Guide to Davie
Top Guide to Davie
History, food, things to do, schools, community, and real estate in Davie
You've probably never heard of Davie, but once you visit, you're sure to fall in love. Davie is a quiet, laidback community sandwiched between the yachting capital of the world and the biggest party city in the United States.
Located in Broward County, Davie is the perfect blend of everything you want in a community. It has good schools, fantastic restaurants, tons of things to do on the weekends, and it’s a safe community with numerous homes in every price range. It’s your own personal paradise.
Davie is only 9 miles from the Fort Lauderdale Airport and 25 miles from the Miami International Airport. Imagine being able to take a weekend trip to New York City on a whim without hearing jumbo jets in your backyard or dealing with Palmetto Express Traffic.
Today, Davie is home to about 105,000 residents with about 20% of the population under the age of 18. It’s a good, residential area to raise your family, especially if you commute to Fort Lauderdale or Miami for work. In terms of affordability, Davie has plenty of housing options at a good price for the quality and convenience that you’re getting.
Living in Davie is an experience that you won’t forget. The town of Davie prides itself on its historic roots, hosting the first schoolhouse established in the Everglades and many other historic buildings that residents and visitors can check out.
Davie also has a myriad of great restaurants. Whether you want Mexican, Peruvian, barbeque, or a classic diner, Davie has you covered. But that’s not it. Davie also has many other dining options, and being in South Florida, it’s only a short drive away from the best Cuban food you can get outside of Cuba.
And Davie also has tons of things to do on the weekends. If you love being active and outside, then Davie is the place for you. With tons of parks, farmer markets, and fantastic South Floridian weather, you’ll never have to worry about being shut inside with nothing to do.
If all of this sounds up your alley or you just want some more information on the Davie area, be sure to contact the best realtors in Davie, the AV Home Experts with Keller Williams Realty. They are the utmost experts on Davie and finding the best homes in Davie.
History of Davie
Explore Davie’s history from the beginning
Davie’s story stretches back before its incorporation. As parts of the Everglades were dredged to make room for farmland in 1906, more people moved to South Florida to start a new life and secure their stake on land. When the North and South New River Canal cleared an area for a settlement, new settlers came and tried to make a life for themselves. The settlers called this area that would soon become Davie, Zona.
The settlers that came to Zona were serious about investing in the future of this new settlement, so they made education a priority. Thus in 1914, the settlers constructed a two-room schoolhouse to educate all of the settlement’s children. But soon Zona outgrew the schoolhouse and was renamed Davie in honor of R.P. Davie, a prominent developer who helped finance the building of Zona’s first school.
In 1917, the Davie School was built to replace the small two-room schoolhouse. The Davie School was designed by August Geiger, one of Florida’s most well-known early architects, and by 1918, the Davie School was open and took on 90 students.
In 1925, the town of Davie was formally incorporated, and from there it only grew. Like the rest of South Florida, after WWII, Davie experienced a population boom. And today, Davie has over 100,000 residents.
But no matter how large Davie has grown, Davie still owes its development and progress to the original Davie School.
The Davie School operated as a functioning school until 1980. And in 1984, the Davie School Foundation was established to honor the building’s role in Davie’s development.
The Davie School was the first schoolhouse in Broward County and the first permanent school in the Everglades, so as an integral part of Davie, it must be protected. The Davie School now has transformed into The Old Davie School Museum. Visit the Old Davie School to learn more about the early history of Davie and the South Florida area. For more information about the museum, check out The 5 Best Things to Do in Davie.
Top 5 Best Places to Eat in Davie
Check out the top 5 places to eat in Davie. Mexican? Peruvian? Bar food? Diners? Barbeque? Fine Dining? Pizza? Beer? Whatever you’re feeling, Davie’s got you covered.
Tijuana Taxi Co.
4400 S University Drive Davie, Fla. (954)-472-5008
As soon as you see one of Tijuana Taxi Co.’s legendary margaritas, you know that you’ve come to the right place for a good time. Tijuana Taxi Co. is a lively tex-mex bar serving classic Mexican-American food. It’s one of the local spots to stop by, have a drink, and blow some steam off. No matter what day of the week you come or what time, you’re sure to have a good time at Tijuana Taxi Co. because there are drink specials every day of the week. Come on Mondays for $5 signature El Jimador margaritas, or stop by on a Thursday for 99¢ domestic drafts.
