From new attractions to restaurant openings, there’s plenty to enjoy!
Visit Lauderdale, the official destination marketing organization for Greater Fort Lauderdale, has rounded up a list of new eateries, hotel accommodations and entertainment experiences to fuel your wanderlust and plan your next trip to Greater Fort Lauderdale.
What’s new in Greater Fort Lauderdale where Everyone Under the Sun is welcomed with open arms? Here’s your insider’s look with this hand-picked list:
Dining Scene
Baoshi, an innovative Asian food hall, stylish cocktail bar and lounge is revolutionizing suburban Greater Fort Lauderdale’s dining scene. Located in Pembroke Pines, Baoshi features five distinct food vendors including Boba Street Café, Gold Marquess, Poke OG, and Temple Street Eatery – all under one roof.
Café Bastille is bringing Parisian flair to its new location near downtown Fort Lauderdale. The expansive 4,000-square-foot French café is now serving an all-day brunch menu, freshly baked pastries, specialty drinks, healthy lunch options, and weekend happy hour with live DJs.
Grandma’s Secret, Greater Fort Lauderdale’s only Uzbekistan restaurant debuted in Dania Beach to rave reviews. Serving a delectable amalgamation of several Middle Eastern and Central Asian countries, owner Bakhtiyor Ostonov, has mastered the traditional cuisine of his homeland and pairs it with dishes from neighboring Kazakhstan, Armenia, Turkey and Xinjiang in northwestern China.
Livello is an elevated, fine dining experience where passion meets culinary precision. The restaurant recently opened in Coral Springs and diners are savoring Chef Bruno’s culinary mastery, which he honed on the vibrant streets of Rio De Janeiro, guided by his grandfather, a maestro of classic Italian flavors.
There’s a new addition to the fine dining scene with the debut of MAASS at the Four Seasons Hotel and Residences in Fort Lauderdale. At the helm is renowned, Michelin-starred chef, Ryan Ratino whose contemporary wood-fire restaurant is an inspired fusion of European and Japanese cooking techniques and ingredients. Diners can also savor the restaurant’s extensive wine program and seasonal menu against a stunning ocean-facing backdrop with indoor and outdoor dining options.
Smith & Webster is an innovative eatery located in Coral Springs which pairs soulful African diaspora cuisine with French cooking techniques. With an energetic vibe and an extensive craft bar focused on seasonal produce, premiere wines and spirits, founders Starex Smith and Kayvon Webster created an exceptional space where people of diverse backgrounds and ages can enjoy an elevated gastronomic experience.
Sweetwaters, a three-story eatery overlooking the New River, is the centerpiece of a $15 million redesign project at Huizenga Park in downtown Fort Lauderdale. The substantial space measuring 12,688 square feet, with an additional 5,846 square feet of outdoor dining area — is expected to break ground in early 2024.
Chef Anthony Vitolo, along with hospitality visionary, Rob Crosoli, opened Vitolo, a family-owned and operated dining destination, inside the Conrad Fort Lauderdale Beach hotel. Old-school Italian vibes set the tone for Chef Vitolo’s take on classic New York Italian cuisine where time-honored recipes, cooking methods, and culinary customs have been passed down through generations.
Upcoming Events
The Visit Lauderdale Food & Wine Festival is a seven-day series of curated culinary experiences and signature events taking place January 8 – 14, 2024. Headlining chefs include “MasterChef” judge Chef Aarón Sánchez, Chef Jason Smith, Chef Nancy Fuller and Chef Nicole Layog.
Jazz Fest Pompano Beach returns January 18 – 20, 2024 with fabulous concerts – including an opening night concert at the Pompano Beach Cultural Center, followed by evening concerts on the beach to accommodate a larger audience. Featured performers include Grammy® Award-winning saxophonist Branford Marsalis and a stellar lineup of internationally renowned artists.
The Broward County Cultural Division will host IGNITE Broward, South Florida’s most exciting, family-friendly festival of interactive art and technology. The third annual IGNITE festival runs from January 24-28, 2024 in Fort Lauderdale and Dania Beach, with an array of interactive light and sound-based experiences created by top national and international artists and designers using the most innovative digital technologies. All events are free and open to the public.
Immerse yourself in a rosé paradise when the Seaglass Rosé Experience returns to Fort Lauderdale Beach from January 26-28, 2024. The sprawling beachfront setting, directly across from the Hilton Fort Lauderdale Beach Resort, will be filled with indulgent fun and 30+ rosé varietals, spirits, craft brews, celebrity chefs and music. A portion of the proceeds will benefit AutoNation’s DRV PNK which raises money for cancer research and treatment in South Florida.
The Pegasus World Cup has established itself as South Florida’s leading luxury sports and lifestyle event of the year. This year’s Pegasus World Cup will be presented by Baccarat and guests will be able to enjoy a special performance by Grammy® Award-winning producer, DJ, and songwriter Calvin Harris. Don’t miss the fun at Gulfstream Park on January 27, 2024.
