Not just amazing food, but amazing service and a great overall experience!!! We were told about this restaurant over 15 years ago and try to come back anytime we are in the Fort Lauderdale area. read more

Yo Cuz!! This place is a must try. If you and the wife or girlfriend are looking for great food, service and ambiance, this is the place. If you go earlier in the day it is a bit quieter however go past 8 the music is pumping the old school Italian movies playing on the screen and the food is coming out fresh like it's Nonna's kitchen. I have never had a bad experience here and will always continue to come back when I come to my home away from home. read more

It only took me 12 years of living here to finally try what the locals lovingly call "martorano's". In a city that is overpopulated by Italian dining options, it was easy to see why this has been an Oakland Park staple. We went in on a Friday night around 645 and the place was packed. It wasn't even season. We were lucky enough to score 2 seats at the bar. We started off with dirty martinis (extra cold) and they were served perfectly. We also began with the Caesar salad and the prosciutto and Parmesan. Both were excellent. The highlight for me was the prosciutto and Parmesan. We even had leftovers to take home and eat on toasted bagels the next morning. We split the linguine and clams as a main and still had leftovers as the portion size was very healthy. The pasta is all cooked al dente. The sauce was light and refreshing on such a warm night, and it came with plenty of clams the vibe in the restaurant was perfect for a Friday night. It was loud, but not too loud. Lively. We saw the chef/owner working in the kitchen and all of the staff buzzing about was friendly. They had several nightly specials. I will make sure to call for a reservation next time because it was obvious we just got super lucky scoring two seats at the bar when we did. Parking out front and valet is also available ($). read more

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In this trendy part of Fort Lauderdale, some places need a gimmick to stand out: the black and white TVs, suspendered waiters, and "old school" memorabilia on the walls set the vibe, while the food speaks for itself Martorano's is a pretty convincing take on an Arthur Ave red sauce joint: big portions of chicken, veal, and fresh pastas fill the menu. There for a networking dinner, our table of 8 split orders of calamari, eggplant stacks (crispy fried eggplant + fresh mozzarella + tomato + balsamic), and meatball salad (hulking beef meatballs + long hots + ricotta + greens). The calamari and eggplant were solid, while the meatballs were some of the best I've had outside of the Bronx My main, a breadcrumb crusted sea bass with potatoes and onions, was rich and flaky without feeling too heavy. The meal was capped with slices of pistachio and chocolate cakes. read more

Cafe Martorano - Sea Bass special: coated with breadcrumbs and served with potatoes and onions - Italian Near Me - Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Those who know me know the culinary way to make me happy is with either burgers or Italian food. This last Saturday, my friend Monica and I came here to continue my birth month celebration with delicious plates of pasta. Located in Oakland Park right off the Intracoastal, Martorano's is a cozy Italian spot perfect for celebrations and date nights. The owner, Steve Martorano, is a true renaissance man, wielding a turntable as skillfully as a sauce pan. Yes, I actually saw him in the kitchen whether cooking himself or performing in person QC and as the night went on mixing music. Last night's vibe was soul and old-school hip-hop. Classical music for us! In addition to the music, they also have mob movies playing on the TV's. As a grown up 80s kid / 90s teen this was perfect! I was originally not going to drink because I was going to run a 10k Sunday morning,, then OK just one then... maybe I was convinced to have a little more. I enjoyed their full bodied and perfectly dry Chianti. The sip that I got from my friend's espresso martini was pretty good as well. Heck, it may even have made me a better runner :) Besides the fluffy bread and spicy oil, we were first treated to a chicken cutlet amuse bouche which our server cut at the table. Then came delicious fried baby meatballs with 'Sunday Gravy' (known as marinara sauce in other areas). Side note: table reservations are for 90 minutes, but you're able to lounge by the bar and get another round. My main was a delicious and sizeable chicken parm garnished with basil, gnocchi cream and a fresh San marzano tomato sauce. Monica's Carbonara dish was artistically prepared tableside. Normally I'm strictly a red sauce kind of guy and I enjoyed a bite as well. Both plates were big enough to get takeout. Since we came for my birth month, I told our waiter when I ordered my waffle cake stuffed with ice cream as well as an edible piece of white chocolate marked with his signature "Yo Cuz" phrase. They brought it out with a candle and sang Happy Birthday. Martorano's was definitely worth the drive and I look forward to another visit. read more

