Cafe Maxx in Thurrock

Amazing how being greeted by a dismissive, unaccommodating hostess, followed by a rude and condescending female bartender, can completely ruin a person’s dining experience. You would think that the staff in a restaurant like this would possess better people skills. I would not recommend this restaurant if you expect basic hospitality.

Expensive. Hit or miss on the food for the price.

Went last night with my 10 month old baby, and the rude boy at the front had a slick mouth about what my baby was wearing. It was cold and I had him in a onesie. He then told me the wait was 2 and a half hours. I figured he was just a pos, so I left and called when I got to the car, and they told me the wait was 30 mins. Lost my business. Will not be recommending to any of my friends.

Nothing special about the food and the service was non existent. They are living on repeat business from the same patrons over the years. I have no idea why anyone would eat here with all of the options in Pompano Beach and Boca.

Will certainly be going back here! A true gem of a restaurant- yellowtail was cooked to perfection, the sushi pizza was extraordinary & the duck raviolis were so good the world seemed to stop during my first bite! Big yum!

I just left Cafe Maxx for the first time and all I can say is that this is my new favorite Pompano restaurant. Yes, it's pricey. But every single bite was totally worth it. The service is outstanding. The tables are packed in tight which is the only negative thing I can say. We made early reservations for 5:30 which wasn't a problem. We left at 8 and the entire restaurant was full. People were waiting outside to get in. The menu is unique and full of variety. The tuna sashimi pizza for an appetizer is a big hit.

Great food and service! Darrell, the owner, is a great guy! I was impressed how kind the front host, Joanna is as well. They made our dining experience great! We will be back!

Went to restaurant as per recommendation. Reviews are completely overrated. Server was fantastic, but food was mediocre at best. Found dishes to be a bit overdone. They charge you for a bread basket medley The thin crisp slices tasted stale and musty, and the focaccia pieces were cold. Almost seemed recirculated like they put together bread baskets from leftover portions. Also found the restaurant to be somewhat dirty, was sitting against the wall and picture frame had a thick layer of dust on it, which I found disgusting. I know it seems harsh, but across the board, I would not go out of my way again to eat at this restaurant. Even the exterior leaves much to be desired. Pizzeria, and Italian specialty shop down the other end has more curb appeal. Not sure how this restaurant won such accolades from critics as much as it did.

Food good. Bus boy rude. Ignored requests for water, bread etc. Felt really BAD vibes from him. Not people friendly.

Always a great meal with fantastic service, can’t recommend them enough. Highly recommend finishing any meal with the home made gelato.

Service very slow, appetizers were good but nothing spacial that justified the price and entrees left a lot to be desired. Scallop risotto kinda flavor less. Petite filet mignon was good! Espresso martini was not good (20$) , blueberry smash drink was great 14 January 2025, was recommended to come here, no good enough for a second visit unfortunately, : / 250$ tab not worth the time or money in my opinion.

Good place, super delicious Italian food. The service is very good and the atmosphere is also very pleasant.

Thank you for excellence! Nice time.

The food was very good and finally a bit more sophisticated. Our waiter was very knowledgeable and helpful. A bit dark in my opinion

Food waaay overpriced and my bottle of wine was $10 more than what the wine menu listed it. ? Corking fee? My filet looked and tastes like a sirloin.

This is my absolute favorite restaurant in the Pompano/North Fort Lauderdale area. I am blown away by the quality and taste of the food each visit. The service is top notch. I have tried new plates each time I go and I can guarantee that I have never left disappointed. This is great place for date night. The ambiance is so lovely and romantic.

Such a friendly and welcoming staff that provides great service, and the food is always consistently amazing!

I have the best dinner experience in this lovely restaurant, the environment is perfect, the food is delicious and the customer service is amazing, I highly recommend the Tuna Sashimi Pizza, the Sweet Onion Crusted Snapper With Madeira Beurre Rouge, the Three Peppercorn Crusted Filet Mignon With Cheese Au Gratin Potato and as a dessert the Deep Dish Bourbon & Chocolate Pecan Pie. You will thank me later. Enjoy :-)

Our party of four had an amazing dinner last night. Tom, a very professional and fun waiter, started off our meal with great service. The appetizers and entrees were delicious and the portion sizes were generous! The desserts are made in house and also a very generous serving size and was delectable! We will be back! It was worth the drive of 25 minutes from Ft. Lauderdale.

