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Las Olas Wine & Food Festival – REVIEW

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Savoring Success: 28th Annual Las Olas Wine & Food Festival Delights Fort Lauderdale.

April 19th, 2024

From downtown Fort Lauderdale, the return of the Las Olas Wine & Food Festival (LOWFF) was another indulgent success. With tasting pavilions stretching out across both sides of iconic Las Olas Boulevard, from SE 6th Avenue to SE 11th Avenue, LOWFF offered booth after booth of endless bites from the best local restaurants, sips of spirits, wine, beer, seltzers, juices, plenty of dessert options and so much more.

As Fort Lauderdale’s premier charitable wine and food experience, proceeds from LOWFF assist in the funding of research and educational programming for American Lung Association of South Florida, whose mission is to create a better future for those living with lung cancer and other chronic respiratory diseases including COPD and asthma.

Clear skies and mild weather played a perfect backdrop for the local foodie community and guests to enjoy this year’s event. Since VIP tickets sold out in advanced and general admission ticket prices increased as the event drew nearer, only those who were prepared were able to enjoy everything LOWFF had to offer. VIP tickets included a pre-event reception at the Riverside Hotel and early access to the tasting pavilions.

As a veteran attendee of the long running event, I had certain expectations going into LOWFF, and as usual, LOWFF did not disappoint. Like past years, the Las Olas mainstays showed up, serving plenty of love, and then a handful of new food and drink offerings made a splash, assuring that the event is ever evolving and exciting. Mix a hungry crowd with some excitement and lines form, but waiting in lines at popular spots is a great time to sip a drink or two, talk about the food and digest. This year, Patron Tequila’s unique bottle shaped cups created a ton of buzz and had attendees standing in the longest lines.

I’ll pass on sharing the full menu of everything I feasted and sipped on, but here’s an abridged version of the journey:  this year’s feast started with a few cocktails, a Truman Vodka Espresso Martini and a fruity Mai Tai from Tommy Bahama took me away from the crowds and into vacation mode.

Tommy Bahama – Mai Tai

Next, some glittering gold ceviche from Boatyard was creamy and citrusy, super fresh. I could go on and on about a handful of other ceviche offerings, and if you like ceviche LOWFF is for you, but instead, I’ll jump ahead to my favorite bite from a new restaurant, a creamy, crispy cube, the Japanese Milk Bread Shrimp Toast from event rookies MAASS at the Four Seasons. Other exceptional bites included the Braised Beef Short Rib from Holly Blue, the Tuna Poke Nachos from Lucky Fish, the Shrimp Beignet from Even Keel Fish Shack, the Seared Ahi Tuna Causa from The Diplomat Beach Resort, the Birria Esquites from Rocco’s Tacos, and the Agnolotti Di Pera from Tamarindo Harbor Seafood Bar & Grill.

Tamarindo Harbor Seafood Bar & Grill – Agnolotti Di Pera

When I started to run out of space for food, I took a minute to say hello to former Miami Dolphins, Florida Gators great, and seasoning hall of famer, Channing Crowder, who was at LOWFF offering his Crowder Powder, a tasty mix of garlic, with a touch of heat, and a hint of sweet. Next, I had an opportunity to try the already iconic Gin and Juice by Dre and Snoop. I went with Citrus, it was crisp, packed with flavor, and kept me rolling down the street, and right into the Casamigos and then the High West Whisky bars.

After recharging, it was time for dessert. Phuse Cream’s Strawberry Cheesecake Macaroon Ice Cream Sandwich was a perfect bite to begin with. From there, some famous Iced Coffee, super sweet and creamy, from The Alchemist Café hit the dessert bullseye. Next, Hatch’s Bacon Pecan Ice Cream on a Sugar Waffle was the perfect, “over-the-top” option to close out another satisfyingly LOWFF.

Hatch – Bacon Pecan Ice Cream on Sugar Waffle

After 28 amazing years, it’s safe to say LOWFF shouldn’t be missed. Stay up to date with LOWFF announcements, specials and giveaways on Facebook and Instagram or for a complete line-up of events and ticket information, visit LasOlasWFF.com

