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Harborwood Urban Kitchen & Bar

12 New Restaurants in Fort Lauderdale to Check Out Right Now

Because Fort Lauderdale has good eats, too. 

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Harborwood Signature Burger
| Harborwood Urban Kitchen & Bar

Fort Lauderdale has gotten a bad rap over the years for its food scene, but the tides are definitely turning. Despite the challenges the pandemic has imposed, new spots continue to open, helping to put the area’s culinary scene on the map. Here are 12 spots — listed in geographical order from north to south — that give everyone a reason to give the 954 a visit as soon as possible.

Editor’s Note: A number of South Florida restaurants have resumed indoor and outdoor dining services. However, this should not be taken as endorsement for onsite dining, as there are still safety concerns: for updated information on coronavirus cases in your area, please visit the Florida Health Department’s website. Studies indicate that there is a lower exposure risk when outdoors, but the level of risk involved with patio dining is contingent on restaurants following strict social distancing and other safety guidelines. For those wanting to find the best takeout and dining options throughout Miami, please visit here.

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Papa's Raw Bar

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The family-owned, casual spot that draws crowds for its extensive, fresh selection of seafood has recently opened a new lounge, The Barrel Bar, offering libations like Papa’s Old Fashioned, tequila-based Naked & Famous and Boss Lady, made with rose gin. Oysters and other goodies like foie gras and a charcuterie board are some of the many munching options as well.

Cyth & Co.

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This newcomer on Oakland Boulevard is where to go for pampering drinks with cool names like the Blue Crush made with lemonade, rosemary simple syrup, and bubbles or the Oakland Fog with Earl Grey tea, vanilla simple syrup, and milk of choice. There’s an extensive selection of pastries, waffles (both sweet and savory), quiches, and flatbreads. Plus, vegan options are front and center throughout the menu.

The Mason Jar Pub

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Sister restaurant to the popular Mason Jar Café, this comfort food spot opened in March with dishes like corn spoon bread, buffalo fried shrimp, and a short rib sandwich. For heartier fare, opt for the twin pork chops with sun-dried cherry sauce or Veracruz mahi mahi (capers, tomato onion and olives). Don’t pass up on the wings, they come in a multitude of preparations—garlic parmesan, mango habanero, and honey mustard are just a few.

Dar Tajine Moroccan Restaurant

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This cozy, family-run Moroccan restaurant offers a myriad of tagines— including a vegetarian option, kabobs, and couscous. Go for the Royal Couscous: lamb shank with merguez (spicy sausage) and veggies on top a bed of couscous served in a warm seasoned broth. Be sure not to miss the Chicken Bastilla—a traditional Moroccan chicken pie made with a light, crispy warqa pastry shell topped with almonds, powdered sugar, and cinnamon.

MK Takeaways

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As restaurant dining shifted to include more takeout, Michael and Karen Stanley took advantage of the at-home trend and launched MK Takeaways, a food delivery service featuring chef-prepared dishes with easy finishing instructions for diners to follow at home. Options include items like a Bayou spicy chicken sandwich with remoulade slaw, salmon burger with chipotle aioli, broccoli rabe and sausage orecchiette with lemon basil sauce and pecorino, and barbecue baby back ribs with tamarind barbecue, roasted beets, and kale apple slaw.

Executive Chef Taek Lee (Taka), former executive sushi chef at Zuma in Miami, offers Japanese-Korean fare aimed at leaving diners in a state of extreme happiness, as the definition of “takato” suggests. Tucked inside the oceanfront Conrad Hotel, dishes include crispy tuna with spicy aoili, duck bao buns, short rib kimchi tacos, lobster with yuzu shisho butter, and A5 Wagyu Hot Stone- buttery slices of steak diners sear on a hot stone before dipping in accompanying sauces.

