoh ball soup. But perhaps the most diner-like part of Ally's is right in the name—it's so comfortable. The kids can fill the pages of coloring books as their adult minders linger over coffees, and single diners can even select from an offering of books to read while they eat. No one will rush you out of Ally's.

Readers' choice: Lester's Diner

Bagels, like pizza, are one of those things that people just love to say you can't get down here. And just like with pizza, that's a load of BS nostalgia for New York. It's not the water and it's not the air, and it's not something magical in that one place that was your favorite spot. There are lots of good bagels in the world, many of them outside of the five boroughs. The one thing that matters most in creating a traditional NYC bagel is that it is boiled. Most of your modern and chain bagel spots use a machine that steams the bagels, rather than giving them a traditional boiling. This actually is hard to find outside of New York, but you will find it at Bagels and a Whole Lot More in Coral Springs, where they give each dough loop a proper boil in the kettle. It's that boiling step that gives bagels their shiny exterior and that soft chew. While you're there, grab some egg platters or sandwiches with Boar's Head meat.

Readers' choice: The Original Brooklyn Water Bagel Co.

In theory, buffets should always be awesome. You're stuffing your face with your favorite food mere minutes after parking your car. Fantastic! The only thing that can ruin the buffet experience is, well, the food. Nothing is sadder than walking into a poorly lit dining room full of chafers that have obviously gone untouched for hours. This is a tragedy that never happens at Shin Ju in Coral Springs. The place is glorious, filled with fresh, amazing, well-prepared Japanese cuisine—as in, 45 kinds of fresh sushi prepared right in front of you, and hot dishes offered of all kinds ($11.95 for lunch, $18.95 for dinner). Because the staff is attentive and the dining room is constantly full, the food on the line never sits there for long.

The words "bar food" usually conjure up visions of chicken wings, mozzarella sticks, and quesadillas. But at Southern Railway Taphouse located inside Off the Hookah, executive chef Alain Brodeur says he just tries to make regular food better—and that starts with his mac-and-cheese egg rolls. He improved on mac and cheese by sticking it inside a fried egg roll, drizzling a sweet and salty maple bacon jam on top, and accompanying it with a slightly tart bacon sour cream for dipping. Guess you could say he's "raising the bar."

When the weather is hot and you're craving seafood, Coconuts will provide. From coconut shrimp to lobster rolls to raw bar options, the bounty of the sea is on full display here—as are cabana-style frozen beverages with generous rum floaters. But there's one landlubber departure that should be noted here, and that's the wings. While the conch fritters or peel-and-eat shrimp might call to you, go with the jerk chicken wings. The island influence is in full effect, with allspice and Scotch Bonnet peppers in the mix, as well as optional spices like cloves, cinnamon, and cardamom. And since jerk is a dry rub, you won't find yourself dripping in sauce.

There's a saying that goes, "Nothing good happens after 2 a.m"—and no good dining, especially. Except at Sushi Song. Every night of the week, chefs are slicing up sushi to order. With locations in Deerfield Beach and downtown Fort Lauderdale, this establishment offers the feel of a big-city late-night scene. The atmosphere is dim and cozy with candles and brick walls. The sushi is fresh and creative, with options ranging from straightforward nigiri to over-the-top signature rolls such as the $15 Japan Red Hot (shrimp tempura, cucumber, and jalapeño topped with tuna, black tobiko, and house special sauce) and the A1A (Maine lobster, avocado, cilantro, and spicy mayo topped with seared wild salmon and special sauce). This place proves eating late at night doesn't have to mean you're stuck with Papa John's.

Readers' choice: Lester's Diner

Since 1949, this family-run establishment has been serving locals and tourists alike. Fire nearly destroyed it not once, but twice—first in 1964 and then again in 2011. Both times, it was rebuilt. Today, this institution stands as the "Oldest Steakhouse in Broward County," or so the Studiale family—fourth-generation owners—claims. Which is all well and good, but the food is what counts. This is a true steakhouse, with large, high quality, excellently prepared steaks streaming out of the bustling kitchen at surprisingly reasonable prices. Go for the brochette of filet mignon for $19.95, or share a New York Strip for two for $46.95 if you're looking to live the high life on a budget. Even the 25-ounce porterhouse won't break the bank at $33.95. For a dollar more, get the Maine lobster instead. While the prices are reasonable, they don't skimp on the service. The staff is professional, decked out in crisp white shirts and long black aprons. They will wheel carts tableside for your perusal. And as for dessert, go for the Key lime pie. You're eating in a Florida landmark, after all. Have some respect.

If you've ever driven down the rapidly developing stretch of Federal Highway that wends its way through downtown Boca Raton, the Little Chalet has surely caught your eye. It glows softly like, well, a little chalet that has been plucked off a Swiss mountaintop and plopped onto the corner of SE Fifth Street. This is no cheap date spot, but if you're looking to wine and dine your lover, this is the place to do it. Start your meal with the raclette, a traditional Swiss dish made by melting the side of a hard wheel of cheese and then scraping it off onto a plate of pickles, onions, and potatoes. Make sure you share it, though, because it's going to be a dairy-heavy evening. The Little Chalet's specialty is fondue. The fondue dishes run the gamut from appetizer shareables to entrees complete with filet mignon. There's even a prix fixe choice called the Fondue Experience that includes three courses—appetizer, entree, and dessert—for either two or four people. If that sounds like way too much cheese for you, no worries—non-fondue entrees are also available, including almond-crusted sea bass and slow braised short ribs. Consider going back to the fondue for dessert, though. Few things are more romantic than dipping various sweets into melted chocolate; that's Rom-Com 101.

Chicken wings, collard greens, crispy fried conch, and gooey mac 'n' cheese, all washed down with a cool, dewy glass of sweet tea. These are the foodstuffs of high-calorie dreams, best enjoyed around a table of laughing family and friends. Owned and operated by Tiffany Wynn, Food Heaven is just that: a small slice of culinary bliss tucked away in a North Lauderdale strip mall. Opened in April 2015, it aims to preserve recipes gathered over six generations and across three families with strong Southern roots. Staff serves up breakfast, lunch, and dinner for every appetite seven days a week, all from scratch. For lunch, try the fried and smothered pork chop ($5.99) with a side of conch balls (six for $5). At dinner, try the conch and shrimp ($18) or the 10-ounce lobster tail ($22), both served with rice and a choice of two sides, from candied yams to fried okra. People also rave over the shrimp and grits ($13, grilled or fried) and the homemade red velvet cake ($3) for dessert. For those times when you prefer your food to feel like a big, warm hug from grandma, you'll be hard-pressed to find a better spot.

