Here’s the deal: Wynwood gets a new luxury real estate development. In exchange, Fort Lauderdale gets a popular open-air food market.
Yes, Smorgasburg, the “Disneyland of Food,” is coming to Fort Lauderdale. After nearly four years in Wynwood, the weekly outdoor food market announced this month it will move to 536 NE Second Street in Flagler Village, an up-and-coming downtown neighborhood. The weekend market will start April 11 and 12.
“There’s so much variety, so much energy, so much smoke, smells, noise and activity. It’s like sensory overload in the best possible way,” said Gaston Becherano Cohen, Smorgasburg owner and CEO. “That same experience is going to be in Fort Lauderdale as it was in Wynwood. The difference is that we’ve learned all the lessons of operating a lovely outdoor food market in South Florida for three and a half years.”
That includes improved landscaping, shade from the sun and new programming alongside dozens of innovative local food and retail vendors, Becherano said. Visitors will get to explore diverse foods and desserts, like Korean skewers, Chinese tanghulu, Lebanese shawarma and Colombian empanadas.
“Walk around and try something you’ve never had before,” Becherano said. “Be explorative and adventurous.”
Blazed BBQ is one of dozens of vendors at Smorgasburg’s new weekly food market in Fort Lauderdale, opening April 11.
(Courtesy of Smorgasburg)
Originally from Brooklyn, Smorgasburg’s food bazaar pop-up opened in an empty Wynwood lot in March 2022. (There are also Smorgasburg markets in Manhattan, Jersey City, Los Angeles and Atlanta.) Since the location on Second Avenue near Wynwood Walls was prime real estate, Becherano said the market was only supposed to be there for two years. But permitting takes forever in Miami, so Smorgasburg stayed put for a bit longer.
Finally, the market got the call from its landlord confirming that a development was incoming, and Smorgasburg announced its closure last November. A tale as old as time in Miami, the empty lot will turn into luxury condos.
While he is very grateful for Smorgasburg’s time in Wynwood, Becherano said the neighborhood “morphed into a place that wasn’t necessarily the most friendly to locals.” Though Fort Lauderdale is in the midst of a serious real estate boom, the Flagler Village area is less chaotic in comparison to Wynwood, he said.
Smorgasburg in Wynwood closed after four years in November.
While South Florida locals debate whether Fort Lauderdale is truly stealing Miami’s thunder, Smorgasburg’s move from the 305 to the 954 is indicative of Fort Lauderdale’s growing food scene and appeal to young people. Data from the Fort Lauderdale Downtown Development Authority shows the area has seen a significant population boost in young professionals and young families. Nearby developments like Thrive Art District and FAT Village aim to cater to the city’s changing demographics.
Becherano had his eyes on Fort Lauderdale as Smorgasburg’s next home for a while.
“FTL has felt like the forgotten sibling compared to Miami,” Becherano said. “You could ask about West Palm Beach or Delray or Boca, but FTL has a really awesome food scene. There’s a lot of cool stuff happening there.”
When moving to a new city, Smorgasburg looks for food scenes where chefs are doing exciting things, like pop-ups and experimentation, he said. The market acts like an “incubator” for vendors to test new ideas.
One example out of the Wynwood market is The Lazy Oyster, which now has an outpost at Gramps Getaway and is returning to the Fort Lauderdale market. Appearing at the Fort Lauderdale market for the first time is Sessions Specialty Coffee, which makes “f***ing amazing coffee” along with seasonal creams and foams based on Miami fruits, Becherano said.
Though the food is center stage at Smorgasburg, non-food retail vendors will also appear at the Fort Lauderdale location. One newcomer is Steamy Lit, a romance bookstore with locations at Thrive Art District and Miami Springs.
Steamy Lit is Florida’s first brick-and-mortar romance book store. They are one of the vendors at Fort Lauderdale’s Smorgasburg.
(D.A. Varela/dvarela@miamiherald.com)
Owner Melissa Saavedra said the store’s market booth will offer “blind dates” with a book, where customers can pick a mysterious wrapped book, and its “Debi Leer Mas Libros” merchandise. Appearing at Smorgasburg is an opportunity to spread awareness about the store’s South Florida locations and connect with the community, she said.
“The Fort Lauderdale area really craves community and outdoor things,” she said. “I think it speaks to where Fort Lauderdale could be heading, if it’s not already there.”
