Excellent housemate pastas. My pesto pasta with shrimp was great. Short rib special was a huge portion of meat accompanied by gnocchi. Delicious. For apps we had fried calamari which was so tender. The eggplant sliced very thin and fried like a chip was excellent. Cute place with a lively atmosphere.
Disappointing
Since our last visit a year ago the menu has shrunk as has the food quality. Perhaps a new chef? Or an off night? Branzino too dry. Eggplant not as good as before. But grouper was excellent. Still fun.
KathyR
We dined here recently with friends and had a great evening. We enjoyed cocktails, wine, appetizers & entrees. We enjoyed everything immensely. The atmosphere here is lively and we enjoyed the live music. Our waiter, Carlos, gave good advice on entree selections and gave us impeccable service. Thank you!
DavidP
We absolutely LOVE Del Contadino! Last evening was the first time I ever had to send something back. The special Cavatelli was under cook and warm at best. Everything else was amazing as always! Dan our waiter was attentive without being overpowering. He is a true asset! We're looking forward to our next dining experience.
Foodie
we are locals eat here often, but geez Almighty when I make a 730 reservation why is it that I always have to wait a half an hour with NO apologies.  you guys need to stop overbooking the restaurant
BobT
Food and Service were excellent. It was not my first visit to Dal Contadino My party of 4 all enjoyed their food. My wife had the Flounder Fish and she said it was the best. Other plates sampled were the gnocchi's which are tops in Fort Lauderdale. I had the Short Ribs and they were outstanding. The place is very noisy to the point where I had my party repeat itself over & over. Lastly, I would allow more space in between the tables.
MiamiAnt
Hands down the best most authentic Italian restaurant I have been to in a while. The food was incredible, delicious bread, amazing pasta e Fagoli, Lamb Chops, housemade pasta with vongole, Scungilli Lobster. Every dish looked amazing.
We made a reservation for a group of 3 and we were seated in a table for 2. The extra chair was obstructing the hall where the waiters and other patrons were walking on top of me. Despite asking the hostess for another table she refused. I have been multiple times to this restaurant but this terrible experience will prevent me from doing so. The restaurant had way too many tables for the space. If the fire marshall would have been there they would close down the place The emergency exit at the end of the hallway was also obstructed.
AliceP
We enjoyed the artichoke appetizers as well as the mushroom polenta and stuffed zucchini flowers. For entrees, we loved the pasta bosciola, the seafood with squid ink risotto, and the salmon ravioli...rave reviews from all! dessert was the cheesecake, excellent. Cocktails also got rave reviews...the cucumber jalapeno martini, the sugar cookie martini, and the dolce vita were a hit. And the service was top notch. Love the ambiance, it was a great experience.
Went today w my husband and kids for Christmas lunch. Menu was limited today. Ordered the pork chops and was under cooked was sent back Service was not good today. Ordered lasagna instead Been there before and food and service was so much better. Not the best place to go with kids. Waiter told me they don't make Pizza anymore. No kids menu either
Despite a reservation and promise of a table in a quiet seating area, my family and I were stuck under a defective speaker blaring tinny, repetitive music. The manager refused to move us, refused to turn off the speaker, and refused even to turn the music down. Soon after, three nearby hostesses called my phone, and when they realized they had reached me sitting just feet away, they insipidly giggled and hung up. I've dined happily in Fort Lauderdale for over 40 years, but this was the first time I've ever been treated with disdain.
robert
Favorite Italian place. Some dishes amazing others not. Have to try. Papardelle always a hit. Special 7 Fishes was disappointing for our friends. Didn't try. Fabulous ambience, a little loud at times. Still our favcorite.
waterfrontfoody
Maybe because it was a holiday they placed more tables in but the tables were so close together you could barely walk between them. The chairs touched the people behind you. Could could practically eat off their plates! Because they packed in so many people the service staff was over worked and service suffered. They were nice enough but barely had time to take your order. We were a party of 4 and 2 were served a good 5-10 minutes before the others. The lasagna was fair, my seafood risotto was way too fishy, I couldn't eat it but my friend's pasta with Gorgonzola was very good. It took so long to be served we didn't even try to order dessert. It really makes me second Think going out to dinner on a holiday.
Alexis
I've been here 4+ times and every time it is outstanding and no time is ever the same! The energy is incredible, the food is amazing and I've never had really bad service. I would recommend this restaurant 10 times! MUST TRY.
Bojo
Our waiter, Dan, was perfect. The food there is always spot on. It was just a little noisier than normal with a birthday party of some sort happening but otherwise it was just great. A typical stable in our restaurant repertoire.
