Omni Fort Lauderdale Hotel Introduces Seven New Dining Concepts and Executive Chef Cristian Mosquera

Hotel Extends Community Support with Thanksgiving Donation to Feeding South Florida Through Omni Hotels & Resorts’ Say Goodnight to Hunger Program

Fort Lauderdale, FL (Nov. 19, 2025) – Omni Fort Lauderdale Hotel is gearing up for its late 2025 debut with a distinctive culinary program led by Broward County native Cristian Mosquera as Executive Chef, along with a community pledge timed to the Thanksgiving season. From Mosquera’s locally inspired vision for seven new dining concepts to the hotel’s donation to Feeding South Florida, the property is setting the tone for an opening rooted in flavor, purpose, and a strong sense of home. The hotel’s culinary offerings will continue to expand in 2026 with the launch of a sophisticated Italian chophouse. With food and beverage as a cornerstone of the guest experience, Omni Fort Lauderdale is poised to become one of South Florida’s most compelling new dining destinations.

Executive Chef Cristian Mosquera

With over a decade of distinguished expertise and a passion for delivering exceptional guest experiences, Executive Chef Cristian Mosquera returns to his hometown of Fort Lauderdale to orchestrate the culinary identity across the hotel’s collection of restaurants. Driven by a commitment to infuse each restaurant with a profound sense of place, he has crafted distinct menus that pay homage to native Florida flavors and locally sourced ingredients, elevated by his bold, creative approach. Through his command of vibrant flavor profiles, he masterfully blends regional inspiration and modern innovation across all the hotel’s restaurants, forging a new standard of authentic luxury dining experiences destined to become a defining element of South Florida’s gastronomic landscape.

“We are thrilled to welcome Chef Mosquera to the Omni Fort Lauderdale Hotel team,” said General Manager Gayla Guyse. “His deep connection to the local community, paired with his global perspective, makes him the ideal leader to bring our culinary vision to life.”

A Le Cordon Bleu–trained chef, Mosquera’s culinary style is rooted in his Colombian heritage, Southern influences, and a deep respect for classical technique. His menus are thoughtfully curated, drawing inspiration from the Atlantic Coastline, the region’s diverse cultural influences, and his own refined artistry, resulting in culinary craftsmanship that is both expressive and precise.

Mosquera brings extensive experience from within Omni Hotels & Resorts, including assisting with the opening of Omni Louisville and Omni Barton Creek Resort & Spa, as well as contributing to the culinary teams at Omni Nashville and Omni Amelia Island Resort & Spa. Now, returning to Broward County, he brings his breadth of expertise back home to help establish a new culinary landmark.

“It’s an incredible honor to help launch Omni Fort Lauderdale and shape a food and beverage program that delivers experiences far beyond the plate,” Mosquera said. “Each concept is a tribute to the beauty of South Florida, brought to life through multi-sensory moments infused with the creative flavors and cultural perspectives of our diverse and highly talented team.”

Dining Concepts

Reef 76 Kitchen & Bar
Located on the Lobby Level
Guests of the hotel’s signature restaurant can expect a sun-drenched, Caribbean-inspired culinary journey that captures the spirit of South Florida through a refined yet familiar lens. The menu celebrates the region’s bounty with coastal dishes such as wood-roasted heritage pork, impeccably prepared Florida grouper, and a decadent cafecito tres leches, complemented by cocktails like the lavender-infused First Empression with Empress Gin and the guava-forward Wanna Guava, featuring Planteray Rum. Weekend brunch is offered Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., highlighting favorites like a Cuban breakfast sandwich and butter-poached spiny lobster.

Fair Ketch
Located on the Lobby Level
Fair Ketch reimagines the sports bar experience with an Everglades-inspired twist. This dynamic social hub features two Topgolf Swing Suite bays offering interactive virtual games ranging from golf and baseball to immersive screens and bar games. Elevated game-day classics include broiled oysters with spiced chorizo butter, a 32-oz bone-in ribeye, signature Maui chicken skewers, and a trio of profiteroles in guava, vanilla, and passionfruit. A standout cocktail menu will feature The Toucan Party, a refreshing blend of Carpano and pineapple, alongside Crime of Passion, a bright, refreshing gin-based drink with passionfruit and fresh mint. Guests can also explore the curated beer program featuring 12 rotating taps of local craft brews.

Leeward Market
Located on the Lobby Level
Leeward Market is an oasis of convenience, offering fresh-brewed artisan coffee, wholesome breakfast selections, and expertly crafted lunch bites for guests on the move. This experience is anchored by a co-partnership with Panther Coffee, a celebrated cornerstone of South Florida’s specialty coffee scene. Emphasizing freshness, many items will be made in-house with ingredients sourced from local and regional purveyors.

