Is Fort Lauderdale Set to Land its First Michelin Star Restaurant?

Fort Lauderdale's culinary scene is poised for a significant milestone on Thursday, April 17, as the Michelin Guide expands its Florida coverage in 2025 to include Greater Fort Lauderdale, the Palm Beaches, and St. Pete-Clearwater. New Times broke the news in February of this expansion, which marks the first time that restaurants in Broward County will be eligible for prestigious Michelin stars. Previously, only spots in Greater Miami, Orlando, and Tampa were considered.

"Florida continues to raise the bar with its emerging culinary talent, international influences, and the palpable passion of its local restaurant communities," says Gwendal Poullennec, International Director of the Michelin Guides. "Over the past three years, we've seen the Florida selection grow and strengthen as our Inspectors shined a spotlight on their discoveries. We look forward to exploring these new destinations and highlighting the excellence of their local restaurant scene."

This means we're just hours away from a historic Fort Lauderdale win (or snub) within the dining world. This has the potential to change the city's dining culture as we know it. Below, we discuss three of the contenders that may receive Michelin Stars, Michelin Bib Gourmand awards, or just Michelin recognition on Thursday, April 17, at the official Florida Michelin Guide ceremony in Orlando, Florida.

Maass: A Strong Contender for Fort Lauderdale's First Michelin Star

Leading the charge is Maass, a fine-dining restaurant that opened in late 2023 within the Four Seasons Hotel and Residences in Fort Lauderdale. Helmed by acclaimed chef Ryan Ratino, known for his two-Michelin-starred Jônt and one-starred Bresca in Washington, D.C., Maass brings a high-end tasting menu experience to the area. The restaurant offers inventive dishes like foie gras macarons and 72-hour short ribs, complemented by a sophisticated cocktail program featuring tableside service.

Maass has already garnered attention as a top dining destination in Broward County, earning accolades for its refined cuisine and elegant atmosphere — even claiming a spot in New Times' 13 Best Restaurants in Fort Lauderdale. Given Chef Ratino's track record and the restaurant's commitment to excellence, Maass is a strong candidate to receive Fort Lauderdale's first Michelin star.​

Daniel's: A Steakhouse That Truly Honors Florida Produce and Farmers

Daniel's may have just opened, but it's already a hit among locals for its classic steakhouse dishes with a focus on local ingredients from Florida farms. The dimly lit and sleek new spot is a passion project of Thomas Angelo, the founder of Gioia Hospitality Group and co-owner of New Times' Best Restaurant in Coral Gables, Fiola Miami. Executive Chef Daniel Ganem has crafted a menu that features locally sourced ingredients, including prime steaks and American Wagyu from North Florida ranches, as well as an array of locally sourced fruits and vegetables. Highlights include the hamachi crudo with strawberries, Florida burrata, Wagyu, and pearls, as well as the beef Wagyu tartare with Kaluga caviar, the Joyce Farms half-toasted chicken, and the braised Suwannee River Wagyu beef short rib.

Due to its high praise so early on and its focus on Florida-grown menu items, it's safe to say the steakhouse is a major Michelin contender this year.

The Katherine: A Hidden Gem Along Broward Boulevard

Tucked in a modest shopping plaza along Broward Boulevard, the Katherine may not flaunt its prestige from the curb, but inside, it's quietly redefining American cuisine — and now it's a serious contender for the Florida Michelin Guide Awards 2025. Since opening in 2021, chef Timon Balloo's modern American restaurant has racked up accolades, from a James Beard Award nomination to being the sole Florida representative in the New York Times' list of the 23 Best American Dishes of 2023. The dish is a Thai red curry yellowtail that blends bold Southeast Asian flavors with coastal Floridian finesse — a dish that captures Balloo's Chinese-Indian-Trinidadian heritage and the global inspiration he and his wife gather from their travels. Already earning a coveted spot on New Times' Top 100 Restaurants of 2024, the Katherine may just get its chance to shine on a national level once more.

Anticipation Builds for the 2025 Michelin Guide Florida Selection on Thursday, April 17

The full list of Michelin-starred restaurants in Florida, including new additions from Greater Fort Lauderdale, will be unveiled on Thursday, April 17, and New Times will be live, breaking every moment. 

What Fort Lauderdale restaurants do you think will receive Michelin stars? Let us know in the comments or email me at [email protected].