New in Fort Lauderdale, from state licensing inspections: Sweetwaters, Piola Las Olas, Playa Bowls, Ophelia, Caviar Club, Naia and more. September 2026.
Last checked Oct. 8, 2026. Updated monthly. This month’s list comes from the Florida Division of Hotels and Restaurants’ food service inspection records: every Fort Lauderdale business that had a licensing inspection, the state’s check before it issues a new food service license, in September 2026. City business questions: the Permit Solutions Team, 954-828-3160.
A licensing inspection is the state’s check on a new restaurant, caterer or food truck before it is licensed, so it is a public record of food businesses getting ready to open. It does not prove a place is open yet; check with the business. Fifteen businesses with Fort Lauderdale addresses had one in September 2026.
What this means for you
- East Las Olas Boulevard had the most: Sweetwaters, Ophelia, Playa Bowls, Caviar Club and, on Oct. 2, Naia.
- Several caterers and food trucks list the same commissary kitchen at 6500 NW 12th Ave.
- Opening a business yourself? A new city Certificate of Use is required from Oct. 1.
New restaurants and food businesses, September 2026
| Business | Address | Type | Licensing inspection |
|---|---|---|---|
| Drip N Dip | 1909 Cordova Road | Restaurant | Sept. 2 |
| Tishs Dishes | 6500 NW 12th Ave., Suite 101 | Caterer | Sept. 2 |
| Locus Gourmet | 6500 NW 12th Ave., Suite 101 | Restaurant | Sept. 4 |
| Sweetwaters | 58 E. Las Olas Blvd. | Restaurant | Sept. 4 |
| The Garden Room (club member restaurant) | 2301 SE 17th St. | Restaurant | Sept. 10 |
| Piola Las Olas | 221 SW 1st Ave. | Restaurant | Sept. 10 |
| VT Culinary Works | 1400 W. Cypress Creek Road | Food truck | Sept. 11 |
| Cali’s Lemonade Express | 3055 E. Commercial Blvd. | Food truck | Sept. 15 |
| Playa Bowls | 401 E. Las Olas Blvd., Suite 185 | Restaurant | Sept. 17 |
| Artesano Bakehouse | 2414 E. Sunrise Blvd. | Restaurant | Sept. 18 |
| Ophelia | 32 E. Las Olas Blvd. | Food truck license | Sept. 21 |
| Tokyo Sushi | 1499 SE 17th St., Suite E | Restaurant | Sept. 22-23 |
| Obsidian Room | 3312 NE 32nd St. | Restaurant | Sept. 24 |
| Caviar Club | 829-833 E. Las Olas Blvd. | Restaurant | Sept. 24 |
| Pelican Wings & Things | 5552 NW 31st Ave. | Restaurant | Sept. 30 |
“Restaurant” here is the state’s permanent food service license; “food truck” is its mobile food dispensing vehicle license; “caterer” is its catering license. Names and addresses are as the state records them.
Early October
Licensing inspections since Oct. 1, to be included in next month’s roundup:
- Cozy Caribbean Restaurant, 3007 W. Commercial Blvd., Oct. 1
- Naia, 904 E. Las Olas Blvd., Oct. 2
- Moonstar Vacations & Bakery (food truck), 6500 NW 12th Ave., Oct. 2
- Auntie Bev’s Soulfood (food truck), 3600 W. Broward Blvd., Oct. 6
- Culmers Catering (caterer), 6500 NW 12th Ave., Oct. 7
- E & D’s Hot Diggity Dogs (food truck), 6500 NW 12th Ave., Oct. 7
Starting a business in Fort Lauderdale
The city launched a Certificate of Use program on Oct. 1, 2026. Every new business must get a Certificate of Use before applying for a Business Tax Receipt; existing businesses need one when they change owners, move, change their operations or space, or answer a notice of violation. The certificate confirms the business can operate at that address. Apply online through LauderBuild; details are in the city’s announcement.
Other steps:
- Register the company with the Florida Division of Corporations at Sunbiz.org.
- County business tax: the Broward County Tax Collector issues the county Business Tax Receipt. The office says 2027 receipts became delinquent Oct. 1, with a 10% penalty.
- Food businesses are licensed and inspected by the state; see our restaurant inspections guide.
- Zoning and building permits: see building permits and zoning.
Tell us
Opening in Fort Lauderdale or cutting a ribbon? Send the name, address and opening date through our contact page.
Frequently asked questions
What new restaurants opened in Fort Lauderdale in September 2026?
State licensing inspections in September 2026 covered new food businesses including Sweetwaters and Ophelia on East Las Olas Boulevard, Piola Las Olas, Playa Bowls, Caviar Club, Artesano Bakehouse, Obsidian Room and Tokyo Sushi.
How do I open a business in Fort Lauderdale?
Since Oct. 1, 2026, every new business needs a city Certificate of Use before it can apply for a Business Tax Receipt. Both are applied for online through LauderBuild.
Where can I find new business filings in Florida?
New companies register with the Florida Division of Corporations at Sunbiz.org; restaurants and food trucks are licensed by the state Division of Hotels and Restaurants, whose inspection records are public.
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