Sistrunk Marketplace & Brewery

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In spite of several delays and a worldwide pandemic, Fort Lauderdale’s expansive food hall has officially opened its doors to the public. There’s something for everyone here — with vendors ranging from Empanada Bodega to Senbazuru Ramen to Nellie’s Country Kitchen. Beer aficionados should visit Khoffner Brewery, while those in need of booze with a bit more kick will enjoy a visit to Shady’s Distillery. Wired Sound Academy sets the stage for music and, for those wanting to do a bit of shopping, there’s the co-op boutique. Due to COVID-19 precautions, the 24,000 square feet space will be running at half capacity and patrons must make a reservation online prior to visiting.

Rivertail

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Jose Mendin, the chef behind Miami’s Pubelly Sushi and La Placita, reopened his Broward seafood-driven eatery with multicultural options befitting of South Florida’s diversity. Dishes include crab donuts with brioche, spicy honey, and sea salt, Salvadorian-style corn bread, and a bite-sized lobster roll on a toasted brioche with serrano peppers and micro cilantro.

Casa Sensei

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This Asian with a Latin American twist offers the ideal dinner for social distancing: a gondola culinary cruise. Patrons can take in the sights along the canals that have given the city its nickname of “Venice of America,” while enjoying an omakase dinner along with dishes like kimchi fried rice, crab dumplings, Korean street tacos, lobster guacamole, and wagyu turf roll with chimichurri sauce. Those preferring land can enjoy their meal at the restaurant’s setting overlooking Himmarshee canal.

Harborwood

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Housed in the lobby-level of the sleek Hyatt Centric Las Olas, this modern American eatery is all about familiar flavors done with extra care. Starters like the pan-seared potato gnocchi with carbonara sauce and crispy chorizo or cured pork belly lettuce wraps could easily make for a whole meal. Main courses cover flavor profiles from an exotic mushroom and fig flatbread to spicy shrimp fried rice or, for carnivores, the peppercorn crusted bistro steak. Desserts include a warm jumbo red velvet cookie with dulce de leche drizzle.

Gioia Eat

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Inclusive of all dietary restrictions, this newcomer in Hollywood offers pies that are gluten free, vegetarian, vegan, and lactose free. There’s even a keto pizza for those adhering to the popular diet. There’s a wide array of food options, including 17 specialty pizzas created by master pizza chef and Acrobatic Pizza World Champion (yes, it’s a thing), Massimiliano Stammerra.

Cleveland’s Old Fashion Ice Cream

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Jaxon’s Ice Cream Parlor alumnus Cleveland Smith opened this Miramar ice cream shop in August. Featuring 52 homemade ice-cream flavors including tropical flavors like guanabana (soursop), tropical mango, and coconut. The Bun-n-cheese ice cream, a tribute to the traditional Easter snack of spiced loaf served with a slice of cheddar cheese, is a shoutout to his Jamaican roots.

Papa's Raw Bar

The family-owned, casual spot that draws crowds for its extensive, fresh selection of seafood has recently opened a new lounge, The Barrel Bar, offering libations like Papa’s Old Fashioned, tequila-based Naked & Famous and Boss Lady, made with rose gin. Oysters and other goodies like foie gras and a charcuterie board are some of the many munching options as well.

Cyth & Co.

This newcomer on Oakland Boulevard is where to go for pampering drinks with cool names like the Blue Crush made with lemonade, rosemary simple syrup, and bubbles or the Oakland Fog with Earl Grey tea, vanilla simple syrup, and milk of choice. There’s an extensive selection of pastries, waffles (both sweet and savory), quiches, and flatbreads. Plus, vegan options are front and center throughout the menu.

The Mason Jar Pub

Sister restaurant to the popular Mason Jar Café, this comfort food spot opened in March with dishes like corn spoon bread, buffalo fried shrimp, and a short rib sandwich. For heartier fare, opt for the twin pork chops with sun-dried cherry sauce or Veracruz mahi mahi (capers, tomato onion and olives). Don’t pass up on the wings, they come in a multitude of preparations—garlic parmesan, mango habanero, and honey mustard are just a few.

Dar Tajine Moroccan Restaurant

This cozy, family-run Moroccan restaurant offers a myriad of tagines— including a vegetarian option, kabobs, and couscous. Go for the Royal Couscous: lamb shank with merguez (spicy sausage) and veggies on top a bed of couscous served in a warm seasoned broth. Be sure not to miss the Chicken Bastilla—a traditional Moroccan chicken pie made with a light, crispy warqa pastry shell topped with almonds, powdered sugar, and cinnamon.

