Cafe Maxx

To Whom It May Concern,
I made a reservation for this evening for six people at Café Maxx in Pompano Beach, Florida. The restaurant was terrible! The waiter service was very slow and our waiter hardly ever stopped by our table to check in on us. Besides that, the menu is extremely pricey. Each entrée is higher than any fine restaurant in Boca Raton, FL that I have been to. I have no idea who priced the entreees listed in Café Maxx’s menu but clearly this person did not know what they were doing. Aside from everything else, the restroom was very dirty with water all over the floor. It is unbelievable that a restaurant with such a supposed reputation has such a filthy restroom for its customers. Also, the over ambiance of the restaurant certainly does not match the price of its food. It leaves a lot to be desired. An elegant atmosphere the restaurant certainly does not have. Possibly that is due to its location.
Thank you for your time. I look forward to hearing back regarding this unfortunate dining experience.
Sincerely,
J.W.
Boca Raton, FL

Widely considered one of the best restaurants in Fort Lauderdale, I wasn’t overly impressed with Café Maxx. I’ve eaten there twice, once for dinner and once for brunch. For brunch I ordered the burger which was solid. The bun was very large and greasy. For dinner I ordered a fish dish and my wife ordered a chicken dish. Both were just average, especially considering the high prices.
I agree that Café Maxx is a good restaurant, but based on my experiences, I don’t consider it one of the best.

The best of pompano has to offer ! The specials amazing and service fantastic !!! Enough said !!!

The food was fantastic. It’s small and busy and service was a big rough. But the menu and the chef preparations made up for it. We had smaller salmon and tuna. All amazing.

Always GREAT FOOD, we eat here probably 10 times a year, send all friends here, love love love the food, but last 3 times service is lacking, but worth ok service because of the FOOD!

Just stumbled in. The food was great. Nice atmosphere. I would make a reservation if I was going back. We were lucky to get a table. A little pricey for the$$$ but everyone was happy with the value in the end.

Had the signature Three Peppercorn Filet Minion, it was perfection. Cooked exactly MR as requested. Very tender. Had the Caprese salad, very good. The dessert was the highlight: Crème Brûlée! Outstanding!
A very nice dining experience, relaxing atmosphere. It was getting a little louder as the night (and cocktails) worn on. Pricey but worth it for special occasions.

Great restaurant. My family and I have been going there for 15 years. The owner is always there and always takes the time to talk to us. The Tuna pizza and snapper are my favorite. Food is a a fusion of Italian, French, American, and Asian. There is something on the menu for everyone. Prices can be a little high but they do half portions too. It’s definitely worth it.

Been here a few times and have had mixed results with the menu. Overall the ambiance is spectacular, but the food does not always match the price tag and is a little inconsistent with quality. Overall the menu is super creative and in my few times eating here I have been impressed by the different ingredients they explore and the presentation of the dishes.
I recall a few memorable dishes one being a chicken dish I was not as impressed with and recall that it was very expensive was nothing more than chicken with a bland sauce and garnish. The rizzuto and salad were good, but for the cost it just made no sense. Then on the other side I have had the hog fish and the snapper and been pretty impressed with how it is prepared along with the only again think it is a little pricey for what I am getting. Overall the place is good, but still one star short in my experiences…

I would not go back. Overpriced decent food.

Our first time here, Apps and drinks at the bar. My wife, her brother and myself shared six appetizers: tuna sashimi pizza, which was spot on; crispy Brussel sprouts, even I liked it; baked pumpkin and roast vegetable risotto with jumbo scallops, very nice; roasted oysters, more please; wagyu beef soft tacos, excellent; pan seared foie gras, holy mackerel.
«Dinner» at the bar was quite nice. The bartender’s service was first rate. We shall return… to try the actual entrees or just to sit at the well appointed bar and have drinks with Apps. Either way, it shall be fine.

Have been coming here for years and unfortunately has lost its luster. Started with Caviar pizza, tuna pizza and the oysters. Sushi pizza was still outstanding but the other 2 were fair. Chicken Marcella, pork chop and the shrimp scallop were all ok. Was bummed that the desserts were not as good as before, bread pudding and the keylime bar. Pudding was dry and keylime had a nice tart but neither I would order again.
Too many other options in the South Florida for dining especially in their price range.

First time and will come again. The food was amazing. We were a party of four all ordering different items and they were all perfect. Strip mall location but inside was very nice and modern. Service was great as well. Yes its pricy but truly the food was amazing.

Fantastic! Creative menu with many local seafood specials. Have been here many times over the years, and it never disappoints! Keep up the quality food and service, and thank you!

