\t\t\t\t\t 20 Best Restaurants in Fort Lauderdale 2026: Where to Eat Right Now<\/p>\n
Fort Lauderdale\u2019s dining scene has arrived at a place of genuine confidence. The city that once played second fiddle to Miami\u2019s culinary flash has spent the past decade building something arguably more interesting: a restaurant culture rooted in local seafood, Caribbean and Latin influences, and a farm-to-table ethos that takes South Florida\u2019s extraordinary year-round growing season seriously. The Las Olas Boulevard corridor remains the social spine of the dining scene, with a concentration of serious restaurants within walking distance of each other that rivals any comparable stretch in South Florida. But the real story is the neighborhoods beyond Las Olas \u2014 Flagler Village\u2019s emerging creative dining scene, the Victoria Park waterfront restaurants, the waterway-front institutions that have been serving Fort Lauderdale for decades, and the beach communities where market-fresh seafood is taken as seriously as anywhere in Florida.<\/p>\n
The city\u2019s position on the Intracoastal Waterway and its proximity to the fishing grounds of the Gulf Stream create a seafood supply chain that is the envy of inland Florida cities. Stone crab (in season October 15\u2013May 1), Florida spiny lobster (August\u2013March), mahi-mahi pulled from the Gulf Stream, fresh shrimp from the waters off Pompano and Dania Beach \u2014 the raw materials are extraordinary, and Fort Lauderdale\u2019s best kitchens treat them accordingly. The Latin influence, meanwhile, is the city\u2019s most distinctive culinary character: the substantial Cuban, Colombian, Venezuelan, and Brazilian communities in Broward County have created a dining landscape rich with empanadas, ceviche, churrascaria, and the kind of daily-special Cuban lunch counter that is one of the most underrated eating experiences in the United States.<\/p>\n
The 20 restaurants below represent the full range \u2014 from the waterfront special-occasion restaurant that has defined South Florida fine dining for two decades to the Venezuelan bakery that regulars guard like a neighborhood secret. Fort Lauderdale rewards diners who explore beyond Las Olas, and this list is built to show you exactly what that exploration turns up.<\/p>\n
Quick Overview<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n
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\nFactor
\nDetails
\n
\n
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\nBest Neighborhoods for Dining
\nLas Olas, Flagler Village, Victoria Park, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea
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\nSignature Local Flavors
\nStone crab, Gulf Stream mahi-mahi, Cuban lunch counters, Caribbean spice
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\nBest Special Occasion
\nSteak 954, Casa D\u2019Angelo, Louie Bossi\u2019s
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\nBest Waterfront Dining
\nShooters Waterfront, 15th Street Fisheries, Casablanca Cafe
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\n
\nBest Budget Eats
\nLester\u2019s Diner, La Bamba Mexicano, Cassis American Brasserie lunch
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\nBest Seafood
\n15th Street Fisheries, Shooters Waterfront, Blue Moon Fish Co.
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<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
20 Best Restaurants in Fort Lauderdale
\n1. Steak 954 \u2014 Signature Fine Dining<\/p>\n
$$$$ | 401 N Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd, W Fort Lauderdale Hotel | Dinner nightly<\/p>\n
Fort Lauderdale\u2019s most glamorous restaurant, Steak 954 occupies a stunning double-height space inside the W Fort Lauderdale Hotel on the beach, with a 1,000-gallon jellyfish tank as the room\u2019s focal point and floor-to-ceiling windows looking onto the A1A beach strip. The menu is unabashedly luxury steakhouse \u2014 USDA prime dry-aged cuts, Wagyu options, the kind of composed sauce program and side selections that justify the check \u2014 but the kitchen\u2019s ambition extends beyond the beef: the Florida stone crab claws (in season October\u2013May, $65\u2013$85\/order) are arguably the best reason to come, and the raw bar program with local oysters and Stone crab is a meal in its own right. The wine list runs to over 800 selections. Service is polished. Steak 954 is the place Fort Lauderdale takes guests when it wants to impress \u2014 and it does.<\/p>\n
2. 15th Street Fisheries \u2014 Waterfront Classic<\/p>\n
$$$ | 1900 SE 15th St, Lauderdale Marina | Lunch and Dinner daily<\/p>\n