MK Takeaways

As restaurant dining shifted to include more takeout, Michael and Karen Stanley took advantage of the at-home trend and launched MK Takeaways, a food delivery service featuring chef-prepared dishes with easy finishing instructions for diners to follow at home. Options include items like a Bayou spicy chicken sandwich with remoulade slaw, salmon burger with chipotle aioli, broccoli rabe and sausage orecchiette with lemon basil sauce and pecorino, and barbecue baby back ribs with tamarind barbecue, roasted beets, and kale apple slaw.

Takato

Executive Chef Taek Lee (Taka), former executive sushi chef at Zuma in Miami, offers Japanese-Korean fare aimed at leaving diners in a state of extreme happiness, as the definition of “takato” suggests. Tucked inside the oceanfront Conrad Hotel, dishes include crispy tuna with spicy aoili, duck bao buns, short rib kimchi tacos, lobster with yuzu shisho butter, and A5 Wagyu Hot Stone- buttery slices of steak diners sear on a hot stone before dipping in accompanying sauces.

Sistrunk Marketplace & Brewery

In spite of several delays and a worldwide pandemic, Fort Lauderdale’s expansive food hall has officially opened its doors to the public. There’s something for everyone here — with vendors ranging from Empanada Bodega to Senbazuru Ramen to Nellie’s Country Kitchen. Beer aficionados should visit Khoffner Brewery, while those in need of booze with a bit more kick will enjoy a visit to Shady’s Distillery. Wired Sound Academy sets the stage for music and, for those wanting to do a bit of shopping, there’s the co-op boutique. Due to COVID-19 precautions, the 24,000 square feet space will be running at half capacity and patrons must make a reservation online prior to visiting.

Rivertail

Jose Mendin, the chef behind Miami’s Pubelly Sushi and La Placita, reopened his Broward seafood-driven eatery with multicultural options befitting of South Florida’s diversity. Dishes include crab donuts with brioche, spicy honey, and sea salt, Salvadorian-style corn bread, and a bite-sized lobster roll on a toasted brioche with serrano peppers and micro cilantro.

Casa Sensei

This Asian with a Latin American twist offers the ideal dinner for social distancing: a gondola culinary cruise. Patrons can take in the sights along the canals that have given the city its nickname of “Venice of America,” while enjoying an omakase dinner along with dishes like kimchi fried rice, crab dumplings, Korean street tacos, lobster guacamole, and wagyu turf roll with chimichurri sauce. Those preferring land can enjoy their meal at the restaurant’s setting overlooking Himmarshee canal.

Harborwood

Housed in the lobby-level of the sleek Hyatt Centric Las Olas, this modern American eatery is all about familiar flavors done with extra care. Starters like the pan-seared potato gnocchi with carbonara sauce and crispy chorizo or cured pork belly lettuce wraps could easily make for a whole meal. Main courses cover flavor profiles from an exotic mushroom and fig flatbread to spicy shrimp fried rice or, for carnivores, the peppercorn crusted bistro steak. Desserts include a warm jumbo red velvet cookie with dulce de leche drizzle.

Gioia Eat

Inclusive of all dietary restrictions, this newcomer in Hollywood offers pies that are gluten free, vegetarian, vegan, and lactose free. There’s even a keto pizza for those adhering to the popular diet. There’s a wide array of food options, including 17 specialty pizzas created by master pizza chef and Acrobatic Pizza World Champion (yes, it’s a thing), Massimiliano Stammerra.

Cleveland’s Old Fashion Ice Cream

Jaxon’s Ice Cream Parlor alumnus Cleveland Smith opened this Miramar ice cream shop in August. Featuring 52 homemade ice-cream flavors including tropical flavors like guanabana (soursop), tropical mango, and coconut. The Bun-n-cheese ice cream, a tribute to the traditional Easter snack of spiced loaf served with a slice of cheddar cheese, is a shoutout to his Jamaican roots.

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