Get us in your inbox

Burlock Coast Seafare & Spirits
Photograph: Ricardo MejiaBurlock Coast Seafare & Spirits

The best restaurants in Fort Lauderdale to try right now

We journeyed from the 954’s strip malls to the finest beachfront restaurants to put together this definitive list

Eric Barton
Megan duBois
Written by
Eric Barton
Contributor
Megan duBois
Advertising

The Wall Street Journal published an article recently with a headline that asked: “Wait, Is Fort Lauderdale…Cool?” To locals, this seemed both like confirmation of something they already knew and absurd. Because if that’s ever been an actual question, it was answered long ago. That’s especially true when we’re talking about the Fort Lauderdale restaurant scene. Sure, a generation ago, dining out here largely meant staid Las Olas restaurants serving vaguely continental cuisine. But now, the city has stellar restaurants spread from the sand's edge to the county's western reaches. To be sure, we visited the city’s chef-driven spots and hidden strip-mall gems and places as cool as, well, Fort Lauderdale itself. Follow our guide to the best restaurants in Fort Lauderdale to see just how cool this city has become.

This guide was updated by South Florida-based writer Eric Barton. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines

RECOMMENDED:
📍 The best things to do in Fort Lauderdale
🏖️ The best beaches near Fort Lauderdale
🏨 The best hotels in Fort Lauderdale
🌴 The ultimate guide to Florida

best Fort Lauderdale restaurants

  • Restaurants
  • Contemporary American
  • price 2 of 4

Timon Balloo made a name for himself first by collecting accolades as head chef of Sugarcane in Miami before heading north to open this homey neighborhood spot. At this restaurant named for his wife, Marissa Katherine, Balloo combines inspiration from family recipes, like the Chinese dishes that mom would make as a kid and the sancocho of Katherine’s Colombian grandmother. That’s evident with the deeply umami heirloom tomatoes in coconut vinaigrette and the richly seasoned Trini oxtail with Haitian pikliz. While dining here, we’ve often said that we’d never had anything like the creative dish in front of us, but we hope very much to see them again soon.

https://media.timeout.com/images/105818899/image.jpg
Eric Barton
Contributor
  • Restaurants
  • Italian
  • price 2 of 4

A friend who had recently returned from spending three months in Italy had a pretty wild declaration: he hadn’t had a pizza in the Old World better than the one at Heritage. It’s not entirely surprising to those who’ve had the pies here, which came about when chef Rino Cerbone perfected the dough recipe he learned in his family’s pizzeria to create his own version. Cerbone, who has a side hustle fronting a rock band, isn’t just a one-hit-wonder with those pies because his pasta and Italian-inspired dishes also sing, especially a baked razor clams dish that’s reason enough to come.

https://media.timeout.com/images/105818899/image.jpg
Eric Barton
Contributor
Advertising

3. Vitolo

Before arriving at the Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach, chef Anthony Vitolo served a whole lot of celebrities at his Emilio’s Ballato in New York. No word yet on whether Taylor Swift will also visit the Lauderdale location, but we can say the dishes here are worthy of her appearance. Generally, the menu runs the gamut of American red sauce Italian: bolognese, chicken Milanese and ricotta ravioli. But like the restaurant's stylish space, these dishes are prepared and presented in more elegant ways—you might even say it’s like Taylor’s version.

https://media.timeout.com/images/105818899/image.jpg
Eric Barton
Contributor

4. Osteria Acqua e Farina

You’ll find this neighborhood osteria in an unassuming shopping plaza next to a gas station and advertised simply under an unceremonious sign: “Italian Restaurant.” That is a fitting description of a spot that puts out some of the best Italian dishes in a city that’s full of Italian restaurants. The menu is a limited collection of favorites, like the chicken valentino, but the long list of daily specials read aloud by the servers often include a massive antipasti plate with a “surprise,” lobster ravioli and a whole branzino charred crisp in the pizza oven. Regular’s tip: get aglio e olio pasta on the side of the whole fish for a meal that feels very Italian.

https://media.timeout.com/images/105818899/image.jpg
Eric Barton
Contributor
Advertising