One of Fort Lauderdale\u2019s most beloved waterfront institutions, 15th Street Fisheries has anchored the Lauderdale Marina on the Intracoastal since 1981, serving some of the city\u2019s freshest seafood from a location directly on the water where the boats that supply the kitchen dock. The menu follows what\u2019s available: stone crab claws in season (October 15\u2013May 1, the freshest you\u2019ll find anywhere outside of Joe\u2019s Stone Crab in Miami Beach), locally caught mahi-mahi, yellowtail snapper, and Gulf shrimp prepared with a confidence that comes from 40+ years of doing this right. The dockside setting \u2014 drawbridge views, pelicans begging from nearby pilings, the occasional manatee surfacing in the marina \u2014 is quintessential South Florida. The downstairs raw bar area is more casual and lively; the upstairs dining room is more formal. Reserve for dinner; walk-in for lunch is generally possible.<\/p>\n
3. Casa D\u2019Angelo \u2014 Italian Excellence<\/p>\n
$$$$ | 1201 N Federal Hwy, Victoria Park | Dinner Mon\u2013Sat<\/p>\n
The finest Italian restaurant in Fort Lauderdale and one of the best in South Florida, Casa D\u2019Angelo has operated on Federal Highway since 1998 under owner-chef Angelo Elia, earning a devoted following that extends well beyond the local dining community. The kitchen is rooted in the cuisine of Elia\u2019s native Puglia, with house-made pastas \u2014 the pappardelle with wild boar rag\u00f9, the tagliatelle with truffle \u2014 that achieve a level of craft rarely encountered outside of Italy. The fish and seafood preparations are exceptional: branzino acqua pazza, grilled octopus, daily whole fish. The wine list \u2014 over 800 labels, strong in Barolo, Brunello, and Super Tuscans \u2014 is one of the finest Italian lists in Florida. Casa D\u2019Angelo is the restaurant Fort Lauderdale keeps to itself; the clientele skews local and loyal. Reservations essential, weeks in advance for weekends.<\/p>\n
4. Shooters Waterfront \u2014 Intracoastal Institution<\/p>\n
$$$ | 3033 NE 32nd Ave, Oakland Park | Lunch and Dinner daily, Brunch Sat\u2013Sun<\/p>\n
The most famous waterfront restaurant in Greater Fort Lauderdale, Shooters has occupied its expansive deck on the Intracoastal Waterway since 1982 \u2014 and the appeal has never diminished. Three levels of outdoor waterfront seating look directly onto the Intracoastal, where the Water Taxi stops (Shooters is a scheduled stop), megayachts and fishing boats cruise past at eye level, and the draw-bridge lifts with predictable drama. The menu has grown with the restaurant\u2019s ambitions over the years: fresh local fish, stone crab in season, sushi rolls, a burger that holds its own against the more serious food on the menu, and an extensive cocktail program that sells as many sunset drinks as it does dinner entrees. Shooters is the Fort Lauderdale restaurant experience that no visitor should miss \u2014 the waterfront setting alone justifies the visit.<\/p>\n
5. Louie Bossi\u2019s Ristorante Bar Pizzeria \u2014 Las Olas<\/p>\n
$$$ | 1032 E Las Olas Blvd | Lunch and Dinner daily<\/p>\n
The Las Olas anchor restaurant that has become one of Fort Lauderdale\u2019s most beloved institutions since opening in 2014. Chef-owner Louis Bossi (a South Florida restaurant veteran) built Louie Bossi\u2019s on the model of a neighborhood Italian restaurant that does everything well without pretension \u2014 the wood-fired Neapolitan pizzas (certified by the Associazione Verace Pizza Napoletana) are excellent, the house-made pastas are serious, the antipasto spreads are generous, and the cocktail program (Italian aperitivi, Negroni variations, excellent Aperol Spritz) matches the food in quality. The space occupies a prime Las Olas corner with a sprawling indoor-outdoor layout that captures the boulevard\u2019s energy without the noise. The Sunday sauce brunch is the neighborhood\u2019s most popular weekend morning event. Arrives early on weekends or reserve.<\/p>\n
6. Blue Moon Fish Co. \u2014 Intracoastal Seafood<\/p>\n
$$$ | 4405 W Tradewinds Ave, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea | Lunch and Dinner daily, Brunch Sun<\/p>\n
A beloved Lauderdale-by-the-Sea seafood institution on the Intracoastal, Blue Moon Fish Co. has built a reputation over two decades on the simple principle of buying the best local catch available each day and preparing it with skill and restraint. The yellowtail snapper \u2014 a South Florida specialty that is routinely overcooked elsewhere \u2014 is handled here with the care it deserves. The stone crab claws (in season) are excellent. The seafood chowder is locally famous. The Intracoastal-facing dining room and patio provide the kind of water views that make South Florida dining special. The Sunday champagne brunch ($55\/person) is among the finest in Broward County. Blue Moon is the answer to \u201cwhere do you go for serious, unfussy seafood\u201d that Fort Lauderdale locals give without hesitation.<\/p>\n
