10 Best Florida Restaurants

Florida, known as “The Sunshine State,” is a global tourist magnet not only for an abundance of sunny days but also for delicious food. Florida food is characterized by citrus fruits, seafood, and specialty dishes such as Cuban sandwiches. Iconic seafood dishes include the Minorcan clam chowder and fried grouper sandwiches, along with stone crab claws, spiny lobsters, mahi-mahi, and catfish. The state's cuisine also features fresh strawberries and the big Florida avocados. Floribbean cooking, a style influenced by Caribbean, Spanish, and Cuban cultures, uses fresh ingredients, spices, and gentle flavorings like rum, coconut, and key lime. Notable Floridian specialties include Key lime pie, made with fresh key lime juice, and the Cuban sandwich, which originated in Miami and Tampa. Apalachicola oysters and the rare golden crab are other seafood delicacies unique to Florida. 

Key Lime Pie is the official state food of Florida, a quintessential Floridian dessert that dates back to the late 19th century. The pie is made from small, aromatic Key limes, a creamy, tart filling made from Key lime juice, egg yolks, and sweetened condensed milk, set in a graham cracker crust and often topped with meringue or whipped cream. The origins trace back to the Florida Keys, where Key limes were first grown, and has become a Floridian staple among Florida dishes. 

The average cost of a meal in Florida varies depending on the type of restaurant and location. Budget restaurants will cost $10 to $20 for a single meal. Group meals can range anywhere from $50 and $100. High-end restaurants charge between $40 and $100 per person, with fine dining in Florida often exceeding this range, especially for multi-course meals or specialty dishes. The average tasting menu meal costs $252 at a two-star restaurant and $357 at a three-star restaurant. 

The exclusive restaurants in Florida offer high-end dining experiences that stand out for exceptional cuisine, luxurious ambiance, and premium service, which features world-class chefs, curated wine lists, and unique menu offerings with locally sourced ingredients and rare delicacies, located in prestigious locations such as Miami Beach, Palm Beach, and Orlando. Florida exclusive restaurants include Columbia in Tampa at 2117 E. 7th Ave which offers Cuban and Spanish dishes. Twenty Pho Hour in Orlando at 11951 International Dr. features Asian cuisine, and The Gibson Room in Miami at 2224 S.W. 22nd St. delivers American fare. Ruth's Chris Steakhouse and Eddie V's define high-end dining with their classic steakhouse experiences.

The most popular fast-food restaurants in Florida are listed below:

• Chick-Fil-A: Known for the signature Chicken Sandwich, crispy chicken served on a buttered bun with pickles; popular for Waffle Fries and the classic Frosty dessert.
• Wendy's: Famous for the 4 for $4 deal, with a selection of burgers, chicken nuggets, and a chocolate Frosty; also known for Chili and Baked Potatoes.
• Five Guys: Famous for premium burgers cooked fresh and often ordered with a side of hand-cut fries. Five Guys boasts of 250,000 ways to customize a burger.
• Taco Bell: Known for Baja Blast drinks and Cool Ranch Doritos Tacos; also offers a range of burritos, tacos, and Mexican-inspired dishes.
• Sonic: Known for Tater Tots, Slushes, and the Cherry Limeade; also serves a variety of burgers, hot dogs, and milkshakes.
• Chipotle Mexican Grill: Popular for customizable burritos, made with cilantro-lime rice, guacamole, and natural ingredients; specializes in Mexican-inspired fast casual dining.
• KFC: Famous for Original Recipe Fried Chicken, Mashed Potatoes with Gravy, and Biscuits; known for southern-style comfort food.

The newest restaurants in Florida are listed below:

• Adeline and Little A: A seafood-focused restaurant offering dishes like raw scallops with cream, basil, and Japanese milk bread. Located at 1920 Hillview St., Sarasota, FL 34236.
• Alexander’s Prime: Known for dry-aged prime steaks and locally sourced seafood, Alexander’s Prime is a steakhouse that stands out with its attention to quality. Located at 123 W. Granada Blvd., Ormond Beach, FL 34470.
• Bar Capri: A chic Italian eatery featuring artisanal pizzas, caviar, and cocktails with panoramic views of the water. Located at 185 Banyan Blvd., West Palm Beach, FL 34236.
• Bruno’s of Brooklyn: This Italian restaurant serves signature pork braciole and meatballs, offering a taste of traditional Brooklyn fare. Located at 2149 First St., downtown Fort Myers, FL 33901.
• The Burrow: Offering seared Gulf shrimp, Black Angus brisket sandwiches, and more, this casual spot has a focus on Southern comfort food. Located at 1010 N. 12 Ave., Pensacola, FL 32502.
• The Chicken Place: A Latin-inspired rotisserie chicken joint known for flavorful street tacos and savory side dishes. Located at 10228 S.W. Meeting St., Port St. Lucie, FL 34987.
• enRich Bistro: This upscale bistro features dry-aged USDA Prime steaks and calamari salad, known for its refined American dishes. Located at 5239 Manatee Ave. W., Bradenton, FL 34203.
• Iron Works Steaks and Fine Cocktails: A classic steakhouse specializing in steaks, bourbon chicken, and mushroom Alfredo, offering a cozy yet elegant dining experience. Located at 132 W. Ruby St., Tavares, FL 32778.
• The Monroe: A modern American restaurant with a global twist, offering dishes like wagyu and craft cocktails. Located at 1327 S. Monroe St., Tallahassee, FL 32301.
• Rebellion Beachside Bar & Bistro: A lively bistro featuring hearty pork chops, steamed mussels, and oyster stew, with a beachy vibe. Located at 26 N. Orlando Ave., Cocoa Beach, FL 32931.
• Taverna Oceana: Known for its signature seafood towers, oysters, and smoked filet mignon, Taverna Oceana offers a refined coastal dining experience. Located at 1988 San Marco Blvd., Jacksonville, FL 32210.

The best hidden restaurants in Florida are listed below:

• Kaya Island Eats: Laid-back tropical spot in Key West, Kaya Island Eats offers a fusion of Polynesian, Jamaican, and Hawaiian cuisine, located at 618 Duval St, Key West, FL 33040.
• Rendezvous Bar & Grill: Waterfront dining experience in Fort Lauderdale, Rendezvous Bar & Grill specializes in seafood, serving tuna, shrimp, scallops, salmon, lobster, and more, located at 2525 Marina Bay Dr W, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312.
• Happy Fish Peruvian Fusion Restaurant: A Tampa gem, Happy Fish serves dishes like paella, octopus, mussels, ceviche, tostones, and calamari, blending traditional flavors with a modern twist, located at 4046 North Armenia Avenue Tampa, Florida 33607.
• Express Cafe: Offering a variety of Caribbean and South American dishes, Express Cafe in Kissimmee serves Cuban sandwiches and grilled chicken arepas among other flavorful options, located at 5820 W Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy, Bldg C, Unit 2022, Kissimmee, FL 34746.

Restaurants in Florida serving vegan food include A Lo Vegano Orlando, Karelyns Vegan, Vegan Delights, Erawtica Loving Foods, and BARE Blends. A Lo Vegano Orlando, a fully vegan concept by Vegan Scoops, offers Cuban and American all-day brunch and lunch, with options like waffles, sunny side up eggs, rice and beans, avocado toast, vegan breakfast plates, and vegan chicken. Located at 2603 E South St, Orlando, Florida, Karelyns Vegan serves dishes such as BBQ sandwiches, fried vegan chicken sandwiches, fries, mac n' cheese, and chocolate cake in the Orlando area. 

Vegan Delights, a vegan bakery cafe, makes sweet and savory pastries, sandwiches, and serves coffee drinks at 2201 Palm Ave Ste 104, Miramar, Florida. Erawtica Loving Foods, a fully vegan, alkaline market vendor, serves raw and cooked food with an aphrodisiac twist, including raw tacos, soul food platters, stuffed dates, banana cream pie, watermelon slushy, raspberry iced tea, and specials at 3300 Grand Ave, Miami, Florida. BARE Blends, a women-owned vegan and gluten-free franchise, offers plant-based smoothie bowls, grain bowls, mini sweet and savory waffles, salads, juices, and other small snacks at 117 W Tyler St, Tampa, Florida.

Restaurants in Florida that serve gluten-free food include 4 Rivers Smokehouse, Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill, Craft Kafe, HaleLife Bakery, Aba Miami - Bal Harbour, Le Jardinier, and Harry's Pizzeria. 

The 4 Rivers Smokehouse, located in multiple Florida locations including Winter Park, is known for gluten-free barbecue options like pulled pork, smoked chicken, and St. Louis-style ribs. Smokey Bones Bar & Fire Grill, with locations across Florida, offers a dedicated gluten-free menu with lettuce-wrapped burgers and sides like natural cut fries and loaded baked potatoes. Craft Kafe, in St. Petersburg, is a fully gluten-free bakery serving items like veggie pizzas, cinnamon rolls, and breakfast pastries. HaleLife Bakery, with locations in Clearwater, Tampa, and St. Petersburg, specializes in allergen-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, and egg-free treats. Aba Miami in Bal Harbour offers Mediterranean dishes such as spicy lamb ragu hummus and grilled branzino. Le Jardinier, in Miami, serves a gluten-free bread basket with vegetable dishes, while Harry's Pizzeria, located in Miami, offers gluten-free pies, including cheese and margarita varieties, at locations in Miami.