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Great spot for your Italian classics with a modern and trendy twist. Came with a big group and they let us order family style. A lot of great cocktail options. Heard the hype about the cheesesteak and was skeptical but it came out piping hot and full of flavor. I'll absolutely be coming back for the cheesesteak. If you like dinner with club lights deff check out this spot. read more

Cafe Martorano - Expresso - Italian Near Me - Fort Lauderdale, Florida

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This place is amazing; can't believe I have never been here. I went to celebrate my friend Sergio F. birthday. High Table for two, reservations were hard so plan accordingly. Martoranos gives Italian, Philly, northeast vibes. from the aesthetics, food and music. We had to wait a few minutes because our table was not ready but once we sat down, the chef sent us complimentary chicken cutlet bites with ketchup, simple yet fantastic. We ordered our drinks; wine and I got a dirty martini of course, so cold and good, we had seconds and maybe a third drink Hehe. We ordered the following; Fried Meatballs, small, crunchy, 4-5 small meatballs that were delicious. Would order again. Sergio got the Chicken Parmesan that was garnished with basil, gnocchi cream and a fresh tomato sauce. I ordered the Carbonara dish that was served tableside. They broke an egg yolk on my pasta and mixed it in. My dish IMO was incredible and a huge serving big enough to share. To start they give bread and I loved the dipping oil infused with red pepper flakes. They brought Sergio a cake with the "Yo Cuz" logo phrase made with white chocolate and the attentive staff sang Happy Birthday. Almost forgot the DJ is the owner Mr. Martorano. He was spinning oldies that transitioned into 90s hip hop. We were bopping in our chairs, such a great vibe. Can't wait till I come back here, have to make a reservation already! read more

Cafe Martorano - Italian Near Me - Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Food was okay. I didn't love the location, however the service was good. Ambiance again was okay. I think I was expecting more but it was nothing special. The mozzarella appetizer was so small and tasted like the mozzarella I can go buy at Publix for $6 but it was $25. Did not taste fresh. I don't like how much food they give. I understand that's what they do here but they just kept bringing out more food. By the time my pasta came I didn't even want it anymore I was so full!! If you come here you definitely don't need an appetizer. They give you bread and other snacks which is what made me so full. Overall I don't think I'd come back, it was extremely overpriced. read more

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Must make reservations if you want to be seated. Our reservations were made early January and the first available Saturday was the 1st weekend of February. BUT...It was well worth the wait. Friends have talked highly about it so I was eager to go check it out for myself. The servers are on point. Friendly , patient, knowledgeable. Right away taking the drink orders and bringing water and bread out to the table. Everything is made upon request so immediately you are informed to order appetizer, meal and desert at the same time. The menu specifically says " no substitutions" so if you are allergic that can be an issue. But who's allergic to pasta?!?! Say's no one! lol As appetizer we got a warm mozzarella... that had a vinaigrette drizzle. The waiter cuts it into pieces infront of you. You see it like melt right before your eyes. Let me say delish. The warmth of the mozzarella was a hit. ( nice for that cold chilly evening that we don't get often) Oh did I mention Steve Martorano has his own wine of Pinot Grigio so for $82 a bottle why not. I believe the glass was like $20 something. Who stops at 1 glass of wine! lol The wine was also good. As for my meal I had a Carbonara pasta! Yum yum! Can I say I would have never imagined an egg getting cut and mixed into my pasta (in-front of me) would taste so good! But that was the most rich and creamy dish. The portion was pretty big! I could not finish my meal. ( I should of taken my left overs to go because the next day I was savoring my pasta dish) Desert we ordered a cake Yo Cuz that I will share the pic. I am not a desert person but I must admit I pushed for like 5 bites of the cake. The ambiance vibe is nice and older elegant crowd. They have a bar and tables surrounding both sides of the restaurant. The walls have pictures and TV playing old classics. I believe every seat in the restaurant gets a view of the chef into play ... Steve Martorano! Along with his skills in the kitchen - he is a DJ. I would have never imagined a chef that will be playing some old school music while doing his thing. That's what I call loving your job! If you're looking for a night out, with family, friends or date night. This is a great spot. read more

