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Discover the Best Italian Restaurants in South Florida Serving Authentic Flavors of Italy

Check out where to find fine Italian dining.

Casa Mariano

Address: 8200 NW 27th St., Suite 106, Doral

The Buzz: It’s easy to lose yourself in the visuals here—the pastel décor and inviting banquette seating; the artful plating—but executive chef-owner Mariano Araya makes an even stronger impression with the flavors of his dishes. Look no further than the squid ink risotto, which often elicits “oohs” and “ahhs” from diners. Rissotto al Nero di Seppia is an iconic Venetian dish, but if you’ve never had squid ink (usually infused in pasta), there’s nothing to be squeamish about. Adding this to a risotto is magnifica. Araya molds the pitch-black rice as a nest of sorts to cradle an abundant array of seafood, including clams, mussels and shrimp. The flavor of the ink and rice, earthy and savory, blends with the sweetness of the seafood. A showpiece in every way.

Contact: 305.392.0507; casamariano.com

La Fuga at the Shorebreak Resort

Address: 2900 Riomar St., Fort Lauderdale

The Buzz: The Prosciutto e Fichi isn’t one of those “takeout in a brown box” kind of pizzas, yet in Rome you’ll find this traditional fall classic everywhere in September, especially as a street food. That’s because fig season is in full bloom. La Fuga stays close to the authentic preparation, a zesty pesto and Parma ham paired with the sweetness of fig, pine nuts and goat cheese. It’s then topped with an arugula-style green called “rocket” that adds a spicy, peppery freshness to the pie. There’s no red sauce—but that’s on purpose. It would interrupt the flavor explosion. To really tickle your taste buds, finish the course with La Fuga’s house-made limoncello liqueur.

Contact: 954.908.7308; lafugarestaurant.com

Runway 84

Address: 330 W. State Road 84, Fort Lauderdale

The Buzz: This is a place where you want to be an insider. Always has been. And now with its revamp, a cross between Rat Pack slick and Godfather swag, those who are a part of the supper club are in the know about a specialty dish you won’t find on the menu. Want to feel like Vito Corleone? Ask for the Veal Chop Danielle. Named after the wife of restaurateur and Runway 84 business partner Marc Falsetto, the 16-ounce veal chop is served Parmesan style in a spicy vodka sauce. It’s topped with mozzarella, peas and crispy prosciutto. It’s an offer not to be refused.

Contact: 954.467.8484; runway84.com

Il Mulino

Address: 1800 E. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lauderdale

The Buzz: Mention Il Mulino to a regular and they are sure to ask, “Have you tried the Anelli?” The favorite of the house has been on the menu for almost as long as the restaurant has been in business (35 years). You won’t find the dish in Italy or anywhere else for that matter. It’s an Il Mulino signature. Thin, brick-oven baked pizza dough is filled with ingredients then folded and cut into four pieces—think of it as an open-faced calzone. The most requested is the Anelli stuffed with chicken, cranberries and spinach. There’s also a chicken and mushroom Anelli with a spinach cream sauce, a beef tenderloin-stuffed Anelli, and two others brimming with seafood, one of which has a lobster sauce. As if that wasn’t enough, you get a taste of Il Mulino’s primo pasta; every Anelli is served with a side of house-made cheese tortellini. Plan on leftovers or sharing. Servings are generous.

Contact: 954.524.1800; ilmulinofl.com

Zona Blu Weston

Address: 189 Weston Road, Weston

The Buzz: Sheila Marras David and Debbie Marras Bautista remember spending childhood summers in Sardinia where they swam in blue Mediterranean waters and cherished family feasts. At Zona Blu, the most classic of the island’s desserts is served just like mama used to make. Well, actually, their mother. Lilliana Ledda Marras never stopped making Seadas con Miele Sardo; she creates them from scratch for the restaurant. She enlists the help of their father, Giovanni, who has the official title of “Seada dough maker.” Lilliana fills the pastry with imported cheeses and “a few other secrets,” then the dessert is cut into circles using a tool that belonged to the girls’ grandmother. When it’s ready to be served, Zona Blu chefs lightly fry the Seada and drizzle it with Sardinian bitter honey. Sheila says don’t bother trying to discover the secret ingredients. “Mom keeps the family recipe close to her chest.”

Contact: 954.617.7999; zonabluweston.com

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Drew Limsky

Drew Limsky

Editor-in-Chief

BIOGRAPHY

Drew Limsky joined Lifestyle Media Group in August 2020 as Editor-in-Chief of South Florida Business & Wealth. His first issue of SFBW, October 2020, heralded a reimagined structure, with new content categories and a slew of fresh visual themes. “As sort of a cross between Forbes and Robb Report, with a dash of GQ and Vogue,” Limsky says, “SFBW reflects South Florida’s increasingly sophisticated and dynamic business and cultural landscape.”

Limsky, an avid traveler, swimmer and film buff who holds a law degree and Ph.D. from New York University, likes to say, “I’m a doctor, but I can’t operate—except on your brand.” He wrote his dissertation on the nonfiction work of Joan Didion. Prior to that, Limsky received his B.A. in English, summa cum laude, from Emory University and earned his M.A. in literature at American University in connection with a Masters Scholar Award fellowship.

Limsky came to SFBW at the apex of a storied career in journalism and publishing that includes six previous lead editorial roles, including for some of the world’s best-known brands. He served as global editor-in-chief of Lexus magazine, founding editor-in-chief of custom lifestyle magazines for Cadillac and Holland America Line, and was the founding editor-in-chief of Modern Luxury Interiors South Florida. He also was the executive editor for B2B magazines for Acura and Honda Financial Services, and he served as travel editor for Conde Nast. Magazines under Limsky’s editorship have garnered more than 75 industry awards.

He has also written for many of the country’s top newspapers and magazines, including The New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Miami Herald, Boston Globe, USA Today, Worth, Robb Report, Afar, Time Out New York, National Geographic Traveler, Men’s Journal, Ritz-Carlton, Elite Traveler, Florida Design, Metropolis and Architectural Digest Mexico. His other clients have included Four Seasons, Acqualina Resort & Residences, Yahoo!, American Airlines, Wynn, Douglas Elliman and Corcoran. As an adjunct assistant professor, Limsky has taught journalism, film and creative writing at the City University of New York, Pace University, American University and other colleges.