7. Casablanca Cafe \u2014 Oceanfront Hideaway<\/p>\n
$$$ | 3049 Alhambra St, Fort Lauderdale Beach | Lunch and Dinner daily, Brunch Sat\u2013Sun<\/p>\n
Hidden in plain sight in a 1920s historic cottage directly on the Atlantic Ocean, Casablanca Cafe is Fort Lauderdale\u2019s most romantic restaurant and one of its most underrated. The intimate dining room and oceanfront terrace perch on the beachside dune, giving direct ocean views from every table \u2014 the kind of setting that requires the food to meet the location, and it does. Mediterranean-influenced cooking with strong Florida seafood sourcing: grilled Gulf Stream mahi, seafood paella, fresh oysters, a pasta section that changes with what\u2019s available. The Sunday brunch, served on the oceanfront terrace, is the best brunch setting in Fort Lauderdale. Dinner at sunset, with the Atlantic directly in front of you, is a uniquely Fort Lauderdale experience. Reserve the oceanfront terrace specifically when booking.<\/p>\n
8. Rocco\u2019s Tacos and Tequila Bar \u2014 Las Olas<\/p>\n
$$ | 1313 E Las Olas Blvd | Lunch and Dinner daily, Brunch Sat\u2013Sun<\/p>\n
Fort Lauderdale\u2019s most popular Mexican restaurant and one of the most energetic dining rooms on Las Olas, Rocco\u2019s Tacos began here before expanding across Florida and beyond. The formula works because the margarita program (200+ tequilas, tableside guacamole prepared with a showmanship that never gets old) and the taco menu (al pastor, carne asada, fresh fish, cactus vegetarian options) are both genuinely good. The queso fundido, the street corn, and the carnitas are the kitchen\u2019s strongest dishes. The rooftop bar and the multiple indoor-outdoor rooms give the restaurant flexibility to feel like a casual lunch spot at noon and an energetic pre-nightclub dinner destination at 9 PM. Expect a wait on Friday and Saturday evenings despite reservations for large parties; worth it.<\/p>\n
9. Coconuts \u2014 Intracoastal Waterfront<\/p>\n
$$$ | 429 Seabreeze Blvd, Fort Lauderdale Beach | Lunch and Dinner daily<\/p>\n
A Fort Lauderdale institution since 1985, Coconuts sits at the inlet where the 17th Street Causeway meets the Intracoastal \u2014 providing a front-row seat to the parade of yachts, cruise ships (Port Everglades is immediately adjacent), and fishing boats that makes this one of South Florida\u2019s most active waterways. The menu is Florida seafood with a casual, tropical character: conch fritters, shrimp tacos, fresh fish sandwiches, raw bar selections, and a cocktail menu calibrated for afternoon drinking at the waterfront. Coconuts is better for lunch than dinner, and significantly better on the water-facing patio than inside. The inlet views \u2014 particularly when a cruise ship or megayacht passes the causeway \u2014 are exceptional.<\/p>\n
10. Lester\u2019s Diner \u2014 24-Hour Fort Lauderdale Classic<\/p>\n
$ | 250 State Rd 84, Dania Beach | Open 24 hours, every day<\/p>\n
An unimpeachable South Florida institution since 1968, Lester\u2019s Diner is a classic American diner operating 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, in a setting that hasn\u2019t changed materially since the 1970s. The menu runs to 200+ items covering breakfast (served all day), burgers, sandwiches, pie, and blue plate specials at prices that feel like a time capsule. The cinnamon raisin French toast, the corned beef hash, and the coconut cream pie are the dishes that Fort Lauderdale residents drive across town for. Lester\u2019s feeds cab drivers, hospital shift workers, club-goers at 3 AM, and families at Sunday noon with equal efficiency and without pretension. A Fort Lauderdale visit without a Lester\u2019s meal at an unreasonable hour is an incomplete Fort Lauderdale experience.<\/p>\n
11. 3030 Ocean \u2014 Harbor Beach Resort<\/p>\n
$$$$ | 3030 Holiday Dr, Harbor Beach Marriott Resort | Dinner nightly, Brunch Sun<\/p>\n
The signature restaurant of the Harbor Beach Marriott Resort, 3030 Ocean has maintained a reputation for serious cooking in a hotel restaurant setting for over two decades \u2014 an achievement more difficult than it sounds. The menu focuses on Florida coastal cuisine: Gulf Stream seafood, Florida citrus preparations, local stone crab in season, and a farm-to-table sourcing philosophy that connects the kitchen to South Florida\u2019s agricultural bounty. The dining room overlooks a private beach on the Atlantic (one of very few private beaches in Fort Lauderdale), and the open-air terrace is among the city\u2019s most elegant outdoor dining settings. The wine program is extensive and professionally managed. 3030 Ocean is the special-occasion restaurant for Harbor Beach resort guests and a destination worth the drive for serious food travelers.<\/p>\n