Cafe Martorano - Yo cuz Yo Cuz - Italian Near Me - Fort Lauderdale, Florida

Five stars. No debate. From the moment we sat down, the energy was dialed in. The room has that classic South Florida-meets-old-school-Italian vibe that feels intentional. You know you are somewhere that takes food and hospitality seriously. Bartender Adam was outstanding. Attentive without hovering. Confident with recommendations. Drinks were on point all night and he kept the bar moving seamlessly. Service like that elevates the entire experience. The veal parmigiana was massive and perfectly executed. Tender, well-seasoned, balanced sauce, not drowning in cheese. The meatball salad was equally impressive. Fresh, flavorful, and portioned generously without sacrificing quality. Everything hit the mark. Big flavors. Big portions. Big personality. Exactly what you want when you book Martorano's. We will be back. read more

It all started with the veal chop--thick, tender, and seasoned like it had a standing ovation coming. If Michael Corleone ordered this in Little Italy, even he'd crack a smile. Charred on the outside, blushing on the inside--like it just stepped off a first-class flight from Palermo. Then came the Sicilian slice. One bite and suddenly you're in a smoky back room with Robert De Niro saying, "Try the slice, kid--it's a real slice." Crispy crust, molten cheese, and that sauce? Fuggedaboutit. The kind of slice that doesn't just hit--it talks to you. And the carbonara? Pure Roman gold. Creamy without cream, with that rich pecorino bite and silky pancetta that whispers, "This is how it's done." Picture a Goodfellas dinner scene--long table, laughter, red wine flowing--and this dish getting passed around like family secrets. Every dish was a main character. No extras, no fillers. Just bold flavors, old-school charm, and enough soul to make you want to light a cigar and toast to la famiglia. read more

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Cafe Martorano's is the definition of authentic Italian dining in the heart of Fort Lauderdale. From the moment you walk in, you can feel that this place is a true labor of love--Steve's heart and soul are in every dish that comes out of the kitchen. The classic movies playing on the big screen set the perfect old-school vibe, and the atmosphere feels warm, lively, and familiar. Many of the guests are clearly regulars, greeted by name and welcomed like family, which makes the experience feel less like a restaurant and more like being invited to a big Italian family meal. As for the food--exceptional across the board. The famous meatball salad is a must, the crispy mozzarella is perfection, and Steve's linguini and clams is unforgettable. Honestly, though, you can't go wrong with anything on the menu. Every dish is executed with care, flavor, and authenticity. Cafe Martorano's isn't just a meal--it's an experience. A Fort Lauderdale staple that never disappoints and keeps you coming back for more. read more

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This place was excellent. As an Italian, I don't say that lightly. From the very first bite of the meatball salad appetizer, I was immediately transported back to my Nonna's house on New Year's -- pure comfort and nostalgia. I then ordered a dish I make often myself: escarole, beans, and sausage cavatelli. It was absolutely delicious. You can tell they use real grated Parmesan or pecorino in the sauce -- rich, savory, and done the right way. This is true, authentic Italian food -- not over-styled, not "fancy for the sake of fancy," just honest, old-school Italian cooking in a warm, classic atmosphere. I will absolutely be back. read more

Cafe Martorano - Escarole , beans and cavatelli - Italian Near Me - Fort Lauderdale, Florida

The vibe here is electric -- a full-on party with DJ music, flashing lights, and owner-chef Steve Martorano at the center of it all. It's loud, it's fun, and it's exactly what life should feel like over dinner. The Philly cheesesteak appetizer? Hands down the best in Florida. The pizza -- only served as an app -- is next level. We split the carbonara, which they serve tableside like a performance (and yes, it's worth every penny). It's not cheap, but the experience is unforgettable. I've been here about 10 times over the years, and it never disappoints. This place is a Fort Lauderdale must read more

Cafe Martorano - Italian Near Me - Fort Lauderdale, Florida

I've been eating at Martorano for a long time. This time it hit different. The food is always amazing and is so fresh, you can't beat it. For me in the past, the music and movies overtook the experience at times. I loved the party vibe and could jam out to the songs so with all due respect it was always a good time. However this time, the music was down and the movies were muted. I could enjoy the conversation with my family and friends and Steve kept his sample tastings flowing along with it. I ordered a shrimp scampi which is life changing ever. single. time. It doesn't get better than that so make sure you order it. There was also a special of linguini and clams but with it came lobster and crab. 4 other people in my party ordered it as well. My husband ordered the short rib bolognese and it was amazing as well. I don't have many photos unfortunately but we also ordered the pistachio cake and cookies and cream cake. Rosé was delicious and crisp as well. Overall, fantastic experience, fantastic service, fantastic time. Definitely needs a higher rating from people, don't sleep on Cafe Martorano. Side note: at the bottom of the menu there is a special note to customers should they want a rosary. I am not religious but felt this was extremely thoughtful and I asked for two. read more

