Canyon

Ask any Fort Lauderdale foodie for restaurant recommendations, and one name is sure to come up without question. Canyon has been a local gourmand haven for decades. In a town that has new restaurants opening and closing on a daily basis, that really is saying something. Inside this cavernous little restaurant, cuddly couples and lively singles sip prickly pear margaritas at the bar. The lighting is dim. The tables are secluded. The ambiance is ideal for an intimate dinner date. And it shows. The place is always busy, so much so that they refuse to take reservations; weekend customers will oftentimes wait hours for a table. Canyon's southwestern fusion menu features creative dishes with Asian, Southern, and Central American influences. Examples include blue-corn-fried oysters served with pico de gallo, chilli vinaigrette, and cilantro; a Maine lobster avocado salad with warm smoked bacon vinaigrette; and the highly esteemed filet mignon with poblano pesto goat cheese, zinfandel natural sauce, and cilantro potato mash. Read our full review.