For the first time, the prestigious MICHELIN Guide—the gold standard of international dining—has recognized five Greater Fort Lauderdale restaurants, including one that earned the region’s first MICHELIN Star. It marks a major milestone for the area’s sun-soaked dining scene and a nod to the city’s rising culinary reputation.
Next time you’re visiting Greater Fort Lauderdale, go ahead and book the reservation. There’s plenty of deliciousness for everyone under the sun.
A Star is Born
Slip past the bustling lobby of the Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Fort Lauderdale on Fort Lauderdale beach, and you’ll find MAASS, a fine-dining restaurant that just made history with the city’s first MICHELIN Star. At the helm is acclaimed chef Ryan Ratino—already a MICHELIN-awarded chef—whose passion for wood-fired fare is on full display. For a wow-worthy experience, snag one of just 14 coveted seats at The Chef’s Counter, where you’ll get a front-row look at chefs in action in the expansive kitchen.
MICHELIN’s inspectors took note of the multi-course tasting menu, executed by chef David Brito, calling it “a beautiful tribute to contemporary cooking with French techniques, Japanese ingredients and a few Florida highlights.” The rotating menu features exquisite creations such as seared diver scallops resting on truffle puree or a refined take on chawanmushi—a Japanese egg custard topped with premium caviar, Dungeness crab, sweet corn and kombu.
Big Flavors, Bib Recognition
Heritage quickly won over locals with its house-made pasta and unfussy, industrial-chic vibe when it opened in Flagler Village in 2020. Chef Rino Cerbone’s Italian American concept has continued to wow locals and visitors alike over the years, so it’s no surprise it earned a Bib Gourmand recognition—MICHELIN’s designation for restaurants offering exceptional food at moderate prices. The honor marks Heritage as one of the best values in the area.
Pizza is a main draw, with more than 15 pies ranging from mortadella and roasted pistachio with stracciatella to braised short rib with prosciutto di Parma and marsala cream. You’ll also enjoy digging into bowls of bolognese or a classic Italian chopped salad. Don’t skip the starters, such as black mushroom arancini and the popular mascarpone-stuffed fried squash blossoms. Pro tip: Order the olive oil cake with vanilla bean semifreddo for a sweet finale.
More Local Hotspots to Love
In addition to this year’s Star and Bib Gourmand winners, the MICHELIN Guide also highlighted three other standouts across Greater Fort Lauderdale’s diverse neighborhoods as “MICHELIN recommended,” each offering a distinct dining experience.
Daniel's, A Florida Steakhouse, has established itself as a culinary cornerstone since opening last year. With moody lighting, dark wood accents and plush banquettes, it delivers all the charm of a classic American steakhouse with a distinctive Florida twist. The menu celebrates local flavor, from house-made potato chips topped with Kaluga Schrenckii caviar and Florida sour cream to oysters Rockefeller with Malabar spinach. These pair well with one of the juicy, decadent steaks and a side of creamed spinach or corn pudding.
A few floors above MAASS sits Evelyn’s, the second restaurant inside the Four Seasons Hotel and Residences Fort Lauderdale to earn MICHELIN Guide recognition. The restaurant transforms Eastern Mediterranean flavors in its coastal-chic setting, where diners can take in views of both the hotel’s pool area and the Atlantic. Executive chef Brandon Salomon’s menu reads like a love letter to the Mediterranean, blending vibrant spices with fresh Floridian ingredients across breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner service. Start with a grand mezze platter, then move on to the Australian Wagyu beef skewer or a yogurt-marinated half chicken. And don’t skip the Jerusalem bagel—it’s a must.
Got a craving for Thai? Next time you’re visiting the walkable beach community of Lauderdale-by-the-Sea, stop by Larb Thai-Isan. It serves bold, authentic northern Thai cuisine that impressed MICHELIN inspectors with its vibrant flavors and welcoming atmosphere. The menu features all the classics—curries, noodles and salads—but don’t skip the Yum Naem Khao Tod, a crispy rice salad dotted with fermented sausage and mixed with peanuts, ginger and fresh herbs. The guide also recommended ordering the fried banana or classic mango sticky rice. We couldn’t agree more.
These MICHELIN recognitions signal Greater Fort Lauderdale’s arrival on the global culinary stage, reflecting the area’s growing reputation for innovative dining experiences that blend Florida’s coastal bounty with diverse global influences. For visitors and locals alike, it’s an exciting time to explore the evolving food scene.