Cafe Martorano - Pistachio cake - Italian Near Me - Fort Lauderdale, Florida

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Everything about this restaurant is phenomenal. Food- 10/10. Customer Service experience-- 100% they do all the little gestures that truly make hospitality! Cleaning of the white table cloth in between, serving pasta for guests- attentive -- the list goes on! read more

Cafe Martorano - Steve's linguine and clams - Italian Near Me - Fort Lauderdale, Florida

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The food was delicious, and the service was friendly and attentive. However, a few things dampened the experience. When asked if we preferred still or sparkling water, we said still, but multiple bottles of Acqua Panna were brought over and poured rapidly throughout dinner without clarity that we'd be charged. At the end of dinner there were glasses filled with water left all over the table. It felt excessive and we ended up being charged for four bottles we didn't ask for. We were also shown a list of specials, but two of the items were unavailable when we placed our order, which left us scrambling to choose something else. I understand that sometimes items on the menu are short, but why wouldn't you advise that ahead of time rather than when we decide to place the order? On top of that, we were told to order appetizers and entrees together, and toward the end of the night we were denied another round of drinks at the table because our "time was up," even though we had just finished eating. It also felt overpriced. After $1,000+ bill--including being charged for items we didn't ask for--it didn't feel fair to be pushed out the door right after eating. Overall, the food was great and the server was kind, but the rushed pacing, unclear upsells, and steep pricing took away from what could've been a great 5 star dining experience. read more

Had dinner for a girlfriend's birthday on 4/10. Our original reservation was for 8 pm. We were asked the day prior to move it to 8:15, which is no problem. We arrived on time but did not sit until about 8:40. This was not an issue to us, at first. The biggest issue was the rude and terrible service we received from Teddy. From the start, he was flustered and unfriendly. He quickly whipped through the specials on the iPad, and was spitting all over me as he needed to be close enough for us to hear because it is extremely loud in there. I asked to order a pineapple margarita, non alcoholic, and he told me that was not possible. I pointed to the cocktail menu and asked again to just have the tequila taken out. He rudely tried to tell me the menu was cocktails only, and I pointed to the bottom of the menu which reads "all cocktails can be made non-alcoholic". I told him I enjoy the ingredients in there and trust the bartender. He brought me back a literal glass of pineapple juice. No other mixes or flavors. This was our first time. He asked if we were ready to order and we said we were ready to put in apps. He said it everything has to be ordered together. That is no problem, and we politely told him we didn't know and would need a minute. He said "you get 2 minutes because we have reservations" and walked away. This was INCREDIBLY rude. When he returned, my friend informed him that it was her birthday and we also had a reservation that we waited to be seated for. The food was good, however the portions are small for the price. Especially the apps. Teddy also got one of our orders wrong. He brought our gluten free friend a pasta dish when she ordered a potato dish. The music is fun, despite being loud. Our overall experience was disappointing though, mostly due to the poor service. We spent a lot of money for a sub-par experience. 3/4 of us have experience working as servers and are very understanding as a result. This was unacceptable. read more

Always love it. The vibe, service and food are outstanding! Definitely one of my favorite restaurants!

This is the best Italian food I've ever eaten. Wow, I've been here 4 times and every time is on point !. The service, food and cocktail drinks are great. Ambiance is awesome, loud good music for a date night out. DJ is a pro. Make reservations because it gets busy. 10/10 !!!!! read more

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They make an excellent espresso martini here! We only came for drinks & dessert and it was fantastic! I couldn't even finish the dessert! Their menu is on an iPad where the server scrolls through to share photos of the items and we couldn't resist the waffle with ice cream and fresh whipped cream and the chocolate cake. So good! read more

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This place came highly recommended to us by a family friend so we had to try it out. We had to make a reservation more than a week in advance and even with doing that could only get a 9:15pm on a Tuesday so we knew it really had to be that good if they were that booked! Chix parm was 10/10. Just the perfect cut of chicken- perfectly crispy, & garlicky with just the right amount of marinara and I don't know what kind of mozzarella Steve uses but it was delicious. Also tried the fried mozzarella and eggplant tower which were excellent. All ther staff was dressed and clearly trained really well too, they all do a great job. I wish I could eat here every night. If you are in FTL you have to dine here. They have valet parking so if you can't find a spot you just pay $10 and they valet your car. Thanks Steve & staff for the best dinner I've ever had. We'll be back!! read more

