Café Del Mar — Restaurant in Fort Lauderdale

Was sat immediately but waited 15 minutes before even getting a water or being addressed by a server, then we asked the host for water and service, and a woman finally came to our table, we still didn’t receive water until 5 minutes after being addressed by a wait staff, and they didn’t bring out water, only the other drinks we ordered. The woman could barely understand what I was saying for some reason, and got confused when I asked for a BLT burger with no tomatoes. She started asking if I wanted a chicken wrap???? I was very confused how she couldn’t understand that a BLT burger is a cheeseburger with bacon, lettuce, and tomatoes, and if I ordered one without tomatoes, then it’s just a bacon and lettuce cheese burger. Once we got done ordering we got our appetizers about 5-10 minutes later, and they came back saying that the appetizer my partner ordered wasn’t available so they asked if he wanted to order something else, but they didn’t even bring him a menu so I guess they just wanted him to have the menu memorized? He ordered the 18 dollar shrimp appetizer once they got the menu for him, and when that came out, it was literally 4 shrimp. And we could tell they were store bought from those frozen bags, and not fresh catch of the day. 18 dollars for 4 store bought shrimp is absurd. I got my burger and it was huge, and almost uncomfortable to get my mouth around. I found a hair in it as well and it was obviously not mine as I have very long hair and the hair in it was short. The fries that came with the burger tasted exactly like Ore-Ida extra crispy fast food fries, so I doubt they were made in the place. Then came the bill. My partner ordered one drink, one app, and one entree, and all of which tasted store bought, and I ordered a sprite, Caesar salad, and a cheeseburger that tasted store bought except the salad. The bill totaled $131.58 for all of that food. They also added an 18 percent gratuity fee even if your experience there is awful. Of course we left no tip, as the service was bad, and the food was even worse. Would not recommend going here at all, as it is definitely a tourist trap that just wants to get you drunk so you don’t realize how bad the food...

Worst experience ever! The moment I sat down the waiter rushed us the entire time to order, mind you we were seated at 9pm.Waiter then brought us the food and yet we still didn't have any utensils to eat. The waiter told us about some of the top recommendations foods which we choose from and I must say it was absolutely disgusting. The presentation of the food was spectacular but the taste of it was DESEPTIVE no flavor completely Bland taste will make you SICK to your stomach. Thinking it couldn't get any worse. I explained to the waiter that I disliked my dish. My waiter like all other waiters do, went to go get his manager. When the manager showed up he asked what we didn't like about the food. We explained to him how bland it was but the manager began to try and give me a lesson on how the food was supposed to taste which was really comical to me. I explained to the manager that I was EXTREMELY DISSATISFIED with the food and that I would like my check please. He then responded that we cannot take any items of the check. Which I never asked to remove any items. I simply asked for the check! Just when you think the nightmare was over, I paid for my food and the waiter comes back and ask if I paid for the food.??? Mind you he was the one who handed me the receipt with my card!!! I responded here is the receipt you gave me!! Then fixed his mouth to say. I'm sorry guys but YOU HAVE TO GET OUT NOW DUE TO US CLOSING NOW I was so taken back from this statement I couldn't believe it. Never in all my years of service have I ever been treated in this manner. I usually write nothing but positive reviews but I believe people have a right to know about the experience that I had with this restaurant. I had no problem paying for the food even if it was bad, they asked me how did we like our food so we gave them honest feed back which only escalated...

Should have read the ratings. It fronts thw ocean, thats the best. But there are several other restaurants as good on the view with better food. First I get a really wobbly table outside, and the coffee was not fresh and not hot. Mimosa buy one get one was good, they were small but the regular price was $14.95, so its a good thing you got two. Those eggs and potatoes look good but they are mediocre. Eggs taste like they are from the carton. Potatoes are frozen deep fried and even with a few added onions, whatnot, they did not have any taste. You see the bacon, it's in a pile, pieces not strips, but it was good. The bread was the best part. The mimosa 2nd except due the high piece. Last, I go to pay with my credit card, their credit card processing isn't working, they ask for cash for a $39.54 bill (thanks to the Mimosa two for 1 @ $14.95). Well with the storm and that I'm saving my crash for cruise tips, I didn't at first have enough. I found an extra $20 tucked away. It was suggested after I waited a while and nothing changed, and I'd already been done eating or drinking for 20 min, that they have an ATM. I was not offered anything at all while waiting 30 min. I was not in a hurry but I expected maybe 10 min. Wouldn't want to offer to fill my coffee with hot fresh refill, or water, or maybe something else? I mean would not want to worry that I couldn't pay for anything more, right? You should have told me the credit card processing was not working, I would have elsewhere. And I wish I would have. The food looks good, it is disappointing and mediocre. The service nosedived. The gratuity is added on automatically, without mentioning it. That was part of the $39.54. Not recommendung this...