Enrofloxacin is the first fluoroquinolone compound to be used in food animals in China, and plays an important role in the prevention and control of livestock and aquaculture diseases. However, enrofloxacin residues in foods resulting from its irregular or excessive use can damage seriously consumer health. In this review, the sample pretreatment techniques and the latest detection methods of enrofloxacin residues in foods are described, highlighting the advantages and disadvantages of the new sample pretreatment techniques and those from the national standards. This review focuses on the achievements and trends in the development of fluorescence methods, surface enhanced Raman scattering spectroscopy, microbial methods, electrochemical analysis, immunoassay and quartz crystal microbalance for the detection of enrofloxacin in foods, in an effort to offer new technical support for the monitoring of enrofloxacin residues in foods.