If I am being candid, my dining experiences in Fort Lauderdale have mostly ranged from almost pleasant to completely forgettable. Now don't get me wrong - there are certainly good restaurants ... but few create an experience that lingers long after the check arrives. Cafe Vico is one of those rare places. Although I am a native Californian, I spent a decade in Las Vegas. From the moment I walked through the doors, I saw and felt something increasingly rare. The best old-school Italian restaurants were never merely places to eat. They were stages for conversation, laughter, family stories, friendships, and bottles of wine that somehow emptied faster than anyone intended. Cafe Vico understands these traditions. I must confess that I arrived with more skepticism than optimism. Perhaps it was the Southern California snob in me--but I found myself wondering, "How good can a strip mall restaurant really be?" The first surprise was the room itself. The walls are covered with countless photographs, which would normally send my inner minimalist searching for the nearest exit. Yet somehow it all worked. The effect was warm, nostalgic, and deeply personal--less decoration than history. It immediately brought to mind not only vintage Vegas ... when Italian restaurants were institutions rather than concepts, but also the Brown Derby in Hollywood ... where every photograph carried a story. Better still, the atmosphere was fully matched by the food. Chef Marco, whose own story is as interesting as the restaurant he has built, personally selected our bottle of Chianti, opened it tableside, and poured it correctly. That may sound like a small thing, but proper wine service has become something of a lost art. More importantly, it reflects a philosophy. Details matter here. Hospitality matters here. Chef Marco has that increasingly rare gift of making guests feel less like customers and more like old friends who simply have not visited in a while. Then there was Eclair--yes, that is her real name, and, like her namesake, she was sweet, warm, and impossible not to love. Welcoming, accommodating, and remarkably efficient, she deserves special recognition because I may be a high-maintenance (but I am always fun!) Our server, Chris, was equally impressive--young, polished, knowledgeable, gracious, and highly efficient. He navigated the dining room with the confidence of someone twice his age and represented the restaurant beautifully. In an era when so many restaurants are bound and determined to be fashionable, Cafe Vico has chosen instead to be timeless. It understands that great dining is not merely about food - It is about making people feel welcome, cared for, and part of something larger than a meal. I shall absolutely return to those crowded walls once again - a glass of Chianti in hand, surrounded by hospitality that cannot be manufactured, and an atmosphere that cannot be copied. read more

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Authentic family friendly Italian restaurant with impeccable service. We came for my stepdads birthday on New Years eve. We made hassle free reservations and they didn't even ask for payment to reserve. They were so kind on arrival. tethered was not one empty seat and they had the game on! Let's go Canes!! We were a party of 6 so there were different wines and martinis around the table. Not a dry mouth. We had complimentary bread with the extra virgin olive oil along with balsamic vinegar on the side. The bread alone was delish as it was baked fresh and so warm. Around the table were salmon, branzino,clams, and penne a la vodka with shrimp. Everything was fantastic and at the end they had the whole restaurant singing "Happy Birthday" with 2 a tiramisu dessert. It was pure joy. The flavors and pasta were made with the freshest ingredients and could tell was made with love. This was the best decision for a birthday and end of the year celebration! read more

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Happy Hour every day! Service is great! Come on by! Just don't sit in the outside table that has been designated for one of their frequent customers . read more

Cafe Vico - Italian Near Me - Fort Lauderdale, Florida

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Uber Eats-- Café Vico was highly recommended from a friend so we decided to order takeout one night. We ordered penne vodka and raviolis. Both came with vodka cream sauce but the sauce lacked flavor, tasted bland and was more on creamy side. The chicken added to penne vodka was also off, a bit overcooked perhaps. Caesar salad was good as well as the bread. The pasta was prepared well, a bit al dente. I cannot speak for the service or ambiance and would likely see if it provides a different experience in person although if you're going to offer take out- it shouldn't affect the quality. read more

