While Miami may get the high mark for having the most diverse food in South Florida, don’t sleep on neighboring Fort Lauderdale! While many of the local favorite restaurants are in the seafood category, don’t sleep on the Italian restaurant scene in Ft Lauderdale! Today I’m happy to share with you my Cafe Vico review! Cafe Vico is among my favorite casual Italian restaurants in all of Florida, and I was just there over the weekend and felt it was time to finally share one of my all time favorites with locals and tourists alike!
Cafe Vico Review
If you get the opportunity to go to Cafe Vico, GO! You’ll be greated by a host or hostess and be asked where you’d like to be seated. There are three main sections and a normally closed banquet type room to choose from. You can opt to sit outside on the covered sidewalk, which I choose not to do because it’s in a strip mall and there is other commerce taking place. Next, you can sit in the dimly lit lounge area and get drinks from the bar. This is a magical setting with amazing lounge music, bar specials, and a vibrant tone.
Lastly, you can opt to sit in one of the many dining rooms. It’s an expansive place, with a lot of room to sit and relax.
The Cafe Vico Menu
This is where my fingers will get sore! The Cafe Vico Fort Lauderdale menu is enormous! You’ll find all of the Italian classics on the menu, like a Bolognese, Carbonara, and Tortellini. For me, it doesn’t get much more classic Italian than that trio of dishes. Of course, you will be greeted with fresh baked bread, which pairs just perfectly with the provided olive oil.
Other ways you can start your meal include:
Cafe Vico Starters:
- Caprese
- Beef or Salmon Carpaccio
- Clams Casino (one of my favorites)
- Cold Antipasto Salad
- Meatballs
- Fried Calamari
- Stuffed Artichoke
- Steamed Mussels
- Portabello Mushrooms & roasted peppers
- Eggplant Rollatini
You’ll also find a wide selection of soups and salads.
Fish at Cafe Vico
Cafe Vico offers grilled Salmon, Flounder, and Shrimp Scampi.
Cafe Vico Ft Lauderdale Pasta & Risotto
Here is the full pasta and risotto price list. Keep in mind, you can add on any of these ingredients to your meal for an extra fee: Sausage: 5.95, Meatballs: 5.95, Chicken: 5.95, Shrimp: 7.95, Mixed vegetables: 5.95
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Lasagna BologneseGrounded beef, cheeses béchamel sauce. (Voted the best lasagna in Broward)$23.95
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TortelliniStuffed with beef or cheese, served with creamy pink sauce, pancetta & green peas$24.95
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Seafood RavioliStuffed with crabmeat and ricotta, served with lobster cream sauce$24.95
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Chicken RavioliStuffed with chicken and ricotta served with black cherry and red wine sauce$24.95
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Spaghetti with meatballsmariana sauce$22.95
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Spinach Spaghetti PestoCreamy basil sauce$22.95
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Fettuccine CarbonaraBaked onions and pancetta, with creamy sauce$24.95
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PappardelleGarlic oil, Italian sausage and broccoli rabe$29.95
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GnocchiFour cheese cream sauce$24.95
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Whole Wheat PrimaveraPenne with mixed vegetables and tomato sauce$24.95
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Black SpaghettiSpicy fresh plum tomatoes sauce$23.95
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Glutten Free PenneChoose sauce$24.95
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Rigatoni BologneseTomato and meat sauce$22.95
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Penne VodkaTomato and vodka cream sauce$23.95
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Linguini Red or White Clams Sauce$25.95
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Eggplant Parmesan$22.95
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Risotto with Beef & TruffleDieced beef tenderloins,asparagus, mushrooms & black truffles$39.95
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Fettuccini Alfredo$22.95
You’ll also find dishes based around chicken and veal. There is also a huge list of specials at Cafe Vico, and you can expect classic Italian dishes like Ossobucco, burrata, octopus, Tomahawk ribeyes, and much more.
What is the Dress Code at Cafe Vico?
While the majority of the customers dress business casual to casual, I have seen people in there who looked like they came off the beach. Respect the restaurant and wear closed toes and a full size t shirt and you’ll most likely be okay, but this is definitely accepting of all dress codes.
All in all, if you are looking for an old school, classy, tasty Italian restaurant in Fort Lauderdale, look no further than Vico’s.
CAFE VICO
( ORIGINAL LOCATION)
1125 n. FEDERAL HIGHWAY FORT LAUDERDALE, FL 33304
Sunday – thursday 4pm – 10 pm
friday & saturday 4 pm – 11 pm
Chris Zasada
Chris is a Midwest Transplant that has lived in South Florida since 1999. While he likes to remain active and is an avid sports enthusiast, he's become our go-to provider of reviews of any establishment serving food and booze!