12. The Greek Islands Taverna \u2014 Victoria Park<\/p>\n
$$ | 3300 N Ocean Blvd, Fort Lauderdale | Lunch and Dinner daily<\/p>\n
A genuine neighborhood Greek restaurant in Victoria Park with food that exceeds its casual setting: spanakopita with properly buttery, flaky phyllo; grilled octopus with a char and tenderness that requires actual skill to achieve; fresh whole fish priced by the pound; and the lamb dishes (roasted leg, moussaka, souvlaki) that anchor the menu\u2019s Greek authenticity. The owners are Greek (family-operated, second generation); the recipes are the kind that haven\u2019t changed because they don\u2019t need to. The Greek Islands Taverna is the kind of restaurant that becomes a regular haunt once you discover it \u2014 reliably good, unpretentious, and genuinely affordable for the quality delivered.<\/p>\n
13. Taco Mac \u2014 Las Olas Area<\/p>\n
$$ | Multiple locations, Las Olas vicinity | Lunch and Dinner daily<\/p>\n
Not to be confused with the Atlanta-based wing chain, Fort Lauderdale\u2019s Taco Mac is a standalone institution known for its genuinely excellent fish tacos built on fresh local catch, housemade tortillas, and the kind of toppings \u2014 chipotle crema, pickled red onion, mango habanero salsa \u2014 that make even a casual taco destination worth seeking out. The guacamole is made fresh to order. The shrimp tacos and the carne asada are the consistent standouts. The atmosphere is casual beach-town (open-air, wooden tables, reggae soundtrack), and the prices make it accessible for multiple visits during a Fort Lauderdale stay.<\/p>\n
14. Chima Brazilian Steakhouse \u2014 Las Olas<\/p>\n
$$$$ | 2400 E Las Olas Blvd | Dinner nightly, Lunch Mon\u2013Fri<\/p>\n
Fort Lauderdale\u2019s finest churrascaria, Chima operates the rod\u00edzio format \u2014 a continuous parade of skewered meats carved tableside by passadores \u2014 with a level of quality and sophistication that distinguishes it from the regional chains. The picanha (top sirloin, the Brazilian steakhouse benchmark cut) is superb; the lamb chops, the beef ribs, and the Brazilian sausage are equally strong. The extensive salad bar (feijoada, Brazilian cheese bread, marinated vegetables, sushi) adds legitimate value beyond the meat service. Chima is the Las Olas restaurant choice when the occasion demands generosity and celebration. The prix fixe dinner ($75\/person) includes unlimited meat service, the full salad bar, and dessert.<\/p>\n
15. Boatyard \u2014 17th Street Causeway Waterfront<\/p>\n
$$$ | 1555 SE 17th St, Fort Lauderdale | Lunch and Dinner daily, Brunch Sat\u2013Sun<\/p>\n
A large, energetic waterfront restaurant on the 17th Street Causeway with Intracoastal and marina views, a sprawling patio, and a menu that covers the full range of South Florida seafood with confidence and consistency. The crab cakes, the fish tacos, and the stone crab claws (in season) are the kitchen\u2019s strongest dishes. The raw bar is excellent. The Sunday brunch (10 AM\u20133 PM) with bottomless mimosas is consistently Fort Lauderdale\u2019s most attended brunch service \u2014 arrive before noon or expect a wait. Boatyard\u2019s location adjacent to Port Everglades makes it the natural first or last meal for cruise passengers.<\/p>\n
16. Spatch \u2014 Flagler Village<\/p>\n
$$$ | 531 N Andrews Ave, Flagler Village | Dinner Tue\u2013Sun<\/p>\n
One of Flagler Village\u2019s most exciting newer openings, Spatch (named for the spatchcock chicken-cooking technique) has earned rapid acclaim for a menu of confident, woodfire-driven cooking that takes South Florida\u2019s best seasonal produce and proteins as seriously as any restaurant in the region. The half-roasted chicken (spatchcocked, herb-brined, finished over hardwood) is the dish that brought diners from across Broward County; the seasonal vegetable preparations and the fresh pasta sides are equally strong. The Flagler Village setting \u2014 a converted space with exposed concrete and warm lighting \u2014 gives it the neighborhood-restaurant character that the arts district rewards. Reservations recommended on weekends; the bar seats are excellent for solo dining.<\/p>\n
17. Big City Tavern \u2014 Las Olas<\/p>\n
$$ | 609 E Las Olas Blvd | Lunch and Dinner daily, Brunch Sat\u2013Sun<\/p>\n
