The Best Restaurants in Fort Lauderdale

23 Best Restaurants & Places in Fort Lauderdale, Fl | 2024 (Top Eats!)

ByKashish Jamal Hashmi

Fort Lauderdale is a destination ideal for roaming around and encountering several different cultural activities with complete diversification, breathtaking beaches, luxury resorts, gondola rides on the river canals, and much more.

It’s also a resident of lots of cultural and art attractions and remains an exuberant place that takes pride in its flourishing cuisine.

The city serves not only traditional Floridian seafood but also introduces people to several global flavors, which always makes one discover something new every time they visit this place.

So if you want to explore its local food scene to the core, then you must be knowledgeable about some good places to eat in the city, and because of that, we made this list of the best restaurants in Fort Lauderdale that have a reputable stand in the culinary scene.

Table of Contents

The Best Restaurants in Fort Lauderdale This Year

1. Tinta – Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach

Tinta - Westin Fort Lauderdale Beach

Why it’s a must visit?

The Tinta restaurant is a midday and morning meal diner that is situated in the west of Fort Lauderdale Beach resort and thereby has a luxurious ambiance.

Feel yourself lost in the breathtaking beauty of the ocean while feasting on their many gracious brunch or breakfast options with complete fulfillment.

At this restaurant, one gets to experience an open-air patio with spectacular waterfront views and beach plus resort-style seating arrangement.

Chef’s Choice

Enjoy a delicious plate of their Mahaca skillet that feels incredibly delightful on the tastebuds and goes exceptionally well with their Beachside Bellini as a drink.

But if you have a sweet tooth, then you can go for their tasty Dulce de Leche chocolate chip pancakes along with an extra cup of Mexican hot chocolate as sweet treats.

Location and Contact

Also See – Best Beach Restaurants in Fort Lauderdale, Fl

2. Dolce Salato Pizza & Gelato

Dolce Salato Pizza & Gelato

Why it’s a must visit?

The Dolce Salato Pizza & Gelato restaurant is a casual counter-serve Pizzeria that is known for its delectable pizza pies and incredible gelato flavors.

The restaurant has gorgeous red walls and a glass display that showcases people lots of tasty gelato and pizza variety.

It’s also one of the most laid-back restaurants in the city that provides various flavorful dishes and has a charming interior.

Chef’s Choice

Relish their tasty white White Biancaneve or their American pizzas.

One can also choose between their half pizza or special half if they want to try more than one flavor at once.

Location and Contact

3. 3711 Beach Side

3711 Beach Side

Why it’s a must visit?

The 3711 Beachside restaurant is a stylish Mediterranean diner that specializes in exemplary seafood creations.

The diner is surrounded by comfortable dining chairs, lovely hanging fixtures, and a vintage plus stylish country aesthetic that feels charming and is one of the reasons why it’s among the top restaurants in the city.

Couple its delectable menu with its chic style, and you are bound to have the most pleasant dining experience here.

Chef’s Choice

Treat yourself to a happy meal by trying their wide seafood variety, like pan-seared snapper or their tasty seafood mixed pasta.

But if you are not such a big fan of seafood but have more inclination towards meat, then you can try their tasty baby back ribs, which are a superb choice.

Location and Contact

4. Golden Lyon Vintage Pub

Golden Lyon Vintage Pub

Why it’s a must visit?

The Golden Lyon Vintage Pub restaurant is a lovely restaurant and bar that is situated downtown and is known for its delectable burgers and seafood.

The restaurant provides people with incredible food plus lots of drinks and variety and has a polished wooden interior that is presented in a sophisticated manner that lives up to its image as one of the top-rated restaurants in the city.

It also has a relaxed atmosphere and takes people back to the old ages with its vintage plus the elegant atmosphere.

Chef’s Choice

Begin with a sip of their tasty seafood chowder and sample it with their refreshing Caesar salad as a good starter option.

After that, go for their maple grilled pork chops as your main entrée option.

Location and Contact

5. Wild Sea Las Olas

Wild Sea Las Olas

Why it’s a must visit?

The Wild Sea Las Olas restaurant is an extravagant seafood diner that is situated inside the Riverside Hotel Fort Lauderdale and thereby has a 5-star rating for its impressive food choices.

