Fort Lauderdale’s dining scene continues to evolve, with a wave of new restaurants, rooftop lounges, and chef-driven concepts opening across the city. What’s especially notable in this latest cycle is that many of these concepts are not simply replacing older restaurants. Instead, they’re part of entirely new developments, reimagined spaces, and elevated hospitality experiences.
From beachfront transformations to rooftop lounges and social dining destinations, these openings reflect the continued growth of Fort Lauderdale as a true luxury lifestyle market.
Here are five of the best new Fort Lauderdale restaurants in 2026:
1. Florida Room
Image: The Fort
Address: 891 SW 34th Street, Fort Lauderdale, FL | Phone: 754-295-4141
Why You’ll Love It: Located within The Fort, Fort Lauderdale’s premier social sports hub, Florida Room blends elevated comfort food with a lively, indoor-outdoor social sports atmosphere. The restaurant leans into a modern coastal clubhouse vibe, with an open layout that connects seamlessly to the surrounding energy of the complex.
The menu focuses on modern American cuisine with Southern and coastal influences, with a strong emphasis on shareable plates and bold, flavor-driven dishes. Standouts include tuna tartare with citrus and crispy shrimp chips, smoked fish dip with Old Bay chips, and lamb sausage rolls with mango chutney. Larger plates like the wood-plank salmon with Moroccan barbecue glaze and farro risotto showcase the kitchen’s ability to balance comfort with refinement.
Unlike many older restaurant locations in the city, this is a ground-up concept, purpose-built as part of a larger entertainment-driven development.
Tip: Don’t skip the starters! We found the small plates and flatbreads some of the most memorable items on the menu.
2. Del Mar
Image: delmarmediterranean.com
Address: 2200 N Ocean Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL | Phone: 754-778-7188
Why You’ll Love It: Del Mar, located at Auberge Beach Residences, represents a major reimagining of one of Fort Lauderdale’s most iconic dining locations, formerly home to DUNE by Laurent Tourondel. The concept has shifted to a lighter, Mediterranean approach that better matches the beachfront setting.
The cuisine draws heavily from coastal Southern Europe, with a strong emphasis on seafood and shareable plates. Signature items include yellowfin tuna tartare, salmon crudo, and red snapper ceviche, along with standout dishes like the open-fire roasted shellfish platter (lobster, scallops, prawns, clams, and mussels).
The menu is intentionally designed for a slower, social dining experience, perfectly aligned with the oceanfront setting.
Tip: If you’ve dined here before when it was DUNE, it’s worth coming back. The entire experience, including the menu, has been thoughtfully updated.
3. Bondi Sushi
Image: bondisushi.com
Address: 3333 N Federal Highway, Oakland Park, FL | Phone: 954-642-8740
Why You’ll Love It: Bondi Sushi brings a high-energy, modern sushi concept to the Fort Lauderdale market, expanding from its New York roots. Located along the Federal Highway corridor, it reflects the northward growth of dining from downtown into Oakland Park.
The menu features traditional sushi and sashimi alongside creative, signature rolls and hot dishes from the robata grill. Crowd favorites include tuna crispy rice, spicy tuna rolls, wagyu dumplings, and grilled skewers. The cocktail program is equally strong, making it a well-rounded destination for both dining and nightlife.
Tip: Order a mix of sushi and hot dishes. We think the robata items are just as strong as the rolls.
4. Ibis Sky Lounge
Image: omnihotels.com
Address: 1300 S Ocean Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL | Phone: 754-224-3703
Why You’ll Love It: Ibis Sky Lounge, located at the Omni Fort Lauderdale Hotel, delivers one of the city’s most elevated rooftop experiences. The concept centers around globally inspired small plates paired with a high-end cocktail program, making it more of a social dining destination than a traditional restaurant.
While the portions are intentionally lighter, the execution is refined. Standout bites include wagyu beef carpaccio, tuna tartare montadito, short rib empanadas, and spiny lobster cocktail with caviar.
The cocktail menu is equally strong, featuring signature drinks like the Strawberry White Negroni, Cinnamon Roll Old Fashioned, and Pineapple Cilantro Margarita, all designed to complement the setting and elevate the overall experience.
Tip: Think of this as a pre-dinner or late-night destination. Go for drinks, views, and a few plates to share. Beware, the dress code requires “cocktail chic” for entry.
5. Bar Betty
Image: Sunness Supper Club
Address: 2465 E Sunrise Blvd, Fort Lauderdale, FL | Phone: 954-491-6611
Why You’ll Love It: Bar BETTY is tucked above Sunness Supper Club and delivers one of the most compelling new nightlife experiences in Fort Lauderdale. Designed as a true speakeasy, the space is accessed through a hidden entrance and features a moody, vintage-inspired interior with live music and an intimate, upscale atmosphere.
The real draw here is the craft cocktail program, which balances classic technique with creative, modern flavors. Signature drinks include the James and the Spicy Peach, a bold mix of tequila, citrus, and spice. Also, the Fluffy Dream, a lighter, frothy gin-based cocktail with notes of apricot and elderflower. There are also thoughtfully designed non-alcoholic options, showing a level of detail you don’t always see in similar concepts.
While Bar BETTY does offer bar bites, the menu is intentionally minimal and designed to complement the drinks rather than serve as a full dining experience. The concept works best as a pre- or post-dinner destination, not a replacement for one.
Tip: Start with dinner downstairs at Sunness, then head up to Bar BETTY for cocktails and a completely different vibe.
Why This Matters for Fort Lauderdale Real Estate
One of the most interesting trends right now is that Fort Lauderdale’s dining growth is being driven less by turnover, and more by new development and thoughtful reinvention of prime locations.
From the reimagining of iconic oceanfront spaces like DUNE to entirely new destinations like The Fort and the Omni Hotel, this reflects a broader shift toward a more curated, lifestyle-driven city.
For buyers, this means more than just great restaurants; it creates a vibrant, walkable lifestyle that continues to attract out-of-state demand. For sellers, that demand can translate into stronger interest and long-term property value.
Ready to Make Your Move?
The continued evolution of Fort Lauderdale’s dining scene is just one of the many reasons people are choosing to call this city home. Connect with us today to explore homes near Fort Lauderdale’s best new restaurants and lifestyle destinations.
