The best restaurants in Fort Lauderdale to book right now

Daniel’s took over the former Valentino/Canyon space in Rio Vista and quickly became the booked-every-night spot for Lauderdale’s yacht club crowd. They’re here for the ambiance, a glitzy supper-club decor uncommon in this flip-flops-at-dinner city. But they’re also here for the cooking of Daniel Ganem, also the chef at Coral Gables Italian spot Fiola. As the name suggests, this is a steakhouse but with a Florida theme; meats, fish, and produce are sourced within the state when possible and also serve as headliners during a once-a-week tasting menu. Because it's Ganem, there are also a couple of pasta dishes on the menu, like cacio e pepe with an optional black truffle addition and a Key lime pie with a darling Italian meringue crown.

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 after his wife, Marissa Katherine, Balloo combines inspiration from family recipes, such as the Chinese dishes that his mom made 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, I’ve often said that I’d never had anything like the creative dish in front of us, but we hope very much to see them again soon.

A friend of mine 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.

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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 I can say the dishes at Vitolo in Fort Lauderdale 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.

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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.

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For years, I declared this was my favorite Fort Lauderdale restaurant, although I’ll admit a part of that reason was that I could walk to it. It’s exactly the kind of spot you want in your neighborhood: unassuming, reasonably priced and regularly excellent. 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.

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.

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.

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.

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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.

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.

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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.

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 crab empanadas and grilled oysters.

Chef Ryan Ratino runs a pair of Michelin-starred restaurants in D.C., and his outpost Maass in the Four Seasons on Fort Lauderdale Beach feels like a place aiming for the same caliber. There’s a $98 tasting menu called “Let us cook for you” that covers the highlights; you’ll find them at the beginning under “Snacks,” including a foie gras macaron and truffle popcorn. While consistency can be an issue here in service and food temperatures, few places in Fort Lauderdale are shooting as high as the fine-dining aspirations at Maass.

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Way back in the beginning, El Guanaco was the spot you could take your foodie friend to and show you how to find the hidden gems. These days it’s full of gringos and immigrants looking for the homey foods of Mexico and El Salvador. Order extra tortillas and you’ll hear the ladies patting out new ones in the back. Every single thing I’ve tried here is stellar, but don’t miss the seafood stew that’s often on special on the weekends.

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If you grew up in Broward, or like me, have lived there for a good part of your life, a trip back to town has to include LaSpada’s. What’s special at this place begins with an acrobatic toss where one sandwich maker sends cold cuts and cheeses in a giant arc to somebody down the line, where they use the meats and cheese to form a blanket that tucks in the rest of the ingredients into a tidy sub. The Italian is ever-popular, but my standard order is a Mama’s—turkey and Genoa salami with lots of sweet and hot peppers tucked into bed under that glorious meat pocket.

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.

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.

Since 1955, Rustic Inn has served as the spot where locals have celebrated birthdays and anniversaries by banging wooden mallets into just-steamed crabs. I wouldn’t promise that you’ll love the prepared dishes, and you’ll wish somebody else is paying when it comes to the crabs: $70 for a hefty bowl of blue, queen or dungeness. But the seriously rustic space is a time capsule, and there’s just something that’s celebratory about hammering until you end up with a sweet pile of garlicky crab legs.

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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.

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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.

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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 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.

We know it and you know it: there is nothing better than grilled cheese. Half-hungry-half-not? Grilled cheese is the perfect lunch. Hungover AF? You’re in need of a grilled cheese. Whatever the occasion, you’re going to love this grilled cheese joint, where you can order everything from grilled mac and cheese to a Wall Street grinder melt with smoked bacon, caramelized onions, scrambled egg, and mayo.

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The local hangout for weeknight drinks and weekend brunch is Milk Money. The restaurant has an impressive list of daily happy hour specials, including $5 microbrews on Monday and a bartender’s choice of shot for $3 on Friday. You’ll find some of the typical bar food like chicken wings and burgers on the menu, but you’ll also find elevated dishes like short ribs with coconut-infused rice, kale, and pickled vegetables, and a pork belly banh mi with all of the usual toppings.

Padrino’s is still cooking up the same family recipes it’s been dishing out for years, passed down from the 1930s, because if it’s not broken, why fix it? Think beef empanadas, plantains and Cubano sandwiches with some serious cocktails. The slow roast pork, served with arroz moros and yucca, is worth traveling for.

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Dar Tajine’s menu is filled with traditional fare, such as a roasted eggplant dish called zaalouk, ground beef kofta, and merguez sausage sandwiches. The restaurant, with its interior covered in colorful cloths hanging from the walls, also serves a variety of tajin dishes like lamb shank with prunes and almonds, and a half chicken with olives and preserved lemon.

Latin and Asian flavors are combined at this popular waterfront restaurant. Casa Sensei is dishing out some of the freshest sushi in town, along with Asian noodle dishes like pad Thai and Latin favorites like mojo pork chops. For a decadent starter,try the lobster guacamole (house-made guac topped with seared lobster tail skewers). To get the best of both worlds, you’ll want to try the Korean grilled steak chimichurri, which starts out as a marinated skirt steak, topped with bright green chimichurri sauce, and served with jasmine rice and fried sweet plantains.