It’s one of the best places to eat in Fort Lauderdale and remains the ultimate choice for having romantic dates with your partner or celebrating special events.

The restaurant gives people an elegant dining experience with its sleek interior, fabulous location, and beautifully presented dishes that make one feel like royalty.

Chef’s Choice

Begin with their incredible new England Clams Casino as a starter option to get yourself ready for more to come.

After that, order their tasty Jamaican-style jerk chicken for a fabulous feast.

Location and Contact

6. Lona Cocina Tequileria

Lona Cocina Tequileria

Why it’s a must visit?

The Lona Cocina Tequileria restaurant is a contemporary waterfront diner that delivers people exquisite tequila and classic cuisine that is all mezcal inspired. 

The restaurant has a luxurious ambiance and has lots of tropical aesthetic details that make it perfect for celebrating special events like anniversaries and birthdays.

Besides serving flavorsome food varieties, the restaurant also allows people to gaze at spectacular waterfront views through its patio setting, which is perfect if you are coming with your friends and want to try some tasty specialty drinks.

Chef’s Choice

Try their lovely tortilla or octopus tostada as appetizer options.

Stick to the favorites by ordering their backyard Carne Asada tacos which are genuinely a delightful choice.

But if you are in the mood to experiment, then you can always go for their Arroz cremes con langosta, which is a specialized lobster dish.

Location and Contact

7. Rendezvous Bar & Grill

Rendezvous Bar & Grill

Why it’s a must visit?

The Rendezvous bar and Grill restaurant are one of the best family restaurants in the city that serves grilled seafood varieties along with several Marina choices in the form of traditional American dishes.

So if you are wondering where to eat the most fascinating variety of seafood in Fort Lauderdale, then this is the restaurant that you have been looking for.

The diner provides spectacular marina views along with mouthwatering food choices that are sure to keep you relaxed throughout your entire feast.

Chef’s Choice

Start your feast with their delectable bacon-wrapped scallops.

Also, their spicy shrimp jambalaya comes loaded with flavors that melt in your mouth with a single bite.

Location and Contact

8. La Dolce Vita

La Dolce Vita

Why it’s a must visit?

The La Dolce Vita restaurant is a comfortable Italian diner situated in Galt ocean plaza and is renowned for its tasty Northern Italian menu options and its aesthetic Fellini film interior. 

The entire space feels absolutely chic and gives immersing Italian vibe with its red surroundings, contrasting black-and-white film scenes, and a green canopy that sets a romantic tone if you are coming here with your date.

This restaurant remains one of the must eat places in the city primarily because of its exquisite Italian flavors and its spectacular interior that sways anyone.

Chef’s Choice

We would suggest that you keep your feast simple by trying their Prosciutto e Burrata. 

After that, it would be wiser to go for their gnocchi salami piccante E Tartufo to experience a wholesome feast.

Location and Contact

9. Fresh First

Fresh First

Why it’s a must visit?

The Fresh fish restaurant is a modest diner that caters to restrictive diets with its gluten-free options and is situated inside the prominent Renaissance Fort Lauderdale marina hotel.

It’s one of the many cool places to eat in the city as it serves the finest lunches in Lauderdale with its specialized menu options that are hard to match against.

Also, it’s unique in the sense of how the restaurant entirely focuses on gluten-free varieties and, at the same time, has a classic ambiance that is indeed a steal for what it offers.

Chef’s Choice

If you like handheld dishes, then you will love their spinach chicken burger, which comes with an extra side dish of their tasty sweet and red potato salad.

But if you want to go for healthier alternatives, then their simple veggie quinoa with extra tofu slices will make for a delightful choice.

Location and Contact

10. Boathouse at the Riverside

Boathouse at the Riverside

Why it’s a must visit?

The boathouse restaurant is situated along the lines of Riverside and is a casual waterfront diner that specializes in new American cuisine with exotic flavors of Mediterranean fare.

This restaurant is one of the best places to eat in Fort Lauderdale, mostly credited to the gorgeous waterfront use that allows people to gaze at it while they feast on its numerous delectable menu options.

Also, the magnificent view of the river but palm trees surrounding it, and skyscraper buildings on the backside of it, make a perfect blend for showcasing both modern and tropical vibes at the same time.

