The Riverside Market Cafe

Overview

Riverside Market Cafe sits on SW 12th Avenue in a residential pocket of Fort Lauderdale that most visitors never find, which is exactly why the regulars like it. The concept is part craft-beer bottle shop, part casual kitchen, part neighborhood living room. Fridges line the walls stocked with north of 500 different beers – sours, IPAs, stouts, imports like the Spanish lager Mahou, and a deep lineup from breweries like Founders and Prairie Artisan Ales – plus craft sodas and non-alcoholic options for anyone skipping the buzz. Twenty rotating taps round out the draft side. The system runs on trust: grab a can or bottle from the cooler, hang onto it, and settle up when you leave. It is one of the few honor-system spots left in South Florida and a point of pride for the community.

The kitchen punches well above bar-food expectations. Regulars swear by the buffalo shrimp, the Carolina pulled pork sandwich with its slow-cooked meat and tangy sauce, and a thin-crust barbecue chicken pizza loaded with mozzarella and red onion that multiple guests call one of the best pies in the region. The Reuben, the bleu cheese burger, and a simple grilled cheese with crispy fries all land consistently. Breakfast runs all day, and the menu covers enough ground – pizzas, sandwiches, burgers, salads – that nobody in a group gets left out.

Inside, the decor is beachy and eclectic, with odds and ends hung from the ceiling and couches scattered between bar and table seating. Outside tables welcome dogs. The vibe is genuinely laid-back, owned and operated by a local family, and the staff treats first-timers like neighbors. Open daily from 8 AM, with Friday and Saturday nights stretching to 2 AM, Riverside Market works equally well for a solo lunch, a group beer crawl, or a low-key date night where nobody has to shout over the music.

Good to know

• Rating: 4.7/5 from 2,446 Google reviews
• Price: $$
• Best for: craft beer explorers, casual group hangouts, dog-friendly drinks, late night weekends, solo dining, local neighborhood vibe
• Features: Outdoor Seating, Late Night, Dog Friendly

Hours