Best Restaurants in Fort Lauderdale

Last Updated on May 4, 2023

What do you think when you think of Florida? Disneyworld, crazy parties in Miami Beach, getaway port to the Bahamas? Have you ever considered coming to Fort Lauderdale alone, not just for one night before your cruise starts? I haven’t and I assume a lot of you haven’t either as people usually come to Miami, Miami Beach or Orlando, sometimes they can even reach Key West, but not many people find Fort Lauderdale an interesting place.

When I got invited for a FAM trip in Fort Lauderdale, right before my first TBEX (Travel Blog Exchange) conference I had no idea what to expect. I definitely didn’t expect so many great restaurants in Fort Lauderdale!

Where to Eat in Fort Lauderdale

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Steak 954

Map It: 1401 N Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd

Steak 954, located at the W Hotel is a pretty top-notch spot but still relatively affordable. The location and the view of the beach is perfect.

I must say that I loved the place, as from the moment you enter the restaurant you can get impressed by huge tanks filled with jellyfish.

As the name indicates the restaurant is a steakhouse, but I went for the lobster with truffle mac&cheese instead and didn’t regret it. I think we all wished we didn’t finish our main dishes when it came to deserts, because they were simply amazing!

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S3 (Sun Surf Sand)

Map It: 505 N Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd

Located at the Hilton Hotel, the restaurant was a perfect spot for lunch, with sofas overlooking the beach. Despite being known for its sushi, it offers other dishes too and you couldn’t leave the S3 without trying their cocktails as well!

You can even order a sampler of 3 cocktails if you can’t decide which one you want to get.

Hilton’s restaurant in Key West called Four Marlins is also a great option if you’re traveling down south.

I got a self-designed sushi and I loved it. I’m definitely going to be coming back to this restaurant as it’s a fun spot to go on a group dinner with the girlfriends or date.

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Kaluz

Map It: 3300 E Commercial Blvd

The same night I ended up on a water taxi that took us through the richest houses and yachts all the way to Kaluz.

Kaluz is one of the best restaurants in Fort Lauderdale with excellent service and waterfront views. The ambiance in that area of the restaurant is very quiet and romantic.

The food was fabulous and plated elegant enough without pretension. Hearty portions ensure you a conflict at dessert time. As a seafood lover, I got some scallops and mussels – both are a must as I haven’t seen bigger ones anywhere else in the world. Yum!

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Louie Bossi

Map It: 1032 E Las Olas Blvd

Italian food in Fort Lauderdale doesn’t disappoint either. I mean, just take a look at this cheese & meat plate and you’ll understand!

Louie Bossi is an amazing Italian restaurant in the heart of Boca. The staff is very friendly with good knowledge of the food and drinks. Everything was very fresh and well prepared.

I ordered a salad later and couldn’t finish it, but I did manage to finish a few lemon-cake champagne cocktails.

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Kuro (in Seminole Hard Rock Hollywood)

Map It: 1401 N Fort Lauderdale Beach Blvd

Kuro is technically in Davie, not central Fort Lauderdale but still in the metro area.

It’s a modern Japanese eatery with amazing design: even shells were hanging from the ceiling. This is absolutely the best fine dining.

I ordered sashimi and I wasn’t disappointed. But unless you take a bunch of starts like we did I recommend you order something else as well not to end up hungry. They have hamachi, uni and other sushi that are hard to find in general.

For the first (and most likely the last) time I tried a squid ink cocktail. It was probably the weirdest drink I tried in my life EVER. I don’t recommend it, but it’s a nice innovation.

Did I miss out on some other great restaurants in Fort Lauderdale?