Outdoor food market moves from Wynwood to Fort Lauderdale after losing its home

Here’s the deal: Wynwood gets a new luxury real estate development. In exchange, Fort Lauderdale gets a popular open-air food market.

Yes, Smorgasburg, the “Disneyland of Food,” is coming to Fort Lauderdale. After nearly four years in Wynwood, the weekly outdoor food market announced this month it will move to 536 NE Second Street in Flagler Village, an up-and-coming downtown neighborhood. The weekend market will start April 11 and 12.

“There’s so much variety, so much energy, so much smoke, smells, noise and activity. It’s like sensory overload in the best possible way,” said Gaston Becherano Cohen, Smorgasburg owner and CEO. “That same experience is going to be in Fort Lauderdale as it was in Wynwood. The difference is that we’ve learned all the lessons of operating a lovely outdoor food market in South Florida for three and a half years.”

That includes improved landscaping, shade from the sun and new programming alongside dozens of innovative local food and retail vendors, Becherano said. Visitors will get to explore diverse foods and desserts, like Korean skewers, Chinese tanghulu, Lebanese shawarma and Colombian empanadas.

“Walk around and try something you’ve never had before,” Becherano said. “Be explorative and adventurous.”

Originally from Brooklyn, Smorgasburg’s food bazaar pop-up opened in an empty Wynwood lot in March 2022. (There are also Smorgasburg markets in Manhattan, Jersey City, Los Angeles and Atlanta.) Since the location on Second Avenue near Wynwood Walls was prime real estate, Becherano said the market was only supposed to be there for two years. But permitting takes forever in Miami, so Smorgasburg stayed put for a bit longer.

Finally, the market got the call from its landlord confirming that a development was incoming, and Smorgasburg announced its closure last November. A tale as old as time in Miami, the empty lot will turn into luxury condos.

While he is very grateful for Smorgasburg’s time in Wynwood, Becherano said the neighborhood “morphed into a place that wasn’t necessarily the most friendly to locals.” Though Fort Lauderdale is in the midst of a serious real estate boom, the Flagler Village area is less chaotic in comparison to Wynwood, he said.

While South Florida locals debate whether Fort Lauderdale is truly stealing Miami’s thunder, Smorgasburg’s move from the 305 to the 954 is indicative of Fort Lauderdale’s growing food scene and appeal to young people. Data from the Fort Lauderdale Downtown Development Authority shows the area has seen a significant population boost in young professionals and young families. Nearby developments like Thrive Art District and FAT Village aim to cater to the city’s changing demographics.

Becherano had his eyes on Fort Lauderdale as Smorgasburg’s next home for a while.

“FTL has felt like the forgotten sibling compared to Miami,” Becherano said. “You could ask about West Palm Beach or Delray or Boca, but FTL has a really awesome food scene. There’s a lot of cool stuff happening there.”

When moving to a new city, Smorgasburg looks for food scenes where chefs are doing exciting things, like pop-ups and experimentation, he said. The market acts like an “incubator” for vendors to test new ideas.

One example out of the Wynwood market is The Lazy Oyster, which now has an outpost at Gramps Getaway and is returning to the Fort Lauderdale market. Appearing at the Fort Lauderdale market for the first time is Sessions Specialty Coffee, which makes “f***ing amazing coffee” along with seasonal creams and foams based on Miami fruits, Becherano said.

Though the food is center stage at Smorgasburg, non-food retail vendors will also appear at the Fort Lauderdale location. One newcomer is Steamy Lit, a romance bookstore with locations at Thrive Art District and Miami Springs.

Owner Melissa Saavedra said the store’s market booth will offer “blind dates” with a book, where customers can pick a mysterious wrapped book, and its “Debi Leer Mas Libros” merchandise. Appearing at Smorgasburg is an opportunity to spread awareness about the store’s South Florida locations and connect with the community, she said.

“The Fort Lauderdale area really craves community and outdoor things,” she said. “I think it speaks to where Fort Lauderdale could be heading, if it’s not already there.”