We went for the dine out Ft Lauderdale menu and it was amazing. It is a three course meal for $ 35. They didn’t rush us and provided good service throughout the meal.
They bring you warm bread… focaccia, white, and raisin. they will bring you butter upon request.
I started with the Asian meatballs. It is a large serving for an appetizer. It is served over saueteed zucchini. The meatballs had a little spice to them. They were very good. My friend said they were the best meatball she’s ever had and she doesn’t usually like meatballs.
For my main course I had the chicken al a vodka. It is served with a creamy red sauce. It had pancetta in it and peas. Very tasty.
For dessert I had the hot chocolate lava cake. It is a smaller version than normal but super rich and topped with ice cream and chocolate sauce. It was amazing. I also tasted the key lime pie (very mild and not tart), the carrot cake with pineapple and coconut (YUMMY), and the coffee cheesecake (not much flavor).
Overall, it was a great dining experience. The place offers nice ambiance and it is quiet so it’s easy to carry on a conversation. There is a bar area with about 10 seats right when you walk in. It is an open kitchen.
You can valet park or park in the strip mall parking lot for free. I have been here twice before and will definitely return again.

Went here for dinner recently as this place has a great rep even drawing clientele from Miami.
I thought the food was great and the service excellent it was just the prices that were outrageous — $ 46 for half a chicken and $ 8 per Budweiser.
If you have money to burn a great place if not you can get the same quality of food and a better view at Houston’s for 2/​3rds the price. Both have valet parking.

We haven’t been here in ages. The food, as always, was amazing.
The people watching — even better. Face lifts and boob jobs and giant lips. It was a circus of people. The wait ftaff was pleasant but aloof. We had the snapper with carmelized onions which was very good. The duck and smoked mozarella ravioli were great. Good wine selection. We had a bottle of Row 11.
It was a nice dinner. I didn’t feel particularly at home or comfortable. The whole place felt a little stiff. Could be all the botox.
I’m not sure I’ll be running back but the food is great.

Don’t let the strip mall location discourage you from dining here — this is a great spot. It’s pricey, but food is excellent and there’s something for everyone… the menu is very extensive. Really nice wine list. Service was great. We were stuffed from dinner but got persuaded by our server to get the crème brulee — amazing. Not your classic crème brule — but so creamy and delicious. BIG portion, so it shoud be shared. Great night out here!

Fabulous food, amazing service and perfect ambiance. European style, not what you would expect in Pompano and Ft Lauderdale area. A bit on the expensive side but if you truly want to have a great meal, it is well worth it. The blue cheese, pine crusted rack of lamb was to die for as well as the Tuna and Wahoo Sashimi to start, very light but so tasty. My partner had the three peppercorn filet mignon with the 3 cheese au gratin potato, as well, Florida stone crabs with a key lime dipping sauce, amazzzzzing. Wine list selection is excellent, you can also ask which wine would be best suited to your meal. The deserts are also incredible, if you have room, enjoy the chocolate soufflé cake, you won’t be dissapointed. Bön Apetit!

It is hard to find a restaurant in Broward County that goes above and beyond the norm when it comes to cuisine. NY and Miami spoil the taste buds with outstanding restaurants… so driving to Pompano Beach on East Atlantic Blvd… turning into a Plaza strip… and handing your vehicle to a black-​tie Valet. Plaza Strip… Valet…Fine Cuisine ?? …so here it is.
Well…I am more than happy to say that Café Maxx was one of the greatest surprises I could have ever imagined. Honestly… the only way to describe this culinary surprise is «5 Star Restaurant in a 4 Star atmosphere.»
Let me start by saying… the cuisine is genius. If you want to treat your taste buds… Café Maxx is a must. No joke… they easily compete with the best when it comes to cuisine. The only reason for 4 stars? Café Maxx sits in the corner of a plaza strip… in a remodeled… but slightly bland «fine diner» atmosphere. Based on food…5 stars is an understatement. I so wish the owners could just hire a designer and turn this place into the fine dining atmosphere the food really deserves. The cuisine deserves a better setting… It is simply an interior designer away from becoming an exceptional 5 Star Restaurant with lines out the door… Yes…it is that good!
Ok. Valet Service. Walk in… friendly greeting… and within minutes… my wife and I were seated. (Polished wood and bland setting… not exciting… but very clean… open kitchen).
The hostess was very courteous… complemented my wife on her hair… Happy wife… Happy life… good move.
We ordered the Caviar appetizer and the tuna sashimi pizza we had heard so much about… NOW I GET IT!!! This is where the beige walls don’t even matter anymore because Café Maxx sets the culinary standards so high that it doesn’t even matter. The Caviar was exceptional… from presentation to taste. The tuna sashimi «pizza» is heavenly. Thin crispy lavash-​style bread with fresh sashimi topping and… well…you have to try it to understand.
For dinner: Stone Crabs. The stone crabs were fresh… served with Maxx’s Specialty Key Lime Sauce (on the side). The sauce was a little tangy-sweet…not for me… so the hostess who was very attentive, immediately brought hot melted butter. Ahhhhh… now it was perfect.
Café Maxx is a neighborhood gem. Although I wish the setting was more… possibly modern or romantic.
or even had a theme… I must say that the cuisine and service more than make up for it. Given the choice… I pick 5 Star cuisine… and therefore highly recommend Café Maxx. It is a must try and certainly a wonderful surprise.