Chef’s Choice

Start with their tasty Charred Spanish octopus for the go. 

Then continue it with their Kumato tomato and Burrata cheese salad for a flavorsome effect.

In the end, make your feast a lot tastier by having their cilantro risotto and their delectable citrus butter-crusted swordfish as a main course meal.

Location and Contact

11. Cafe Seville

Cafe Seville

Why it’s a must visit?

The café Seville is a personal and family-owned Spanish diner that offers people classic Spanish cuisine in the most flavorsome form.

The restaurant has a very low light ambiance with dark wooden furnishing that adds a mysterious aura to it, and that’s why it has become a local favorite of many people and remains one of the most famous restaurants to try in the city.

It’s a fantastic place for anyone who enjoys authentic Spanish cuisine, which can be partaken with either your friends or your family.

Chef’s Choice

Relish authentic Spanish cuisine by trying their specialized empanada trio, which contains exquisite dishes like wild mushrooms, manchego cheese, chorizo, and beef.

After that, get a delightful eatery experience by going for their Rioja short ribs that comes with saffron rice and Spanish ratatouille.

Location and Contact

12. Gilbert’s 17th Street Grill

Gilbert's 17th Street Grill

Why it’s a must visit?

The Gilbert’s 17th Street Grill restaurant is a modest and family-owned diner that serves people remarkable classic American cuisine in Harbor shops.

The restaurant showcases lots of traditional Fort Lauderdale dishes inside its trendy atmosphere and remains a local favorite for its affordable food choices with familiar food options.

Also, it’s a hassle-free restaurant that people of all ages come to love. 

Chef’s Choice

Go for their lovely ‘the godfather’ burger which comes with onion drinks and a complementary handcrafted beer drink.

One should also save some room for their tasty chocolate chip cookie crumbles, which make for a toothsome treat.

Location and Contact

13. Canyon Southwest Cafe

Canyon Southwest Cafe

Why it’s a must visit?

The canyon Southwest café is a stylish new American restaurant that delivers southwestern dishes with multiple global flavors.

It has a personal setup and is visually pleasing because of its colorful and fun ambiance that makes people enjoy their food with a sense of pleasantness. 

Lots of artsy people love this place as its joyful ambiance brings a smile to many people’s faces.

Chef’s Choice

Get the most out of your culinary experience by grabbing a few meals of their small plate dishes, which contain every global flavor that you can imagine.

Some of our favorite recommendations here are the grilled jumbo sea scallops, grilled chicken quesadilla, cornmeal-crusted poblano, and crispy pork tacos.

Location and Contact

14. New York Grilled Cheese – Wilton Manors

New York Grilled Cheese - Wilton Manors

Why it’s a must visit?

The New York grilled cheese sandwich is a simple sandwich food joint in Wilton manors that is located only some minutes away from the central city of Fort Lauderdale.

The restaurant embodies a complete chic outlook to it and remains a hip food joint for serving mouthwatering grilled cheese sandwiches.

Also, it’s one of the best restaurants near you that provides both comfort and experimentation at the same time. 

Chef’s Choice

Before trying anything else, go either for the Brooklyn Porkster order or their Gotham gobbler, which are as unique as their name.

Also, if you are with your kids or someone who is a picky eater, then the Manhattan grill mac & cheese will suffice them in the most satisfying sense.

Location and Contact

15. Padrino’s Cuban

Padrino's Cuban

Why it’s a must visit?

The Padrino’s Cuban restaurant is run by a family and is a specialized Cuban diner that offers people authentic Cuban cuisine with a three-course meal option.

The entire restaurant is surrounded by a polished wooden interior, dark furnishings, and cream walls that give a sense of botanical ambiance to it and feel incredibly visually pleasing on any social media platform.

Also, it has a mouthwatering menu and remains of the nicest restaurants in Fort Lauderdale that definitely needs to be taken a snapshot of. 

Chef’s Choice

Dig in with their delectable fiesta tostones and a tasty bowl of their delicious black bean soup.

Also, any carnivore will absolutely enjoy their beef churrasco, and seafood lovers with go crazy for their paella. 

It would be way wonderful if you ended your meal on a sweet note by trying their flan.

