If there’s one thing I learned from 15 years living in Fort Lauderdale, it’s that Lauderdalians relish not being in Miami. Up here in the 954, traffic is slightly less daunting, things largely run on time, everybody’s got a canal in their backyard and you can probably walk into your favorite restaurant tonight without a reservation.
That last point can be a bit trickier if we’re talking about the best restaurants in Fort Lauderdale, which you’ll find in our deeply researched and freshly updated guide below. Here in the Venice of America, the best restaurants (mostly) don’t have DJs, bathroom attendants or bottle service in roped-off areas for the cool kids.
What the restaurants in Fort Lauderdale do have are chefs doing creative things with menus that would kill in Miami, and beloved Old Florida joints you just don’t see many of these days. Find authentic Thai, a modern Jewish deli, meat-pocket subs, and, well, you’ll see on this list below of Fort Lauderdale’s best restaurants.
Updated February 2026: Fort Lauderdale’s food scene is heating up. Not only is the Michelin Guide stealthily going around and doling out its coveted stars and Bib Gourmand awards, but new restaurants are opening at an astonishing clip, some of which very much deserve our recognition. In this update, we’ve expanded this list from 12 to 15 entries, adding a stunning steak-and-seafood spot on Las Olas plus two waterfront gems that are local institutions.
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