Everything was phenomenal! The Cesar salad was the best salad I have ever had!! Still dreaming of going back for another!!

This is my favorite place to eat! Do you want a steak that melts in your mouth? That's the place! Great atmosphere with a bartender Ron. 👌

Superb food and our waiter Tom was very friendly.

We just had a wonderful dinner here. The food was amazing, the service was great, and the Old Fashoined was perfect! Thank you Cafe Max for a memorable evening!

Extraordinary, as always.....from appetizers to dessert, an amazing dining experience.

Went here for the first time tonight. The menu is amazing-so many choices we wanted to try, but settled on the filet and triple tail - very good. Great service!! We’ll most definitely be back.

The crab cakes were amazing, my peppercorn filet was really good. However, if you do not like crowded and loud you will be uncomfortable. We had a loud table next to us, guy almost yelling, not very pleasant. I do not blame the waiter for not being very attentive. Coming all the way to the back was a long and narrow walk. When we ordered dessert he didn't hear the 2 espressos along with the creme brulee because it was so loud. For the price, I was expecting a more positive experience.

Owner was very friendly and accommodating. Most delicious olive oil at every table?

The food was excellent! The slaw that accompanies the jumbo shrimp is sublime! Goat cheese and mixed berry salad is bright and fresh. $70 Peppercorn crusted filet was cooked perfectly. Dessert was decadent. Upon arrival, the host didn’t appear for 10 minutes and appeared to be on his phone a lot. Aside from that, it was a pleasant dining experience.

I and my party have not been here in a long time and we have always enjoyed the experience before. However this meal was very disappointing. We started with a Caesar salad for the table and fried Calamari. Both were ample portions and delicious. From there things were less satisfying. My tri-tail fish dish was bland and tasteless. The other entrees were just okay and not worth the price. For dessert the Bourbon chocolate pecan pie was ordinary and also overpriced. The dining room is very tight and not very comfortable as it was over seated. Also one member of my party was distressed to see their lamb chop entree sitting under the warming lights waiting to be served for over 15 minutes.

A great Sunday morning with my wife and two beautiful daughters. Deb was our server. She was friendly, accommodating and provided great service. We all had the classic benedict. The holindaise sauce was amazing. Grilled thick ham with a roasted tomato with possibly a balsamic reduction and perfect poached eggs. My ladies seemed to enjoy the bottomless mimosa and bloody Mary's. I highly recommend Cafe Max and Deb. 5- stars !!!

BEWARE my fellow patrons. Food was great, service was great…. But wasn’t worth the scary incident that happened with the Valet Company Cafe Maxx uses!!! They stole my house keys from my car and I was terrified I was going to be followed home. My registration to the vehicle was in the car. Cafe Maxx still uses the same valet company and the valet company IntraValet took absolutely no responsibility. So BEWARE of your Safety!!!! No one there cares about it!

Have dined here several times, always with a good outcome. Went last week and was completely disappointed. We ordered a bottle of wine, the server disappeared for 20 minutes then came back saying she "couldn't find that wine". We ordered another bottle and she disappeared again for another 15 minutes and never came back. We sat at the table for over 30 minutes - no wine - nobody took any appetizer order. We got up and left and will not go back. The food is good but if the service that night is any indication, its just not worth the waste of time. What a shame.

Excellent scallops and mushroom risotto. Simply the best crème brûlée I have had in my life.

Perfect spot for a date, quiet and dark ambiance, good food, however, service is a hit or miss depending on who is your server.

Great restaurant all the way around!

Took great care of our private party of 17 including my 3 young children.

Cafe maxx is a hidden gem with an intimate atmosphere. I dined there on Saturday with a couple of friends and we truly enjoyed every part of our experience. We started the evening off with three appetizers Tuna pizza which is a staple on their menu. Crunchy, fresh and flavorful. The Beef Carpaccio was exactly how I prefer mine to be- simple ingredients with fresh shaved parmigiano reggiano, olive oil and arugula. The Salmon Carpaccio had an Asian flare which I enjoyed. Each appetizer was divine. The bread basket was outstanding and filled generously with an array of fresh bread, focaccia, and crispy thin bread which we loved. We each got an entrée. I had the Hazelnut and pecan crusted Seabass which was mouth watering. Cooked to perfect.The acorn squash was a nice touch and a pleasant surprise. The salmon was cooked perfectly and had great flavors. The short rib melted in my mouth, it was very tender and well prepared. The portions were very generous and priced accordingly.We each sampled each others and it was absolutely delicious. We couldn’t decide which we all liked better. Being a chef and restaurant owner of Italian restaurant for 43 years, it was better than my expectation. It was out of this world. The menu has many great options with a lot of exciting flavors. Our server Adriana was great and very helpful with the menu. She recommended each dish and she was spot on. We truly had a wonderful experience. If you are in the Broward county area I highly recommended trying out Cafe Maxx, you will not be disappointed.

