Calling all Sidewalk Bottle Shop fans - a Diner is coming.
Credit: Sidewalk Diner
One of Fort Lauderdale's favorite neighborhood wine destinations is preparing to pour something entirely new.
The team behind Sidewalk Bottle Shop, the beloved Progresso Village wine bar tucked between Laser Wolf and Patio Bar & Pizza, is bringing Sidewalk Diner to CTZN PARK (825 Progresso Drive) in early 2027.
The roughly 50-seat concept from Sidewalk founder Davey Lopez and chef-partner Walter Navarro will blend elevated Cuban comfort food, craft cocktails, an expansive wine program and a lively late-night atmosphere, becoming the first restaurant announced for the city's forthcoming entertainment destination.
Browardist was the first to break the news of CTZN PARK on June 30, revealing plans for the approximately 10,000-square-foot campus that will transform a collection of ten shipping containers into a hub for dining, live music, retail, recreation and community gathering. Developed by Bobby Velez and Thuan Lam, the project is slated to debut in fall 2026, with Sidewalk Diner expected to open in the following months.
For Lopez, whose original Sidewalk Bottle Shop is approaching its fifth anniversary and recently expanded into Miami, the diner has been years in the making.
"When I first moved to Fort Lauderdale, one of the things I noticed was there was no Cuban food at all or any decent Cuban food," Lopez tells Browardist. "I've always had that in the back of my mind. As soon as I saw this spot, I knew exactly what it was going to be."
The restaurant has been under development for roughly two-and-a-half years. Lopez said the building required a complete overhaul after sitting largely untouched for decades.
"When I went to pull the plans from the city, the last thing they had was from 1954," he said. "It's a complete buildout from scratch. The electrical is done, the plumbing is built out and now we're getting into full construction and decoration."
Inside, guests can expect approximately 25 indoor seats and another 25 outside, creating an intimate neighborhood gathering spot that spills into the larger CTZN PARK campus.
The menu will center on Cuban flavors viewed through a broader culinary lens. Lopez describes it as an elevated Cuban diner, with dishes inspired by childhood favorites while embracing global influences. Among the early menu standouts are a fish sandwich featuring fried red snapper, yuzu garlic aioli and fresh slaw, along with roasted beef cheeks braised in beer and served with beans. Lopez said the kitchen will continue exploring flavors rooted in Cuban traditions while incorporating techniques and ingredients from around the world.
"It's going to be rooted in Cuban, but a little global as well," he said.
The beverage program may be equally ambitious. Known for curating hundreds of bottles from small-batch producers, Lopez plans to build what he calls Fort Lauderdale's "most high-low wine list," offering accessible selections alongside rare trophy bottles, including Champagne priced into the thousands. Cocktails will receive the same attention, featuring premium small-batch spirits and a beverage program created by a respected Miami mixologist.
"I'm going to have something for everybody," Lopez said. "There's going to be $40, $50 and $60 bottles, a lot of choices around $100, but then there's going to be a $2,000 bottle of Champagne as well."
The atmosphere will mirror the personality that has earned Sidewalk Bottle Shop its loyal following.
"It's definitely going to be our vibe," Lopez said. "More upbeat, more music, really good, in-your-face service, but it's going to be fun and it's not going to be pretentious.”
Perhaps the most memorable touch won't happen inside the restaurant at all.
While guests wait for their table, Sidewalk plans to shuttle them via golf cart to the original Sidewalk Bottle Shop, where they'll receive a complimentary glass of sparkling wine before being driven back once their table is ready.
"We want to keep it interactive and really fun for the guests," Lopez said.