You just spent the last half-hour eating some of the best barbecue in Texas. You knew you came to the right place as soon as you walked in. A familiar, dusky smell filled the air as beef cooked in the smoker. Country tunes played. Cowboy references hung on the walls, and the menu looked like it came right out of Cookie's chuck wagon. Homemade smoked brisket, shredded pulled pork, and rib racks all done the right way, just dry-rubbed and smoked. The barbecue sauce on the tables was for city slickers. There were some fancy fixin's, too. Texas brisket BBQ beans. Brisket truffle bacon mac 'n' cheese. Fried okra WITHOUT the dipping sauce, because dipping it just wouldn't be right. Even homemade rustic apple pie and homemade ice cream for dessert. But after a full plate and full belly, it's time to hit the dusty trails. As you step out into the sun and look around for your trusty steed, you realize you don't own a horse. You drove. And you're at Chef's Kitchen and Smokehouse in West Palm Beach, not Texas. But it sure felt that way for a spell.

Readers' choice: Tom Jenkins' Bar-B-Q

Just saying the word "ribs" makes our mouths water. Ribs are awesome; that's not up for debate. What is up for debate is which style is best, which sauce is tastiest, and which restaurant is doing it right. Mission BBQ in Davie is the answer to the last question. Whether you order St. Louis-style spare ribs or baby back ribs that fall off the bone (about $10 for five ribs), they'll be done to perfection. Meats marinated in their famous Memphis Belle sauce or their secret homemade sauce fill Mission BBQ with the smoky smell that wakes your tastebuds right up. Also: This place is big on honoring soldiers and first responders.

Chef Freddie Lawton fries up some of the best chicken wings, legs, thighs, and breasts south of the Mason-Dixie line. To make his birds moist and tender, chef Steve Shockey starts them in a bath in seasoned buttermilk for up to 24 hours. From there, it's all about the breading— flour, eggs, more buttermilk, and cornstarch, with just a touch of sugar for an extra crackly crunch. Then, the one step no one thinks about—smoking. Lawton gives his meat an extra dose of flavor with a slow turn in the smoker before it's dunked in the fryer. The result is Southern-style heaven: lip-smacking, tender chicken meat encased in a thin shell of golden-friend skin. As if that weren't decadent enough, the dish ($15) is served with a thick slice of creamy-soft cornbread pie and a side of warm honey for dipping. Be thankful for the warm wet napkin at the end of your meal. You'll need it.

Readers' choice: Bay Bay's Chicken and Waffles

South Floridians love consistency. Parking is consistently bad. The beach is consistently eroding. Sawgrass Mills will consistently make you question the merits of capitalism. And Sushi Rock Cafe is consistently the best place to tuck in and order roll after roll of the freshest fish in town. This spot on Las Olas Boulevard may be tiny, but the portions are huge. And all of the showcase rolls—just like the waiters' T-shirts and the LP-lined walls—are in keeping with the restaurant's rock 'n' roll theme. Might we suggest the Red Hot Chili Peppers roll ($15), spicy tuna, scallions, and jalapeños topped with, yes, more spicy tuna and drizzled with sriracha. Or the Big Bopper roll ($18)—packed with raw salmon, tuna, and yellowtail snapper—which takes a Steven Tyler-type mouth to eat in one bite. If you're hungry for dinner, the trick is to show up by 6 p.m. to avoid the inevitable wait. Because guess what? Everybody else is in on this secret already.

Readers' choice: Gaysha New World Sushi Bar

Floridians can weed out the seafood restaurant pretenders from the contenders very quickly. Submarine Crab is most definitely on the contenders side and is, at this moment, the Seafood Champion of the WORLD. (OK... for now, just South Florida—but soon, the world!) Submarine Crab's nautical theme and fish tanks are great for putting you in the mood to crack some crab legs or gnaw on some crawfish. Delicious steamed pots of seafood that combine crisp corn and meaty potatoes are the gold standard here, but different mix-and-match combos also provide a unique dining experience.

Fish tacos may be the "of-fish-ial" food of South Florida. Nearly every seafood restaurant prepares its own version of this handheld staple. Some are packed with tilapia or cod. Others grill up grouper or mahi mahi. A few even put shrimp on the barbie. But at 50 Ocean, you won't find fish tacos on the menu. At least, not during the week. And you can't order them with the usual whitefish. Or cole slaw. Or salsa. Instead, the fine dining establishment on the second floor of Boston's on the Beach hooks weekend brunch customers with a breakfast version featuring Florida's favorite crustacean—lobster. The Sunrise Lobster Tacos combine light and fluffy scrambled eggs with a crispy potato pancake, thick-cut bacon, avocado relish, and chili aioli. And, of course, butter-poached lobster claws all wrapped up in a toasted tortilla. It's a fresh and simple take that works great with the spicy Grey Goose bloody mary bar or a side of sweet and salty chocolate bacon. Great seafood with an ocean view? You won't find that on every menu.

Tacos are amazing—almost everyone can agree on that—but they can be boring and childish at the wrong place. Our parents fed us chicken or beef tacos our entire childhood. We had taco parties in college—still chicken or beef. We're full-blown adults now, adults that crave variety in our tacos. Thankfully, BC Tacos is driving around South Florida, reinvigorating adult taco eaters one customer at a time. The variety of the little shelled gifts that BC Taco is handing out of its food truck window on a daily basis is enough to make your head spin: shrimp, mahi mahi, pulled pork, fried avocado, steak, entire burger patties... Hell, they even have s'mores tacos. S'mores tacos!? What!?! BC Tacos fantastically uses social media to update customers on the location of the truck and even has a standalone store in Davie if you can't catch them on the run. BC Tacos made tacos in America great again!

