South Florida is filled with divine treats: beaches, coastal waterways, fresh mangos, strawberry fields and key lime pie. Fort Lauderdale is a city that is culturally blooming, as it is dotted with cool spots that serve refreshing, organic experiences, whether it be record shopping for the best deals to hear that unique vinyl sound later on your record player, chomp down on vegan Mexican food with some margaritas, and go flower picking. You might even consider taking a trip to these fab spots Halloween weekend for some delicious treats, drinks and music in spooky fashion. Here are some of our SoFlo gems!
Flamingo Road Nursery, Davie
This beautiful, outdoor spot right on Flamingo Road is the perfect weekend outing. Its sprawling nursery is filled with colorful and cute garden trinkets, brightly painted pots and hundreds of plants, statues, and waterfalls. There is an entire area just for beautiful bonzai trees! The small, quaint farmer's market grocery is where you can pick up fresh fruit juices and smoothies, baked goods and kitchen essentials such as fresh, Florida honey, jams, chips, salsa, produce and banana bread. They also serve breakfast and lunch.
It's fun to just stroll through the aisles of beautiful leaves and flowers with a fresh smoothie in hand. This is a beautiful and charming community spot.
source for both photos: flamingoroadnursery.com
CD Trader, Davie
More now than ever during quarantine, what better way to spend the time than watching old movies and your old Nintento console. CD Trader has loads of vintage games and gaming systems, alongside vinyls, CDs, and Blu-Ray DVDs. After all, shopping for the old school discs does come cheap, so you can find some great deals here--not to mention the delicious bubble tea stop, Kung Fu Tea, right next door.
source: @cdtraderdavie instagram
Life Stones, Gems & Minerals, Sunrise
This little crystal shop has rows upon rows of beautiful crystal jewelry, ethically sourced, as well as multiple stones, both raw and polished. You can also pick out stones and beads and have them made into jewelry in shop. This spot has fabulous deals so this is the place to go if you're looking for a crystal haul for all of your energetic and aesthetic wants and needs!
source: flholisticspace.com
Magnolia Caffee, Fort Lauderdale
Magnolia is a cozy nook surrounded by greenery and odd, antique trinquettes of all kinds from old cameras to teacups and cookbooks. Every antique item in the shop is for sale, so whilst you're sipping tea and munching on a fresh spring salad, you can shop with your eyes!
Magnolia has a beautiful selection of teas, from traditional to tropical and floral flavors, displayed in their various tins and boxes neatly at the front bar. Tea is served in antique pots and cups. I highly recommend the English Rose tea--it is fresh, floral and simply divine.
The Alchemist and La Mexicana Tapas, Wilton Manors
These two Wilton Manors gems sit side by side in a colorful junkyard of flower pots, trees and art.
The Alchemist is a groovy coffee and cafe spot with a diverse menu, including lots of plant-based options for brunch, lunch and dinner.
source: www.thealchemist.cafe
La Mexicana is a Mexican tapas restaurant serving traditional tacos and salad bowls, on top of a totally plant-based menu, including vegan elote (a must!) and cheezy nachos. On top of mojitos, sangrias and margaritas, they also offer fresh juices and smoothies. There's something for everyone on this spicy menu.
source: @lamexicanatacobar Instagram
Eucaylptus-Gardens, Wilton Manors
This is the perfect spot to relax with some drinks, surrounded by beautiful flowers. This cozy bazaar spot has several vendors, including Seed of Life vegan restaurant, Chateau D'vine Wine, EG Farm Stores and SoFla Urban Farms.
source: eucalyptus-gardens facebook page
Sandbar Grill, Fort Lauderdale
Sandbar Grill, located in Sun Tower Hotel and Suites on Fort Lauderdale beach, is a fabulouse and affordable beachside dining spot with divine views of the ocean. Their Happy Hour is from 4-7 pm daily, and their menu has a range of beachy foods to cure your post swim cravings, such as salads, lobster rolls, veggie burgers and veggie black bean flatbreads.
source: traveler.marriott.com
Top Hat Deli, Fort Lauderdale
This homey New York inspired delicatessen has a vintage diner atmosphere with a modern flare. They serve a delicious matzo ball soup and their menu contains classic deli staples, like reuben sandwiches and juicy pickles. This is a family owned business, starting with Max Wolf, a German immigrant who came to New York in 1936. Max's grandson and granddaughter-in-law Jerry and Harriot now own and operate the business.
source: browardpalmbeach.com
Radioactive Records, Fort Lauderdale
Radioactive is a great spot for finding all of the genres you could think of when it comes to vinyl collection---reggae, electro, indie, funk, film scores, spoken word, calypso, school band music, etc. On top of LPs (and $1 LPs!), they also sell 45s and books. This spot, located right on N Federal Hwy, has loads of deals and community events.
source of both photos: @radioactiverecords instagram
Here is a groovy record I found at Radioactive for $4.95. ✨
Feel free to tag us @thenondairyfairy if you happen upon any of these gems. Happy exploring!