Flanigan’s Seafood Bar and Grill
2190 S University Drive Davie, Fla. (954)-577-7223
If you’ve never been to South Florida, you’ve probably never heard of Flanigan’s, but if you grew up in the area, then you know Flanigan’s is a South Floridian staple. Residents all over Miami-Dade and Broward County come to Flanigan’s to grab a beer, watch the game, and indulge in some classic American bar food—I’m talking award-winning chicken wings, loaded, buttery garlic rolls, ¾ pound of hot seasoned curly fries, and deep-fried shrimp covered Flanigan’s spicy cream sauce. I know where I’m going for my next cheat day.
Kristof’s Kafe
8912 W State Road 84 Davie, Fla. (954)-475-8977
Kristof’s Kafe is the best place to go in Davie for the most important meal of the day. Open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day, Kristof’s Kafe is a small, cozy diner that serves all your favorite breakfast items with an added twist. The strawberry-stuffed French toast is the closest thing to heaven on earth, and the locals rave about Kristof’s Not So Benedict—picture grandma’s biscuits loaded with hashbrowns and piled on bacon, eggs, and sausage gravy. It’s so good you might want to wear your sweatpants because not eating every bite would be a crime.
Ceviche 595
1910 S University Drive Davie, Fla. (954)-530-6431
If you’re craving fresh ceviche, savory and flavorful Lomo saltado, crispy yucca fries, or grilled octopus served with Peruvian panca chili, then look no further. Ceviche 595 has everything you need. If Peruvian food is your thing, then Ceviche 595 is bound to become your favorite restaurant in Davie. It’s affordable, and it has a quaint ambiance that will keep you coming back to dine on amazing food and chat with the locals.
Mission BBQ
2411 S University Drive Davie, Fla. (954)-766-4304
Mission BBQ started with a dream to honor the men and women who have fought for our country and to serve those who have served us with amazing, soulful American barbeque. And being in business for years, Mission BBQ has achieved its dream, expanding across the country. Stop by Mission BBQ’s restaurant in Davie to experience savory, tender, juicy, fall-off-the-bone ribs; sweet cornbread that reminds you of grandma’s cooking; and classic cheesy mac-n-cheese all while supporting the men and women who have sacrificed for our country.
Top 5 Things to Do in Davie
Check out the top 5 things to do in Davie. Explore nature, check out a farmer’s market, play a round of golf, explore Davie’s history. The options are endless.
Tree Tops Park
3900 SW 100th Ave. Davie, Fla.
Tree Tops Park is one of the best things to do in Davie if you love nature. One visit to Tree Tops Park, and it’ll become your favorite place to go on the weekends to relax and escape the hustle of the city. Tree Tops Park features a boardwalk that traverses over the restored marsh and an equestrian center where you can take a horseback tour throughout the park’s extensive trails. It also has a marina and an observation center where you can look over the entire park. Note Tree Tops Park is only open on Fridays and Saturdays due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Flamingo Road Nursery
1655 S Flamingo Road Davie, Fla. (954)-476-7878
You may think that you can only buy plants at Flamingo Road Nursery, but that’s not the case. The Flamingo Road Nursery is more than just your average Home Depot outpost. It’s a farmer’s market and a butterfly garden. The farmer’s market features fresh, locally-grown produce plus a small juice bar where you can grab a freshly squeezed juice and sandwich. And the butterfly gardens are even more beautiful than you can imagine. Spend your day admiring exotic and native plants and their lovely pollinators.
Davie Golf Club
8201 Nova Davie Drive Davie, Fla. (954)-797-4653
There’s nothing better than relaxing and spending your Saturday on the golf course. Play 18 holes and maybe have a cocktail or two with your friends. It’s for sure one of the best ways to decompress after a long week, and there’s no better place to play golf in Davie than the Davie Golf Club. The Davie Golf Club features the only public golf course in the area. Redesigned in 2011, the golf course has something for players of all levels. To book your tee time, call (954)-797-4653 or make a reservation online.
Old Davie School Historical Museum
6650 Griffin Road Davie, Fla. (954)-797-1044
Looking to learn a little bit more about Davie? Visit the Old Davie School Historical Museum to see the evolution of Davie and West Broward County throughout the years. Created in 1984, the Old Davie School Historical Museum was made to restore the original Davie School. The museum hosts guided tours of the schoolhouse and other historic houses on Wednesdays and Saturdays at 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 1 p.m. The price for adults is $10 and for children and seniors $7. To find out more and schedule your tour, visit the museum’s website.