Readers' choice: Palate Party

Outside, two roasters spin continuously on a small table. Inside, coffee bubbles in clear decanters atop glowing red burners. Cold brew sits in flasks. A freezer in the middle of the floor is filled to the brim with coffee cubes. And coffee scientists behind the bar turn coffee beans into some of the best beverages in South Florida. This small cottage is packed every morning with people seeking Mason jars full of Alchemist's concoctions. While you can get the usual cappuccinos and lattes, the lab mixes up better creations. The iced coffee blends 24-hour cold brew, condensed milk, and brown sugar. Become "Bulletproof" with a mixture of coffee, coconut oil, and grass-fed ghee (a clarified butter used in traditional medicines). If you're hungry, grab a Slicer, an open-faced sandwich with a topping like Nutella or avocado. Then, grab a seat on the outdoor patio and enjoy.

Readers' choice: The Grind Coffee Project

Almost everything on the menu at the Fresh Squeeze costs less than $8. Even better: Most of the items are meant to uplift one's mind and body. Drinks run the gamut from ginger and wheatgrass shots ($2.99) to more substantial options like the Revitalizer ($5.99), made with carrot, orange, lemon, pineapple, and ginger. The shop offers a full breakfast and lunch menu, with plates like avocado toast ($4.99), bagels, breakfast burritos, and a classic bacon egg and cheese on a toasted croissant ($5.99). Sandwiches and wraps ($6.99) can be loaded up with tuna, vegetables, cold cuts, and cheese. Cap off your meal with a Panther Coffee espresso shot or a cortadito.

On October 18 of this year, Corey Jones was fatally shot by a plainclothes Palm Beach Gardens police officer. The 31-year-old drummer was waiting for a tow truck. His death struck a chord within the national debate about police officers' use of force, especially against people of color. But closer to home, in Delray Beach, Jones' passing resounds more deeply at an eatery along NE Second Street. At the New Vegan, Jones' cousin Rahein Jones and his wife Patricia carry on, serving superfood burgers, palm heart toona sandwiches, quinoa and falafel pastas, and walnut brownie desserts. Their food is all vegan, and some is even free of soy, wheat, gluten, and GMOs. They've even opened up a food truck. After Jones' death the shop closed for two weeks, and it's still hard not to think of Corey when the most popular side dish is Corey Rice, a recipe he conjured up of brown rice, peppers, and onions. "RIP Corey Jones" remains stenciled on the front door.

If you consider yourself a simple eater with an unrefined palate, the idea of a bánh mì spot for a cheap lunch might sound a bit intimidating. It's a lot less so when you discover a bánh mì is basically a big sandwich. A sub, a hoagie, a hero—it's a big sandwich on a long roll; there are few food items with which Americans are more comfortable. The bánh mì is the Vietnamese name for such a dish, made with a long French-inspired baguette, a cultural exchange from years of French colonialism. What sets the bánh mì apart at places like 545° Bánh Mì Cafe in Davie is the filling. For just $4, order the Korean BBQ Beef, the Curry Lemongrass Tofu, or the Headcheese & Pate. If you're looking for something more familiar, go for the pork meatball or the marinated grilled chicken. Every sandwich comes with the optional toppings of pickled carrots and daikon (a kind of radish), cilantro, cucumber, jalapeño, and a housemade mayonnaise. They even have a loyalty program in which you order 10 sandwiches and get the 11th one free. So, break out of your sandwich rut, simple eaters. Be brave—but still cheap.

A good sub is the quintessential American lunch. The Pink Submarine takes that concept and turns things a bit on their heads with playful sandwich sobriquets that would make any Wilton Manors resident proud. Daily specials include such creations as the Melted Mozzarella Mary, the Ain't Moby Dick Tuna Melt, and the irreverently named Try Our Balls ($6.50-$9). If you prefer a cold sub, try the Admiral, which features prosciutto, buffalo mozzarella, fresh basil, roasted red pepper, and artichoke heart, topped with herbs, oil, and balsamic vinegar. For something different—and with a little bite—choose the Tug, topped with Gouda (how often do you find that in a typical sandwich shop?), mustard, lettuce, tomato, roasted garlic aioli, green peppers, roasted red peppers, and banana peppers.

Back in the day, moms made grilled cheese sandwiches as a simple treat: butter slathered on white bread with a couple of Kraft singles. Did you bite right in, pulling it apart to see the cheese stretch, or dunk it in a piping hot bowl of tomato soup? Nowadays, restaurants like the Grilled Cheese Gallery serve up cheesy goodness with a modern twist. Grab a seat at this 5-month-old Northwood diner and listen to Motown while chowing down on 13 comfort food creations. Order the Chesterfield for a traditional cheddar-on-white with tangy BBQ pulled pork and sweet caramelized onions. The Mac Daddy includes macaroni. Other gourmet grillers include lobster, sterling hanger steak, prosciutto, and even tofu. But there's always the Classic, a simple cheddar on hearty white. For you dippers out there, feel free to add a side of tomato basil soup.

Spanky's Cheesesteak Factory is a little rough around the edges. There's a bit of a hole-in-the-wall vibe. Two booths sport Pittsburgh Steelers black-and-yellow pleather seats with rips and tears in them. NFL ceiling fans spin above to circulate the smell of meat sizzling on the grill. The staff is friendly but straightforward, with notable accents. And all of this wondrousness is what makes Spanky's so popular. Of course, the Philly cheesesteak is the real draw here. The classic Philly comes with finely chopped steak, onions, mushrooms, hot peppers, and creamy, melted American cheese. You can also try it with chicken or sausage. Want to change it up? Try the Reuben Philly loaded with lean corned beef, Thousand Island dressing, Swiss cheese, and sauerkraut. Or substitute the Philadelphia hoagie bread for Texas toast. There are plenty of items on the menu for under $11, so getting your Philly fix is cheaper than buying a plane ticket.

