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YOLO Restaurant

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YOLO Restaurant — Fort Lauderdale
YOLO Restaurant — Fort Lauderdale

Description

YOLO is an upscale New American restaurant and cocktail bar on Las Olas Boulevard in Fort Lauderdale, best for date nights, group celebrations, and anyone who wants craft drinks with serious food in a trendy setting.

Overview

YOLO sits right on the Las Olas Boulevard strip, pulling double duty as a polished New American restaurant and one of Fort Lauderdale’s liveliest bar scenes. The indoor dining room is spacious enough for a proper sit-down meal, while the outdoor lounge – complete with a fire pit – draws a crowd that skews trendy and dressed up without being stuffy. Walk in on a Wednesday through Saturday night and expect a DJ, a packed bar area, and energy that builds steadily past happy hour.

The drink program is broad. Craft cocktails like the Caribbean Night share menu space with a curated wine list, a solid beer selection, and even coffee for the rare person not here to drink. Happy hour pulls a noticeable crowd, so if you want a quieter dinner at six on a Friday, ask the host to seat you away from the bar – they will work with you, though the wait may run a few extra minutes.

Food leans upscale comfort. The tableside 44-ounce tomahawk is the showpiece, served with truffle mushroom mashed potatoes and a lineup of sauces. The sushi menu holds its own – the dragon roll gets called out repeatedly – and the seafood runs from branzino to Chilean sea bass to a well-seasoned salmon. Calamari and BBQ meatballs are reliable starters. For dessert, the doughnut tree is a crowd favorite and the coconut flan brulee is worth saving room for.

Service stands out. Servers ask about allergies upfront, orders arrive fast, and management steps in without hesitation when something is not right. Reservations are recommended for brunch, lunch, and dinner alike – this place usually has a wait. The crowd is mixed: groups celebrating birthdays, college students on Las Olas, tourists exploring the boulevard, and solo diners who appreciate attentive service without pretension. YOLO is LGBTQ-friendly and welcoming across the board. Late-night food runs until 2 AM on Wednesday through Saturday, making it one of the few upscale options still plating past midnight.

Good to know

  • Rating: 4.5/5 from 5,030 Google reviews
  • Price: $$$
  • Best for: date night on Las Olas, group celebrations, late-night upscale dining, craft cocktails and food, special occasion dinner
  • Features: Happy Hour, Outdoor Seating, Waterfront, Late Night, LGBTQ+, Dog Friendly

Hours

Monday 11:30AM-12AM
Tuesday 11:30AM-12AM
Wednesday 11:30AM-2AM
Thursday 11:30AM-2AM
Friday 11:30AM-2AM
Saturday 10AM-2AM
Sunday 10AM-10PM

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a reservation at YOLO?

Reservations are strongly recommended for brunch, lunch, and dinner. YOLO usually has a wait, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings when the bar and lounge are busiest. Booking ahead also lets you request a quieter table if you prefer to avoid the bar-area energy.

What should I order at YOLO?

The tableside 44-ounce tomahawk steak with truffle mushroom mashed potatoes is the signature experience. For seafood, the branzino and sea bass both get strong reviews. Start with the calamari or BBQ meatballs, and do not skip dessert – the doughnut tree and coconut flan brulee are standouts. The curry shrimp noodles are also worth trying.

What are YOLO’s hours?

Monday and Tuesday from 11:30 AM to midnight. Wednesday through Friday from 11:30 AM to 2 AM. Saturday from 10 AM to 2 AM. Sunday from 10 AM to 10 PM. The late-night hours midweek through Saturday make it one of the few upscale spots in Fort Lauderdale still serving past midnight.

Is YOLO good for groups and celebrations?

Yes, it is a popular choice for birthdays, work dinners, and special occasions. The restaurant has a private dining room available, spacious seating throughout, and staff who go out of their way for celebrations. The tomahawk steak makes a natural centerpiece for a group table.

What is the dress code and vibe at YOLO?

There is no strict dress code. Guests range from casually dressed to fully dressed up, and both fit in. The atmosphere leans trendy and upscale with a live DJ on busier nights, but it stays approachable. Expect a lively bar scene near the front and quieter dining areas further in.

Is YOLO dog friendly and does it have outdoor seating?

YOLO offers outdoor seating in a lounge area that features a fire pit, and it is listed as dog friendly. The outdoor space is a popular option for more casual drinks and people-watching along Las Olas Boulevard.

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