Location and Contact

16. Sea Watch on the Ocean

Sea Watch on the Ocean

Why it’s a must visit?

The Sea Watch restaurant is situated on the ocean and is a fascinating seafood diner that provides spectacular views of the waters. 

One gets to experience an actual botanical encounter here with its spectacular wooden cabin-inspired interior and a gorgeous floor-to-ceiling window that provides a stunning view of the ocean.

The restaurant showcases several traditional seafood dishes with a casual tropical atmosphere that further adds class to it and makes the entire dining experience feel premium.

Chef’s Choice

Choose between their delicates starter options with their tasty French onion soup or their cold waters oysters.

After that, they relish their original sea watch medley, which contains heavy items like scallops, lobster, and shrimp as a mean entrée option.

Location and Contact

17. S3

S3

Why it’s a must visit?

The S3 restaurant is an upscale new American diner that is nestled inside the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach resort and is known for its ingenious menu choices, presenting exquisite coastal cuisine.

The restaurant provides people with a breathtaking view of the ocean and has comfortable seating with lovely outdoor fire pits and impeccably blended food that makes it one of the many great restaurants in the city.

It’s an exciting place to have an enjoyable night out with your friends while celebrating a marvelous beach experience.

Chef’s Choice

Partake a few of their rolls by going for their Tuna crunch, Fujiyama, salmon kamikaze, and dragon.

After that, treat yourself to a gourmet dish of their chargrilled octopus that gets served with a complementary dish of coconut rice.

Location and Contact

18. Coconuts

Coconuts

Why it’s a must visit?

Looking forward to encountering the most glorious sunset experience in Fort Lauderdale? Then you should definitely visit the coconuts restaurant, as it provides the loveliest sunset view in Lauderdale with an immersing beach ambiance.

No restaurant can rival the scenic view that is incredible restaurant provides a gorgeous selection of seafood favorites that come in a vast range and flavors.

Also, it remains open every day of the week and thereby is hospitable in its value of providing an all-time service.

Chef’s Choice

Enjoy their exceptional seafood-centric varieties like coconut shrimp, crab claws, lobster rolls, and conch fritters.

Also, the restaurant has a separate raw bar that contains the finest selections of grilled oysters, ahi tuna pork, salted shrimp, and a lot more.

But the one thing which is exceptionally praised here is their appetizer named scoobies which is as unique as its name and is a must try for anyone who is looking for something different.

Location and Contact

19. Takato

Takato

Why it’s a must visit?

The Takato restaurant is situated inside the prominent Conrad hotel and serves people an incredible fusion of Korean plus Japanese cuisine that is overseen by the professional chef named Taek Lee. 

All the dishes here are masterpieces and come with top-notch quality, along with nicely portioned sides that bring ultimate satisfaction to anyone’s palate.

Also, another terrific aspect of this restaurant is that it holds happy hour events that should definitely be tried at least once.

Chef’s Choice

Sink your teeth in their delicious crispy tuna that comes with spicy aïoli, short rib kimchi tacos, lobster with Yuzu shisho butter, and duck bio buns as some of its most praised options.

No matter what, don’t miss out on the gourmet A5 Wagyu steak, which comes with drool-worthy dipping sauces that makes it a divine combination.

When it comes to drinks, their Japanese Hugo wins the title of the tastiest drink along with their angry chicken, which is a decadent sampling combination.

Location and Contact

20. The Etna Rosso Ristorante

The Etna Rosso Ristorante

Why it’s a must visit?

The Etna Rosso Ristorante is a darling restaurant that specializes in authentic Italian food with fascinating Sicilian varieties in the form of homemade kinds of pasta and lots of other types that have made it one of the best Italian restaurants in South Florida.

One gets to experience decadent Italian cuisine without leaving the country by trying their flashy food choices that come in the most authentic form and is undoubtedly unmatched in quality.

The menu options here, which are seasonal, remain overwhelmingly popular here, along with weekly specials, which makes people experiment with lots of Sicilian dishes as an actual resident owns it from Italy.

Chef’s Choice

When it comes to glorious Italian choices, their staple collections like portions of pasta, sauces like bolognese, and pasta fruit di mara that contains seafood, Bianca, and gnocchi Gorgonzola are some of its richly flavored dishes.