Excellent housemate pastas. My pesto pasta with shrimp was great. Short rib special was a huge portion of meat accompanied by gnocchi. Delicious. For apps we had fried calamari which was so tender. The eggplant sliced very thin and fried like a chip was excellent. Cute place with a lively atmosphere.
Since our last visit a year ago the menu has shrunk as has the food quality. Perhaps a new chef? Or an off night? Branzino too dry. Eggplant not as good as before. But grouper was excellent. Still fun.
We dined here recently with friends and had a great evening. We enjoyed cocktails, wine, appetizers & entrees. We enjoyed everything immensely. The atmosphere here is lively and we enjoyed the live music. Our waiter, Carlos, gave good advice on entree selections and gave us impeccable service. Thank you!
We absolutely LOVE Del Contadino! Last evening was the first time I ever had to send something back. The special Cavatelli was under cook and warm at best. Everything else was amazing as always! Dan our waiter was attentive without being overpowering. He is a true asset! We're looking forward to our next dining experience.
we are locals eat here often, but geez Almighty when I make a 730 reservation why is it that I always have to wait a half an hour with NO apologies.  you guys need to stop overbooking the restaurant
Food and Service were excellent. It was not my first visit to Dal Contadino My party of 4 all enjoyed their food. My wife had the Flounder Fish and she said it was the best. Other plates sampled were the gnocchi's which are tops in Fort Lauderdale. I had the Short Ribs and they were outstanding. The place is very noisy to the point where I had my party repeat itself over & over. Lastly, I would allow more space in between the tables.
Hands down the best most authentic Italian restaurant I have been to in a while. The food was incredible, delicious bread, amazing pasta e Fagoli, Lamb Chops, housemade pasta with vongole, Scungilli Lobster. Every dish looked amazing.
We made a reservation for a group of 3 and we were seated in a table for 2. The extra chair was obstructing the hall where the waiters and other patrons were walking on top of me. Despite asking the hostess for another table she refused. I have been multiple times to this restaurant but this terrible experience will prevent me from doing so. The restaurant had way too many tables for the space. If the fire marshall would have been there they would close down the place The emergency exit at the end of the hallway was also obstructed.
We enjoyed the artichoke appetizers as well as the mushroom polenta and stuffed zucchini flowers. For entrees, we loved the pasta bosciola, the seafood with squid ink risotto, and the salmon ravioli...rave reviews from all! dessert was the cheesecake, excellent. Cocktails also got rave reviews...the cucumber jalapeno martini, the sugar cookie martini, and the dolce vita were a hit. And the service was top notch. Love the ambiance, it was a great experience.
Went today w my husband and kids for Christmas lunch. Menu was limited today. Ordered the pork chops and was under cooked was sent back Service was not good today. Ordered lasagna instead Been there before and food and service was so much better. Not the best place to go with kids. Waiter told me they don't make Pizza anymore. No kids menu either
Restaurantji Recommends
Despite a reservation and promise of a table in a quiet seating area, my family and I were stuck under a defective speaker blaring tinny, repetitive music. The manager refused to move us, refused to turn off the speaker, and refused even to turn the music down. Soon after, three nearby hostesses called my phone, and when they realized they had reached me sitting just feet away, they insipidly giggled and hung up. I've dined happily in Fort Lauderdale for over 40 years, but this was the first time I've ever been treated with disdain.
Favorite Italian place. Some dishes amazing others not. Have to try. Papardelle always a hit. Special 7 Fishes was disappointing for our friends. Didn't try. Fabulous ambience, a little loud at times. Still our favcorite.
Maybe because it was a holiday they placed more tables in but the tables were so close together you could barely walk between them. The chairs touched the people behind you. Could could practically eat off their plates! Because they packed in so many people the service staff was over worked and service suffered. They were nice enough but barely had time to take your order. We were a party of 4 and 2 were served a good 5-10 minutes before the others. The lasagna was fair, my seafood risotto was way too fishy, I couldn't eat it but my friend's pasta with Gorgonzola was very good. It took so long to be served we didn't even try to order dessert. It really makes me second Think going out to dinner on a holiday.
I've been here 4+ times and every time it is outstanding and no time is ever the same! The energy is incredible, the food is amazing and I've never had really bad service. I would recommend this restaurant 10 times! MUST TRY.
Our waiter, Dan, was perfect. The food there is always spot on. It was just a little noisier than normal with a birthday party of some sort happening but otherwise it was just great. A typical stable in our restaurant repertoire.