Anthony's Runway 84

Anthony's Runway 84: Worth Booking?

If you think Anthony's Runway 84 is just a quirky airport-adjacent novelty, recalibrate. This Fort Lauderdale institution has built a loyal local following on the strength of its Italian-American kitchen and its atmosphere — not on tourist curiosity about planes passing overhead. First-timers often show up expecting a gimmick and leave converted. If you've already been once, you already know what the crowd knows: this place rewards repeat visits more than it rewards first impressions.

The room skews toward regulars and South Florida lifers. You'll find tables of families celebrating milestones alongside industry people and long-haul loyalists who treat the place like a neighbourhood trattoria. It's not a scene venue and it's not trying to be. If you're arriving from out of town hoping for a polished, trend-forward dining room, Apothecary 330 or one of the waterfront spots along the Intracoastal will suit you better. But if you want to eat where Fort Lauderdale locals actually eat — somewhere with weight and history to it , Runway 84 is the right call.

The kitchen runs a traditional Italian-American format: red-sauce staples, generous portions, the kind of food that doesn't photograph interestingly but lands exactly as promised. That consistency is the point. For a second visit, lean into whatever pasta or house special the table next to you ordered; regulars rarely stray far from the same three or four dishes they've been ordering for years, and there's a reason for that.

Atmosphere in the dining room carries a faint hum of garlic and long-cooked tomato from the kitchen , the kind of scent that signals the food is made with actual time and attention, not reheated from a bag. It's a reliable sensory cue that you're in the right kind of place.

Reservations: Easy to secure; call ahead for weekends but walk-ins are generally manageable mid-week. Dress: Casual to smart casual , no dress code in effect. Budget: Mid-range for Fort Lauderdale; expect a comfortable dinner without a painful bill. Getting there: The address at 330 W State Rd 84 puts you just off the highway, with parking available on-site , no stress on arrival.

For more Fort Lauderdale dining options, browse our full Fort Lauderdale restaurants guide. If you're building a full evening, check our Fort Lauderdale bars guide for what to do before or after. Staying overnight? Our Fort Lauderdale hotels guide covers the city's leading options. You can also explore Fort Lauderdale wineries and experiences to round out your trip.

For cocktail-forward alternatives in other cities worth benchmarking against, see Bar Leather Apron in Honolulu, Jewel of the South in New Orleans, and Julep in Houston.