Also, one can customize the dishes here according to their personal preferences, like balancing the white or red sauce or the spicy level and even specific protein types and a lot more.

Once you get a taste of their weekly specials, you will find yourself obsessed with this restaurant, as it’s truly a hidden gem among the many trendy Italian restaurants.

Location and Contact

21. Eatapas

Eatapas

Why it’s a must visit?

The Eatapas restaurant is run by one of the most experienced chefs in Fort Lauderdale, which presents people with an unparalleled menu option that specializes in Spanish cuisine.

It is situated in the heart of Fort Lauderdale and comes loaded with exquisite Mediterranean and Spanish flavors that come in tantalizing forms.

One feels as if they are eating at home because of its hearty Spanish kitchen that makes people lost in their own world while enjoying the live music that gets played as people indulge in the many exuberant dishes.

Chef’s Choice

Without waiting, go for their tasty Jason Iberico de Belota, which is globally renowned as the most delightful ham that has the power to overwhelm one’s palate. 

After that, order their lovely Gambas al Ajillo, which is a shrimp dish that comes with sautéed garlic Brandy dressing.

Then pair their tasty tapas or distinguished octopus dishes with their tasty handcrafted cocktails like fresh sangria, and you are good to go.

Location and Contact

22. Shooters Waterfront

Shooters Waterfront

Why it’s a must visit?

The Shooters Waterfront diner is an intimate restaurant that delivers people stunning waterfront views while focusing on American dishes in the most gracious way.

It’s a modest and small eatery that is perfect for both intimate or casual dining and keeps one hooked with delectable menu options and stunning views.

Also, it remains one of the top restaurants to chill with your friends while sipping over their drinks and feasting on their many tasty snacks.

Chef’s Choice

Follow the traditional way by ordering their hot barbecue chicken wings as a starter option.

Follow it up with their veggie pizza or their tasty cheese ravioli as the main options.

Location and Contact

23. Hardy Park Bistro

Hardy Park Bistro

Why it’s a must visit?

The Hardy Park bistro is a casual new American diner that exudes a luxurious atmosphere.

The restaurant has a minimalist and polished look to it, which has made it one of the most refined eateries in Lauderdale that delivers people masterful dishes with aesthetic details.

Anyone who is drawn towards art will absolutely adore this restaurant’s presentation details as it’s visually pleasing to the eyes.

Chef’s Choice

Begin with their flavorful wedge salad and their grilled octopus.

Then give their beer-battered snapper a try as a main course meal

Famous food to try in the city

  • Sicilian Cuisine – Italian cuisine here remains incredibly famous, especially in Sicilian flavors, by taking various spices and sauces from Italy and creating the most fabulous pasta, spaghetti, pizza, and dipping sauce varieties that contain the authentic taste of the state. The many resident Sicilian people here make use of their generational recipes to offer people the most immersive Italian cuisine experience.
  • Seafood – As waters and oceans surround Fort Lauderdale from every corner, the seafood here remains one of the most famous cuisine explorations that offers people the most unheard-of varieties in the form of sandwiches, cocktails, gourmet dishes like lobsters and crabs, along with other choices that come in the freshest forms. Not only that, but the city also makes sure that it catches its seafood in the most refreshing way so that it maintains its exquisite flavors.
  • Battered Beers – Beers remain exceptionally famous in Fort Lauderdale primarily because of its many genius mixologists here who experiment with lots of flavors to create the most creative varieties of beers, especially in battered and tap form so that people can enjoy it with global and local flavors. Aside from that, it is always wiser to pair those beers with their specialized new American cuisine specials like hamburgers and sandwiches so that one is able to make the most out of their culinary experience.

Final Thoughts

Fort Lauderdale is a place full of landmarks and gorgeous ocean sites that has made it one of the top destinations to visit for either getaways or vacations and even enthusiastic culinary explorations.

Its cuisine is one of the biggest reasons why this city has suddenly gained a lot of popularity among tourists and gastronomists who always look forward to encountering unique forces.

In that way, it would go without saying that one should know about some decent places to eat in the city if they end up visiting it.

For that, we created this list of the best restaurants in Fort Lauderdale to help you in your search for a better restaurant. We hope you have taken a look at it and formed your thoughts on it.

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