If you’re visiting Fort Lauderdale and want an area that’s easy to explore, Las Olas Boulevard is the place to start.
Las Olas is basically the main walkable street in Fort Lauderdale. It’s lined with restaurants, boutiques, art galleries, coffee shops, and a few fun photo spots along the way. It’s also close to the canals and not far from the beach, which makes it an easy place to spend a few hours wandering around.
You can grab breakfast, browse some shops, stop for lunch, and somehow end up spending half the day here without even realizing it.
If you want a full step-by-step itinerary for the area, check out my guide for One Day in Fort Lauderdale: What to Do If You Only Have a Few Hours, but if you’re just looking for the best restaurants, shops, and things to do on Las Olas Boulevard, here are the spots worth checking out.
If you’re planning to stay nearby, it’s also easy to find hotels near Las Olas Boulevard here.
Just a few minutes from Las Olas is one of my favorite stops: Pan’E Dolci Italian Bakery.
This is a classic Italian bakery filled with pastries, cookies, sandwiches, and coffee. Everything in the display case looks good, which makes it very easy to order more than you planned.
The Nutella donut is an absolute must.
If you're there around lunchtime, their Italian sandwich is incredible. It’s stacked with fresh sliced salami, provolone cheese, ham, tomatoes, eggplant, and basil on focaccia bread. The sandwich is huge. I ate half for lunch and saved the other half for the next day.
If you want the full breakdown of what to order, see my full review of Pan’E Dolci Bakery Fort Lauderdale Review: What to Order at This Local Favorite.
If you’re staying around Las Olas for dinner, Big City Tavern is a solid option right on the boulevard.
It’s one of those restaurants that works for almost any situation — lunch, dinner, or drinks after walking around all day.
The atmosphere is relaxed but still feels like a proper sit-down meal, and it’s a good place to settle in for a bit after exploring the area.
If you need a dessert stop (and honestly you probably will), Gelato & Co is a great option.
Their gelato is excellent and makes the perfect afternoon treat after walking around the shops.
At this point you’ve probably been walking around Las Olas for a while, so technically this is just “refueling.”
If you want to grab something sweet for later, stop by Hollywood Donut Factory. These donuts are big, fresh, and perfect to bring back with you for the next morning. Future you will be very happy you grabbed one.
If you’re spending more time on Las Olas Boulevard, there are several other well-known restaurants people love.
Louie Bossi’s Ristorante is one of the busiest restaurants on the boulevard.
They make a lot of their food in-house, including pasta, mozzarella, and bread. It’s especially popular for pizza, pasta, and weekend brunch, and the outdoor patio is usually packed.
Expect a lively, energetic atmosphere here.
American Social is a popular stop for casual food, drinks, and a social atmosphere.
The menu focuses on American favorites like burgers, tacos, sandwiches, and shareable appetizers. It tends to get busy during happy hour and on weekends, and it’s a common spot for groups meeting up before a night out.
If you’re looking for Italian food with a waterfront view, Luigi’s Tuscan Grill sits along the canals just off Las Olas.
You can sit outside and watch the boats go by while you eat.
The menu focuses on classic Italian dishes like pasta, seafood, and steaks, and it’s a popular place for a nice dinner after exploring Las Olas for the day.
If you’re looking for something a little more relaxed but still a proper sit-down dinner, this is a good spot.
If you’re craving tacos and margaritas, El Camino is a great option.
The restaurant has a colorful interior and a fun atmosphere. Their menu focuses on street tacos, guacamole, enchiladas, and strong margaritas, which makes it a popular dinner and drinks spot on Las Olas Boulevard.
Rocco’s Tacos & Tequila Bar is known for its tableside guacamole and huge tequila selection.
It’s a lively restaurant where people come for margaritas, tacos, and a fun night out.
One of the most unique places to browse on Las Olas Boulevard is Kollective.
This shop features more than 60 different vendors selling everything from artwork and jewelry to clothing and handmade gifts.
If you like supporting local artists or finding unique items you won’t see in big stores, this is a great stop.
You can easily spend a surprising amount of time just wandering through all the different booths.
Las Olas Boulevard is also known for its small art galleries and studios.
As you walk down the boulevard you’ll see galleries featuring everything from contemporary paintings and photography to sculptures and work from local artists.
Even if you’re not planning to buy anything, it’s fun to pop in and browse while walking around the area.
Las Olas has a few fun murals scattered around the area that make great quick photo stops.
One colorful mural is located near Hoffman’s Chocolates. While you’re there, it’s worth stepping inside and grabbing a chocolate.
Another mural can be found near Red Door Asian Bistro & Hibachi.
They’re quick stops, but they add a little extra fun while walking around the boulevard.
If you’re visiting on a weekend, check out the Las Olas Oceanside Farmers Market held on Sundays near the beach.
You’ll find local vendors selling things like:
• fresh produce
• baked goods
• coffee
• handmade crafts
• small food vendors
It’s a relaxed local event and a nice way to experience a different side of Fort Lauderdale.
Fort Lauderdale is often called the “Venice of America” because of its large network of canals.
If you enjoy walking, it’s worth wandering down some of the residential streets just off Las Olas where you can see the waterways, boats, and waterfront homes.
It’s a completely different feel from the busy boulevard and gives you a chance to see another side of the city.
One of the best ways to see Fort Lauderdale’s famous canals is by taking a boat tour leaving near Las Olas Boulevard.
These tours cruise through the waterways where you’ll see luxury homes, yachts, and parts of the city you wouldn’t see from the road.
Many tours last about 60–90 minutes and are an easy way to experience Fort Lauderdale from the water.
