Greater Fort Lauderdale Joins the MICHELIN Map with Five Standout Restaurants

Source: Visit Lauderdale

Reported By: Caroline Dalal

For the first time in its history, Greater Fort Lauderdale has earned a place in the esteemed MICHELIN Guide Florida, marking a pivotal moment for the region’s culinary identity. With five local restaurants recognized in the 2025 edition—spanning fine dining, global flavors, and thoughtful reinventions of classic forms—the city has stepped confidently into the spotlight alongside Florida’s most established gastronomic centers.

The announcement not only celebrates the individual restaurants that have received stars, Bib Gourmand recognition, and recommendations, but signals a broader shift: Fort Lauderdale is no longer a quiet afterthought in Florida’s culinary conversation—it’s leading its own.

At the Chef’s Counter at MAASS, tucked inside the Four Seasons Fort Lauderdale, a new kind of luxury dining experience unfolds. Awarded One MICHELIN Star, the restaurant offers an intimate chef-led tasting curated by Chef Ryan Ratino and executed with precision by Chef David Brito.

The counter itself—a sleek, open-kitchen theater—hosts diners for an intricate progression of plates that meld French technique with Japanese ingredients and South Florida’s native character. Standouts include a seared diver scallop nestled in truffle purée, a reimagined chicken noodle soup redefined by its silky broth, and koshihikari rice simmered in donabe, layered with maitake and Comté foam. It all builds to a kakigori finale with candied nuts and fresh raspberries—an unexpected dessert that captures the restaurant’s artful tone.

It’s no surprise MAASS earned its star. Here, the experience is measured not only in flavor, but in feeling.

In a more casual—but no less intentional—setting, Heritage captures the spirit of approachable luxury with a Bib Gourmand designation. Under Chef Rino Cerbone, the Italian-inspired menu leans into familiarity with craft: wood-fired pizzas, handmade pastas, and sharply executed riffs on traditional fare.

The energy at Heritage is lively and unpretentious. Yet behind the scenes, every plate reflects an understanding of balance—flavor, value, and atmosphere coexisting seamlessly. It’s this very alignment that earned the MICHELIN inspectors’ attention and applause.

Beyond stars and Bibs, three additional restaurants have been recommended by MICHELIN for their culinary precision and cultural perspective:

Daniel’s, A Florida Steakhouse (Chef Daniel Ganem):

• A modern interpretation of the American steakhouse with local sourcing and elevated finesse. Think pristine seafood, expertly aged cuts, and a beverage program as thoughtful as the plating.

Evelyn’s at the Four Seasons (Chef Brandon Salomon):

• A Mediterranean-inflected menu rooted in coastal inspirations from the Middle East and North Africa. The oceanfront setting matches the freshness of the food—bright herbs, vibrant spices, and seafood that speaks to place.

Larb Thai-Isan (Chef Suksamran):

• Deeply rooted in northeastern Thai tradition, this family-style spot delivers punchy, aromatic dishes with authenticity and care. From curries to herbal salads, it’s a study in specificity, making it one of Fort Lauderdale’s most distinct culinary voices.

With over 4,000 restaurants throughout its 31 municipalities, Greater Fort Lauderdale has long offered variety. What the MICHELIN Guide’s inclusion signals, however, is a new benchmark for excellence. Each of the five honorees exemplifies not just skill, but purpose—chefs telling their stories through food, rooted in a region that has quietly become a crossroads of cultures.

For more details on Greater Fort Lauderdale’s MICHELIN Guide debut and culinary offerings, visit www.visitlauderdale.com.

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