Cafe Maxx offers a fantastic array of delectable dishes, from seafood to steak. The casual ambiance coupled with finesse in its cuisine always treats us to an exceptional dining experience. Their gourmet pizzas are a family favorite!

Hands down the best restaurant in South Florida. We’ve been dining here since 1999 and keep coming back. It is pricey but worth every dollar.

Hands down best seafood restaurant I have delightfully experienced in Fort Lauderdale. This magical eatery is located minutes to the beach! The service, meals, beverages, and ambience Did not skip a beat! We will be back again!

Best date night place in Pompano!! Reasonably priced, awesome portions, great drinks, friendly staff. Cafe. Maxx is a must!!

We have always liked Cafe Max but today the Thanksgiving meal was especially good, the turkey was spectacular with the gravy, the potatoes the stuffing... delicious! good service and ambience

One of my favorites because I always see the same faces there and the owners are there and it's just such a special place.

Classic American eatery. Ricardo was lovely, and the staff took great care of us. The food was solid, with some variety. The beverage program could use some updating, but overall, it was a good experience.

A cozy atmosphere, mixed with an exquisite meal, an extensive wine list, and fantastic service equals a perfect dining experience every time.

If I could give this place 10 stars I would. It is one of my most favorite restaurants and I have been dining here for over 25 years.

Absolute hidden gem in Pompano Beach! Easily one of the best restaurants in Broward County.

Great place to eat with a great wine list.

We have been to cafe maxx in the past and it was GREAT! The last 3 times we tried to eat there the bar was “full” they were saving seats (no one in them). We just tried it one more time. Got there at 4:55 (they open at 5) and said the bar was “full”. Again no one was even in the restaurant yet. Extremely disappointing! Doubt we will be back :(

The food at Maxx is always excellent, in my opinion. I always enjoy my meal here. Dessert should not be skipped! Our server was cheerful and attentive. We didn't feel rushed at all. If you are looking for ambiance, this probably isn't the best option. The restaurant needs sprucing up. It's very dark. Tables and chairs are unbecoming of the caliber of the restaurant. To get to the bathrooms, you have to walk through service areas. Once there, the appearance of the bathrooms is a far cry from the prices on the menu. If you want consistently excellent food, don't miss Maxx. They deliver. Every time.

9/12/23- we had a reserv for 6:30pm. Hostess spot on offered for us to sit in table or booth. We choose a booth. Menu placed w/ wine list. We went for the the Dine Out $55.00. The choices were many. I went with my first course as a shrimp Asian salad. 2 huge shrimps nice crunch to it the salad it was a party in my mouth. G had the Caesar salad, with prosciutto. Nice touch. We both then had the peppercorn Filet. Like butter . Menu said bread on request, we requested , glad we did , All different types so good. The dessert, we both went w/ the brownie and a scoop of vanilla ice cream in a chocolate sauce. Carla the serve was Spot on. Very professional, not intrusive at all. She was very helpful with the menu ordering because I wanted to order two beef dishes and she said I thought you liked the shrimp and I’m so glad she said something because I totally forgot. Carla thank you for making our evening so nice.

We came here for dinner for my wife's birthday. Food and service were awesome. The cocktails were on point.

Very nice I have been going there for years.

