10 Places Where Locals Love to Eat in Fort Lauderdale

Milk Money is a neighbourhood cocktail bar serving breakfast, lunch, and dinner 7 days a week. A few miles north of Las Olas Boulevard, it's known for offering unique vegan and vegetarian options, freshly baked pastries, and lively weekend brunches. With a relaxed and trendy atmosphere, it’s a great place to enjoy a craft cocktail at their fully stocked bar or a cup of coffee with a made-from-scratch pastry.

This chic neighbourhood restaurant offers specials every day of the week and an awesome happy hour at the bar on weekdays. Weekend brunches are always crowded, so make sure to snag a reservation beforehand.

If you’re looking for a great place to grab lunch, you have to try Henry’s Sandwich Station. Located in the FATVillage arts district, the shop has a hip, industrial atmosphere and serves up sandwiches made with fresh, local ingredients.

This popular lunch spot steps up the sandwich game by using bread from local bakeries, artisan cheeses, and meats that are smoked, roasted, and cured in house. Stop in and try Henry’s signature sandwiches, such as the slow-roasted prime rib, southwestern club, and buffalo chicken sandwich.

925 Nuevo’s Cubano’s is a walk-up, open-air restaurant in Fort Lauderdale serving authentic Cuban dishes. Located a few miles west of the beach, it’s worth the drive for its delicious Cuban sandwiches, platanos (fried banana), freshly squeezed juices and café con leche (coffee with milk).

What makes 925 Nuevo’s Cubano’s sandwiches really stand out is the pork, roasted low and slow for 16 hours before pulling the meat to keep it extra juicy. Take a seat at its brightly coloured bar or picnic tables, and enjoy authentic Cuban food with live music on weekends.

Overlooking the beautiful intracoastal waterway in Fort Lauderdale, Shooters Waterfront is an awesome place to enjoy fresh seafood, weekend brunches, live music, and refreshing cocktails. Open since 1982, it’s a staple in the Fort Lauderdale food scene. 

Experience a vacation vibe while eating some of its most popular dishes, such as the shrimp po-boy, spicy tuna and fish tacos. The restaurant has a large outdoor patio, where you can take advantage of sunny Florida days with a frozen cocktail. Located a few minutes north of Las Olas, Shooters Waterfront is a great spot to watch the boats drive by while enjoying tasty seafood.

Serving some of the freshest seafood in town, Blue Moon Fish Company is a great spot to dine by the water in style. Located on the intracoastal waterway in northern Fort Lauderdale, this upscale waterfront restaurant is known for their gourmet seafood dishes.

Its menu is a unique fusion of Louisiana flavours and fresh seafood. You’ll love Blue Moon for its Sunday brunch buffet, New Orleans firecracker oysters, and blackened local mahi-mahi. If you’re looking for an excellent happy hour in Fort Lauderdale,  Blue Moon Fish Company is one of the best. Enjoy discounted appetisers, oyster specials and drink deals on weekdays from 4 pm to 6 pm.

Canyon Southwest Café is a cosy restaurant that serves bold flavours through a Southwestern-inspired menu. Located in downtown Fort Lauderdale, Canyon is open daily for dinner. Its menu uses locally sourced ingredients and features a wide variety of dishes like roasted swordfish, pork risotto, and cornmeal-crusted poblano.

Make sure to try one of Canyon Southwest Café's prickly pear margaritas or the chocolate bread pudding – both are famous among locals. If you’re a tequila lover, check out its extensive tequila and mezcal menu, which covers over 50 options.

Coconuts is a family-friendly, casual seafood restaurant on the water. Located just a few steps away from Las Olas Beach, it's a fun place to enjoy delicious local food while watching yachts cruise by.

Coconuts is known for its coconut shrimp, lobster rolls, conch fritters, and crab claws, as well as fresh seafood options. Bring the whole family (even your dog) and enjoy an awesome South Floridian vibe. Make sure to snag a seat at its outdoor bar for one of the best sunset views in Fort Lauderdale.

Louie Bossi’s is a must-visit if you’re looking for amazing authentic Italian cuisine and awesome vibes in Fort Lauderdale. Located on the famous Las Olas Boulevard, the restaurant has a beautiful outdoor garden, a full menu of Italian classics, and an open kitchen where you can watch the chefs at work.

Everything on the menu is made from scratch – standouts include the homemade pasta, Neapolitan pizzas, and house-cured salami. Louie Bossi’s is always busy and its happy hour offers amazing deals for pizzas and drinks at the bar. The kitchen opens until late, with its dinner menu available until midnight. You can enjoy pizzas until 1 am, making it an awesome place to grab a late bite to eat.

Gilbert’s 17th Street Grill offers great comfort food in a casual family-friendly environment. Located in south Fort Lauderdale at the Harbor Shops, this cosy restaurant has a ton to offer.

Family-owned and operated, Gilbert's boasts a friendly, welcoming environment. It specialises in burgers, grilled and fried wings, fall-off-the-bone ribs, and homemade desserts. The blackboard specials rotate daily and Mrs Gilbert’s notorious key lime pie is always a hit.

The Chimney House offers outdoor dining on their patio and a Latin-inspired menu filled with bold flavours. Located just steps away from the Broward Center for Performing Arts, this quaint restaurant is an excellent spot for a pre-theatre meal in downtown Fort Lauderdale.

The menu includes classic Latin dishes like ceviche, arroz marinero (similar to paella), grilled skirt steak, empanadas, and homemade flan. Its intimate bar is an awesome place to enjoy one of their popular sangrias or try a unique wine from Chile and Argentina. If you’re going before a show, their pre-fixe menu offers great value.