Del Mar Fort Lauderdale

Reviews

• BA

  Brandon Ahearn

  1 day ago
  1.0
  Delmar has taken over the former Dune space in Fort Lauderdale, and what a tragedy that is. Dune was exceptional. Delmar is an embarrassment. The night started with a pleasant greeting from our waitress—and that was the absolute peak of the experience. Drinks took 30 minutes to arrive and were room temperature, watered down, and borderline non-alcoholic. Multiple martinis tasted like lemonade despite being ordered as vodka with a squeeze of lemon. An old-fashioned tasted like literal sugar water. Not balanced. Not strong. Just wrong. After over an hour of waiting, we finally asked if we could order appetizers because nothing else had appeared. The appetizers—hummus, spicy feta, bacon-wrapped dates, and a salad—were bland, lifeless, and completely forgettable. Zero flavor. Mediocre at best. Then came the entrées, or rather, the continued waiting. After nearly two hours in the restaurant, the maître d’ came over to tell us dinner would take a while longer and asked if we wanted more appetizers. We were starving and told him we just wanted our meals. He returned with a couple of sad plates of plain lettuce masquerading as salads. When the food finally arrived, it somehow got worse. • Ribeyes tasted like they’d been soaked in vinegar • Pasta was gray, mealy, and genuinely rancid • Fish was flavorless and topped with raw, uncooked tomatoes—not roasted, not seasoned, just slapped on raw The drinks never improved. At one point, a “dirty martini” arrived with a lemon twist, and the waitress said, “Oh, I forgot the olive juice, I’ll just bring it over.” When our friend pointed out that lemon and olive juice do not mix, the confusion was palpable. That pretty much summed up the entire night. Eventually, most of us switched to wine—because how do you mess that up? It’s just opening a bottle. Everything lacked flavor. Everything was poorly executed. Everything was late. It was disappointment after disappointment. One person at our table is a chef and was absolutely mortified by what was coming out of the kitchen and the level of service we were receiving. To make matters worse, when the food and beverage manager came over, instead of simply apologizing and saying, “There’s no excuse. We’re very busy and newly opened, and we’re so sorry—let us take care of you,” he was combative. He repeatedly returned to the table making excuses, offering explanations that made little to no sense, and deflecting responsibility. It took multiple conversations just to reach any sort of resolution, which only added to the frustration of an already disastrous evening. His final explanation was that it was a Saturday night, they were busy, and they had just opened a few weeks ago. His solution? He told us not to come back on Saturdays and to try a Monday or Tuesday instead. I’ve never heard anything so ignorant. Does a Broadway show tell you to come back on a weekday because the weekend performance won’t be as good? Unless you want to spend an exorbitant amount of money for an infuriating experience, stay far away from this restaurant. The only thing Delmar has going for it is the view—so maybe stop in for a glass of wine and nothing else. Dune deserved better. Fort Lauderdale deserves better. Delmar is not ready for prime time.
• LP

  Lisa Peddy

  1 day ago
  2.0
  We went to Del Mar for a birthday dinner last night. We went because it’s had a lot of great reviews. While the restaurant is beautiful and it was packed, we had several issues. I don’t normally leave poor reviews but in this case I feel like others should be aware. The worst was that 4 of 5 main entrees were overcooked, to the point that the scallops were hard and rubbery, as was the signature lobster spaghetti dish (both the lobster and the spaghetti were overcooked). HUGELY DISAPPOINTING. We don’t know if the food sat under a heat lamp or came out of the kitchen this way but both of these dishes were way overdone to the point of almost being inedible. A steak ordered medium rare was also closer to medium. The salmon ordered medium rare was medium to medium well. We did tell the manager or supervisor about the food when she came by our table to ask about our experience and she gave us complimentary desserts because of the food. But this does not make up for the main entrees. On service, when our wine was served, we were not offered to taste it after the bottle was opened, nor were we offered the option to have it decanted (this was a 2013 cab). It was just poured out into everyone’s glasses. So some training is needed on wine service etiquette. Someone working at the restaurant kept dropping silverware at a station nearby, literally about six different times during our meal. It also took 30 minutes for valet to bring our car around post dinner. If the food had been good I would not leave a review like this but in this case I feel like people should know. There are a lot of fine dining options in Fort Lauderdale and this one is not up to par. I believe they’ve been open about a month. Again this was SO DISAPPOINTING. CANNOT RECOMMEND.
• HH

  Harmony

  2 days ago
  5.0
  Our time at Del Mar was nothing short of exceptional. From the warm welcome upon arrival to the final bite of dessert, every detail felt thoughtfully executed. Although we initially hoped to sit outside, we were seated in a beautiful booth that felt intentionally selected just for us. The two hostesses were gracious, polished, and incredibly kind. Our server, Nelly, immediately made us feel at home with her warmth, genuine smiles, and effortless charm. Her knowledge of both the wine list and menu was impressive and her recommendations were absolutely flawless. Each dish she presented was beautifully plated and bursting with flavor. Her service was attentive, seamless, and refined, the kind that makes you feel truly cared for without ever being intrusive. She didn’t just serve us, she gave us an experience. Cameron also stopped by to ensure everything was exceptional, along with the manager, Hector, which only reinforced the elevated level of hospitality throughout the evening. A true 10/10 experience! We will absolutely be returning.
• NV

  Noelia Velasquez

  5 days ago
  5.0
  From the moment we arrived, our experience was nothing short of exceptional. The atmosphere is absolutely beautiful, with stunning aesthetics that create a warm, elegant, and inviting ambiance. Every detail of the restaurant reflects thoughtfulness and care. The food was outstanding beautifully presented, flavorful, and clearly crafted with intention. Each dish exceeded our expectations and truly complemented the overall dining experience. What truly set this visit apart, however, was the service. Our servers, Adonis and Kevin, were spectacular. Their attentiveness, professionalism, and genuine warmth exemplified the true meaning of hospitality. They anticipated our needs seamlessly and made us feel genuinely welcomed and cared for throughout the evening. Equally impressive was the presence and engagement of the management team. Colby and Hector checked in on us throughout our entire dining experience, ensuring everything was perfect and making us feel valued as guests. Their hands-on approach and sincere care speak volumes about the culture of this restaurant. Thank you for reminding us what true hospitality looks and feels like. From the service to the food to the atmosphere, this was an unforgettable experience. We look forward to returning again very soon.
• JG

  Juan Gomez

  Dec 31, 2025
  5.0
  Absolutely unforgettable experience I honestly don’t even know where to begin. Del Mar in Fort Lauderdale will forever hold a very special place in our hearts. I chose this restaurant to organize my marriage proposal, and from the very first moment, the entire team went above and beyond. The manager, Hector Reyes, was simply outstanding. He gave me the freedom to create the space exactly how I envisioned it, allowed us to personalize so many details, and supported us every step of the way. His professionalism, warmth, and genuine care made all the difference. He didn’t just manage the night — he helped make it magical. Our server, Andriu, was equally incredible. His attention, kindness, and emotional presence were unforgettable. He celebrated with us, shared in the moment, and even stayed late with us, making sure everything was perfect. He truly went beyond service — he connected with us on a human level, and that made the experience even more special. The food, the atmosphere, the service, and most importantly the people made this one of the most meaningful nights of our lives. If you’re looking for a place to celebrate something truly special, Del Mar is it. They don’t just serve food — they create memories. Thank you for making our proposal absolutely perfect. We will never forget it.

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