Authentic Dominican cuisine, a full lounge, and live music – 25 minutes south on I-95.
Why Fort Lauderdale Residents Make the Drive
Let’s be direct: the Dominican restaurant options in Fort Lauderdale and Broward County lean casual. You’ll find lunch counters, fast-casual spots, and delivery-first kitchens. There’s nothing wrong with that – but it’s a different category entirely from what Yarumba offers.
Yarumba is South Florida’s recognized upscale Dominican dining destination. Chef Danny Peñalo runs a kitchen that blends traditional Dominican recipes with refined technique. The room feels like a real night out. The menu is long and seriously considered. And on Friday and Saturday nights, the restaurant becomes one of Miami Gardens’ most electric venues – with live music, dancing, and a lounge that stays open until 3am.
For Fort Lauderdale residents who want that experience, there’s one option: make the drive. And every week, hundreds of people from Broward County do exactly that.
Restaurant by Day. Lounge by Night.
This is what makes Yarumba genuinely hard to replicate anywhere in Broward County. After dinner service, the space shifts. The music gets louder, the dance floor fills up, and the bar starts moving. It’s not a separate venue – it’s the same space, transformed.
Live music runs on weekends. The lounge is open until 3am on Friday and 4am on Saturday. Sunday hours run until 2am. If you’re driving down from Fort Lauderdale for a Friday or Saturday night, plan to stay – there’s no reason to leave early.
Happy Hour runs Monday through Friday from 4pm to 7pm, with drink specials and small plates. If you’re coming from Broward for a weeknight dinner, that’s the window to arrive.
Private Events and Group Dining from Fort Lauderdale
Yarumba accommodates private events and catering – birthday celebrations, corporate dinners, quinceañeras, anniversary parties. For groups coming from Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, Deerfield Beach, or elsewhere in Broward County, it’s one of the few venues in South Florida that combines a full Dominican menu with genuine event-hosting capacity.
Call ahead to discuss private event options: (305) 622-9700.
Driving Directions from Fort Lauderdale to Yarumba
The drive from Fort Lauderdale to Yarumba Restaurant & Lounge is straightforward – no complicated routes, no tolls on the main path.
- Head south on I-95 South from Fort Lauderdale.
- Take Exit 12B toward NW 167th Street / Miami Gardens.
- Turn right onto NW 167th St.
- Yarumba is on the right at 4740 NW 167th St, Miami Gardens, FL 33014.
Total distance: approximately 19 miles. Drive time: 25–30 minutes outside of rush hour. During evening hours on weekdays, traffic on I-95 south of Fort Lauderdale is generally clear by 7pm.
Get directions in Google Maps →
Coming from Pompano Beach, Deerfield Beach, Coral Springs, or Plantation? Add 5 to 15 minutes to the estimate depending on your starting point. The drive is still under 45 minutes from virtually anywhere in Broward County.
What Makes Yarumba Different from Other South Florida Dominican Restaurants
There are casual Dominican restaurants in South Florida that do one or two things well. Yarumba is built differently. A few things that set it apart:
- Established kitchen since 2013. Over a decade of refining the same recipes. Chef Peñalo has had time to dial things in.
- Full Dominican menu, not a shortlist. Seven mofongo variations. A Creole Corner with goat stew, oxtail, and sancocho. Chef’s specialties that blend Dominican technique with fine-dining execution.
- It’s a real lounge. Not a restaurant that added a bar. The nightlife component is built into the venue’s identity, with a dance floor and live entertainment that runs until the early hours on weekends.
- 379+ Yelp reviews and 574+ photos – the kind of track record that doesn’t come from hype.
- Private event capacity. Most Dominican restaurants in Broward cannot host a sit-down event for a large party. Yarumba can.
Is it the closest Dominican restaurant to your Fort Lauderdale address? Probably not. Is it the best one within reasonable driving distance? Based on what South Florida’s Dominican dining scene currently offers – yes.
Hours and Contact
- Monday – Thursday: 11:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Friday: 11:00 AM – 3:00 AM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 AM
- Sunday: 11:00 AM – 2:00 AM
Address: 4740 NW 167th St, Miami Gardens, FL 33014
Phone: (305) 622-9700
Website: yarumbarestaurant.com
Frequently Asked Questions About Dominican Food Near Fort Lauderdale
How far is Yarumba Restaurant from Fort Lauderdale?
Yarumba is located in Miami Gardens at 4740 NW 167th St – about 19 miles and 25 to 30 minutes from downtown Fort Lauderdale via I-95 South. Traffic outside of rush hour is generally smooth, making it an easy trip for a weeknight dinner or a Friday night out.
Is Yarumba the best Dominican restaurant near Fort Lauderdale?
For upscale Dominican dining, yes. Broward County has smaller, casual Dominican spots, but nothing that matches Yarumba’s full menu, lounge atmosphere, and live entertainment. It’s widely recognized as South Florida’s top upscale Dominican experience – and it’s only 25 minutes from Fort Lauderdale on I-95.
What should I order at Yarumba?
First-timers should consider the Dominican Sample Platter or the Dominican Mix appetizer to get a broad taste. For mains, the Goat Stew, Oxtail, and any of the Mofongo Yarumberos are the most representative dishes. The Churrascofongo ($35) is the signature chef’s specialty. End with the Baked Sweet Coconut.
Does Yarumba have live music and a lounge?
Yes. Yarumba has a full lounge component with live music on Friday and Saturday nights. The lounge is open until 3am on Fridays and 4am on Saturdays. It’s a common destination for groups who want dinner followed by a night out – all in the same venue.
Does Yarumba offer happy hour?
Happy Hour runs Monday through Friday, 4pm to 7pm, with drink specials and small plates. If you’re heading down from Fort Lauderdale on a weeknight, arriving during happy hour is a smart move – I-95 traffic southbound is usually clear by 6:30pm.