Bästa restaurangerna Fort Lauderdale: Ocean Prime, Coconuts, Waterfront Dining, nya ställen och dolda pärlor

Fisk och skaldjur dominerar, men Ft. Lauderdales matscen är otroligt mångsidig

Om middag på fantastisk mat är en viktig del av din semester som det är för mig, då är Ft. Lauderdale din typ av plats. Med mer än 4 000 restauranger i Greater Ft. Lauderdale är varje tänkbart kök väl representerat här. Som du kanske förväntar dig är färsk fisk och skaldjur i centrum med längs Atlanten som är vid ditt vinkanrop, men du kommer att bli glad att veta att det finns dussintals andra typer av matalternativ för att tillfredsställa dina begär. Lokala restauranger sträcker sig från mamma och pop diners till avslappnade platser på vattnet, med ingen brist på energiska och exklusiva middagsplatser som har en atmosfär där du intuitivt vet att du är på semester.

Red och yellowtail snapper, grouper, mahi-mahi, tonfisk (svartfenad och gulfenad), wahoo, segelfisk, rosa räkor, vita räkor, klippräkor, stenkrabbklor (den officiella skördesäsongen är 15 oktober-1 maj) och Florida-hummer finns alla i överflöd i lokala vatten, så när en restaurang lägger upp sin "färska fångst för dagen" är de ALLA färska och läckra. Och med så många olika sätt att tillaga fisk och skaldjur, som kokning, grillning, bakning, broilering, svärtning, jamaicansk "jerk"-stil eller att äta den rå som sushi, kan du ofta välja hur du vill ha din måltid tillagad.

Det finns inget att oroa sig för om man inte är så förtjust i fisk och skaldjur, eftersom Ft. Lauderdales restauranger också serverar fantastiska rätter med fjäderfä, biff, fläsk, vegetariskt och veganskt. Stadens matutbud är mångsidigt, med en stark betoning på att stödja lokala fiskare och deras hållbara dagliga alternativ. Som tur är för oss alla har Ft. Lauderdale flera Michelin-belönade restauranger som du kan överväga för ett speciellt tillfälle eller en stor familjesammankomst.

Ft. Lauderdales Michelin-belönade restauranger

Restauranger som belönats med en Michelinstjärna erbjuder extraordinär mat och utsökt service, vilket ger minnesvärda matupplevelser. Michelin säger att en matsal med en Michelinstjärna erbjuder "matlagning av hög kvalitet som är värd ett stopp!" Bokningar bör göras så tidigt som möjligt för att undvika besvikelse. Alla restauranginspektioner i Guide Michelin görs anonymt.

MAASS

Belönad med en stjärna i Guide Michelin. Beläget i Four Seasons Hotel i Ft. Lauderdale. Förvänta dig modern amerikansk mat med en omisskännlig fine dining-känsla från det ögonblick du går in genom dörren. Maass är känd för att använda japanska ingredienser, franska tekniker och för att ta tillvara influenserna från södra Floridas färska fisk och skaldjur. Restaurangerna är särskilt populära för speciella tillfällen som årsdagar, anmärkningsvärda födelsedagar eller för att imponera på andra. Allt är en specialitet, men missa inte avsmakningsmenyn med skaldjur och färsk fisk, bland annat de halstrade pilgrimsmusslorna med tryffelpuré och den fantastiska randiga abborren. Unika snacks inkluderar wagyu croustade tartare och räktoast, med aptitretare höjdpunkter inklusive nori dammad gulfenad tonfisk crudo, samt krabba ravioli. Fin service och en omfattande vinlista gör att kvällen blir minnesvärd. Spara plats för kvällens konditoridessert.

Michelin Big Gourmand är en utmärkelse som tilldelas restauranger som serverar mat av högsta kvalitet till rimliga priser.

Daniel’s

A Florida Steakhouse, A Bib Gourmand Honoree. A restaurant this classy is a perfect fit with downtown Ft. Lauderdale. With superb upscale service, an elegant atmosphere, and some of the best dry-aged steaks and premium meats to be found anywhere in South Florida, Daniel’s totally satisfies its beef-loving guests. Should you prefer something from the local waters the choices include lobster, oysters, shrimp, scallops, crab, and several fresh fish each night. The broad wine list makes it easy to pair your meal with the right libation.

