Fort Lauderdale is the land of fresh seafood and waterfront dining. They’re usually the first things anyone visiting wants to try, and it’s easy to fill a list with those coastal classics. But locals and regular visitors know that beyond the stone crab claws and conch fritters, this city boasts a remarkable Japanese dining scene that rivals coastal cities nationwide. These are the 10 restaurants proving Fort Lauderdale’s sushi mastery.
Sushi
$$$ | (954) 779-2735 | WEBSITE
Sushi makes the most exemplary combination of fresh fish and Thai flavors in Fort Lauderdale. Colloquially known as the “Rock & Roll” or the “Boat for 2,” or even the “Rock & Roll Boat,” this is Japanese-Thai fusion on a plate. It should be on the bucket list of anyone stepping foot near Galleria Mall. There are other great sushi spots, but this is the one that inspires repeat visits across two decades.
Sushi Song – Fort Lauderdale
$$ | (954) 287-2903 | WEBSITE
Leave it to a sushi spot open late in Fort Lauderdale to serve world-class rolls. Sushi Song’s lobster volcano roll has a crisp outer layer and a fluffy interior, and it comes with a spicy mayo so smooth it tastes like the kitchen just finished blending it. You’ll be tempted to eat every piece immediately, but save at least one roll for pairing with the Japanese red hot roll.
17th Street Thai Sushi
$$ | (954) 994-1717 | WEBSITE
When 17th Street Thai Sushi opened in the southeast of Fort Lauderdale, it quickly earned local acclaim for its fresh sushi and vibrant Thai cuisine. To this day, the signature dish that defines this hidden gem is the Sakura Roll. It comes beautifully plated, and each piece is packed with generous cuts of fresh fish and an excellent mix of texture and taste. The standout cocktail remains the Pomegranate, served with a refreshing burst of flavor that perfectly complements the meal.
Mastro’s Ocean Club
$$$$ | (954) 561-4800 | WEBSITE
Equal parts upscale steakhouse, seafood destination, and special-occasion haven, this is where Fort Lauderdale locals and visitors whose hotel happens to be along the waterway unite under one elegant roof for impeccable service and memorable meals. It all comes together in the butter cake—a marriage of Mastro’s Ocean Club’s two halves—in which a decadent dessert gets topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Sushi To Go
$ | (954) 485-9966 | WEBSITE
You don’t come to Sushi To Go for the cooked rolls. You’re here for fresh, flavorful sushi in a friendly, family-owned spot. But if you visit Sushi To Go and don’t try the spicy salmon roll—perfectly balanced with just the right kick, then served with that signature warmth—you’re missing out. This is Japanese-American sushi done right. You want it done right, don’t you?
Poke Ice
$ | (954) 626-0084 | WEBSITE
In Fort Lauderdale, there’s Before Poke Ice (BPI) and After Poke Ice (API). This is the poke that defined the city’s bowl scene back in 2024. And although there are now plenty of poke spots across town serving fresh fish with crisp vegetables and customizable toppings (some of them decent), the steady stream of regulars at Poke Ice’s humble location is a testament to its quality.
Sushi Sake
$$ | (954) 870-7337 | WEBSITE
There’s a reason people wait patiently for a seat at the bar, seven days a week, for the chance to taste Sushi Sake’s Hamachi Roll. This is the fusion that started a trend and put Latin-inspired sushi in the conversation about Fort Lauderdale’s most creative dining experiences. We may have had more inventive rolls on occasion, but there’s no denying Sushi Sake’s nearly impossible freshness.
Heart Rock Sushi and thai
$ | (954) 779-2735 | WEBSITE
You might know Heart Rock as that conveniently located spot just miles from Fort Lauderdale’s main beachline, or you might just know it as the cozy, quiet dining room with authentically Japanese-style food that’s been serving the east part of town. And while you can get very good Panang curry and Pad Thai that’s often enough for two meals, sushi is what you’re here for. Make it a salmon avocado roll.
LUCKY CAT STREET EATERY
$ | (954) 909-5301 | WEBSITE
No dish better represents Thai-Japanese fusion than karaage chicken (fight us, sushi). And nowhere in Fort Lauderdale does it better than Lucky Cat Street Eatery. This cozy, family-run eatery has been around since the 2010s, amassing a following of longtime locals and new foodies alike. The cloud of fried-duck-scented steam is a warm welcome to anybody with a nose and a dream.
Trapbachi
$$ | (786) 280-1314 | WEBSITE
Everything at this modern Japanese spot is good, but why settle for good when you could have something a little outrageous? The lemon pepper wings fall off the bone with such tenderness they practically melt in your mouth, and the fact that they’re big enough to share makes for a nice story. Most importantly, they’re delicious. This is what all the other little wings in the greater Fort Lauderdale area want to be when they grow up.
