New and Hot in Greater Fort Lauderdale: Cool Eats, Sweet Stays, and Big Fun for 2025

Visit Lauderdale Announces Exciting New Openings for 2025

 

GREATER FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (January 28, 2025) – Hungry for new adventures? Greater Fort Lauderdale has your cravings covered. Whether you’re a foodie on the hunt for the next big bite, a music lover ready to jam, or an art enthusiast searching for that wow-worthy masterpiece, Visit Lauderdale is thrilled to announce the newest and hottest additions to the “Venice of America.”

 

Foodies, Get Ready to Feast!

The culinary scene in Greater Fort Lauderdale is sizzling, and this tropical paradise has a diverse array of spots for your taste buds to explore.

 

Dock, drink, dine and dance at Marina Village, the new open air food hall on the picturesque waterways, just steps away from Fort Lauderdale beach. Enjoy culinary delights from The Promenade, featuring eight culinary kiosks, or cocktails at The Mainland Bar. At the heart of Marina Village is The Shorely, a 500-person ferry turned lounge and entertainment venue. The carefully curated entertainment, energizing cocktails, and unparalleled bottle service sets the stage for unforgettable moments.

 

Imagine the Mediterranean breeze, but right here in Greater Fort Lauderdale. Elba, a new Mediterranean restaurant near Las Olas Boulevard, offers fresh flavors from Italy and Greece, served up with flair.

 

Catch & Cut, located on Las Olas Boulevard, offers an elevated dining experience led by Executive Chef André Bienvenu. The menu showcases exceptional seafood, premium stone crabs, sushi, and USDA prime steaks. With a focus on old-school hospitality, guests can enjoy al fresco dining on the rooftop patio, signature cocktails, and an extensive wine list.

 

Greater Fort Lauderdale welcomes back a treasured landmark with the highly anticipated reopening of the Mai-Kai Restaurant and Polynesian Show. After undergoing an extensive renovation to restore and enhance its historic charm, Mai-Kai reopened its doors with updated interiors and refreshed menus – all while preserving the magic and nostalgia that have made it a must visit destination for nearly 70 years.

Situated at 620 South Federal Highway, Daniel’s, A Florida Steakhouse, embodies the essence of Floridian cuisine, offering an upscale dining experience in a welcoming, neighborhood setting. The restaurant’s meticulously crafted menu highlights seasonal ingredients sourced primarily from Florida’s farms and water, and the focus on Florida extends to their beverage program – from locally brewed beers to handcrafted cocktails.

 

Sistrunk Marketplace has introduced a refreshed lineup of offerings, featuring new food vendors like VABBĖ Pizza with authentic Roman-style pizza, Myx Up Jamaican Kitchen delivering bold Caribbean flavors, and Shady Local Beer & Spirits Bar for craft drinks. Guests can also enjoy on-site entertainment at Chops + Hops Axe Throwing, making Sistrunk Marketplace the ultimate destination for food, drinks, and fun in Fort Lauderdale.

 

Art, Music and Nostalgic Fun

Looking for more than just a meal? Greater Fort Lauderdale is also packed with cool new places to play and get your culture on.

 

IGNITE Broward returns Feb. 14-23, 2025, for its most ambitious year yet. Now a 10-day event, this premier celebration of interactive light, art, and technology will feature immersive installations and sound based art experiences across multiple locations in Greater Fort Lauderdale. Perfect for all ages, this family-friendly festival is free to attend.

 

Located in the heart of Greater Fort Lauderdale, Howl at the Moon is a high-energy live music venue that promises fun-filled nights with dueling pianos, great drinks, and lively crowds. Whether you’re looking for a fun night out with friends, a lively spot for a celebration, or just a great place to unwind, this venue offers an unparalleled experience to make every evening memorable. It’s the kind of night out you’ll be telling your friends about for weeks.

 

This new hotspot offers a nostalgic trip back in time with a modern twist, featuring a variety of pinball machines. Satellite Pinball Lounge brings retro vibes and craft beers. Head over to Oakland Park for a blast from the past with a modern twist.

 

Seamless Travel for a Luxury Getaway

We’re not just spicing things up on the ground – we’re making it easier than ever to get here and stay in style.

 

Exploring Greater Fort Lauderdale’s iconic waterways just got even better. Water Taxi launched new routes that now connect visitors and locals to Lauderdale-By-The-Sea, Pompano Beach, and Lighthouse Point. These new routes make it easier than ever to experience Greater Fort Lauderdale’s charm while taking in breathtaking views of the renowned waterways.

 

Celebrated as one of the most striking facades and deemed a legacy in the Fort Lauderdale skyline, Pier Sixty-Six has reopened after undergoing a $1 billion renovation. The 32-acre waterfront resort complex along the Intracoastal Waterway is being meticulously recreated to come back to life as a cornerstone gateway to the “Yachting Capital of the World.”

 

Get ready to “seas” the day at Port Everglades with three cruise ship additions that are sure to make waves. The Sun Princess is ready to shine, being the largest and most energy efficient ship in the Princess Cruises fleet.

 

All aboard, the Silver Ray, as it sets sail as the second star in Silversea’s Nova Class. This ultra luxe cruise ship is one of the most spacious cruise ships ever built, offering uninterrupted views no matter where you are.

 

The Ilma from The Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection is a private oasis at sea. Experience casual elegance at its finest – enjoy spacious suites, breezy open-air lounges, and serene private terraces. This maritime marvel is a floating paradise with panoramic views you won’t want to miss.

  

About Greater Fort Lauderdale

 

With 24 miles of golden sand beaches and 300+ miles of navigable waterways, Greater Fort Lauderdale is known as the Venice of America and Yachting Capital of the World. The area boasts an average year-round temperature of 77˚F, has 3,000+ hours of annual sunshine, and is home to 31 unique municipalities, including eight distinct beach communities, each offering something for “everyone under the sun.” Residents hailing from 170 countries, speaking 147 languages call this diverse destination home. And there’s good reasons, including the area’s unwavering commitment to accessibility and inclusion. Upon arrival at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL), a five-minute drive will get you to the beach, Port Everglades, the newly expanded Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center, and a bustling downtown. Experience 4,000+ eateries, a thriving arts and culture scene, craft breweries, stunning rooftop bars, fishing, diving, and the unmatched beauty of the Florida Everglades. From world-class shopping, to boating, yachts and superyachts all moored at the area’s many marinas, it’s no wonder Greater Fort Lauderdale is one of the most desirable places to stay, work and play. The destination has more than 38,000 unique lodging accommodations at a variety of hotels, luxury spa resorts, and beautifully appointed, boutique properties, all reflecting the area’s cosmopolitan vibe. Find inspiration for your next trip at visitlauderdale.com and follow @VisitLauderdale on Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.

 

About Visit Lauderdale

 

Visit Lauderdale is the official destination marketing organization for Greater Fort Lauderdale and serves as the tourism department for Broward County, Florida. Visit Lauderdale promotes the area’s 31 municipalities to a global audience of leisure and business travelers as the ideal place for Everyone Under the Sun in recognition of the area’s diverse and welcoming vibe, and books conventions into the Greater Fort Lauderdale/Broward County Convention Center and area hotels and resorts. Find more information at visitlauderdale.com and follow @VisitLauderdale on Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.