Evelyn’s

A Bib Gourmand Honoree. This Eastern Mediterranean (Middle East & North Africa)-American fine dining establishment is also located at the Four Seasons Ft. Lauderdale. There’s a stylish waterfront ambiance to the unstuffy restaurant, with smart casual clothing recommended. Evelyn’s is a wonderful choice for a romantic dinner. Expect expertly prepared seafood such as branzino, wood smoked skewers of king salmon and swordfish, oysters, and shellfish, plus steaks, and wagyu beef. The main courses are often prepared with olive oil, citrus, herbs, and grilled vegetables. There is also a delightful selection of shareable small plates for starters, with dark chocolate pave and a coconut orange-blossom rice pudding (Riz bi-haleeb) to delight you for dessert.

Heritage

A Bib Gourmand Honoree. Just north of downtown in Flagler Village, Heritage raises Ft. Lauderdale’s Italian cuisine to a higher level. The extensive menu ranges from handmade pasta options to Chef Rino Cerbone’s creative takes on much-loved traditional dishes that will knock your socks off. Delicious antipasti include the amazing black mushroom arancini with toasted squid ink breadcrumbs, wild mushrooms, and smoked tomato garlic aioli. The baked razor clams and meatballs made with beef, veal, and pork are both truly special. Main course specialties gnocchi marsala, rigatoni with smoked pancetta, and spicy penne alla vodka. If you prefer one of the best pizzas in South Florida, try “The Bronx”, “The Brooklyn”, “Margarita”, or the “Sausage + Broccoli Rabe Bianco”. These and others quickly make regulars out of new customers.

Larb Thai-Isan

A Bib Gourmand Honoree. With a classically trained chef running the kitchen, aromatic and bold flavors like you’ve never experienced before from northeastern Thailand will make for an incredible dining experience in Ft. Lauderdale. Amazing curries, Thai-style salads, boat noodle soup, stir-fried ground chicken or pork with chili garlic and holy basil sauce (kra pao), and other unique dishes are all winners, and very affordably priced. Michelin calls Larb “a standout among the city’s growing international offerings.”

Incredible Dining All Day Long in Ft. Lauderdale

Finding a special dinner restaurant or two while on vacation can be a challenge, but perhaps unsurprisingly we’ve had some of our most memorable meals at breakfast, brunch, and lunch in destinations like Ft. Lauderdale where tourism is a major industry. The dining scene is thriving here, making the search for amazing food being part of the fun. Listed below are some of our local favorites where you can discover distinctive dishes throughout the day.

BREAKFAST & BRUNCH

Café Bastille

Considered by many area residents to be the best spot to start the day. The local chain has locations in downtown Ft. Lauderdale, downtown Miami, Miami Beach, and Weston. Known for a wide variety of all-day breakfast and brunch favorites including granola, pastries, pancake, French toast/waffles, omelets, eggs, burgers, healthy lunch bowls, plus smoothies and specialty coffees.

The House on the River

With a prime location directly on the New River in downtown Ft. Lauderdale, this historic restaurant is popular gathering spot for locals and tourists. Filled with vintage furniture while retaining a modern atmosphere, colorful flowers and lush trees make for a great upscale yet relaxed setting for a special meal. The outdoor tables are highly desirable in the evening. The varied menu is best known for seafood dishes with a Latin/Caribbean flair, but the poultry, steak and thick cut pork chops are also great choices. Dinner is served Wednesday to Sunday, lunch Friday to Sunday, and the ever-wonderful weekend brunch on Saturday and Sunday. Walk over from your downtown hotel, consider ride share to avoid parking issues, or pull up at the waterside dock.

La Riviere French Café

The proprietor’s La Riviere French Café is adjacent to the restaurant, serving fresh pastries, a wide selection of coffee, tea, bubble beverages, and artisanal drinks. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m., the vibe invites you to sit, munch, sip, and relax.