Cafe Vico - Italian Near Me - Fort Lauderdale, Florida

What a wonderful dinner with friends, our first time at Cafe Vico, but not our last. Our server was Danny, and he took great care of us. All genuine-Italian friends, we all raved about the food selection, recipes, and wine choices. Can't wait to come back. Reasonably priced. read more

Another outstanding Valentine's Day dinner. Each of us got different enteees, all exceptional. I believe this restaurant is one of the best in Ft.Lauderdale because the owner, Marco, is hands on. Personally greets guests and stops by the table as well. Service is top notch and the ambience magnifico. read more

I ordered some delivery for lunch.The food arrived just warm, not the fault of the restaurant. The fried calamari was a bit chewy, and there was no lemon. The lasagna bolognese had some good and bad elements. The bechamel was excellent and the the pasta was cooked perfect. The bolognese, however, was a little too celery forward which overpowered the rest of the dish. read more

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Cafe Vico continues to deliver high quality Italian food served by servers who really know their stuff. You really can't go wrong with any of their entrees but a couple of my favorites are the rigatoni bolognese and those meatballs! There are plenty of Italian places in this town, but Cafe Vico continues to lead the pack with cozy ambiance, great service and terrific food! read more

Overall this place is a classic old school Italian restaurant. We had fantastic service. Food was delicious! Will be back. read more

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So a friend and I originally were going to have dinner at a different restaurant in the same plaza. But the neon lighting and classic Vegas looks caught our eye. We had dinner at our original venue and while there, called Café Vico, whether we could come in just for dessert. The inside looks between a pleasant cross of old Vegas and Manhattan with formal dining and dim lights. We told our hostesses that we were just coming in for the dessert and wine, and we had a cozy corner booth. While enjoying the varied piano melodies, everything from Jelly Roll to Bruno Mars to a couple of old ballads excellently performed by Jim the Piano Player, she enjoyed her usual Pinot Grigio and myself a moscato glass, along with a flute of limoncello gelato (nicely creamy and with a yummy sweet tartness.) The decor is classic 70s wood paneling, a lot of family photos, and of course, the godfather Frank Sinatra as the symbol to the men's bathroom. Inside the men's bathroom, the stalls have posters of a lot of beautiful female celebrities like Shakira and Marilyn. (Ladies, don't worry since my friend mentioned that the woman's bathroom is decorated with male celebrities.) This is a place that I definitely like to come by for a full meal since it's even close to Fort Lauderdale Beach. It was certainly great after dinner / dessert spot. read more

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We went on a Friday for happy hour on October which is the off season. We quickly found 2 seats at the bar. There was live music. The bartender provided excellent service. Cafe Vico has great ambiance no matter where you sit- restaurant or bar area. My favorite HH menu item was the pear stuffed pasta purses with Gorgonzola sauce. Wines were $8. I've been coming here for years and it's always a great experience. They have indoor and outdoor dining. The parking is easy in the attached lot. read more

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Loved it! The food was great. The staff very friendly. Beautiful decor and light music! We had a great time.

Love this place. Best stuffed artichoke ever. Highly recommend. Great pasta and chicken franchess.

