Calusso
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA
Experience upscale Italian dining at Calusso in Fort Lauderdale. Explore menu, hours, reviews, and enjoy a cozy, romantic atmosphere with great cocktails and wine.
2301 SE 17th St, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316, United States
Calusso
Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA
Overview
Calusso is an upscale Italian restaurant located at 2301 SE 17th St in Fort Lauderdale, FL. Known for its refined blend of Italian, French, and seafood cuisines, it delivers a dining experience rich in sophisticated flavors and artful presentation. The ambiance is cozy and romantic, making it a favored destination for those seeking an elegant and trendy setting.
Offering a carefully curated wine list, standout cocktails, and gourmet desserts, Calusso excels in table service with options for outdoor seating and onsite dining. Guests appreciate the attentive yet unobtrusive service in an atmosphere designed for dinners, whether solo or with groups, particularly well-suited for special occasions and memorable nights out.
Gallery
Real shots of the food, atmosphere, and signature dishes at this location.
Local favorites
Known for a carefully crafted menu and exceptional atmosphere, this Italian restaurant offers an unforgettable dining experience in Fort Lauderdale.
A standout selection of cocktails, great wine, and hard liquor elevates any dinner occasion.
Perfectly suited for intimate dinners or solo guests seeking a cozy and romantic setting.
The ambiance blends upscale elegance with a trendy, cozy vibe ideal for special nights out.
Located at 2301 SE 17th St with onsite and valet parking for hassle-free arrival.
Reviews highlight attentive, warm service and meticulous attention to detail from the kitchen.
Wheelchair accessible entrances, restrooms, and seating ensure comfort for all guests.
Favorites include Deviled Eggs, Burrata with Caviar, Risotto, and Octopus Appetizer.
Experience
Perfectly suited for sophisticated dinner outings, Calusso invites guests to immerse themselves in a thoughtfully crafted culinary journey amidst a stylish and comfortable setting.
Dining at Calusso offers a Michelin-level ambiance combined with innovative dishes and impeccable service, making every meal a celebration of fine ingredients and expert craftsmanship. — FoodPlacee editorial note
Gather with friends or family for an exquisite dinner experience featuring creative appetizers like Burrata and Foie Gras alongside a rich selection of wines and cocktails.
The cozy yet upscale atmosphere sets a perfect scene for couples seeking an intimate dinner with excellent seafood and specialty cocktails under soft lighting.
Enjoy a thoughtfully served solo dinner, savoring dishes such as Risotto or Agnolotti Primavera while relaxing with a great coffee or a glass from the wine list.
To secure a table during the popular dinner hours, reservations are recommended and accepted, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable experience.
Open from Tuesday through Saturday evenings, the restaurant focuses on dinner service, perfect for those looking to unwind with great cocktails and expertly prepared entrées.
Guest sentiment
A snapshot of what local diners frequently mention about this location.
"What an incredible dining experience from start to finish. Calusso truly exceeded my expectations. Victoria was an absolute gem!!! attentive, knowledgeable, and genuinely warm. She made us feel welcomed the moment we sat down and guided us through the menu with great recommendations. Her timing was perfect, never rushed, and she made the whole experience feel effortless and special. Chef Efrain deserves huge praise. You can feel his passion in every dish. The flavors were thoughtful, beautifully balanced, and clearly made with intention and care. Each plate was not only delicious but presented with such attention to detail from the seasoning to the textures to the final presentation. You can tell he takes pride in his craft, and it shows. The atmosphere, service, and food all came together perfectly. This is the kind of place you come for a special night out and leave already planning your return. Highly recommend Calusso!!!!! and if you’re lucky enough to have Victoria as your server and Chef Efrain in the kitchen, you’re in for something truly special."
"My husband and I had such a wonderful experience at Calusso in Fort Lauderdale! The scallops and steak were absolutely delicious, and all the apps and snacks we tried were fantastic. The chef is incredibly creative and innovative with the dishes, making every bite exciting. A special shoutout to Juan, our server, who made the night so much fun with his amazing service and great energy. Highly recommend!"
"⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Absolutely outstanding from start to finish! From the moment we walked in, Juan and the entire staff made us feel incredibly welcomed and taken care of. Juan’s attention to detail, warm personality, and professionalism elevated our dining experience to something truly memorable. Every dish was beautifully presented and delicious, and the team’s service throughout the evening was attentive without being intrusive. The ambiance, flavors, and service all exceeded expectations. Highly recommend Calusso for anyone looking for an exceptional night out in Fort Lauderdale. We look forward to returning."
