Dania Beach is evolving, and its treasure trove of exciting openings merit a visit. One such locale is Dania Pointe, a new mixed-use, 102-acre destination for retail, dining, and living. Local food favorites such as TooJay’s and Firebirds Wood Fired Grill await alongside shopping outposts by Lucky Brand, Pandora, and Kabana, to name a few. Families can celebrate life’s fun moments with a trip to Bowlero (a bowling, arcade, and sports bar) or the Regal Cinemas movie theater set to open in fall. A Tipsy Salonbar, Niché Med Spa, Youfit, and more round out the offerings. Here are three additional highlights to check out now:
Cooper’s Hawk Winery: Get your wine on with a trip to this casual dining space. The award-winning winery and Napa-style tasting room’s fourth location in Broward boasts the same modern-American menu with international flavors. The crispy brussels sprouts are a must, dotted with delectable bites of cashew and mint, all tossed in sweet Thai chili and a sesame-sriracha aioli.
Padrino’s Cuban Cuisine: Fiesta tostones, medianoches, and tres leches—need we say more? Cuban fare awaits at this Dania Beach spot helmed by the third generation of Padrino siblings. The eatery’s vibrant, authentic cuisine with a twist can be paired with a Pinar del Rio, made with “Old Cuban” Havana Club Añejo rum, fresh mint, lime juice, and Angostura bitters topped with sparkling wine.
Avery Dania Pointe: Those who want to work, stay, and play in Dania Beach can do so at Avery Dania Pointe, an eight-story luxury apartment complex with 246 units. Amenities range from a fitness center, yoga studio, and private theater to a pool and a party room with a catered kitchen.
Airport Etc.
Fresh from a top-to-bottom, multimillion-dollar renovation is Le Méridien Dania Beach at Fort Lauderdale Airport. The 245-room hotel features subtle nods to Fort Lauderdale’s isles,
visible in the lobby design replete with terrazzo flooring and a custom oculus chandelier that parallels star constellations.
Le Méridien’s proximity to the airport makes it a go-to destination for out-of-towners, but locals should plan to stop by Toro Latin Kitchen to savor cuisine by chef Richard Sandoval. The Pan-Latin concept celebrates the convivial dining culture of Central and South America with vibrant, shareable small plates like Spanish octopus anticuchos and oxtail and bone marrow toast.
Adjacent to Toro is La Biblioteca, an intimate retreat stocked with an outrageous collection of tequilas, mezcals, and agave spirits. The cozy nook resembles a library with leather books, reading lamps, and a tequila “library card” that patrons use to place their order at the bar. Opt for a cocktail from the menu or put your trust in the bartender and allow him or her to mix up a libation based on your tasting preferences.
Oldies but Goodies
Coming in at 800,000 square feet is the Design Center of the Americas (DCOTA), a mecca for all things home, attracting designers, architects, decorators, dealers, and the public. Tour showrooms from high-end brands like Edelman Leather, Dedon, and The Rug Company for fabulous inspiration.
Jaxson’s Ice Cream Parlor is a Dania Beach landmark serving sundaes, malts, and frosted floats. Its flashy sign has caught the attention of locals for 63 years, but it’s the variety and over-the-top menu items—including lunch and dinner—that keep them coming back for more. Order the Original Kitchen Sink (available for parties of four or more) to watch soda jerks create a massive dessert on-the-fly.
LauderAle is South Florida’s only nano-brewery, home to 30 rotating small-batch creations like “I Got Lost on the Way Here.” Stop by to enjoy a cold one and stay for the outdoor, dog-friendly beer garden that features daily food trucks and live music. Wednesdays are trivia night, while Sunday mornings are reserved for beer yoga.
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