It doesn’t always have to be fast food
Restaurants in Florida – from fast food to fine dining
Whether it’s fresh fish straight from the cutter, juicy burgers under palm trees or an ice-cold key lime pie at sunset: Florida serves up indulgence with a view! Here, Caribbean flavors meet American classics, seasoned with a pinch of beach vibe. Eating out in Florida is more than just fast food – discover culinary highlights, insider tips & typical specialties for your vacation in the USA. I’ll give you an overview of the best-known restaurants and fast food chains.
Food & drink in the USA
Florida’s restaurant scene is as colorful as the Sunshine State itself. From large casual dining chains such as Carrabba’s, Chili’s or TGI Friday’s to small family businesses, there is something for everyone. From Naples to Panama City, Florida’s coastal towns are famous for fresh seafood. Don’t miss grouper sandwiches or Key lime pie along the Gulf Coast. Many restaurants score with fresh seafood cuisine, inspired by the proximity to the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico, or serve dishes from the Caribbean, Latin America and the southern USA.
The waterfront restaurants offer a special experience. Whether directly on the beach, at a marina or on the banks of a river – here you can enjoy freshly caught fish, oysters or juicy steaks with a view of the water and spectacular sunsets. Equally characteristic of Florida are the food trucks that offer culinary diversity in a very small space at festivals, markets or on the roadside. The offerings range from tacos and BBQ to gourmet burgers and exotic bowls – often creative, always fresh and uncomplicated.
Planning with the interactive dining map
With our interactive Florida Dining Map you will find the restaurant that suits your taste – whether romantic, family-friendly, inexpensive or exclusive. Filter by region, cuisine or price. Looking for a food truck in Tampa? A sunset dinner in Naples? Simply zoom in, select and often reserve a table directly or find out more in advance in the showcase article.
How to use our card
Coming Soon
5 tips for your restaurant visit
- Tipping is mandatory – waiters in the USA earn the majority of their income from tips. It is customary to tip 18-20% of the net amount (before tax) for good service, or more for exceptional service. Not tipping is considered rude unless the service was really bad.
- Take advantage of happy hour – Many restaurants offer discounted drinks and snacks in the late afternoon.
- It pays to make a reservation – Reservations often save long waiting times, especially in coastal towns and tourist regions.
- Large portions – meals are often larger than expected. It is common to share something or to take the leftovers with you in a “to-go box”.
- Relaxed dress code – Even many upscale restaurants accept “smart casual”. For fine dining or exclusive clubs, however, it is worth taking a look at the dress code.
5 Typical USA features
- Free water & free refills – Tap water is served automatically in most restaurants and refilled free of charge. Soft drinks, iced tea and coffee are also often refilled free of charge.
- Early mealtimes – Many Americans eat earlier than is usual in Europe. A reservation at 6 p.m. is completely normal.
- Taxes are added on top – The menu prices do not include the sales tax (in Florida approx. 6-7.5% depending on the county). It is only added when you pay.
- Kitchens close earlier – Outside the big cities, kitchens can close as early as 9 pm.
- Special requests are normal – It is quite common to customize dishes, e.g. “without onions” or “dressing separately”.
Restaurant Showcase
Your restaurant, café, food truck or waterfront eatery will be visible to real Florida foodies – reach exactly those people who are now looking for culinary experiences in the Sunshine State. Secure space for your showcase entry now.
Italian pizza in Fort Myers
Feel transported back to Chicago during the Prohibition era with Capone’s coal-fired pizza.
Your business in Florida
Our showcases put your business in the spotlight – perfect for Florida lovers with an appetite and thirst.
American restaurants – Who offers what in Florida?
Anyone who drives through Florida knows the feeling: restaurant logos pop up everywhere – but often you don’t even know what cuisine is behind them. You quickly ask yourself: “What are they actually serving?” Or you want to eat something special and don’t want to read countless reviews first. Our restaurant guide helps you to better classify typical US chains and system restaurants – clearly and purposefully.
Florida Restaurant Guide
Who offers what and where? We bring light into the darkness of the countless restaurants.
Food + drink becomes a vacation experience
Eating out in Florida will not only fill you up, it’s a real vacation experience – whether you’re sitting in an air-conditioned restaurant, barefoot on the jetty or standing under palm trees with a snack in your hand after a day of shopping.
The best restaurants in Florida – an overview
Florida is a paradise for foodies. Whether you’re looking for a romantic dinner by the water, a quick snack from a food truck or a family-friendly beach café – you’ll find it in Florida.
Shopping extensively before dinner
In Florida you will find the best shopping addresses, real insider tips and everything you need to fill your suitcase. And if you get hungry while shopping, that’s taken care of too. Find out which of the countless stores offers what here!
To the waterfront restaurant by boat
Coming Soon