We attended a special Italian Dinner & a Movie night at Café Vico, and it honestly turned into one of the best nights out we've had in years. We arrived a little early and went to the bar, where we were greeted by a very friendly and accommodating bartender. Even though we told him we were just waiting for the event, he was nothing but warm and welcoming--offering us wine and great conversation while we waited. Excellent first impression! Once we moved into the private room for the event, we were welcomed personally by Marcos Vico (the chef and owner), his daughter, and Marco's associate Luciano. Right away, you could feel how passionate and proud they are of what they do. Staff came around quickly with a refreshing beverage, and we knew we were in for something special. The food was incredible--seriously next-level. From the Pane Rustico Toscana paired with Gavi di Gavi, to the creamy Risotto paired with Nebbiolo, everything was on point. Marco's Il Timpano was absolute perfection, and the Ossobuco was rich, tender, and full of flavor. Every dish felt like it came straight from an Italian family kitchen--but elevated. Throughout the night, Luciano led us through an Italian wine tasting that was fun, informative, and delicious. Marco shared his background and passion with each course--you could see his excitement and pride with every dish that came out. And as if that weren't enough, we watched the classic film Big Night during dinner--a perfect match for the vibe. What really sets Café Vico apart is the way you're treated. Even in a large space with a full house, we felt like family. Marco, his daughter, Luciano, and the entire staff exude pride, warmth, and hospitality in a way that's rare to find. By the end of the night, there were hugs, salutes, and a genuine sense of connection. This place is more than a restaurant--it's an heart-warming experience with 'family'. We can't wait to return. Thank you, Marco!! - Jim & Elisa read more

Cafe Vico - Movie Night at Cafe Vico - Italian Near Me - Fort Lauderdale, Florida

This is one of my favorite places. The food is so good and so is the service and ambiance. I love their lasagna but everything is good! The owner, Chef Marco, is awesome too! read more

Stopped in for happy hour. What a great value with lots of food options and great drink specials. Very quiet except when piano player starts which is lovely. read more

This place I have driven by so many times ! So we decided to eat here one night and it was not busy yet cause it was 5 pm But it was nice and cozy feeling as soon as we walked in, you can tell that they have entertainment on the weekends, but this was a Thursday night because there's a piano in the corner of the room by the bar so I will return to hear that music But as far as the dirty martini I had that is the best dirty martini I've had in a very long time and the food was excellent how they recommend trying this place read more

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Someone recommended Cafe Vico to us and talked so highly of it we had to try it out for ourselves. Service was outstanding. Love the decor, very intimate and classy. Our server was very attentive and knowledgeable about the menu. The food came out pretty fast! Molto buono! The chef made me a vegan appetizer not on the menu it was great. The entree I ordered was whole wheat pasta with mixed veggies and marinara sauce. I wish they had more vegan options maybe in the future! We will see! We will come again for the vibes! read more

Cafe Vico - Whole Wheat Pasta with mixed veggies vegan option - Italian Near Me - Fort Lauderdale, Florida

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Tonight we celebrated 30 years and 4 days of marriage together at Cafe Vico 1125 N Federal Hwy Ft Laud. Undoubtably the most authentic Italian restaurant in South Florida. We started with Arranchii for an appetizer, followed by spaghetti with chunky lobster, crab & shrimp in a brandy lobster cream sauce (if I could have licked the plate I would have-too many people watching), Joanne had the Salmon w/ mushrooms, sweet potato mash and broiled broccoli (so good). We completed the meal by sharing a dessert of Creme Brûlée.Service was 5 star as was the meal. This is a "go to" restaurant when family or friends come to visit. Yes, it's always been on "Larry's List". read more

Superior atmosphere. The staff is spot on with every need. Shrimp Scampi was perfect blend of flavors. Veal dishes were cooked perfectly. Great happy hour prices. It's a can't miss restaurant read more

Cafe Vico - Shrimp Scampi - Italian Near Me - Fort Lauderdale, Florida

The service was excellent and the wine was great. The food, however, was pretty average, and the interior feels quite old. This place would probably appeal to those who enjoy the charm of classic old-school American-Italian restaurants. read more

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Recently, I went to a special event at Cafe Vico and the food was really nicely done. We got some meatballs to start with and they were delicious. Tender texture and nice savory flavor with a rich tomato sauce. Then we had a few entrees to share: - Chicken Marsala. Nicely done, good balance of the sauce and the mushrooms. - Flounder. Meaty and firm but fork tender. - Eggplant Lasagna. A bit salty for my taste, but really delicious. Firm texture and nicely layered. - Vegetarian Pasta. Light and done perfectly al dente. Nice prompt service by the staff, made this special meal a really enjoyable experience. read more

