Once I found out that Del Mar Fort Lauderdale, a Cameron Mitchell Restaurants’ concept, had arrived in Fort Lauderdale, I was extremely excited to receive an invite to visit it and enjoy all that it has to offer.
Once you step inside, it feels like you are easing yourself into a coastal rhythm, one that immediately tells you to slow down. And it was just what I needed that night.
I went with my bestie Sharma, and the timing couldn’t have been better for a relaxed evening enjoying a new restaurant that promised great food, cocktails and an elegant environment
Mediterranean, Interpreted and Not Imitated
The menu doesn’t rush you. Instead, it suggests a journey across the Mediterranean, pulling from different coastal traditions without anchoring itself too tightly to any one place.
You see it first in the opening selections of spreads and small plates that are to be shared, passed, revisited.
There’s also a sense of warmth built right into the menu’s structure, as if it’s encouraging everyone at the table to start together rather than separately.
Seafood plays a starring role in a way that feels natural for an oceanside space, with bright, clean Crudo-style dishes with citrus-leaning flavors enhanced with fresh herbs, alongside fresh pastas and entrées that connect comfort and depth.
Lobster with spaghetti, truffle-filled agnolotti, and freshly prepared fish makes the menu read like this is a one that’s not only confident but also meant to impress those dining at the restaurant.
Cocktails That Match the Moment
Del Mar’s cocktail lean into Mediterranean and coastal which balance freshness with depth rather than overpowering the palate.
There are light spritz-style cocktails and citrus-forward options on the menu that taste like summer, and spirit-forward classics with infusions, mixing up fig, herbs, and some subtle spices.
It’s the kind of cocktail menu that is meant to enhance the menu, so feel free to ask the knowledgeable staff for recommendations as we did during our visit.
Wine lovers aren’t left out either. Crisp whites, coastal rosés, and balanced reds round out the list, clearly chosen to complement the menu rather than compete with it.
An Effortless and Elegant Experience
Del Mar’s interior hits as refined and relaxed. Natural woods, soft neutral tones, and greenery create a warm foundation, while floor-to-ceiling windows offer views of the ocean.
The lighting is soft and the room takes on that unmistakable glow that makes you want to stay seated just a little longer.
It’s stylish without feeling performative and the kind of place where dressing up feels fun, not required.
The atmosphere supported that kind of night, a relaxed yet elegant one when we visited, matched with attentive service without hovering, energy without noise, elegance without pressure.
Built on Hospitality, Not Hype
Del Mar is part of the Cameron Mitchell Restaurants family, known for creating dining experiences that focus on how people feel in a space, not just what’s placed in front of them.
That philosophy is evident here. Rather than chasing trends, Del Mar leans into timeless coastal dining that’s inspired by Mediterranean cultures where meals are social rituals and evenings are meant to stretch.
The Fort Lauderdale location feels especially well-matched to its surroundings that are adjacent to the ocean breeze.
It’s an elevated, but never exclusionary, restaurant. It feels like a place that locals will return to, and not just somewhere you visit once.
A Place to Remember and Create Your Own Memories
What stayed with me most wasn’t a single dish or dramatic moment, but it was the feeling and experience of that night when I had the chance to visit.
Del Mar doesn’t try to impress you loudly, but it invites you in, lets you breathe, and sends you back out into the night feeling just a little more relaxed than when you arrived.
Del Mar is located at 2200 N. Ocean Blvd. in Fort Lauderdale, FL. For more information, call 754-778-7188 or visit delmarmediterranean.com.
