10 January 15–21, 2026 miaminewtimes.com | browardpalmbeach.com NEW TIMES | MUSIC | CAFE | CULTURE | NIGHT+DAY | NEWS | LETTERS | CONTENTS | ▼ FORT LAUDERDALE NEW IN TOWN Since the fall of 2025, Fort Lauderdale has been on a serious hot streak, with new restau- rants, cocktail bars, rooftop lounges, and speakeasies popping up faster than you can refresh your Resy account. From oceanfront dining rooms made for lingering over sunset cocktails to sushi temples, hibachi party spots, and Top Chef helmed neighborhood gems, Broward’s dining scene feels like it just hit turbo mode. What once felt like gradual growth now reads like a full-on glow-up, with fresh openings stretching from the beach to Plantation, Coral Springs, and Oakland Park, each one adding its own vibe, personality, and reason to book another night out. And the best part is that they are all in- credibly fun and wildly different. There are secret speakeasies tucked behind red doors, sporty lounges with Topgolf swings, polished rooftop retreats built for golden-hour selfies, and even a Michelin-recognized cocktail resi- dency shaking things up along the coast. Add in high-energy sushi lounges, cozy neighbor- hood favorites in soft-opening mode, and splashy beachfront destinations built for big celebrations, and you’ve got a Broward dining moment that feels exciting, electric, and just a little bit irresistible. Bar Betty Bar Betty is a new speakeasy tucked above Sunness Supper Club at 2465 E. Sunrise Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale, accessed through a red door after 7 p.m. and featuring live music on select nights. Designed as an intimate, atmo- spheric hideaway with classic speakeasy vibes, it offers a cozy setting for date nights or a stylish after-dinner stop. With plans to grow into a 4,000-square-foot lounge above the main dining room, Bar Betty is quickly be- coming one of the city’s newest late-night hangout spots. 2465 E. Sunrise Blvd., Fort Lau- derdale; 954-491-6611; sunnesssupperclub.com. Bondi Sushi Bondi Sushi has opened its first Broward County location in Oakland Park, bringing the New York–born sushi spot’s signature tuna crispy rice, hand rolls, and sleek, laid- back vibe to 3329 N. Federal Hwy. The new outpost debuts exclusive dishes such as wa- gyu sliders, lobster tacos, and skewers along- side its popular nigiri, sashimi, and omakase bar offerings, plus a full cocktail program cre- ated in collaboration with Shinji’s. As Bondi’s largest location to date, the space features striking design details and a new “Bar at Bondi,” positioning it as both a dining desti- nation and a stylish neighborhood hangout. 3329 N. Federal Hwy., Oakland Park; bondisu- shi.com. Del Mar Fort Lauderdale Del Mar Fort Lauderdale is a newly opened oceanfront Mediterranean restaurant set di- rectly on the sand at Auberge Beach Resi- dences, offering sweeping views of the Atlantic from its expansive indoor-outdoor dining spaces. The 17,000-square-foot restau- rant features a shareable, seafood-forward menu inspired by coastal regions from Greece and Spain to Morocco and Italy, alongside wood-grilled meats, handmade pastas, and mezze spreads served with warm house- made pita. With craft cocktails, an extensive wine program, and a polished beachfront set- ting, Del Mar has quickly positioned itself as one of Fort Lauderdale Beach’s premier desti- nation restaurants. 2200 N. Ocean Blvd., Fort Lauderdale; 754-778-7188; delmarmediterra- nean.com. Fair Ketch Fair Ketch is a sleek, Everglades-inspired sports lounge that blends game-day excite- ment with a polished coastal vibe, offering massive flat-screen walls, a Topgolf Swing Suite, and plenty of space for pool and foosball. Designed as a lively social hub rather than a traditional sports bar, it pairs elevated bar fare and craft drinks with immersive entertain- ment and a high-energy atmosphere. Whether guests come to watch the big game or simply unwind with friends, Fair Ketch aims to de- liver a getaway-style experience with nonstop momentum.1850 SE 17th St., Fort Lauderdale; 754-224-3703; omnihotels.com. Florida Room Florida Room, the new Fort Lauderdale res- taurant from Top Chef alums Janine Booth and Jeff McInnis, has opened at the Fort sports and entertainment complex, offering Southern-coastal comfort food with views of the venue’s pickleball courts. The dinner- only spot features a wide-ranging menu that spans caviar-topped tater tots, wagyu short- rib “meatloaf,” wood-plank salmon, and nos- talgic desserts like coconut key lime pie and baked Alaska. With its sandy-toned interiors, indoor-outdoor seating, and relaxed neigh- borhood feel, Florida Room is designed for weeknight dinners, family meals, and casual nights out with friends. 891 SW 34th St., Fort Lauderdale; playthefort.com. Hellenic Beloved restaurant Hellenic has soft-opened in Coral Springs at 10436 W. Atlantic Blvd., debuting a much larger 5,000-plus-square- foot space with a welcoming, family-style at- mosphere and a heated patio for outdoor dining. Led by chef and owner Nikol Zarbalas, the laid-back Greek eatery serves comfort-forward dishes like lamb burgers, platters, fried green tomatoes, and other mezze-style bites, accompanied by beer and occasional live music. Already one of Bro- ward’s most anticipated openings, the new lo- cation is drawing early guests who praise its warm hospitality and homestyle flavors, with the team reminding visitors that service and operations are still in soft-opening mode. 10436 W. Atlantic Blvd., Coral Springs; 954- 323-2450; orderhellenic.com. Ibis Sky Lounge Ibis Sky Lounge, the new adults-only rooftop bar atop the Omni Fort Lauderdale Hotel, of- fers sweeping views of the coastline and In- tracoastal Waterway and is already positioning itself as one of Broward County’s most polished drinking destinations. The menu features shareable small plates from | TASTE TEST | ▼ Café Above: Bar Betty has opened within Sunness Supper Club in Fort Lauderdale. Left: Bondi Sushi, one of New York’s hottest spots for sushi, tuna crispy rice, and hand rolls opened its first Broward location. Photo by The Louis Collection Bar Betty photo