Great atmosphere, casual fine dining

Tasty dishes and very fresh seafood. Staff was very kind and accommodating

I cannot rave enough about this place. We came here last night after a terrible restaurant experience at Oceanic. We wanted a “restart” to our dinner and we couldn’t have picked a better place then Cafe Maxx. We were greeted so warmly by all the staff. The decor is all new. The service is amazing and they take such good care of you. The drinks are very very good. The bread basket they bring you is an assortment of all homemade breads and crisps. The filet we ordered was outstanding. This is the first restaurant meal in my lifetime that I said “oh my god this is so good” bite after bite. It was incredible and I will never forget it. This is how I imagine food tasting like in Heaven. The chef deserves the highest award possible for his cooking. I wish he could cook for me everyday. We got the Crème Brûlée as a dessert and WOW. Out of this world. It’s unlike any creme brûlée you’ve ever had. It’s a master creation. All in all, my best friend and I felt like princesses the whole time. It was a magical dinner experience from start to finish. I can’t wait to go back. Thank you Cafe Maxx for making our night! 5 stars!

The food was great and the service was excellent.

After all these years, still one of my favorite restaurants in town. Never fails to disappoint and in the 25 years that I've been enjoying meals at Cafe Maxx I can honestly say I've never had one that was less than outstanding. Tonight the service was above and beyond and my out of town guests that visit every year will always ask if we can have dinner at Cafe Maxx. A must! Thank you for always being so creative with the menu, buying the freshest and highest quality ingredients and plating everything with such great care and creativity!

I've been coming here for years since I was a kid with my Grandparents. I'm now 41 and routinely come with a group of couples. Its always amazing service, fun atmosphere and beautiful dishes with complex ingredients but familiar flavors. If you come without trying the Caviar Pie appetizer its a crime against humanity. Great spot to hit before a night out on the town!

I recommend the sushi pizza on the brunch menu. The thick cut bacon as well.

Well....incredible food. Beautiful presentation of every plate. Our waitress was the most cheerful lady and she took care of everything....every glass....every plate. Must be a great place to work, everyone at Maxx has a lot of pride and passion. Thank-You. Sept 2021 two years later and BETTER than before and both my friends agree still amazing taste of flavors, non stop olfactory party......Thanks to all the family at Cafe Maxx

The food, service, and presentation were top notch, really well done. Our server, Amana, was friendly and helpful without being intrusive. We were celebrating a birthday and the restaurant brought out a dessert with "happy birthday" written on the plate. We also had asked for a quiet table when making the reservation and the restaurant had us seated at a perfect corner table. Definitely a great experience and I would absolutely go back again.

Sara was amazing. Best brunch ever. Will be back!

The restaurant is attractive and clean. Our server was attentive but not intrusive. The food was magnificent. The caviar pie is a must try! Scampi and onion-crusted snapper absolutely delicious. The key lime pie creamy. The only disappointment for me was the chocolate cake.

Great meal at Maxx, after heavenly "joke" pizza was a mask free, against science location. Great option for those who thought they wanted pizza, without illness that is!

Food was great!!! Nice atmosphere, enjoyed the service, will definitely go back.

It was my first visit to Cafe Maxx. I drove down from Boynton to meet with friends. We were seated in a small back room that had a few tables. This turned out well as the dining room seemed noisy and our server was spot on. I had the halibut and my companion had the three tail. Both meals were excellent. We will be back.

Had a great dinner there last night with friends loved the tuna caviar pizza and octopus app. The lamb chops were amazing too. The inside and bathrooms could use some updating .

First time doing a food/wine pairing event. What a great experience. The food is spectacular, wine list is extensive, and it's a great atmosphere.

Wonderful food and excellent service. Highly recommended.

The pot stickers are fantastic and the absolute best steak i have had in years, dinner was perfect. we will be back soon

I AM ABSOLUTELY DISGUSTED WITH THIS RESTAURANT!! Not one, but 2 bandaids attached were in my appetizer! Someone’s soggy bandaids from the kitchen were in my mouth!. I am appalled that this would ever happen to me! The waitress just apologizes and advise they are going to close the kitchen down for the rest of the night. I am so disappointed in Cafe Maxx. Not one a manger came to apologize to our table. Be cautious of this place.

Awesome menu, delicious food, friendly staff.

The food was good but the price was outrageous. There was no menu available on their website so we ordered for pickup from a Grubhub menu. The menu listed an Amish chicken with udon noodles and a peanut sauce for $36. We ordered 2 of them and paid on the phone with a credit card. When we got home and looked at the receipt we were charged $50 for each dinner. $50 for a chicken dinner is outrageous. We will never go back.

My wife had queen snapper franchise, I had yellowtail snapper with a sweet onion glaze and madeira rouge sauce, both amazing. Other couple had pork chops, which they said was the best they ever had.

