Fort Lauderdale is a Sleeper Food City
Now is a good times to experience its restaurants during Dine Out Lauderdale
Before her recent death, social media gave Connie Francis a renewed fame after her 1960s song, “Pretty Little Baby” gained popularity on TikTok, with nearly a million people using the catchy song as background for their vacations, puppies, and children.
Francis is most connected with the city of Fort Lauderdale and its unofficial patron saint. After all, Francis is best known for her role in the 1960 movie, Where the Boys Are. Francis also sang the title song, which was a huge hit. Both the song and the movie put the beach town on the map as a tourist destination. The city acknowledged Francis at the movie’s 50th anniversary by giving her a star on the Fort Lauderdale Walk of Fame.
Since then, Fort Lauderdale retained its status as a popular beach destination and “little sister” to its more boisterous neighbor, Miami. As Miami grew to a hub for crypto, hype, and restaurants, Fort Lauderdale slowly garnered a reputation for more quiet luxury as its two-story beachside motels of yesteryear were replaced by the likes of the Four Seasons and the Ritz-Carlton. Its dining scene also grew. This year, the Michelin Guide included Fort Lauderdale, expanding its Florida Guide outside of the main tourist cities of Miami, Tampa, and Orlando. Factor in an international airport just a few minutes’ drive from Fort Lauderdale Beach, a lively downtown filled with shopping and restaurants, and neighboring towns that give off an “old Florida” vibe just minutes from city life, and Fort Lauderdale becomes an enticing choice for a long weekend.
If you need a short getaway to round off your summer, Fort Lauderdale is a solid choice, especially during its Dine Out Lauderdale months. The program — reminiscent of New York Restaurant Week — offers three-course prix fixe menus available for lunch at $35 and for dinner at tiers of $45, $60, or a luxe option for $75 at participating restaurants throughout Fort Lauderdale and its surrounding cities. The program runs through September 30.
Stacy Ritter, President & CEO of Visit Lauderdale, explains how Fort Lauderdale’s food scene has grown. “I lived here for 50 years, and when I was growing up, a gourmet meal here was hot dogs and chicken fingers. We’ve come a long way. Our neighbors to the south (Miami) do suck up the oxygen in the room, but we are catching up. It’s time for Greater Fort Lauderdale to take its place in the sun and showcase its dining options.”
Ritter acknowledges that Michelin adding Fort Lauderdale to its Guide has made a mark on the city’s dining scene. “I thought if we could get recognition from Michelin, it would jump-start our dining options to the world." People read the Michelin Guide, and we have some restaurants that will blow you away.”
With nearly 150 restaurants participating in the program, how does one choose? Ritter suggests starting at restaurants in the Michelin Guide. “If you go to the Chef’s Table at Maass, you can be casually dressed, but you’re getting a Michelin-starred meal.” Ritter also suggests Heritage, a Michelin Bib Gourmand Italian restaurant that offers superb pastas and pizzas in a rock and roll setting.
If you’re looking to explore out of the city of Fort Lauderdale, Ritter suggests Le Bistro in Lighthouse Point, adding, “it’s one of my favorites”, and The Cook and the Cork in Coral Springs (they make some of the best Korean fried chicken, according to Ritter).
Mai-Kai is also participating in Dine Out Lauderdale. This iconic restaurant is one of the last classic Polynesian restaurants of the 1950s and, after a multi-million-dollar renovation, it’s both a restaurant and an experience to behold. “It has now become one of the places that you have to go to. It’s super nostalgic,” says Ritter.
That’s the thing about Fort Lauderdale that makes it so appealing. Along with its luxury hotels and growing condo and office building skyscape, there’s that shimmer of nostalgia that refuses to leave — thanks, in part, to its residents who love the city for its quirky history. Fort Lauderdale is still the home to mermaid shows at the Wreck Bar, drinks at the Elbo Room, and a scenic cruise on the Jungle Queen. Ritter agrees. “I love that a touch of nostalgia is always here.”
Find the entire list of participating restaurants here.