The creators of the South Beach Diet had clearly never wandered north to Gran Forno before they determined their clients could live without bread. One of Fort Lauderdale’s top bakeries, this Italian import remains a family-run operation, just as it was back in the Anninos’ native Brescia, Italy, (near Milan). The smell of freshly baked ciabatta, focaccia and biscotti wafts up and down Las Olas Boulevard, tempting passersby, but just as many pop into Gran Forno for the fantastic selection of desserts such as fruit tarts, chocolate fudge brownies and lemon cakes. About 15 varieties of bread are made from scratch on site daily, in addition to what have been hailed as some of the best sandwiches on Las Olas — particularly the chicken pesto.
No alcohol available. Serving during breakfast, lunch and early dinner hours (7:30 am–7 pm) Tue–Sun. Closed Mon.
"Not surprisingly the focaccia, pastries, and biscotti are all excellent, but the best thing about this authentic, family-owned bakery is the way it continually pulls off the unexpected."
— Broward-Palm Beach New Times