Hidden Key
Located on the Lobby Level
Hidden Key redefines the traditional lobby bar with its striking design, indoor outdoor layout with remarkable waterfront views, patio fire pits, and a curated menu of handcrafted cocktails and lite bites. This thoughtfully designed space for guests to unwind will feature a diverse menu, including blue crab dip and almond-blueberry cake, paired with drinks like the tequila-forward Coconut Water and the indulgent espresso martini-style Espress Yourself. Guests can also indulge in refreshing zero-proof options like the Bimini Breeze.

Tide Coastal Kitchen*
Located on the 10th Floor
Soak in sweeping views of the Intracoastal Waterway and Broward County skyline at Tide Coastal Kitchen, the hotel’s rooftop poolside bar and restaurant. Signature fare will include poke bowls, a blackened mahi mahi sandwich, and the Sandbar Dog, topped with slaw, pineapple sauce, a quail egg, and a potato chip crumble. Sweeten the experience with a key lime ice cream bar or cool off with a frozen cocktail like the citrusy Yuzu Mojito, or opt for a refreshing Limoncello Spritz. With a relaxed yet elegant atmosphere, Tide Coastal Kitchen will be the ultimate setting for a stylish midday escape or golden hour gathering, complete with luxury cabanas and specialty VIP service delivered directly from the bar to your private retreat.

Ibis Sky Lounge
Located on the 29th Floor
Exclusively for guests 21 and older, Ibis Sky Lounge crowns the Omni Fort Lauderdale rooftop with an indoor-outdoor space with remarkable city and ocean views, offering globally inspired small plates, premium wines, and expertly crafted cocktails. Focused on deliberate and elegant gastronomy, the menu features refined bites such as wagyu carpaccio, spiny lobster cocktail, and truffle croquettes. A highlight is a rotating tableside caviar experience, including one theatrically presented in a Rolex box. The cocktail program is developed in collaboration with award-winning bar group Cocktail Cartel, led by hospitality veterans Héctor Acevedo and Manuel Picón. Known for blending creative vision with technical expertise, the team will craft story-driven cocktails tailored to the rooftop’s elevated setting. With this unparalleled offering, Ibis Sky Lounge is set to become Fort Lauderdale’s next rooftop icon and the area’s most sought-after destination to see and be seen.

A Pledge to Feeding South Florida: Say Goodnight to Hunger

As Omni Fort Lauderdale Hotel approaches its debut and the Thanksgiving season—a time centered around community and gratitude—the hotel is proud to honor Omni Hotels & Resorts’ company-wide commitment to Say Goodnight to Hunger. Through this initiative, Omni partners with local food banks to help alleviate hunger in the communities where its hotels operate. In celebration of the opening, Omni Fort Lauderdale will make a special pledge to Feeding South Florida. This donation will provide 8,000 meals across Broward County, reinforcing Omni Fort Lauderdale’s dedication to being an engaged community partner well before its doors officially open. This contribution marks the first of many touchpoints where Omni Fort Lauderdale intends to invest in the place it calls home—supporting local organizations, championing neighborhood connections, and fostering meaningful impact throughout Broward County and the surrounding region.

For more information about the property or to book an upcoming stay, click here.

For hi-res renderings of the property, click here. Renderings include pool deck & Mokara Spa, among others. Restaurant renderings and logos are available here. (Credit: Omni Fort Lauderdale Hotel.)

For Chef Mosquera headshot, click here.

* Tide Coastal Kitchen is exclusive to registered hotel guests.

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About Omni Fort Lauderdale Hotel
Conveniently connected to the newly expanded Broward County Convention Center and adjacent to Port Everglades, Omni Fort Lauderdale Hotel is inspired by Florida’s diverse landscapes and the spirit of coastal sophistication. Featuring 801 guest rooms and suites, expansive meeting and event spaces, seven dining venues with the addition of an Italian chophouse opening in 2026 , a resort-style outdoor pool, and a full-service Mokara Spa with signature Hammam rituals, the hotel offers a premier destination for both business and leisure. Guests can enjoy poolside comfort food at Tide Coastal Kitchen, all-day dining at Reef 76 Kitchen & Bar, and elevated sports entertainment at Fair Ketch, complete with Topgolf Swing Suite simulators. Ibis Sky Lounge — an adults-only rooftop cocktail bar with panoramic skyline and Intracoastal views — crowns the experience. When it’s time to unwind, take a dip in the rooftop pool, browse the retail outlets, or retreat to Mokara Spa for an indulgent treatment. Omni Fort Lauderdale’s prime location also offers easy access to Broward’s best beaches, vibrant shopping districts and cultural venues. Visit http://www.omnihotels.com/hotels/fort-lauderdale  for more information.