From seafood and steak to Eastern Med and fusion cuisines, here are my picks for the best restaurants in Fort Lauderdale, well worth the trip. Plus, this month and next is Dine Fort Lauderdale and all of these are participating with special offers. For details, click here.
Lobster Bar Sea Grille
Love lobster? Lobster Bar Sea Grille (which used to be in Miami), offers the top of the line blue hard shell crustacean from Nova Scotia, no fewer than 7 ways and up to 5 pounds. Think everything from ceviche, a chili variety and with pasta, to lightly fried, steamed, stuffed, surf and turf, and in a seafood tower. Whole fresh fish, too, that you can choose from the display on ice, the skin glistening with freshness, and USDA prime steaks. All of this in an ambiance that evokes the Oyster Bar in New York City’s Grand Central Station with its white subway tiles, arched ceilings, mahogany walls and art deco inspired chandeliers.
Lobster Bar Sea Grille is part of the successful Buckhead Life Restaurant Group which owns and operates 13 restaurants. They know their business, and it shows in the friendly and professional service, the wait staff in crisply starched white vests with aprons and black pants, and quality of the food.
Be sure to have a drink first at the U-shaped white Carrara marble bar at the entrance, a good option if you’re dining alone. The menu is ideal for having a light bite as well as a full dinner.
Unique and welcome is the description of where each whole fish is from, along with its texture (e.g.firm, tender, lean, high fat) and taste (e.g. medium flavor, sweet, mild, etc). Whole fish are grilled and basted with Santorini capers, lemon, and Greek E.V. olive oil, and fileted tableside. Another section is devoted to their composed seafood entries which is fish or shellfish with sauce, glazes, and/or accompaniments.
Meat lovers won’t be disappointed with a large choice of USDA prime and 35 dry aged steaks, and Japanese certified Wagyu.
My favorite dessert offering is the thick peach pie with vanilla ice cream.
Lobster Bar Sea Grille, 450 East Las Olas Boulevard, Fort Lauderdale. It is open for dinner seven days a week and lunch Monday through Friday (good deals for lunch).. There’s also a good happy hour deal on drinks and almost a dozen choices of light bites. Valet parking is $10.
Casa Sensei
The waterfront Casa Sensei, (1200 East Las Olas Boulevard) is a popular classic choice, a pan-Asian Latin fusion restaurant which marries the best of two culinary worlds and is one of my “go to” places in the area. Voted “Best Asian Restaurant” by Fort Lauderdale Magazine for the past five years, Casa Senseibrilliantly blends traditional Latin American cuisine with Pan-Asian staples. The fusion eatery presents a deliciously dynamic environment for an immersive dining experience in the restaurant’s dining room, on the dog-friendly waterfront patio or via a scenic Riverfront Gondola Tour along the Himmarshee Canal – perfect for enjoying the fresh outdoors of Las Olas. Authentic comfort food dishes include favorites like Korean BBQ Beef and Kimchi Fried Rice and specialties like freshly fished Lobster Guacamole. The ornate sushi boats present a stunning visual to pair alongside any of the carefully crafted, Japanese spirit-infused cocktails. After a delicious meal where East meets West, guests can satisfy their sweet tooth with a complimentary cloud of cotton candy. It’s open for lunch and dinner Tuesday through Sunday and Monday from 4 p.m.
The Katherine
The three times James Beard nominated Timon Balloo who presided over SugarCane in Midtown in its heyday and was missed when he left, later opened The Katherine with his wife. The fusion menu is inspired by their global travels and their combined heritages. They have a lot of regulars judging from a recent visit. The menu is small but very appealing and changes frequently to allow for seasonal ingredients. Try their clam chowder fries with steamed clams, Short Rib orecchiette, Thai Red Curry Braised Fish with coconut rice and green papaya slaw, or the aji Amarillo grilled chicken thigh followed by dessert of vanilla bean soaked “Torrejas” (like French toast) – yum! It’s conveniently located near The Broward Performing Arts Center and NSU Art Museum, too. It’s open for dinner nightly from 5 p.m. except Monday. The Katherine Restaurant, 723 E. Broward Blvd. Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301
More of the Best Restaurants in Fort Lauderdale
Theos Estiatorio
Having spent years in Greece and being Miami regulars at Eastern Mediterranean restaurants, we are discerning about Greek food. Theos Estiatorio in Fort Lauderdale, named for its Greek owner, exceeded our expectations on a recent Saturday evening. The taverna boasts appealing décor, friendly service, a traditional menu with excellent fish, and lively music. This is likely due to its chef, Peter Spyropoulos, previously the first chef at Milos in New York, with experience at other top NYC restaurants.