  • The Hollywood Donut Factory

  • Rocco's Tacos - Birria Esquites

  • Rocco's Tacos - Birria Esquites

  • Tamarindo Harbor Seafood Bar & Grill - Agnolotti Di Pera

  • Tanteo - Tequilas

  • The Alchemist - Famous Iced Coffee

  • The Den - Jalapeno Croquettes

  • The Diplomat Beach Resort - Seared Ahi Tuna Causa

  • The Federal - Smoked Fish Dip

  • Radiant 166 - Sesame Ahi Tuna Seaweed Salad

  • Timpano - Creamy Pasta

  • Tito's Vodka- Cafetito's Espresso Martini

  • Tommy Bahama - Mai Tai

  • Tommy Bahama

  • Truman Vodka - Martini

  • Vicky Bakery - Cuban Pastries

  • Yolo - Cherry Smoked Pork Loin

  • Abiaka - Shrimp with White Sauce

  • Pinaq Liqueur

  • Ol' Days - Tapioca Bites

  • Lung Force

  • Lucky Fish - Tuna Poke Nachos

  • Holly Blue - Braised Beef Short Rib

  • High West Whisky

  • Hatch - Bacon Pecan Ice Cream on Sugar Waffle

  • Hampton Water Rose

  • Golden Road - Margo Cart Ale

  • Gin and Juice by Dre and Snoop

  • Even Keel - Shrimp Beignet

  • Casamigos Jalapeno

  • Boatyard - Ceviche

  • Barcelo Rum

  • American Social - Tropical Atlantic Ceviche

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Luli Fama celebrates its Paradise Found Cruise ’27 swimwear and resortwear collection with a luxury Miami launch at its Dadeland Mall boutique.


 August 20, 2026

Miami swimwear favorite Luli Fama is stepping into Cruise ’27 with Paradise Found, a new swimwear and resortwear collection inspired by tropical escapes, exotic prints and effortless vacation glamour.

South Florida Insider has already taken a closer look at the Luli Fama Paradise Found collection, and it feels made for Miami.

The new Cruise ’27 collection combines the bold, body-confident swimwear Luli Fama is known for with elevated resort pieces designed to move effortlessly from the beach and pool to cocktails and dinner.

On Thursday, August 20, Luli Fama will celebrate Paradise Found with an exclusive evening at its newest Dadeland Mall boutique in Miami, complete with fashion, light bites, personalized surprises, and a luxe espresso martini bar.

Inside Luli Fama’s Paradise Found Cruise ’27 Collection

Paradise Found is inspired by the feeling of discovering a hidden tropical retreat.

Think lush landscapes, warm golden hour light, exotic patterns, and silhouettes made for somewhere beautiful.

The collection features Luli Fama signatures, including flattering ruched details, seamless construction, adjustable fits, and statement swimwear, alongside an expanded selection of resortwear.

We especially love the pieces that blur the line between swim and ready-to-wear.

Flowing dresses, sleek coverups, and body-skimming silhouettes make it easy to transition from a sun-drenched afternoon to an evening out without losing that relaxed resort feeling.

It is sensual, polished, and unmistakably Miami.

Luli Fama Brings Luxury Resort Style to Miami

There is a reason Paradise Found feels so natural in South Florida.

In Miami, resortwear is not reserved for vacation.

A swimsuit can become part of an outfit. A coverup can take you to lunch. A flowing resort dress can carry you from an afternoon by the water straight into cocktails and dinner.

Luli Fama has always understood that lifestyle.

Paradise Found takes it a step further, creating a Cruise ’27 wardrobe that feels as appropriate for a tropical getaway as it does for a weekend in Miami.

The campaign captures that mood beautifully, pairing the collection with palms, lush greenery, tropical architecture and the kind of sun soaked setting that makes you want to extend your vacation indefinitely.

Paradise Found Comes to Luli Fama at Dadeland Mall

Luli Fama will bring the world of Paradise Found to life on Thursday, August 20 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at its newest boutique at Dadeland Mall in Miami.

The intimate celebration will bring together invited guests, influencers, celebrities and media for an early look at Cruise ’27.

Luli Fama is also dressing invited guests in pieces from the brand, allowing the new collection to be experienced the way it was designed to be worn: in motion, styled and out for the evening.

Luli After Hours Espresso Martini Bar

Fashion is only part of the experience.

For the Paradise Found celebration, Luli Fama is introducing Luli After Hours, an Espresso Martini Bar inspired by the glamour of the collection.

Guests will be able to sip three specialty espresso martinis created for the evening.

The Luli Babe puts a polished spin on the classic espresso martini, while Golden Hour pairs salted caramel with edible gold shimmer. Miami After Dark takes a richer approach with chocolate hazelnut and a cocoa dust finish.

Along with cocktails, guests can expect light bites, curated details and a special personalized surprise.

The result feels less like a traditional retail event and more like checking into a private resort for the evening.

A Miami Swimwear Brand Celebrates at Home

For a brand with such a strong connection to South Florida, launching Paradise Found in Miami feels especially fitting.

Luli Fama has built its identity around colorful, confident swimwear and resort fashion with a distinctly tropical point of view.

Paradise Found carries that identity into Cruise ’27 while giving it a more elevated, escapist mood.

And with Luli Fama’s newest boutique now at Dadeland Mall, Miami shoppers have another destination to experience the brand in person.

After getting our own closer look at Luli Fama’s Paradise Found Cruise ’27 collection, we can safely say the name fits.

Paradise has officially been found, and this time, it is in Miami.

Check out the collection HERE

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