Marando Farms and Ranch
5151 SW 64th Ave. Davie, Fla. (954)-945-5744
Part ranch, part farmer’s market, Marando Farms and Ranch is the perfect place to spend the day with your family. Marando Farms and Ranch has a lovely, farm-to-table cafe where everything is made with locally-grown produce. There’s a petting zoo where the kids can spend the afternoon riding ponies and hanging out with all of Marando’s rescued animals. And along with all of that, Marando Farms and Ranch has a U-Pick program where you can pick your produce and eggs and free yoga classes every other Sunday.
Other things to do:
One of the great things about Davie is that it’s close to a lot of great cities and parks. South Beach is only a short drive away, and Downtown isn’t too far either. To find out more information about other cities, towns, and things to do in Broward County and Miami-Dade County, check out these other city profiles.
The Best Schools in Davie
Find the best schools in Davie
Davie is a lovely place to live, but with any moving to a new place, one of the biggest concerns you may have is schools. Where are my kids going to go to school? Are the schools here good? What are the best schools? And, what do I need to know about Davie’s schools before I send my child there?
Searching for a new school is overwhelming. But don’t fret too much because we found the best schools in Davie from the compiled ratings of greatschools.org, niche.com, and the Florida Department of Education’s school accountability report.
Living in Davie, residents have the choice of attending Broward County public district schools, Broward County public charter schools, or a few private schools. Davie residents are lucky because Davie has extremely high-rating elementary and high schools. Davie’s middle schools rate above average, but they do not perform at the same level as Davie’s elementary and high schools. If you are unsatisfied with Davie’s options for middle school, don’t worry. You can also check out schools in nearby areas like Pembroke Pines or Miramar.
Elementary Schools in Davie
The top recommended elementary schools in Davie are Somerset Academy Davie Charter Elementary School, Atlantic Montessori Charter Elementary School, and Nova Blanche Forman Elementary School. Somerset Academy Elementary and Atlantic Montessori Elementary were rated 9/10 by greatschools.org while Nova Blanche Elementary was rated 8/10. However, all schools received an “A” from the FDOE’s school accountability report.
All schools exceed the state standards in standardized testing for math, English, and science. However, Somerset Academy Elementary leads the pack in all three subjects, scoring a 94% proficiency in math, a 90% proficiency in English, and a 76% proficiency in science. Atlantic Montessori Elementary follows close behind in English and math, but Nova Blanche Elementary outperforms Atlantic Montessori Elementary in science by a small percentage.
In terms of academic standings, all of these schools are great choices. But note that Somerset Academy Elementary and Atlantic Montessori Elementary are public charter schools, so students have to apply and be selected to attend.
Additionally, all schools receive mixed feedback and testimonials from parents. However, one Somerset Academy Elementary parent said, “This is my son's first year at this school. His teacher has a tough love approach with her students that has worked effectively on my son. I have to say that all whom work at Somerset are loving, caring and academically effective. I love that they are so hands-on and involved in the well being of the children.”
To find out more about these schools and read additional parent testimonials, go to greatschools.org or check out the individual school’s websites.
Middle Schools in Davie
The top recommended middle schools in Davie are Indian Ridge Middle School and Nova Middle School. Greatschools.org rated Indian Ridge Middle a 7/10 and Nova Middle a 6/10. Neither school is rated exceptionally high by greatschools.org. And Indian Ridge Middle received an “A” from the FDOE’s school accountability report while Nova Middle received a “B”.
In terms of academic performance, Indian Ridge Middle does better than Nova Middle. In standardized testing, Indian Ridge scored a 71% proficiency in math, a 67% proficiency in English, and a 53% proficiency in science, exceeding the state standard in every subject. On the other hand, Nova Middle scored a 53% proficiency in math, a 63% proficiency in English, and a 48% proficiency in science, only exceeding the state standard in English.
Both schools receive mixed parent testimonials from parents, but Nova Middle received slightly more positive reviews from parents.
One Nova Middle parent said, “In 2018 and 2019, my kids did unbelievably well. The teachers may be overworked with oversized classes, but they can really teach. The ‘A’ the school merited demonstrates that. But I must really say how much the elective teachers have supported my 3 kids. The Chorus teacher, the Spanish teachers, especially. They're the best. And as for the rest of the teachers, most of them are Grade A. I appreciate them more than you can know.”