The strip mall location is simple and unassuming, and memorabilia from Chicago sports teams fills the wall space. No frills. Nothing fancy. Just good, old-fashioned dogs—with spicy mustard, onions, pickled tomatoes, sport peppers, celery salt, and neon-green dill relish, the signature toppings for any Chicago street dog. The dogs are usually cooked up by Howie himself, a man who grew up on the north side of Chicago and knew since seventh grade that he wanted to serve hot dogs as a career. He offers a few variations: the $3.49 New York(-ish) dog, which the menu admits is "not a real NY Dog; we are a Chicago place." The Chicago Italian beef ($6.49) can be topped with either sweet or hot giardiniera (Italian pickled veggies). The Just Make Me Something ($9.99) comes with a side and a drink, but no special requests. Howie will also officiate your nuptials for a mere $36. Yes, that's actually on the menu.

Readers' choice: Hot Dog Heaven

Some restaurants specialize in giant patties. Others prize fancy meat blends. And some source buns that can stand up to all that fatty, juicy, meaty glory. You'll find all of the above and more at Burgers & Suds in Pompano Beach. Here, owner Curtis Deckman has composed an impressive menu of half-pound, charbroiled burgers. A special blend of meat is ground fresh each day by a local butcher, and brioche-based buns from a nearby baker are dense and doughy. The menu offers more than 20 specialty selections, most named for either notorious criminals or Deckman's friends and family members. There's the Escobar, a patty topped with blue cheese crumbles, hot sauce, and blue cheese dressing, a nod to drug lord Pablo Escobar. Or there's the Ponzi scheme-inspired (Scott) Rothstein burger, a satisfying combo of Swiss cheese, sauerkraut, and Thousand Island dressing. Not everyone is a bad guy, however. One of Deckman's first menu items—the mac-and-cheese- and bacon-topped Wilson burger—is named after his landlord. And Ray's Rodeo Burger—a patty layered with barbecue sauce, pepper jack cheese, bacon, and an oversized hand battered onion ring—is his dad's favorite combination. A longtime favorite, however, is the Smuggler, a breakfast-style take with American cheese, hash browns, maple syrup, and a single perfectly fried egg. Each of the bar's 24 gourmet burger creations is fantastically priced for less than $10 and can be washed down with a cold pint of one of the bar's 20 craft beers on tap.

Readers' choice: Farmer's Table

Forget best veggie burger, singular. This Fort Lauderdale vegan restaurant might have the five best veggie burgers in town, all ranging from $10 to $12. The GBK Deluxe is the most traditional, made of mashed brown rice, quinoa, chickpea, roasted vegetables, sunflower seeds, and garlic. The coconut burger is the most exotic, with a base of coconut, barley, lentils, lemon juice, and porcini mushrooms. The Smokehouse Burger has a little kick, and the Seattle Burger is satisfying, but the gold medal winner has to be the Rustic Burger. This gluten-free concoction is made up of roasted sweet potato, garlic, onion, pecans, and kale, topped with lettuce, tomato, and vegan chipotle mayo.

The Pincho Factory is best-known for its Latin-inspired burgers, but it is also a bastion for any self-respecting, fry-loving foodie. Orange-golden tater tots ($4.49)—nuggets of creamy mashed sweet potato—arrive with a side of gooey homemade apple butter. Fried discs of golden tostones ($3.49) are sprinkled with salt and served with a garlic aioli. There are even chocolate-covered fries drowned in a liquid milk chocolate glaze with a halo of powdered sugar. Most popular, though, are the plain shoestring fries ($2.99), each batch rolled in the chef's own ranch seasoning before they're fried to order in peanut oil. Chef and co-owner Nedal Ahmad has added new creations over the years, including the now-popular Cajun fries: shoestrings loaded with grilled onions, a robust Cajun seasoning, and a hefty dose of the restaurant's own mayo-ketchup combo dubbed "pink flamingo sauce." It just doesn't get more Florida than that.

Readers' choice: BurgerFi

Americans love their Mexican fare, but many are no longer satisfied with Americanized Tex-Mex, so the search is on for something better. How about a little Salvadoran flair? El Guanaco in Oakland Park offers just such a blending. On this meat-centric menu you'll find plenty of classic street tacos, but you'll also find papusas—thick corn tortillas handmade in the Salvadoran style. The toppings here are familiar to Mexican lovers, but with twists, like fried yucca, sweet corn, and Salvadoran sour cream. Go for the carnitas, made with juicy, succulent meat, slow cooked in its own fat before being grilled for a crispy finish. And don't leave without trying the housemade horchata.

Readers' choice: Rocco's Tacos & Tequila Bar

There are plenty of places serving burritos these days, from big chains to local Mexican restaurants with professionally trained chefs who use the word "authentic" a lot. But for most Americans, a burrito should be an indulgence—and it should be big. Try Chini's Burritos. This family-run spot serves monster-sized burritos to the hungry people of Coral Springs, and it does so without any pretensions of authenticity and, ironically, plenty of actual authenticity. You will most likely be greeted by Mama as you walk in. The menu is not vast, but it is simple and straightforward. We recommend you go for the wet burrito. It's all the belly bomb massive glory of the Chini's original, stuffed with your choice of a half pound of steak, shredded chicken, or ground beef and pinto beans, yellow rice, sour cream, and cheese—and then smothered in your choice of salsa. You will need napkins, many of them, and then a nap.

Readers' choice: Tacocraft Taqueria & Tequila Bar

Avocado, that art from heaven,

Hallowed be thy paste.

Guacamole, yum!

I will have some.

But only at Carlos & Pepe's.

Give us a small ($7.75)—no, large ($10) instead —

and deliver it in a tortilla.

As we indulge those blessed enough to eat with us.

For thine is the freshest,

And the holiest

Guacamole.

Dig in.

The combination of crunchy romaine, tomatoes, and salty Kalamata olives, all bound together with the bite of a vinaigrette and the smoothness of feta cheese crumbles, just seems to go with our tropical surroundings. There are plenty of spots doing justice to such a salad, but Sazio in downtown Delray has got one up on them all with its Mediterranean salad. For a lot of spots, the often optional piece of chicken you can order to top almost any salad is pretty much an afterthought. Bland and tasteless, it flops on top of the otherwise coherent salad with no relevance other than providing protein. But at Sazio, the chicken is just as well-thought-out and expertly prepared as every other dish. On the Mediterranean salad, it's specifically served blackened so as not to get lost among the many other strong elements competing for your attention. And make no mistake—with or without the chicken, this salad is a meal. At the end you will be full and pleasantly overwhelmed by the zing of vinegar and peppers.

