Fort Lauderdale’s culinary landscape is evolving at an electrifying pace, transforming from a beach town with good seafood into a legitimate dining destination that rivals Miami’s best.
With new developments popping up along Las Olas Boulevard, Flagler Village, and the beachfront, talented chefs are seizing the opportunity to bring fresh concepts to hungry locals and visitors.
These five restaurants represent the cream of the crop among recent openings—each offering something distinct that makes Fort Lauderdale’s food scene more exciting than ever.
1. Del Mar – Fort Lauderdale Beach
Location: Beneath the Auberge building on Fort Lauderdale Beach
Del Mar has quickly become the restaurant everyone’s talking about since taking over the former Dune space.
This Mediterranean-inspired oceanfront restaurant delivers the kind of elevated dining experience that Fort Lauderdale Beach desperately needed.
The restaurant combines stunning ocean views with sophisticated coastal cuisine that feels both luxurious and approachable.
The menu emphasizes fresh seafood prepared with Mediterranean techniques—think whole grilled fish with herb oil, octopus with charred lemon, and crudo preparations that showcase pristine ingredients.
The coastal vegetable dishes are equally impressive, proving that Mediterranean cuisine is about more than just protein.
The wine list leans heavily into Greek, Spanish, and Italian selections that pair beautifully with the food.
The dining room itself is a stunner, with floor-to-ceiling windows that frame the Atlantic Ocean.
Whether you’re celebrating a special occasion or simply want to treat yourself to an unforgettable meal, Del Mar offers one of the most impressive oceanfront dining experiences in South Florida.
Why visit: This is destination dining at its finest—stunning ocean views, exceptional Mediterranean cuisine, and an atmosphere that makes every meal feel like a celebration.
2. The Florida Room at The Fort – Downtown Fort Lauderdale
Location: Downtown Fort Lauderdale
The Florida Room is rapidly becoming Fort Lauderdale’s worst-kept secret for date night and happy hour.
This restaurant nails the vintage Florida aesthetic while serving elevated comfort food that’s anything but ordinary.
The space pays homage to classic Florida supper clubs with a modern twist that feels nostalgic without being cheesy.
The star of the show is the short rib meatloaf—a dish that sounds humble but tastes like pure luxury.
The meatloaf is tender, rich, and served with accompaniments that elevate it far beyond grandma’s recipe.
The cocktail program is equally impressive, featuring classic drinks with tropical twists and house-made ingredients that show real attention to detail.
But save room for dessert, because the coconut key lime pie is a revelation. It captures everything great about Florida desserts—bright citrus, creamy coconut, and a perfect balance of sweet and tart that makes you want another slice immediately.
The happy hour here is legitimately one of the best values in Fort Lauderdale, with quality that doesn’t sacrifice for price.
Why visit: Exceptional happy hour deals, romantic vintage ambiance, and comfort food executed at a level that will surprise you.
3. Cucina Moderna – Flagler Village
Location: Flagler Village
Flagler Village has been Fort Lauderdale’s fastest-growing neighborhood, and Cucina Moderna is exactly what this hip area needed—approachable Italian food that you can enjoy multiple times a week without breaking the bank.
This modern Italian spot strikes the perfect balance between casual and refined.
The 10 USD lunch specials are an absolute steal, offering full plates of pasta, protein, and sides that rival restaurants charging twice as much.
The portions are generous, the ingredients are fresh, and the execution is consistently solid.
The mix and match bottomless brunch on weekends has become a neighborhood favorite, allowing diners to build their perfect brunch experience while enjoying unlimited cocktails.
The pasta here is the real deal—properly al dente, tossed with sauces that actually coat the noodles, and finished with quality olive oil and cheese.
The carbonara hits all the right notes with creamy eggs, crispy guanciale, and plenty of black pepper.
The chicken parmigiana brings back memories of the best Italian-American red sauce joints, but with fresher ingredients and better technique.
Why visit: Consistently good Italian food at prices that make it your new regular spot, plus one of the best brunch deals in town.
4. Worthwhile – Las Olas Boulevard
Location: Las Olas Boulevard
Las Olas Boulevard finally has a legitimate healthy option that doesn’t sacrifice flavor for nutrition.
Worthwhile brings the fast-casual health food concept that works so well in California and makes it feel right at home in South Florida.
This is the place you can eat lunch three times a week and actually feel good about it.
The menu offers impressive variety—grain bowls packed with roasted vegetables and perfectly seasoned proteins, sandwiches on fresh bread with creative ingredient combinations, and even burgers that manage to be indulgent while still fitting the healthy-ish vibe.
The steak pesto plate has become a customer favorite, featuring tender sliced steak over greens with a vibrant pesto that ties everything together.
Everything here feels intentional.
The proteins are properly seasoned and cooked, the vegetables are fresh and flavorful, and the sauces and dressings add complexity without overwhelming the dishes.
You can customize most items to fit dietary preferences, making it accessible whether you’re keto, vegetarian, or just trying to eat more vegetables.
Why visit: Finally, a healthy restaurant on Las Olas that’s actually good—fresh ingredients, great flavors, and guilt-free indulgence.
5. Tequila Jack’s – Fort Lauderdale Beach
Location: Fort Lauderdale Beach
Sometimes you don’t need groundbreaking cuisine—you just need cold margaritas, good tacos, and sand between your toes. Tequila Jack’s delivers exactly that experience with surprising quality.
This beachfront Mexican restaurant brings fun energy and solid execution to a location that’s perfect for casual dining with ocean views.
The margaritas are strong, well-balanced, and available in multiple flavors beyond the standard lime.
The queso is properly melted and comes with fresh tortilla chips that are addictive.
The tacos cover all the bases—fish, shrimp, carne asada, and vegetarian options—each properly assembled with fresh toppings and house-made salsas.
What sets Tequila Jack’s apart from other beach restaurants is the consistency. The kitchen doesn’t phone it in just because they have a captive audience of beachgoers.
The food is legitimately good Mexican fare that would hold up even without the ocean views. The ceviche is particularly impressive, with fresh fish, bright citrus, and just the right amount of heat.
Why visit: Beachfront Mexican food that’s actually good, perfect for a casual lunch or sunset drinks with a view.
Fort Lauderdale’s Restaurant Renaissance
These five restaurants represent different facets of Fort Lauderdale’s evolving food scene—from upscale Mediterranean fine dining to casual beachfront tacos.
What they share is a commitment to quality that reflects the city’s transformation into a serious culinary destination.
Whether you’re a longtime local or just visiting, these establishments prove that Fort Lauderdale has moved far beyond basic seafood shacks and tourist traps.
The best part? This is just the beginning. With more developments planned along the beach and in neighborhoods like Flagler Village, the restaurant scene will only continue to improve. Fort Lauderdale is finally getting the dining scene its beautiful location and vibrant culture deserve.
Pro tip: Fort Lauderdale restaurants can get crowded, especially on weekends and during tourist season. Make reservations when possible, and don’t be afraid to ask servers about daily specials—many of these new restaurants feature seasonal dishes that aren’t on the regular menu.
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