Downtown Fort Lauderdale’s culinary scene is on a tear. Whether strolling over from the Brightline station or settling into a local night out along Las Olas, this bustling downtown now offers more dining variety than ever before. For everything from high-design Japanese smokehouse fare to brunch with Parisian flair, the 15 spots on this list reflect the energy of a canal-clad city confidently in its culinary moment. And, once you’ve eaten your way through downtown, be sure to check out Eater’s guides to the best restaurants on Fort Lauderdale Beach and, zooming out, the top seafood spots across Broward County.
New to this update: stylish newcomer Timbr and chef-y Ukiah bring immersive, design-forward dining to the city’s booming riverfront, while Mykonos offers plush Mediterranean al fresco plates and bottle-popping vibes steps from the water. Also added: Nikkei destination Sakana Nikkei, brunch specialist Café Bastille, global fusion hub Casa Sensei, and the revamped YOLO, now boasting a full sushi lineup alongside familiar comfort hits. Ol’ Days has been removed from the list, as well as RIP and the DownTowner, which has closed. Locations are listed geographically from north to south.