Somewhere along the way, some genius marketing person sold the idea that falafel is a health food. After all, it's ground-up chickpeas—no meat! Must be health food! If it is, then so are french fries because falafel is deep fried, my friends—or at least it should be. If you've been eating falafel that actually has been made over into health food, you've been horribly cheated. Like hush puppies, falafels should be rolled, then tossed into a deep vat of scalding hot oil. Far from light and airy, they should be dense with a crispy outer crunch giving way to a grainy (but not mushy) interior. They should also be wrapped in a not-whole-grain pita and smothered in tzatziki sauce, feta cheese, hummus, cucumbers, tomatoes, and tabouli. This is how you'll find it at Gyroville, a local chain with eight locations, including Fort Lauderdale. The way to go here is with the make-your-own-combo option so you can pick your protein—falafel, obviously—and then load it up with any toppings you want.

The most traveled air route in the world connects the Empire and Sunshine states. And every single New Yorker you meet will, at some point or another, lament the lack of "good pizza." It's enough to frustrate even the most easygoing native Floridian. This time, just nod and aim the car at Dolce Salato Pizza & Gelato in Wilton Manors. Respond with empathetic "hmms" and "I knows" as you park the car and hold the door open. See if the complainer notices the Italian accent of the kind gentleman taking his order. He will definitely notice the large, floppy slice of pie laid before him... and he will not be disappointed. Authentically Italian and in the proud tradition of New York-style pizzerias, Dolce Salato inspires you to go big with the Capricciosa, topped with ham, mushrooms, black olives, and artichoke hearts. Or go truly traditional and order La Margherita Classica. The most simple of pies, it's made with Ovoline mozzarella and housemade tomato sauce and sprinkled with fresh basil. And if your friend with the Brooklyn accent still has the nerve to defame our pies, shut him up with a cold gelato.

Readers' choice: Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza

The origins of garlic rolls go way back to the Third Century when Macedonians would use flat loaves of bread as plates. After they sopped up whatever spices dripped onto a bread, they'd eat that, too. In America in the 1940s, Italian restaurants popped up all over, and the garlic roll has since been perfected at Sebastiano's. This Hollywood restaurant serves freshly baked rolls with oodles of olive oil and minced garlic complimentary before every meal. But be warned: They will destroy your appetite as you find yourself asking for your basket to be refilled again and again. Need more? Of course you do. Dine in or take out at a half-dozen for $2.50 or a dozen for $3.95.

You can buy cheap ones at Publix in Styrofoam cups, but higher-end traditional ramen noodles are gaining steam in South Florida. One of the pioneers in the area is Cha-Cha Japanese Café. Located in a strip mall along State Road 7 in Wellington, it's a no-frills, nothing-fancy, quaint café serving up Japanese comfort food. The menu offers 14 different styles of ramen, a Chinese-style wheat noodle in either a soy- or pork-based broth. The Tonkotsu Yasei is a treat, with sautéed vegetables and slices of tender roast pork. Or kick it up a notch with the Hot and Sour Ramen, a more noodle-heavy version of the popular Japanese soup. Soft Nabeyaki Udon is made with a thick wheat noodle plus chicken, shrimp, and vegetable tempura, as well as an egg, in a hot pot. You won't spend more than $15, but the place has gotten so popular it no longer offers takeout.

There's a new bánh mì boss in town, and her name is Tiffany Huong. Huong opened up shop in Lauderdale Lakes late last year, and since her quaint Vietnamese cuisine to-go bistro got cooking, it's been a huge success. The star of the Huong's Bistro show is the bánh mì menu (choose from six varieties, ranging from $5 to $5.50). Nobody is slinging sandwiches the way they are here. Crusty-on-the-outside, fluffy-on-the-inside bread teams up with pickled vegetables, cilantro, and your choice of meats (anything from BBQ roast pork to an amazingly moist pork meatball) to put together a sandwich sent straight from heaven. Each bite gets better until the very last, which will make you sad. Unless... you order more than one! (That's a hint.) Many restaurants are attempting to pull off what Huong's Bistro is doing, but none comes close. This place is the undisputed bánh mì champion of Broward and Palm Beach counties.

What makes a bowl of pho un-pho-gettable? The best bowls share a few simple characteristics: slippery, firm noodles; a steaming, fragrant, rich beef broth; sheets of finely sliced meat; and a mountain of add-it-yourself cilantro, mint, and bean sprouts served on the side, allowing you to customize each bowl. Over the past few years the soup has grown on South Florida, and today there are dozens of places you can find it. At Saigon Cuisine, nestled in the heart of the Crossroads Shopping Center in Margate, owner Young Le has been serving authentic bowls of pho for close to ten years. There are portion sizes ranging from a kid's cup size ($4.75) to an extra-large bowl ($10.25), and choices of brisket, flank, beef meatballs, tripe, tenderloin, grilled pork, chicken, or seafood to flavor it up. At each table sits a tray stacked with ceramic jars, each filled with chili oil, chili paste, and poison sauce for spiking the broth as you see fit. Executed perfectly, a steaming bowl of pho—a balance of clean flavors, aromatic herbs, crisp vegetables, hearty protein, and rich broth—can be near euphoric.

Shooters was once known for its amazing waterfront location and its hot-body contests. Now it's known for its amazing waterfront location and its menu. And seriously, you could go to Shooters just for the desserts. Enjoy fantastical creations like the Key lime baked Alaska ($11), a way of dressing up a classic Floridian dish with a tuft of torched meringue, Key lime custard sitting in a creamy white puddle of coconut-scented daiquiri sauce. The restaurant sells at least 40 each night. A Caribbean-bread-pudding flan ($9) is no less stunning, marrying a Latin staple with American comfort fare. Neither too sweet nor too dry, the chocolate fudge cake is quite a spectacle, so large the restaurant considered calling it the Big-Ass Slice of Chocolate Cake ($10). All humility is gone once it arrives at the table with the restaurant's name scrawled in powdered chocolate on the plate. Ask to take it home and they'll devise a way to use several to-go containers to pack it up.