I loved everything about this dinning experience. They have a bar in the middle of the restaurant with the dinning area around it. They also cook the food on the front of you on a side grill. They had a DJ performing with amazing lights. I got a couple appetizers the meatball is to die for! It melted in my mouth plus you can tell the pizza had all homemade ingredients. I'm upset though at myself because I did get a video of our main courses yet forgot to save them smh! The beef rib raviolis are to die for big oh portions. My date let me try his chicken Parmesan it was amazing as well. The food comes out as soon as they cook it it's so fresh. Plus, my waiter was so attentive & he cleans the table off. On top of that serve the food also if you want any something to go you don't have to box it. I give this place 10/10 MUST TRY!!! read more

Cafe Martorano - Italian Near Me - Fort Lauderdale, Florida

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Absolutely unacceptable experience. The manager, who is also Martorano's partner, was rude, arrogant, and completely dismissive. Despite having a confirmed reservation and receiving a confirmation message just 24 hours before our visit, we were told our reservation would not be honored. Rather than offering an apology or attempting to resolve the situation, the manager displayed a shocking lack of professionalism and customer service. We planned our weekend around this reservation and were treated with disrespect from the moment the issue arose. A restaurant of this caliber should value and appreciate its guests and stand behind its reservations. The way we were treated was embarrassing, frustrating, and completely unacceptable. I would not recommend this establishment to anyone expecting courtesy, professionalism, or basic respect for their customers. read more

Really like the food and atmosphere at this restsurant BUT my experience was not a good one. The restaurant makes you order all food at one time. Appetizers came and whike we were midway in eating, the main entrees came out. We asked to have them returned as we had not even finished the appetizers. They did not. Feeling rushed is an understatement. The restaurant staff did nothing to accomodate this. Too bad because the owner is great and the food is good. But the "rushed" experience left me feeling unwelcome. read more

What an amazing dinner! Food was delicious but Jose and Jose made our evening even better. Great service! We will definitely be back!

I don't know where to start on this one... based upon some prior reviews on other internet sites, our expectations going into Cafe Martorano (CM) were high. We waited for a table long past our reservation time but were excited once seated. First observation, CM is as much a 70s disco as it is a restaurant. Two issues with that... first, the music is so loud you cannot even have a conversation, and we were seated outside! Second, the crowd is generally older, a "Love Boat" crowd trying to hang out at a throwback disco. Anyway, I digress... the meal. Gerardo was our waiter, "G" as he is known. Colby was his assistant. We ordered a couple of cocktails, lychee martini and skinny spicy margarita. Both were very good! Next came the food order process, which they explain is inviolate. Once you order, there are no changes or substitutions, the kitchen runs on a clock, no exceptions. We ordered the grilled octopus and stacked eggplant appetizers. And selected a lobster entree and catch of the day as our dinner. All good, order in. About 5 minutes later G comes back to report they have no more grilled octopus. OK, we roll with that, we'll have the calamari instead. G returns again another 5 minutes later to report they now have no more stacked eggplant. OK with that too, we ordered the pigs feet (something different). So, all is well right? Wrong, remember that "the kitchen runs on a clock" thing? The calamari arrives, delicious, perhaps some of the best ever. About 1/2 through the calamari, the pigs' feet arrive, and it's a platter (check pic). No one explained the gargantuan serving size of the appetizer going in. (Colby told us later that the pigs' feet appetizer is the cheapest thing on the menu, and the kitchen needs to get rid of it at the end of the night, that's why the portion was so big!). So, we mopped up the calamari, and we were 5 minutes into the pigs' feet when the entrees arrived. We told G we're not ready for those, and suggested he return them to the kitchen, which he did. G is back two minutes later saying, "the kitchen says the entrees HAVE to be served now, they have no heat lamps." We decided our dinner would be cold no matter what, so bring them out. He did. 15 minutes later, we set aside the remaining appetizer, and tried the entrees... cold and disgusting. We sent them back. No use taking them, we had an early flight the next morning. No pics of the entrees included here, they looked and tasted cold and horrible! The problem came down to "the kitchen runs on a clock." All food ordered at one time (no exceptions) and the clock starts running. Apparently, the kitchen and wait staff are not smart enough to realize (or they just don't care, which is perhaps a bigger problem) when an initial set of appetizers is ordered, and are not available because of a shortage the kitchen, and substitute appetizers are ordered, the waiter and/or kitchen need to hold up the rest of the food and adjust the service schedule. I worked in the restaurant business for years; it's not rocket science. It's common sense. CM does not care enough about its customers to try to make it a good experience, it's their "rules," too bad if you don't like it. We explained the problem to G, and all we got back over and over was "We told you up front the kitchen works on a clock." Great reasoning for someone with no capacity to think out of his little box. Instead, he treated us like we're idiots who didn't understand the rules. It was a waiter/kitchen screw up, the appropriate move was to re-make the entrees when we were ready for them. By the way, this all took place at 11:30pm, the place wasn't crowded. And, finally, there was no move to adjust our bill in light of the restaurant's mistakes. A very expensive dinner ($300) that ended up in the trash. We were planning after dinner drinks and dessert, no chance for that. For the first time in 30+ years, I left no tip. That seemed fair. Between the cheesy 70s disco for the 50+ crowd, the music so loud you need earplugs even to sit outside, the condescending and arrogant service staff, a servers/kitchen apparently run by the mindless, CM ranks up there as one of the top 3 worst dinners I have had... ever! Popularity has obviously given rise to arrogance and stupidity. Not only can I NOT recommend CM, my advice is that you avoid CM at all costs. If I could rate CM negative 5 stars, I would. Don't waste your money on that place. Go to Olive Garden, the food and service is much better! If I sound irritated, I am, and it's 5 days later. read more

