Greater Fort Lauderdale gets a lot of things right—especially its culinary scene. It’s the ultimate destination for food lovers to savor and indulge. Even if you’ve visited some of the hottest restaurants around town, there’s still something new to discover. Whether you’re into chef-driven specialties, casual hangouts, or hands-on culinary experiences, the region’s diverse food offerings are a passport to flavor-packed adventures.
Get ready to explore where taste meets fun, with spots that will leave you just as excited about the cuisine as the beaches and nightlife. Here’s our guide to some of the best culinary experiences for your inner foodie.
Chef-Driven Delights
If you want an exceptional meal in Greater Fort Lauderdale, consider checking out a chef-led experience. TRP Taste on Las Olas Boulevard is one of the oldest and best in town. This cozy 26-seat spot, tucked beneath Rooftop @ 1WLO, offers an ever-changing lineup of multicourse culinary adventures with wine pairings. Grab a seat at the 12-person wraparound counter, where you can chat with local and guest chefs as they craft each dish right in front of you, or opt for the communal table to mingle with locals and other visitors. The best part? TRP Taste is offering Dine Out Lauderdale this year, so it’s the perfect time to enjoy specially curated prix fixe menus at a fantastic value.
ARC Culinary dinners are a wonderful experience hosted at the Emeril Lagasse Foundation Innovation Kitchen in Sunrise. The Chef’s Table meals offer an immersive culinary adventure, with expertly paired beer or wine enhancing a meticulously designed sequence of dishes. Past dinners have included a Tacos & Tequila Fiesta, Puerto Rican Flavors, and Pasta Party. You can feel good about dining here, as these dinners support ARC Broward’s mission of providing culinary training and opportunities for students with disabilities.
Another great chef’s counter awaits at MAASS inside the Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Fort Lauderdale on Fort Lauderdale Beach. Reserve your spot in advance for an exclusive view of the culinary magic behind the scenes. This intimate 14-seat experience lets you watch as some of the restaurant’s finest open-fire dishes are crafted right before your eyes.
Of course, there’s always the option for an omakase, which means “leave it up to the chef.” Omakase dining experiences are an excellent way to sit back, relax, and let the sushi chef prepare some of the freshest seafood from around the world. This culinary tradition is highly respected in Japan and has gained popularity worldwide due to its emphasis on quality and the chef’s creativity. Good news for you—Greater Fort Lauderdale has a few great spots to savor: OKU by Takato inside The Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach offers a private, 10-seat omakase lounge led by executive chef Taek “Taka” Lee. The culinary journey features more than 15 courses, underscored by ingredients flown in fresh from Japan and Korea.
Hidden inside Salt7 along the New River, Sushi by Bou offers a lively 12-course seasonal omakase experience. Enjoy specialty craft cocktails, imported sake, and Japanese spirits in a private room bursting with disco and pop-art flair, making every sip and bite a vibrant celebration.
Get Hands-On
If cooking classes are more your speed, you’ll want to check out Sistrunk Marketplace in Flagler Village. Once a neglected warehouse and residential district, this neighborhood has become a vibrant tourist hub. Stop by Sistrunk to take rotating cooking classes, with options like The Art of Making Homemade Mozzarella and Summer Picnic Favorites. Further south, you’ll find Block 40 Food Hall on the ground floor of the new 1818 Building on Young Circle in the heart of downtown Hollywood. This food hall houses nearly a dozen food and beverage concepts and offers culinary classes for those who want to get their hands dirty. Check out their website for an upcoming class.
Bite by Bite
Book a spot on the Craft Food Tour for foodies who want to sip and savor endlessly. During the three-hour walking tour along Fort Lauderdale Beach, you’ll get to sample a dozen tastings and inventive libations, enjoy vendor demonstrations, and hear some of the city’s intriguing facts from the area’s local guides. By the end, you’ll have relished Fort Lauderdale Beach’s diverse culinary scene and gotten the inside scoop on why locals adore their charming beachside oasis.