Ah, the most American, blue-collar breakfast: coffee and a doughnut. On any given morning, local shops that deal in both often have lines so long you'd swear they were giving their goods away. And they pretty much are. For $1.58 apiece, a good doughnut is worth every penny—especially when layered under a veil of decadent toppings or filled with creamy goodness. At the old-fashioned Dandee Donut Factory in Hollywood, owners Frank and Laura Pucine have been in the business for more than 20 years. Open at 5 a.m. daily, the Pucines' place offers 62 hand-cut, hand-dipped, and homestyle varieties, from jelly-filled and cake doughnuts to specialty yeast-raised selections. The most popular include the sour cream glazed cake, their signature honey-dipped plain glazed, and the longtime favorite—a coconut-crusted doughnut the size of a large bagel finished with a tuft of homemade dulce de leche, chocolate, or vanilla frosting. If you happen to get your hands on one later in the day, these babies are just as good for dessert.

Almost everything on 1-year-old Brgr Stop's menu reads like a challenge straight out of Food Network's Man vs. Food. Forget healthy eating, special meal plans, and dietary restrictions; Brgr Stop goes straight in the opposite direction. Begin your meal with buckets of candied bacon, a tower of onion rings, or a signature burger loaded with macaroni and cheese or a pile of melted peanut butter. The most intimidating items on the menu are the shakes (each $6.95). The craft milkshakes are owner Michael Buchinski's signature creations — made with cereal-infused milk, a flavor that perfectly re-creates the milk left at the bottom of your morning breakfast bowl. Buchinski sells up to 300 of these a day. Other selections are brand-name inspired, incorporating punishingly sweet Fruity Pebbles, Cap'n Crunch, and Lucky Charms. New additions include a Rice Krispie Treat shake.

This tiny shop, situated on a one-way street off Hallandale Beach Boulevard, is run by a sweet little dark-haired woman named Im Kupradit who sits at a desk in the front beside a large poster of the Thai solar calendar. In the afternoons, her 5-year-old son helps her stock shelves in his school uniform. The size of the shop might be limited, but its aisles are full. One aisle carries sauces and curries—anything from oyster sauce to sriracha and even preserved duck eggs. Another aisle is teetering with its spread of ramen, lai fun, and vermicelli noodles. They also import all kinds of South Pacific delicacies like shrimp-flavored chips, bamboo shoots, green tea desserts, and Pocky, a Japanese biscuit stick coated in chocolate. Im reports that customers travel from all over South Florida for specific ingredients from her shop. She welcomes everyone to call ahead to check if she has a particular item or to stop in on their own.

Owners Alex, Felipe, and Camilo Celis grew up right around the corner from the new store's Dixie Highway location in West Palm Beach. Their father, Elkin, owned Continental Market in the 1980s just two miles south. The brothers team up with local growers to sell organic fruits and vegetables as well as farm-fresh, never-refrigerated eggs. They pack the shelves with locally produced honey, spices, and raw goodies. Thirsty? You can buy beer and kombucha from local craft breweries, stock up on coffee from Subculture Roasters, or order something they whip up at the smoothie and juice bar, with drinks made entirely from products right off the store shelves. And if you can never seem to make it to the store, the store can come to you. Just go to Celis' website and sign up for produce delivered right to your doorstep.

The one drawback to shopping at Bedner's charming farm-side market in western Boynton was the fact that it was, well, in western Boynton. Which was fine for an occasional trip, something fun to do on a weekend, but since most people live east, it just wasn't reasonable for regular grocery shopping no matter how much you wanted to support local farmers with your organic cotton totes. Plus, think of the fossil fuels, you argued with yourself. That's why Bedner's put an equally charming red farmhouse smack in the middle of downtown Delray Beach's Pineapple Grove. It's all the things you loved about Bedner's, minus all the driving: fresh, locally grown produce, Florida-raised organic meats and eggs, a kick-ass wine selection, and craft beers. Just don't forget your organic cotton tote bags.

Now going into its second season, this single acre of well-tilled earth in the undeveloped suburbs of West Palm Beach is a labor of love, 100 percent organic and as concerned with social impact as the quality of its produce. Daniel Robleto, who runs the show, says he wants to "change the way people think about labor and food production." An example of Community Supported Agriculture (CSA), Nicoya's crops — including tomatoes, greens, root veggies, peppers, okra, carrots, and soon, bananas — are available on a weekly delivery basis to those who commit to a season-long subscription and will also be for sale at the Lake Worth Farmer's Market this fall. More adventurous (or cash-poor) folks can come on out to the plot and volunteer to swap labor for food.

On the pier in Lake Worth, the pop-up tiki bar has set up shop at the entrance to Benny's on the Beach. Potent libations, mixed drinks, and rum flights—some served from fresh, shaved coconuts—are doled out by local bartenders Rob Husted and Josh Gates, who developed the concept. It's almost ludicrous no one thought to do it sooner. The bar operates out of a pop-up tent open Wednesday through Monday from noon to 7 p.m., weather permitting. No need to get fancy, either; beachgoers order in bathing suits from a chalkboard menu that presents a short list of rotating and signature tiki-style drinks. This includes the Lota Colada ($15), a basil-infused piña colada that uses real cream of coconut; and the Virgin Sacrifice, vodka mixed with strawberries, blood orange juice, and ginger beer with a fancy Bols Blue Foam topper. All you need is some sunblock—and maybe a designated driver.

At Canyon, chef-owner Chris Wilber has been making his famous prickly pear margarita ($12) since long before it was fashionable to infuse cocktails with fresh fruit. It's been the bar's signature drink since the restaurant opened in 1994—a bright pink drink served on the rocks with a salt rim or up for a simple martini-style cocktail. It looks so simple, but it's actually a lot of work: Every few days the restaurant receives a wooden crate of ripe prickly pears. From there, Wilber slices and dices them into small-batch containers with the house Sauza Hornitos tequila, then lets it sit for several days—long enough for the cactus fruits to bleed purplish-pink juice and sweet, exotic flavor into the mix. From there, the bar staff mixes the fruit-infused tequila with a fresh-squeezed lemon-lime sour mix and just a touch of triple sec. On a busy weekend the bar will serve up to 200 glasses a night.