Hatch

Hatch is the South Florida outlet of the Huntington, Long Island brunch restaurant whose tagline, “Peace, Love, & Bacon” says it all. On Federal Highway just north of downtown, this fun and bustling dining spot is known for its creative menu that will leave you satiated and ready to seize the day ahead. Hollandaze dishes include the Benedict Arnold and That’s a Gouda Benedict, and the Flight of the Pancakes allows guests to choose a combination of three different pancakes. From the griddle you can’t go wrong with any of the options, with our two favorites being the Holy Moly French Toast and Cinnamon French Toast Crunch. Eggs, avocado toast, and the buttermilk crispy chicken sandwich are crowd favorites here.

ASIAN/LATIN

Casa Sensei

It isn’t everyday you come across a Pan-Asian Latin Fusion restaurant. The two mesh well as they share cooking techniques, spices, intense flavors, and seasonings. And there’s even a sushi bar at this waterfront spot in the heart of Las Olas. Comfort foods include pad Thai, kimchi fried rice, bulgogi, and bao buns. For a unique experience, try the red shrimp ceviche, or Korean grilled steak chimichurri with wasabi mashed potatoes. Indoor and outdoor seating is offered as is a weekend brunch. This lively and extremely popular restaurant received the OpenTable Diners’ Choice Award for 2025.

E41

With five locations in Ft. Lauderdale’s Las Olas district, Sunrise, Coral Springs, Boca Raton, and Pembroke Pines, E41 which is short for Embarcadero 41 brings unique Peruvian Nikkei fusion cuisine to South Florida. The indescribably amazing menu has to be viewed, as you surely haven’t seen these dishes anywhere else before. From ceviche to maki, sushi rolls, and E41 Classics like the fettuccine al pesto con lomo saltado (pasta in a Peruvian pesto sauce with stir-fried beef, onions and tomatoes flambeed with two sauces), the mouthwatering and visually spectacular dishes are simply outstanding.

ITALIAN

Casa D’Angelo

Since 1998 this authentic Italian food favorite has served upscale dishes to South Florida guests. The dress code requests diners to “dress appropriately”, so shorts, flip flops, tank tops, etc. are frowned upon. The elegant surroundings at the flagship Ft. Lauderdale location just north of Las Ocas raises the level of your experience here, and the recipes brought by founder Angelo from Salerno, Italy are amazing. Favorite dishes include polpetta & salsiccia/homemade meatball and sausage with roasted eggplant, gnocchi Sorrentina, and risotto porcini. Seafood and meat lovers have numerous options including a grilled New York strip, veal chop, chicken parmigiana, snapper, jumbo prawns, and branzino. Reservations are recommended. Other locations are in Boca Raton and Aventura.

Osteria Acqua E Farina

Located just south of downtown on Federal Highway, indoor and outdoor dining are both offered. Chef Attillo Reale hails from Turin, Italy, and has been serving superb Italian food here for more than 15 years. From unbeatable handmade pizzas to fresh pasta (tortellini, linguine, lasagna, cavatelli, orecchiette), seafood and meat dishes, you can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. They even have a Nutellino calzone filled with Nutella and whipped cream! All of the sauces are made fresh in-house too, and you will instantly taste the high quality of everything prepared in this wonderful restaurant.

Serafina Waterfront Trattoria

On the Intracoastal Waterway where US-1 and Sunrise Blvd. meet is yet another wonderful Italian spot that is popular with locals and visitors to Ft. Lauderdale. With a second location in the Aventura Mall, Serafina’s lovely rear porch with heaters, white tablecloths and stunning water views are alone worth a visit for dinner or weekend brunch. House appetizer specialties include mussels or clams in a white wine or marinara sauce, calamari, and charred octopus. Pasta choices include rigatoni alla vodka and pappardelle al bolognese, lasagna, and ravioli. Risotto, branzino, short ribs, veal marsala or piccata, and osso boco (lamb shank) make for incredible entrées, too. Right next door is the sister fast-casual Cortina’s Pizza Shop with dine-in and to-go options.

MEXICAN

Lona Cocina & Tequileria

Located beachfront just north of downtown in the Westin Ft. Lauderdale, this is the place for authentic Mexican food with what they describe as a ‘modern twist’. An energetic dining spot offering breakfast, Sunday brunch, lunch, and dinner, guests rave about the carne asada, drunken salmon, chicken mole enchiladas, and empanadas with short ribs and chorizo. The menu is extensive with a myriad of options including a taco bar and full range of refreshing cocktails and cerveza. It will be easy to more than satisfy everyone in your dining party here.