New and returning Smorgasburg vendors

Food vendors:

• Arepa Xpress (returning) — Venezuelan and Colombian-style arepas with a variety of savory fillings
• Atipic Mix (returning) — Colombian-inspired empanadas with creative, unexpected fillings
• Birreria Tijuana (returning) — Tijuana-style birria tacos and crispy quesabirria served with rich consommé
• Blazed BBQ (returning) — Texas-style barbecue with Miami influence, featuring slow-smoked meats
• Boca Burger (returning) — smashburgers with crispy edges, melty cheese and classic toppings
• Coco House (returning) — fresh coconut shakes, desserts and tropical treats made with real South Florida coconuts
• Disco Donkey (new) — Thai-American fusion burgers and street-style bites
• El Nopalito Vegan Taqueria (new) — plant-based Mexican fare featuring housemade tortillas, seitan and salsas
• Gangnam Sticks (new) — Korean street food skewers and snacks
• Gran Shawarma (new) — Lebanese street food centered around classic shawarma
• If And When Eats (returning) — Caribbean-inspired comfort food including jerk meats, rice bowls and tostone cups
• Isla 2 Isla (new) — Cuban, Panamanian and Filipino fusion, from loaded tostones to island-style sandwiches
• Kabuki Soba (returning) — yakitori skewers and wok-fired yakisoba noodles rooted in Japanese street food traditions
• Korean Kitchen (returning) — bulgogi bowls and rolls with marinated meats, noodles and housemade sauces
• Korn Korner (returning) — playful, corn-forward dishes from elote to loaded street-style creations
• La Llorona (returning) — family-driven Mexican concept serving tacos, tamales, chilaquiles and more
• La Picaña Grill (returning) — charcoal-grilled Venezuelan specialties centered around juicy picaña
• Lechona Truck (returning) — traditional Colombian slow-roasted pork with crispy skin
• Le Petit Tunis (new) — Mediterranean-Tunisian street food inspired by family recipes and North African spices
• Luji’s Sabor Argentino (new) — handcrafted Argentine empanadas made with traditional recipes
• Mr. Mango (returning) — fresh-cut tropical fruit, mangonadas and sweet-spicy snacks
• Riddom & Bao (new) — Jamaican-Asian fusion with bold, globally inspired flavors
• Tasty T’s (returning) — Bahamian and Caribbean comfort food with bold, island-driven flavors
• Teppanyaki Pro (returning) — Japanese teppanyaki-style street food with made-to-order grilled proteins and rice plates
• The Lazy Oyster (returning) — traveling raw bar serving freshly shucked oysters and lobster rolls
• TropiRollz (new) — Caribbean fusion sushi rolls and “Tropsubi” sandwiches

Drinks and dessert vendors:

• Acai Way (returning) — açaí bowls topped with fruits, chocolate and crunchy add-ons
• Cool & Creamy (returning) — soft serve, sundaes and milkshakes made with high-quality dairy
• Cool Pineapple Miami (returning) — pineapple-based treats, smoothies and tropical fruit snacks
• Monster Cookies (new) — oversized, gooey cookies packed with rich flavors
• Primoo Boba Drink (returning) — fruit teas and milk teas with classic boba toppings
• Puro Chocolate (returning) — chocolate-forward desserts and indulgent sweet treats
• Santo Dulce (returning) — churro-based desserts reimagined with inventive flavors and formats
• Seoul Hotteok (new) — traditional Korean sweet pancakes with warm fillings
• Sessions Specialty Coffee (new) — specialty coffee program featuring carefully sourced and roasted beans
• Sugar Cane King (returning) — fresh-pressed sugarcane juice blended with natural fruit flavors
• TANGTANG (new) — tanghulu, candied fruit skewers with a crisp sugar shell

Retail vendors:

• Alchemy Clayworks (new) — handmade ceramic pieces including mugs, planters and home goods
• Butina Design (returning) — handcrafted jewelry and accessories with a modern edge
• Cosmic Coven (new) — hand carved stones and craft fine sterling jewelry
• Golden Era Kits (returning) — rare and nostalgic vintage soccer jerseys
• Grampas Closet (returning) — curated vintage apparel, accessories and collectibles
• Steamy Lit (new) — curated selection of romance novels
• The Poole (new) — sustainable clothing brand featuring one-of-a-kind pieces and graphic tees

If you go

What: Smorgasburg Fort Lauderdale Grand Opening

When: noon to 8 p.m. April 11 and 12

Where: 536 NE Second St., Fort Lauderdale

Info: Occurs weekly. Free entry. https://www.instagram.com/smorgasburgmiami/?hl=en