Readers' choice: Rocco's Tacos and Tequila Bar

The Cupcake Galleria nails the formula for the perfect mini-cake: a fluffy inside and just the right amount of toppings to make it creative but not overdone. Each Galleria cupcake is made from scratch in-house daily. The shop offers more than 14 signature flavors ($3 each) including vanilla buttercream, banana truffle, chocolate Nutella, s'mores, and hot fudge sundae. Some are topped with peanut butter cups, and others are finished with cookies, sprinkles, mountains of icing, or all of the above. Its most decadent creation is the Cake Shake, in which a cupcake and a milkshake are fused, making a sweet drink topped with a cupcake (or two) of your choosing. During a Monday happy hour, mini-cupcakes can be snagged for 75 cents apiece.

This sweet shop brought rich, wholesome ice cream from one coast to the other. Creams and Dreams, founded in California, is known for its liquid nitrogen concoctions, which are free of artificial additives and preservatives. Each batch is made to order, though once you take it home, it can be frozen for months at a time. (Though what kind of freak would let it just sit there like that!?) Flavors continually rotate, but there are about 10 different ones available at any given time. Expect varieties like orange honey ice cream, made with milk base, fresh oranges, and honey; affogato, which blends a few scoops of liquid ice cream with a shot of espresso; and other flavors like green tea, fresh avocado, and cookies and cream.

Spreading his wings after a couple of decades overseeing the door at Rodney Mayo's Respectable Street Cafe, Paul Klov has taken his finely tuned sense of what's hip, plus his taste for avant-garde art and music, and nestled down in shabby/chic Northwood, West Palm's coolest neighborhood. Here, his boundary-busting gallery hosts late-night affairs like performances, art installations, live figure modeling, local bands and DJs, and the occasional tarot card reading. Plus, there's first-rate gelato and sorbetto— locally sourced, small batch, all-natural, no high-fructose corn syrup, no additives, no artificial colors, and no preservatives (with a line of vegan, nut-based ice creams on the horizon!). Lick, drink, and be merry.

Look, I'm no sommelier. I've never been to Wine Country, and though I might typically opt for a bottle in the $10 to $15 range, I am certainly not above a trusty five-buck Chuck. Some evenings call for a quiet night in, when that first sip of chilled Pinot instantly slackens all the day's tensions. Other occasions require something more refined—elaborate chalkboard menus; dim bauble lighting overhead; a steady, hushed chatter over the tinkling of smooth jazz. And still other times call for a visit to your regular neighborhood spot, the place where the staff will just as readily recommend you a great glass of Cab as a new punk band to check out. In downtown Hollywood, that neighborhood spot is Hollywood Vine. Part wine bar, part retail space, the laid-back watering hole on Harrison Street also doubles as a venue for parties, fundraisers, and other special events. In addition to the 600 competitively priced wines selected by store operator Steven Krakow from all over the world, Hollywood Vine also stocks spirits, artisan cheese, beer, and gourmet foods, and it hosts free tastings every Tuesday featuring guest speakers on topics like regional wines and food pairings. But what really makes the place stand out is events like a pop-up record store where vinyl lovers congregate to trade wares and exchange stories (Sundays, quarterly), or an "un-"cooking class with Raw Chef Carla (monthly).

Readers' choice: 33rd Street Wine Bar

The Blind Monk opened in downtown West Palm Beach nearly six years ago. The wine and tapas bar has European-style outdoor café lighting, a long glass coffee table filled with corks, and a floor-to-ceiling wall of wines from around the world. It's a connoisseur's paradise—but it's also welcoming to those of us who choose wines based on price or what animal is on the label. The selection is not as massive as a big box liquor store, but there are always about 30 wines available by the glass, making it easy to experiment with brands, regions, and years. Over the course of a few weeks or months, owner Ben Lubin (a certified sommelier) and his manager Lauren Samson (also a certified sommelier, who's in charge of the wine program) rotate the selection. Whether it's a Malbec from the southwest of France or a Pinot Noir from Oregon, the Blind Monk will always have something remarkable on hand, guaranteed.

Drinks are good and all, but it takes a greasy burger or a salty fry to truly make your happy hour happy. Let's face it, no one's going to order a salad with their jack and coke. ROK:BRGR takes classic bar food to the next level by adding some flair. Different snacks include beer-battered onion rings with jalapeño as well as fries with cheese curds and brown gravy. Fourteen handcrafted burgers include the Fat Elvis, garnished with peppered bacon, peanut butter, and local strawberry jam. The standards are rounded out with chicken and waffles with candied bacon in addition to a short rib grilled cheese. Satisfy your cravings on a Saturday night out, then follow that with a Hangover Sandwich—an over-easy egg with maple pepper bacon, sriracha aioli, cheddar cheese, tomato, and avocado—at Sunday brunch (when mimosas are free for ladies, BTW). The bar uses farm-fresh local ingredients... but let's not kid ourselves; there's a breakfast mac and cheese on the menu.

We have evolved. As beer drinkers. As carnivores. As overall human beings. We crave complex flavors and beverages our ancestors would never have dreamed of experiencing. Tradition is fine, but we must also make our own paths. Thankfully, Tucker Duke's Lunchbox is bulldozing new tastebud roads that should take us into the year 2075. Besides carrying the craziest and newest local craft brews, they offer treats and dishes that make eyes burst just reading about them. Fried PB&J Bon-Bons, pork belly sliders, smoked beef brisket sandwiches, bacon-topped delights, and most popularly, their signature Tucker Duke burger (which cooks refuse to alter because you're wrong for trying to mess with perfection). We swear, scanning up and down the Tucker Duke's menu is a treat in itself. Sometimes after you order, you just want to keep it as reading material while you plan your next trip.