"Truly Michelin-star caliber food and service. From start to finish, every dish and detail was flawless. We started with the oysters—out of this world, perfectly briny with an elegant presentation. The foraged mushroom tart was earthy and decadent, and the hamachi crudo was bright, delicate, and perfectly balanced. The coastal catch was an explosion of flavor — layered, vibrant, and beautifully plated — and the filet mignon was cooked to perfection, tender and full of depth. Service was attentive but never intrusive, and the entire dining experience felt thoughtful and elevated. If you’re a true foodie or simply appreciate world-class dining, Calusso is a must. Every plate tells a story."
"I had an amazing experience at Calusso! From start to finish, everything was top-notch. The atmosphere was inviting, the food was outstanding, and the service was beyond exceptional. My server, Will, made the evening unforgettable—he was attentive, professional, and genuinely made sure every detail was perfect. His recommendations were spot on, and his warm personality elevated the entire dining experience. I’ll definitely be coming back and highly recommend asking for Will if you want the best service!"
"We had the best experience!!! From the moment we walked in it was pure elegance. Every staff member was amazing and accommodating. Victoria, our waitress was excellent. She helped us with selecting drinks and understanding the new winter menu. Chef Efrain made this experience one Of a kind. The menu tasting and the Chef coming out with every course was what really made the evening so unique and wonderful. Sitting outside and watching the boats go by was beautiful and relaxing. I 100% recommend this restaurant for any occasion. The food, staff, experience and views make this a very unique restaurant and I will remember this forever."
"Came in on a Tuesday night for a double date and had an absolutely amazing dinner, we truly had a wonderful time! We loved everything from start to finish. The ambience is beautiful located inside of Pier 66 hotel. Valet at the front. It was such a unique fine-dining experience, and the service was honestly the best I’ve ever had. Deborah took incredible care of us. Her knowledge of the menu was phenomenal, and the way she described each dish was perfect. Every chef-curated plate was beautifully presented. We started with the melt-in-your-mouth burrata, Caesar salad, and lobster mafalde. Then we moved on to the Iberia pluma and scallops, they were both so delicious! We finished with dessert, which was the perfect ending. Everything was bursting with flavor. Thank you, Gary, for checking in on us throughout the night and making sure our service was flawless. We will definitely be back!"
"Dinner at Calusso – A Memorable Experience My friends and I had an early dinner at Calusso last night, and from the moment we arrived, we were impressed. The restaurant is beautiful both inside and out, with valet parking available, and offers both indoor and outdoor seating. Reservations are definitely a must. They provide both a prix fixe and à la carte menu, which is a nice touch. I started with a drink and asked for Moscato, but unfortunately, they didn’t have it. Our waitress, who was fantastic, quickly offered me samples of other wines until I found one I liked. That level of attentiveness carried through the entire evening. For appetizers, I ordered the Caesar salad. While the presentation looked great, the flavor was lacking, missing that classic Parmesan punch and crunchy croutons, replaced instead with breadcrumbs and parsley. To my surprise, Chef Jonathan Kaiser personally came to the table, asked for feedback, and took it very graciously. I switched to the burrata, which was fresh, creamy, and beautifully presented. Then, Chef Kaiser returned with a brand-new Caesar salad, this time prepared in the traditional way. It was absolutely delicious and showed me how much he truly cares about his craft, an unexpected level of attention that really stood out. For entrées: One friend ordered the filet mignon, perfectly cooked, flavorful, and nicely presented. Another had the Cacio e Pepe with Tellicherry peppercorn, Pecorino Romano, and black truffle, rich and delicious. I ordered the Heritage Chicken with roasted maitake, charred onion, and truffle jus. The presentation was stunning, it looked like a mini beef Wellington, but it was chicken stuffed and rolled to perfection. Easily one of the best chicken dishes I’ve ever had. Throughout the evening, small details elevated the service, like the giant pepper mill presented tableside. For dessert, the chef sent out complimentary sweets, and I ordered the Chocolate Café Crunch (hazelnut crumble, espresso crémeux, nocciola ice cream). It was plated beautifully and tasted just as good as it looked. When we left, Chef Jonathan Kaiser was at the door, once again apologizing for the salad mishap and shaking our hands. That personal touch is rare and memorable. The only small critique I have: the bread selection could be improved. The focaccia was nice, but the smaller breads were dense and not very enjoyable. Overall, the combination of attentive service, a chef who genuinely cares, and beautifully crafted dishes makes Calusso a must-visit. We will absolutely return, especially for that Royal Heritage Chicken."
Visit info
Weekly hours below — always confirm with the business before holidays or special events.
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | 05:30 PM - 10:00 PM |
| Wednesday | 05:30 PM - 10:00 PM |
| Thursday | 05:30 PM - 10:00 PM |
| Friday | 05:30 PM - 10:00 PM |
| Saturday | 05:30 PM - 10:00 PM |
| Sunday | Closed |
Dining here is best planned for evening hours from Tuesday to Saturday with reservations recommended.
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Questions answered
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Menus, prices, hours, services, and availability may change. Please contact the food place directly before visiting or ordering.