However, to read more parent testimonials and explore these schools more in-depth, be sure to visit their websites and go to greatschools.org. Remember if you’re unsatisfied with Davie’s middle school options, you can also check out other middle schools in some of our other city profiles like Pembroke Pines which has highly-rated public charter and public district middle schools.
High Schools in Davie
Rounding out at high school, the top recommended high schools in Davie are College Academy at Broward College, William T. McFatter Technical High School, and Nova High School. College Academy and McFatter Technical High are both rated a 10/10 by greatschools.org while Nova High is rated 7/10. However, all schools receive an “A” from the FDOE’s school accountability report.
In terms of academic performance, all of these schools are a good choice for your child's high school education, but they do have slight differences that may help determine which is the best one for your child. First of all, all of these schools have earned the College Success Award for their efforts in preparing students for college and later careers. College Academy and Nova High won the award three years in a row: 2018, 2019, and 2020. And McFatter Technical High won it in 2018 and 2019.
College Academy has no published standardized test scores on greatschools.org, but students who attend the College Academy can get a jumpstart on their college careers and take dual enrollment classes easily at Broward College.
McFatter Technical High scores better in standardized testing than Nova High with a 92% proficiency in United States history, an 89% proficiency in Geometry, and an 88% proficiency in biology. And Nova High scores an 84% proficiency in United States history, a 71% proficiency in Geometry, and a 67% proficiency in biology, exceeding the state standard in United States history and geometry and meeting it in biology.
McFatter Technical High is also unique in that it is a magnet school that provides education in technical and traditional academic areas. Students who attend McFatter Technical High are required to take 24 credits of college preparatory curriculum and eight technical credits in whichever field the student chooses. To complete their technical credits, students must dual enroll at McFatter Technical College.
Note that students who want to attend College Academy and McFatter Technical High must apply and be selected while there is no application process for Nova High.
To find out more about these Davie high schools, be sure to check out their websites and go to greatschools.org to read parent testimonials. Remember if you are unsatisfied with the high school options in Davie, you can check out our other city profiles to find out more about high schools in the surrounding areas.
For more information about each of these schools’ COVID-19 protocols, check out the Broward County public school website. Also, visit greatschools.org or niche.com for additional parent testimonials and to explore any other Doral schools in more depth. And to see the criteria for Florida Department of Education ratings, go to their website. Note that all quotes listed above come from parent reviews at greatschools.org.
Davie Community
Get involved and learn more about Davie’s community
If you’re considering moving to Davie or you just want to get a little more involved in the community, start by learning a little bit about Davie’s municipal government. Learning how the municipal government works and how you can be an engaged resident is the best way to stay updated on changes in the community and opportunities to get involved.
In Davie, the mayor and four elected council members make up the Town Council which acts as Davie’s legislative body. All members of the council have equal voting power, including the mayor and vice mayor. The city is run by the city manager who is appointed by the council. And each council member represents a different district in Davie. To learn which district you may be in, go to the city’s website.
The current Davie Mayor Judy Paul has been serving Davie since 1998 when she was a District 4 Council Member. She served three terms as District 4 Council Member before taking a two-year hiatus, and in 2009, she ran for mayor. Paul has been the mayor of Davie since 2009, and now she is currently serving her fourth term. Paul is known for her involvement in Davie’s youth programs and her support of the Governor Leroy Collins Park. Aside from her position as mayor, Paul is also a member of the Davie Area Land Trust, the Davie Rodeo Association, the Davie Woman’s Club, and a board member of the Old Davie School.
For more information about Paul or any of the other council members, check out the city’s website for their contact information. To get more involved in the Davie community, regularly attend council meetings and contact the council member representing your district to stay informed and voice your concerns. Council meetings occur on the first and third Wednesday of each month. To find out how you can participate and see the upcoming schedule of meetings, check out the city’s website.
You can also check out the city’s website to see volunteer opportunities, stay updated about COVD-19 friendly community events, and discover what else is going on in the community.
Davie Real Estate:
Find the best Davie realtor near you
If you want to spend your weekends visiting local farmers' markets and exploring lush parks, then Davie may be the place for you. It’s a safe, quiet community with a rich history, and there’s no other place that’s quite like it. To learn more about Davie and the best homes in Davie, Contact the best Davie realtors, the AV Home Experts with Keller Williams Realty. They can help you with everything from finding a great home to helping you decide the best school for your child. For more information about Davie or houses for sale in Davie, give them a call at (305)-680-3268 or contact them through their website.
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