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I came to Martorano's for a 9:45 reservation for 2. We were seated in a timely manner. We ordered baked clams, and a seafood special and some broccolini. We got our clams and they were good. As soon as our main entree dropped the server dropped an entire pepper shaker into our meal. Meaning all of the peppercorns from the shaker were dropped into the pasta and side from our main order. They told us they really didn't have any more food left to make. The chef came out and said he could make us some chicken parm- no pasta though. When the bill came, they left the chicken parm and also charged us additionally for a drink we did not order. When I asked to speak to the manager she basically said well the chicken parm Was cheaper than the seafood pasta so it really shouldn't matter about our experience. She was not apologetic that our meal was ruined and we had to rush to finish eating since they were closing. She begrudgingly and with an attitude snatched the check back and reversed the $50 charge. She came back and dropped the receipt, didn't say a word and walked off with an attitude. They still kept the $100 charge they take from the reservation fee. I have NEVER been treated like this especially from a manager of an establishment like this. It will be my last time dining here. read more

Insanely great Philly Italian food served by the most professional servers and staff. We had Chef Steven cook for us and his food was delectable and plentiful! I've been there a half dozen times and can't wait to go back. Totally my favorite restaurant in Florida and I've been here since 1972! A great experience for sure! read more

We have been coming here for years supporting this business leaving a lot of money there as this place ain't cheap. After another dinner I felt wronged that you are only given 1.5hr for your whole dining experience and they literally hover over you to kick you out when time is up. none of the places give you this ridiculous time limit. Called greed. I left an honest review about it and stopped going there for about a year and a half. So last night we stopped for a drink there, of course they remembered us because we were regulars and we were rudely kicked out from there with my elderly husband, who did nothing wrong, I was the one who left an honest review, not him. When I asked the staff what was the reason for kicking us out It almost got physical from the staff but they had no explanation. I asked to see the manager but of course he was unavailable. Shocker, because I saw him 10 min prior. Is this how you treat your locals? Your guests? People without who you would not be in business who bring you income on the regular basis? Clearly the owner does not read the reviews or doesn't care, it's all about naive tourists and quick flipping tables like you are in Burger King but not Burger King prices. Not a very farsighted client oriented business practice which will eventually catch up with them. Honestly, Burger King service is much friendlier! read more

