Photo by The Louis Collection
Audio By Carbonatix
If you’ve been trying to score a table at Daniel’s in Coral Gables or in Fort Lauderdale, you’re not alone. The buzzy new steakhouses, which opened in late 2024 in Fort Lauderdale and then in the Gables this summer, are already packed nearly every weekend. Now there’s even more reason to snag that reservation. Digital media outlet Tasting Table just named Daniel’s the best steakhouse in Florida, a major win for the Gioia Hospitality team that opened the Fort Lauderdale flagship less than a year ago.
Tasting Table’s editors evaluated steakhouses across the country and praised Daniel’s in Fort Lauderdale for its wagyu tartare topped with caviar, Florida oysters, meticulous in-state sourcing, and a menu that balances premium steak cuts with standout seafood dishes. The dessert menu also caught their attention, specifically the key lime pie that many locals already consider a must-order.
The Louis Collection photo
An Instant Fort Lauderdale Success
The original Fort Lauderdale restaurant debuted in October 2024 on Federal Highway near the Henry E. Kinney Tunnel. Within six months, it was added to the Michelin Guide — an impressive feat for any South Florida restaurant. Chef Daniel Ganem oversees the culinary program, which also includes D’s, the upscale sports bar next door. “The restaurant is an ode to the Florida farmers, ranchers, and fishermen,” Ganem told New Times in October 2024. “We are putting our own twist on a steakhouse, making something special that showcases the Florida ingredients and also the Florida culture.”
The Coral Gables expansion brought the entire Gioia team back together, including founder Thomas Angelo, his daughter Kassidy, executive chef Luis Salcedo, director of operations Scott Ozler, and wine director Daniel Bishop.
The Louis Collection photo
A Major Move to Miami
Daniel’s Miami builds on the Fort Lauderdale restaurant with a wide-ranging menu that includes seafood towers, housemade pastas, and an impressive lineup of steaks sourced from Florida, Texas, Australia, and the Midwest. Cuts include a 10-ounce Wagyu skirt, a 36-ounce porterhouse, and a 32-ounce tomahawk, paired with sauces such as truffle butter and Foie Gras Rossini-style. The raw bar features oysters, cobia ceviche, and wagyu tartare. Sides are decadent, including lobster mac and cheese, truffled potato fonduta, creamed spinach with local Malabar greens, and rosemary fries with Parmigiano and onion ketchup.
The space has been refreshed with a dark green palette to match the Fort Lauderdale location. Murano glass chandeliers and David Yarrow photographs set the mood, and the private dining room remains intact. The bar area now welcomes walk-ins with dishes like a double patty smash burger and cacio e pepe.
Daniel’s Miami is also making international waves as the first U.S. host of the Rare Tour, a two-night collaboration with Sydney’s Rockpool Bar & Grill. For a restaurant that’s barely a year old, Daniel’s has positioned itself at the top of Florida’s steakhouse scene with remarkable speed.
Daniel’s. 620 S. Federal Hwy., Fort Lauderdale; danielssteak.com.