New and returning Smorgasburg vendorsFood vendors:
Arepa Xpress (returning) — Venezuelan and Colombian-style arepas with a variety of savory fillings
Atipic Mix (returning) — Colombian-inspired empanadas with creative, unexpected fillings
Birreria Tijuana (returning) — Tijuana-style birria tacos and crispy quesabirria served with rich consommé
Blazed BBQ (returning) — Texas-style barbecue with Miami influence, featuring slow-smoked meats
Boca Burger (returning) — smashburgers with crispy edges, melty cheese and classic toppings
Coco House (returning) — fresh coconut shakes, desserts and tropical treats made with real South Florida coconuts
Disco Donkey (new) — Thai-American fusion burgers and street-style bites
El Nopalito Vegan Taqueria (new) — plant-based Mexican fare featuring housemade tortillas, seitan and salsas
Gangnam Sticks (new) — Korean street food skewers and snacks
Gran Shawarma (new) — Lebanese street food centered around classic shawarma
If And When Eats (returning) — Caribbean-inspired comfort food including jerk meats, rice bowls and tostone cups
Isla 2 Isla (new) — Cuban, Panamanian and Filipino fusion, from loaded tostones to island-style sandwiches
Kabuki Soba (returning) — yakitori skewers and wok-fired yakisoba noodles rooted in Japanese street food traditions
Korean Kitchen (returning) — bulgogi bowls and rolls with marinated meats, noodles and housemade sauces
Korn Korner (returning) — playful, corn-forward dishes from elote to loaded street-style creations
La Llorona (returning) — family-driven Mexican concept serving tacos, tamales, chilaquiles and more
La Picaña Grill (returning) — charcoal-grilled Venezuelan specialties centered around juicy picaña
Lechona Truck (returning) — traditional Colombian slow-roasted pork with crispy skin
Le Petit Tunis (new) — Mediterranean-Tunisian street food inspired by family recipes and North African spices
Luji’s Sabor Argentino (new) — handcrafted Argentine empanadas made with traditional recipes
Mr. Mango (returning) — fresh-cut tropical fruit, mangonadas and sweet-spicy snacks
Riddom & Bao (new) — Jamaican-Asian fusion with bold, globally inspired flavors
Tasty T’s (returning) — Bahamian and Caribbean comfort food with bold, island-driven flavors
Teppanyaki Pro (returning) — Japanese teppanyaki-style street food with made-to-order grilled proteins and rice plates
The Lazy Oyster (returning) — traveling raw bar serving freshly shucked oysters and lobster rolls
TropiRollz (new) — Caribbean fusion sushi rolls and “Tropsubi” sandwiches
Drinks and dessert vendors:
Acai Way (returning) — açaí bowls topped with fruits, chocolate and crunchy add-ons
Cool & Creamy (returning) — soft serve, sundaes and milkshakes made with high-quality dairy
Cool Pineapple Miami (returning) — pineapple-based treats, smoothies and tropical fruit snacks
Monster Cookies (new) — oversized, gooey cookies packed with rich flavors
Primoo Boba Drink (returning) — fruit teas and milk teas with classic boba toppings
Puro Chocolate (returning) — chocolate-forward desserts and indulgent sweet treats
Santo Dulce (returning) — churro-based desserts reimagined with inventive flavors and formats
Seoul Hotteok (new) — traditional Korean sweet pancakes with warm fillings
Sessions Specialty Coffee (new) — specialty coffee program featuring carefully sourced and roasted beans
Sugar Cane King (returning) — fresh-pressed sugarcane juice blended with natural fruit flavors
TANGTANG (new) — tanghulu, candied fruit skewers with a crisp sugar shell
Retail vendors:
Alchemy Clayworks (new) — handmade ceramic pieces including mugs, planters and home goods
Butina Design (returning) — handcrafted jewelry and accessories with a modern edge
Cosmic Coven (new) — hand carved stones and craft fine sterling jewelry
Golden Era Kits (returning) — rare and nostalgic vintage soccer jerseys
Grampas Closet (returning) — curated vintage apparel, accessories and collectibles
Steamy Lit (new) — curated selection of romance novels
The Poole (new) — sustainable clothing brand featuring one-of-a-kind pieces and graphic tees
If you go
What: Smorgasburg Fort Lauderdale Grand Opening
When: noon to 8 p.m. April 11 and 12
Where: 536 NE Second St., Fort Lauderdale
Info: Occurs weekly. Free entry. https://www.instagram.com/smorgasburgmiami/?hl=en