You can see a few options for canal boat tours in Fort Lauderdale here.
Yes — Fort Lauderdale actually has gondola rides through the canals.
Companies like Las Olas Gondola Tours offer private rides through the waterways that feel surprisingly peaceful compared to the busy boulevard.
They’re especially popular for date nights or special occasions.
If you want something a little more active, you can rent paddleboards or kayaks along the canals near Las Olas.
The water is usually calm in the canals, which makes it a great place to paddle even if you’re a beginner.
Las Olas Boulevard is also close to a few other popular spots in Fort Lauderdale.
One easy option is heading toward Fort Lauderdale Beach where you can walk along the promenade, relax on the sand, or grab a drink at one of the beachfront restaurants.
If you want to explore the canals from the water, you can also ride the Fort Lauderdale Water Taxi, which stops near Las Olas and travels through several parts of the city.
If you’re continuing your Florida trip after visiting Las Olas, you might also enjoy my guide to Little Havana Miami Guide: What to See, Eat & Do, which covers another great walkable area filled with food stops and local culture.
Las Olas Boulevard is very walkable, which is one of the reasons it’s such a popular area to explore.
If you don’t feel like walking everywhere, you can always take an Uber or use the Ride Circuit app, which offers free shuttle rides in parts of Fort Lauderdale.
Another option is the LauderGO Water Trolley, which runs along the New River and stops near the Las Olas area.
If you plan on exploring more of South Florida beyond the boulevard, renting a car makes things much easier. You can check rental options here.
If you only have a few hours in Fort Lauderdale, Las Olas Boulevard is one of the easiest places to spend that time. Between the restaurants, shops, art galleries, murals, canals, and nearby beach access, there’s plenty to see without needing a complicated plan. You can come for coffee, stay for lunch, wander through the shops, grab gelato, and before you know it, half the day has gone by. And honestly, that’s kind of the best way to explore Las Olas.
If you’re planning your trip logistics, my Fort Lauderdale Airport Guide: What to Know About FLL Before You Fly is also helpful for figuring out timing, terminals, and where to eat before your flight.
I walked down to the beach and immediately noticed how calm the water was. 🐚
It sits in a small cove, so there’s really no waves pushing in. You just walk right in without thinking about it. I grabbed my snorkel (they actually rent them for free at the resort, which I didn’t expect) and went out near the pier and stayed way longer than I planned, because the water was that clear.
Honest caveat: if you need a lot of energy and activity at a beach, this probably isn’t it. It’s quiet, it’s calm, and you’re mostly just... sitting there. Which for me was exactly the point.☀️
Full Baoase review linked in bio. 🔗
#curaçao #travel #luxuryresort #privatebeach #visitcuraçao
Dinner at Baoase in Curaçao isn’t just a restaurant, you’re walking into a full resort setting where everything feels intentional. The table is right by the water, the food is French-inspired with tropical and Asian flavors woven in, and the whole thing moves slowly in the best way. We sat there for hours and didn’t want it to end.
✨ Culinary Beach Restaurant, oceanside tables, candlelit ambiance
✨ French-inspired menu with tropical and Asian influences
✨ Service that’s attentive without being over the top
✨ The kind of dinner you’re still thinking about days later
Fair warning: this isn’t a casual grab-a-table kind of spot. You’re making a reservation, thinking through your outfit, and blocking off the whole evening and it’s worth every bit of that.
If you’re celebrating something or just want one dinner that feels a little extra, this is where to do it. Full Baoase resort review linked in bio. 🔗
Curaçao has the beaches everyone talks about, and then it has these. The spots that made this trip actually feel like mine weren’t on any resort map. I found them by renting a car, asking locals, and just following what looked good.
✨ Playa Lagun: a calm little cove where the water does all the work
✨ Playa Kalki: rocky entry, but the snorkeling right off shore is worth it
✨ Playa Jeremi: no rentals, no crowds, no setup. Just the beach
✨ Fort Nassau: watched the sun go down over Willemstad and stayed for dinner
✨ Hofi Cas Cora: breakfast on an actual farm and the freshest food of the whole trip
✨ Willemstad Street Party: I had no idea Thursday nights turned into that. Just followed the music.
✨ Playa Forti: cliff jumping and amazing food, talk about dinner and a show!
Honest caveat: if you need everything planned and structured, a few of these will feel a little too unpolished. But if you like the kind of trip where the best parts are the ones you stumble into, this is exactly that.
All 7 spots with full details are linked in bio. ☀️
#curaçao #hiddengems #travel #travelguide #whattodoincuracao
Here’s the thing about Curaçao that nobody talks about enough there’s really no bad time to go. 🌤️ Outside the hurricane belt. Mid-80s nearly every day of the year. Colorful buildings no matter what month it is.
But there IS a difference between going in peak season vs. shoulder season, and it shows up in your wallet, your beach chair availability, and how long you’re waiting for a table at dinner.
Full breakdown of every season, what to expect, and when I’d personally go linked in bio.
I wasn’t expecting much. I just needed dinner. 🍽️ Kome ended up being one of the best meals of the entire trip.
Wood-fired everything. A menu that actually makes you read it twice. A vibe in Pietermaai that feels nothing like a tourist restaurant and everything like somewhere locals actually go. I didn’t rush. I didn’t check my phone. I just ate, start to finish, and enjoyed every single second of it.
If you’re in Curaçao and you only have one nice dinner make it this one.
#curaçao #travelling #travelvlog #musttryrestaurant #visitcuracao
Follow @travelwithwendyplummer for Beautiful Beach Destinations, City Guides, Foodie Spots, and Luxury Hotel Recommendations.
