Straddling coastal cool and quirky Florida charm, the city has an underrated food scene that shines just as bright as any marquee sign you’ll find in that other Hollywood. From beachside legends to hidden gems on Harrison and Hollywood Boulevard, these nine restaurants, in alphabetical order, steal the spotlight.
Billy's Stone Crab
400 N. Ocean Dr., Hollywood954-388-9198
crabs.comBilly's is an institution, both in seafood and the South Florida foodie scene. Supplied by its very own fisheries in the Keys, this waterfront staple dishes up stone crabs and snapper that go from sea to plate in 24 hours or less. You can dine indoors or grab a breezy table overlooking the Intracoastal, and order the show-stopping seafood tower stacked with lobster tails, oysters, jumbo shrimp, and more. Don’t forget to finish with a slice of their homemade key lime pie.
GG's Waterfront
606 N. Ocean Dr., Hollywood954-929-7030
ggswaterfront.com Consider GG's to be where locals bring their in-laws to prove Hollywood's got upscale game. Sitting pretty on the Intracoastal, this seafood-forward grill has sunset views and Rat Pack-level swagger. The "Pow Pow" shrimp comes with a sweet chili kick, the calamari is dressed to impress with wild arugula and aioli, and the short rib is braised in ale and practically falling into its whipped potato bed. Grab a martini on Monday when they’re half off and toast to waterfront dining done right, y'all.
GoBistro
2035 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood754-263-2826
eatgobistro.comWhen the clock strikes ramen o'clock, GoBistro answers the call. This Downtown Hollywood noodle den has been dishing spicy bowls and sushi rolls since 2013, and it's just as reliable for lunch as it is after last call (it's open 'til 1 a.m. daily). The Hangover ramen is a pork and Spam-spiked cure-all, while the curry ramen brings rich broth and belly-warming pizzazz. Pair with Gangnam wings or some late-night sushi rolls that won't judge your sake-fueled decisions.
J&C Oyster Bar
2035 Harrison St., Hollywood954-300-1007
jandcoyster.comJ&C ain't your standard raw bar. This beautifully designed seafood hotspot, complete with gold accents, is the brainchild of a culinary dream team stemming from Kyu, Zuma, and beyond. Happy hour runs Thursday to Sunday from 5 to 7 p.m., and the oysters come with nam prik mignonette, mango habanero sauce, and loveable attitude. Don't sleep on the lobster roll with aromatic butter or the Thai crab curry served over jasmine rice. It’s seafood with serious style.
Krakatoa Indonesian Cuisine is one of the best restaurants in Hollywood, Florida
Krakatoa Indonesian Cuisine photo
Krakatoa Indonesian Cuisine
1910B Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood754-221-0914
krakatoacuisine.comHollywood isn’t exactly known for Indonesian fare, but Krakatoa may be changing that. What started as a humble Yellow Green Farmers Market stall has evolved into a cozy brick-and-mortar full of bold flavors and soul. The Rijsttafel combination plate is the ultimate choose-your-own-adventure feast, with options like rendang sapi or tongseng kambing. Start with the tahu isi stuffed tofu and finish with crispy bala bala fritters. Krakatoa’s journey from weekend stall to neighborhood favorite is a story worth tasting.
Le Tub
1100 N. Ocean Dr., Hollywood954-921-9425
le-tub.comIf you haven't had the burger at Le Tub, are you even a South Florida foodie? Built inside a former Sunoco station, this eclectic saloon has been collecting beachside knick-knacks and burger awards since 1975. Oprah loves it. GQ once named it "America's Best Burger." The old-school, grill-charred masterpiece still lives up to the hype. With views of the Intracoastal and a beer in hand, you're always in for one of Florida's most celebrated bites.
Pachamanka Authentic Peruvian Cuisine is one of the best restaurants in Hollywood, Florida
Pachamanka Authentic Peruvian Cuisine photo
Pachamanka Authentic Peruvian Cuisine
321 Johnson St., Hollywood954-926-1020
pachamankarestaurant.comAt Pachamanka, ceviche is more than an appetizer, but an art form. Whether you’re going classic with the ceviche mixto or getting tropical with its exotic fruit-loaded ceviche Pachamanka Tropical, the flavors burst with authenticity. This tucked-away spot visibly values compassion, respect, and excellence (its core values), and it shows in every citrusy, cilantro-topped bite. The sweet potato and Peruvian corn garnishes, donning most dishes, bring it all together.
The Tipsy Boar
1906 Harrison St., Hollywood954-920-2627
thetipsyboar.comCraft beer, comfort food, and an elevated pub vibe. That’s Tipsy Boar in a nutshell. This Hollywood gastropub keeps things indulgent yet unpretentious. The Tipsy Boar Burger comes stacked with boar patty, millionaire bacon, pork belly, and onion rings. Feeling decadent? Add lobster to their three-cheese mac and pair it with one of more than 40 beers on tap. The friendly staff makes it feel like a neighborhood hangout even when you're going full-on carnivore.
Yellow Green Farmers Market is one of the best spots for food in Hollywood, Florida
Yellow Green Farmers Market photo
Yellow Green Farmers Market
3080 Sheridan St., Hollywood954-513-3990
ygfarmersmarket.comIt's hard to crown a single dish at Yellow Green, but if you know, you know. The salteñas at Salteñas Bolivian Kitchen and the meat smoker at Llanera Meat are the real MVPs. Open on weekends, this massive indoor-outdoor market is where Hollywood’s food scene gets funky. Dozens of vendors dish out global flavors, from Venezuelan arepas to Thai curry to Jamaican patties. Bring your appetite and maybe a cooler for goodies to bring home after. You'll need it.