5. Larb Thai

Some locals might be angry that we’ve written about Larb Thai-Isan, one of those strip mall spots putting out amazing food that you just want to keep to yourself. Now that the secret is exposed, bring friends so you can order a lot. To get you started: chicken or pork larb (of course); fried rib meat chunks marinated in fish sauce; papaya salad with salted crab; ground pork with chili and garlic; and especially the duck salad with a spicy, sweet fish sauce and crunchy fried duck skin.

https://media.timeout.com/images/105818899/image.jpg
Eric Barton
Contributor
  • Restaurants
  • Italian
  • price 3 of 4

Runway founder Anthony Bruno, of Anthony’s Coal Fired Pizza fame, teamed up with restaurateur Marc Falsetto to give this Lauderdale classic a remake in 2023 into an Italian supper club with nightly live music. There are still the dishes regulars expect—cauliflower rigatoni, the absolutely huge “Sunday feast” plate, the little grandma cup of garlic butter served with the crusty hunk of bread to start. New items include carpaccio of thin-sliced wagyu filet, an Idaho potato stuffed with black truffle and cacio e pepe sauce. The don of this menu, the Danielle, is a breaded bone-in veal chop slathered in alla vodka sauce, dotted with peas and prosciutto and covered in islands of melted mozzarella.

https://media.timeout.com/images/105818899/image.jpg
Eric Barton
Contributor
Advertising
Burlock Coast Seafare & Spirits
Photograph: Ricardo Mejia

7. Burlock Coast Seafare & Spirits

The ocean views are reason enough to come to Burlock Coast, but there’s also Adrienne Grenier, a talented chef producing a menu focusing on fresh seafood and seasonal vegetables. The casual market-style setup here might seem like a surprise being in the Ritz-Carlton, but that’s good news for anyone looking for a reasonably priced and well-sourced meal with sea views.

https://media.timeout.com/images/105818899/image.jpg
Eric Barton
Contributor

8. Pizzeria Magaddino

Tom Magaddino gave up a corporate job in 2017 to open his first pizza shop in the county's convention center. That became a mobile pizza van before Magaddino finally landed a home inside Gulfstream Brewing, where he’s putting out some of the best pies in town, literally from a tiny setup in the corner. Expect the typical, like margherita and pepperoni with red sauce, and also the wildly creative, like the carbonara-inspired Pork Belly & Egg.

https://media.timeout.com/images/105818899/image.jpg
Eric Barton
Contributor
Advertising

9. Canyon

When we think of Fort Lauderdale, southwestern cuisine doesn’t immediately come to mind. But Canyon has remained a 954 mainstay since 1995 by consistently putting out tasty dishes inspired by southwestern flavors. A change of ownership, menu update, and move to a larger location south of the New River haven’t slowed things down for Canyon, where you’ll still find a largely local crowd in a now-modern space. But through all those changes, meals here should still begin with a Canyon classic, a prickly pear margarita that balances sweet and sour.

https://media.timeout.com/images/105818899/image.jpg
Eric Barton
Contributor

10. Mama Hanks Speakeasy + Kitchen

Mama Hanks has all the key elements of a typical speakeasy cocktail bar: a shadow-filled bar serving creative cocktails that’s accessed by a hidden door with a secret code (inside an awesomely named liquor store called Fort Liquordale). But unlike your average speakeasy, Mama Hanks also puts out tasty dishes, trending toward comfort food with candied bacon arriving pinned to a clothesline, cornbread topped with shredded wagyu brisket and a luscious lobster and grits. For those into the hard stuff, there’s a deep selection of bottles from Japan to Scotland, best ordered in flights that provide access to some true unicorn whiskeys.

https://media.timeout.com/images/105818899/image.jpg
Eric Barton
Contributor
Advertising
Dune by Laurent Tourondel
Photograph: Courtesy Dune

11. Dune by Laurent Tourondel

Dune, located inside the Auberge Beach Residences and Spa, offers spectacular ocean views and coastal cuisine. The restaurant has three distinct dining spaces, each with panoramic views of the beach. The menu trends toward coastal cuisine, so start with the seafood ceviche, followed by the grilled branzino with lemon broth and lobster spaghettini fra diavolo.

https://media.timeout.com/images/105818899/image.jpg
Eric Barton
Contributor

12. Cafe Seville

At Cafe Seville, you’ll feel as if you’ve been whisked away to a small village in Spain. The restaurant specializes in Spanish dishes like tapas and seafood. Start your meal off with a shared platter of Spanish serrano ham, manchego cheese, chorizo, and stuffed olives. Another favorite is the gambas Pablo Picasso, a flavor-packed dish of steamed shrimp over yellow rice with salsa verde.