SEAFOOD ON THE WATER

Coconuts

How many places do you know of where you can marvel at the sparkling views of the Intracoastal Waterway while enjoying a casual, yet upscale dining experience? There aren’t many that we know of that rival Coconuts, which is one of Ft. Lauderdale’s premiere spots for wonderful food, beautiful sunsets, and where the owners invite you to arrive by boat, bring your dog, and they claim that “even your mother-in-law will enjoy” it here. Open every day of the week for lunch and dinner, and they add a Sunday brunch to the possibilities. The eclectic menu features a jerk wings appetizer, sashimi, crab cake and steak salads, fish tacos, lobster rolls, and a local mahi-mahi sandwich. For a larger meal you may show interest in the grilled or blackened local fish, linguine and clams, barbeque ribs, or a perfectly grilled steak.

Shooters Waterfront

There is clearly something special about this restaurant that serves over half a million diners annually. Located just off Oakland Park Blvd., guest arrive by land, water taxi, and personal boat to this Intracoastal Waterway icon which serves lunch, dinner, and a weekend brunch. Featuring an extensive menu that is seafood-forward as you would expect in Florida, there are plenty of beef, poultry, and pork options for landlubbers. If you crave variety, you will find it here with sushi, flatbread pizzas, and entrees ranging from burgers, scallops and prawns, grouper, mahi, Cajun shrimp fettuccine, a veggie burger, and grilled pork chop. Shooters also offers a separate kid’s menu and even one for dogs that has three meal options!

STEAKHOUSE + SEAFOOD

Boatyard

This Florida-style waterfront seafood and steak restaurant in Lauderdale Harbours is known for delicious food, a casual setting, and beautiful Intracoastal views. Prime steaks and fresh catches are expertly paired with the renowned Bimini Bread. Boatyard is widely known for their seafood towers that you yourself create from lobster tails, oysters, mussels, snow crab claws, clams, and shrimp. Popular entrees range from Florida paella and branzino filet, to crispy whole snapper, a bourbon pork chop, and wagyu bucatini bolognese. If you prefer something delectable from the grill, choose from several fish and steak options that will be seared to perfection. A weekend brunch is also offered, so if you’re in the neighborhood sailing the local waters, reserve a slip online and c’mon aboard for a sumptuous meal.

Ocean Prime

An amazing two-story restaurant that spans 15,000 square feet, Ocean Prime is perhaps the place to see and be seen in Ft. Lauderdale. This two-story glittering establishment features an outdoor terrace on each level, and a sophisticated vibe that perfectly delivers what the coastal lifestyle is all about. Add its location by the Las Olas Bridge on the Intracoastal to a spectacular lunch, dinner, or weekend brunch dining experience, and this will be a meal that you won’t ever forget. Custom build your own shellfish tower or start out with sauteed shrimp in a tabasco cream sauce. Sushi, a wide variety of seafood, chicken, chops, and prime steaks will have your mouth watering. For that special meal while you’re in town, Ocean Prime should be a strong contender.

Recommended Hotels in Ft. Lauderdale

When planning your Ft. Lauderdale vacation, you’ll want to find a hotel that’s conveniently located to the beach, the Intracoastal Waterway, and the golden sand beaches. Our go-to hotel booking website has long been Travelated with hundreds of great properties available around the state. Some of the best prices are to be found in Ft. Lauderdale area are at your fingertips, so just log-on and have a look. Some of our favorites are listed below, but we do suggest logging onto the Travelated website to find the best place for you and your traveling companion(s).

South Florida At Its Finest

With nicknames of the Venice of America and the Yachting Capital of the World, Greater Ft. Lauderdale offers an abundance of vacation opportunities for visitors to enjoy. Just imagine a warm weather destination on the U.S. mainland with 24 miles of wide, sandy beaches, plus more than 300 miles of boating waterways. Add an average high temperature of 77F degrees and an amazing 3,000+ hours of annual sunshine, and what could go wrong? This beautiful, welcoming South Florida destination is also known for its thriving cultural community, rooftop bars and restaurants, stunning sunrises, and the incredible beauty of the adjacent Florida Everglades. Come discover Ft. Lauderdale for yourself and let Travelated help you find ideal accommodations for your visit.