The restaurant offers seating for 115 indoors and on a covered terrace. The extensive 65-item menu includes salads, raw bar, spreads, mezze, pastas, seafood, meat, sides, and desserts. We began with warm sourdough bread, hummus tapita, and olive oil from the owner’s family village, followed by tasty grilled halloumi with cucumbers ($19). My main course of pan-seared U10 scallops with sturgeon caviar on mushroom orzotto with truffle oil ($52) was memorable. Mr. W enjoyed the fresh 10-ounce center-cut swordfish with lemon potatoes and capers ($42). For dessert, the pistachio ice cream ($12) and bougatsa ($12) were both delightful.
Theos offers a wide selection of Greek wines and wines by the glass (from $17), with bottles starting at $60 and cocktails at $20. Our waiter, Orlando, provided professional and warm service, enhancing the Mediterranean atmosphere.
Theos Estiatorio, located at 1826 E Sunrise Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304, is open for dinner Tuesday through Saturday from 5 pm. Metered street parking is available. More information can be found at https://theosestiatorio.com/ and on Instagram @theos.estiatorio. For my full review, click here.
Daniel’s a Florida Steakhouse (recent recipient of a recommendation by Michelin)
Rounding out the list of the best restaurants in Fort Lauderdale –Daniel’s, a Florida Steakhouse in Fort Lauderdale, is a new favorite, exceeding expectations. Managed by Gioia Hospitality (also behind Fiola), it distinguishes itself by heavily featuring Florida purveyors—from local olives in their standout martini to steaks from Florida ranches. The warm, intimate contemporary steakhouse offers diverse dining spaces, including the “Florida Highway Room” named for its local art collection.
Service is professional and friendly. The menu highlights steaks with varying provenance, detailed on a “Today’s Steak Selection” card, with toppings like seared foie gras available. Beyond steaks, the menu includes caviar, innovative appetizers, pasta, and seafood. Signature dishes include hot milkbread with rosemary butter and the unique Loxahatchee baby romaine basil caesar salad with flavorful Florida gem lettuce. The pastrami bao buns with Wagyu brisket are a signature appetizer.
We shared the perfectly grilled, flavorful Arrowhead Ranch Florida Wagyu Delmonico. Sides, ideal for sharing, included seasoned Crimini mushrooms, decadent four-cheese mac n’ cheese, and twice-baked potato. The triple-layer Valrhona chocolate cake was the perfect indulgent finish.
The cocktail selection is excellent, with martinis served with a side carafe, Florida olives, and olive juice. Wine by the glass starts at $13. Expect to pay around $250 for dinner for two with drinks, two starters, a shared steak entree, one side, and dessert. Valet parking is $10.
Daniel’s Steakhouse is located at 620 South Federal Highway in Fort Lauderdale, open Tuesday-Sunday for dinner (5-11 PM). Happy Hour is Tuesday-Thursday, 5-7 PM.
Reservations are now available exclusively via Resy. For more information, visit www.danielssteak.com or follow on Facebook or Instagram. For my full review, click here.
Important note: I’d like to point out that there are other top restaurants in the category of the best restaurants of Fort Lauderdale of note that I hope to visit soon and if you’ve been there, love to hear your comments. They have recently gotten designations by Michelin for excellence. They include Chef’s Counter at MAAS at the Four Seasons with a one star; Heritage with a Bib Gourmand; and Larb Thai-Isan and Evelyn’s with recommendations.