Advertising

13. Coconuts

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Coconuts (@coconuts_benice)

Coconuts is located on the intercoastal waterways of the city, with indoor and outdoor seating where the views are only matched by the scrumptious food. And the location even offers boat docks for those who choose to get to there via water. Start your meal off with a cocktail like the Save the Whales, which combines Gray Whale gin, muddled cucumber, mint, and tonic water for a refreshing pre-dinner drink. Loyal fans of Coconuts know the best time to arrive is after 5, when the menu expands to add items like the crab empanadas and grilled oysters.

14. Steak 954

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by STEAK954 (@steak954)

Philadelphia restaurateur Stephen Starr’s steakhouse takes up a choice waterfront spot at the bottom of The W hotel. But grab an indoor seat to enjoy what might be an even better view of a massive fish tank of glowing jellyfish. The traditional steakhouse classics are on the menu, with high-end choices covering dry-aged and wagyu cuts. While those steaks are fine choices, somebody at the table ought to order the $85 cheesesteak: American wagyu and truffle cheese whiz on a brioche roll, served with a glass of Laurent Perrier Brut.

Advertising
Lona Cocina & Tequileria
Photograph: Ricardo Mejia/RMStudioCorp

15. Lona Cocina & Tequileria

Lona, situated across from Fort Lauderdale Beach, is a stunning Mexican restaurant serving authentic street food with an upscale twist. For a full taste of this high-and-low contrast, go for the taco flights—15 tacos for $68 or 20 for $86. Or celebrate everyone’s favorite weekly holiday on Tuesdays, when tacos and margaritas are just five bucks.

16. Doc B's Restaurant and Bar

Doc B’s is known for its sandwiches, shareable plates, and lively atmosphere. To start off, get the sticky-sweet candied bacon (watch out: it’s got a bit of a kick from cayenne pepper). The approachable bar-style menu includes dishes like buffalo chicken sandwiches with roasted garlic dressing, loaded burgers, and wok bowls. Don’t skip dessert, where you can order items like Cinnamon Toast Crunch cheesecake, key lime pie, and homemade Oreo ice cream that's topped with a homemade chocolate shell.

Advertising

17. Blue Moon Fish Company

Blue Moon is dishing out fresh Florida seafood with a Cajun-Louisiana flair. In fact, the restaurant is often mentioned as the best seafood place in Fort Lauderdale. We love the ceviche, made fresh every day with fish and shrimp caught just hours before serving. For the Cajun twist, consider getting the seafood gumbo, which comes loaded with shrimp, crab, crawfish, andouille sausage, okra and file. Be sure to leave room for a slice of key lime pie that’s been topped with toasted coconut meringue.

18. Sistrunk Marketplace

This combination food hall and arts market is known for its cooking classes, distillery tours and retail boutiques. When hunger strikes, you can find everything from slurpable ramen and fresh tuna poke, to sweet and savory crepes and towering ice cream sundaes. You will need to make a reservation to get in, and while reserving, you’ll choose if you want to sit inside or outside on the patio.

Advertising

19. Sea Watch on the Ocean

Since 1974, Sea Watch has served fresh seafood straight from the ocean—which happens to be just 50 yards away. The restaurant is open for lunch and dinner, with a decadent Sunday brunch menu. The floor-to-ceiling windows bring in a ton of light and offer sweeping views of the sea. While dinner is more romantic with the sun setting in the background, lunch is our favorite meal here. You can’t go wrong with the crab tostada, which starts with a corn tortilla chip base and piles on avocado, tomato, red onion, cilantro, parmesan cheese, black beans and crab.

Tom Jenkin’s BBQ
Photograph: Eric Barton for Time Out

20. Tom Jenkin’s BBQ

Tom Jenkins started out as a trailer in 1990 and quickly became popular with locals. The brick-and-mortar restaurant arrived six years later, and they've been serving Fort Lauderdale barbecue fanatics ever since. The restaurant specializes in fall-off-the-bone ribs, chicken, pork and Texas-style brisket. You’ll also want to hit the Southern-style sides like macaroni and cheese and collards.

Recommended
    You may also like
    You may also like
    Advertising