Yes, many restaurants in Florida offer healthy options, with menu items catering to different dietary preferences like vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and low-calorie. Many establishments focus on using fresh, locally sourced ingredients and offer nutritious meals alongside traditional options. Some restaurants also follow stricter health and safety protocols, such as regular inspections by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), and routine inspections help identify and correct violations related to food safety, storage, and preparation, which results in restaurants being more likely to provide a safe and healthy dining experience for patrons.

Yes, Florida is a good destination for food. The state offers different types of cuisines influenced by Caribbean, Cuban, and Spanish flavors, such as fresh seafood, citrus fruits, and unique dishes like stone crab. According to WalletHub, Orlando ranks highest for the most ice cream and frozen yogurt shops, coffee shops, and specialty-food grocery stores, and also scores high in affordability. Miami ranks first for the most restaurants among the cities surveyed. 

The famous Florida cuisine are listed below:

• Cuban Cuisine: Florida is known for Cuban sandwiches, made with roast pork, ham, Swiss cheese, pickles, and mustard, along with other dishes like ropa vieja and tostones.
• Seafood: Fresh seafood is abundant, with popular dishes like stone crab, conch fritters, shrimp, and grouper, often served grilled, fried, or blackened.
• Caribbean Cuisine: The Caribbean influence in Florida brings dishes like jerk chicken, curry goat, and rice and peas.
• Southern Cuisine: Known for dishes like fried green tomatoes, grits, collard greens, and barbecued ribs.
• American Comfort Food: Florida offers traditional Southern comforts like fried chicken, biscuits, and gravy.
• Fusion Cuisine: A mix of various culinary influences, including Latin, Caribbean, and Southern flavors, reflecting Florida's diverse culture.
• Mexican Cuisine: Tacos, tamales, and burritos are popular throughout the state, especially in cities like Miami.
• European Food: The Spanish influence brought dishes like ceviche, empanadas, and arroz con pollo, along with Minorcan chowder, flavored with the local datil pepper, and Italian dishes like pizza and pasta.
• Floribbean Food: A fusion of Caribbean and seafood-rich dishes, with fresh catches like oysters and local specialties such as the “Catch of the Day,” influenced by Florida's seaside location.

Florida offers a wide range of food, which caters to both tourists and locals alike. In Northern Florida, the Southern cuisine takes center stage, with dishes like oysters from Apalachicola and Gulf Coast shrimp being popular. Near St. Augustine, the food in Florida reflects Spanish influences, with flavorful dishes like ceviche and fresh seafood. Central Florida, particularly around Disney World, features a mix of international cuisines, while fresh local produce such as strawberries and citrus is widely available. 

The Gulf Coast offers specialties like Florida Bay scallops and seafood, including grouper and mahi mahi. South Florida is known for Floribbean cuisine, blending local seafood with Caribbean flavors. Cooking techniques commonly used in Florida include grilling, frying, and marinating seafood in citrus juices.

Fancy restaurants in Florida serve upscale dishes focused on fresh, locally-sourced seafood and premium steaks. Commonly served seafood items include grouper, mahi-mahi, stone crabs (in season), and high-quality steaks, often paired with tropical fruits and flavors. Restaurants like Eddie V's Prime Seafood specialize in seafood flown in from pristine waters. Eddie V’s award-winning wine list features over 300 curated wines. Ocean Prime, which is located near International Drive, also offers a dynamic seafood and steakhouse experience, with chef-curated menus, signature cocktails, and a Wine Spectator-honored wine list. 

Yes, Florida has unique dishes such as Florida Orange Juice, Key Lime Pie, Apalachicola Oysters, Famous Amos Cookies, and Golden Crab. The state is famous for Florida Orange Juice, made from oranges grown in 422,421 acres of groves, with many stores offering fresh-squeezed juice. Key Lime Pie, a tart dessert from the Florida Keys, is a state favorite. Apalachicola Oysters are a popular regional delicacy, known for their sweet, briny taste. Famous Amos Cookies, created by Wally Amos in 1975, are another beloved treat. Golden Crabs, harvested from the deep waters off Florida’s Atlantic coast, are rare and considered a luxury. These dishes are often served in local restaurants, like Joe’s Stone Crab in Miami, where you can enjoy fresh oysters and stone crabs, or in Key West, where Key Lime Pie is a must-try.