I've been going to Cafe Martorano's since 1998; and I have loved every experience with the exception of my last - April 2026. I even enjoyed visiting the Hard Rock location several times; even though, Steve was not there and the ambiance was definitely different, but the food was always exceptional. Because I live in Miami, I do not get to visit the Ft. Lauderdale location as often as I would like. The high demand requires making reservations way out in advance, which is difficult to always coordinate. Last night was the first time I've been in a year; and the experience was different. Starting with the decor, I feel it is now too bright (i.e. white walls and brighter lighting) and the old nostalgic feel is gone. Personally, I preferred the way it was. Also, the food seemed a little off. It was not amazing and exceptional the way it has always been. We always order several appetizers to sample all of the incredible offerings. The eggplant stack is a must, and I do not even like eggplant except here. Last night, it was off. It was lacking that amazing flavor (maybe there was not balsamic and oil on it?), and all 5 of us felt the same. The chicken parm and accompanying pasta was good; but not the exceptional flavor (or serving size) I've always had previously. Again, I have been committed fan and patron of Martorano's for almost 30 years. My sons have grown up indoctrinated into Cafe Martorano's dining as the best in South Florida. I am hoping this was just an off-night and an anomaly; but I feared with change in decor there may have been other changes that started drifting away from the original product. Still a great experience and great food, and I will continue to be a patron whenever possible. read more

Wow! This place is awesome I'm talking about it. Has it all ambience great food great people great music highly recommended if you've never been one south Florida must go places times one of my favorite places to go. read more

Carbonara that has pancetta, cream and parmigiana? Yeah that's not carbonara. Not sure what it is but it's definitely not carbonara

We had a reservation and were looking forward to dining here, but the experience was incredibly uninviting from the start. My cousin from out of state stopped in to surprise us and join the family for dinner. We politely asked if he could be accommodated. The staff said no. There was more than enough room at our table but after a few minutes of trying to make it work, the staff still refused. The staff and manager suggested that one of us separate and eat alone at the bar while the rest stayed at the table. There was no flexibility, no effort to help, and no sense of hospitality. That alone made us decided not to eat here at all and pivoted to another restaurant. Hospitality matters. Unfortunately, this place showed none. read more

I cannot say enough AMAZING things about this restaurant!!! We were in town for the holidays and of course, always, want to try something local. Our meal and service were outrageous, The owner sent over two tastes, heck who am I kidding, mini appetizers on the house. Whaaaa - I work in NYC and live in ATL and neither the northeast nor The A does this. Hospitality was more than 100% if that's possible. Every bite was delicious, every dish served impeccably and the staff could not do enough to take care of us. Then Steve started to DJ. I felt like we were in a club, bumping hard to beats from my childhood and college years. To say it was the highlight of our evening even with incredible food is an understatement. We just had the best date night and the best start to our holiday vacay! Gooooo! Like seriously.... Go! read more

Incredible I wish this place was local to me I would be there at least 3 nights a week. Steve is so welcoming it's great. read more

My son and I went to dinner there a few weeks ago. It is always great but our last visit was the best ever. The appetizer baby meatballs were unbelievable. Our pasta entrees were fantastic and if you don't get the water ice martini you are crazy. Steve was there that night and it was an amazing experience. read more

Cafe Martorano - Water ice martini - Italian Near Me - Fort Lauderdale, Florida

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Came here for an early Friday night dinner. It was very busy & there were tables both inside and outside. The service was really great. Waiters are very attentive & extremely helpful. My favorite dish was the meatball and salad (1 large meatball and a house salad) Which sounds odd in theory but somehow worked so well. I also tried the Carbonara, Spicy rigatoni Vodka Broccoli rabe And Espresso martini to top it off. I liked the carbonara but the bacon was just a little too thick cut in my opinion. The other dishes were very delicious. I was impressed by the large portions and went home with so many leftovers. Overall, it is pricey but it is a more upscale vibe. Which would be nice for an occasion. read more

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Rudest experience I've ever had! My family and I came in with our family including children, they are not kid friendly at all! Kicked us out because our one child was standing beside his chair watching a movie. Manager was super rude, had no sympathy at all for my autistic daughter who was sitting on my lap. Continued to follow us out and harass us after we told her she had no sympathy! Called us F****** C**** INFRONT OF OUR CHILDREN, while having 2 waiters hold her back from attacking us physically. When she went back into the restaurant she told the waiters to keep my cousins bag and not return it. My cousin had to go back in and fight for her purse back! The African American woman (for specifics) "manager" was so rude and unprofessional! After this situation I don't know how she could still be employed here!! read more

Food is always great atmosphere is amazing. We ate in less than an hour however, I still felt rushed.