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Cafe Vico is always top notch. The owner Marco is always at the front door waiting to greet his guests. The food is incredible and always tastes so fresh. Whether you sit in the main dining area, the back room, or the private room, you're in for a treat. Such a beautiful place that is a frequent dinner spot for us. read more

This is a very nice Italian restaurant. The waiters are excellent and give you their all attention. Very nice ambience and a nice place for a special occasion where we had a birthday for a friend ,we had soups, salads, entrées and dessert and of course wine to go with our meal. I had the seafood pasta which was rich and creamy loaded with a variety of seafood. It was very good. I've been here several times, and I've tried many of their dinner entrees. You pay a lot more here, but it's worth it for a special occasion. read more

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We went last night table of 8 , reservations were right on time surprisingly, since parking lot was a zoo and we had to circle a few times to find someone leaving. Food was spectacular, half of us ordered the lasagna based on someone's recommendation. It did not disappoint. Not even close, the best lasagna I have ever had. Service was very good, again considering that the place was absolutely at capacity and with several large parties . We were lucky and got a nice table outside, where it was quiet , the inside was pretty noisy but not overwhelming. Cocktails were excellent also. I had been once before and it was very consistent, previous visit was mid week and not in peak season so much quieter then. Food was timely and hot so hats off to management for keeping that going so well! The Owner stopped by to make sure everything was ok which is a nice touch! I will definitely be back! read more

this place is awesome and they have a really good happy hour. they have a fantastic wine collection. Service was warm and friendly. Perfect for a first date or bday gathering. They have brasilian steak like picanha and drinks like caipirinha. Super yummy. read more

Perfect Dinner-October 5, 2024 We dined at Cafe Vico and had a very pleasant experience. The restaurant is very elegant and the clientele is classy. The service was superb and the food was excellent. We had tomatoes with ricotta for an appetizer, Salmon with mushrooms for the main course, and creme brulee for desert. The Cabernet house wine was great. We sat down after dinner at the bar and listened to a piano player that sang oldies such as Sinatra and others. Thank you Cafe Vico. You are on our A list. read more

The most fabulous restaurant we've been to in years! Service amazing, food over the top, bar with live music so much fun. Classic Italian not easily replicated today. read more

It's Yelp #ThankYouThursday! Thank you Cafe Vico. From Federal Highway, Cafe Vico looks like just another small, unremarkable strip mall restaurant; however, inside it is larger than it appears, and the interior (besides the bar with football on the TV) mirrors familial Old Italy. Our long table of 14 was in the private "Wine Cellar." It's street level but is enclosed behind double sliding doors. We had many bottles of wine to go with the ambiance! The dinner menu is pretty extensive with many varieties of appetizers, pasta and entrees. We had fresh burrata cheese with tomatoes, and delicious, grilled octopus with white beans to start. I was concerned that my pan-seared Branzino with wild mushrooms entrée would be small, but the filet was a good size and I stuffed myself to finish. It had a bit too much butter/olive oil for my taste, but it was colorful, beautifully plated, and I enjoyed it, especially with the wild mushrooms. Service was top notch, constant and unpretentious. Our waiter was friendly and fun, and the owner stopped by to greet us and check on things. #ThankYouThursday to the owner! We will definitely return. In fact, I'm probably one of the few in the group who had my first Cafe Vico experience that night. Many friends are practically regulars. read more

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I've been to this restaurant several times. Most of the time, it was good -- hence the reason we kept coming back. The last two times, it was clear that they are serving old/bad fish. In the first instance, my wife -- who typically never complains about anything -- says to me, "The salmon seems very fishy" before I had a chance to taste my dish. I then tasted my salmon, and I couldn't believe how strong the fish odor was; it seemed hard to believe the kitchen wasn't aware of this. When the waiter came over at the end to ask how everything was, I mentioned to him that the fish seemed a bit old, and he said/did nothing. We assumed they were just having an off night, so we went again a few months later, ordering the salmon. Same thing: definitely old/fishy. read more