Riverside epitomizes the basement bar hangout in an area where basements don't exist. Although most restaurants have begun to offer craft beer, the Market still does it best with coolers stretching across the walls, tempting shoppers with more than 500 different beers from all across the world. The self-service is key to the experience; walk up, stare intently, and agonize over which to pick. Then snag it, open it yourself, and take a seat like it's your own living room. Pizzas and sandwiches pump out of the kitchen, so there's something to go with your can of White Oak Jai Alai or your draft of Dogfish Head World Wide Stout. Always be on the lookout for a sighting of Julian's Secret Stash, the owner's select offerings of unique and rare beers.

Can a brewery be both a beacon of culture and a regional captain of industry? Surely. Funky Buddha continues to be a craft beer powerhouse, bringing bold and bombastic flavors all the time. An imperial barrel-aged Maple Bacon Coffee Porter? Yes. Red ales with raspberries and just enough habanero peppers to make your tongue sizzle? Hell yes. Buddha's beers make headlines across the country and throughout the world, and its beer festivals have gotten so big they've had to move to Jaco Pistorius Park. Being so busy, it's amazing that they were able to install a kitchen this year... meaning that there's never really a reason to leave the brewery anymore.

Copperpoint has only been open for a few months, but the experience of owner and head brewer Matthew Cox spans over 15 years. Since its inception, the brewing company has created clean and balanced beers but also flirted with sometimes exotic ingredients. It's created a foundation of beers like the Copperpoint Lager, a crisp and bready amber beer that takes six weeks to mature—an investment that pays off in taste. But it's not afraid to get inventive: the brewery has a surprise hit with the creamy and chocolatey B Rabbit Espresso Stout, a beer that South Floridians can't seem to get enough of, even during the height of summer.

Murals of hand-painted ocean scenes wrap Saltwater's taproom, which is built out of an old feed store west of downtown Delray Beach. The bar, made of reclaimed Dade County Pine, stuns with its rich color and warm embrace. Huge stainless steel fermenters tower behind the bar in a space that lets the scents of mash waft throughout. Dark couches in one corner allow comfortable conversation to occur, while a table shuffleboard lets competition fly. Let's not forget the outdoor space, an open-air extension of the taproom with huge tables, a grass lawn, and a drink rail all its own. When the weather's nice, it's not surprising to find the outside more crowded than the inside. The beer being made here doesn't hurt either.

When drinking American craft beer gets boring, Specialty Beer Cellar in Jupiter is the place to go for the best that Europe has to offer. They don't carry every mass-market beer pumped out of a Heineken factory, but they do boast an amazing lineup from across Belgium, the United Kingdom, Germany, and beyond. From beers like St. Feuillien Tripet to WychCraft English Bitter to Schlenkerla Urbock Rauchbier, there's always a unique and interesting beer to be had. The location is a cross between a beer store and a bar, carrying a wide variety of packaged beers and a strong inventory across 16 draft handles. Dark wood furniture, poured concrete, and bricked walls complete the illusion that you might be in a small beermonger's shop down a cobbled street in Antwerp.

Ahhh, yes. The craft beer conundrum. We love the fact that we don't have to drink Budweiser anymore, but we hate that it costs an arm and a leg. The Brass Tap must be aware of this problem, because it's fixing it for us. Chances are, while you're reading this, the Brass Tap is running a drink special — and not some crusty-old Ice House bucket deal, but actual specials on beers you want to drink: $5 local pints, half-off growler fills, all-you-can-drink blowouts... A scroll down the beer bar's Instagram page will result in all the information you need to know. If you're pinching pennies but don't want to sacrifice that coffee porter you enjoy so much, hit the Brass Tap.

Delray Beach has no dearth of spots for hanging out, having a few drinks, and enjoying all South Florida has to offer—with one glaring exception. There's nowhere you can sit on the beach. Boston's on the Beach in particular has tried to address this by offering not only a large, slightly raised outdoor patio but by adding a second, less casual restaurant upstairs, 50 Ocean, with an excellent vantage for ocean viewing. Still, though, it's not quite the laid-back SoFla feel you were going for. You want to sit in the sun sipping on frozen bevvies—and that's why they opened Sandbar. Boston's attempt to bring the beach to you, Sandbar is a large tiki bar complete with sand on the ground, water fountains to frolic in, umbrella-covered tables, and cornhole. The 21-and-over spot is completely outdoors and serves all the frosty, keep-cool-like-a-grownup drinks you love, including one of the best piña coladas you'll find in these parts—complete with a rum floater, of course. In addition to daiquiris and frozen margaritas, there are also plenty of well drinks, beers, finger foods, and sandwiches to soak it all up. But honestly, the urge to toss off your beach cover is strong here, so stick with the frozen drinks—all the vacation vibe, no bloated stomach.

The Bloody Mary options are infinite at the Downtowner's "Make Your Own Bloody Mary" bar. Every Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., the staff lays out a long buffet table. They set out pitchers of tomato juice and Clamato. They place bottles of sauces like tabasco, Worcestershire sauce, and Zin Zang mix. Little dishes hold garnishes like horseradish, salts, stuffed olives, pickles, and celery. For $3, you get a glass and a splash of the house vodka. (For a dollar more, you can opt for something higher shelf.) Pour and dunk and scoop at your own discretion... but this is your moment. You can either create the best alcoholic concoction to accompany your brunch—or the worst. If you have performance anxiety, note that a bartender stands nearby for advice and moral support. When you're done, carry your drink away to your table either outside along the river or inside beside the large flat screens. It might not look as put-together as something created by a professional, but you made it with your own two hands. Don't forget to tip yourself.

Lots of people serve martinis, but all are not created equally. Proper martinis are little treasures. Timpano Italian Chophouse does martinis right—maybe due to its inviting setting and friendly staff, or maybe because of quality ingredients. The Lemon-Drop Martini is a crowd favorite, as is the Three Olives Martini that includes olive juice, three stuffed olives (blue cheese, prosciutto, pickle), and handmade vodka. Whatever flavor you like to mix with your sauce, Timpano's probably can hook that up (raspberry, cranberry, and peach being the most popular). Having a great dinner to go with your drink doesn't hurt, and Timpano's amazing selection of Italian fare pairs well with any martini.