A historical retrospective and concert, Reggae Genealogy – The Origins, Evolution and Influence of Jamaican Music will take place at the Island SPACE Caribbean Museum in Plantation on Saturday, February 10, 2024. In celebration of Reggae Month, the inaugural event will be a blend of entertainment and education, showcasing live performances, including music and dance, archival video elements and contemporary narratives for a fully immersive experience.
Travel back to the 16th century during the Florida Renaissance Festival in Deerfield Beach every weekend from February 4 – March 24, 2024. Browse through an Enchanted Artisan Marketplace where more than 100 merchants demonstrate and sell their wares. Guests can meet hundreds of performers like sword fighters, minstrels, magicians, wenches, and more!Held on the white sands of Fort Lauderdale Beach Park, Rock the Ocean’s Tortuga Music Festival is a 3-day, multi-stage music festival featuring some of the biggest names in country, rock and roots music. Mark your calendar and we’ll meet you at the beach on April 5 – 7, 2024.
Sports and Entertainment
Did you know Greater Fort Lauderdale has its own anthem? The catchy song, entitled “Laudy Dayo” is a celebration of our diverse community, picturesque landscapes, and dynamic energy. Visit Lauderdale partnered with Alexander Star, a local Emmy®-nominated songwriter and impact artist who performed the anthem which is poised to become a timeless representation of Greater Fort Lauderdale’s identity, leaving a lasting impression on everyone under the sun.
The Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood ushered in a ‘new era’ of gaming with the recent introduction of craps, roulette and long-awaited, legalized sports betting. The launch of these exciting new games is a historic milestone with Greater Fort Lauderdale now joining the ranks of leading international casinos.The Fort is the ultimate pickleball destination, soon coming to Snyder Park in Fort Lauderdale. Located on a 10-acre expanse, the Pickleball Club boasts 43 pickleball courts, with 14 under roof, including the world’s first official pickleball stadium. More than just pickleball, The Fort also offers a dynamic lakeside social experience with The Lakehouse, an event center that doubles as sky boxes during tournaments and special events.
Topgolf Pompano Beach, a brand-new entertainment option is now open. A blend of sports, socializing, technology and entertainment, Topgolf is the perfect place for parties of all sizes where guests can take aim at the giant outfield targets and enjoy climate-controlled hitting bays and complimentary clubs.Escape rooms have evolved, and fans are anxiously awaiting Escape Game Sunrise, slated to open at Sawgrass Mills Mall in January. At Escape Game Sunrise, you and your team are heroes on a mission. Games are collaborative, tactile, story-driven, and about more than just escaping, they are adventures.
Accessibility & Transportation
Visit Lauderdale continues to enhance its inclusion and accessibility offerings with Greater Fort Lauderdale/ Broward County Convention Center becoming the first convention center in North America to adopt the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower program, a simple tool for people with non-visible disabilities to voluntarily share that they have a disability or condition that may not be immediately apparent. All convention center employees will receive Sunflower training on how to spot and help someone with a hidden disability and a permanent space now provides a person with a hidden disability, or a traveling companion, with various Sunflower products, such as a lanyard, pin, wristband, or retractable Sunflower ID card holder.
JetBlue Airways has plans to build its own terminal that will soon be responsible for 250 daily trips by 2027. The new terminal at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport is a 230,000-square-foot project featuring five passenger gates, inbound and outbound baggage processing facilities, a security checkpoint, retail and food and beverage concessions, and two elevated pedestrian bridges.
Porter Airlines has expanded its Florida offering from Eastern Canada with flights from Toronto, Pearson and Ottawa, departing for Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. Routes are now available for passengers who are looking to book roundtrip flights from Fort Lauderdale to Western Canadian destinations like Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver.
The famed Water Taxi added a brand-new stop along the Intracoastal Waterway at the International Swimming Hall of Fame Museum, a multi-faceted attraction which recognizes the world’s greatest aquatic athletes. The museum also features rare photos, posters, films, swimsuits, Olympic medals, trophies and many other swimming related artifacts on display. Located at 1 Hall of Fame Drive in Fort Lauderdale, passengers now have another convenient location to embark on an unforgettable day of fun in the ‘Venice of the America’.
Hotel Openings
Travelers can now enjoy a convenient stay at the new Aloft Hotels® by Marriott at Fort Lauderdale Airport. The 138-room, 14-floor property is located 3.5 miles from the Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and 1.5 miles from the Port Everglades cruise terminals. This new Aloft property has a long list of impressive on-site amenities including a fitness center and a serene yoga terrace.
The Dolce by Wyndham Hotel is a kosher, 100-room, boutique hotel conveniently situated across from the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood. This hotel is thoughtfully tailored with amenities such as a kosher rooftop restaurant and bar, Shabbat elevator that automatically stops on every floor, and manual room keys. State-of-the-art meeting spaces with advanced technology paired with a sophisticated food and beverage program, offer an ideal combination for guests and meeting planners.
The newly built Fairfield Inn & Suites Fort Lauderdale in Tamarac opened this fall. With 120 guest rooms with ample amenities for business or leisure including a pool, a fitness center, free Wi-Fi, and free on-site parking. Conveniently situated away from congestion and crowds, the hotel provides a refreshing opportunity to experience Fort Lauderdale like never before.