Great place. My wife had queen snapper franchise, I had yellowtail snapper with a sweet onion glaze and madeira rouge sauce, both amazing. Other couple had pork chops, which they said was the best they ever had. It's expensive but a great place for special food.

Thanksgiving Dinner! All covid protocols in place inside & outside. Thankful for Cafe Maxx since 1984! Impeccable service & innovative cuisine. All our favorites enjoyed...tuna sashimi pizza, duck smoked ravioli, butternut squash soup, three peppercorn filet, macadamia snapper, Parmesan pork chop, chicken orecchiette pasta. Thank you Chef Oliver & Darrel for another memorable holiday evening

Wonderfulnsetting and delicious food! Will definitely go again and bring friends.

Best restaurant in Pompano Beach. Most consistent food and service.

Ok how this place is only 4.6 stars is ridiculous. The chef is amazing based on every dish we tried from the ahi tuna pizza appetizer, omg good, and the blueberry glazed ribs, my wife had chicken cordon Bleu and next night tuna sushi . Finally she hesitantly ordered the carrot cake with pineapple and coconut 🥥, no way, it should be served no other way. This chef should be in a much upper class location, and much larger venue. Wouldn't have minded some light music. Have to say the bartender Ron, was so dang attentive and he makes a great old fashioned. Thanks for a couple awesome dinners. We'll be back when in Pompano

The food is devine! The ambiance was exquisite as well. Good is pricey but it is worth it. The duck was amazing, I highly recommend. Quite a selection to choose from. Love it.

Had a group of 6 we all had multiple courses and literally everything was amazing!

Everything we had was delicious! The atmosphere is relaxing and staff accommodating. We had a brussel sprouts appetizer that was FANTASTIC! I loved the sweet chile sauce. We also had a sushi pizza as an appetizer. I don't typically care for sushi, but it was really tasty. For the main course, my cousin had ravioli and I had the scallops. She loved the ravioli and says she gets it every single time she dines there. The scallops and risotto was absolutely delicious! I will definitely be returning here again soon!

No need for a long explanation, this place is the best. Excellent service and fantastic food. Can't wait to go back

Late nite seating available. Professional staff.

This place is a local gem. Every time I eat here I'm blown away. Can't recommend them enough.

The very best food ever. We had stone crab, sushi ,my husband had breast of duck. The lamb is incredible. Special customer service that surpasses most restaurants.

Absolutely amazing. Delicious food, and wonderful staff

The food was absolutely delicious, drinks were great, and our server Tom was very nice. we will definitely 100% be back

Excellent service and even better food. I highly recommend it.

Always excellent. Fresh menu. Great wine list

Thankful for Cafe Maxx since 1984! Impeccable service & innovative cuisine. All our favorites enjoyed...tuna sashimi pizza, duck smoked ravioli, butternut squash soup, three peppercorn filet, macadamia snapper, Parmesan pork chop, chicken orecchiette pasta. Thank you Chef Oliver & Darrel for another memorable holiday evening

Exceptional food a 12 out of 10. Service was great, thank u Sébastien for a great evening and experience

I always stop by buying some food in this spot. I loved the prompt customer service and well cooked dishes. They never disappoint.

Experience makes the masters. Unique flavor rich takes on land and sea protein. Texture combinations are perfect. I had the best Risotto ever not one but 2 desserts. Will be back to enjoy the steak my partner barely allowed me to taste.

Excellent taste, very unique place with a wide variety of flavors and choices. Love it every time I go there

Definitely worth a stop for foodies in the Ft Lsuderdale area. Good wine list and corkage fee is 30. From the outside, it doesn't look like much on the corner of an ordinary strip mall. The interior is a little dated but go for the food and the service

The food has become very bland. There was no oomph to it. Disappointed

Came here for my bday. Excellent staff, ambiance and food. Dont have to write much, it’s just that simple. Oh yes and you can customize your meal. Got bacon it my Alfredo.

All covid protocols in place inside & outside. Thankful for Cafe Maxx since 1984! Impeccable service & innovative cuisine. All our favorites enjoyed...tuna sashimi pizza, duck smoked ravioli, butternut squash soup, three peppercorn filet, macadamia snapper, Parmesan pork chop, chicken orecchiette pasta. Thank you Chef Oliver & Darrel for another memorable holiday evening