The service was the best in the whole wide galaxy and I highly recommend the ravioli with spinach and cheese. Thank you to our server Chris. From my 9 year old son Luciano. read more

The food was average. Not very good Italian, in my opinion. The service was fine, but the server wasn't very informed on the menu, when asked questions. The ambiance was nice. Had a good crowd (NYE). read more

Ordered online delivery. Asked for utensils didn't get any. The food tasted like cardboard. I would say the worst Italian food I've ever had. If you want a bag meal go here. Very unhelpful. read more

Excellent Clams Casino, as well as many other delicious items on the menu, (Flounder, Burrata and Broccoli Rabe), to name a few! The bartender, Rafa, blended up a Frose' at my request! It was so good I think it should be a new addition to the menu! There is also live music by Danny DelRay, who is always a crowd pleaser, as he sings and plays along to an array of great tunes! Definitely a place to keep on your list of best restaurants for amazing food and entertainment! read more

Cafe Vico - Frose All Day! - Italian Near Me - Fort Lauderdale, Florida

We were here last weekend! Always the best food! Always good! Veil dishes always cooked to perfection and not tough! The restaurant is very elegant with a classy clientele. The bread is the best! A kind of sour doe with a pesto/garlic dip I believe. read more

Outstanding!! Be sure to go early!! It gets very busy but the wait staff do not miss a beat! They are extremely attentive! Drink some water, they fill your water. Staff are always visible and standing by. The food always tastes so very home made!! Fresh and delicious!! Over the top Italian ambiance inside and outside seating! Great happy hour too! read more

Cafe Vico - Lasagna Bolognese - Italian Near Me - Fort Lauderdale, Florida

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Cafe Vico never dissappoints. I ordered for a private gathering and I picked up my order, chicken Marsala, vodka penne pasta and bread , tiramisu for dessert. I took it to The Best Cellar where we had delicious wines that went with dinner. you can't beat the wine prices here. The wine tasting at $20 per person tasting 12 -17 wines is awesome. Cafe Vico and The Best Cellar rock Ft.Lauderdale. l read more

Cafe Vico - Italian Near Me - Fort Lauderdale, Florida

This was the best Italian restaurant I have ever been to!! My friends and I ate here on spring break and it was absolutely delicious. I got the tortellini dish and it was so flavorful and rich. The service was top notch and our waiter was amazing and attentive. I live in NJ and I will probably be suffering from cravings for this pasta until I'm able to go back. read more

Cafe Vico - Decor - Italian Near Me - Fort Lauderdale, Florida

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I picked this restaurant because it had a private room for a rehearsal dinner. My friends who were there a week prior said the food was not great , but I had already had booked it. We had a buffett dinner and the food was adequate. Food was lukewarm warm. I had written many emails that my kids wanted buffett. When we got there the owner thought it was family style. I had ordered angel hair pasta with Bolognese on the side. It came on the pasta. So apparently all my emails were ignored. Of course the guests drank and I paid on consumption which was fine. UNTIL the owner told me when i paid, that one of my guests ordered a Tequila. He wanted the best they had. Well it turned out that ONE glass was 500.00. DO you think the waiter would have come to me and asked if that was something I wanted to pay for!! NO HE DID NOT. Instead I was put into an embarrassing situation. I had to ask my nephew if he knew that the drink was so expensive. THIS WAS NOT THE RIGHT THING TO DO. WHEN THE WAITER KNEW OR THE OWNER KNEW IT WAS VERY EXPENSIVE, THEY SHOULD HAVE COME TO ME. I will never go back. read more

Have been going there for many years and still do Marco and eclair of great hosts. Food is always fresh services is always great. Can't do enough for you had a meal that was not good. I gave it 4.8. Jeff read more