Food · Fort Lauderdale · United States
What to eat in Fort Lauderdale
The dishes, drinks and food experiences that define Fort Lauderdale, and where locals actually eat them.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Pictured: Key lime pie · Photo: Louiemantia, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Start with Smoked fish dip, Stone crab claws and Grouper or mahi-mahi sandwich. Many waterfront restaurants along the Intracoastal and the New River have boat docks; even without a boat, a table by the water lets you watch the yachts go by. Winter and spring are peak season; book popular Las Olas and waterfront restaurants for weekend dinners.
Key facts
- Signature dish
- Smoked fish dip
- Vegetarian-friendly picks
- 2
- Tipping
- Tip about 18–20% at table-service restaurants, $1–$2 a drink at bars, 15–20% for taxis…
- Food experiences
- 3
Plan a trip to Fort Lauderdale
Compare flights, places to stay and rental cars, then book with the provider you choose.
8 foods to try
Snack
1.Smoked fish dip
Smoked local fish such as mahi-mahi or kingfish blended with cream cheese and spices, served with crackers, jalapeños and hot sauce — the classic South Florida starter.
Where: Waterfront fish shacks, marinas and seafood markets around the Intracoastal and in Dania Beach.
Dish
2.Stone crab claws
Florida's seasonal delicacy: only the claws are harvested and the crabs returned to the sea. They are served cold, cracked, with mustard sauce.
Where: Seafood restaurants in season, roughly mid-October to early May.
Dish
3.Grouper or mahi-mahi sandwich
A thick fillet of local fish, grilled, fried or blackened, on a bun — the default beach lunch.
Where: Beach bars on A1A, marina restaurants and dock-and-dine spots on the Intracoastal.
Snack
4.Conch fritters
Chopped conch in a spiced batter, deep-fried and served with a tangy dipping sauce, a dish shared with the Bahamas and the Florida Keys.
Where: Seafood shacks and Caribbean restaurants across Broward County.
Street food
5.Jamaican jerk chicken and beef patties
Broward County has a large Jamaican community, and jerk chicken smoked with allspice and Scotch bonnet chillies, oxtail stew and flaky beef patties are everyday food here.
Where: Family-run Caribbean restaurants and bakeries in Lauderhill and Lauderdale Lakes, west of downtown.
Breakfast · Vegetarian
6.Cafecito and pastelitos
A thimble-sized shot of sweet Cuban espresso with a guava or cheese pastry is South Florida's morning routine; a colada is a larger cup meant for sharing.
Where: Cuban bakeries and ventanitas (walk-up coffee windows) across the county.
Dish
7.Cuban sandwich
Roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles and mustard pressed in Cuban bread until crisp — a filling, inexpensive lunch.
Where: Cuban cafés and bakeries; the further south towards Miami, the more choice.
Dessert · Vegetarian
8.Key lime pie
A tart custard of small Key limes, condensed milk and egg yolks in a graham-cracker crust, topped with whipped cream or meringue.
Where: Seafood restaurants and bakeries; a pale yellow filling, not bright green, is the traditional style.
Travelling around United States? What to eat in United States covers the dishes to try in each of our 44 destinations there.
Food experiences
Dock and dine on the Intracoastal
Many waterfront restaurants along the Intracoastal and the New River have boat docks; even without a boat, a table by the water lets you watch the yachts go by. Arrive by Water Taxi for the full effect.
Las Olas dinner stroll
East Las Olas Boulevard has dozens of restaurants with pavement seating; walk it before choosing, then finish with gelato.
Caribbean lunch in Lauderhill
Drive 20 minutes west for jerk chicken, curry goat and patties at the Jamaican and West Indian restaurants of Lauderhill and Lauderdale Lakes.
Quick bites and street food
- Smoked fish dip — Waterfront fish shacks, marinas and seafood markets around the Intracoastal and in Dania Beach.
- Conch fritters — Seafood shacks and Caribbean restaurants across Broward County.
- Jamaican jerk chicken and beef patties — Family-run Caribbean restaurants and bakeries in Lauderhill and Lauderdale Lakes, west of downtown.
- Cafecito and pastelitos — Cuban bakeries and ventanitas (walk-up coffee windows) across the county.
Vegetarian options
Of the 8 foods in this guide, 2 are usually vegetarian: Cafecito and pastelitos and Key lime pie. Check preparation with staff, as stocks and fats vary.
Eating out: tips and etiquette
- Winter and spring are peak season; book popular Las Olas and waterfront restaurants for weekend dinners.
- Stone crab claws are only available from roughly mid-October to early May.
- Some restaurants add an automatic service charge or gratuity; check the bill before tipping again.
- Happy hours, usually in the late afternoon, offer cheaper drinks and appetisers at many beach bars.
- Air conditioning is strong; bring a light layer for indoor dining.
Tipping
Tip about 18–20% at table-service restaurants, $1–$2 a drink at bars, 15–20% for taxis and rideshares, and a few dollars for beach chair attendants and Water Taxi crews. Some restaurants include gratuity automatically.
Questions travellers ask
+What food is Fort Lauderdale famous for?
Smoked fish dip, Stone crab claws, Grouper or mahi-mahi sandwich and Conch fritters. Smoked local fish such as mahi-mahi or kingfish blended with cream cheese and spices, served with crackers, jalapeños and hot sauce — the classic South Florida starter.
+Is Fort Lauderdale good for vegetarians?
Several local staples are meat-free, including Cafecito and pastelitos and Key lime pie.
+Do you tip in restaurants in Fort Lauderdale?
Tip about 18–20% at table-service restaurants, $1–$2 a drink at bars, 15–20% for taxis and rideshares, and a few dollars for beach chair attendants and Water Taxi crews. Some restaurants include gratuity automatically.