Las Olas Boulevard

Thought it would be much bigger but basically couple blocks of shops and restaurants. So disappointing, although the street is quaint and it has a couple restaurants that looked good, the shops were mediocre at best. Not even a nice café to chill at except Starbucks… If in the area, it’s worth a stop for a bite but don’t bother coming out of your way.
Value ³⁄₅
Atmosphere ⁴⁄₅
Service ²⁄₅
Quality ²⁄₅
¹¹⁄₂₀

i had read up on las olas blvd on tripadvisor and planned a day here. we were staying at the westin fort lauderdale beach resort and used the sun trolley to get here. i had pulled up a map and knew all the stores so made sure we were able to walk the whole street without missing anything.
it was a short street with some fun stores, but nothing i’d go back for. we checked out all of the art galleries and we found the customer service to be non existent in most of them. the other stores were okay and we like supporting local, but there wasn’t enough to justify the trip we made out here. there were some restaurants and bars along the way, but as we weren’t hungry we weren’t able to try any of them out. i did find a spa there, but they had a sign on the door saying they were gone and would be back in an hour.
overall we went up and down the blvd two times (on both sides to make sure we weren’t missing anything) and then went back to the beach. it was something new to do in fort lauderdale, but i’d skip this next time.

Fantastic street. There’s a very wide selection of high end shops and sensational restaurants (go and try the YOLO restaurant and order their fantastic tuna tartar!) spending a sunny day in Las Olas is always a great plan.

«E Las Olas Blvd is Fort Lauderdale’s Rodeo Drive»
As a long time resident of Fort Lauderdale who lives near E Las Olas Blvd, I can truly say that the stretch of East Las Olas starting around the 600 block and heading east towards the beach to around the 1600 block is Fort Lauderdale’s version of Rodeo Drive. The shops and restaurants along here are ritzy and glitzy and high-​end both in service and in style. The local merchants association regularly hold special events here. This is the location of the Las Olas Art Festival twice a year with world class artisans. Lots of family friendly events, too. The City of Fort Lauderdale usually runs the family-​friendly ones. I can’t afford to eat at any of the restaurants or shop at any of the shops, but it is fun window shopping. If you can’t afford to eat high on the hog either, the 1600 block is the long time home of The Floridian, an iconic chow down restaurant open 24 hours a day with affordable prices. There is also a Kilwin’s Ice Cream that is affordable (and delicious!). The Water Taxi has is stop number 3 on the New River just one block from E Las Olas and SE 10^th Street. The Water Trolley has its eastern terminus stop at Laura Ward Riverwalk Park in the 600 block on the New River. A Sun Trolley runs along Las Olas Blvd to the beach, and a Broward County Transit bus also runs along here. There are pedicabs, as well. B-​Cycle has racks with bicycles available for rent here. As a dog owner, I appreciate the many merchants that (while they don’t allow dogs inside their store) have dog watering bowls outside their businesses. Last night, the City held the Light Up Las Olas festival on E Las Olas, and it was spectacular. I’ve uploaded a picture of the sand carving that was done right in the middle of the street (which they removed after the event was over) of my favorite kind of snowman — one that is made out of sand. Even if you can’t afford it (I know I can’t), E Las Olas Blvd is definitely worth a visit. Don’t drive down it. Park in one of the multiple parking lots (you do have to pay to park no matter where you go here), and get out and walk it. It’s delightful and a little walk is good for you, too.

It’s a short 3 – 4 block stretch just to the east of Downtown Fort Lauderdale, but there are some interesting restaurants and specialty shops, not those mainstream ones. Nice to walk up and down the area. Street parking can be really tight during peak times, however.