A Las Olas institution for over 20 years, Big City Tavern occupies a prime boulevard corner with a menu of American bistro food \u2014 the kind that does everything competently and several things very well. The lobster mac and cheese, the ahi tuna burger, and the seasonal specials board are the kitchen\u2019s strongest entries. The bar program \u2014 particularly the cocktail list and the wine-by-the-glass selection \u2014 is well-curated for a mid-range Las Olas bar. Big City Tavern functions as a Las Olas neighborhood living room: it\u2019s where people end up after a gallery opening, where the post-work crowd gathers on Thursdays, and where weekend brunch lines form because the mimosas are bottomless and the eggs Benedict are consistently good.<\/p>\n
18. Le Tub Saloon \u2014 Hollywood Beach<\/p>\n
$$ | 1100 N Ocean Dr, Hollywood | Lunch and Dinner daily<\/p>\n
Twenty minutes south of Fort Lauderdale Beach in Hollywood, Le Tub is one of South Florida\u2019s most eccentric and beloved restaurant institutions \u2014 a riverside shack built on the Intracoastal Waterway, decorated with claw-foot bathtubs, toilets, and vintage sinks repurposed as planters, operating since 1959 in a setting that defies description but rewards every visitor. GQ Magazine named its hamburger the best in the United States in 2006, and locals report that not much has changed since \u2014 the half-pound hand-formed burger, cooked on a small grill, delivered without ceremony in a paper-lined basket, is remarkable. The wait can be long (no reservations; cash only); the experience is irreplaceable. Bring patience and cash, go at off-peak hours (2\u20134 PM on weekdays), and eat one of the most famous burgers in Florida.<\/p>\n
19. Tarpon Bend Raw Bar and Grill \u2014 Riverfront<\/p>\n
$$ | 200 SW 2nd St, Downtown Riverwalk | Lunch and Dinner daily<\/p>\n
A dependable New River Riverwalk institution for over 25 years, Tarpon Bend specializes in the kind of honest South Florida seafood cooking that the city does best \u2014 fresh oysters, peel-and-eat shrimp, stone crab in season, fish sandwiches on toasted rolls, and cold beer in a waterfront setting. The riverfront patio is the best seat in the house; the Water Taxi stops directly adjacent. Tarpon Bend is the Fort Lauderdale equivalent of a reliable neighborhood seafood bar: not revolutionary, not trying to be, and consistently excellent at what it does. The blackened mahi sandwich and the shrimp remoulade are the signature lunch orders. A natural stop on any Riverwalk walk.<\/p>\n
20. Valentino Cucina Italiana \u2014 Victoria Park<\/p>\n
$$$ | 620 S Federal Hwy, Victoria Park | Dinner Tue\u2013Sun<\/p>\n
A quietly excellent Italian restaurant in Victoria Park that the Fort Lauderdale dining community has kept as something of an insider recommendation for years. Chef Valentino Liccioli (Parma-born, trained in Italy and New York) produces the kind of Northern Italian cooking that requires genuine culinary education: handmade tortellini in brodo, risotto Milanese with saffron and bone marrow, vitello tonnato, tiramisu made with the recipe his grandmother used. The room is intimate \u2014 50 seats \u2014 with the close atmosphere of a family trattoria transported intact from Emilia-Romagna. The wine list is Northern Italian in orientation, with excellent Barolo and Franciacorta pours. Valentino is the answer when someone asks for the best Italian restaurant you haven\u2019t heard of yet.<\/p>\n
Related Articles<\/p>\n
Official Resources<\/p>\n
\n As a lead contributor for Travel Tourister, Vinay is dedicated to serving our Tier 1 audience (US, UK, Canada, Australia). His mission is to deliver precise, fact-checked news and actionable, data-driven articles that empower readers to make informed decisions, minimize travel risks, and maximize their adventure without compromising safety or budget.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"20 Best Restaurants in Fort Lauderdale 2026: Where to Eat Right Now Fort Lauderdale\u2019s dining scene has arrived…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":433896,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[17],"tags":[249,251,250],"class_list":["post-433895","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-fort-lauderdale","tag-fort-lauderdale","tag-fort-lauderdale-headlines","tag-fort-lauderdale-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/433895","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=433895"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/433895\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/433896"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=433895"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=433895"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=433895"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}